Affiliations: Department of Psychology, University of Arkansas,
Fayetteville, AR, USA | Counselor Education Program, University of Arkansas,
Fayetteville, AR, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Rebecca A. Newgent, Counselor
Education Program, University of Arkansas, 136 Graduate Education Bulding,
Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA. Tel.: +1 479 575 7311; Fax: +1 479 575 3319;
E-mail: rnewgent@uark.edu
Abstract: Psychological disability, including alcohol abuse and mental health
issues, are associated with numerous interpersonal, intrapersonal, and
occupational difficulties. Employers often bear the greatest economic impact of
maladaptive behavior due to greater employee turnover, poor work performance,
and other negative work outcomes. Despite these negative outcomes, researchers
have yet to examine possible benefits of prevention and intervention programs
designed specifically to limit adulthood occupational problems. In this paper,
an early prevention/intervention model is suggested. Specifically, the authors
suggest that early preventions and interventions should target peer
victimization in elementary school settings, as peer victimization has been
shown to lead to mental health issues and alcohol abuse. Furthermore, the
authors suggest that limiting the occurrence of these psychological
difficulties would decrease occurrence of substance use and abuse, decrease the
occurrence of later mental health problems, and, therefore, decrease negative
occupational outcomes. The authors assert that such early
prevention/intervention programs have the opportunity to minimize the need for
costly, adulthood interventions and may maximize individuals' potential
gains.
