Child and adolescent psychiatry and family status: a nationwide register-based study.
BACKGROUND
Much attention has been given to parental separation as a possible risk factor for adverse child development; however, little information is available regarding the family status of children referred to psychiatric facilities.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between psychiatric illness in childhood and family status compared to the background population.


METHODS
Data was derived from a national register on children referred to psychiatric facilities in Denmark and a databank containing detailed statistical information on the Danish society.


RESULTS
Regardless of age significantly fewer children with psychiatric illnesses lived with both biological parents as compared to the background population (51.1% vs 73.3%). There were no gender differences. Analyses of the specific diagnoses association with family status revealed only few significant differences.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychiatrically ill children are at increased risk of not living with both biological parents independent of age of the child.
Esbjorn
Barbara Hoff
BH
Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen K, Denmark. barbara.hoff@psy.ku.dk
Levin
Eline
E
Hoeyer
Mette
M
Dyrborg
Jorgen
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000296:Adolescent Psychiatry; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002665:Child Psychiatry; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012042:Registries; D020954:Single-Parent Family / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*