Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Raine, A. Articles by Mednick, S. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Raine, A. Articles by Mednick, S. A. Child/Adolescent Psychiatry Antisocial Personality Disorders Other Personality Disorders Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Other Treatment

Effects of Environmental Enrichment at Ages 3–5 Years on Schizotypal Personality and Antisocial Behavior at Ages 17 and 23 Years

OBJECTIVE: Methods to prevent two major mental disorders, schizophrenia and conduct disorder, have been elusive. This study assessed the effects of an early nutritional, educational, and physical exercise enrichment program on adult outcome for schizotypal personality, conduct disorder, and criminal behavior. METHOD: Eighty-three children were assigned to an experimental enrichment program from ages 3 to 5 years and matched on temperament, nutritional, cognitive, autonomic, and demographic variables with 355 children who experienced usual community conditions (control group). Both self-report and objective measures of schizotypal personality and antisocial behavior were obtained when the subjects were ages 17 and 23 years. RESULTS: Subjects who participated in the enrichment program at ages 3–5 years had lower scores for schizotypal personality and antisocial behavior at age 17 years and for criminal behavior at age 23 years, compared with the control subjects. The beneficial effects of the intervention were greater for children who showed signs of malnutrition at age 3 years, particularly with respect to outcomes for schizotypy at ages 17 and 23 and for antisocial behavior at age 17. CONCLUSIONS: The results are consistent with an increasing body of knowledge that implicates an enriched, stimulating environment in beneficial psychological and behavioral outcomes. These findings have potential implications for the prevention of schizophrenia and criminal behavior.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. J. Davies Developmental aspects of schizophrenia and related disorders: possible implications for treatment strategies Advan. Psychiatr. Treat., September 1, 2007; 13(5): 384 - 391. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Tse Research on Day Treatment Programs for Preschoolers With Disruptive Behavior Disorders Psychiatr Serv, April 1, 2006; 57(4): 477 - 486. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. H. Bond Grappling with the Demonic Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, March 1, 2006; 37(2): 212 - 216. [PDF]

				J. LIU, A. RAINE, P. H. VENABLES, and S. A. MEDNICK Dr. Liu and Colleagues Reply Am J Psychiatry, September 1, 2005; 162(9): 1761 - 1761. [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Fonagy Psychotherapy meets neuroscience: A more focused future for psychotherapy research Psychiatr. Bull., October 1, 2004; 28(10): 357 - 359. [Full Text] [PDF]

				Does Early Enrichment Foster Later Mental Health? Journal Watch Psychiatry, October 23, 2003; 2003(1023): 1 - 1. [Full Text]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2003 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us