FAMILY CONTEXT OF CHILDREN WITH MENTAL AND NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS USING PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS
Keywords:
Mental Health, Childhood, Psychotropic Medications, Social Vulnerability, FamilyAbstract
The study evaluated the family context of children and adolescents using psychotropic medications who were treated at Health Units located in the northern region of Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil. This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study including 337 child–caregiver dyads. Among the children evaluated, 15 were using psychotropic drugs for disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism. Most were receiving psychological follow-up, and vulnerability factors such as low income, alcohol consumption, smoking, and drug use in certain households were also observed. In this context, the use of psychotropic medications is often associated with vulnerable family environments, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary care and continuous psychosocial support.
