The importance of validated questionnaire by parents, preschool and child psychologist in preschool children with ESSENCE symptoms: A comparative study

Background: It is important to detect children with Early Symptomatic Syndromes Eliciting Neurodevelopmental Clinical Examinations (ESSENCE) in order to implement early intervention and support for the child and family. Standardized instruments for assessment of behaviour problems, engagement and psychosocial health are needed to obtain an objective picture of the preschool child's mental health. Aim To explore and compare parents', preschool teachers' and child health care psychologists' assessment of behaviour, everyday function, engagement, social interaction and psychosocial health in children with ESSENCE symptoms. Method Parents of 152 children (114 boys and 38 girls, 4.5 ± 1 years) with ESSENCE symptoms, 155 preschool teachers and 8 child psychologists participated. Parents and preschool teachers assessed externalizing and internalizing behavioural problems using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), including the SDQ supplement for assessing everyday function. Preschool teachers also assessed engagement and social interaction using the Children's Engagement Questionnaire (CEQ), and the child psychologists assessed psychosocial health with the Child Psychosocial Health Assessment (LillaLAPS). Results Parents', preschool teachers' and child psychologists' assessment of the child's mental health largely agreed. Both parents and preschool teachers see a strength in the child's social abilities. Parents especially see challenges with behaviour and function in daily life. Preschool teachers consider behavioural problems, hyperactivity, conduct problems, peer problems and function in daily life as a greater challenge compared with the parents' assessment. Conclusion Combining assessment with SDQ, SDQ supplement, CEQ and LillaLAPS seems promising in detecting preschool children with ESSENCE symptoms early on. However, it is important to consider different contexts to obtain an overall evaluation of the child's need for support in everyday life.