A groundbreaking study led by Dr. Claudia Lorena Martínez Higueros and her team has developed and validated a new screening tool aimed at identifying mental health disorders in children aged 6 to 12. This tool is designed for use by primary care professionals without specialized training in child psychiatry, addressing a critical gap in early mental health detection.
Studies show that between 80% and 90% of mental health problems in children are missed in the primary care setting. Furthermore, retrospective reports suggest that disorders with an early onset during childhood or adolescence are often the most severe and persistent, yet they are the ones that receive the most delayed treatment. This new questionnaire was developed to help close this detection gap and facilitate earlier intervention.
The research was published in Revista Clínica de Medicina de Familia by a team from the Centro de Salud I in Spain, the Instituto de Ciencias Médicas y de la Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and the Hospital Psiquiátrico Infantil Dr. Juan N. Navarro in Mexico.
Key Findings:
Comprehensive Coverage: The questionnaire assesses 10 prevalent mental health disorders in children, encompassing a total of 41 items.
High Reliability: Each disorder demonstrated a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient exceeding 0.8, indicating strong internal consistency.
Validated Instrument: The tool underwent three validation phases: content validation by expert judges, a pilot test, and factor analysis, ensuring its effectiveness and reliability.
Dr. Martínez Higueros emphasized the significance of this development, stating, “This screening tool empowers primary care providers to identify mental health concerns early, facilitating timely interventions that can significantly improve children's well-being.”
The final instrument was validated for 10 disorders, comprising a total of 41 questions. It demonstrated strong reliability, with a Cronbach's Alpha coefficient higher than 0.8 for each disorder. The tool is designed to screen for the following conditions:
Learning Disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Tic Disorder
Depression
Psychotic Disorder
Language Disorder
Elimination Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Separation Anxiety
The questionnaire is intended to be completed by a parent or guardian and is based on the internationally recognized criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Its straightforward structure and relatively short completion time make it a practical tool for busy primary care centers.
About the Research Team:
The study was conducted by a multidisciplinary team comprising:
Dr. Claudia Lorena Martínez Higueros – Family Medicine Physician, Puertollano Health Center, Ciudad Real, Spain
Dr. Marsela Alejandra Álvarez Izazaga – Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán, Mexico
Dr. M. Eloísa Dickinson Bannack – Department of Family Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico
Dr. Edith Padrón Solomón – Dr. Juan N. Navarro Child Psychiatric Hospital, Mexico
Media Contact
Company Name: Dr. Claudia Martínez Higueros
Contact Person: Press Office
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Country: United States
Website: https://draclaudiamartinezhigueros.com/en/
