OBJECTIVES: Most large-scale evaluations of systems of care (SOCs) have focused on school-aged populations, with limited research examining early childhood SOCs. As a result, little is known about how risk profiles, symptom presentation, and outcomes may vary between early childhood and school-aged SOC participants. This descriptive study uses data from two SOCs-an early childhood SOC (EC-SOC) and a school-aged SOC (SA-SOC)-to examine the differences across age groups in how children and families present to SOCs and the extent to which risk factors and symptoms change over six months of enrollment. METHOD: Participants were 184 children in the EC-SOC (m age = 3.91) and 142 children in the SA-SOC (m age = 9.36). Families completed measures assessing risk factors and functioning at enrollment and at six-month follow up. Descriptive analyses measured the presence of risk factors and symptoms at enrollment and follow-up. Correlations were computed to determine the associations between symptom measures. RESULTS: Results identified areas of similarity and difference between families presenting for SOCs at different developmental stages. Younger children experienced greater behavioral problems (Hedge's g = 0.52, p < 0.001) with more associated caregiver stress (Hedge's g range = 0.34-0.62, p < 0.01) and strain (Hedge's g = 0.34, p = 0.005). Trauma was more strongly associated with child and caregiver symptoms among younger children. Greater change in symptom measures was observed for the EC-SOC. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the importance of providing services in early childhood and provide guidance for SOC service provision at different ages.
OBJECTIVES: Most large-scale evaluations of systems of care (SOCs) have focused on school-aged populations, with limited research examining early childhood SOCs. As a result, little is known about how risk profiles, symptom presentation, and outcomes may vary between early childhood and school-aged SOC participants. This descriptive study uses data from two SOCs-an early childhood SOC (EC-SOC) and a school-aged SOC (SA-SOC)-to examine the differences across age groups in how children and families present to SOCs and the extent to which risk factors and symptoms change over six months of enrollment. METHOD: Participants were 184 children in the EC-SOC (m age = 3.91) and 142 children in the SA-SOC (m age = 9.36). Families completed measures assessing risk factors and functioning at enrollment and at six-month follow up. Descriptive analyses measured the presence of risk factors and symptoms at enrollment and follow-up. Correlations were computed to determine the associations between symptom measures. RESULTS: Results identified areas of similarity and difference between families presenting for SOCs at different developmental stages. Younger children experienced greater behavioral problems (Hedge's g = 0.52, p < 0.001) with more associated caregiver stress (Hedge's g range = 0.34-0.62, p < 0.01) and strain (Hedge's g = 0.34, p = 0.005). Trauma was more strongly associated with child and caregiver symptoms among younger children. Greater change in symptom measures was observed for the EC-SOC. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the importance of providing services in early childhood and provide guidance for SOC service provision at different ages.
Entities:
Keywords:
Early childhood; Family risk factors; School-aged; Systems of care; Youth outcomes
Authors: Kya Fawley-King; Rachel Haine-Schlagel; Emily V Trask; Jinjin Zhang; Ann F Garland Journal: J Behav Health Serv Res Date: 2013-04 Impact factor: 1.505
Authors: Marianne Skreden; Hans Skari; Ulrik F Malt; Are H Pripp; Merethe D Björk; Anne Faugli; Ragnhild Emblem Journal: Scand J Public Health Date: 2012-10-05 Impact factor: 3.021