Child & Youth Care Forum最新文献

{"title":"Depressive Symptoms Over the Course of Adolescence Among Latinx Children of Immigrants and Non-Immigrants and White Youth From Small Towns in the United States.","authors":"Maria Andrea Oliva, Isaac C Rhew, Anjum Hajat, Sabrina Oesterle, Katarina Guttmannova","doi":"10.1007/s10566-025-09881-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-025-09881-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hispanic/Latinx people comprise 19% of the total United States population and are one of the fastest growing groups in the country. This growth has been particularly notable among youth from rural and small-town communities. Understanding mental health during adolescence in this population can have a significant impact on public health.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare depressive symptoms during adolescence among Latinx Children of Immigrants (COI), Latinx Children of Non-Immigrants (CONI), and non-Latinx White CONI from small towns in the United States.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used longitudinal data from Grades 6 to 12 from 1,520 youth from 12 rural and small-town communities in seven states. The three study groups were defined by Latinx ethnicity, race, and immigrant generational status based on the child's and their parents' country of birth. Using a negative binomial form of the generalized linear mixed model, we evaluated differences in depressive symptoms among the groups and group-by-time interactions to assess whether differences varied across developmental age. Additional models were estimated stratified by sex.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were no statistically significant differences in depressive symptoms comparing adolescent Latinx CONI and non-Latinx White CONI to Latinx COI. However, Latinx CONI had significantly elevated depressive symptoms and a steeper decline in symptoms compared to White CONI. Among males, Latino CONI had higher symptom scores than Latino COI and White CONI; however, there were no notable differences among groups in female youth.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Findings from this study highlight the importance of immigrant generational status when assessing rural and small-town U.S. Latinx youth's mental health.</p>","PeriodicalId":47479,"journal":{"name":"Child & Youth Care Forum","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12372956/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144974307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Secondary Youth-Level Mechanisms of Change in Parent Training for Anxious Youth.","authors":"Jacey L Anderberg, Kelly Barry, Blake M Upshaw, Katie H Mangen, Samuel D Spencer, Andrew G Guzick, Daphne M Ayton, Amanda D Palo, Abigail E Candelari, Eric A Storch","doi":"10.1007/s10566-025-09880-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-025-09880-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Parent-focused treatments are a promising approach for addressing youth anxiety outside of traditional therapist-delivered modalities. Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) has preliminarily demonstrated efficacy for reducing family accommodation (FA), a key treatment outcome for youth anxiety.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Since the mechanisms of SPACE remain relatively understudied, we examined youth-reported distress tolerance (DT), anxiety sensitivity (AS), and negative automatic thoughts as candidate mechanisms of SPACE using data from a previously conducted clinical trial.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In a sample of <i>N</i> = 68 youth (<i>M</i> _<i>age</i> = 10.2; 52% male; 62% White), we examined: (a) associations among candidate mechanisms and FA at baseline, (b) pre- to post-intervention change in candidate mechanisms, and (c) the association between pre- to post-intervention changes in candidate mechanisms and FA at post-intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Youth-reported DT, AS, and negative automatic thoughts were correlated with one another, but were not associated with parent-reported FA at baseline. These findings were inconsistent with youth-reported FA, which evidenced significant relations with DT and AS at baseline. Scores of candidate mechanisms slightly improved from pre- to post-intervention, with AS evidencing the most prominent reduction, although effect sizes were small. Finally, only salutary pre- to post-intervention changes in DT and social-based negative automatic thoughts were associated with parent-reported FA at post-intervention, suggesting the potential relevance of these variables as relevant mechanisms in SPACE.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>While our results do not permit definitive conclusions concerning the underlying youth-level mechanisms of SPACE, our findings may inform further refinement of parent-led interventions for anxious youth.</p>","PeriodicalId":47479,"journal":{"name":"Child & Youth Care Forum","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12382855/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144974392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Family Strengthening to Prevent Family Separation and Entrance into Residential Care Institutions in Sierra Leone: A Quasi-experimental Study.","authors":"Sarah Elizabeth Neville, Edward J Kim, Laura Horvath, Yasmine Vaughan, George Kulanda, Johanese Baun, Maada Naavo","doi":"10.1007/s10566-025-09866-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10566-025-09866-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Recognizing children's right to grow up in a family, advocates have long called for evidence-based interventions to prevent children from needlessly entering residential care. However, such programs have rarely been evaluated in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the \"<i>Firmly Rooted</i>\" program's associations with improved relationship behaviors, relationship quality, emotional regulation, and economic stability in Sierra Leone.