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Determinants of quality of life in children with psychiatric disorders

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Abstract

Objective: To assess factors that, in addition to childhood psychopathology, are associated with Quality of Life (QoL) in children with psychiatric problems. Methods: In a referred sample of 252 8 to 18-year-olds, information concerning QoL, psychopathology and a broad range of child, parent, and family/ social network factors was obtained from children, parents, teachers and clinicians. Results: Poor child, parent, and clinician reported QoL was associated with child psychopathology, but given the presence of psychopathology, also with child factors, such as low self-esteem, and poor social skills, and family/social network factors, such as poor family functioning, and poor social support. In multiple linear regression analyses the importance of parent factors, such as parenting stress, was almost negligible. Conclusion: To increase QoL of children with psychiatric problems, treatment of symptoms is important, but outcome might improve if treatment is also focussed on other factors that may affect QoL. Results are discussed in relation to current treatment programs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC-Sophia, Erasmus-MC – University Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2060, 3000, CB, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Dennis Bastiaansen, Hans M. Koot & Robert F. Ferdinand

  2. Department of Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Hans M. Koot

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  1. Dennis Bastiaansen
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  2. Hans M. Koot
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Correspondence to Dennis Bastiaansen.

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Bastiaansen, D., Koot, H.M. & Ferdinand, R.F. Determinants of quality of life in children with psychiatric disorders. Qual Life Res 14, 1599–1612 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-004-7711-2

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