Abstract
The study identifies the variables that predict the perception of need for psychiatric help and the use of mental health services in children and adolescents from 7 to 17 years old attending psychiatric and pediatric outpatient consultation. The perception of problems and consultation depend on the degree of functional impairment, parents' perception of the existence of problems, the age of the child, temperamental traits, parental rearing style and severe stressful life-events. The variables that permit realization of the existence of problems but do not lead to consultation are primarily developmental difficulties. Families consult with professionals, despite not perceiving the existence of psychiatric problems, when children have difficulties in their behavioral style. The presence of psychopa tholog y is not enough to explain the perception of the need for help by the subject or the fact of attending consultation. Resultant indicators may be useful for planning mental health services.
