Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology is a comprehensive introduction to the eld. It covers theoretical and methodological foundations
and examines the characteristics, epidemiology, etiology, developmental course, assessment, and treatment of disorders of childhood
and adolescence. At the heart of the text is the partnership of the developmental psychopathology perspective, which analyzes problems
of youth within a developmental context, and a traditional clinical/disorder approach, which underscores the symptoms, causes, and
treatments of disorders. Woven throughout the text is the view that behavior stems from the continuous interaction of multiple in uences,
that the problems of the young are intricately tied to their social and cultural contexts, and that empirical approaches and the scienti c
method provide the best avenue for understanding the complexity of human behavior.
This edition explores the latest areas of research and tackles important contemporary topics, including:
how to best classify and diagnose problems
the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework
the roles of genetics and early brain development and their interaction with the environment
the complex roles of family and peers; sex/gender; and culture, ethnicity, and race in psychopathology
progress in early intervention and prevention
improvements in accessibility and dissemination of evidence-based treatments
social issues such as poverty, child maltreatment, substance use, bullying/victimization, and terrorism and war
This edition also features a new full-color design and over 200 color gures, tables, and photos. The text is written in a clear and engaging
style and is approachable for students with varying academic backgrounds and experiences. It is rich in case descriptions that allow
students to examine problems through the lens of youth and their families. The Accent boxes foster discussion of current interest topics
such as infant mental health, scientic evidence regarding vaccines and autism, suicidality in sexual minority youth, and the impact of
stigmatization. The Looking Forward sections focus students attention on the central concepts to be addressed, while the Looking
Back sections provide students with a synopsis of the chapter for further study and re ection. The text is also supplemented with online
resources for students and instructors.
Allen C.Israel , Professor Emeritus, University at Albany, State University of NewYork, USA.
Jennifer Weil Malatras , Clinical Assistant Professor, University at Albany, State University of NewYork, USA.
Rita Wicks-Nelson , Professor Emeritus, West Virginia University Institute of Technology, USA.
Abnormal Child and
Adolescent Psychology
Abnormal Child
and Adolescent
Psychology
Ninth Edition
Allen C. Israel, Jennifer Weil Malatras,
and Rita Wicks-Nelson
Ninth edition published 2021
by Routledge
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, NewYork, NY 10017
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
2021 Taylor & Francis
The right of Allen C.Israel, Jennifer Weil Malatras, and Rita Wicks-Nelson to be identi ed
as authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with sections 77 and 78
of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized
in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or
hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice : Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks,
and are used only for identication and explanation without intent to infringe.
Eighth edition published by Pearson 2015
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record has been requested for this book
ISBN: 978-0-367-25263-2 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-429-28689-6 (ebk)
Typeset in ITC Of cina Sans
by Newgen Publishing UK
To Sara and Daniel ACI
To Max and Ella and to Jim JWM
To the Poulos, Wicks, and Nelson Families RW-N
xxi
Allen C.Israel served as professor of psychology at the University at Albany, State University of NewYork and held the roles of director
of clinical training and director of graduate studies. He has authored numerous scholarly articles in refereed journals and chapters
in edited books. He serves on government boards concerned with services for children, adults, and families with mental health,
developmental, and substance use challenges.
Jennifer Weil Malatras is a clinical assistant professor of psychology at the University at Albany, State University of NewYork and associate
director for child services at the Universitys Psychological Services Center. She has authored articles in peer-reviewed journals and has
contributed to multiple resources on child psychology and parenting. She has served on statewide workgroups aimed at enhancing outcomes
and models of care for children and families.
Rita Wicks-Nelson earned a PhD in psychology at the State University of NewYork at Stony Brook. She has taught at Stony Brook, the State
University of NewYork College at Old Westbury, and West Virginia Institute of Technology. She conducted research on childrens development
and worked as a clinical psychologist with youth and adults.
About theAuthors
xxiii
An historical perspective allows us to see that we have
considerably increased our knowledge about human development
in general and disordered behavior more speci cally. During
the last few decades, in particular, we have made considerable
progress in understanding the problems of children and
adolescents and how they and their families might be assisted. Of
course, there is much yet to be learned and the needs of youth
are considerable, so the study of young people is an especially
worthwhile enterprise. We hope that this text makes clear the
challenge and excitement of the endeavor.
Now in its updated ninth edition, Abnormal Child and
Adolescent Psychology has enjoyed enormous success. It has
been gratifying for us to know that it continues to make a