Seeking mental health care, including for learning difficulties, among schoolchildren in grades 1 through 5 in mainland France - Results of the national study on children’s well-being

Background and Objectives: Children’s mental health is a major public health issue, both because of its individual repercussions and its societal implications. Various international epidemiological studies highlight that a significant proportion of children do not have access to mental health care. In France, there are no data estimating the use of mental health care among children aged 6 to 11. The objectives of this report are: 1) to estimate the frequency of mental health care use, including for learning difficulties, among schoolchildren in grades 1 through 5 in mainland France, and 2) to identify the factors associated with this use. Materials and Methods: The data are drawn from the Enabee study, a national cross-sectional study conducted in French schools in the spring of 2022 in mainland France, based on a random and representative sample of the population of school-aged children from the youngest kindergarten class through fifth grade in public schools or private schools under contract with the French Ministry of Education. For each child, a parent, a teacher, and the child themselves completed self-report questionnaires. The children assessed their mental health by completing the Dominique Interactif, a computerized, audiovisual questionnaire that explores symptoms of major mental health disorders. Teachers and parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, which identifies emotional, oppositional, and inattention/hyperactivity symptoms in children. Parents also answered questions regarding their health and socioeconomic status, as well as their family and their child’s living environment. The use of mental health care services was assessed by asking parents whether “In the past year, [their child] has been seen by one or more professionals for psychological or learning difficulties” and specifying the types of professionals consulted. A multinomial logistic regression was performed to examine the factors associated with i) seeking care from a rehabilitation specialist, ii) seeking care from a psychologist or psychiatrist, and iii) seeking care from both a rehabilitation specialist and a psychologist or psychiatrist. Variable selection was based on Andersen’s theoretical model, which posits that healthcare utilization is influenced by predisposing factors, facilitating factors, and need factors. Results: Our results highlighted frequent support for children with psychological or learning difficulties, as 21.3% [20.2–22.4] of all children included had consulted a professional due to these difficulties during the year preceding the survey. This use of care concerned only 52.8% [49.3–56.2] of the children who had been identified by psychometric scales as having a probable mental health disorder. The proportion of children who had sought care was higher among those with a probable oppositional defiant disorder or a probable attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder than among those with only a probable emotional disorder (58.1% [53.6–62.4] versus 44.7% [39.6–49.9]). Analysis of factors associated with seeking care showed in particular that a parent’s high level of education or parental separation was associated with increased use of a psychologist or psychiatrist, whereas, conversely, having one or both parents born abroad was associated with lower use of care. The results illustrate the pivotal role of general practitioners and pediatricians in accessing mental health and rehabilitation professionals. Finally, a strong association was noted between factors related to mental health needs (mental health disorders and academic difficulties) and the use of care services. Discussion: These data from Enabee 2022 provide the first documentation in France of healthcare utilization for mental health difficulties, including learning difficulties, among children aged 6 to 11. Our results reveal frequent utilization of mental health and rehabilitation specialists for these difficulties. However, our results highlight that approximately half of the children identified by the study as having mental health difficulties did not seek care and that this utilization is socially unequal. Our results call for a necessary improvement in access to mental health care for children aged 6–11.

Author(s): Motreff Yvon, Decio Valentina, Sentenac Mariane, Coquoz Céline, Delorme Richard, Gatecel Anne, Gauld Christophe, Kovess-Masfety Viviane, Lazimi Gilles, Perrine Anne-Laure, Rouquette Alexandra, Vandentorren Stéphanie, Monnier-Besnard Stéphanie, Regnault Nolwenn

Publishing year: 2025

Pages: 58 p.

Collection: Studies and Surveys

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