On Preventing Mental Disorders in School-Age Children

M.T. Greenberg, C. Domitrovich, and B. Bumbarger (2001) review the preventive intervention research targeting school-age children. Broadly based, universal prevention efforts, along with preventive interventions for internalizing and externalizing disorders, are presented. A variety of programs appear to have their intended impact, and Greenberg et al. identify developmental issues and risk factors for the interventions. A number of research and practical issues remain to be addressed. A clearer identification of target populations, performance of meta-analyses, and sensitivity to multicultural factors are avenues for further research. In addition, schools are identified as the likely environments for administering the prevention programs. Recognition of school variables impacting the delivery of the programs (such as who should be conducting the programs and unique problems facing urban schools) ought to be stressed.