Prevention of Mental Health Disorders in Children and Adolescents
A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 68798
Special Issue Editors
Interests: psychosis; suicidal behavior; mental health; risk factors; schizotypy; prevention; psychometric; assessment; validation
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Mental health disorders in children and adolescents are a major public health issue. These developmental periods are a vulnerable time during which children and adolescents experience many bio-psycho-social changes. Childhood and adolescence are considered as crucial developmental stages during which the first mental health difficulties may emerge. For instance, 15% of children and adolescents are diagnosed with a mental health disorder. In addition, at least 75% of mental health disorders begin by the age of 24. In addition, mental health disorders during childhood or adolescence have been associated with impairments in familial, social, educational, and health outcomes.
Thus, the period of childhood and adolescence is an optimal window of opportunity in which to improve the outcomes of mental problems and disorders through the promotion of mental well-being and prevention strategies. Mental health prevention requires the early and reliable identification of youths at heightened risk, as well as evidence-based psychological interventions. For prevention purposes, we need to analyse the underlying etiological mechanisms as well as risk and protective factors from multiple levels of analyses. We must also develop and validate psychometric measures and empirically supported treatments. In addition, with the aim providing new insights into the mental health field, the incorporation of new conceptual (staging model and transdiagnostic), psychometric (e.g., network model), assessment, and intervention procedures (ambulatory assessment/intervention) are needed.
In this issue, an empirical research focus on mental health in childhood and adolescence is welcome. We especially encourage the submission of research on the prevalence of mental health symptoms and disorders, analysis of risk and protective factors, psychological processes, or validation of tools and mental health interventions. We also encourage the submission of health systems and health policy-related manuscripts that focus on issues related to mental health in childhood and adolescence. Finally, we welcome original research papers using different study designs as well as systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Dr. Eduardo Fonseca-Pedrero
Prof. Martin Debbané
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- mental health
- prevention
- well-being promotion
- children and adolescents
- youth
- risk and protective factors
- developmental psychopathology
- etiological mechanisms
- psychological processes
- test validation
- psychometric procedures
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.