1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« This study of the QCMHS data pursued two objectives : (1) to identify child/adolescent characteristics, family characteristics overlooked in previous epidemiological studies [...] and socioeconomic/sociodemographic characteristics associated with DSM-III-R internalizing and externalizing disorders, according to informant (Child/adolescent, parent, teacher), for three age groups (6-8, 9-11 and 12-14 years), taking into account parent’s social desirability as a confounding variable; and (2) to interpret the relative importance of risk indicators by ranking correlates according to strength and consistency of association across age groups. » (p. 50)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
« The target population comprised Quebec children and adolescents ages 6 to 14 years who lived at home at least two weeks per month in the 12 months preceding the interview. [...] Of the 3,209 families we attempted to contact, 486 refused to participate and 323 were excluded because they had move or because all attempts to contact them failed. [...] for teachers, the response rate was of 93,3% : contacts were attempted for 1,601 teachers, of which 95 refused to participate and 66 wer excluded. » (p. 50)

Instruments :
- Dominic questionnaire (Valla, Bergeron, Bérubé, Gaudet et St-Georges, 1994);
- List of child of adolescent stressful event (Bergeron et al., 1992);
- Service utilization and Risk Factor Interview (SURF; child ECA project, 1990);
- Diagnostic Interview Schedule Self-Administered (DISSA; Kovess & Fournier, 1990);
- Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS; Spanier, 1976);
- Short version of Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MCSDC; Reynolds, 1982).

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

« Previous epidemiological studies of correlates of child and adolescent mental disorders in the general population have focused more on child/adolescent and socioeconomic/sociodemographic characteristics than on family characteristics. Moreover, there are no generally accepted methods to analyze and interpret correlates. The purpose of the Quebec Child Mental Health Survey in this regard was twofold : (1) to identify correlates of DSM-III-R internalizing and externalizing disorders according to informant (youth, parent, teacher), for three age groups (6-8, 9-11, and 12-14 years), including relevant family characteristics not considered in previous studies; and (2) to interpret the relative importance of risk indicators by ranking correlates according to strength and consistency of association across age groups. Logistic regression models suggest the inconsistency of correlates across informants. The ranking of correlates reveals that individual and family characteristics make a more important contribution than do socioeconomic characteristics, thereby supporting the relevance of proximal variables in the development of psychopathology. » (p. 47)