Socio-ecological structure and perceived child and adolescent psychological disorder in the urban core of the Windsor CMA (Ontario).

This research examined the distribution and ecological correlates of referrals of children and adolescents to the Regional Children's Centre, a psychological assessment and treatment centre located in Windsor, Ontario. Referral data for the study were collected by the Regional Children's Centre for the study period April, 1992 through March, 1994. Referral rates were calculated at the enumeration area level for various 'diagnostic' and demographic sub-groups. The spatial distribution of referrals was assessed using the Poisson probability test. This test revealed that, for each sub-group analysed, the distribution of referrals in the study area was non-random. The socio-ecological structure of the study area was derived using a principal components analysis of a set of socio-economic indicator variables from the 1991 Census of Canada and a cluster analysis of component scores. Enumeration areas were aggregated as like socio-economic areas on the basis of the cluster analysis results, and the Poisson probability test was used to assess the distribution of the referrals with respect to the clusters derived. Once again, results of this test revealed that the distribution of referrals in the study area was not a result of some random process. Step-wise multiple correlation-regression revealed a significant ecological relationship between referral rates and the socio-ecological structure of the study area. This relationship was not found, however, when examining referrals for neurophysiologically based concerns.Dept. of Geography. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1995 .L430. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 34-02, page: 0568. Adviser: Frank C. Innes. Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1995.