The influence of race and ethnicity on psychiatric diagnoses and clinical characteristics of children and adolescents in children's services.

This study examined the influence of race and ethnicity on psychiatric diagnoses and clinical characteristics of 1,189 children and adolescents participating in the federally funded Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program. Results showed that after controlling for age, gender, functional impairment, and socioeconomic status, there were significant race and ethnicity effects on diagnosis and clinical characteristics. Black and Native Hawaiian youth were more likely than White youth to be diagnosed with disruptive behavioral disorders.