Trouble children subject of parental survey

Regional parents are being encouraged to take part in a nation-wide survey looking at the self and social stigma of having a child with behavioural and emotional problems.

The survey, conducted by the University of WA, is open to parents, grandparents and guardians of children who suffer from mental conditions including ADHD, depression, anxiety disorders, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder or eating disorders.

UWA PhD candidate Kim Eaton is conducting the survey and said it was important to have input from regional parents.

“We had such an overwhelming response from regional parents and what they’ve told us (is that) it’s important for us to keep going to regional parents because they don’t often get a chance to say their thing,” she said.

Ms Eaton said the survey would help to understand parents’ experiences and provide ways for them to manage and cope with their situation.

“Clinically speaking, we spend a lot of time thinking about how (we can) help with the child’s symptoms and how (we can) help the parent help the child ... we tend to forget what the parent needs,” she said.

“We want to help them get to a place where they feel like they can cope.”

The anonymous survey is online and takes about 20 minutes.

Contact Ms Eaton on 0403 183 228 or kim.eaton@research.uwa.edu.au for details.