ERIC Number: EJ1481181
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Sep
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: EISSN-1573-3432
Available Date: 2024-06-22
"Bottom of My Own List": Barriers and Facilitators to Mental Health Support Use in Caregivers of Children with Neurodevelopmental Support Needs
Kailey E. Penner1; Rachel Roy1; Ana C. Hanlon-Dearman2,3,4,5,6; Kristene Cheung2,7,8; Cara Katz9; Jessica L. Schleider10; Leslie E. Roos1,2,5; Emily E. Cameron1,3
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v55 n9 p3288-3303 2025
This study investigated barriers and facilitators to mental health service use (e.g., interventions, educational programs) in caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders and/or neurodevelopmental problems, as they experience high levels of distress and low help-seeking behaviour. Caregivers of children aged 0 to 12 with neurodevelopmental disorders and/or neurodevelopmental problems (N = 78) completed a mixed-method online survey about their mental health and service use. Caregiver-reported psychological distress and mental health service use were positively correlated. Most participants (66.2%) were above the clinical cut-off score for anxiety, depression, or caregiving stress; of these participants, 45.7% had not accessed mental health services for themselves within the past year. Lack of time and difficulties arranging childcare were noted barriers; patient-oriented suggestions for service improvement were provided. The findings add novel information on factors to increase mental health service use in this population. Recommendations for clinical practice for those practitioners who provide services for children with neurodevelopmental disorders and/or neurodevelopmental problems are included.
Descriptors: Child Caregivers, Mental Health, Mental Health Programs, Intervention, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Stress Variables, Help Seeking
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1University of Manitoba, Department of Psychology, Winnipeg, Canada; 2Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; 3University of Manitoba, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Winnipeg, Canada; 4Rehabilitation Centre for Children (RCC), Specialized Services for Children and Youth (SSCY) Centre, Winnipeg, Canada; 5University of Manitoba, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Winnipeg, Canada; 6University of Manitoba, Max Rady College of Medicine, Winnipeg, Canada; 7University of Manitoba, Department of Clinical Health Psychology, Winnipeg, Canada; 8SSCY Centre, Manitoba FASD Centre, Winnipeg, Canada; 9University of Manitoba, Department of Psychiatry, Winnipeg, Canada; 10Stony Brook University, Department of Psychology, Stony Brook, USA

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