Ecological Approaches to Early Mental Health: Developmental Theory to Intervention Evaluation

SW808, Section 001

This course will present contemporary knowledge and research on the development of young children as well as factors that promote mental health and prevent mental disorders. Ecological theories of development involving parents, families, and cultural context will be presented. Child-centered and relationship centered classification systems of early mental health problems will be discussed and evaluated. The theory and practice of early intervention will examine as a method for improving early mental health. This course also will examine issues that affect the evaluation of prevention services for children and their families. Students will learn to critically assess evaluation methods and findings in early mental health literature. Among the topics to be covered include the following: Transactional Model; Regulation Problems; Diagnostic Schemes; Attachment Theory; Family Functioning; Childrearing Practices; Representational Models; Cultural Context; Mental Health Assessment Strategies; Child Focus, Caregiver Focus, Relationship Focus, Contextual System Focus; Prevention and Early Intervention Approaches; and Prevention and Early Intervention Evaluation.