Oregon Research Institute

Preventing Adult Mental Health Problems from Early Childhood in the Context of Genetic Susceptibility, Poverty, Racism, and the COVID-19 Pandemic (Diversity Supplement)

This longitudinal study began when participants were age two. They are now in their early twenties. Investigators continue to assess participants' health as they transition to young adulthood.

Details

Continuing this longitudinal study, investigators are assessing participants at ages 22 and 24, including a clinical diagnostic interview of depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Following this emerging adult sample provides unique data on the persistence of intervention effects on mental health during the transition to adulthood in the context of a pandemic.

Vincent K. Chirimwari, Ph.D., has received a NIMH Diversity Supplement for this project. Dr. Chirimwami will join Westling and colleagues to examine direct, interactive, and cascading effects on mental health outcomes, including mental health care utilization for those who are experiencing mental health symptomatology, and the long-term preventive effects of the Family Check-Up, in the context of growing up in poverty.

Dr. Chirimwani's work focuses on investigating how prevention science and implementation of evidence-based programs can reduce educational and health disparities in historically disenfranchised communities and neighborhoods of concentrated disadvantage. His
unique perspective as an African refugee can inform research efforts with some of the most understudied and
vulnerable populations.