Prevention and Protective Factors

Childhood is an important time to prevent mental disorders and to promote mental health. As noted in the Children's Mental Health Risk Factors, childhood disorders are often the genesis for adult mental disorders. The field of prevention focuses on reduction of risk, prevention of onset, and early intervention. Various research is recognizing that prevention does work. Prevention programs that work with parents to develop better parenting skills, interpersonal problem solving skills, psycho-education, and psychosocial skill programs are examples of activities that work to reduce antisocial behavior in children.

Certain primary care measures are effective in preventing illnesses that can lead to mental disorders. For example, vaccination against measles prevents neurobehavioral complications; safe sex practices and maternal screening prevent newborn infections such as syphilis and HIV, which also have neurobehavioral manifestations; and reducing alcohol use during pregnancy helps prevent fetal alcohol syndrome. All of these conditions may produce mental disorders in children (USDHHS, 1999).

Protective factors such as stable supportive family, community settings that support families, and academic environments that reinforce healthy self-concept are some factors that result in a positive impact on the mental health of children. Providing supportive social environments can reduce the debilitating effects of severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia where relapse is common. Characteristics like an easy temperament, an internal locus of control, and good social-cognitive skills can aid a child in coping with stressful experiences and improve their mental health (APA, 1996).

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