Mental Disorders in German Youth Welfare Institutions
Author Information
Author(s): Marc Schmid, Lutz Goldbeck, Jakob Nuetzel, Joerg M Fegert
Primary Institution: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Basel, Switzerland
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence of mental disorders among adolescents in German residential care?
Conclusion
Children and adolescents in youth welfare and residential care are a neglected high risk population.
Supporting Evidence
- 59.9% of the study population met the criteria for an ICD-10 diagnosis.
- High rates of co-morbidity were observed among the participants.
- The study included a representative sample of children in residential care.
Takeaway
Many kids in group homes have mental health problems, and we need to help them better.
Methodology
The study involved 20 residential care institutions and used a two-step design with symptom checklists and clinical examinations.
Potential Biases
Potential selection bias due to non-participation of some institutions and children.
Limitations
The study may underestimate the prevalence of mental disorders due to limited assessment scope and reliance on checklists.
Participant Demographics
The sample included 689 children and adolescents aged 4 to 18 years, with a mean age of 14.4 years; 397 were male and 160 were female.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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