Mental health of preschool children and their mothers in a mixed urban/rural population. I. Prevalence and ecological factors.

Thompson, M J; Stevenson, J; Sonuga-Barke, E; Nott, P; Bhatti, Z; Price, A; Hudswell, M · Br J Psychiatry · 1996

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

The prevalence rate of behaviour problems and maternal mental disturbance was estimated using a sample of 1047 families with a 3-year-old child from a mixed urban/rural area. Parents completed the Child Behaviour Checklist, EAS Temperament Questionnaire, Weiss-Werry-Peters Activity Scale and the GHQ-30. The rate of behaviour problems (13.2%) was similar to that obtained in studies of urban children. The rate of maternal disturbance (27.6%) was lower than in other population samples. Few differences were found in the prevalence rates in the urban and rural areas. Preschool children and their parents living in non-urban areas had the same rates of problems as those in conurbations. The service needs of such families are similar regardless of locality.

Medical subject headings