A scoping review of mental health prevention and intervention initiatives for infants and preschoolers at risk for socio-emotional difficulties

Does group-based parent support during the transition to parenthood affect child socio-emotional problems and health care utilization? A randomized controlled trial

As government-funded universal programs for new parents continue to expand, it is critical to investigate their short- and longer-term effects. The level of knowledge, especially on the effect of group-based interventions, is sparse. This study is the second report from a large trial of a widely implemented universal group-based parenting program in Denmark and includes outcomes on child socio-emotional problems and use of health services. A sample of 1701 unborn children from families representative within the area, were randomized to intervention or care as usual beginning November 2014. From these families, 1268 mothers and 999 partners (mean age 29.4 and 31.19, respectively; 6% migration background) filled in the Ages and Stages Questionnaire. Intention-to-treat-analyses showed fewer socio-emotional problems in the intervention group (between-group difference - 2.34, 95% CI [0.40, 4.30], d = - 0.13) as reported by mothers, but not partners, when children were 10 months old. This finding was transitory (no longer significant at 19 months). No effects were found on health care utilization. The previous report from this trial showed no effects on measures of parenting. In total, these findings serve the purpose of adjusting future expectations to the size and type of effect to be gained from a universal parent program in a resourceful setting. We conclude that even if the Family Startup Program (DK: Familieiværksætterne) 2 was liked, well implemented, and well attended by the parents, the positive effect on children's socio-emotional problems, was too modest to be the argument that can carry the weight of policy going forward. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study examined the effects of the Family Startup Program (DK: Familieiværksætterne), a universal, group-based program to support parents during the transition to parenthood. Results showed a modest transitory preventive effect on children's socio-emotional problems and no effects on health care utilization. These findings adjust down previous expectations to the size and type of effects to be gained from universal group-based parent support in a well-resourced setting.

Review: Improving access to mental health interventions for children from birth to five years: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

In spite of infants and children aged 0-5 years experiencing mental health difficulties being estimated to be in the range of 6%-18% globally, the mental health care needs for this age group are often overlooked in the design of specialist mental health services. Although there is increasing recognition of the importance of infant mental health services and treatments for younger children, access remains a barrier. Mental health services specifically designed for children 0-5 years are vital; however, little is known about how these services ensure access for infants at risk of mental health difficulties and their families. This scoping review seeks to address this knowledge gap.

METHODS

A scoping review methodology framework was used to search for relevant articles published between January 2000 and July 2021, identified using five databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SocIndex and Web of Science. The selection of studies was based on empirical research about access to infant mental health services and models of care. A total of 28 relevant articles met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in this review.

RESULTS

Findings can be summarised under five broad themes: (1) accessibility for at-risk populations (2) the importance of early detection of infants in need of mental health services and interventions; (3) the promotion of culturally responsive services and interventions; (4) ensuring the sustainability of IMH services and programs and (5) the integration of innovative interventions to improve existing practice models.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings from this scoping review highlight barriers to access and provision of infant mental health services. Future infant mental health service design, informed by research, is needed to improve access for infants and young children with mental health difficulties and their families.

Psychometrics of psychosocial behavior items under age 6 years: Evidence from Nebraska, USA

Because healthy psychosocial development in the first years of life is critical to lifelong well-being, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations are increasingly interested in monitoring psychosocial behaviors among populations of children. In response, the World Health Organization is developing the Global Scales of Early Development Psychosocial Form (GSED PF) to facilitate population-level psychosocial monitoring. Once validated, the GSED PF will be an open-access, caregiver-reported measure of children's psychosocial behaviors that is appropriate for infants and young children. This study examines the psychometric validity evidence from 45 items under consideration for inclusion in the GSED PF. Using data from N = 836 Nebraskan (USA) children aged 180 days to 71 months, results indicate that scores from 44 of the 45 (98%) items exhibit positive evidence of validity and reliability. A bifactor model with one general factor and five specific factors best fit the data, exhibited strong reliability, and acceptable model fit. Criterion associations with known predictors of children's psychosocial behaviors were in the expected direction. These findings suggest that measurement of children's psychosocial behaviors may be feasible, at least in the United States. Data from more culturally and linguistically diverse settings is needed to assess these items for global monitoring.

