Different treatment thresholds in non-western children with behavioral problems

Barbara W.C. Zwirs*, Huibert Burger, Tom W.J. Schulpen, Jan K. Buitelaar

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)
41 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objective: First, to investigate whether non-Western children in the Netherlands are less likely to be treated for behavioral problems than Western children; second, to examine whether discrepancies in treatment status are related to differences in level of problem behavior and impairment. Method: The study included 2,185 children of the four largest ethnic groups in the Netherlands, namely, 684 Dutch, 702 Moroccan, 434 Turkish, and 365 Surinamese children from grades three to five of elementary school. Teachers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and five DSM-IV items on externalizing problems. In addition, they provided information on the treatment status of the child. Results: Moroccan boys displayed more problem behavior, Turkish boys less problem behavior, and Surinamese boys similar rates of problem behavior compared with Dutch boys. No difference in problem behavior was found between Western and non-Western girls. Adjusted for age, level of problem behavior, and impairment, Moroccan and Turkish children and Surinamese girls were less likely to receive treatment for problem behavior. Conclusions: The higher treatment thresholds of non-Western children compared with Western children in the Netherlands could not be explained by differences in level of problem behavior or impairment. Detection of behavioral problems in non-Western children should receive more attention.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)476-483
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Volume45
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr-2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Behavioral problems
  • Ethnicity
  • Impairment
  • Treatment

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Different treatment thresholds in non-western children with behavioral problems'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this