ABSTRACT
The concept of secondary prevention assumes that the problems of an emotionally maladjusted adult often begin early in life and may be noticeable in the child's personality and behavior. One type of secondary preventive intervention that has been growing rapidly is the use of nonprofessionals as companions to emotionally maladjusted children. The adoption of the behavioral approach is useful for the community interventionist because it offers a specific format for training the nonprofessional. The behavior pattern of the withdrawn, socially isolated child is frequently ignored, because it does not actively cause any trouble for the teacher. The number of companionship programs serving children is just as large as the mental hospital programs. The current comprehensive mental health program includes an attempt at a rigorous evaluation of a secondary preventive intervention involving the use of college students as companions to children identified as likely to develop emotional adjustment difficulties.
