JCPP Editorial: Volume 60, Issue 08, August 2019

Louie Sandys
Journal Operations Manager at ACAMH

Posted on

Editorial: Improving children’s mental health. What does that mean, actually?

Albertine J. Oldehinkel

Abstract

The importance of promoting child and adolescent mental health seems self‐evident. However, child and adolescent psychologists and psychiatrists are not necessarily in agreement with each other about what promoting mental health means, the desirability of intervening to influence development, and whether improving mental health promotion justifies reducing young people’s autonomy. If expressed and discussed openly, diverging views and opinions about these issues can be constructive and deepen insights. Philosophical discussions about the belief systems and their relation to theoretical models underlying specific research questions, methodological choices, and interpretations of findings raise awareness of the inherent subjectivity of mental health evidence and research, and stimulate ‘clear thinking’, arguably the most valuable implement in any scientist’s toolbox.

We hope you enjoy the full editorial of this Issue, which is free on the Wiley Online Library.

Albertine Oldehinkel
Prof. Albertine J. Oldehinkel

Albertine J. (Tineke) Oldehinkel is Professor in Lifecourse Epidemiology of Common Mental Disorders, University Medical Center Groningen, and a joint editor of JCPP.

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