Assessing Mental Health in Infants and Young Children from At-Risk Families

The early identification of at-risk families and support of infant and early childhood mental health are critical due to the cumulative harm of multiple stressors on development and the heightened risk for emotional and behavioral disorders. In the Russian Federation, a significant gap exists in methodologically sound approaches for assessing the mental health of at-risk young children and their families. This work explores the potential of the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood (DC:0–5) as a modern, evidence-based system for comprehensive assessment and a foundation for development of support programs. The analysis examines the conceptual foundations and multi-axial structure of DC:0–5, demonstrating its capacity for a comprehensive evaluation. This includes assessing child-caregiver relationships, the broader social environment, physical health, psychosocial stressors, developmental competencies, and signs of clinical disorders. The system effectively identifies and categorizes both risk and protective factors. A set of reliable and valid assessment methods (e. g., PCERA, WMCI, CBCL 1.5–5, KID/RCDI) is presented to gather data for each DC:0–5 axis. Combining DC:0–5’s diagnostic algorithms with these tools provides a scientific and methodological basis for establishing an early identification and support system for at-risk families in Russia. This integrated approach enables the creation of tailored support programs founded on a comprehensive understanding of the child’s developmental context and family needs.