Chapter 1: Introduction to Abnormal Behaviour in Children and Adolscents Chapter 1: Introduction to Abnormal Behaviour in Children and Adolscents

Question 1

What are the 2 paradigms that helped shape emerging psychological and environmental influences?

Answer 1

• Psychoanalytic theory
• Behaviourism

Question 2

Psychoanalytic theory

Answer 2

Freud’s writings shifted the view form one children as innocent or insignificant to one of human beings in turmoil.

Question 3

Behaviourism

Answer 3

John Watson expanded on Freud’s views through classical conditioning but was also inspired by Freud.

Question 4

What are the 2 progressive legislation that influenced psychology?

Answer 4

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities

Question 5

Psychological disorder

Answer 5

Defined as a pattern of behavioural, cognitive, emotional, or physical symptoms shown by an individual.

Question 6

What are the 3 prominent features of psychological disorder?

Answer 6

1. The person shows some degree distress (Fear or Sadness).
2. Person’s behaviour indicates some degree of disability (impairment that substantially interferes with or limits activity in one or more important areas of functioning, physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioural areas).
3. Such distress and disability increase the risk of further suffering or harm (death, pain, disability or an important loss of freedom).

Question 7

Explain what it means by “Terms used to describe abnormal behaviour do not describe people”?

Answer 7

It means that, they only describe patterns of behaviour or may not occur in certain circumstances.

Question 8

Stigma

Answer 8

Cluster of negative attitudes and beliefs that motivates fear, rejection, avoidance, and discrimination.

Question 9

What does stigma lead to?

Answer 9

Leads to prejudice and discrimination against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, disabilities, sexual orientation, body size, biological sex, language, and religious beliefs.

Question 10

What does stigma lead to for people with mental disorders?

Answer 10

They may also suffer from low self-esteem, isolation, and hopelessness, and they may become sos embarassed or ashamed that they conceal symptoms and fail to seek treatment.

Question 11

Why are the terms such as ‘disorder’ and ‘abnormal behaviour’ used for describing the psychological status of children and adolescents?

Answer 11

It is used to aid clinicians and researchers in describing, organising, and expressing complex features often associated with various patterns of behaviour.

Question 12

Competence

Answer 12

The ability to successfully adapt in the environment.

Question 13

Developmental competence

Answer 13

Reflected in the child’s ability to use internal and external resources to achieve a successful adaption.

Question 14

What should be taken into account when defining a child’s competence?

Answer 14

Traditions, beliefs, languages, and value systems of a particular culture must be taken into account.

Question 15

What must people with socio-economic disadvantages cope with which can significantly influence and child’s adaption and development?

Answer 15

They must cope with multiple forms of racism, prejudice, discrimination, oppression, and segregation.

Question 16

Developmental tasks

Answer 16

Includes broad domains of competence such as conduct and academic achievement, tells how children typically progress within each domain as they grow.

Question 17

Conduct

Answer 17

Indicates how well a person follows the rules of a particular society.

Question 18

Explain what similar developmental progression is?

Answer 18

It occurs in the self-domain, where children initially learn to differentiate themselves from the environment, and to gradually develop self-identity and autonomy.

Question 19

Developmental pathway

Answer 19

Refers to the sequence and timing of particular behaviours and possible relationships between behaviours over time.

Question 20

What is the function of developmental pathways?

Answer 20

It helps us understand the course and nature of normal and abnormal development.

Question 21

Multifinality

Answer 21

The concept that various outcomes may stem from similar beginnings.

Question 22

Possible outcomes for early childhood maltreatment?

Answer 22

• Eating disorder
• Mood disorder
• Conduct disorder
• Normal adjustment

Question 23

Equifinality

Answer 23

The concept that similar outcomes stem from different early experiences and developemental pathways.

Question 24

Possible beginnings resulting in conduct disorder?

Answer 24

• Genetic pattern
• Familial charaterisitcs
• Environmental features

Question 25

Risk factor

Answer 25

Is a variable that precedes a negative outcome of interest and increases the chances that the outcome will occur.

Question 26

Protective factor

Answer 26

A personal or situational variable that reduces the chances for a child to develop a disorder.

Question 27

Resilience

Answer 27

The ability to fight off or recover from misfortune.

Question 28

What is resilience associated with?

Answer 28

String self-confidence, coping skills, and avoiding risk situations.

Question 29

What are some protective factors that can advance development?

Answer 29

• For some children, merely the availability of a supportive grandparent or teacher can effectively change the course and direction of their development.
• Other children may need additional or different protective factors, such as better learning environment, community safety, or sufficient family resources.

Question 30

What characteristics does individuals show who display resilience?

Answer 30

• Good intellectual functioning
• Appealing, sociable, easygoing disposition
• Self-efficacy, self-confidence, high self-esteem
• Talents
• Faith

Question 31

What characteristics does families show who display resilience?

Answer 31

• Close relationship to caring parent figure
• Authoritative parenting, warmth, structure, high expectations
• Socioeconomic advantages
• Connections to extended supportive family networks

Question 32

What characteristics does schoosl and communities show who display resilience?

Answer 32

• Adults outside the family who take an interest in promoting the child’s welfare
• Connections to social organisations
• Attendance at effective schools

Question 33

What are some of the stressors that increase the risk for development of disorders at younger ages?

Answer 33

• Homelessness
• Inadequate childcare available to working parents
• Parental HIV
• Cocaine/Alcohol abuse
• Adjustment problems of children in immigrant families

Question 34

What can bring about poor adaption or even be the onset of a disorder in some vulnerable children?

Answer 34

Environmental stressors such as poverty, child abuse, or lack of safety.

Question 35

How does low income correlate with various forms of disadvantage, and what impacts can these disadvantages have on children’s development?

Answer 35

• Less education
• Low-paying jobs
• Inadequate health care
• Single-parent status
• Limited resources
• Poor nutrition
• Greater exposure to violence

It can impair children’s developmental progress significantly.

Question 36

What affects rates and expression of mental disorders?

Answer 36

1. Poverty and socioeconomic disadvantage
2. Sex differences
3. Race and ethnicity
4. Cultural issues
5. Child maltreatment and non-accidental trauma
6. Special issues concerning adolescents and sexual minority youths (Being LGBT)
7. Lifespan implications

Question 37

In terms of sex differences, explain 2 major dimensions of normal developmental trajectories?

Answer 37

1. Internalising problems: Includes anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms, and withdrawn behaviour.
2. Externalsing problems: Encompass more acting out behaviour, such as aggression and delinquent behaviour.

Question 38

Explain sex diferences in terms of expression of mental disorders?

Answer 38

• Boys show higher rates of early onset disorders – involve some form of neurodevelopmental impairment.
• Girls show more emotional disorders, peak age of onset in adolescence.

Question 39

How does race and ethnicity impact the rates and expression of mental disorders?

Answer 39

• Children from minority groups often experience marginalization.
• This marginalization can lead to alienation, loss of social cohesion, and rejection of societal norms.

Question 40

How do cultural issues influence the rates and expression of mental disorders among children?

Answer 40

• Children express their problems differently across cultures.
• Values, beliefs, and practices of cultural groups contribute to disorder development and expression.
• Reactions to children’s problems vary based on cultural norms.

Question 41

What special issues concerning adolescents and sexual minority youths, influence the rates and expression of mental disorders?

Answer 41

Being LGBT

Question 42

How do lifespan implications, particularly for children with chronic and sizable disorders, affect the rates and expression of mental disorders?

Answer 42

Children with chronic and sizable disorders often face lifelong challenges that impact their mental health and well-being.