Characterizing community-based usual mental health care for infants
Abstract
Infants who experience multiple risk factors, such as preterm birth, developmental delay, and low socioeconomic status, are at greater risk for mental health problems. Mental health interventions for infants typically target infants from high-risk groups, and there is strong evidence that some intervention programs for infants can prevent long-term negative outcomes and promote long-term positive outcomes. Despite emerging research and federal initiatives promoting early intervention, minimal research has examined community-based mental health services during infancy. Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of routine care requires close examination of current practices. The current study characterized current usual care practices in infant mental health through a survey of mental health providers. Provider, practice, and client characteristics, provider use of intervention strategies and intervention programs, and provider attitudes toward and knowledge of evidence-based practices are described. Study findings are discussed in the context of previous usual care research. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Subject Area
Mental health|Psychology
Recommended Citation
Hungerford, Gabriela Marie, "Characterizing community-based usual mental health care for infants" (2016). ProQuest ETD Collection for FIU. AAI10289178.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/dissertations/AAI10289178