Child Characteristics Influencing Referral to Mental Health Services

This study explored whether certain child characteristics (age, type of problem presented, and gender) influenced the referral decisions of parents, general practitioners, and child psychologists. These three groups were taken as key gatekeepers in controlling access to mental health services. Results suggested that age of child and type of problem significantly affected the subject's responses whilst sex of child did not. Psychologically disturbed 10-year olds may be more likely to reach mental health services than psychologically disturbed 3-year olds, and children who showed their disturbance in terms of conduct disorder may be more likely to arouse concern than those who present with emotional disturbance.