Background: Previous research has reported lower treatment rates for externalizing disorders among non-Western children as compared to Western children. Ethnic differences in parental detection may be an explanation for this discrepancy.
Aims: In a cross-sectional study among the four largest ethnic groups in the Netherlands, namely Dutch, Moroccan, Turkish and Surinamese, we examined the influence of ethnicity on parental detection of behavioural disorders.
Method: A total of 270 children (aged 6-10 years) and their parents were interviewed regarding psychiatric disorders and socio-demographic data. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated by using standard definitions, with adjustment for parental educational level.
Results: Sensitivity to detect any externalizing disorder and ADHD in particular was significantly lower among Moroccan and Surinamese parents when compared to Dutch parents. Sensitivity to detect ADHD tended to be lower among Turkish parents. Specificity to detect any externalizing disorder was higher among Moroccan and Turkish parents. Specificity to detect ADHD was higher among Moroccan parents and tended to be higher among Turkish parents.
Conclusions: The detection rate of externalizing disorders is markedly lower among non-Dutch parents than among Dutch parents. This finding emphasizes the importance of taking parents' cultural context into account when appraising their report on possible externalizing disorders in their children.