Many categories of life many contribute to an increase in health problems. The same occurs for mental health. If there are mental disorders in a child or parent, the overall development of the child is affected.
The study I chose to review used clinical type questionnaires of over 10,000 families in Great Britain to determine the effect of mental disorders in children between the ages of 5 and 15. (Metzler et al, 2003). All of the statistics were based on the diagnostic criteria for research using the International Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders (Metzler et al, 2003). Although this week we were studying infants, in my opinion, we could use these statistics for the younger that fit in those categories listed in the study.
Summing up the study, many social categories seemed more likely to affect a child’s mental health than others. The following are some of the categories Metzler et al. (2003) presented where mental and behavioral disorders were higher than with children not in these categories:
· Children from low income families
· Children from uneducated families
· Children whose parents did have higher learning (college or trade school)
· Children from one parent homes
· Children with reconstructed families (step parents and siblings)
· Children in public housing verses children of home owners
From this study we find out that limited resources in families affects children regardless of the culture. Parents are least likely to seek assistance for their children professionally if they are in a low income status (Metzler et al.). Early childhood professionals must be cognizant of the challenges of all children especially of those whose parents cannot or are not capable of helping their children. We can see signs of mental disorders and inform parents where reasonable or free resources are available to them.
Meltzer, H., Gatward, R., Goodman, R., & Ford, T. (2003). Mental health of children and
adolescents in Great Britain. International Review Of Psychiatry (Abingdon, England), 15(1-
2), 185-187. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
You wrote a very informative post. Although, I have limited amount of knowledge about working with mental health children in the United States or Britian. The information in your post taught me that all parents need resources that will help their children no matter what part of the world they live in. Thanks, I learned a lot from your post.
ReplyDeleteJayme, at first glance one might think it interesting that both educated and uneducated families experience mental health issues, I think it goes to show that mental health does not discriminate. I wonder if the issues were greatly different in those 2 categories? I also wonder if the results would be the same in the U.S. across the board?
ReplyDeleteTammy, the article gave claim that the statistics should have mirrored any developed country. But that is their claim not proven.
ReplyDelete