Potentials for infant mental health: Congress themes and moral development.

Themes of the Congress carried forward the pioneering contributions of Rene Spitz and Takeo Doi. Contributions to infant mental health included those dealing with: (a) relatedness, (b) positive rewards of infancy, (c) disruptions of relatedness and rewards, (d) assessments, and (e) interventions. Contributions from infant mental health and bridging to the future included those regarding: (a) prevention, (b) policy, and (c) advances for science and practice. Knowledge from infant mental health is seen to fill a gap in our current moral discourse. Biologically based, universal moral processes of reciprocity and empathy develop in infancy, with regulation from parenting. Parenting, suffering under conditions of deprivation and adversity, can benefit from interventions designed to promote positive outcomes for conduct. Implications stem from a wider awareness of global needs. An expressed resolve of many is to provide consultation for regions needing our help and to formulate a declaration of infant rights for guiding actions.