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Ethnic differences in parental detection of externalizing disorders

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Abstract

Background

Previous research has reported lower treatment rates for externalizing disorders among non-Western children as compared to Western children. Ethnic differences in parental detection may be an explanation for this discrepancy.

Aims

In a cross-sectional study among the four largest ethnic groups in the Netherlands, namely Dutch, Moroccan, Turkish and Surinamese, we examined the influence of ethnicity on parental detection of behavioural disorders.

Method

A total of 270 children (aged 6–10 years) and their parents were interviewed regarding psychiatric disorders and socio-demographic data. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated by using standard definitions, with adjustment for parental educational level.

Results

Sensitivity to detect any externalizing disorder and ADHD in particular was significantly lower among Moroccan and Surinamese parents when compared to Dutch parents. Sensitivity to detect ADHD tended to be lower among Turkish parents. Specificity to detect any externalizing disorder was higher among Moroccan and Turkish parents. Specificity to detect ADHD was higher among Moroccan parents and tended to be higher among Turkish parents.

Conclusions

The detection rate of externalizing disorders is markedly lower among non-Dutch parents than among Dutch parents. This finding emphasizes the importance of taking parents’ cultural context into account when appraising their report on possible externalizing disorders in their children.

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Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (ZON-MW), grant number 99–9.1–64, by the Foundation for Children’s Welfare Stamps Netherlands and by the Province of Utrecht, The Netherlands.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Barbara W.C. Zwirs MD & Tom W.J. Schulpen MD

  2. Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht , Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Huibert Burger MD

  3. Dept. of Psychiatry, and Academic Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Jan K. Buitelaar MD

Authors
  1. Barbara W.C. Zwirs MD
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  2. Huibert Burger MD
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  3. Jan K. Buitelaar MD
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  4. Tom W.J. Schulpen MD
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Correspondence to Barbara W.C. Zwirs MD.

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Zwirs, B.W., Burger, H., Buitelaar, J.K. et al. Ethnic differences in parental detection of externalizing disorders. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 15, 418–426 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-006-0550-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-006-0550-7

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