Use of Mental Health Services, Including Services for Learning Disabilities, Among Schoolchildren in Grades CP through CM2 in Metropolitan France—Results from 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 impact on individuals 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 utilization, including for learning difficulties, among school-aged children in grades 1 through 5 in mainland France; 2) to identify the factors associated with this utilization. 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 school-aged children from the youngest kindergarten class through CM2 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-administered questionnaires. The children assessed their mental health by completing the Dominique Interactif, a computerized, audiovisual questionnaire that explores the symptoms of major mental health disorders. Teachers and parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, which identifies symptoms of emotional distress, oppositional behavior, and inattention/hyperactivity in children. Parents also answered questions regarding their own 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 mental health services applied to 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 disorder with or without hyperactivity 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, the fact that one or both parents were born abroad was associated with lower rates of care-seeking. The results illustrate the pivotal role of general practitioners and pediatricians in facilitating access to mental health and rehabilitation professionals. Finally, a strong association was observed between factors indicating 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 use of mental health and rehabilitation specialists for these difficulties. However, our findings highlight that approximately half of the children identified by the study as having mental health difficulties did not seek care, and that access to care is socially unequal. Our findings call for improved 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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