Prevention 317implementation of parenting programmes in high risk groups is lacking,
since agencies who might lead in offering them, such as social services
departments, are often too busy trying to cope with severe child pro-
tection cases. Some shifts are occurring, but there is a long way to go.
Interventions to mitigate the effects of divorce have been proven to reduce
emotional and behavioural symptoms.
The future
Widespread implementation of prevention programmes will depend partly
on further research to delineate the advantages and cost effectiveness
of prevention programmes, and partly on persuading governments that
worthwhile gains are realistic. For substantial change to occur, a shift in
the beliefs of the whole population will be necessary, which will almost
certainly require considerable use of broadcast media such as television.
Particularly in developing countries, maternal education has been shown
to be an important key to reducing family size and hence improved
nutrition and material circumstances for children, which in turn promotes
healthier and more rewarding lives. In the UK and the USA a number
of reports have come out for professional bodies and politicians com-
mending prevention of mental health problems and promotion of child
well-being, but whether they will be acted upon to any degree is another
matter.
Further reading
Allen G. (2011) Early Intervention: Smart Investment, Massive Savings: The
Second Independent Report to Her Majesty’s Government. London: Cabinet
Office (An example of a politician reviewing the evidence and urging
that early intervention through evidence-based programmes will save
society money.)
Carr, A. (2002) Prevention: What Works with Children and Adolescents?
Brunner-Routledge, Hove.
Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group. (2007) Fast Track ran-
domized controlled trial to prevent externalizing psychiatric disorders:
Findings from grades 3 to 9. Journal of American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry, 46 , 1250–1262.
Durlak J. et al. (2011) The impact of enhancing students’ social and emo-
tional learning: A meta-analysis of school-based universal interventions.
Child Development, 82 , 405–432.
O’Connell, Met al.(2009)Preventing Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral
Disorders Among Young People: Progress and Possibilities.Reports of the US
National Academy of Sciences. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
Availabl at: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12480.html.