Research in children's mental health lags behind research for adults in part because it is intrinsically context-bound. Children are embedded in families, in schools, and in communities who have responsibility for their care. Making research findings useful and ensuring that they are applied to improve the lives of children and families requires attention to these contexts. This entails a process of collaboration with many partners--teachers, nurses, healthcare providers, church leaders, neighborhood group directors, and other community leaders. The process of collaboration in children's mental health is complicated but the products that it yields have the potential to benefit both children and families. This volume, with the toolkit and casebook that it contains, distills the process of collaboration into manageable steps, and provides concrete examples of how researchers have addressed specific challenges. The premise of the book is that collaborative research, in contrast to traditional research paradigms, will yield findings that are more ethical, valid, and useful. Highlighting the transformation of science from ivory-tower theories to action-oriented practices, the editors offer practical advice for researchers and practitioners interested in using data to inform and transform children's mental health. Concrete examples of projects that have involved community leaders and researchers provide an insider's guide to conducting successful collaborations that can yield better results than traditional top-down research paradigms.

About the Author
Kimberly Eaton Hoagwood, Ph.D., is Professor of Clinical Psychology at Columbia University. Peter S. Jensen, M.D., is Ruane Professor of Child Psychiatry at Columbia University. Mary McKay, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychiatry at Mt. Sinai Board of Medicine. Serene Olin, Ph.D., is Research Project Director at Columbia University.

Reviews
"Conducting collaborative research is not just a feel-good principle. It is critical to strong science and to the hope that research findings will be used in the real world. This volume brings that message home through theory, case studies, and practical advice from researchers, family members, and community members who truly demonstrate 'the power of partnerships."--Eric J. Bruns, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine and Co-Director, National Wraparound Initiative "This innovative guide, with its case studies, provides important tools for community leaders, parents, and researchers on how to develop powerful collaborations that will increase knowledge about children's mental health. Lessons garnered from the field provide practical approaches to facilitate collaborative and high quality evaluations to improve youth outcomes and strengthen families."--Barbara J. Burns, Ph.D., Professor of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine



Book Information
ISBN 9780195307825
Author Kimberly Eaton Hoagwood
Format Hardback
Page Count 192
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Dimensions(mm) 157mm * 234mm * 18mm