This paper presents a theoretical framework for describing childhood psychopathology in terms of coping styles and introduces a scale to measure psychosocial development in young children. It is hypothesized that coping styles characteristic of specific stages of development evolve in a predictable sequence with treatment. The term coping style rather than disorder is used to reflect the opinion that the child's behaviour constitutes an attempt to find a solution to difficulties encountered during the normal course of psychosocial development. These styles of relating are not static. The coping styles are presumed to arise from partial blocks† to normal development during the period of early attachment and separation and individuation. A computer scored behaviour rating instrument, the Thompson-Patterson Scale, allows for the determination of the child's predominant coping style at a particular point in time. Clinical work and research has shown the utility of this paradigm and supports the hypothesis that changes in pathological behaviour patterns which emerge during treatment are predictable.
References
1.
EdelbrockC.S., AchenbachT.M.A typology of child behaviour profile pattern: distribution and correlation for disturbed children age 6–16.J Abnorm Child Psychol1980; 8; 441–470.
2.
HobbsN.The futures of children.San Francisco: Jossey-Bass,1975.
3.
HobbsN.Issues in classification of children.San Francisco: Jossey-Bass,1975.
4.
MattisonR., CantwellD., RussellA., WillL.A comparison of DSM-II and DSM-III in the diagnosis of childhood psychiatric disorders.Arch Gen Psychiatry1979; 36: 1217–1277.
5.
MezzickA., MezzickJ.Diagnostic reliability of childhood and adolescence behaviour disorders. Paper presented to the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association. New York: September,1979.
6.
RutterM.Diagnostic validity in child psychiatry.Adv Biol Psychiatr1978; 2: 2–22.
7.
RutterM., ShafferD.DSM-III: a step forward or back in terms of the classification of child psychiatric disorders.J Am Acad Child Psychiatry1980; 19: 374–394.
8.
AchenbachT., EdelbrockC.The classification of child psychopathology: a review and analysis of empirical efforts.Psychol Bull1978; 85 (6): 1275–1301.
9.
AchenbachT.M.The classification of children's psychiatric symptoms: a factor analytic study.Psychological Monograph1966; 80: (7 WHOLE No. 615).
10.
MillerJ.Louisville behaviour check list for males, 6–12 years of age.Psychological Reports1967; 21: 885–896.
11.
AchenbachT.The classification of children's psychiatric symptoms: a factor-analytic study.Psychological Monographs1966; 80: Entire #615.
12.
ConnersC.A teacher rating scale for use in drug studies with children.Am J Psychiatry1969; 126: 884–888.
13.
AchenbachT.The child behaviour profile: I. Boys aged 6–11.J Consult Clin Psychol1978; 46: 478–488.
14.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-III).Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association1980.
15.
StottD.H., SykesE.G.The Bristol social-adjustment guide.University of London Press, 1956.
16.
AngyalA.Neurosis and treatment: a hollistic theory.HanfmanE., JonesR.M., eds. N.Y.: J. Wiley, 1965.
17.
MahlerM.S., PineF., BergmanA.The psychological birth of the human infant.New York: Basic Books,1975.
18.
MindeK.K.Review of the selected papers of Margaret S. Mahler.J Am Acad Child Psychiatry1981; 20: 426–428.
19.
MahlerM.S.Symbiosis and individuation.Psychoanal Study Child1974; 29: 89–106.
20.
RobsonK.S.Development of the human infant from two to six months. In: NoshpitzJ., ed. Basic handbook of child psychiatry. Vol 1.New York: Basic Books, 1979.
21.
ThomasA.Current trends in developmental theory.Am J Orthopsychiatry1981; 51: 580–609.
22.
GreenspanS.I., LourieR.S., NoverR.A.A developmental approach to the classification of psychopathology in infancy and early childhood. In: NoshpitzJ., ed. Basic handbook of child psychiatry. Vol 2.New York: Basic Books, 1979.
23.
AinsworthM.D.The effects of maternal deprivation: a review of findings and controversy in the context of research strategy. In: Deprivation of maternal care: a reassessment of its effects. Public Health Papers No. 14, Geneva: World Health Organization.
24.
CallJ.D.Attachment disorders of infancy. In: KaplanH.I., FreedmanA.M., SadockB.J., eds. Comprehensive textbook of psychiatry, Vol 3.Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1980.
25.
GreenacreP.The childhood of the artist: libidial phase development and giftedness.Psychoanal Study Child1957; 12: 27–72.
26.
HartmanH.Ego psychology and the problem of adaptation.New York: International Universities Press,1958.
27.
CooperA.M.Narcissistic disorders within psychoanalytic theory. In: GrinspoonL., ed. Psychiatry 1982: The American Psychiatric Association Annual Review.Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Press, Inc.1982.
28.
RinsleyD.B.Dynamic and developmental issues in borderline and related spectrum disorders.Psychiatr Clin North America1981; 4 (1): 117–129.
29.
MastersonJ.F.From borderline adolescent to functioning adult: the test of time.New York: Brunner/Mazel,1980.
30.
BemporadJ.R., SmithH.F., HansonG., CicchettiD.Borderline syndromes in childhood: criteria for diagnosis.Am J Psychiatry1982; 139 (5): 596–602.
31.
FraibergS.Libidinal object constancy and mental representation.Psychoanal Study Child1969; 24: 9–47.
32.
McDevittJ.B.The role of internalization in the development of object relations during the separation-individuation phase.J Am Psychoanal Assoc1979; 27: 327–343.
33.
PiagetJ.The psychology of intelligence.London: Rutledge and Kegan Paul, 1947.
34.
MahlerM.S.A study of the separation-individuation process; and its possible application to borderline phenomena in the psychoanalytic situation.Psychoanal Study Child1971; 26: 403–424.
35.
WinnicottD.W.The maturational process and the facilitating environment: studies in the theory of emotional development.New York: International Universities Press,1965.
36.
WinnicottD.W.The use of an object.Int J Psychoanal1969; 41: 585–594.
37.
KernbergO.F.Object-relations theory and clinical psychoanalysis.New York: Jason Aronson,1976.
MastersonJ.F.Psychotherapy of the borderline adult.New York: Brunner/Mazel,1976.
40.
AkiskalH.S.Subaffective disorders: dysthymic, cyclothymic and bipolar II disorders in the ‘borderline’ realm.Psychiatr Clin North America1981; 4: 25–46.
41.
SieverL.J., GundersonJ.G.Genetic determinants of borderline conditions.Schizophr Bull1979; 5: 59–86.
42.
AndrulonisP.A., GlueckB.C., StroebelC.F., VogelN.G., ShapiroA.L., AldridgeD.M.Organic Brain dysfunction and the borderline syndrome.Psychiatr Clin North America1981; 4: 47–66.
43.
MeissnerW.W.Theories of personality and psychopathology: classical psychoanalysis. In: KaplanH.I., FreedmanA.M., SadockB.J., eds. Comprehensive textbook of psychiatry III, Vol 1.Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1980.
44.
JacobsonE.The self and the object world.New York: International Universities Press,1964.
45.
CytrynL., McKnewD.H.Jr.Affective disorders. In: NoshpitzJ., ed. Basic handbook of child psychiatry.Vol. 3 New York: Basic Books, 1979.
46.
MahlerM.S., McDevittJ.B.Observations on adaptation and defense in statu nascendi: developmental precursors in the first two years of life.Psychoanal Q1968; 37: 1–21.
47.
GundersonJ.G., SingerM.T.Defining borderline patients: an overview.Am J Psychiatry1975; 132: 1–10.
