Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
Psychology
Date of Award
12-2013
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Jodi Polaha
Committee Members
Stacey Willams, William Dalton
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of child psychosocial concerns in rural primary care, hypothesized to be greater than national averages due to lacking mental health services in rural areas. This study was an examination of the role of SES, various definitions of “rural,” and the interaction of SES and rurality, in predicting parent-reported child psychosocial concerns in Appalachian primary care clinics. Caregivers presenting with their child at one of 8 pediatric primary care sites (n=2,672) were recruited to complete a measure assessing demographics and the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC). Results showed that while rural status was not associated with PSC scores, higher parental education was associated with lower rates of clinically significant psychosocial concerns. The present study failed to replicate prior preliminary findings that child psychosocial concerns are more prevalent in rural primary care. SES, rather than rurality, appeared to be the primary predictor of such concerns.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Tolliver, Robert M., "Who Done It? Rurality vs. SES as Critical Factors in Evaluating the Prevalence of Child Psychosocial Concerns in Primary Care" (2013). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2302. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2302
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
Included in
Child Psychology Commons, Clinical Epidemiology Commons, Clinical Psychology Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Health Psychology Commons