Conduct problems in preschool children is a significant mental health problem that affects 20%-35% of preschoolers and places children at heightened risk for developing a range of academic, psychological, and social problems in later childhood. The literature points to the need for effective community-based preventive interventions with families of very young children at risk for conduct problems. Parent training is among the most rigorously studied and effective methods for reducing risk factors associated with conduct problems in young children. This presentation will describe the nature of conduct problems in young children, the role of day care and preschools in gaining access to young children at risk, and the theory and research underlying parent training as a prevention strategy. The authors will describe 10 essential characteristics of effective parent training programs derived from their work in low-income neighborhoods in Chicago. Knowledge of these essential characteristics will assist public health nurses in implementing and evaluating effective parent training programs with families of young children living in low-income, high-risk communities.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify characteristics of conduct problems in young children. 2. Describe the theory and research underlying parent training as a prevention strategy. 3. Assess the potential effectiveness of parent training with families of color in low-income communities.
Keywords: Child/Adolescent Mental Health, Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.