Abstract
Background
Psychosocial issues and interventions play a very important role in the aetiology, course and prognosis of several child psychiatric disorders. Psychosocial problems in a child and adolescent psychiatric clinic population in Nigeria were documented as a preliminary step towards the planning and development of this new facility.
Methods
A standardised assessment procedure was integrated into the routine at the clinic when services commenced. Psychosocial stressors and life events were measured using the interview method so that in–depth information could be obtained.
Results
Over the 3-year period of study, 79 (62.2%) of the 127 new referrals to the clinic had significant psychosocial stressors in the year preceding presentation. Problems with primary support, such as separation from parents to live with relatives, disruption of the family, abandonment by mother, psychiatric illness in a parent and sexual/physical abuse, occurred in 50 (39.4%) of the subjects. Problems with social environment occurred in 11 (8.7 %), 39 (30.7 %) had educational problems, 5 (3.9%) had economic problems and 15 (11.8%) of the children had ‘other’ psychosocial stressors. Significantly more children and adolescents with disruptive behaviour disorders and disorders like enuresis, separation anxiety and suicidal behaviour had psychosocial stressors when compared to children with psychotic conditions, autistic disorder and epilepsy (χ2 = 9.6; p = 0.048).
Conclusions
The importance of the psychosocial diagnostic dimension in routine practice is illustrated in this study. Some psychosocial factors identified are cultural practices. The effects of these practices on child mental health require further study.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
American Psychiatric Association (2000) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR). American Psychiatric Association Washington, D.C.
Ateah CA, Parkin CM (2002) Childhood experiences with, and current attitudes toward corporal punishment. Can J Commun Ment Health 21:35–46
Barkley RA (1991) Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A clinical workbook. New York: The Guilford Press, London
Bennett KJ, Offord DR (2001) Conduct disorder: can it be prevented. Curr Opin Psychiatry 14:333–337
Berden GF, Althaus M, Verhulst FC (1990) Major life events and changes in the behavioural functioning of children. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 31:949–959
Biederman J, Milberger S, Faranoe SV (1995) Family environment risk factors for ADHD. Arch Gen Psychiatry 52:464–470
Bryson SE, Rogers SJ, Fombonne E (2003) Autism spectrum disorders: early detection, intervention, education and psychopharmacology. Can J Psychiatry 48:506–516
Curran V (1984) Nigerian Children: Developmental perspectives. Routledge & Kegan Paul, London
De Silva M, Nikapota A Vidyasagara NW (1988) Advocacy and opportunity – planning for child mental health in Sri Lanka. Health Policy Plan 3:302–307
Ebigbo PO (1993) Child abuse and neglect in Nigeria – a situation analysis. Niger Pop 10:4
Federal Ministry of Health (1996) Health in Nigeria: 1994/95 Health Management Information System, Federal Ministry of Health. Abuja
Goodyer IM, Kolvin I, Gatzanis S (1985) Recent undesirable events and psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence. Br J Psychiatry 147:517–523
Goodyer IM, Kolvin I, Gatzanis S (1987) The impact of recent undesirable events on psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence. Br J Psychiatry 151:179–184
Graham P, Turk J, Verhulst F (2001) Child Psychiatry: A Developmental Approach 3rd Edition. Oxford University Press, London
Hake JM (1972) Child rearing practices in Northern Nigeria.: Ibadan University Press. Ibadan
Lau JT, Chan KK, Lam PK, Choi PY, Lai KY (2003) Psychological correlates of physical abuse in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents. Child Abuse Negl 27:63–75
Lawlor M, James D (2000) Prevalence of psychological problems in Irish school going adolescents. Ir J Psych Med 17:117–122
Lustig SL, Maldonado JR (1999) Diagnoses of children and adolescents on initial presentation to a Nigerian outpatient psychiatry clinic. Int J Soc Psychiatry 45:190–197
MacMillan HL, Munn C (2001) The sequelae of child maltreatment. Curr Opin Psychiatry 14:325–331
Ohaeri JU, Fido AA (2001) The opinion of caregivers on aspects of schizophrenia and major affective disorders in a Nigerian setting. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 36:493–499
Olatawura MO, Odejide AO (1976) Child psychiatric disorders in Ibadan, Nigeria. Niger J Paediatr 3:9–14
Oyewumi LK (1989) Inpatient adolescent psychiatry in a teaching hospital in Nigeria. Acta Psychiatr Scand 80:639–643
Rey JM, Walter G, Plapp JM, Denstire E (2000) Family environment in attention deficit hyperactivity, oppositional defiant and conduct disorders. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 34:453–445
Rubia S, Smith A (2001) Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: current findings and treatment. Curr Opin Psychiatry 14:309–316
Sandberg S, Rutter M, Giles S, Owen A, Champion L, Nicholls J, Prior V, McGuinness D, Drinnan D (1993) Assessment of psychosocial experiences in childhood: methodological issues and some illustrative findings. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 34:879–897
Shaw DS, Vondra JI, Hommerding KD, Keenan K, Dunn M (1994) Chronic family adversity and early child behaviour problems: a longitudinal study of low income families. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 35:1109–1122
Sheerin D, Maguire R, Robinson J (1999) A 15 month follow-up study of children admitted to a child psychiatric inpatient unit. Ir J Psych Med 16:97–103
Smith DE, Mosby G (2003) Jamaican child-rearing practices: the role of corporal punishment. Adolescence 38:369–381
Tirosh E, Offer Shechter S, Cohen A, Jaffe M (2003) Attitudes towards corporal punishment and reporting of abuse. Child Abuse Negl 27:929–937
Unicef B Zone (1996) Situation analysis of children in especially difficult circumstances (CEDC) in Nigeria. UNICEF B Zone, Ibadan, Nigeria
Van Goor-Lambo G, Orley J, Poustka F, Rutter M (1990) Classifications of abnormal psychosocial situations: preliminary report of a revision of a WHO scheme. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 31:229–241
Zalsman G, Horesh N, Arzi R, Edelist D, Even DH, Tyano S, Poustka F, Apter A (2001) Psychosocial diagnosis in psychiatrically hospitalised adolescents. Compr Psychiatry 42:223–227
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Omigbodun, O.O. Psychosocial issues in a child and adolescent psychiatric clinic population in Nigeria. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 39, 667–672 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-004-0793-x
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-004-0793-x