Maximizing Disclosure of Psychosocial Stress in Children: What Works Best?

Adverse social conditions experienced in childhood have a profound effect on health. High-stress exposures include poverty, food insecurity, housing instability, household violence, and substance abuse. Chronic stress and exposure to adverse conditions have been linked to increases in disease burden (injury, diabetes, asthma), behavior problems, and poor academic performance. The stigma and discomfort of discussing these sensitive topics face to face may be an obstacle to getting accurate information. Computer-based screening questionnaires, because of their anonymity, may lead to greater reporting.

Caregivers of children who were triaged to the fast track (lower acuity area) of an urban children's emergency department were randomized to scr…