APA: Hispanic Parents Slow to Seek Help for Disturbed Children

“Parents of Hispanic children with serious behavioral or emotional problems are less likely to seek professional help for their children than are Caucasian parents, according to research presented here.

However, black parents appear to be increasing their use of mental health care for their children, reported Pui Yin Wong, M.D., of Beth Israel Medical Center in New York at the American Psychiatric Association meeting here.

The finding emerged from an analysis of the 2001 and 2004 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), Dr. Wong said in an interview, and appears to illustrate that black parents have made some strides in getting access to care for their children, while Hispanic parents have lagged behind.

Overall, significantly more children identified as having serious behavioral or emotional problems had a mental health contact in 2004, compared to 2001, Dr. Wong said. The rate climbed from 51.6% to 60%, a difference that was significant at P=0.01.”

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