Research Article
Multiple Riskfactors in Multiproblem Families? A Retrospective File Study
Henk Jan Kolthof1*, Martijn J Kikkert 2 and Jack Dekker31Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Lucertis, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Purmerend, Netherlands
2Psychologist and Researcher at the Research Department of Arkin, Amsterdam, Netherlands
3Head of Research at Arkin and Professor of Clinical Psychology, Free University, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- *Corresponding Author:
- Henk Jan Kolthof
Department of Psychiatrist
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Lucertis
Waterlandplein 1, 1441 RP Purmerend, Netherlands
Tel: (00)31883581414
Fax: (00)31883584099
E-mail: h.kolthof@nh.lucertis.nl
Received date: Mar 15, 2015; Accepted date: Oct 22, 2015; Published Date: Oct 29, 2015
Citation: Kolthof HJ, Kikkert MJ, Dekker J (2015) Multiple Riskfactors in Multiproblem Families? A Retrospective File Study. J Child Adolesc Behav 3:255. doi:10.4172/2375-4494.1000255
Copyright: © 2015 Kolthof HJ, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Objective: The accumulation of risk factors in multiproblem families increases the risk of developing in children. This study describes the risk factors and characteristics of a sample of families in an intensive outreach care programme for multiproblem families with children aged 12 or younger, and in which the parent and/or child has psychiatric problems. Methods: In this study we used a self-developed questionnaire that measures the presence of risk factors at the level of the mother, any cohabiting partner and the family. It is a retrospective file study covering a period of two years and describing 48 families. Results: We find that psychosocial problems, more prevalent in large cities, appear to accumulate in the group of clients being treated. There is an accumulation of risk factors that jeopardise the proper psychosocial and physical development of children. In this population, an average of seven risk factors per family were found, alongside a high percentage of domestic violence, inadequate basic care, inadequate physical safety and a lack of parenting skills. Conclusions: A well-designed intensive outreach care programme that pays attention to these risk factors seems to be indicated for this group of clients.
