title: Multiproblem Families Referred to Youth Mental Health: What's in a Name?
abstract: The purpose of this study was threefold, namely (1) to differentiate between multiproblem families and control families on characteristics and processes within the family based on a theoretical framework, (2) to identify multiproblem families by establishing cut-off scores on various questionnaires, and (3) to categorize multiproblem families into subtypes by cluster analyses. Various questionnaires were administered to multiproblem families (n = 85) and control families (n = 150). Results showed that what we propose to refer to as multiproblem families present a broad range of problems on seven domains: (1) child factors, (2) parental factors, (3) childrearing problems (inadequate or inconsistent parenting), (4) family functioning problems, (5) contextual problems, (6) social network problems, and (7) mental health care problems. Further, reliable cut-off scores were established for various questionnaires. Finally, three types of families were found: (1) community-problem families, (2) multiproblem families, and (3) child-focused mild-problem families. This paper looks to advance an evidence-based definition and assessment of "multiproblem families" suggesting the possible value of defining and assessing multiproblem families in relation to these seven dimensions. Moreover, the classification of multiproblem families stresses the importance of providing tailored treatments.
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Studies, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.|Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Denise H M
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Bodden
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Studies, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deković
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002668:Child Rearing; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005195:Family Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting; D011582:Psychological Theory; D002666:Psychology, Child; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Classification; Cluster analyses; Multiproblem families; análisis multivariante; características; clasificación; familias multiproblemáticas; 分类; 多重问题家庭; 特点; 聚类分析