Other 'What Works' Topics
Emotional and Mental Health
By Jonathan F. Zaff, Ph.D., Julia Calkins, Lisa J. Bridges, Ph.D., and Nancy Geyelin Margie
TABLE 1 TABLE 2 TABLE 3 TABLE 4 TABLE 5 TABLE 6 TABLE 7
Self-Esteem Perceived Competence Coping Depression Anxiety Eating Disorders ADHD
TABLE 8 TABLE 9 TABLE 10        
Conduct Disorder Drug and Alcohol Abuse Multiple Internalizing and Externalizing Problems        
Emotional & Mental Health

  Experimental Research Studies Non-Experimental Research Studies
Multiple Internalizing & Externalizing Problems

- School-based programs (such as "Reconnecting Youth") that promote school bonds and the involvement of parents, and teach a crisis response plan. Resulted in a decrease in alcohol and drug use, and a decrease in anger control problems and aggressive tendencies.

- Families moving from high-poverty neighborhoods to low-poverty neighborhoods (for example, "Moving to Opportunity"). Resulted in improved parent and child mental health, and lower rates of youth delinquency and problem behaviors.

 

- Family interventions that promote healthy family functioning and good parenting practices.

- Early intervention in children's lives to prevent problems over the course of their development (Seattle Social Development Project). One program consisted of parenting classes and social competence training for children (problem solving, peer pressure resistance) in grades 1 through 6. Effects were seen at age 18 (fewer violent delinquent acts, less drinking, lower rates of sexual intercourse, lower rates of pregnancy), but due to the multiple components involved, it is difficult to determine exactly what brought about the effects.


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