Developmental Psychopathology and Wellness: Understanding Child Psychiatric Illness

Edited by renowned expert James J. Hudziak, this comprehensive guide represents a major benchmark in the understanding of psychiatric illness in children and adolescents. Leading international authorities present cutting-edge research on identifying genetic and environmental influences on emotional-behavioral disorders, offering a fresh perspective on child psychiatry and clinical psychology.

The Interplay of Genetic and Environmental Factors

This book debunks misconceptions about depression, antisocial behavior, and other conditions, providing a nuanced understanding of the causes of child psychopathology and informing more effective treatment approaches. Coverage of basic principles describes the influence of genomic medicine, highlighting the importance of the developmental perspective.

Gene-Environment Interaction and Personality Development

Chapters delve into the critical concepts of personality and temperament, cognition, and sex, incorporating findings from molecular genetic investigations on adolescent cognition, temperament, and brain function. Disorder-based examples illustrate how emotional-behavioral illness and wellness are shaped by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors over time.

Applications in Clinical Practice and Research

Notable contributors, including Thomas Achenbach, Joan Kaufman, D. I. Boomsma, and Frank Verhulst, share their expertise on topics such as cultural influences on child development, genetic and environmental modifiers of risk and resilience, and the genetic architecture of childhood worry. Stephen Faraone provides guidelines for documenting the functional significance of DNA variants associated with psychopathology.

The book showcases the family-based gene-environment approach as a means of better understanding etiopathology and treatment. By demonstrating the interconnectedness of genetic and environmental factors, this comprehensive guide illuminates new pathways for the care and treatment of at-risk children, with applications in daily practice, teaching, and research.

Publication Details:

Publisher: American Psychiatric Publishing

Publication Date: February 20, 2009

Language: English

ISBN: 9781585622795, 9781585628803