Assessment and Classification in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology

摘要

The volume consists of 14 chapters prepared by more than 20 leading research investigators in child & adolescent mental health to identify major theoretical and methodological issues and needed research in the assessment, diagnosis and classification of child and adolescent mental disorders. The book critically examines two major classification systems currently available for mental disorders, DSM III and ICD-9, by comparing these systems and articulating both the strengths and deficiencies in their applicability to children. The volume includes an overview of the evidence gathered on ICD-9 and DSM III, both in Europe and the U.S.; A description of nature, psychometric characteristics, and practical utility of the currently available assessment methods; A description of the need for the integration of assessment and taxonomic approaches to childhood psychopathology; the problems of syndrome definition and validity including depressive disorders, attention deficity, conduct disorders, autism and pervasive developmental disorders; and finally the outstanding issues, as well as promising directions for future research.