Open AccessReducing Adolescent Psychopathology in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Children With a Preschool Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Karen L. Bierman,
Brenda S. Heinrichs,
Janet A. Welsh,
Robert L. Nix
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the american journal of psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.477
H-Index - 353
eISSN - 1535-7228
pISSN - 0002-953X
DOI - 10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20030343
Subject(s) - psychopathology , disadvantaged , head start , intervention (counseling) , psychology , randomized controlled trial , mental health , clinical psychology , coping (psychology) , developmental psychology , medicine , psychiatry , surgery , political science , law
Living in poverty increases exposure to adversities that undermine healthy development, impeding growth in the social-emotional and language skills that support adaptive coping and promote mental health. Evidence-based programs have the potential to improve current preschool practice and strengthen these early skills, potentially reducing risk for later psychopathology. The authors tested the hypothesis that an enrichment program in preschool would be associated with reduced levels of psychopathology symptoms at the transition from middle to secondary school.