Early Emotional and Behavioural Problems Predict Use of Habilitation Services Among Children: Findings from a Longitudinal Follow-up Study

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2024 May 16

PMID 38753629

Authors

Pavithra Ashok

Anna Faldt

Anton Dahlberg

Natalie Durbeej

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the association between early emotional and behavioural problems and use of habilitation services among children in Sweden.

Methods: In this longitudinal cohort study, we used data on children, 3-5 years of age, whose mothers (n = 7343) and fathers (n = 6322) had responded to the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for assessment of emotional and behavioural problems, and who were followed for approximately 6.5 years with regard to use of habilitation services. The relations between emotional and behavioural problems and use of habilitation services were explored through cox regression models.

Results: In unadjusted models, children with identified emotional and behavioural problems were more likely to utilise habilitation services compared to those with no identified problems. These associations were shown for both mothers' (HR: 5.02) and fathers' (HR: 4.25) SDQ ratings. In adjusted cox-regression models, the associations remained significant for both mothers' (AHR: 4.24) and fathers' (AHR: 4.03) ratings.

Conclusions: Early emotional and behavioural problems predict later habilitation service use among children in Sweden. Assessment of these problems in all children at child health services could facilitate early identification and timely interventions. Habilitation centres in Sweden could integrate mental health care into the standard treatment for children using these services.

References

Briggs-Gowan M, Carter A, Bosson-Heenan J, Guyer A, Horwitz S . Are infant-toddler social-emotional and behavioral problems transient?. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006; 45(7):849-58. DOI: 10.1097/01.chi.0000220849.48650.59. View

Georgiades S, Szatmari P, Duku E, Zwaigenbaum L, Bryson S, Roberts W . Phenotypic overlap between core diagnostic features and emotional/behavioral problems in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2010; 41(10):1321-9. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-010-1158-9. View

Adriaanse M, Veling W, Doreleijers T, van Domburgh L . The link between ethnicity, social disadvantage and mental health problems in a school-based multiethnic sample of children in The Netherlands. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2014; 23(11):1103-13. DOI: 10.1007/s00787-014-0564-5. View

Lytsy P, Hallqvist J, Alexanderson K, Ahs A . Gender differences in healthcare management of depression: aspects of sick leave and treatment with psychoactive drugs in a Swedish setting. Nord J Psychiatry. 2019; 73(7):441-450. DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2019.1649723. View

Loytomaki J, Laakso M, Huttunen K . Social-Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Emotion Perception in Daily Life and in a Formal Assessment Context. J Autism Dev Disord. 2022; 53(12):4744-4758. PMC: 10627915. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05768-9. View

Furniss T, Beyer T, Guggenmos J . Prevalence of behavioural and emotional problems among six-years-old preschool children: baseline results of a prospective longitudinal study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2006; 41(5):394-9. DOI: 10.1007/s00127-006-0045-3. View

Briggs-Gowan M, Carter A, McCarthy K, Augustyn M, Caronna E, Clark R . Clinical validity of a brief measure of early childhood social-emotional/behavioral problems. J Pediatr Psychol. 2013; 38(5):577-87. PMC: 3666122. DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jst014. View

Link Egger H, Angold A . Common emotional and behavioral disorders in preschool children: presentation, nosology, and epidemiology. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2006; 47(3-4):313-37. DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2006.01618.x. View

Einfeld S, Ellis L, Emerson E . Comorbidity of intellectual disability and mental disorder in children and adolescents: a systematic review. J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2011; 36(2):137-43. DOI: 10.1080/13668250.2011.572548. View

10.

Goodman R . Psychometric properties of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2001; 40(11):1337-45. DOI: 10.1097/00004583-200111000-00015. View

11.

Gleason M, Goldson E, Yogman M . Addressing Early Childhood Emotional and Behavioral Problems. Pediatrics. 2016; 138(6). DOI: 10.1542/peds.2016-3025. View

12.

Dahlberg A, Ghaderi A, Sarkadi A, Salari R . SDQ in the Hands of Fathers and Preschool Teachers-Psychometric Properties in a Non-clinical Sample of 3-5-Year-Olds. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2018; 50(1):132-141. PMC: 6373308. DOI: 10.1007/s10578-018-0826-4. View

13.

Roza S, Hofstra M, van der Ende J, Verhulst F . Stable prediction of mood and anxiety disorders based on behavioral and emotional problems in childhood: a 14-year follow-up during childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. Am J Psychiatry. 2003; 160(12):2116-21. DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.160.12.2116. View

14.

Stone L, Otten R, Engels R, Vermulst A, Janssens J . Psychometric properties of the parent and teacher versions of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire for 4- to 12-year-olds: a review. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev. 2010; 13(3):254-74. PMC: 2919684. DOI: 10.1007/s10567-010-0071-2. View

15.

Fergusson D, Horwood L, Ridder E . Show me the child at seven: the consequences of conduct problems in childhood for psychosocial functioning in adulthood. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2005; 46(8):837-49. DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00387.x. View

16.

Rai D, Lewis G, Lundberg M, Araya R, Svensson A, Dalman C . Parental socioeconomic status and risk of offspring autism spectrum disorders in a Swedish population-based study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2012; 51(5):467-476.e6. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2012.02.012. View

17.

Wallby T, Hjern A . Child health care uptake among low-income and immigrant families in a Swedish county. Acta Paediatr. 2011; 100(11):1495-503. DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02344.x. View

18.

Goodman R, Ford T, Simmons H, Gatward R, Meltzer H . Using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to screen for child psychiatric disorders in a community sample. Br J Psychiatry. 2000; 177:534-9. DOI: 10.1192/bjp.177.6.534. View

19.

Douma J, Dekker M, Koot H . Supporting parents of youths with intellectual disabilities and psychopathology. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2006; 50(Pt 8):570-81. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2006.00825.x. View

20.

Woerner W, Fleitlich-Bilyk B, Martinussen R, Fletcher J, Cucchiaro G, Dalgalarrondo P . The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire overseas: evaluations and applications of the SDQ beyond Europe. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2004; 13 Suppl 2:II47-54. DOI: 10.1007/s00787-004-2008-0. View