The mental health of homeless school-age children.
OBJECTIVE
The mental health of homeless school-age children.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 46 homeless children between the ages of 8 and 12 years completed the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and each child's mother completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).


RESULTS
Fifty-seven percent of the children had depressive symptoms and 26% needed additional evaluation for mental health problems. Overall, the CDI and CBCL scores indicated that gender or ethnicity are not related to the children's mental health.


CONCLUSIONS
The mental health of homeless schoolage children should be assessed, as they may be at risk for mental health problems.
Menke
E M
EM
Ohio State University, College of Nursing, Columbus, USA.
D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012307:Risk Factors