According to international studies, prevalence rates of psychological/psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence are as high as 20 %. Worldwide, children between the age of 0-4 show the highest rate of disability adjusted life years, with a significant contribution of neuropsychiatric disorders to this. Early onset of psychological/psychiatric disorders is associated with chronicity of the disorder and the development of comorbidities, especially when untreated. However, simulation studies have shown that a reduction of adverse factors might lead to a risk reduction for the development of severe psychological/psychiatric disorders of 30 %. Furthermore, subclinical impairments of children’s and adolescents’ well-being also put them at risk to develop psychological/psychiatric disorders. Understanding the prerequisites of well-being in children and adolescents and its development might also contribute to a reduction of severe psychological/psychiatric disorders. Thus, this Frontiers Topic intends to address the following questions with respect to determinants, prevention and therapy of children's and adolescent's psychological illness and well-being: <br />1) What are the predictors of well-being and how do they influence the development of well-being in adolescents and children? <br />2) How efficacious are early/preventive interventions? <br />3) What are mechanisms and possible moderating factors of early onset of disease? <br />4) How can we optimize early/preventive interventions? What are new developments in the detection and prevention of childhood disorders?
According to international studies, prevalence rates of psychological/psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence are as high as 20 %. Worldwide, children between the age of 0-4 show the highest rate of disability adjusted life years, with a significant contribution of neuropsychiatric disorders to this. Early onset of psychological/psychiatric disorders is associated with chronicity of the disorder and the development of comorbidities, especially when untreated. However, simulation studies have shown that a reduction of adverse factors might lead to a risk reduction for the development of severe psychological/psychiatric disorders of 30 %. Furthermore, subclinical impairments of children’s and adolescents’ well-being also put them at risk to develop psychological/psychiatric disorders. Understanding the prerequisites of well-being in children and adolescents and its development might also contribute to a reduction of severe psychological/psychiatric disorders. Thus, this Frontiers Topic intends to address the following questions with respect to determinants, prevention and therapy of children's and adolescent's psychological illness and well-being: <br />1) What are the predictors of well-being and how do they influence the development of well-being in adolescents and children? <br />2) How efficacious are early/preventive interventions? <br />3) What are mechanisms and possible moderating factors of early onset of disease? <br />4) How can we optimize early/preventive interventions? What are new developments in the detection and prevention of childhood disorders?