Disadvantaged Children, Adolescents and Young Adults (CAYA), who often face societal marginalization, are characterized by low socioeconomic status, limited educational opportunities, challenging family environments (e.g., exposure to abuse) and/or unstable living conditions. Presently, disadvantaged CAYA face a range of mental and behavioral challenges, such as heightened emotional issues, social isolation, substance abuse, smartphone addiction, and behavioral problems. However, research specifically targeting this population is relatively scarce, particularly in the areas of intervention and long-term support. Additionally, the notion of ‘disadvantaged’ varies in scope and manifestation across different cultural and social contexts, adding to the complexity of research in this area. Therefore, a more in-depth exploration of the mental and behavioral challenges of this group is crucial.

This Research Topic intensively focuses on the mental and behavioral challenges encountered by disadvantaged CAYA (aged 6-25), as well as the strengths they demonstrate. We aim to raise awareness of the struggles faced by this group and to investigate effective interventions and supportive strategies. This endeavor seeks to explore the current state of mental and behavioral problems in this group, with the objective of identifying key precipitating or protective factors influencing the mental and behavioral health of disadvantaged CAYA. We also strive to develop and evaluate effective prevention and intervention programs. Hopefully, with further research, impetus can be developed to generate future research questions and improved intervention approaches to serve better the CAYA in need from diverse cultural and social background.

We encourage interdisciplinary research methods to comprehensively understand the complex challenges faced by disadvantaged CAYA. We invite submissions of Original Research articles (both qualitative and quantitative methodologies) and Review articles addressing the goals outlined above. Submissions may include, but are not limited to, the following areas:
- Lived experiences of disadvantaged CAYA concerning mental and behavioral problems.
- Epidemiological studies on mental and behavioral problems among disadvantaged CAYA.
- The role of social, cultural, community, and family factors on the mental and behavioral problems of disadvantaged CAYA.
- The role of personality and cognitive factors on the mental and behavioral problems of disadvantaged CAYA.
- The efficacy and effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs on the mental and behavioral problems of disadvantaged CAYA.
- The implementation of prevention and intervention programs in the real world (e.g., communities, schools) and its challenges.

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Frontiers in Psychiatry

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