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

Abstract

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.

High, in Contrast to Low Levels of Acute Stress Induce Depressive-like Behavior by Involving Astrocytic, in Addition to Microglial P2X7 Receptors in the Rodent Hippocampus

“…The same stage of maturation is achieved in humans only a number of years after birth. Therefore, our observations may have particular significance for early forms of MDD manifesting in childhood and also persisting later into adulthood [68].…”

The Association of Early-life exposure to the Chinese Famine and healthy lifestyle behavior for elderly hypertensive patients in China

“…The infancy and toddler exposed group had stronger relationships, which experiences at this developmental stage are more likely to have potential long-term effects on individual behavior [25]. One explanation for this difference is individuals who experienced famine during infancy and toddlerhood may experience lasting physiological pressure, which may serve as one of the inducements for smoking and alcohol consumption [26]. Studies have indicated that malnutrition during fetal and early childhood stages may affect brain development and neural function, thereby influencing behavior in adulthood and increasing sensitivity to addictive substances such as nicotine and alcohol [27].…”

Relationship focused mother–infant groups: Preliminary evaluation of improvements in maternal mental health, parenting confidence, and parental reflective functioning

“…A recent review of the efficacy of group MBT parenting interventions (Lavender et al., 2022) has shown evidence that they generally improve PRF and reduce parenting stress, however results were mixed for other parent mental health and child outcomes. Although the theory of MBT interventions is compelling and outcome results are promising, there is a lack of strong evidence supporting these relatively new and rarely available interventions (Barlow et al., 2021; Camoirano, 2017; Izett et al., 2021; Lo & Wong, 2022; Sleed et al., 2022).…”