Intro to Dev Psychopathology Flashcards
What is Unique about Understanding and Treating Psychopathology in Youth
Some disorders are only diagnosed with childhood onset (Autism, ADHD). Indicators of a significant emotional or behavioural problem may be different. Presentation over time might change. Developmental differences may lead to differences in efficacy in treatment (Cognitive therapy, medication). Who advocates for youth / makes decisions?
Defining Abnormal Behaviour: Norm violation & Statistical Rarity
Norm violation: violation of a social or cultural norm.
Statistical Rarity: What percentage of people in a population have a clinically significant depressive disorder.
Abnormal Behaviour
Defined as a pattern of symptoms associated with distress, disability, and increased risk for further suffering or harm. Disability and risk can be defined by adaptational failure: with typical behaviour as a benchmark.
Normal Development as a Benchmark - Development Psychopathology framework
Broad approach to disorders of youth. Stresses importance of developmental processes and tasks. To understand maladaptive behaviour, one must view it in relation to what is considered normative.
Lifespan Implications
Impact is more severe when problems go untreated for extended periods of time. About 20% of children with the most serious disorders face life-long difficulties. Lifelong consequences associated with child psychopathology are costly.
The Scope of the Problem
Inadequate services. 1st point of contact is often a medical doctor. Racial/ethnic disparities in mental health service - lower levels of utilization due to unique barriers.
Who Develops Psychopathology - Gender
Males show higher rates of disorders in childhood, while females show higher rights of disorders in adolescence. There are also differences in form and timing in genders.
Who develops psychopathology - LGBTQ+
More likely to be victimized by their peers and family members. Higher rates of mental health problems stemming from discrimination. But, lots of resilience in these populations.
Who develops psychopathology - Poverty and SES
Yearly snapshots may underestimate the # of youth who live in poverty. Poverty linked with higher rates of many disorders.
Who develops psychopathology - racial/ethnic disparities
Many health disparities exist (not universal). Canada is not good at collective/sharing racial health data - obscures possible disparities. Disparities are not all attributable to SES differences. People from different racial/ethnic minority groups tend to be lower on SES than white people, but many health disparities exist. Black youth more likely to be diagnosed with disruptive behaviour disorders & psychosis & less likely to be diagnosed with mood and substance abuse disorders: school 2 prison pipeline, bias in diagnostic practices.
Who develops psychopathology - culture
Actual behaviours and what those behaviours mean might vary across different areas of the world, and expression of symptoms might vary as well.
The General Diathesis-Stress Model
Diathesis: underlying vulnerability or tendency toward disorder. Could be biological, contextual, or experience-based.
Stress: situation or challenge that calls on resources. Typically though of as external, negative events.
Diathesis Stress: Some children are more susceptible to the negative effects of a problematic environment.
Strengths of the Diathesis-Stress Model
Organize thinking about nature AND nurture behaviour & emotions are complicated. Almost no disorders caused by “just” genes or “just” stress. Brain changes (neural plasticity) in response to environment. Genes change in response to environment (behavioural epigenetic).
Developmental Pathways
The sequence and timing of particular behaviours as well as the relationships between behaviours over time. 2 common types:
1. Multifinality: Multiple endpoints. Certain behaviours might be shared across people, but lead to different outcomes in people.
2. Equifinality: Many different factors might contribute to the sam outcomes.
