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Personal reflections on observational and experimental research approaches to childhood psychopathology
Author(s) -
Rapoport Judith L.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.01975.x
Subject(s) - observational study , rutter , psychopathology , psychology , developmental psychopathology , observational methods in psychology , translational research , clinical psychology , psychiatry , developmental psychology , psychotherapist , medicine , pathology
The past 50 years have seen dramatic changes in childhood psychopathology research. The goal of this overview is to contrast observational and experimental research approaches; both have grown more complex such that the boundary between these approaches may be blurred. Both are essential. Landmark observational studies with long‐term follow‐up (Robins, 1966; Yarrow, Campbell, & Burton, 1970) have had – and continue to have – unique impact on clinical research and practice. Epidemiological studies showed high rates of psychological disorder and their close tie to neurological impairment (Rutter, Tizard, & Whitemore, 1970). These studies have current impact with respect to brain imaging correlates of clinical outcome. Pharmacological studies, particularly those on stimulants and on treatment of pediatric obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), have propelled experimental methodology and inspired translational approaches. Predicted future trends are: more informed subgrouping of our heterogeneous phenotypes, reliance on multicenter trials, and documentation of non‐conventional methods of care delivery.