Preschool Programs that Help Families Promote Child Social-Emotional School Readiness: Promising New Strategies

Parents play a central role in supporting the early learning that positions young children for success when they enter formal schooling. For this reason, efforts to engage families in meaningful collaboration is a long-standing goal of high-quality early childhood education (ECE). Family-school engagement can take multiple forms; in this review, we focus on universal preschool-based outreach strategies that help parents support growth in child social-emotional and self-regulation competencies and prepare them for the transition into formal schooling. Recent research has expanded understanding of the neurodevelopmental processes that underlie child school readiness, and the impact of parenting (and the social ecology affecting parenting) on those processes. These new insights have fueled innovation in preschool-based efforts to partner with and support parents, expanding and shifting the focus of that programming. In addition, new approaches to intervention design and delivery are emerging to address the pervasive challenges of reaching and engaging families, especially those representing diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This paper reviews developmental research that underscores the importance of prioritizing child social-emotional learning (with attention to self-regulation and approaches to learning) in universal preschool-based parenting programs targeting young children. We highlight the intervention strategies used in programs with strong evidence of impact on child readiness and school adjustment based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). New directions in intervention design and delivery strategies are highlighted, with the hope of extending intervention reach and improving family engagement and benefit.

Virtual Delivery of Parent Coaching Interventions in Early Childhood Mental Health: A Scoping Review

Parent-coaching interventions positively impact child development. Virtual delivery of such interventions is supported by literature reviews and a practice guideline, however, none of these focused on children under age six. A scoping review of virtually-delivered parent-coaching interventions for disruptive behaviour, anxiety, and parent-child relationship concerns in children under age six was conducted between Dec. 15, 2020 and April 22, 2021. Iterative searches of the databases PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were complemented by reference list searches and clinician expert review (N = 1146). After relevance screening and duplicate removal, collaboratively-developed inclusion criteria were applied to records, followed by data extraction from eligible articles (n = 30). Most literature documented behavioural-based interventions targeting disruptive behaviour which were delivered individually, by therapists, to White, non-Hispanic parents. Evidence supports feasibility and efficacy of virtually-delivered parent-coaching interventions to improve child disruptive behaviour (strong), anxiety (moderate), and parent-child relationship (weak). There is a significant gap in the literature regarding the virtual delivery of attachment-based parent-coaching interventions. In sum, virtual parent coaching can be an efficacious approach for children under age six, particularly for behavioural challenges.

Dysphoric milk ejection reflex (D-MER) and its implications for mental health nursing

Dysphoric milk ejection reflect (D-MER) is a dysphoria which women may experience within seconds of commencing breastfeeding. It is only recently gaining recognition in the academic literature and may have important implications for breastfeeding continuation, differential diagnosis and perinatal mental health. This perspective piece introduces the topic, sets out the physiological processes underpinning the experience and outlines why increased awareness of D-MER is important for the profession of mental health nursing.

A Systematic Review of Infant Mental Health Prevention and Treatment Programs

Although many prevention and treatment programs exist for children and families, there have been no reviews specifically examining their impact on infant mental health at the program level. Therefore, the purpose of the current review was to a) systematically examine prevention and treatment programs targeting infant mental health outcomes (i.e., internalizing problems, externalizing problems, social-emotional development, trauma) or the parent-infant relationship/ attachment in children from pregnancy to 2 years; b) classify each program by level of empirical support; and c) highlight strengths and identify gaps in the existing literature to inform future mental health intervention science. From over 121,341 publications initially identified, 60 prevention and treatment programs met inclusion criteria for this review. Each program was reviewed for level of scientific evidence. Of the 60 programs reviewed, 29 (48.33%) were classified as promising, while only six (10.0%) were classified as effective. Lastly, only two programs (3.33%; Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up and Video-feedback Intervention Parenting Program) were classified as evidence-based specific to infant mental health and/or parent-infant relationship/attachment outcomes. Implications related to disseminating evidence-based prevention/treatment programs are discussed.

Exploring Language Development Support for Foster Children: A Scoping Review of Interventions for Foster Care Families

PURPOSE

Children in foster care are at an increased risk for language delays and disorders, and foster parents can play a significant role in preventing delays in early language development. This scoping review explored empirical studies that included foster parent training programs for families with foster children under the age of 5 years.

METHOD

Using the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews), multiple databases were searched, and resulting article titles and abstracts were screened for inclusion in the review. Each study that met inclusion criteria was then coded for the training methods used to teach foster parents intervention strategies and the targeted outcomes of the intervention.

