Differences between only children and children with 1 sibling referred to a psychiatric clinic: a test of Richards and Goodman's findings.
OBJECTIVE
To test Richards and Goodman's hypothesis that a higher proportion of only children under age 5 years assessed in a psychiatric department do not present a psychiatric diagnosis, compared with preschool children with 1 sibling, and to investigate other variables relative to children in this age group with no psychiatric disorder, in light of Richards and Goodman's findings.


METHODS
We gathered data from 169 children under age 5 years seen in the psychiatric department of a large pediatric hospital in Montreal, Quebec.


RESULTS
First, bivariate analysis showed no differences between the proportion of only children and children with 1 sibling regarding absence of a psychiatric diagnosis. Second, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that child's age and mother's child-rearing attitudes were significant variables. Younger children (that is, age 0 to 2 years) and children whose mothers had "adequate" child-rearing attitudes (that is, not exhibiting significant impatience, rejection, stubbornness, neglect, or overprotectiveness) were more likely to have no disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings run counter to Richards and Goodman's results and suggest that other variables, such as child's age and mother's behaviour, are significant predictors of children under age 5 years having no diagnosis.
Marleau
Jacques D
JD
Centre de recherche de l'Institut Philippe Pinel de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Quebec. marleauj@videotron.ca
Breton
Jean-Jacques
JJ
Chiniara
Gisèle
G
Saucier
Jean-François
JF
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009863:Only Child / Q000523:psychology*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology*