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A group of 211 first-to fourth-grade children who had experienced one or more recent stressful life events were compared to a demographically matched sample of 211 children who had not experienced such events on measures of school adjustment problems and competencies. Stressful life events were found to be associated with the presence of more serious school adjustment problems and fewer competencies. Those associations were strongest for children who had experienced multiple recent stressful events. The importance of preventive interventions for this at-risk group was emphasized and future research steps in the area were considered.

The Primary Mental Health Project (PMHP) is a school-based mental health program for the early detection and prevention of school-adjustment problems. This study assessed the PMHP's effectiveness by evaluating seven consecutive annual cohorts of children (range of sample sizes: 206-464) seen through the program from 1974-75 through 1980-81. Pre-and postprogram evaluations were based on teacher ratings of problem behaviors and competencies and child-aide ratings of problem behaviors. At post only, school mental health professionals rated educational and behavioral changes of PMHP children during the year. The results, from all three perspectives, strongly and consistently showed that children seen through the PMHP were judged to have improved in adjustment, thus supporting the conclusion that the model is effective and socially useful.