Abstract
Abstract
Background
The beliefs and attitudes of caregivers of working children about mental health issues and first aid and their attitudes about the stigma of mental health problems can affect their motivation to seek professional help for affected children. This study aimed to assess the mental health literacy among caregivers of child labor about first aid for mental health and their attitudes about the stigma of mental disorders.
Methods
The Depression Health Literacy Questionnaire has been used in this cross-sectional study. All caregivers of working children who were willing to participate were included in the study. This group is covered by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) located in the 17th district of Tehran.
Results
Questionnaires completed by 131 caregivers were analyzed. The average age of the participants was 32.6 (± 7.9) years. Of which 130 (99.2%) were mothers. Amongst, only 37 individuals (28.2%) were confident in their ability to help their children in case of depression symptoms. A majority of participants, 109 (83.2%), believed that asking a depressed child about suicidal ideation was harmful.
Conclusion
According to the findings of this study, the literacy among caregivers of child labor about mental health first aid in our study needs to be improved. There is also a need for educational and community-based programs to reduce the stigma about mental health disorders, including depression.
Funder
Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
General Psychology,General Medicine
Reference36 articles.
1. UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org/protection/child-labour. Accessed 25 Jan 2022.
2. Organization for defending victims of violence. https://www.odvv.org/blog-913-Child-Labour-and-Street-Child-Phenomenon-A-legal-and-Sociological-Perspective. Accessed 25 Jan 2022.
3. Tiwari RR, Saha A, Parikh JR, Saiyed HN. Injuries and injury care among child labourers in gem polishing industries in Jaipur. India J Occup Health. 2004;46(3):216–9.
4. Khakshour A, Ajilian Abbasi M, Sayedi SJ, Saeidi M, Khodaee GH. Child labor facts in the worldwide: a review article. Int J Pediatr. 2015;3(12):467–73.
5. O'Donnell O, Van Doorslaer E, Rosati FC. Child labour and health: Evidence and research issues. Understanding Children's Work Programme Working Paper. 2002.