“prevention science and disability studies”： a postgraduate doctoral study overview -凯发官网入口

notification“prevention science and disability studies”: a postgraduatedoctoral study overviewjosipa bašićpublished online: 19 november 2010# springer-verlag 2010introductiona number of psychological, social and economical aspects areknown to be risk factors for children, young people and theirfamilies, as well as for public institutions, resulting inincreasing incidences of child neglect and abuse, juvenilepregnancies, youth and peer violence, crimes by children andyouth as well as crimes against children, substance addictionand abuse, homeless children, poverty, insufficient child careand other issues (marmot and wilkinson 2006). many riskfactors are leading to family instability, which in turn becomesan emotional risk for children’s development. thus, there is agrowing perception (both among the public and professionals)that the problems of children and young people are becomingmore severe and that children are starting to show problematicbehaviors at a younger age. these problems require urgentprevention interventions. there are several action programs incroatia for those who are at risk of developing behavioraldisorders or manifesting different forms of risk behavior. toname a few, the national program of action for children inthe republic of croatia (adopted in 1998), priority activitiesfor the welfare of children 2003–2005 (2003), the nationalstrategy for combating narcotic drugs abuse (1996), and theaction plan on drugs issued in 2004 and every year sincethen by the government of the republic of croatia—theoffice for combating narcotic drug abuse—the nationalfamily policy (2003), the national youth action plan from2003.-2008. (2003) (council for children 2003, ministry ofthe family, veterans' affairs and intergenerational solidarity2010). currently, the national strategy for the prevention ofbehavioral disorders is being prepared.therefore, our society is obliged to educate highly profes-sional and scientifically minded workers at phd levels todesign and investigate the most efficient ways of representingthe rights of children and young people. in particular, there is aneed for scientific problem elaboration, epidemiologicalindicators, longitudinal follow-up, scientifically based strate-gies for mental health promotion, and mental and behavioraldisorder prevention in children, young people and adults.scientistseducatedinsuchawaywouldadvocatetherightsandneeds of children and young people at the national, county andmunicipal government level, often in specialized departmentsthat would establish national or local strategies (not segregatedthrough several divisions) of prevention action/practice andconstantly evaluate its effects (bašić 2009).reasons for founding the prevention science studies—mental and behavioral disorders prevention and mentalhealth promotion—and the basic postulate of the studiesthisdoctoralstudy (prevention sciencemodule—mentalandbehavioral disorders prevention and mental health promo-tion) is based on the modern interdisciplinary scientificunderstanding of health promotion, prevention of mental andbehavioral disorders, crime, addiction, violence and other riskbehaviors in children and young people. it will result inqualified scientists who will research, develop and implementspecific strategies of promotion and prevention. the programwill provide training in:& monitoring and describing problems and needs ofchildren and young people at risk of developing variousj. bašić (*)edukacijsko- rehabilitacijski fakultet,borongajska cesta 83 f, znanstveno-učilišni kampus,10 000, zagreb, croatiae-mail: basic@erf.hrj public health (2011) 19 (suppl 1):s39–s45doi 10.1007/s10389-010-0382-2