Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 7 of 7
Mental health
- Author:
- NATIONAL CHILDREN'S BUREAU
- Publisher:
- National Children's Bureau
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- London
The paper looks at what is known about the mental health and emotional well-being of looked after children and young people. It gives a description of mental health and emotional well-being and presents children and young people’s views of mental health and emotional well-being. The paper then examines how healthy care can promote and protect the mental health and emotional well-being of looked after children and young people.
Need for and actual use of mental health service by adolescents in the child welfare system
- Author:
- SHIN Sunny Hyucksun
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 27(10), October 2005, pp.1071-1083.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Although foster youth are at increased risk of mental illness, little is known about need for and actual use of mental health services by adolescents in the child welfare system. Analyzing a random sample of 113 foster youth in a large Midwest state, the author found that foster youth experienced severe mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and loss of behavioral/emotional control. In this study, need for services, as measured by the presence of a mental health problem, was only partially related to mental health services received. Logistic regression analyses indicated that four factors including anxiety, child abuse history, poor psychological well-being, and time in care were significantly related to mental health service use.
Creating a safe place to sleep: an analysis of night care staff interventions to reduce evening and night-time disturbance in a residential unit
- Author:
- CONLON Margaret
- Journal article citation:
- Scottish Journal of Residential Child Care, 4(2), August 2005, pp.1-9.
- Publisher:
- Department of Social Work. University of Strathclyde.
This article demonstrates the complexities involved in supporting young people to adopt positive sleep routines in the residential care setting. It is based on a period of consultancy with a team of night staff and describes two care scenarios, involving bedtime and pre-bedtime activities implemented by four female staff members. The consultancy was carried out by a multi-disciplinary mental health team, whose remit was to enhance staff capacity to recognise and understand mental health problems in young people in the care system. Contextual factors such as the psychological needs of young people are considered, alongside the capacity for skilful and sensitive caring from night staff. The focus of the analysis is to demonstrate practice that promotes healthy sleeping patterns for vulnerable young people in residential settings.
Exploring out-of-home placement as a moderator of help-seeking behavior among adolescents who are high at risk
- Authors:
- UNRAU Yvonne A., GRINNELL Richard M.
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 15(6), November 2005, pp.516-530.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This study investigated foster or group care placement as a predictor of help-seeking behaviour among adolescents who were at high risk for physical and mental health problems. Data from the 1985 to 1986 wave of the Adolescent Health Care Evaluation Study were used to compare three groups of adolescents: (a) 136 that had experienced placement, (b) 136 that were randomly selected from the larger sample, and (c) 136 matched to the placement group on key variables. Adolescents who experienced placement had more physical and mental health problems compared to the random and matched groups. However, foster or group care placement was associated with help-seeking behaviour only for two problems: depression and conduct disorder. The authors conclude that understanding the impact of placement on help-seeking behaviour 20 years ago fills a critical gap in the current literature and provides an anchor point for examining foster care policy and programming today.
The mental health of looked after children: matching response to need
- Authors:
- STANLEY Nicky, RIORDAN Denise, ALASZEWSKI Helen
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 13(3), May 2005, pp.239-248.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study aimed to explore the mental health problems of looked after children and to examine the service response to those needs in two English local authorities. The study utilised a purposive sample of 80 looked after children which was biased towards those with high needs but which reflected the characteristics of looked after children in the two areas with regard to age, gender and type of placement. Key data on children and young people were collected from social services' case files and a set of indicators of mental health need was designed by the research team in order to distinguish different types and levels of mental health problems. High levels of mental health need in the study group were associated with placement disruption. Educational difficulties were also apparent in the group with the highest levels of mental health need. Longer-term input from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) professionals did not appear to be targeted on the group with the highest level of mental health needs. The researchers conclude that longer-term CAMHS interventions could be usefully focused on looked after children who have experienced high levels of placement disruption. As the professional group most likely to be providing substantial intervention to looked after children and their carers, social workers require relevant training in identifying and responding to mental health needs. CAMHS professionals could develop and strengthen their consultative roles with front-line carers, social workers and schools.
An investigation of the mental health needs of children looked after by Craigavon and Banbridge Health and Social Services Trust
- Authors:
- TEGGART Tom, MENARY Joanne
- Journal article citation:
- Child Care in Practice, 11(1), January 2005, pp.39-49.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Rates of mental health difficulties were investigated among children in substitute care across five childcare teams in Craigavon and Banbridge H+SS Trust. A total of 64 children were assessed using a behavioural screening instrument. Results indicate that more than 60% of 4-10 year olds assessed may have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. The presence of such a disorder is probable in almost 50%. Among the 11-16 year olds assessed, the proportion likely to have a diagnosable disorder is slightly higher at almost two-thirds of the sample group. A significant number of children appeared in more than one diagnostic category, indicating the complexity of their presentation and probable co-morbid diagnoses. The implications of these results for further research and for the provision of mental health services to young people in substitute care are discussed.
Pathways and outcomes: a ten year follow up study of children who have experienced care
- Author:
- MCAULEY Colette
- Publisher:
- Northern Ireland. Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 16p
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
This small study traced a cohort of 19 young people who had lengthy care experience in Northern Ireland and who had taken part in an earlier study. Sixteen agreed to participate in the follow-up study. They were aged between 17 and 24 years at the time of interview. With their consent, file searches were also carried out. The study was funded by the DHSSPS and HPSS Boards. These young people had been the subject of an earlier study of primary school aged children entering planned long term foster care placements. The cohort was drawn from the four Boards’ areas and consisted of all children aged four to eleven who were being placed in new, planned long term foster placements in a seven month period between 1988 and 1989. At the time of these placements, the children had a history of considerable trauma and adversity and there were concerns about their adjustment and development. At follow up, the young people were keen to share their views and pleased that the Department was interested in what had happened to them. The file searches focused upon progress and outcomes in the seven developmental areas covered in LAC review forms namely mental health, emotional, social and behavioural development, family and social relationships; education; physical health and development; self-esteem, identity, social presentation and self care skills.