MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IN ABUSED INSTITUTIONALISED SERBIAN ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR USE OF SOCIAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of various forms of maltreatment in adolescents without parental care, their mental health problems and treatment needs. Sixty examinees of both genders, aged 12-18, were divided in two groups: abused group (adolescent without parental care in an institutional setting) and control group (general population). The presence/absence of registered abuse/neglect by official social services were the criterion for classifying respondents into groups. The general questionnaire, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and Youth Self Report were used. 46.67% of adolescents were neglected, 40% of them suffered several types of abuse, 10% were physically abused, 3.33% were emotionally abused, and no adolescent was sexually abused. 16.6% of cases of sexual abuse in the abused group as well as milder forms of maltreatment in the control group were registered by self-reported retrospective measures, which are not part of official registers. Delinquency, aggressive behavior and somatic complaints are significantly more prominent in the abused group compared to the control group. 86% of adolescents used some form of support and counseling from professionals, 56.6% were included in psychiatric treatment, and only 36.6% in psychotherapy. Mental health problems in abused adolescents without parental care indicates the specific needs for psychotherapy and psychiatric treatment.