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Perceived Need and Use of Child Mental Health Services in Korea

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Abstract

This study examined the degree of perceived need and use of child mental health services in Korea, as well as the factors associated therewith. The sample consisted of 3,477 children aged 8–13 years. Overall, 10.4% of the parents demonstrated a perceived need for mental health services regarding their children’s emotional or behavioral problems, while 1.9% used mental health services. Although the perceived need for mental health services is high, only a small proportion of children receive them. Whether a child receives mental health care is influenced by the child’s psychopathology, especially when social and/or thought problems exist.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, San 5, Wonchon-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, 443-721, Republic of Korea

    Sun-Mi Cho, Hyun-Jung Kim & Yun-Mi Shin

  2. Joy of Life Psychiatric Clinic, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Hyun-Soo Kim

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  1. Sun-Mi Cho
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  2. Hyun-Soo Kim
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  3. Hyun-Jung Kim
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  4. Yun-Mi Shin
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Correspondence to Yun-Mi Shin.

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Cho, SM., Kim, HS., Kim, HJ. et al. Perceived Need and Use of Child Mental Health Services in Korea. Community Ment Health J 45, 56–61 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-008-9160-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-008-9160-9

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