High levels of mental disorder in children, and average consumption of alcohol doubles
One in ten children aged 5-16 has a clinically diagnosed mental disorder, the most common being conduct disorder, followed by anxiety or depression, a proportion which appears to have been stable at least since 1999. However, the average amount of alcohol drunk by children aged 11-15 has increased, doubling since 1990.
These findings are contained in two reports from National Statistics1. On mental health the main findings are that boys are more likely than girls to have a mental disorder. Among 5-10 year olds, 10 per cent of boys had a mental disorder, compared with 5 per cent of girls. In 11- 16 year olds, the proportions are 13 per cent for boys and 10 per cent for girls. The prevalence of mental disorders is greater among children:
- In lone parent (16 per cent) compared with two parent families (8 per cent)
- In reconstituted families (14 per cent) compared with families containing no stepchildren (9 per cent)
- With parent(s) having no educational qualifications (17 per cent) compared with those who had a degree level qualification (4 per cent)
- In families with neither parent working (20 per cent) compared with those in which both parents are working (8 per cent)
- In families with a gross weekly household income of less than £100 per week (16 per cent) compared with those with an income of £600 or more (5 per cent).
- In households in which someone is receiving disability benefit (24 per cent) compared with those receiving no disability benefit (8 per cent).
Other factors associated with an increased prevalence of disorders are lower status jobs, living in the social or rented sector and living in areas classified as ‘hard pressed’ compared with more affluent areas.
Children with emotional disorders and with conduct disorders are significantly more likely than others to smoke, drink and take drugs, the largest differences being in relation to smoking and drug taking.
Underage Drinking
In relation to drinking by 11-15 year olds, the figures for 2004 are in line with the trends of previous years. The proportion of children who report drinking did not change – indeed, in 2004 there was a 2 per cent drop compared with the previous year – but the amount consumed by children who did drink increased. The average weekly consumption of alcohol increased from 5.3 units in 1990 to 10.7 in 2004. A quarter of children who had drunk in the last week had consumed 14 or more units, an average of two or more units per day.
Reference
1. Mental Health of Children and Young People in Gt. Britain 2004. Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England 2004.