RESULTS

A total of 24 studies were identified. Of the 24 studies reviewed, all included interventions focused on increasing parent-child relationships and decreasing child challenging behaviors, but few included opportunities for foster parents to practice using intervention strategies with their foster child. None of the studies focused specifically on strategies for promoting children's language development. When outcomes across the studies were reviewed, only two focused on children's language.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this review point to the need for more research on language interventions that can be implemented by foster parents. The discussion focuses on the important role speech-language pathologists can play in the prevention of early language delays or disorders in young foster children.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21714311.

Music, families and interaction (MUFASA): a protocol article for an RCT study

Background

General mental health and interpersonal skills of families are crucial to children's development and future. Research suggests a link between participation in music activities and individuals' own sense of mental health, as well as an effect in objective measures of health such as quality of life, social skills, and rehabilitation of various kinds. However, in Denmark there are not many services for families with school-aged children (7–12 years) that focus on prevention and strengthening family interaction hereby minimising the risk of children not thriving and developing optimally in terms of social and emotional skills and competences. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of shared music activities on family interaction, parental stress, and child well-being.

Methods

The study is a controlled effect study where 40 family dyads from Aalborg and Aarhus are randomized into 4 different groups including music therapy activities, community music, family concerts and a control group. Measurements of family interaction (Assessment of Parent Child Interaction, APCI) and mental health (Parental Stress Scale, PSS, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, SDQ) will be made at baseline/pre intervention, at post intervention and a follow-up measurement 12 month after baseline (month 1, 3 and 12) 3 times in total. Furthermore, data about the family dyad’s regular participation in music events as part of every-day life at the same measure points (month 1, 3 and 12). Since this is a planned prospective study, results are not yet available, but clinical experience from a feasibility study in 2021 were promising and expected challenges and changes are discussed in the article.

Discussion

Findings of this study will be relevant for all fields where music is applied for families, such as education, mental health, social work and for basic research on the study of music and interaction. Music used as a resource for families is crucial in understanding how different modalities can influence the family interaction including emotional communication and attachment.

Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN17290015, Registered 03 March 2022, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN17290015

Date and protocol version

July 2022, version 1. Protocol is planned to be updated after finalized recruitment during second data collection point and again after the third and last data collection point (see Additional file 1: SPIRIT Checklist).

Predictive Model Construction for Social–Emotional Competence of Toddlers in Shanghai, China: A Population-Based Study

Objective

To construct a simple model containing predictors derived from Chinese Learning Accomplishment Profile (C-LAP) to better the evaluation of the social–emotional development of toddlers aged 24–36 months.

Method

The test results by C-LAP system and demographic information of toddlers aged 24–36 months were collected between 2013 and 2019 in Shanghai, China, whose guardians were voluntary to accept the investigation. We developed a norm with the dataset based on the study population. With the norm, stepwise regression and best subset analysis were applied to select predictors.

Results

Relying on the norm established and stepwise regression and also the best subset analysis, an optimal model containing only 6 indicators was finally determined and the nomogram of the model was constructed. In the training and validation dataset, the AUCs of the optimal model were 0.95 (95% CI: 0.94–0.96) and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.85–0.90), respectively. When the cutoff point of the model was set at 0.04, its sensitivity in training and validation dataset was 0.969 and 0.949, respectively, and the specificity in training and validation dataset is 0.802 and 0.736, respectively.

Conclusion

A simplified predictive model which includes only 6 items derived from C-LAP is developed to evaluate the probabilities of being at risk of developmental problem in social–emotional development for toddlers aged 24–36 months. Meanwhile, specificity and sensitivity of the model may be high enough for future fast screening.

A scoping review of global vaccine certificate solutions for COVID-19

Globally, measures, such as lockdown, quarantining, and physical distancing, have been implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19. As the vaccines are now available and reintegration into society is beginning, measures such as vaccine certificates are being implemented around the world. We conducted a scoping review to identify the initial digital solutions for COVID-19 vaccine certificates and evaluate them on the basis of purpose and use case, technological architecture, and ethical and legal implications. Articles identified from a Google search and a search of MEDLINE, Ovid and preprint servers were reviewed in duplicate, and data were extracted using a data extraction form. Data were extracted for date, location, type of article, source, companies identified for creating vaccine certificates, technology used, type of evidence provided (article quoting research study or an expert opinion), digital architecture, security and privacy measures, and use cases. Technology emerged as the most dominant theme followed by ethics, travel, legal concerns, public policy, and scientific concerns. Our review identified eight solutions that are working toward COVID-19 vaccine certificates world-wide, all optimizing blockchain technology. COVID-19 vaccine certificates are being considered in 11 countries and are in place in 5 others. Many issues concerning the themes we identified remain to be addressed to facilitate successful implementation.

