Young children in alcoholic families: A mental health needs-Assessment and an intervention/prevention strategy.

This study of children at risk for the development of mental health and/or chemical dependency problems utilized the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC) (Wirt, Seat & Broen, 1977) on 50 children of alcoholic families currently involved in treatment for alcoholism. Significant differences were discovered, with the subject children being deviant from normal on several of the clinical scales of the PIC. An innovative intervention/prevention strategy employing cognitive behavior modification principles was successfully used to teach a similar group of 18 children to understand and overcome upsetting feelings. Implications of the use of the PIC and the intervention/prevention strategy are explored.