Description

For sample children age 4-17, DIFTOLDDR reports parents' responses to the question, "Did you ever see or talk to any health care provider or school staff/personnel about difficulties [sample child] has with emotions, concentration, behavior or being able to get along with others?"

DIFTOLDDR is part of a series of questions about emotional/behavioral difficulties included in the Child Mental Health Services (CMS) Questionnaire. According to the Field Representative's Manuals for 2005 forward, the purpose of the CMS Questionnaire "is to identify the Sample Child's interaction with health professionals or school staff personnel related to emotional or behavioral problems."

The Field Representative's Manuals for 2005 forward informed interviewers that, for the CMS section of the survey, "[Parents/Respondents] are to respond to the questions about the child's behavior in general." The Manuals also instructed interviewers that for questions asking about emotions, concentration, behavior, or being able to get along with others:

The first section of the CMS Questionnaire includes questions about health care provider visits for mental health services. In this section, parents of sample children age 4-17 were asked the aforementioned question about whether they had seen or talked to a health care provider or school personnel about the child's emotional or behavioral difficulties (DIFTOLDDR). If the parent's response in DIFTOLDDR was "Yes," interviewers asked the follow-up question, "When was the MOST RECENT conversation or visit?" (DIFTOLDWHEN).

In the second section of the CMS Questionnaire, parents were asked about medication prescribed for the child's difficulties. Parents of sample children age 4-17 were first asked, "Was [sample child] ever prescribed medication for difficulties with [his/her] emotions, concentration, behavior or being able to get along with others?" (DIFRXEV). Those who answered "Yes" received two follow-up questions:

• When was the MOST RECENT medication prescribed for these difficulties? (DIFRXWHEN)

• Was this medication prescribed for difficulties with concentration, hyperactivity, or impulsivity? (DIFRXHYPER)

The last section of the CMS Questionnaire includes items inquiring about non-pharmacologic treatment or help received for the child's difficulties. Parents of sample children age 4-17 were first asked, "Has [sample child] EVER received ANY treatment or help (other than medication) for difficulties with emotions, concentration, behavior or being able to get along with others?" (DIFTRETEV). Those who answered "Yes" received the following questions about the child's treatment/help:

• When was the MOST RECENT help or treatment received? (DIFTRETWHEN)

• Was any of this treatment or help received from any of the following?

• A pediatric or general medical care practice (TRETGENERAL)

• A mental health private practice (TRETMHPRIV)

• A mental health clinic or center (TRETMHCLIN)

• The child's school (TRETSCHOOL)

• Other (TRETOTHER)

Parents could mention more than one such treatment location, and interviewers were to mark all that applied.

Comparability

DIFTOLDDR is completely comparable over time.

Universe

Availability

• 2005-2007

Weights

• 2005-2007 : SAMPWEIGHT