Eesti laste vaimse tervise uuring

Abstract

Eesti laste vaimse tervise uuring (LVTU) viidi esmakordselt läbi Sotsiaalministeeriumi tellimusel perioodil 22.06.2023–28.02.2025 Tartu Ülikooli, Tervise Arengu Instituudi ja Turu-uuringute AS-i koostöös. Uuringu eesmärgid: kaardistada viie välisriigi ja Eesti varasemad praktikad, töötada välja metoodika, viia läbi uuring ning teha ettepanekud seiresüsteemi loomiseks. Kaardistati Inglismaa, Kanada, Norra, Soome ja Saksamaa seireuuringud, mh iga uuringu valimitüüp ja vanuserühm, mõõdikud, andmete kogumise viis ja regulaarsus. Koostati ülevaade üksikutest laste vaimsele tervisele keskendunud küsimustest varasemastes Eestis uuringutes. Uuring keskendus 2.–11. klassi õpilastele ja nende vanematele üle terve Eesti, valim oli koolide põhine. Küsimustik käsitles: taustatunnuseid; vaimse tervise riski-(nt koolistress) ja kaitsetegureid, heaolu; vaimse tervise probleeme; vaimse tervise hoiakuid ning abi kasutamist. Lapsevanemate küsimused puudutasid nii vanemat ennast kui uuringus osalevat last. Küsitlusuuring toimus veebruar–mai 2024. Lapsi osales 681 (11,8% kutsututest), kellest 526 (77,2%) puhul olid kasutatavad ka lapsevanema vastused. Tulemused: vaimse tervise probleeme esines rohkem tüdrukutel ning need sagenesid vanuse suurenedes. Kuigi sotsiaalmajanduslikud tegurid olid heaoluga seotud, osutusid suhete, kooli, individuaalsete omaduste ja eluviisiga seotud riski- ja kaitsetegurid ka oluliseks. Uuringu madala vastamismäära tõttu tuleb silmas pidada, et tulemused kajastavad eelkõige konkreetse valimi olukorda. Seiret tuleks teostada LVTUs väljatöötatud küsimustikega iga 2–3 aasta järel, kaasates nii varem osalenud lapsed kui ka uued osalejad. Kui 11–17-aastaste puhul kasutada enesehinnangulisi vastuseid, siis 8–10-aastaste puhul kaasata ka lapsevanemad. Jätkata koolipõhise andmekogumisega ja lisada LVTU koolidele kohustuslike riiklikult oluliste uuringute nimekirja. Uuringu tulemused kinnitasid vajadust laste vaimse tervise seiresüsteemi järele.

The Estonian Children's Mental Health Survey (LVTU) was carried out at the request of the Ministry of Social Affairs during 22.06.2023–28.02.2025 in cooperation between the University of Tartu, the National Institute of Health Development and Turu-uuringute AS. Objectives were: to map the previous practices abroad and in Estonia, develop a methodology, conduct a survey and make proposals for efficient monitoring system. Monitoring studies in England, Canada, Norway, Finland and Germany were mapped, including the sample type, age group, metrics, the data collection practices and their regularity. The individual questions in previous studies on the mental health of children in Estonia were overviewed. The survey included students in grades 2–11 and their parents, the sample was school-based. The questionnaire dealt with background characteristics, mental health risk (e.g. school stress) and protection factors, well-being, mental health problems and attitudes and the use of help. The survey took place between February and May 2024. There were 681 children (11.8% of those invited), of whom 526 (77.2%) also had parental responses. Results: Mental health problems were more prevalent in girls and increased with age. Socio-economic factors, risk and protective factors such as relationships, school environment, individual characteristics and lifestyle, were associated to well-being. Due to the low response rate of the survey, the results primarily reflect the situation of a particular sample. Monitoring should be carried out every 2-3 years, with questionnaires developed in the LVTU, involving both children who participated previously and new participants. Self-assessed answers could be used for 11-17-year-olds but for 8-10-year-olds, parents should also be involved. School-based data collection and adding LVTU schools to the list of mandatory nationally important surveys is recommended. The study confirmed the need for a monitoring system for Estonian children's mental health.