Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology 9th Edition

Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology  is a comprehensive introduction to the field. It covers theoretical and  methodological foundations and examines the characteristics,  epidemiology, etiology, developmental course, assessment, and treatment  of disorders of childhood and adolescence. At the heart of the text is  the partnership of the developmental psychopathology perspective, which  analyzes problems of youth within a developmental context, and a  traditional clinical/disorder approach, which underscores the symptoms,  causes, and treatments of disorders. Woven throughout the text is the  view that behavior stems from the continuous interaction of multiple  influences, that the problems of the young are intricately tied to their  social and cultural contexts, and that empirical approaches and the  scientific method provide the best avenue for understanding the  complexity of human behavior.

This edition explores the latest areas of research and tackles important contemporary topics, including:

• how to best classify and diagnose problems
• the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework
• the roles of genetics and early brain development and their interaction with the environment
• the complex roles of family and peers; sex/gender; and culture, ethnicity, and race in psychopathology
• progress in early intervention and prevention
• improvements in accessibility and dissemination of evidence-based treatments
• social issues such as poverty, child maltreatment, substance use, bullying/victimization, and terrorism and war

This  edition also features a new full-color design and over 200 color  figures, tables, and photos. The text is written in a clear and engaging  style and is approachable for students with varying academic  backgrounds and experiences. It is rich in case descriptions that allow  students to examine problems through the lens of youth and their  families. The "Accent" boxes foster discussion of current interest  topics such as infant mental health, scientific evidence regarding  vaccines and autism, suicidality in sexual minority youth, and the  impact of stigmatization. The "Looking Forward" sections focus students’  attention on the central concepts to be addressed, while the "Looking  Back" sections provide students with a synopsis of the chapter for  further study and reflection.