Common and specific correlates of preadolescent internalizing and externalizing psychopathology.

The specificity of various child characteristics and environmental correlates of childhood internalizing and externalizing problems was examined using both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses (from ages 2–3 and 4–5 years) in a general population sample of 10–11-year-olds. Specificity was defined according to a between-subjects and a within-subjects method, using parent and teacher reports of psychopathology. Temperamental withdrawal, parental internalizing psychopathology, and early single parenthood (for girls) were identified as correlates that are specific for internalizing problems, whereas temperamental high general activity level was identified as externalizing-specific. Further, parenting stress, poor school results (only for boys), and stressful life events (only for girls) were found to be common correlates of psychopathology. Research implications regarding the findings and the use of a within-subjects method are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Parental alcoholism and childhood psychopathology.

We reviewed studies about children of alcoholic parents published between 1975 and 1985 to clarify the relation between parental alcoholism and child psychopathology. We identified methodological problems in this body of literature and organized substantive findings around eight areas of outcome: (a) hyperactivity and conduct disorder; (b) substance abuse, delinquency, and truancy; (c) cognitive functioning; (d) social inadequacy; (e) somatic problems; (f) anxiety and depressive symptoms; (g) physical abuse; and (h) dysfunctional family interactions. The literature as a whole supported the contention that parental alcoholism is associated with a heightened incidence of child symptoms of psychopathology, in comparison with no increased incidence in offspring of nondisturbed parents. However, neither all nor a major portion of the population of children from alcoholic homes are inevitably doomed to childhood psychological disorder. Findings are discussed in terms of causality, child resiliency, and potential qualifying factors, such as variations in family disruption. Recommendations are presented regarding methodological improvements, possible mediating variables, and a multiple-risk conceptualization. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Intuitive and empirical prototypes in childhood psychopathology.

This study examines the validity of intuitive classifications of experienced diagnosticians, that is, the empirical foundation of their intuitive prototypes. Intuitive prototypes of 10 experienced diagnosticians were collected in two tasks and were compared with the empirically based assessment system of T. M. Achenbach (T. M. Achenbach, K. C. Conners, H. C. Quay, F. C. Verhulst, & C. T. Howell, 1989). Results show that the intuitive prototypes correspond very poorly with the empirical core syndromes, instead consisting of different groups of symptoms from various core syndromes. The study also showed a low similarity between behaviors that clinicians judge as co- occurring with an incompletely specified syndrome and behaviors that empirically co-occur with that syndrome. Reasons for the difference between intuitive prototypes and empirically derived classification structures are discussed, as are consequences for diagnostic practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Impulsivity and inhibitory control in normal development and childhood psychopathology.

Two experiments investigated the development and pathology of inhibitory control in children. Inhibitory control was investigated with the stop-signal paradigm, which is based on a formal theory of inhibition and directly measures the mechanism of inhibition. The ability to inhibit developed little after Grade 2, but subjects with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADDH) showed deficient inhibitory control. Their deficient inhibitory control was attributable to the subgroup of ADDH subjects with pervasive hyperactivity who had a more severe inhibitory deficit than did the situational hyperactive subgroup, the normal group, and the pathological controls. These studies reflect the utility of the stop-signal paradigm as a measure of inhibitory control. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex differences in childhood psychopathology: A review.

Reviews sex differences in the major categories of childhood behavior disorders most relevant to the issue of continuity between child and adult disorders. Explanations for these differences are explored with attention given to both the different experiences and the different endowments of the sexes. These differences are then compared and contrasted with sex differences in adult psychopathology. (4? p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Albee's just society: Radical prevention of childhood psychopathology.

Claims that G. W. Albee (see record 1987-02131-001) adequately defined 3 basic premises of those who oppose psychopathology through social change and offers suggestions about why liberalism in this context is problematic. The present author contends that radical initiatives are necessary for major social change. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relationship between attachment, psychopathology, and childhood disability.

