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Parent-reported behavioural and emotional problems in Albanian Kosovar children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2014

M. Shahini ,
L. A. Rescorla ,
A. Pronaj Ahmeti ,
I. Begovac ,
A. Dobrean ,
J. Markovıć ,
V. Rudan ,
J. Wancata ,
T. Wolanczyk  and
V. Zhjeqi
...Show all authors
M. Shahini
Affiliation:
University Clinical Center of Kosova, Pristina, Kosova
L. A. Rescorla*
Affiliation:
Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, USA
A. Pronaj Ahmeti
Affiliation:
University Clinical Center of Kosova, Pristina, Kosova
I. Begovac
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
A. Dobrean
Affiliation:
Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
J. Markovıć
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
V. Rudan
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
J. Wancata
Affiliation:
Medical University of Vienna, Austria
T. Wolanczyk
Affiliation:
Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
V. Zhjeqi
Affiliation:
University Clinical Center of Kosova, Pristina, Kosova
R. Zukauskiene
Affiliation:
Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr L. A. Rescorla, Bryn Mawr College, 101 N. Merion Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, USA. (Email: lrescorl@brynmawr.edu)
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Abstract

Aims.

Because no epidemiological study has been conducted of children's mental health problems in Kosova, which experienced a traumatic war in 1998–99, we conducted the first national epidemiological survey of children's mental health ever undertaken in Kosova.

Methods.

Participants were 1374 Kosovar children ages 6–18 recruited through schools (60% from urban areas). Parent-reported behavioural and emotional problems were assessed using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL/6–18). Kosovar findings were compared with findings from five other Central and Eastern European societies (Poland, Romania, Lithuania, Serbia and Croatia), plus the US.

Results.

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated that the CBCL 8-syndrome model manifested good fit to the Kosovar data. Mean item ratings and Cronbach's alphas were very similar to those of the other six societies. Kosova's mean Total Problems score fell in the middle of the range of the seven societies compared. CBCL scores were higher for adolescents (12–18), urban children, and those whose parents had limited education compared with younger (6–11), rural, and more socially advantaged children.

Conclusions.

Strong consistency was found between Kosovar findings and those for neighbouring countries with respect to CFA results, mean item ratings, alphas and problem score levels. Results of this epidemiological survey highlight the utility of the CBCL for identifying Kosovar Albanian children with mental health service needs.

Keywords

Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL)Central/Eastern EuropeepidemiologyKosovomental health
Type
Original Articles
Information
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences , Volume 24 , Issue 3 , June 2015 , pp. 266 - 273
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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