Characteristics and Service Needs of Maltreated Children Referred for Mental Health Services at a Child Advocacy Centre in Canada
Date
2021
Journal Title
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Publisher
Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Abstract
There is a dearth of Canadian-based literature on children referred to treatment services following maltreatment
exposure. In order to inform assessment, intervention, and program development to improve outcomes, insight into the
demographics and mental health needs of this population is required. Methods: A retrospective file review of 176 children
and youth who were referred for assessment and treatment at a mental health partner agency within a Canadian Child
Advocacy Centre was conducted from January 2016 to June 2017. A standardized protocol was developed to extract data
on family and child demographic characteristics, type of maltreatment, other adversity exposure, presenting concerns of
the child, and mental health service utilization. Results: The majority of children were female (66.5%), 4.5% were 0 to <5
years, 66.5% were 5 to <13 years, and 29.0% were 13 to <18 years of age. More than half of the children (53.4%) had
multiple forms of maltreatment, with 67% exposed to sexual abuse. Exposure to other forms of adversity was also common,
including domestic violence (53.4%) and parental mental health difficulties (52.3%). Most children had more than five
presenting concerns at the time of referral, and most went on to receive intervention services. Sixty-nine percent of families
had not previously received child mental health treatment, although 41.5% had prior child welfare involvement. Thirty
percent of families ended treatment prematurely. Conclusions: The current study illustrates the complex profile and mental
health needs of children referred for treatment following maltreatment exposure. Results may have implications for clinical
care improvement that support maltreated children.
Description
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Keywords
Children's Advocacy Center, research, Canada, International Resources, child abuse, treatment, assessment
Citation
Racine, N., Dimitropoulos, G., Hartwick, C., Eirich, R., van Roessel, L., & Madigan, S. (2021). Characteristics and Service Needs of Maltreated Children Referred for Mental Health Services at a Child Advocacy Centre in Canada. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 30(2).