Dialogue Based Early Detection—Development of a Novel Approach for Detection of Mental Health Problems Among Children in Daycare Centers
BackgroundAmong 1–7 years old children the worldwide prevalence of mental disorders is ~20%. Without treatment, the prognosis of such disorders in children is poor. Early intervention is estimated to result in a positive return. However, traditional screening to detect children at need is particular...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.696531/full |
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| author | Ingvar Bjelland Ingvar Bjelland Maj-Britt Posserud Maj-Britt Posserud Gro Janne Wergeland Gro Janne Wergeland |
| author_facet | Ingvar Bjelland Ingvar Bjelland Maj-Britt Posserud Maj-Britt Posserud Gro Janne Wergeland Gro Janne Wergeland |
| author_sort | Ingvar Bjelland |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundAmong 1–7 years old children the worldwide prevalence of mental disorders is ~20%. Without treatment, the prognosis of such disorders in children is poor. Early intervention is estimated to result in a positive return. However, traditional screening to detect children at need is particularly challenging due to the concerns by false positives. The aim of the current study was to develop a more acceptable though effective method using the existing annual evaluation meetings between parents and teachers in a more systematic and goal directed way. The method should build on the teacher's and parents' complementary knowledge and perception of the child, and fit into the everyday routines in daycare centers.MethodDuring a period of 6 years, a developmental process aiming for a novel screening method was carried out in cooperation with eight Norwegian daycare centers. After conception of the idea, the framework of the Dialogue Based Early Detection including the first version of the Early Worry Questionnaire (EWQ) was constructed. An iterative process involving parents and teachers completing workshops and subsequent testing facilitated a re-modeling of the method.ResultsIn the resulting Dialogue Based Early Detection a 36-item version of EWQ was completed by both parents and teachers ahead of the annual parent-teacher meeting. During that meeting the participants should try to reach a consensus whether there was a concern, some uncertainty, or no worry for the child, and which appropriate actions should be taken for a possible follow up. Both parents and teachers reported that the EWQ supported them in verbalizing already existing worries for the child. Teachers reported that parents were better prepared and participated more actively in the evaluation meetings. However, some parents complained that there was too much focus on possible worries. During the testing, challenges of language development, conduct, emotional reactions, toileting, attention, and eating were detected among the children.ConclusionThe Dialogue Based Early Detection method was endorsed by both teachers and parents and holds promise as a tool for improving early awareness and identification of developmental and mental health problems of preschool children in daycare centers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-24T01:24:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bcbb5df6c83049efaefbd13c39732636 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-24T01:24:07Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-bcbb5df6c83049efaefbd13c397326362022-12-21T17:22:34ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402022-02-011310.3389/fpsyt.2022.696531696531Dialogue Based Early Detection—Development of a Novel Approach for Detection of Mental Health Problems Among Children in Daycare CentersIngvar Bjelland0Ingvar Bjelland1Maj-Britt Posserud2Maj-Britt Posserud3Gro Janne Wergeland4Gro Janne Wergeland5Division of Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, NorwayDepartment of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, NorwayDivision of Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, NorwayDepartment of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, NorwayDivision of Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, NorwayDepartment of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, NorwayBackgroundAmong 1–7 years old children the worldwide prevalence of mental disorders is ~20%. Without treatment, the prognosis of such disorders in children is poor. Early intervention is estimated to result in a positive return. However, traditional screening to detect children at need is particularly challenging due to the concerns by false positives. The aim of the current study was to develop a more acceptable though effective method using the existing annual evaluation meetings between parents and teachers in a more systematic and goal directed way. The method should build on the teacher's and parents' complementary knowledge and perception of the child, and fit into the everyday routines in daycare centers.MethodDuring a period of 6 years, a developmental process aiming for a novel screening method was carried out in cooperation with eight Norwegian daycare centers. After conception of the idea, the framework of the Dialogue Based Early Detection including the first version of the Early Worry Questionnaire (EWQ) was constructed. An iterative process involving parents and teachers completing workshops and subsequent testing facilitated a re-modeling of the method.ResultsIn the resulting Dialogue Based Early Detection a 36-item version of EWQ was completed by both parents and teachers ahead of the annual parent-teacher meeting. During that meeting the participants should try to reach a consensus whether there was a concern, some uncertainty, or no worry for the child, and which appropriate actions should be taken for a possible follow up. Both parents and teachers reported that the EWQ supported them in verbalizing already existing worries for the child. Teachers reported that parents were better prepared and participated more actively in the evaluation meetings. However, some parents complained that there was too much focus on possible worries. During the testing, challenges of language development, conduct, emotional reactions, toileting, attention, and eating were detected among the children.ConclusionThe Dialogue Based Early Detection method was endorsed by both teachers and parents and holds promise as a tool for improving early awareness and identification of developmental and mental health problems of preschool children in daycare centers.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.696531/fullchildmental healthhealth promotionscreeningearly detectiondaycare center |
| spellingShingle | Ingvar Bjelland Ingvar Bjelland Maj-Britt Posserud Maj-Britt Posserud Gro Janne Wergeland Gro Janne Wergeland Dialogue Based Early Detection—Development of a Novel Approach for Detection of Mental Health Problems Among Children in Daycare Centers Frontiers in Psychiatry child mental health health promotion screening early detection daycare center |
| title | Dialogue Based Early Detection—Development of a Novel Approach for Detection of Mental Health Problems Among Children in Daycare Centers |
| title_full | Dialogue Based Early Detection—Development of a Novel Approach for Detection of Mental Health Problems Among Children in Daycare Centers |
| title_fullStr | Dialogue Based Early Detection—Development of a Novel Approach for Detection of Mental Health Problems Among Children in Daycare Centers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dialogue Based Early Detection—Development of a Novel Approach for Detection of Mental Health Problems Among Children in Daycare Centers |
| title_short | Dialogue Based Early Detection—Development of a Novel Approach for Detection of Mental Health Problems Among Children in Daycare Centers |
| title_sort | dialogue based early detection development of a novel approach for detection of mental health problems among children in daycare centers |
| topic | child mental health health promotion screening early detection daycare center |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.696531/full |
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