Vulnerability to Psychopathology Risk Across the Lifespan

Vulnerability has become the focal point of much theory and research in the study of psychopathology. Until now, however, work on child and adult disorders has largely been conducted separately, with little cross-communication of knowledge on risk factors across the lifespan. This important work brings together leading clinical researchers to lay the foundations for an integrative lifespan perspective on biological, psychological, and social-contextual processes of vulnerability. Demonstrated are ways that the vulnerability construct can lead to genuine progress in understanding not only the genesis of psychological symptoms, but also their prevention and treatment. For each of the major disorders, a chapter on the condition as it appears in childhood and adolescence is followed by a chapter on adulthood. Contributors review theories of vulnerability and resilience, current findings, and clinical implications of the research. A third chapter on each disorder, written jointly by the authors of the previous two, highlights commonalities and differences in child and adult psychopathology and identifies key questions that remain unanswered.