Class Notes 1/19/18: Introduction and Background

I. Quiz yourself
A. What are the distinguishing features of a disorder, relative to normal
development?
B. What is epidemiology?
C. Describe the scope
II. Historical Views
A. Evolving forms of treatment
1. Until late 1940s most children with mental or intellectual disorders were
institutionalized
2. 1945-1965: decrease in institutionalization but children were put into
foster care and group homes
3. 1950s and 1960s: behavior therapy was the systematic approach to
treatment of child and family disorders
B. Progressive Legislation
1. IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) - 1975
a) Before this there were laws against enrolling disabled children in
public schools
b) Free and appropriate public education for children with special
needs
c) Least restrictive environment
d) Individualized education program (IEP) for each child
(1) Schools must provide the best education possible even for
these children
III. Why Child Psychopathology Garnered Attention
A. Childhood problems
1. Are common
2. Cause significant impairment and distress
a) Academic achievements
b) Recreational activity, etc.
3. Interfere with normal development
4. Increase risk for a host of adverse outcomes over the lifespan/
intergenerational transmission
IV. What Makes a Problem a Disorder
A. Qualifications
1. Cluster of behavioral, emotional, cognitive, or physical symptoms
2. Causes distress
3. Causes impairment in functioning
4. Persists across time and context
B. Developmental considerations
1. Development generally proceeds in an organized, hierarchical manner
2. Crucial to consider developmental level when determining what
constitutes normal and abnormal behavior
 3. Undesirable behaviors can be considered normal stages of development
C. Example of Developmental tasks
1. Infancy - preschool
a) Attachment to caregivers
b) Language
c) Differentiation of self from environment
d) Self-control and compliance
2. Middle childhood
a) School adjustment (appropriate attendance, conduct)
b) Academic achievement (reading/math/etc.)
c) Getting along with peers
d) Rule-governed conduct
D. Problem T Scores
V. Epidemiology
A. Study of diseases
B. 40% Is a high estimate but range from 20-40%
1. Lifetime prevalence is 36%
C. Scope of the Problem
1. 20% of children has a significant mental health problem that significantly
impairs functioning
2. Many others are at risk for later development
3. Lifetime prevalence = 36%
4. 25% of children who require mental health services receive only 1/9 of the
treatment dollars
5. The majority of children and youth needing mental health services do not
receive them
6. By 2020 the demand for children's mental health services is expected to
double
VI. Rates and Expression
A. Sex Differences
1. Problems seen more in boys (externalizing problems)
a) Hyperactivity and autism
b) Acting out behaviors (aggression/delinquency)
c) Childhood disruptive behaviors
2. Problems seen more in girls (internalizing problems)
3. Way expressed by boys vs. girls
a) Help with identification
B. Race and Ethnicity
1. Most cultural anthropologists see race as a socially constructed concept,
not a biological one
2. Minority children in the US are overrepresented in rates of some
disorders:
a) Substance abuse
b) Delinquency
 c) Teen suicide
3. Not a true effect
C. Culture
1. Values, beliefs, practices of ethnocultural groups:
a) Contribute to development and expression of children’s disorders
b) Affect how people/institutions react to children’s problems
c) Affect how problems are expressed
2. Important not to generalize research from one culture to another,
although some processes and disorders may be similar across different
cultures
D. Stress
1. Stress Diathesis
VII. Resilience
A. Development of a problem is not certain, even in the context of risk factors
B. There are many personal and contextual protective factors that help children
thrive in the face of stressors