Abstract
Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an innovative early childhood mental health intervention, Massachusetts Project LAUNCH. Early childhood mental health clinicians and family partners (paraprofessionals with lived experience) were embedded within community pediatric medical homes. Methods A longitudinal study design was used to test the hypotheses that (1) children who received services would experience decreased social, emotional and behavioral problems over time and (2) caregivers’ stress and depressive symptoms would decrease over time. Families who were enrolled in services and who consented to participate in the evaluation study were included in analyses (N = 225). Individual growth models were used to test longitudinal effects among MA LAUNCH participants (children and caregivers) over three time points using screening tools. Results Analyses showed that LAUNCH children who scored in age-specific clinically significant ranges of social, emotional and behavioral problems at Time 1 scored in the normal range on average by Time 3. Caregivers’ stress and depressive symptoms also declined across the three time points. Results support hypotheses that the LAUNCH intervention improved social and emotional health for children and caregivers. Conclusions for Practice This study led to sustainability efforts, an expansion of the model to three additional communities across the state and development of an online toolkit for other communities interested in implementation.
Highlights
An estimated 9–14% of children aged 0–5 are affected by social and emotional difficulties (Brauner and Bowers 2006) that limit ability to effectively engage in activities, fully benefit from educational opportunities (Zbar et al 2016), avoid risky behaviors in adolescence (Thompson et al 2011), and prevent emotional instability in adulthood (Goodman et al 2011)
This study provides evidence that enhancing mental health services in primary care through the integration of trained early childhood mental
This study presents results from the evaluation of Massachusetts’ Project Linking Actions with Unmet Needs in Children’s Health (MA_LAUNCH), a preventive intervention housed in community pediatric medical home settings
Summary
An estimated 9–14% of children aged 0–5 are affected by social and emotional difficulties (Brauner and Bowers 2006) that limit ability to effectively engage in activities, fully benefit from educational opportunities (Zbar et al 2016), avoid risky behaviors in adolescence (Thompson et al 2011), and prevent emotional instability in adulthood (Goodman et al 2011). Studies have identified multiple risk factors that affect early childhood mental health (ECMH) including neighborhood disadvantage, witnessing violence, parental emotional distress, mental illness or substance problems, incarcerated relatives or other caregiver separation, harsh discipline, and homelessness (Bayer et al 2011; Garner et al 2012). Interventions addressing barriers to social and emotional well-being are key to healthy development of children
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