Early Childhood Psychopathology: Developmental Models and Treatments

This book examines psychosocial risk factors contributing to the development and maintenance of psychopathology in early childhood. It draws on developmental psychopathology theory and research to discuss different approaches to the classification of early childhood emotional and behavioral disorders, address the importance of multidomain approaches to understanding risk factors for specific diagnoses, and examine the movement toward transdiagnostic conceptualizations. The book describes how multidomain models of risk factors can be integrated with transdiagnostic approaches to illuminate the development of general psychopathology, internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and singular symptom clusters of the most common early childhood disorders, including oppositional disorders, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. In addition, the volume highlights the implications of this approach for clinical treatment, training of child clinicians, and the development of public policy. Key areas of coverage include: A developmental psychopathology approach to early childhood mental health disorders and the development of multi-domain models of risk factors. Risk factors contributing to the development and maintenance of emotional and behavioral symptoms in early childhood. Transdiagnostic approaches and risk factors for general psychopathology as well as specific types of symptoms. Current treatments for disorders in early childhood and a novel integrative approach to treatment based on research findings. Training of child clinicians and social policy implications derived from the research program detailed in the book. Early Childhood Psychopathology is an essential resource for researchers, clinicians, scientist-practitioners, and graduate students in such fields as developmental, clinical child, and school psychology, child and adolescent psychiatry, social work, family studies, early childhood education, and all related disciplines.