Analyzes the literature on 3 aspects of attachment—neurobiological influences, interpersonal and intrapersonal factors, and societal factors—in the psychological development of chronically disabled children. Evidence suggests that neurochemical substances such as cortisol and brain biogenic amine systems reciprocally interact with psychological and psychosocial factors to influence attachment. Interpersonal and intrapersonal factors such as temperamental characteristics of children, severity and type of disability, and family influences interact in the process of attachment. Social perceptions and prejudices about the disabled individual increase parental stress, and diminish parental involvement and resources, which are necessary for attachment. These 3 processes are powerful and interrelated forces in child development, with potential to modify social competence, neurological development, and psychosocial adjustment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Aggression and psychopathology in childhood firesetters: Parent and child reports.

Compared hospitalized disturbed children between 5 and 13 yrs of age identified as firesetters (n?=?31) and nonfiresetters (n?=?32) on several dimensions of aggressiveness and psychopathology. The Ss and a parent (mother or female guardian) were interviewed separately. The parent completed the Child Behavior Checklist, the Hostility-Guilt Inventory derived from the Buss-Durkee Hostility-Guilt Inventory, and an interview for aggression. The 2 aggression measures were also administered to the Ss. The study permitted separation of the influence of firesetting from a diagnosis of conduct disorder in contributing to the symptoms evinced by the Ss. Results indicate that firesetters engaged in more delinquent and antisocial behaviors than nonfiresetters. Firesetters also evinced social skills deficits and a broad range of aggressive behaviors beyond their primary symptom. These results were obtained even when analyses were restricted to Ss who were diagnosed as conduct disordered. The findings elaborate on the clinical picture of firesetting children and suggest that firesetting may emerge late in a sequence of antisocial symptoms involving more extreme overt and covert acts. (30 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Zurich Study. XXIV. Structural and emotional aspects of childhood and later psychopathology

This study investigated the effect of different etching times on the retention of fissure sealants in second primary and first permanent molars. Eighty-four children with a total of 144 second primary molars and 264 first molars were included in the study. Etching times of 15, 30, 45 and 60 seconds were used. The fissure sealants were evaluated at 6 and 12 months. The results showed that the overall retention rate of fissure sealants in second primary molars was 73.0% at 6 months and 64.7% at 12 months, whereas in first permanent molars the retention rates were 60.7% at 6 months and 44.1% at 12 months respectively. There was no significant difference in the retention of fissure sealants either on second primary molars or on first permanent molars at a 6- and 12-month follow-up with the different etching times. It was concluded that the different etching times did not appear to affect the retention of fissure sealants on the first permanent molars or second primary molars. It might therefore be prudent to etch the teeth for a much shorter period than conventionally recommended.     

Infancy parenting and externalizing psychopathology from childhood through adulthood: Developmental trends.

Developmental models and previous findings suggest that early parenting is more strongly associated with externalizing problems in early childhood than it is in adolescence. In this article, the authors address whether the association of poor-quality infancy parenting and externalizing problems “rebounds” in adulthood. Poor-quality infancy parenting was associated with externalizing problems at kindergarten and first grade (mother report) as well as at 23 and 26 years (self report). Infancy parenting was not significantly associated with either mothers’ or youths’ reports of externalizing problems at 16 years. These findings are consistent with the notion that poor-quality infancy parenting is a risk factor for externalizing problems in developmental periods for which externalizing behavior is most deviant. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Anxiety disorders of childhood, Implications for adult psychopathology

Although the exact path of acquisition remains incompletely understood, research supports the association between anxiety disorders in children and psychopathologic conditions in adults. This article addresses this relationship; reviews findings on the temperamental profile and behavioral inhibition, which may be an early identifiable childhood predictor of later anxiety disorders; and discusses the importance of early intervention.     

Review of the evidence base for treatment of childhood psychopathology: Externalizing disorders.

