Denise A Chavira1,2, Brenda Bantados3, Amy Rapp1, Yudelki M Firpo-Perretti4, Emily Escovar1, Louise Dixon1, Amy Drahota5, Lawrence A Palinkas6. 1. University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Psychology, Los Angeles, CA, USA. 2. University of California, San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, La Jolla, CA, USA. 3. Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA. 4. Boston University, Department of Psychology, Boston, MA, USA. 5. Michigan State University, Department of Psychology, East Lansing, MI, USA. 6. University of Southern California, School of Social Work, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Stigma has been frequently cited as a barrier to service use for various mental health problems. Studies suggest that stigma may be greater for childhood mental health problems that are perceived as more atypical. AIMS: This study utilized a mixed methods research design (qual + QUAN) to examine parental endorsement of stigma and its impact on service utilization among children with significant anxiety-a common childhood problem frequently perceived as normative. METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 29 parents of anxious children. Qualitative data were coded using a grounded theory approach, and stigma-related responses were examined for emergent themes. Quantitative data was analyzed with frequency counts and chi-square analysis. RESULTS: Stigma related to children's anxiety symptoms and seeking mental health services was reported by 41.3% (n = 12) of parents. Emergent themes included: 1) Parental Concern for Negative Consequences, 2) Parent Internalized Stigma, and 3) Negative Associations with Mental Health Treatment. Latino parents discussed stigma more frequently than non-Latino White parents (70% vs. 17.6%, respectively, X2(1, N = 27) = 5.33, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although anxiety is a common childhood problem, stigma is still frequently reported by parents and may be an important barrier to mental health service use, especially among Latino youth.
BACKGROUND: Stigma has been frequently cited as a barrier to service use for various mental health problems. Studies suggest that stigma may be greater for childhood mental health problems that are perceived as more atypical. AIMS: This study utilized a mixed methods research design (qual + QUAN) to examine parental endorsement of stigma and its impact on service utilization among children with significant anxiety-a common childhood problem frequently perceived as normative. METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 29 parents of anxious children. Qualitative data were coded using a grounded theory approach, and stigma-related responses were examined for emergent themes. Quantitative data was analyzed with frequency counts and chi-square analysis. RESULTS: Stigma related to children's anxiety symptoms and seeking mental health services was reported by 41.3% (n = 12) of parents. Emergent themes included: 1) Parental Concern for Negative Consequences, 2) Parent Internalized Stigma, and 3) Negative Associations with Mental Health Treatment. Latino parents discussed stigma more frequently than non-Latino White parents (70% vs. 17.6%, respectively, X2(1, N = 27) = 5.33, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although anxiety is a common childhood problem, stigma is still frequently reported by parents and may be an important barrier to mental health service use, especially among Latino youth.
Authors: Guilherme V Polanczyk; Giovanni A Salum; Luisa S Sugaya; Arthur Caye; Luis A Rohde Journal: J Child Psychol Psychiatry Date: 2015-02-03 Impact factor: 8.982
Authors: B Birmaher; D A Brent; L Chiappetta; J Bridge; S Monga; M Baugher Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 1999-10 Impact factor: 8.829
Authors: Bradley S Peterson; Amy E West; John R Weisz; Wendy J Mack; Michele D Kipke; Robert L Findling; Brian S Mittman; Ravi Bansal; Steven Piantadosi; Glenn Takata; Corinna Koebnick; Ceth Ashen; Christopher Snowdy; Marie Poulsen; Bhavana Kumar Arora; Courtney M Allem; Marisa Perez; Stephanie N Marcy; Bradley O Hudson; Stephanie H Chan; Robin Weersing Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2021-06-30 Impact factor: 3.630
Authors: Jessie J M Bennenbroek; Annouk Y S Bruggeman; Lukas B M Koet; Evelien I T de Schepper; Arthur M Bohnen; Patrick J E Bindels; Heike Gerger Journal: BMC Prim Care Date: 2022-09-12
Authors: Halewijn M Drent; Barbara van den Hoofdakker; Jan K Buitelaar; Pieter J Hoekstra; Andrea Dietrich Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-10-06 Impact factor: 4.614