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This non-randomized, two-group pre-test/post-test study compared <i>n</i> = 50 pairs of caregivers and their children aged 9-13 who underwent a two-day workshop plus special home visits with <i>n</i> = 63 pairs receiving care-as-usual. Data were collected via survey interviews with participants at baseline and endline on measures of relationship behaviors, relationship quality, emotional regulation, and economic stability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Intervention-associated improvements included the following: caregivers talked to children more, according to child report; caregivers and children reported apologizing more; caregivers reported comforting children more; and children reported sharing their feelings more. However, intervention caregivers reported more \"malicing\" and smaller improvements on hostility/aggression than comparison caregivers, and intervention children reported worse performance accepting emotions. Other areas had no significant differences.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The program was associated with important improvements in caregiver-child relationship-enhancing behaviors, suggesting the promise of interventions to prevent family separation. Given other mixed and null effects, the program is being revised to strengthen other areas. Evidence on preventing children from entering residential care in LMICs is extremely lacking, despite the consensus on its importance; more investigation in this area is urgently needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":47479,"journal":{"name":"Child & Youth Care Forum","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12323394/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144795847","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"What Works in Home-Start According to Parents and Volunteers.","authors":"A M C Lange, M Zandbergen, A M E Bijlsma, G J Overbeek, L Boendermaker","doi":"10.1007/s10566-025-09855-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10566-025-09855-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Home-visiting programs often aim to improve parenting skills, parent-child relationships, and children's developmental outcomes for at-risk families. Although research has identified what elements of these interventions are effective when provided by professionals, little is known about effective components of volunteer-based home-visiting programs.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study focused on Home-Start, a preventive home-visiting program, delivering informal social support through volunteers to families with children up to 17 years old struggling with common parenting issues. The aim was to develop a detailed understanding of the core components of the Home-Start and thereby develop a better understanding of the unique elements of volunteer-based home-visiting programs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We interviewed 10 parents and 11 volunteers and used thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found evidence for the relevance of the four principles identified by Home-Start the Netherlands. These are: Needs-oriented care, Focusing on empowerment, Equality and trust, and the Gift of time. We also describe a fifth theme, namely Professional support for the volunteer. The findings suggest overlap with effective components for professional-based support, but also highlight unique elements of volunteer-based home-visiting programs, which are rooted in the shared parenting experiences of volunteers and parents.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This paper provides new insights into the unique value of volunteer-based support for families.</p><p><strong>Supplementary information: </strong>The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10566-025-09855-7.</p>","PeriodicalId":47479,"journal":{"name":"Child & Youth Care Forum","volume":"54 5","pages":"1157-1177"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12464112/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145186780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enduring Outcomes of Family-focused Youth Care: A Systematic Review of Child, Parent and Family Functioning After Care and at Follow-up.","authors":"Bernadette M Janssen, Jolanda J P Mathijssen, Hedwig J A Van Bakel","doi":"10.1007/s10566-024-09837-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10566-024-09837-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Given the impact of growing up in vulnerable families on opportunities in life and the large numbers of families with severe parenting and child functioning problems who repeatedly receive some form of youth care, it is important to investigate the long-term outcomes of the provided care.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to investigate whether outcomes endure over a longer period of time, by exploring the effects of family-focused youth care on child, parental and family functioning at the end of care and at follow-up moments.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A systematic search was conducted in three databases (Psycinfo, Web of Science and ERIC), using search terms matching youth care and long-term effects. Effects between start and end of care, between end and follow up moments and between start and follow up moments on child, parent and family functioning were systematically mapped out.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-six articles were included describing effects of family-focused youth care at post treatment and at least one follow-up moment. The results demonstrated positive outcomes in short and longer term as improvement was found in child, parent and family functioning at the end of care and follow-up moments.