Identification and Management of Psychosocial Problems Among Toddlers in Dutch Preventive Child Health Care

Abstract

The CHPs frequently identify psychosocial problems in preschool children, although less than among school-aged children, but they miss many cases of parent-reported problems as measured by a clinical CBCL score. This general population study shows substantial room for improvement in the early identification of psychosocial problems.

Early Detection of Psychosocial Problems in Children Aged 5 to 6 Years by Preventive Child Healthcare: Has It Improved?

“…1,[7][8][9] CHPs failed to identify psychosocial problems in about half the children whose parents reported serious problems on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). 1,8 In the past 2 decades, there has been an increasing awareness of the importance of the early identification by PCH of psychosocial problems in children. 10 This resulted in several initiatives and interventions for improving identification.…”

Work Experience and Style Explain Variation Among Pediatricians in the Detection of Children With Psychosocial Problems

“…1,[7][8][9] Preventive pediatricians failed to identify psychosocial problems in approximately one-half the children whose parents reported serious problems on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). 1,8 Vogels et al 10 show that the proportion of children identified as having problems varies widely between individual preventive pediatricians. This variation could not be explained by the prevalence of problems or by differences in child background characteristics such as gender and age.…”

Characteristics of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in Preschool Children

“…Furthermore, 5% to 7% of the children with no clinical problems on the CBCL or ITSEA were identified as having psychosocial problems by the CHPs. 6,7 Validated questionnaires may improve the identification of psychosocial problems by CHPs. 8 An example of such a questionnaire is the CBCL, a highly reliable and valid instrument for assessing psychosocial problems in children.…”