1. Parent-reported stigma and child anxiety: A mixed methods research study
- Author
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Chavira, Denise A, Bantados, Brenda, Rapp, Amy, Firpo-Perretti, Yudelki M, Escovar, Emily, Dixon, Louise, Drahota, Amy, and Palinkas, Lawrence A
- Subjects
Social Work ,Sociology ,Human Society ,Behavioral and Social Science ,Pediatric ,Mental Health ,Clinical Research ,Brain Disorders ,7.1 Individual care needs ,Management of diseases and conditions ,Mental health ,Good Health and Well Being ,Stigma ,Child anxiety ,Service utilization ,Ethnic minority youth ,Mixed methods research ,Applied Economics ,Social work - Abstract
BackgroundStigma has been frequently cited as a barrier to service use for various mental health problems. Studies suggest that stigma may be greater for childhood mental health problems that are perceived as more atypical.AimsThis study utilized a mixed methods research design (qual + QUAN) to examine parental endorsement of stigma and its impact on service utilization among children with significant anxiety-a common childhood problem frequently perceived as normative.MethodsSemi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 29 parents of anxious children. Qualitative data were coded using a grounded theory approach, and stigma-related responses were examined for emergent themes. Quantitative data was analyzed with frequency counts and chi-square analysis.ResultsStigma related to children's anxiety symptoms and seeking mental health services was reported by 41.3% (n = 12) of parents. Emergent themes included: 1) Parental Concern for Negative Consequences, 2) Parent Internalized Stigma, and 3) Negative Associations with Mental Health Treatment. Latino parents discussed stigma more frequently than non-Latino White parents (70% vs. 17.6%, respectively, X2(1, N = 27) = 5.33, p < 0.05).ConclusionsAlthough anxiety is a common childhood problem, stigma is still frequently reported by parents and may be an important barrier to mental health service use, especially among Latino youth.
- Published
- 2017