Validation of the World Health Organization’s Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 for children with mental disorders in specialized health-care services

IntroductionMental disorders are highly prevalent among children, yet access to timely and effective treatment remains limited. Untreated or poorly managed mental disorders in children are associated with significant functional deterioration and long-term consequences. The validation of reliable ass...

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Main Authors: Lina Díaz-Castro, Miriam Arroyo-Belmonte, Paloma Suárez-Brito, María Elena Márquez-Caraveo, Consuelo Garcia-Andrade
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1415133/full
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author Lina Díaz-Castro
Miriam Arroyo-Belmonte
Paloma Suárez-Brito
María Elena Márquez-Caraveo
Consuelo Garcia-Andrade
author_facet Lina Díaz-Castro
Miriam Arroyo-Belmonte
Paloma Suárez-Brito
María Elena Márquez-Caraveo
Consuelo Garcia-Andrade
author_sort Lina Díaz-Castro
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionMental disorders are highly prevalent among children, yet access to timely and effective treatment remains limited. Untreated or poorly managed mental disorders in children are associated with significant functional deterioration and long-term consequences. The validation of reliable assessment tools is crucial for identifying functional impairments and guiding interventions in this population. This study aimed to assess the utility and psychometric properties of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) in evaluating functional impairment among children and adolescents receiving specialized mental health care in Mexican psychiatric hospitals.MethodA cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from January 2018 to February 2020 in two psychiatric public hospitals in Mexico. The Spanish version of the WHODAS 2.0 was adapted for the pediatric population, and its psychometric properties were evaluated among 390 children and adolescents receiving psychiatric care. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and tests of internal consistency and validity.ResultsThe WHODAS 2.0 demonstrated high internal consistency (α = .92) and convergent validity, with significant correlations observed between WHODAS scores and clinical variables. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a six-dimensional structure, with gender-specific differences identified in functional impairment patterns.DiscussionThe study provides robust evidence supporting the utility and psychometric properties of the WHODAS 2.0 for assessing functional impairment in children and adolescents with mental disorders in Mexican psychiatric hospitals. These findings have implications for clinical practice, policy-making, and future research aimed at improving outcomes for this vulnerable population.
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spelling doaj-art-1096ebce07fc4dad98a860fd1fc81fbd2025-08-20T01:57:55ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402024-12-011510.3389/fpsyt.2024.14151331415133Validation of the World Health Organization’s Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 for children with mental disorders in specialized health-care servicesLina Díaz-Castro0Miriam Arroyo-Belmonte1Paloma Suárez-Brito2María Elena Márquez-Caraveo3Consuelo Garcia-Andrade4Direction of Epidemiological and Psychosocial Research, National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City, MexicoDirection of Epidemiological and Psychosocial Research, National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City, MexicoIndependent Researcher, Mexico City, MexicoResearch Division, Children Psychiatric Hospital “Dr. Juan N. Navarro”, Mexico City, MexicoDirection of Epidemiological and Psychosocial Research, National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City, MexicoIntroductionMental disorders are highly prevalent among children, yet access to timely and effective treatment remains limited. Untreated or poorly managed mental disorders in children are associated with significant functional deterioration and long-term consequences. The validation of reliable assessment tools is crucial for identifying functional impairments and guiding interventions in this population. This study aimed to assess the utility and psychometric properties of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) in evaluating functional impairment among children and adolescents receiving specialized mental health care in Mexican psychiatric hospitals.MethodA cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from January 2018 to February 2020 in two psychiatric public hospitals in Mexico. The Spanish version of the WHODAS 2.0 was adapted for the pediatric population, and its psychometric properties were evaluated among 390 children and adolescents receiving psychiatric care. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and tests of internal consistency and validity.ResultsThe WHODAS 2.0 demonstrated high internal consistency (α = .92) and convergent validity, with significant correlations observed between WHODAS scores and clinical variables. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a six-dimensional structure, with gender-specific differences identified in functional impairment patterns.DiscussionThe study provides robust evidence supporting the utility and psychometric properties of the WHODAS 2.0 for assessing functional impairment in children and adolescents with mental disorders in Mexican psychiatric hospitals. These findings have implications for clinical practice, policy-making, and future research aimed at improving outcomes for this vulnerable population.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1415133/fullmental disorderschildrenWHODAS 2.0validityreliability
spellingShingle Lina Díaz-Castro
Miriam Arroyo-Belmonte
Paloma Suárez-Brito
María Elena Márquez-Caraveo
Consuelo Garcia-Andrade
Validation of the World Health Organization’s Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 for children with mental disorders in specialized health-care services
Frontiers in Psychiatry
mental disorders
children
WHODAS 2.0
validity
reliability
title Validation of the World Health Organization’s Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 for children with mental disorders in specialized health-care services
title_full Validation of the World Health Organization’s Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 for children with mental disorders in specialized health-care services
title_fullStr Validation of the World Health Organization’s Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 for children with mental disorders in specialized health-care services
title_full_unstemmed Validation of the World Health Organization’s Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 for children with mental disorders in specialized health-care services
title_short Validation of the World Health Organization’s Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 for children with mental disorders in specialized health-care services
title_sort validation of the world health organization s disability assessment schedule 2 0 for children with mental disorders in specialized health care services
topic mental disorders
children
WHODAS 2.0
validity
reliability
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1415133/full
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