Abnormal Child Psychology

Key differences between 6th and 5th editions

• Time lapse between previous and current publications: 3 years (2012 vs 2015).
• Abnormal Child Psychology was first released in 1999.
• The Sixth Edition is consistent with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. (DSM-5).
• New Chapter 12 on trauma- and stressor- related disorders.
• The book incorporates most current findings on diagnosis, evidence-based treatments, causes, prevalence, complications, protective and risk factors contributing to psychological disorders.
• Notable content changes and updates are summarized below:
• Discussion on increasing prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorders
• Emerging theories about developmental pathways leading to different disorders
• Latest findings on effects of stress on the developing brain, how early stressors (childhood abuse or neglect) alter the brain involved in stress regulation and negatively impact neurocognitive development.
• Important role of genetics in neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Brain imaging studies demonstrating strong neurobiological basis (structural abnormalities) of ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, and depression
• The early precursors to the development of psychopathy in teenagers.
• Latest research on patterns of use and abuse of stimulant ADHD medications
• Recent follow-up findings from Fast Track Project and the Multimodal Treatment of ADHD (MTA) Study.
• Advances in identifying and new treatments for autism spectrum disorder (Ch.6)
• Coverage of predominantly inattentive type of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (formerly attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity) (Ch.8)
• Temperament and personality disorders (Ch.2,4)
• Three symptom clusters for oppositional defiant disorder (Ch. 9)
• The stigma of mental illness (Ch.1, 4)
• Relationship between research results in in abnormal child psychology and public policy implications (throughout the text).
• Coverage of important reports from the Surgeon General, the WHO, and others sources (Ch.1,2).