Economic cost of severe antisocial behaviour in children--and who pays it.
BACKGROUND
Persistent antisocial behaviour is the most common mental health problem in childhood and has widespread effects, yet little is known about what it costs.


OBJECTIVE
To identify the costs incurred by children with antisocial behaviour in the UK, and who pays these costs.


METHODS
Eighty children aged 3-8 years referred to mental health services were studied using the Client Service Receipt Inventory for Childhood.


RESULTS
The mean annual total cost was pound 5960 (median 4597, range 48-19 940). The services used were mainly the National Health Service, education and voluntary agencies, but the greatest cost burden, pound 4637, was borne by the family. Higher cost was predicted by more severe behaviour and being male.


CONCLUSIONS
The annual cost of severe antisocial behaviour in childhood in the UK is substantial and widespread, involving several agencies, but the burden falls most heavily on the family. Wider uptake of evidence-based interventions is likely to lead to considerable economic benefits in the short term, and probably even more in the long term.
Romeo
Renee
R
Centre for the Economics of Mental Health Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, UK.
Knapp
Martin
M
Scott
Stephen
S
D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000191:economics; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics; D011594:Psychometrics; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics; D006113:United Kingdom