This article reviews controlled research on treatments for childhood externalizing behavior disorders. The review is organized around 2 subsets of such disorders: disruptive behavior disorders (i.e., conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The review was based on a literature review of nonresidential treatments for youths ages 6-12. The pool of studies for this age group was limited, but results suggest positive outcomes for a variety of interventions (particularly parent training and community-based interventions for disruptive behavior disorders and medication for ADHD). The review also highlights the need for additional research examining effectiveness of treatments for this age range and strategies to enhance the implementation of effective practices. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Common childhood fears and their origins

The present study examined rank orders and characteristics of childhood fears. A 'free option' approach ('What do you fear most?') deviated markedly from the fear rank order based on the Fear Survey Schedule for Children. A second aim of the study was to investigate the origins of prevalent childhood fears. In contrast to the results of Ollendick and King (1991, Behaviour Research and Therapy, 29, 117-123), conditioning was found to be the most commonly reported pathway related to exacerbation and onset of fears. Finally, special attention was given to the top intense fear in children, namely fear of spiders. Children who reported 'none', 'some' or 'a lot' of spider fear were compared with each other in terms of pathways. No differences between the three groups were found with respect to the frequency of modeling and information experiences. However, high fearful children more often reported conditioning experiences than low or moderate fearful children.     

Review of the evidence base for treatment of childhood psychopathology: Internalizing disorders.

This article reviews the empirical literature on psychosocial, psychopharmacological, and adjunctive treatments for children between the ages of 6 and 12 with internalizing disorders. The aim of this review was to identify interventions that have potential to prevent substance use disorders in adolescence by treating internalizing disorders in childhood. Results suggest that a variety of behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and pharmacological interventions are effective in reducing symptoms of childhood depression, phobias, and anxiety disorders. None of the studies reviewed included substance abuse outcomes. Thus, little can be said about the relationship between early treatment and the prevention of later substance use. The importance of evaluating the generalizability of research-supported interventions to community settings is highlighted and recommendations for future research are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Long-term sequelae of childhood sexual abuse: Perceived family environment, psychopathology, and dissociation.

105 abused and nonabused women were examined for patterns of adult psychopathology associated with childhood sexual abuse and to test the extent to which these patterns are independent of other pathogenic properties of the family environment. Clinical and nonclinical Ss completed the Family Environment Scale, the MMPI, the Rorschach, and the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale. Greater nonspecific impairment among abused women may be a consequence, at least in part, of pathogenic family structure rather than sexual abuse per se. However, MMPI and Rorschach responses suggest sexual abuse may render victims especially vulnerable to specific disturbances involving soma and self. Abuse was associated with greater use of dissociation, but covariance analysis revealed this effect to be accounted for by family pathology. There was no evidence that sexual trauma is associated with hypnotizability. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality and psychopathology.

The author outlines a biometric model for analysis of behavior on 5 major levels of activity: physiological, sensory, perceptual, psychomotor, and conceptual. The tests and the technique are described and evaluated. 47 references. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Crime and psychopathology.

"This study investigated the relations between type of crime, age, intelligence, and degree of psychopathology, as measured by the MMPI F score. MMPIs were available from 190 white male court referrals who were nearly all classified as low socioeconomic status. It should be noted that one crime class (i.e., lewd acts on children) would have been excluded from the analysis if the usual criteria for discarding MMPIs had been used. A definite relationship between type of crime and degree of psychopathology was found. Individuals who commit sexual crimes appear to be the most seriously emotionally disturbed. No difference in mean F score between Ss released to the courts vs. those retained in the hospital was found." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Learning and psychopathology.

Experiments concerning the learning of abnormal human Ss are reviewed. The review includes discussion of how persons with particular types of psychopathology learn different kinds of tasks as well as the reasons suggested for the learning phenomena found. (73 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Culture and psychopathology.

"In my opinion, the major contribution of anthropology to symptomatology is the opportunity it offers for reducing the ethnocentrism of the diagnostician… . The fact is that most distinctions between the fundamental symptomatological concepts in psychiatry have implicit or explicit social or cultural reference… . It follows that a valid diagnosis cannot be based on symptomatology alone, but must be derived from a study of the psychodynamics of the individual's patient in relation to his social and cultural milieu… . It is obvious that the content of a syndrome is influenced by the patient's culture… . Finally, the culture influences the individual's perception of a situation." The author's points are illustrated by material drawn from case studies. 45 references. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)