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Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction 4/2016

01-08-2016

Prevalence of Psychiatric Symptoms and Mental Health Services in Students with Specific Learning Disabilities in Tehran, Iran

Authors: Samaneh Karamali Esmaili, Narges Shafaroodi, Afsoon Hassani Mehraban, Akram Parand, Mostafa Qorbani, Farzaneh Yazdani, Azita Mahmoudpour

Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction | Issue 4/2016

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Abstract

Children with specific learning disabilities are at a greater risk of mental health problems than their non-disabled peers. Further interventions and research will be required. This is a cross-sectional study. A sample of 107 students (7 to 11 years old) with specific learning disabilities were randomly selected from educational and rehabilitation settings in Tehran. The Child Symptom Inventory-4 (CSI-4) (parent checklist) was administered. Among children studied, 86 subjects (82.8 %) in some of the categories of psychiatric symptoms gained scores above the cut-off point. The most prevalent psychiatric symptoms were related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and oppositional defiant disorder. There were not any statistically significant differences between the genders. In addition to direct education, 15 subjects (14 %) were receiving medication, 2 subjects (1.9 %) were receiving only occupational therapy, 2 subjects (1.9 %) were receiving only speech therapy, and 5 subjects (4.7 %) were receiving both occupational and speech therapy. The emphasis on considering co-morbid symptoms and usage of mental health services are important issues for students with specific learning difficulties.
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Metadata
Title
Prevalence of Psychiatric Symptoms and Mental Health Services in Students with Specific Learning Disabilities in Tehran, Iran
Authors
Samaneh Karamali Esmaili
Narges Shafaroodi
Afsoon Hassani Mehraban
Akram Parand
Mostafa Qorbani
Farzaneh Yazdani
Azita Mahmoudpour
Publication date
01-08-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction / Issue 4/2016
Print ISSN: 1557-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1882
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-015-9617-3

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