Parental sociodemographic characteristics and mental health referrals by nurses in Swedish child health centres

Aim To explore the influence of parents' socio-economic characteristics on child healthcare nurses' mental health referrals of 3- to 5-year-olds and also to test the association between mental health problems and referrals. Methods Repeated cross-sectional data including parents' Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) assessments and referral data (psychologist and speech and language pathologist). Hierarchical regression was used to analyse whether parents' country of birth, education level, marital status and mental health problem scores (SDQ; total difficulties and impact scores) were associated with nurses' referrals. Results About 9% of mothers and 12% of fathers rated high SDQ scores (total difficulties) in their children. Approximately, 1% of the children were referred. The influence of parents' socio-economic characteristics on referral rates was not observed. However, for children with Swedish-born mothers, referral rates were significantly lower. Scores for SDQ total difficulties and impact were associated with the child's referral to specialists. Conclusion In general, parental sociodemographic characteristics do not influence Swedish child healthcare nurses' mental health referrals. Although there was a significant association between problem behaviour and referral, a disproportion between children rated with high SDQ scores (9% and 12%) and children referred to specialists (1%) should be addressed.

Automated summary

The study found that parents' socio-economic characteristics do not significantly influence mental health referrals by child healthcare nurses. However, there is an association between problem behavior and referrals, but there is an imbalance between children with high scores and those referred.