Psychiatric disorder in Queensland primary schoolchildren
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TL;DR
Comparisons between Australian and English children suggest a higher rate of disorder among the former; significantly so in the case of girls, and with a significant increase in emotional disorder among boys, but not at a level of statistical significance.
Abstract
ABSTRACT. Nine hundred and eighty-six 10 and 11-year-old children were screened for psychiatric disorder using a method developed by Rutter for a same-age English population. The prevalence rate was 14%, with rural children showing a lower rate (10%) than urban (15%), and metropolitan (18%). Comparisons between Australian and English children suggest a higher rate of disorder among the former; significantly so in the case of girls (p<.02), with a significant increase in emotional disorder among boys (p<.02), and an increase in conduct disorder among girls but not at a level of statistical significance. The results on teacher questionnaires alone showed a prevalence rate and distribution very comparable to the English study. These findings are discussed in the light of cultural differences and changing social attitudes.