Socio demographic characterization of users of Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Care Centers in the state of São Paulo

Abstract

The "Centros de Atenção Psicossocial Infanto-Juvenil" are dispositives of treatment for children and adolescents suffering from severe mental disorders. This article describes sociodemografic characteristics of users of those centers between September 2008 and February 2009 in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Data from active files randomly selected was collected in 19 Centers in the state of São Paulo. The characteristics analyzed were divided in four groups of variables: identity; living conditions; family structure; schooling and occupation. The results indicated a higher concentration of users between 10 to 14 years-old; prevalence of males; tendency to nuclear and reduced family arrangements (45%); care primarily given by the mother (57%) and high frequency of users attending the regular school (86%). It was possible to identify a well-defined socio demographic profile of users, with differences regarding gender, attending the regular school and/or other institutions, as well as sharing a nuclear family arrangement.

El cuidado de niños y adolescentes negros con problemas de salud mental en la interseccionalidad entre género y raza

“…En cuanto a la configuración de la estructura familiar de los niños y adolescentes atendidos por los servicios de salud mental infanto-juvenil, los estudios señalan que la mayoría pertenecen a familias nucleares y residen con sus padres (12)(13) . Un estudio señala que la madre es la principal cuidadora de los niños y adolescentes con problemas de salud mental, y que, en los casos en los que ella era responsable de los ingresos familiares, también se le asignaba el cuidado del niño, en cambio, el padre, cuando era proveedor de esta familia, no era responsable del cuidado del niño (12) . La constitución familiar, los recursos financieros, la red de apoyo social y los recursos individuales de las personas responsables del cuidado influyen en el proceso de salud/enfermedad de los niños y adolescentes (14) .…”

The care provided to black-skinned children and adolescents with mental health problems in the intersection between gender and race

“…Regarding the family configuration of children and adolescents monitored by mental health services specialized in this population segment, a number of studies indicate that the majority belong to nuclear families and live with their parents ( 12 13 ) . One study points out that mothers are the main caregiver of children and adolescents with mental health problems and that, in cases where they were responsible for the family income, they were also assigned the care of the children; on the other hand, when providers of these families, the fathers were not responsible for the care of the children ( 12 ) .…”

O cuidado de crianças e adolescentes negros com problemas de saúde mental na interseccionalidade entre gênero e raça

“…Em relação à configuração familiar de crianças e adolescentes acompanhados pelos serviços de saúde mental infantojuvenil, estudos apontam que a maioria pertence a famílias nucleares e residem com os pais (12)(13) .…”

“…Um estudo aponta que a mãe é a cuidadora principal de crianças e adolescentes com problemas de saúde mental, e que nos casos em que era a responsável pela renda familiar, a ela também era atribuído o cuidado da criança, em contrapartida, o pai, quando provedor desta família, não se responsabilizava pelos cuidados da criança (12) .…”