SOCIOCULTURAL DETERMINANTS OF PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMATOLOGY IN JAMES-BAY-CREE CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Objective: To examine the type of psychiatric disorders found in 100 C ree children living in a Native community in northern Quebec. Method: Standardized semi-structured interviews were given to all children and their caregivers, collecting 24 items of information. Results: 51% of the children did not qualify for a DSM-III-R diagnosis but their freq uently severe behavioural symptoms could be categorized by using 5 typ es of socio-cultural disturbances. There were also significant correla tions between parental educational level, including length of time spe nt away from home and the number of stress factors the children had be en exposed to. Conclusion: There is a need to develop a diagnostic cla ssification for child psychiatric disorders for aboriginal children.