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International Journal of Mental Health Systems
Published in: International Journal of Mental Health Systems 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research

Screening for substance use and mental health problems in a cross-sectoral sample of Canadian youth

Authors: Joanna L. Henderson, Gloria Chaim, Lisa D. Hawke, National Youth Screening Project Network

Published in: International Journal of Mental Health Systems | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

This project examines the substance use and mental health concerns of a cross-sectoral, national, service-seeking sample of adolescents and emerging adults using an extended version of the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs-Short Screener (GSS). It also aims to provide incremental evidence of the psychometric properties of the GSS.

Methods

A sample of 2313 youth aged 12–24 years who presented for service participated in the project. Youth were recruited from 89 participating services across Canada representing eight major clinical and non-clinical sectors. Participants completed the GSS and provided sociodemographic data.

Results

The majority of youth presenting for services endorsed concerns on the GSS and would be likely to meet diagnostic criteria for a disorder in a full diagnostic assessment according to the norms for the scale, while many endorsed multiple concerns. This was true in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Externalizing concerns and suicidality were significantly more common in younger participants, while substance use was significantly more common in older youth. Females were more likely to endorse internalizing and suicidality concerns, while males endorsed more substance use and crime/violence concerns. Internalizing and suicidality concerns were also more common in Canada’s northerly regions. The reliability of the GSS was confirmed, however the factor structure revealed problems.

Conclusions

Youth presenting across clinical and non-clinical service sectors endorse high levels of need, supporting the importance of universal, cross-sectoral screening. The GSS is a practical tool that service providers across sectors can employ to identify the addiction and mental health service needs of youth, although further psychometric work is warranted. Implications for screening and treatment in community contexts are discussed.
Footnotes
1
(1) Dehcho Region, NWT, (2) Kelowna, BC, (3) Prince George, BC, (4) Thompson, MB, (5) Brantford and Brant County, ON, (6) Haldimand and Norfolk Counties, ON, (7) Niagara Region, ON, (8) Sudbury, ON, (9) Timmins and Region, ON, (10) Ottawa, ON, (11) Prince Edward Island, (12) Pictou County, Cumberland County, and Guysborough/Antigonish/Strait Region, NS, (13) Cape Breton Region, NS, (14) St. John’s, NL.
 
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Metadata
Title
Screening for substance use and mental health problems in a cross-sectoral sample of Canadian youth
Authors
Joanna L. Henderson
Gloria Chaim
Lisa D. Hawke
National Youth Screening Project Network
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
International Journal of Mental Health Systems / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1752-4458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-017-0128-4

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