Psychosocial influences: Critiques, findings, and research needs

Journal/Book: Dev Psychopathol. 2000; 12: 40 West 20Th Street, New York, NY 10011-4211, USA. Cambridge Univ Press. 375-405.

Abstract: Nongeneric factors have a major influence on psychopathology. Knowledge on specific psychosocial risk and protective mechanisms is more limited because of inadequate attention to measurement issues, person effects on the environment, and the possibility of genetic mediation. Nevertheless, a range of research strategies may be used to provide rigorous tests of causal hypotheses; these have shown the importance of environmentally mediated risks. Challenges for the future include greater use of such research strategies, improved measures of psychosocial risks that can be applied to large samples, investigation of origins of risks, identification of causes of time trends in levels of psychopathology, delineation of psychosocial effects on lifetime liability, understanding of environmental effects on the organism, appreciation of processes involved in developmental programming, and understanding of individual differences in susceptibility.

Note: Review Rutter M, Inst Psychiat, Social Genet & Dev Psychiat Res Ctr, De Crespigny Pk, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, ENGLAND

Keyword(s): STRESSFUL LIFE EVENTS; RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL; ADULT PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDER; CHILDHOOD PARENTAL LOSS; ANTISOCIAL-BEHAVIOR; CONDUCT DISORDER; APOLIPOPROTEIN-E; DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOPATHOLOGY; ENVIRONMENT CORRELATIONS; CHILDRENS ADJUSTMENT

Zurück | Weiter