| Title: |
Consultant Perception of the Feasibility and Effectiveness of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Services Provided Virtually to Early Care and Education |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Nicola A. Conners Edge (ORCID 0000-0001-6832-4384); Allison Boothe Trigg (ORCID 0009-0006-7912-3733); Sherryl Scott Heller; Alison Steier; Kristin Reinsberg; Jordana Ash; Maya Williams; Deborah F. Perry; Leah Eckley; Elizabeth Biccio; Kadija Johnston |
| Source: |
Infant Mental Health Journal: Infancy and Early Childhood. 2025 46(6):765-777. |
| Availability: |
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
13 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: |
Infants; Young Children; Child Health; Mental Health; Access to Health Care; Consultants; Attitudes; Videoconferencing; Program Effectiveness; Consultation Programs; Telecommunications |
| DOI: |
10.1002/imhj.70026 |
| ISSN: |
0163-9641; 1097-0355 |
| Abstract: |
A growing body of research suggests that infant and early childhood mental health consultation (IECMHC) is effective in improving child outcomes and classroom quality in early care and education (ECE) settings. However, there is limited research regarding the provision of IECMHC virtually (e.g., by phone or video conferencing platform), and the transition to virtual services in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity to learn more. This study focuses on mental health consultants' (MHCs) perceptions of the feasibility and effectiveness of providing IECMHC virtually. Using a purposive sampling method, we gathered survey data from 94 MHCs providing IECMHC in 15 states in the United States. More than two-thirds of MHCs reported consultation was as effective or more effective virtually (compared to in-person) when it involved adult or programmatic consultation, while one-third of MHCs viewed child-focused consultation as being as or more effective virtually. There was wide variation in the extent to which MHCs viewed specific consultation activities as feasible and effective when delivered virtually. Furthermore, one-third of consultants reported that the ECE programs they served experienced major barriers related to equipment and technology. We explore how these findings can inform future planning for the provision of virtual services. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2025 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1489817 |
| Database: |
ERIC |