CHILD AND FAMILY FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CLINICAL REFERRAL OF CHILDREN WITH HYPERACTIVITY - A RESEARCH NOTE

This study examined child and family factors associated with the clini cal referral of pervasively hyperactive children. Fourteen children wi th pervasive hyperactive behaviour problems referred to a London child guidance service were compared with 13 nonreferred pervasively hypera ctive children resident in the same geographic area. Child behaviour, parenting, and family life factors were examined as determinants of re ferral. Preliminary results suggest that both child and parenting fact ors play an important role in determining whether a child with hyperac tivity will be referred for child guidance. The best predictors of cli nical referral were a parent's ability to cope with child behaviour, c hild emotional disturbance, school relationship problems, and parental disciplinary indulgence. Implications of referral bias for research a nd service planning are discussed.