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Approaches to the Management of Young Children’s Externalizing Behavior Problems in the Primary Care Setting

  • Mental Health (WF Njoroge and TD Benton, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of review

The current review summarizes the management of early-childhood externalizing behavior problems (ages 2–5) within the primary care setting. The review highlights factors pediatricians should consider when addressing externalizing behavior problems and summarizes general principles, opportunities for prevention and health promotion, parent-training interventions, integrated models, and therapies to consider when referring families to a specialty mental health provider.

Recent findings

Pediatricians have an important role in addressing early-childhood externalizing behavior problems in the primary care setting, and practices can take a range of meaningful steps to address these issues both universally and for children with higher levels of impairment. In particular, integrated approaches offer the opportunity to increase access to behavioral health services while also providing the chance to build medical providers’ skills in managing early-childhood externalizing behavior problems in the primary care setting.

Summary

Pediatricians have a range of options to consider and can use the literature regarding evidence-based programs to guide their decisions on the best interventions to implement in their settings. Further dissemination work is needed to better understand which programs are most effective when implemented in community settings.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Harrison would like to acknowledge the support of Maryland’s BHIPP team and Maryland State Department of Education’s Race to the Top initiative team members Kay Connors MSW, Larry Wissow MD, Kelly Coble MSW, Mary Leppert MBBCH, Janna Steinberg, MA, Kate Wasserman, MSW, and Catharine Weiss, PhD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13123 East 16th Avenue B130, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Catherine S. Wolcott PhD

  2. Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13001 E. 17th Place, Box F546, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Karen A. Frankel PhD

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Bloomberg Children’s Center - 12th Floor, 1800 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Ross E. Goodwin MD

  4. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Kennedy Krieger Institute, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 716 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21215, USA

    Joyce N. Harrison MD

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  1. Catherine S. Wolcott PhD
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  2. Karen A. Frankel PhD
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  3. Ross E. Goodwin MD
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  4. Joyce N. Harrison MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Catherine S. Wolcott PhD.

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Conflict of Interest

Karen A. Frankel declares that she has no conflict of interest. Ross E. Goodwin declares that he has no conflict of interest. Joyce N. Harrison declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Catherine S. Wolcott reports completing postdoctoral training with project CLIMB (Consultation Liaison in Mental Health and Behavior) at the University of Colorado School of Medicine/Children’s Hospital Colorado.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Mental Health

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Wolcott, C.S., Frankel, K.A., Goodwin, R.E. et al. Approaches to the Management of Young Children’s Externalizing Behavior Problems in the Primary Care Setting. Curr Treat Options Peds 4, 37–48 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40746-018-0113-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40746-018-0113-4

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