title: A strength-based and early relationship approach to infant mental health assessment.
abstract: This paper presents a strength-based assessment process that focuses on infant emotional development within the family context. The assessment model, developed over the past five years within a preventive mental health program, represents a shift from deficit to strength-based principles that are consistent with appropriate developmental practice. The strength-based assessment process presented achieves an understanding of the infant's competencies and areas of need, and considers the negative impact that maternal mental illness has on the infant's emotional development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Education, Mills College, Oakland, California 94613, USA.
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Karen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Peifer
authors.forename: Mary C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D002657:Child Development; D003469:Culture; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment