Evaluation of the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) - An Interview Support Aiming to Enhance Assessment and Treatment Adherence

Studies show that the mental health of children may have deteriorated in recent decades. In Sweden, several national initiatives have been implemented to develop and strengthen interventions for children's mental health. One of these initiatives involves enhancing the first line of primary care for children with mental health issues, whose mission is to provide early intervention, i.e., support for mild to moderate mental health problems. The responsibility for children with moderate to severe mental health issues lies with child and adolescent psychiatry.

Research indicates that children with a migration background, to a lesser extent than native-born children, have contact with both the first line of mental health care and child and adolescent psychiatry. There is also research showing that when newly arrived individuals do seek care, they may receive poorer quality care than others and, for example, may be misunderstood. From the perspective of equal healthcare, this is a significant shortcoming. In our study, the investigators address differences between healthcare providers and families based on cultural factors as a possible reason for the lack of equality in healthcare.

In the study, the investigators aim to evaluate whether the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) improves the connection between healthcare providers and families and increases the family's involvement in treatment, ultimately leading to better mental health for the child. The method can be said to aim at enhancing the assessment, compliance, and treatment that are currently available within healthcare.