Week 2 - Developmental psychopathology
Understanding Developmental Psychopathology
Course Code: PY0549
Instructor: Dr. Alyson Dodd
Recap
Categorical and dimensional approaches to defining psychopathology help understand different facets of psychopathology.
Risk factors can be transdiagnostic, influencing various disorders.
Lecture Structure
Introduction to developmental psychopathology.
Discussing risk and protective factors.
Core principles underlying developmental psychopathology.
Learning Outcomes
Grasp key principles of developmental psychopathology.
Understand the cascading effects of early problems on development.
Language Considerations
Avoid using the term "abnormal" psychology.
The literature often uses "normal" and "abnormal," but terms like "atypical" and "typical" are preferable yet still imperfect.
What is Developmental Psychopathology?
Employs a developmental or lifespan approach, focusing on both childhood and adult outcomes.
Emphasizes lifespan continuity, indicating that early behaviors can predict adult psychopathology.
It's not a classification system but rather treats psychopathology as a developmental outcome.
Considers risk and protective factors operating at multiple levels (e.g., individual, community).
References: Cicchetti & Toth, 2009; Zeman & Suveg, 2019.
Understanding Risk and Protective Factors
Factors operate at various levels: individual, family, community.
Includes psychological, social, environmental, biological influences.
Risk factors increase the likelihood of developing psychopathology.
Protective factors decrease this likelihood by buffering risk effects and directly fostering resilience.
Examples of Factors
Risk Factors:
Genetic predispositions, adverse family history, environmental toxins, experiences of adversity.
Protective Factors:
Safe neighborhoods, community cohesion, social support, quality education.
What is Resilience?
Defined as the ability to cope with adversity; however, its understanding remains controversial.
Resilience is influenced by multiple systems and broader societal contexts, not just individual capacity.
Reference: Masten et al., 2021.
Key Principles of Developmental Psychopathology
Atypical and typical development are interconnected.
Development involves reciprocal and transactional processes, such as developmental cascades.
Significance of developmental pathways in understanding psychopathology.
References: Eme, 2017; Zeman & Suveg, 2019.
Atypical and Typical Development Interconnection
Understanding typical development is essential for comprehending psychopathological conditions and vice versa.
Adopts a dimensional approach where similar processes influence development.
Deviation from typical developmental trajectories may forecast later psychopathological issues.
Repeated challenges increase future risk.
References: Eme, 2017; Zeman & Suveg, 2019.
Developmental Cascades
Involve reciprocal influences; child-level factors impact environmental contexts and vice versa.
Creates cumulative consequences shaping development.
Ripple effects can lead to maladaptive or adaptive outcomes.
References: Eme, 2017; Masten & Cicchetti, 2010.
Child-Level Factors in Motor Development
Within-domain and cross-domain factors interact during motor development.
Early actions like sitting, crawling, and language significantly shape later development.
Caregiver responses adjust based on child's behavior; delays can restrict positive cascading effects.
Reference: Iverson et al., 2023.
Broader Implications of Motor Development
Motor development serves as an early marker for psychopathological outcomes.
Recognizes that motor skills relate to factors like ADHD, autism, anxiety, and psychotic experiences, especially in adolescents.
Reference: Bowler et al., 2024.
Continued Research on Developmental Vulnerability
Motor deficits observed in children at familial risk for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder differ from controls.
Longitudinal studies show association between motor deficits and later psychotic experiences.
Reference: Burton et al., 2023.
Implications of Developmental Cascades
They provide insights into individual variability and how childhood challenges impact adult development.
Highlight pathways that lead to typical versus atypical outcomes.
Developmental Pathways: Continuity and Change
Acknowledge the potential for change across development in traits, behaviors, emotions, and disorders.
Discusses homotypic (same behaviors stability) and heterotypic continuity (behavior manifest differently).
Pathways increase risk probability but are not deterministic.
References: Eme, 2017; Zeman & Suveg, 2019.
Developmental Pathways Perspective: Equifinality vs. Multifinality
Equifinality: Same psychopathological outcome can result from multiple pathways.
Multifinality: Different outcomes can arise from similar developmental experiences.
References: Eme, 2017; Zeman & Suveg, 2019.
Research Examples on Risk and Protective Factors
Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study illustrates transitions from childhood to adulthood regarding psychopathology.
Assesses multilevel risk and protective factors (e.g., socioeconomic status).
Shows how risk and resilience profiles can differ in externalizing vs. internalizing psychopathologies.
Reference: Yang et al., 2025.
Summary of Developmental Psychopathology
Emphasizes the relationship between early childhood experiences and psychopathology.
Underscores the interaction of risk and protective factors.
Recognizes the reciprocal influence of typical and atypical development.
Points to the impact of cascading difficulties across developmental domains on psychopathological outcomes.
Potential Exam Question
Define the key principles of developmental psychopathology, supported by evidence from studies.
Recommended Reading
Essential:
Bowler et al. (2024). Biological Psychiatry.
Burton et al. (2023). The Lancet Psychiatry.
Recommended:
Eme (2017). World Journal of Psychiatry.
Iverson et al. (2023). Advances in Child Development and Behavior.
Additional:
Masten & Cicchetti (2010). Development and Psychopathology.
Zeman & Suveg (2019). Psychopathology: Foundations for a contemporary understanding.