This book examines infant and early childhood mental health and the importance of early
emotional and social development for later developmental trajectories. It incorporates research
and clinical perspectives and brings research findings to bear in evaluating intervention
strategies. By incorporating empirical developmental literature that is directly relevant to
infant mental health and clinical practice the book addresses the multiple forces which shape
young children¿s mental health. These forces include child factors parental and familial
variables childrearing practices and environmental influences. In addition the book explores
parent-child relationships family networks and social supports as protective factors as well
as risk factors such as poverty exposure to violence and substance abuse which influence and
change developmental processes. It shows that by examining socio-emotional development in a
cultural context human development in the twenty-first century can be conceptualized through
differences similarities and diversity perspectives focusing on the rights of every
individual child.
