title: Self-administered questionnaire for structured psychosocial screening in pediatrics.
abstract: Screening for psychosocial risk factors has been limited by lack of a structured approach. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of a self-administered questionnaire compared with routine history as recorded in the medical record in screening for risk factors for dysfunctional parenting in an urban pediatric clinic. English-speaking parents were offered questionnaires in the waiting room. In addition to routine demographic and medical questions, the questionnaires contained standard screening instruments for substance abuse, depression, self-esteem, and social support, as well as questions about domestic violence, homelessness, and parental history of abuse as a child. Medical records were reviewed separately. Of the 114 mothers who returned questionnaires, the response rate for sensitive questions such as income was greater than or equal to 85%. Compared with the medical record, the questionnaire identified significantly more mothers with possible substance abuse, depression, low self-esteem, and/or history of abuse as a child (P less than .01 for each). Compared with what is usually recorded in the medical record, self-administered questionnaires yield substantial additional information regarding psychosocial risk factors for dysfunctional parenting. Such questionnaires should be considered for routine psychosocial screening in clinics serving high-risk populations.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Pediatrics, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98104.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kemper
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D009035:Mothers; D010372:Pediatrics; D012650:Self Disclosure; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence