Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine differences in psychological distress, service utilization, and prescriptions for
medications between adolescents with histories of family involvement with child protective services (CPS) and adolescents
without such involvement. Data on 3,497 students were obtained from the 2009 cycle of the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health
Survey, a province-wide school-based survey of 7th to 12th graders. All analyses adjusted for the complex sample design. Results
indicated that individuals who reported histories of family involvement with CPS were more likely to report elevated risk
of psychological distress, had a greater number of visits to doctors and other professionals for mental health concerns, and
were more likely to have been prescribed medications for depression or anxiety than individuals with no involvement with CPS.
These results suggest a need for greater research on service utilization and prescription medications among individuals with
histories of family involvement with CPS.
medications between adolescents with histories of family involvement with child protective services (CPS) and adolescents
without such involvement. Data on 3,497 students were obtained from the 2009 cycle of the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health
Survey, a province-wide school-based survey of 7th to 12th graders. All analyses adjusted for the complex sample design. Results
indicated that individuals who reported histories of family involvement with CPS were more likely to report elevated risk
of psychological distress, had a greater number of visits to doctors and other professionals for mental health concerns, and
were more likely to have been prescribed medications for depression or anxiety than individuals with no involvement with CPS.
These results suggest a need for greater research on service utilization and prescription medications among individuals with
histories of family involvement with CPS.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s11469-011-9327-4
- Authors
- Hayley A. Hamilton, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 455 Spadina Ave., Suite 300, Toronto, ON M5S 2G8, Canada
- Angela Paglia-Boak, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell St., Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada
- Christine Wekerle, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Anna Marie Danielson, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 455 Spadina Ave., Suite 300, Toronto, ON M5S 2G8, Canada
- Robert E. Mann, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Journal International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
- Online ISSN 1557-1882
- Print ISSN 1557-1874