The impact of children's emotional and behavioural difficulties on their lives and their use of mental health services

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between the impact of children's emotional and behavioural difficulties and the use of mental health services, using 3 years of nationally representative data from the National Health Interview Survey. Data for the years 2001, 2003 and 2004 were combined (n = 29 265) to identify a sample of 1423 children aged 4-17 years with emotional/behavioural difficulties. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used. About 5% of U.S. children had emotional or behavioural difficulties. Children whose difficulty was a burden on their family were almost twice as likely to have contact with a mental health professional. Younger children (aged 4-7 years), Hispanic children and non-Hispanic black children with emotional or behavioural difficulties were less likely to use mental health services. These findings indicate that children's emotional and behavioural difficulties influence their lives and those of their families, leading parents to seek help. Racial disparities in mental health service use exist when controlling for the severity and the burden of these difficulties.