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Despite the positive outcomes, determining long-term effects of youth care turned out to be difficult, as most studies organize follow-up moments within one year of the end of care. Moreover, there may also be an intertwined effect of the provided and possible follow-up care. More longitudinal research with follow-up moments over multiple years is required to investigate the durability of outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":47479,"journal":{"name":"Child & Youth Care Forum","volume":"54 3","pages":"787-815"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12078430/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144095362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Role of Dosage and Family Profiles in a Child Welfare Home Visiting Program","authors":"Victoria Hidalgo García, Javier Pérez-Padilla, Carlos Camacho Martínez-Vara de Rey, Lucía Jiménez García","doi":"10.1007/s10566-024-09826-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-024-09826-4","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background</h3><p>Among the different modalities of family support, home visiting programs have proved to be one of the most effective secondary prevention models for families involved in child welfare services. Despite the promising outcomes and the extensive available literature, further research is needed to investigate target population characteristics and implementation factors that may explain the heterogeneity in the outcomes of these programs for families receiving child welfare services.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Objective</h3><p>This longitudinal study explored the role of dosage and family characteristics related to the effectiveness of the Family Intervention Program (FIP), which is a home-based Spanish child welfare service for supporting families at psychosocial risk.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Method</h3><p>To this end, a quasi-experimental design was followed, including a time-series evaluation of the 289 families receiving the FIP. In order to examine the impact of the FIP, the evolution of child well-being (CWB) was evaluated with Child Well-Being Scales every 6 months.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>The results showed that the highest average CWB score was observed after 39 months of intervention, observing no improvements in CWB from that point. Similarly, the results showed that the FIP was more effective for single parent families at higher socioeconomic levels.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>This article provides new knowledge for the understanding of home visiting programs success, concluding that the programs are not equally effective for all family profiles, and that it is necessary to adjust each program to the specific characteristics of the target population.</p>","PeriodicalId":47479,"journal":{"name":"Child & Youth Care Forum","volume":"3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142251023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"What Helps Children and Young People to Disclose their Experience of Sexual Abuse and What Gets in the Way? A Systematic Scoping Review","authors":"Lynne McPherson, Kathomi Gatwiri, Anne Graham, Darlene Rotumah, Kelly Hand, Corina Modderman, Jaime Chubb, Samara James","doi":"10.1007/s10566-024-09825-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-024-09825-5","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background</h3><p>Global research has found that prevalence rates of child sexual abuse suggest that this is a significant ongoing public health concern. A recent Australian study, for example, revealed that more than three girls and almost one in five boys reported experiencing sexual abuse before the age of 18. Self-reported rates of abuse, however, far exceed official figures, suggesting that large numbers of children who experience sexual abuse do not come to the attention of relevant authorities. Whether and how those children have tried to tell their stories remains unclear.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Objective</h3><p>The goal of the review was to explore scholarly literature to determine what was known about what enables or constrains children to disclose their experience of sexual abuse.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Method</h3><p>A systematic scoping review was undertaken to better understand the current state of knowledge in the scholarly literature on child sexual abuse disclosure. Thirty-two scholarly publications were included for analysis following a rigorous process of sourcing articles from five databases and systematically screening them based on transparent inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ecological systems and trauma-informed theoretical paradigms underpinned an inductive thematic analysis of the included manuscripts.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Three multi-dimensional themes were identified from the thirty-two publications. These themes were: factors enabling disclosure are multifaceted; barriers to disclosure include a complex interplay of individual, familial, contextual and cultural issues; and Indigenous victims and survivors, male survivors, and survivors with a minoritised cultural background may face additional barriers to disclosing their experiences of abuse.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>The literature suggests that a greater understanding of the barriers to disclosures exists. Further research that supports a deeper understanding of the complex interplay of enablers and the barriers to disclosure across diverse populations is needed. In particular, future research should privilege the voices of victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, mobilising their lived experiences to co-create improved practice and policy.</p>","PeriodicalId":47479,"journal":{"name":"Child & Youth Care Forum","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142251026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Promoting Positive Youth Development Through an After-School Organized Art Activity Designed for Adolescents with Internalizing Problems","authors":"Rocio Macabena Perez, Kim Archambault, Véronique Dupéré","doi":"10.1007/s10566-024-09820-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-024-09820-w","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background</h3><p>Mental health is a priority for high schools, but extant programs often focus on symptom reduction rather than promoting adolescents’ developmental assets.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Objective</h3><p>The goal of this study is to examine whether Art in Mind (AIM), a strengths-based after-school organized art activity tailored to fit the needs of adolescents with internalizing problems, can promote young people’s psychosocial adjustment and support their positive development.