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Assessing the Strengths of Children Referred for Community-Based Mental Health Services

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Mental Health Services Research

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between child strengths and functional impairment, specifically whether youth with greater levels of functional impairment also exhibit strengths. The relationship was investigated for children (N = 1,838) of different genders, ages, race, and ethnic backgrounds and whose families were living at different income levels. A moderate relationship was found between child strengths and functional impairment. Those children with even the most severe functional impairment were rated as having average or near average strengths. With the exception of gender, the relationship between impairment and strengths did not differ as a function of demographic characteristics. These findings provide additional support for the construct validity of the Behavioral and Emotional Strengths Rating Scale (M. Epstein & J. Sharma, 1998) and they highlight the need for strength-based assessment and screening for youth entering mental health services. Child strengths as the foundation for service planning and implementation, and other implications are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ORC Macro, New York, New York

    Christine M. Walrath

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    David S. Mandell

  3. ORC Macro, Atlanta, Georgia

    E. Wayne Holden

  4. Division of Knowledge Development and Systems Change, Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Child, Adolescent and Family Branch, Rockville, Maryland

    Rolando L. Santiago

Authors
  1. Christine M. Walrath
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  2. David S. Mandell
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  3. E. Wayne Holden
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  4. Rolando L. Santiago
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Correspondence to Christine M. Walrath.

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Walrath, C.M., Mandell, D.S., Holden, E.W. et al. Assessing the Strengths of Children Referred for Community-Based Mental Health Services. Ment Health Serv Res 6, 1–8 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:MHSR.0000011252.84719.f2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:MHSR.0000011252.84719.f2

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