Chapter 1 Introduction to Normal and Abnormal Behavior in Children and Adolescents After centuries of silence misunderstanding and abuse children s mental health problems now receive greater attention which corresponds to society s recent concern about children s wellbeing Children s mental health issues differ from those of adults o Physical mental handicap disability or deformity economic burden and social Historical Views of Child Mental Illness Ancient Greek Roman View embarrassment o Scorned abandoned put to death Before the 18th century church influence o Possession by the devil forces of evil Until the mid 1800s o Children with disabilities kept in cages and cellars Current Views on Child Mental Heath Children can overcome obstacles Need circumstances that promote healthy adaptation Major initiatives for prevention and intervention Increased recognition of children s mental heath problems Emergence of Social Conscience John Locke 17th century opportunities Jean Marc Itard 19th century Child Video Wild Boy of Aveyron o Children should be raised with care treated with kindness given educational o First documented treatment of a child with mental illness Victor The Wild What is abnormal about Victor s behavior What is Dr Itard s goal in working with Victor What does he hope he will find out Which treatment strategies does Dr Itard use Were they successful Emergence of Social Cognition Moral insanity view replaced by organic disease model Dorothea Dix 1802 1887 o Established 32 humane mental hospitals Psychological Disorder the following A pattern of behavioral cognitive or physical symptoms that includes one or more of o Some degree of distress o Some degree of impairment o An increased risk of suffering or harm A Note about Person First Language Terms in abnormal behavior do NOT describe people but describe patterns of behavior o Do NOT identify the person with the disorder John is an autistic child o Instead talk about the person first then the behavior John is a child with autism Developmental Pathways Sequence and timing of behaviors relationship between behaviors over time o Pathways numerous and interactive o Many potential contributors to similar presentations o Contributors vary among children who have the same disorder Multifinality Similar experiences lead to different outcomes Equifinality Similar outcomes stem from different experiences and developmental pathways Risk Factors and Protective Factors Risk factor personal or situational variable that mitigates developing a disorder Factors that Contribute to Abnormal and Normal Behavior Risk factors o Hereditary influence genes o Prenatal or birth complications o Below average intelligence or learning disability o Difficult temperament poor regulation of emotional behavior social o Poor parenting and family abuse neglect disorganization conflict incompetence peer rejection psychopathology stress o Poverty o Disorganized neighborhood o Racial ethnic or gender injustice o Normative stressful events such as early death of a parent natural catastrophes armed conflict or war Resiliency factor o Problem solving skills o Skills in self regulation o Positive views of self o Achievement motivation o Perceived self efficacy and control o Active coping strategies o Close caring family relationships o Supportive relationships with adults in the community o Friends or romantic partners o Spirituality finding meaning in life Important aspects of RISK Multiple risks are particularly harmful Intensity duration and timing matter The effects of many risks seems to be nonspecific Risk factors might be different for the onset of a disorder versus maintaining a disorder What affects rates and expression of mental disorders Environmental risk factors may o Act as stressors o Increase likelihood of disorder o Exacerbate problems Poverty Associated with o Impairments in learning ability and school achievement o Less education o Low paying jobs o Inadequate heath care o Single parent status o Poor nutrition o Exposure to violence Mental health impact on children o More conduct problems o Chronic illness o School problems o Emotional disorders o Cognitive learning problems Sex differences Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with o Externalizing disorders conduct disorder Girls are more likely to be diagnosed with o Internalizing disorders anxiety depression o Eating disorders Race and Ethnicity Minority children are overrepresented for some disorders o Substance abuse delinquency teen suicide However when controlling for other effects SES gender age referral status few differences emerge Increased likelihood based on disadvantage Sexual Orientation LGBT lesbian gay bisexual and transgendered youths are more likely to o Be victimized by their peers and family o Have higher rates of mental disorders Chapter 2 Theories and Causes The Role of Theory in Child Psychopathology Theories allow us to make educated guesses and predictions about behavior based on existing knowledge Problem with one dimensional model Theoretical Foundations o Biological The study of the etiology of child disorders considers Genetic makeup of the individual Brain structure and neurotransmitters o Psychological Responses to stress Patterns of negative thinking o Social environmental Cultural expectations Definitions of normality and disorder Stigma and prejudice Homelessness Abuse Integrative approach all of these domains interact to produce outcomes over time Approaches to Abnormal Child Psychology Assume Child behavior is multiply determined Child and environment are interdependent and interact dynamically Abnormal development involved both continuity and discontinuity We know what typical behavior is Developmental Considerations Psychological disorders are indications of adaptation failure in 1 developmental areas Failure results from ongoing interaction between child and environment Organizations of Development Perspective Early patterns of adaptation o Evolve overtime o Transform into higher order functions Biological Perspectives Neural plasticity and the role of experience Genetic contributions Neurobiological contributions Biological abilities interact with environment during windows of time called sensitive periods Neural Plasticity and Experience Brain develops in an organized predictable fashion synapses grow and prune The brain demonstrates malleability o Nature and nurture influences o Early intervention Genetic Contributions Traits result from an