The Assessment Screening of Trauma Reactions, Psychopathology and Psychosocial Function in a High-Risk Sample of 4 - 8-Year-Old Children—A Pilot Study

Background: Multiple traumatization in childhood is a broad term that includes interpersonal trauma experiences such as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect. Children with a child protection case referred to counseling are likely to be in high risk of multiple exposure to interpersonal trauma. We aim to demonstrate that systematic assessment with validated measures is feasible in this age group. Method: The Center for Interventions of Children and Adolescents (CIBU), Denmark, provided a new assessment screening procedure where 16 caregivers with children in the age of 4 - 8-years-old participated prior to initiating counseling in a public family treatment facility. We utilized the Diagnostic Infant Preschool Assessment (DIPA) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The SDQ was compared with Danish norms. Results: The data suggest that psychopathology was present among all 16 children in this high-risk sample. Distribution of disorders showed 93.8% prevalence of comorbidity. All 16 children had difficulties regarding psychosocial functioning when compared to a Danish norm population. Most profound was emotional symptoms and symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention. Conclusion: This study revealed a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders and higher rates of psychosocial difficulties in referred children than in children from the general population. Overall, children in this study had complex symptom profiles. Thus, a systematic approach may be helpful in public treatment facilities, and we suggest the implementation of valid evidence-based instruments.