Evaluation of Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics of Children and Adolecents Under Court-Ordered Health Measures: A Retrospective Chart Review
Abstract
Purpose: This study examines the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of children and adolescents who were followed up in the child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic under court-ordered health measure.
Materials and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional and retrospective analysis of 287 cases under court-ordered health measure. The analyzed data encompass sociodemographic characteristics, information related to parents, reasons for health precaution decisions, psychiatric diagnoses, and adherence to follow-up and treatment.
Results: The sample comprised 287 participants, with a mean age of 13.08 ± 4.15 years; 53.7% were female (n=154), and 46.3% were male (n=133). Adolescents constituted 64.8% (n=186) of the sample, while children comprised 35.2% (n=101). The most common reason for implementing health precautionary measures was neglect, accounting for 25.1% (n=72) of cases, followed by risky behaviors at 19.5% (n=56) and sexual abuse at 18.1% (n=52). Over half of the participants (56.8%, n=163) received at least one psychiatric diagnosis, with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (23.3%, n=67) being the most frequent, followed by conduct disorder (13.9%, n=40) and major depressive disorder (13.6%, n=39).
Conclusion: Our findings reveal that court-ordered health measures are frequently based on critical protection concerns such as neglect, risky behaviors, and sexual abuse, with age and gender playing a decisive role in the decision-making process. These results highlight the need for multidimensional, interdisciplinary approaches to improve the well-being of children and adolescents. Strengthening the coordination and quality of existing follow-up mechanisms and developing targeted early-intervention programs may enhance the effectiveness of these protective processes.
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References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Psychiatry
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
April 29, 2026
Submission Date
March 11, 2025
Acceptance Date
January 26, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 1
