TY - JOUR
T1 - Mental health problems in teens investigated by U.S. child welfare agencies
AU - Heneghan, Amy
AU - Stein, Ruth E.K.
AU - Hurlburt, Michael S.
AU - Zhang, Jinjin
AU - Rolls-Reutz, Jennifer
AU - Fisher, Emily
AU - Landsverk, John
AU - Horwitz, Sarah Mc Cue
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health award P30-MH074678 ; PI: J. Landsverk. We thank NIMH for the support but acknowledge that the findings and conclusions in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of NIMH. This document includes data from the National Survey on Child and Adolescent Well-Being, which was developed under contract with the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (ACYF/DHHS). The data have been provided by the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect. The information and opinions expressed herein reflect solely the position of the author(s). Nothing herein should be construed to indicate the support or endorsement of its content by ACYF/DHHS.
PY - 2013/5
Y1 - 2013/5
N2 - Purpose: To examine prevalence and correlates of five mental health (MH) problems among 12-17.5 year olds investigated by child welfare. Methods: Data from the National Survey on Child and Adolescent Well-being (NSCAW II) were analyzed to examine depression, anxiety, substance use/abuse, suicidality, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as reported by teens and their caregivers. In a sample of 815 adolescents, prevalence for each MH problem and correlates (e.g., age, placement location) were identified using bivariate and multivariable logistic analyses. Results: After investigation for maltreatment, 42.7% of teens reported at least one MH problem, regardless of placement. Nine percent reported depression, 13.9% reported suicidality, 23% had substance use/abuse, 13.5% reported anxiety, and 18.6% had ADHD. Of 332 teens with any MH problem, 52.1% reported only one problem, 28.3% had two problems, and 19.6% had ≥ three problems. Teens with prior out-of-home placement had odds 2.29 times higher of reporting a MH problem and odds 2.12 times higher of reporting substance use/abuse. Males were significantly less likely to report depression. Older teens were more likely to report substance use/abuse. Black teens were significantly less likely to report suicidality and ADHD and almost half as likely to report anxiety. Teens with a chronic health condition and teens whose caregiver reported depression had more than twice the odds of reporting anxiety. Conclusions: This study highlights high rates of MH problems in teens of all ages and placement locations and suggests that all teens involved with child welfare should be screened for MH problems, regardless of initial placement status.
AB - Purpose: To examine prevalence and correlates of five mental health (MH) problems among 12-17.5 year olds investigated by child welfare. Methods: Data from the National Survey on Child and Adolescent Well-being (NSCAW II) were analyzed to examine depression, anxiety, substance use/abuse, suicidality, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as reported by teens and their caregivers. In a sample of 815 adolescents, prevalence for each MH problem and correlates (e.g., age, placement location) were identified using bivariate and multivariable logistic analyses. Results: After investigation for maltreatment, 42.7% of teens reported at least one MH problem, regardless of placement. Nine percent reported depression, 13.9% reported suicidality, 23% had substance use/abuse, 13.5% reported anxiety, and 18.6% had ADHD. Of 332 teens with any MH problem, 52.1% reported only one problem, 28.3% had two problems, and 19.6% had ≥ three problems. Teens with prior out-of-home placement had odds 2.29 times higher of reporting a MH problem and odds 2.12 times higher of reporting substance use/abuse. Males were significantly less likely to report depression. Older teens were more likely to report substance use/abuse. Black teens were significantly less likely to report suicidality and ADHD and almost half as likely to report anxiety. Teens with a chronic health condition and teens whose caregiver reported depression had more than twice the odds of reporting anxiety. Conclusions: This study highlights high rates of MH problems in teens of all ages and placement locations and suggests that all teens involved with child welfare should be screened for MH problems, regardless of initial placement status.
KW - Adolescent
KW - Child welfare
KW - Child welfare investigation
KW - Foster care
KW - Mental health
KW - National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being
KW - Teens
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.10.269
DO - 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.10.269
M3 - Article
C2 - 23375826
AN - SCOPUS:84876690868
SN - 1054-139X
VL - 52
SP - 634
EP - 640
JO - Journal of Adolescent Health
JF - Journal of Adolescent Health
IS - 5
ER -