The Development Of Psychopathology

Edited by Benjamin L. Hankin and John R. Z. Abela, Development of Psychopathology: A Vulnerability-Stress Perspective brings together the foremost experts conducting groundbreaking research into the major factors shaping psychopathological disorders across the lifespan in order to review and integrate the theoretical and empirical literature in this field. The volume editors build upon two important and established research and clinical traditions: developmental psychopathology frameworks and vulnerability-stress models of psychological disorders.

This highly readable volume illuminates the interplay among biological, psychological, and social-contextual processes in the development of such prevalent problems as depression, schizophrenia, ADHD, dyslexia, and autism. Leading developmental scientist Bruce F. Pennington explains the variety of methods currently being used to investigate the mind-brain connection, including behavioral and molecular genetics, studies of brain structure and function, neuropsychology, and treatment studies. Shedding new light on where mental disorders come from, how they develop, and why they are so common, the book also examines the implications for treatment and prevention. ?

Chapters by distinguished investigators in clinical psychology, psychiatry, and child development, many of whose work led to the new developmental model of psychopathology, provide a unique review of current research on vulnerability and resistance to disorder.

A completely updated edition of the standard survey of the field. Demonstrates how psychopathology is best understood in the context of biological, cognitive, social, and emotional development.

The First International Leo Kanner Colloquium on Child Development, Devia tions, and Treatment explores relationships between experimental research, normal development, and interventions, with early infantile autism as a reference model of "relatively unambiguous abnormal development." Sponsored by the Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Com munications handicapped CHildren (TEACCH) Project at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the colloquium tackled the challenge of facilitat ing communications among scientists of different disciplines working in a spe cialized area. The meeting proved successful in generating an interplay and information exchange among scientists of diverse academic and professional orientation, who, if not completely able to agree on common factors, did nevertheless achieve awareness and clarification of their differences. The TEACCH conference and this volume have implications for all research efforts, within and outside the domain of mental health. This is particularly so at a time of limited dollar resources for research support. The present and foresee able future represent such a time-one when communication among fields, resource competition between basic and applied research, biomedical versus psychosocial research, and the question of research utilization assume a new commanding significance. Thus the question of accountability for research has come to the fore.

Ego Development and Psychopathology presents an original theoretical underpinning for classification and interpretation of the major mental disorders, one based largely on the author's clinical experience. Ausubel's central thesis is that the most significant and crucial factors predisposing persons to mental disorders are critical developmental defects that arise at vital transitional phases of ego development. He sees both normal and pathological personality functioning as most cogently explained in terms of an individual's ego structure at a given point in the life cycle. Ausubel relates his developmental theory to the phenomenology and related clinical problems of psychiatric diagnosis. He classifies mental disorders in terms of their developmental history. Such factors, in his opinion, offer the most precise delineation of etiological, functional, and phenomenological similarities and differences among the various psychiatric syndromes. He provides an overview of ego development, as well as major variants of the norm. He also discusses development of conscience and moral values, as well as psychopathological considerations that follow from deficiencies, defects, failure, and distortions in ego development. He examines at length classification of mental disorders, such as anxiety states, psychotic depression and mania, schizophrenia, autism, antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders, and defense mechanisms. Ausubel is careful to point out that ego development is not the only significant determinant of normal and aberrant personality. Genetic predispositions, situational stress, and sociocultural factors must always be taken into consideration since mental disorder is always a product of multiple causality. However, he believes ego development is by far the most critical factor, and hence offers the most for classification of mental illness. This intriguing study will be of interest to professionals as well as educated and concerned practitioners in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, psychoanalysis, child psychotherapy, and social work.

Developmental Psychopathology, Second Edition, contains in three volumes the most complete and current research on every aspect of developmental psychopathology. This seminal reference work features contributions from national and international expert researchers and clinicians who bring together an array of interdisciplinary work to ascertain how multiple levels of analysis may influence individual differences, the continuity or discontinuity of patterns and the pathways by which the same developmental outcomes may be achieved. This volume addresses theoretical perspectives and methodological issues, including cross-cultural perspectives, developmental epidemiology, self determination theory, and gender issues.

The mainstream upper-level undergraduate textbook designed for first courses in Developmental Psychopathology Developmental Psychopathology provides a comprehensive introduction to the evolving scientific discipline that focuses on the interactions between the biological, psychological, behavioral, and social contextual aspects of normal and abnormal human development. Designed for advanced undergraduates and early graduate students with no previous engagement with the subject, this well-balanced textbook integrates clinical knowledge and scientific practice to help students understand both how and why mental health problems emerge across the lifespan. Organized into four parts, the text first provides students with essential background information on traditional approaches to psychopathology, developmental psychopathology (DP), normal development, and insecure attachment. The next section addresses attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and other problems emerging in childhood. Part III covers problems that arise in adolescence and young adulthood, such as depression, suicide, eating disorders, and schizophrenia. The text concludes with a discussion of special topics such as the relation between pathopsychological issues and divorce, separation, and loss. Each chapter includes a visual demonstration of the DP approach, a clinical case, further readings, and discussion questions. Developmental Psychopathology: Presents a coherent organization of material that illustrates the DP principle of cutting across multiple levels of analysis Covers common psychopathological problems including antisocial behavior, substance use disorders, fear and anxiety, and emerging personality disorders Features integrative DP models based on the most recent research in psychopathological disorders Provides instructors with a consistent pedagogical framework for teaching upper-level students encountering the discipline for the first time Developmental Psychopathology is the perfect textbook for advanced undergraduate or graduate courses in Child Psychopathology, Abnormal Child Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Family Dynamics and Psychopathology.