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Using a quasi-experimental pre-program, post-program, and 5-month follow-up design, 50 students (mean age = 15.60; 68% female) from four Canadian high schools were assigned to AIM (<i>n</i> = 23) or to a waitlist condition (<i>n</i> = 27).</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Results from 2 × 2 mixed ANCOVAs revealed significant time by condition interactions reflecting greater improvement in the AIM group with regards to depressive mood at post-program, and to general self-efficacy, social functioning, and positive self-esteem at follow-up. Planned comparisons revealed several significant improvements between pre- and post-program or post-program and follow-up in the AIM group (effect sizes ranging between <i>d</i> = 0.27 and 0.61), while none were observed in the waitlist group.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>This study supports the potential of after-school organized activities as a strategy to effectively foster positive youth development in adolescents with internalizing symptoms. Further studies are needed to understand the essential implementation parameters and mechanisms of action in these programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":47479,"journal":{"name":"Child & Youth Care Forum","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142201497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bidirectional Effects and Interconnectivity of Risk and Protective Factors for Integration in Unaccompanied Migrant Children: A Systematic Review","authors":"Gloria Fernández-Pacheco Alises, Eduardo Ibañez Ruíz del Portal, Gloria Jólluskin García, Blanca Martín Ríos, Mercedes Torres Jiménez, María Lubomira Kubica","doi":"10.1007/s10566-024-09823-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-024-09823-7","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background</h3><p>The scientific literature addresses the portrayal of unaccompanied migrant children and young people from different perspectives. Some works suggest that this population face challenges and risks upon arrival, such as problems communicating in a new language, a lack of cultural competence, economic stress, and other contingent, legal, and social problems. Other studies focus on resilience, including coping strategies, effective trauma symptom management, the preservation of a sense of personal pride, a capacity to prevent self-isolation, and societal openness to diversity.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Objectives</h3><p>The objective of this study is to identify, systematize, and expose these factors through a socio-ecological model.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>The present study has conducted a systematic literature review on unaccompanied foreign minors’ protective and risk factors for integration.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>A final sample of 36 papers has been selected according to the inclusion criteria. The published evidence suggests a bidirectional effect of risk and protective factors in their integration into the reception society. Unaccompanied minors are not seen only from the perspective of their vulnerability but also as resilient children in inclusive contexts as a continuum in the integration model.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>Addressing the issue of unaccompanied migrant minors from a socio-ecological perspective allows us to analyze the migratory phenomenon not only as a problem to solve but also as an opportunity. When unaccompanied children’s vulnerability and resilience factors are considered together in a holistic approach, the picture of how intervention should be focused on the interconnectivity of risk and protective factors for social integration.</p>","PeriodicalId":47479,"journal":{"name":"Child & Youth Care Forum","volume":"729 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142201498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Start Earlier, Stay Healthier? An Earlier Start to Public Preschool May Improve Detection of Health Problems","authors":"Anna Wright, Anne Martin, Anna D. Johnson","doi":"10.1007/s10566-024-09822-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-024-09822-8","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background</h3><p>Public preschool can provide opportunities for earlier detection of child health problems and receipt of special needs services. This is especially important for children from low-income households who disproportionately face cost barriers to obtaining health screenings and services.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Objective</h3><p>This study explores the possibility that entering public preschool at age 3 instead of age 4 could contribute to earlier detection of health problems and receipt of special needs services for low-income children.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Method</h3><p>We analyzed data on 757 low-income children in Tulsa, Oklahoma who attended Head Start or public pre-k. We compared rates of parent-reported health conditions and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) at age 4 according to children’s pattern of preschool attendance across their 3- and 4-year-old years, using propensity score-weighted logistic regressions.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>At the spring of their 4-year-old year, children who had entered preschool at age 3 were more likely than those who entered at age 4 to have eczema (<i>OR</i> = 3.25, <i>p</i> &lt; .05) and vision problems (<i>OR</i> = 2.26, <i>p</i> &lt; .05). Among children who entered preschool at age 3, those who stayed in Head Start at age 4 were marginally more likely than those who transitioned to school based pre-k at age 4 to have asthma (<i>OR</i> = 3.81, <i>p</i> = .055) and allergies (<i>OR</i> = 2.16, <i>p</i> = .088). There were no differences in rates of IEPs by children’s preschool experience.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>If replicated, results underscore the potentially unrealized public health benefits of expanding public preschool access to 3-year-olds.</p>","PeriodicalId":47479,"journal":{"name":"Child & Youth Care Forum","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142201507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}