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Are Children with Anxiety Disorders Privately Referred to a University Clinic Like Those Referred from the Public Mental Health System?

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Abstract

Compared two groups of children with anxiety disorders served at a single mental health clinic whose referral source differed: private referrals (i.e., parent/legal guardian initiated) and public referrals (e.g., via state contracts—Departments of Health and Education, juvenile justice system). Comparisons were made across three domains of variables: (a) symptoms/diagnoses, (b) functioning, and (c) environments. Few symptom differences emerged. However, large differences were evident for contextual variables like family income and life stressors. Overall, the pattern of differences point to possible directions for adaptation of treatments for use with children with anxiety disorders served in public mental health systems.

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Acknowledgments

Preparation of this article was supported in part by National Institute of Mental Health Grant K23 MH69421 to Southam-Gerow and R03 MH60134 to Chorpita as well an award from the University of Hawai’i Research Council, and awards from the Hawai’i Departments of Health and Education to Chorpita. We are grateful to Tina Donkervoet and John Weisz for their support and to A. Aukahi Austin, Sarah Francis, Jennifer Gray, Farrah Greene, Cassian Kimhan, Catherine Moffitt, Brad Nakamura, and John Young for their assistance with data collection.

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  1. Alissa A. Gleacher

    Present address: Center for Advancement of Children’s Mental Health, Columbia University, New York, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 W. Franklin St, Box 842018, Richmond, VA, 23284-2018, USA

    Michael A. Southam-Gerow & Lauren M. Miller

  2. University of Hawai’i, Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA

    Bruce F. Chorpita & Alissa A. Gleacher

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  1. Michael A. Southam-Gerow
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  2. Bruce F. Chorpita
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Correspondence to Michael A. Southam-Gerow.

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Southam-Gerow, M.A., Chorpita, B.F., Miller, L.M. et al. Are Children with Anxiety Disorders Privately Referred to a University Clinic Like Those Referred from the Public Mental Health System?. Adm Policy Ment Health 35, 168–180 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-007-0154-7

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