Intervention research in psychosis: Prevention trials

Abstract

Prevention trials have not been a central focus in mental health research in general and in the psychoses in particular. In this article we provide the basis for development of a model for prevention trials, define the parameters of the model, and provide some illustrative examples. The article expands upon traditional approaches to prevention by incorporating perspectives from the fields of treatment and services research. Approaches to prevention are based upon models of etiology, pathophysiology, and risk. A number of barriers to the development of a major emphasis on prevention are identified, and those that are embedded in the infrastructure of the field are highlighted.