Mental Health Problems Among Preschoolers in Germany: Results of the BELLA Preschool Study.
In a cross-sectional study, the prevalence rates of overall and specific mental health problems (MHP), as well as consequential impairments, were examined in a representative community sample of German preschoolers. MHP in 391 children were assessed by applying the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, as well as its impact supplement. Furthermore, the child behaviour checklist 1½-5 (CBCL 1½-5) and the IOWA-Conners behaviour rating scale were applied. Prevalence rates of MHP with 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) were determined. Odds ratios were calculated to analyse the relationships between MHP, age, gender, socioeconomic status, and geographical region using logistic regression. Overall, 7.4 % of the children showed symptoms of MHP. 12.9 % of the children were considered to be impaired by psychosocial problems. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were present in 4.2 % of the children; 11.8 % showed hyperactivity symptoms. The observed prevalence rates call for early mental health prevention in preschoolers.
Department of Medical Psychology, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52 (W26), 20246, Hamburg, Germany. o.wlodarczyk@uke.de.
Olga
O
Wlodarczyk
Department of Medical Psychology, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52 (W26), 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
Silke
S
Pawils
Department of Medical Psychology, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52 (W26), 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
Franka
F
Metzner
Department of Medical Psychology, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52 (W26), 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
Levente
L
Kriston
Department of Medical Psychology, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52 (W26), 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
Carolin
C
Wendt
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Fionna
F
Klasen
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Ulrike
U
Ravens-Sieberer
D017677:Age Distribution; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002665:Child Psychiatry; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008603:Mental Health; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Cross-sectional studies; Mental health; Preschool children; Prevalence