Prevention of Mental Health Difficulties for Children Aged 0-3 Years: A Review

The period of infancy and early childhood is a critical time for interventions to prevent future mental health problems. The first signs of mental health difficulties can be manifest in infancy, emphasizing the importance of understanding and identifying both protective and risk factors in pregnancy and the early postnatal period. Parents are at a higher risk of developing mental health problems during the perinatal period. An understanding of the evidence around prevention and intervention for parental anxiety and depression is vital to the process of prevention of early mental health disorders in infants and young children. Here we review the existing prevention and treatment interventions in the early years focusing on the period from conception to 3 years - the majority targeting parents in order to improve their mental health, and that of their infants. Elements of successful programs for parents include psychoeducation and practical skills training, as well as work on the co-parenting relationship, developing secure attachment, and enhancing parental reflective functioning. While both targeted and universal programs have produced strong effect sizes, universal programs have the added benefit of reaching people who may otherwise not have sought treatment. In synthesizing this information, our goal is to inform the development of integrated models for prevention and novel early intervention programs as early in life as possible.

Exploring Perinatal Indicators of Infant Social-Emotional Development: A Review of the Replicated Evidence

The importance of infant social-emotional development for outcomes across the lifecourse has been amply demonstrated. Despite this, most screening measures of social-emotional development are designed for children 18 months of age and over, with a clear gap in earlier infancy. No systematic review has yet harvested the evidence for candidate indicators in the perinatal window. This paper examines modifiable risk and protective factors for two seminal early markers of social-emotional development: attachment security and behavioral regulation mid-infancy. We searched meta-analytic and longitudinal studies of developmental relationships between modifiable exposures in the perinatal window (pregnancy to 10 months postpartum) and attachment and behavioral regulation status measured between 12 and 18 months. Six electronic databases were used: ERIC, PsycINFO, Medline Complete, Informit, Embase, and Scopus. Twelve meta-analytic reviews and 38 original studies found replicated evidence for 12 indicators across infant, caregiving, and contextual domains predictive of infant behavioral regulation and attachment status between 12 and 18 months. Key among these were caregiving responsiveness, maternal mental health, couple relationship, and SES as a contextual factor. Perinatal factors most proximal to the infant had the strongest associations with social-emotional status. Beyond very low birthweight and medical risk, evidence for infant-specific factors was weaker. Risk and protective relationships were related but not always inverse. Findings from this review have the potential to inform the development of reliable tools for early screening of infant social-emotional development for application in primary care and population health contexts.

The application of positive parenting interventions to academic school readiness: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Positive parenting interventions were traditionally developed for use in infant and preschool mental health. However, there is increasing application to a broader range of developmental outcomes. A scoping review was conducted to map the landscape of the diverse applications of positive parenting interventions to academic school readiness.

METHODS

Positive parenting interventions that took place in the early childhood period (prenatal to 6 years) and included an assessment of academic readiness were eligible (i.e., problem-solving/reasoning, language, executive functions and preacademics). The search strategy included four electronic databases from inception to July 2020 and backward/forward searching of the majority of eligible studies. Data charting was completed by double, independent reviewers and included theoretical frameworks, academic readiness outcomes, parenting behaviour targets, populations serviced and methodological approaches used. The synthesis included quantitative descriptives and tabular/visual representations.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine studies met eligibility criteria. There has been a steady increase in published studies since 2005, with each academic readiness skill represented in varying proportions. Attachment theory was the most commonly referenced framework for applying interventions to academic readiness, with a more recent shift towards biobehavioural frameworks. The majority of studies included parental responsiveness as a parent behaviour target, whereas behavioural management was more commonly used with older children and/or those with social-emotional/behavioural difficulties. Most studies used a selective prevention approach, with low socioeconomic families being the most frequently studied group. Research gaps were identified in the measurement of follow-up and parenting behaviour.

CONCLUSION

We discuss changing conceptualizations of academic readiness, applications to public health and practice, and future directions in research.