Parent-reported behavioural and emotional problems in Albanian Kosovar children. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shahini, M.; Rescorla, L. A.; Ahmeti, A. Pronaj; Begovac, I.; Dobrean, A.; Markovıć, J.; Rudan, V.; Wancata, J.; Wolanczyk, T.; Zhjeqi, V.; Zukauskiene, R.
• Is Part Of: Epidemiology and psychiatric sciences. Volume 24:Number 3(2015)
• Page Start: 266
• Page End: 273
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Periodicals; Community psychiatry -- Periodicals; 362.2
• DOI: 10.1017/S204579601400016X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7960

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="sec1"> <title>Aims.</title> <p>Because no epidemiological study has been conducted of children's mental health problems in Kosova, which experienced a traumatic war in 1998–99, we conducted the first national epidemiological survey of children's mental health ever undertaken in Kosova.</p> </sec> <sec id="sec2"> <title>Methods.</title> <p>Participants were 1374 Kosovar children ages 6–18 recruited through schools (60% from urban areas). Parent-reported behavioural and emotional problems were assessed using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL/6–18). Kosovar findings were compared with findings from five other Central and Eastern European societies (Poland, Romania, Lithuania, Serbia and Croatia), plus the US.</p> </sec> <sec id="sec3"> <title>Results.</title> <p>Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated that the CBCL 8-syndrome model manifested good fit to the Kosovar data. Mean item ratings and Cronbach's alphas were very similar to those of the other six societies. Kosova's mean Total Problems score fell in the middle of the range of the seven societies compared. CBCL scores were higher for adolescents (12–18), urban children, and those whose parents had limited education compared with younger (6–11), rural, and more socially advantaged children.</p> </sec> <sec id="sec4"> <title>Conclusions.</title> <p>Strong consistency was found between Kosovar findings and those for neighbouring countries with respect to CFA results, mean item ratings, alphas and problem score levels. Results of this epidemiological survey highlight the utility of the CBCL for identifying Kosovar Albanian children with mental health service needs.</p> </sec> </abstract>