Current approaches and future directions for addressing ethics in infant and early childhood mental health

Paula D. Zeanah, Alison Steier, Izaak Lim, Jon Korfmacher, Charles H. Zeanah

Research output: Contribution to journalReview ArticleOtherpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this paper, we consider whether the field of infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) needs its own code of ethics. We begin by describing unique features of infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) and the diverse strategies that the field has developed to address complex clinical dilemmas, among them workforce development, clinical supports, policy statements, and statements of ethical values. Because of the field's interdisciplinary nature, we also consider how various contributing professions and organizations address ethical issues. While these are important resources that can inform ethical decision-making, we identify some of the limitations of the current approaches. We argue that it is time for the field of IECMH to take an intentional, systematic approach to directly address the complex and unique ethical dilemmas faced by infant and early childhood mental health practitioners, and we grapple with some of the challenges developing such a code might entail. We suggest several avenues for better understanding the scope of ethical issues and ethical decision-making processes in IECMH that could be used to support developing an ethics code that is responsive to the unique and challenging world of infant and early childhood mental health.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)625-637
Number of pages13
JournalInfant Mental Health Journal
Volume44
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2023

Keywords

  • code of ethics
  • early childhood mental health
  • ethical code
  • ethics
  • infant mental health

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