The Domain of Developmental Psychopathology

Abstract

It is the "developmental" component of developmental psychopathology that distinguishes this discipline from abnormal psychology, psychiatry, and even clinical child psychology. At the same time, the focus on individual patterns of adaptation and maladaptation distinguishes this field from the larger discipline of developmental psychology. In this essay a developmental perspective is presented, and the implications of this perspective for research in developmental psychopathology are discussed. A primary consideration is the complexity of the adaptational process, with developmental transformation being the rule. Thus, links between earlier adaptation and later pathology generally will not be simple or direct. It will be necessary to understand both individual patterns of adaptation with respect to salient issues of a given developmental period and the transaction between prior adaptation, maturational change, and subsequent environmental challenges. Some examples are discussed, with special attention to the case of depression.

Gender Comparisons of Self-Identified Strengths and Coping Strategies: A Study of Adolescents in an Acute Psychiatric Facility

“…The developmental perspective (i.e., age-specific) of behavioral and emotional problems in youth is widely accepted in abnormal psychology (Sroufe 1997;Sroufe and Rutter 1984) and related mental health fields. However, much of this research has methodological flaws and may in fact be misleading (see Lahey et al 2000, for review).…”

Maternal depression and locus of control orientation as predictors of dyadic play behavior

“…During the transition from infancy to toddlerhood, individuation and separation, autonomy, impulse control, and exploration and experimentation with the physical and social environments are salient developmental issues (Kagan, 1981 ;Mahler, Pine, & Bergman, 1975; Piaget, 1972;Sroufe & Rutter, 1984). An important arena for the development of the child's competencies during this period may be the mother-child play interaction (Rubin, Fein, & Vandenberg, 1983).…”

Developmental Risk Factor Research and Sexual Offending against Children: A Review of Some Methodological Issues

“…Current organization is described as influencing future stages of development, on the assumption that organization at one stage is integrated into a newly emerging system, rather than being supplanted by it (Cicchetti & Cohen, 1995). The successful resolution of a challenge increases the probability of successful adaptation to subsequent challenges; conversely, maladaptation at one stage increases the likelihood of future maladaptation (Sroufe & Rutter, 1984). Risk factors that occur early in life can be linked to a temporally distant outcome through a developmental chain that results from maladaptation at an early stage.…”