[The health of preschool children: bonds between the formal definition of the point of view of the parents].

Thirty fathers of preschoolers living in disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods described their conceptions of children's mental health. Interviews were submitted to a qualitative content analysis. These fathers hold two opposing views: the first centres on learning to comply with norms and social integration; the other is based on encouraging the child's expression of individuality and autonomy. The second conception is similar to formal definitions of children's mental health proposed by professionals, while the first bears little relation to these definitions. The results raise important questions about the effectiveness of messages promoting children's mental health and well-being to this significant audience.