Working Models: Psychological problems in childhood and adolescence

Reading CLOSED RESERVE: From Wenar & Kerig (2000) Developmental Psychopathology. From Wenar & Kerig (2000) Developmental Psychopathology. “Developmental psychopathology (pp )

Lecture Questions What are the key elements of a developmental model of childhood disorders? What are the key elements of a developmental model of childhood disorders? How would a developmental model work in practice? How would a developmental model work in practice? What are the key elements of a social contextual model? What are the key elements of a social contextual model? How would a social contextual model work in practice? How would a social contextual model work in practice?

Developmental model Psychological problems = normal development gone awry, continuum Psychological problems = normal development gone awry, continuum Hierarchical Hierarchical Continuity and discontinuity Continuity and discontinuity Holistic Holistic Sroufe & Rutter, Cichetti & Cohen

Using a developmental framework Issues in infancy/early childhood: Self-controlAttachmentLanguage/Communication Development gone awry: Toileting/sleep problems Separation anxiety Attachment disorders Oppositional behaviour Autism Is there something wrong with Geoff’s daughter?

Framework: middle childhood Issues in middle childhood Issues in middle childhood Learning/school requirements Learning/school requirements Peers Peers Realistic fears Realistic fears Development gone awry: Learning disorders Enuresis Conduct disorder School phobia Specific phobia OCD Should Anna be worried about Tom?

Framework: Adolescence Issues in adolescence: Identity Identity Peer group Peer group Sexuality Sexuality Physiological changes Physiological changes Experimentation/curio sity Experimentation/curio sity Development gone awry: Conduct disorder Eating disorders Substance Abuse Depression/ suicidality Do Alex and Sam need to worry about CYFS?

Developmental model: so what determines healthy vs problematic responses? Risk factors Risk factors Vulnerability Vulnerability Protective factors/buffers Protective factors/buffers Resiliency Resiliency Werner & Smith study, Werner & Smith study, Kauai island, 40 years) Kauai island, 40 years)

Social contextual model (Carr) Influences extend both ways, from and to child Problems “nested in multiple systems” systems developmental pan theoretical

Framework for understanding problem development Precipitating- trigger events Precipitating- trigger events Predisposing- vulnerabilities or risk factors Predisposing- vulnerabilities or risk factors Maintaining-factors that keep the problem going Maintaining-factors that keep the problem going Protective factors- strengths and resources Protective factors- strengths and resources

Jodie: A case study Jenny Tom Joel 15 Matthew 19 Jod y 10 Margaret Mark Jim Nola alcoholic Claustropho bic Shift worker, pub 4/5 Separation anxiety Left home-6 months Glandular fever-age 9

Examples of precipitating events Transition- lifecycle transitions, changing residence, school, change in family structure (divorce or separation, step- family) Transition- lifecycle transitions, changing residence, school, change in family structure (divorce or separation, step- family) Distressing event (death, separation, hospitalisation, relationship loss, abuse) Distressing event (death, separation, hospitalisation, relationship loss, abuse) Physical illness Physical illness Social/financial stresses in family Social/financial stresses in family

Examples of predisposing (risk) factors in child Biological factors: Biological factors: Genetic vulnerabilities Genetic vulnerabilities Pre- and peri-natal complications Pre- and peri-natal complications Early injuries, illnesses Early injuries, illnesses Psychological factors: Low intelligence Difficult temperament Low self-esteem External locus of control

Examples of family factors Parenting in early life- neglectful, permissive, authoritarian, inconsistent, lack of stimulation, attachment problems Parenting in early life- neglectful, permissive, authoritarian, inconsistent, lack of stimulation, attachment problems Family problems in early life- psychological, alcohol or drug abuse, parental criminality, violence, deviant siblings, family disorganisation Family problems in early life- psychological, alcohol or drug abuse, parental criminality, violence, deviant siblings, family disorganisation Stresses in early life-bereavement, Stresses in early life-bereavement, separations, child abuse, social separations, child abuse, social disadvantage, institutional upbringing disadvantage, institutional upbringing

Examples of school factors Bullying/ victimisation Bullying/ victimisation Unsuitability of educational Unsuitability of educational placement placement Lack of friendships Lack of friendships Deviant peers Deviant peers Community examples: Community examples: Poor social support network for family Poor social support network for family Community attitudes (e.g. disparagement of adolescent mothers, tolerance for violence) Community attitudes (e.g. disparagement of adolescent mothers, tolerance for violence)

Maintaining factors:examples Child: poor coping, low self-image, negative world-view Child: poor coping, low self-image, negative world-view Family: communication problems, authoritarian or inconsistent parenting, chaotic patterns, spousal violence Family: communication problems, authoritarian or inconsistent parenting, chaotic patterns, spousal violence Parents: problems akin to child’s, own psychological problems or criminality Parents: problems akin to child’s, own psychological problems or criminality Social: poor support, high family stress, tolerance of violence, deviant peer group Social: poor support, high family stress, tolerance of violence, deviant peer group

Protective factors:examples Biological- good health Biological- good health Psychological-intelligence, easy temperament, high self-worth and sense of coping, optimistic, effective coping skills Psychological-intelligence, easy temperament, high self-worth and sense of coping, optimistic, effective coping skills Family- clear communication, authoratative parenting, secure parent-child relationship Family- clear communication, authoratative parenting, secure parent-child relationship Parents-positive psychological well-being, effective coping Parents-positive psychological well-being, effective coping Social- low stress, good social supports, peer support, financially secure Social- low stress, good social supports, peer support, financially secure

Checkpoint Principles of developmental model Principles of developmental model Construction of problems within developmental model Construction of problems within developmental model Principles of systemic model Principles of systemic model How problems seen to develop within social contextual model How problems seen to develop within social contextual model