[Theory and practice in rehabilitation of emotionally handicapped young patients]

Since January 1995 the new German Social Aid and Child Care and Protection Legislation (KJHG, Kinder-und Jugendhilfegesetz) is applied in all parts of Germany (Federal Legislation), for children and adolescents with psychiatric disturbances and special support system is created. These children have the right to get different sorts of help for their integration in school, in the peer-group, and in the society. The fact, that a child and adolescent psychiatric diagnosis is necessary to get these different kinds of help, has been criticized. Especially social-workers fear the negative effects of a so-called psychiatric "labeling". More information and cooperation between child psychiatrists and social-workers is necessary with regard to the new legislation. We analysed different measures (N = 1329) supported by this new legislation in our recourse population in 1992 and 1993. Effects of age, sex and socioeconomic status on the indication of psychotherapy within the health care-system or within the new (KJHG) legislation system are described. The follow-up part of the study reports results of these new forms of help for children in 140 of pour patients. We found more symptom reductions in the former diagnosed psychiatric disturbances than an improvement in the psychosocial and family life conditions of the children.