Children at Risk

Vivian R. Isenstein · William Krasner

Jan 1978 · Mental Health Studies and Reports Branch, Division of Scientific and Public Information, National Institute of Mental Health

About this ebook

Behavioral research scientists long have been suggesting that certain children run a greater risk of developing mental problems in adulthood, because of either environmental stresses or genetic predisposition. This concept of vulnerability, considered in light of more recent research data, has intrigued Dr. Jon E. Rolf of the University of Vermont. He theorized that very young children do show early symptoms of behavior disorder which, if recognized, could be amenable to early intervention and thus prevented from developing into adult psychopathology. However, little working data existed concerning the origins of behavioral disorders among the very young. Consequently, Dr. Rolf, with support from the National Institute of Mental Health, initiated the Vermont Child Development Project, hoping to identify specific deviant behaviors in pre-school children, as well as factors within family backgrounds, that contribute to children's maladjustment. Dr. Rolf's program illustrates the value of a research project-gathering valuable data for future strategies that is also a service project dealing with the pressing needs of today's children at risk.