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Use of mental health and support services among families of children with disabilities: discrepant views of parents and paediatricians
Author(s) -
Urey Jon R.,
Viar Vicki
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
mental handicap research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1468-3148
pISSN - 0952-9608
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3148.1990.tb00083.x
Subject(s) - mental health , psychosocial , normative , psychology , coping (psychology) , clinical psychology , psychiatry , medicine , developmental psychology , philosophy , epistemology
Viewing families of children with disabilities in terms of normative coping responses to stress is a relatively recent trend. This investigation examined differences between parents of children with spina bifida and paediatricians in their views of families' mental health support service needs. The study involved 21 parents and 23 paediatricians who completed a needs assessment instrument. Although the views of the two groups were similar in regard to a perceived need for services, discrepancies were evident in the type of mental health support service providers thought to be most appropriate, and the perceived severity of families' psychosocial problems. Results are discussed in relation to family compliance in paediatric health care settings, and the need to consider parental attitudes when family mental health support service issues are raised.