Relationship Between Change in Participation and Later Mental Health Problems in Children

Abstract

Background:

Participation in everyday activities is beneficial for mental health. However, little is known about the extent to which changes in children’s participation are associated with later mental health.

Objectives:

To investigate the association between changes in the frequency and involvement in home, school, and community activities and subsequent mental health problems in children. Methodology: We recruited 242 school-aged children. Their parents completed the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth twice, and after 2 years, they completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.

Results:

After controlling for demographic factors, hierarchical regression analysis revealed that reductions in children’s involvement in home and community activities were significantly associated with elevated levels of externalizing and internalizing problems. Furthermore, an increase in children’s involvement in school activities showed significant relationships with better mental health outcomes.

Conclusion:

These findings inform participation-based interventions for occupational therapists aimed at mitigating children’s future mental health problems.

Plain Language Summary

The Impact of Home, School, and Community Activities on Children’s Mental Health

This study examined how changes in children’s participation in activities at home, school, and in the community are related to their later mental health. Over a two-year period, 242 school-aged children, including 48 with disabilities and 194 without disabilities, took part in the research. Parents completed questionnaires to assess activity participation and mental health problems. The results showed that a decrease in children’s involvement in home and community activities was significantly associated with an increase in internalizing and externalizing problems. An increase in children’s involvement in school activities was significantly related to better mental health outcomes. Disabilities and the availability of environmental support consistently predicted children’s mental health problems. This study emphasizes the importance of children’s activity involvement, considering disability status and environmental support, for promoting their mental health. The findings inform occupational therapy interventions focused on participation to reduce future mental health problems in children.