Early Emotion Development Intervention Improves Mental Health Outcomes in Low-Income, High-Risk Community Children

Children living in poverty and facing related forms of adversity are at higher risk for experiencing concurrent and later psychopathology. Although negative psychological outcomes can be improved by enhancing sensitive and responsive caregiving early in development, interventions targeting the caregiver–child dyad are not readily accessible. The present study investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of delivering a shortened eight-session form of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy-Emotion Development (PCIT-ED) in-person or remotely as an early intervention for 3–6-year-old children (N = 62) at elevated risk for psychopathology who were growing up in low-income communities. Caregiver–child dyads were randomized to eight-sessions of PCIT-ED or online parenting education. Relative to parenting education, children receiving PCIT-ED exhibited lower externalizing symptoms and functional impairment and more positive peer relationships following the intervention. Findings support the effectiveness of this shortened form of PCIT-ED, delivered in-person or remotely, as an early intervention to improve symptoms of psychopathology and functioning in high-risk children living in poverty. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov; NCT04399629.