Mental health services for preschool children in primary care: a survey of maternal attitudes and beliefs.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined maternal attitudes and practices that may prevent preschoolers from receiving needed mental health services.


METHODS
Mothers of 110 children ages 3-6 completed a survey of maternal attitudes and practices and the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI).


RESULTS
Mothers wanted pediatrician assistance with child behavior concerns. Mothers of children with elevated ECBI scores reported most often discussing disruptive behaviors with their pediatrician, and preferred clinician-provided services, whereas mothers of children with normal range ECBI scores most often discussed developmental issues with the pediatrician and preferred parenting help from handouts and books. Mothers reported receiving clinician-provided services almost never.


CONCLUSIONS
Mothers were open to psychosocial services for child behavior problems, particularly via primary care, and ratings of barriers were relatively low despite reporting infrequent service use. Mothers' responses highlight the need for mental health providers in primary care to ensure accessibility of desired services.
Harwood
Michelle D
MD
University of Miami, Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Research Building, Miami, FL 33136, USA. mharwood@med.miami.edu
O'Brien
Kelly A
KA
Carter
Carolyn G
CG
Eyberg
Sheila M
SM
D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*