A Developmental Psychopathology Perspective on Child Maltreatment

Since first emerging as an integrative field of study in the 1980s, the discipline of developmental psychopathology has made significant contributions toward the understanding of risk, psychopathology, and resilience across the lifespan. Because both positive and negative adaptations unfold over time, the utilization of a developmental perspective is critical if the processes underlying individual pathways to positive and negative outcomes are to be understood (Sroufe, 1989, 2007). In view of the extensive negative consequences associated with child maltreatment that occur at various points in development, developmental psychopathology emerges as a particularly powerful framework for guiding both research and clinical endeavors. In fact, a developmental schema is essential if the etiology and course of maladaptation in maltreated children is to be fully understood. To date, the utilization of a developmental psychopathology perspective has resulted in significant contributions to the understanding of the causes and consequences of child maltreatment (Cicchetti & Toth, 1995; Cicchetti & Valentino, 2006; National Research Council, 1993). Such an approach can and should be informative in developing treatments that are appropriate for various developmental periods and in ascertaining when in the developmental period such interventions should be provided (Toth & Cicchetti, 1999). Moreover, a developmental psychopathology approach also has elucidated the processes that result in resilient functioning in some maltreated children despite the experience of adversity (Cicchetti, 2013; Luthar, Cicchetti, & Becker, 2000). Given the promise embodied by the utilization of a developmental psychopathology perspective for ultimately fostering positive outcomes in children who have experienced maltreatment, in this editorial we highlight the tenets of developmental psychopathology with relevance to child maltreatment. We then discuss aspects of the articles contained in this Special Issue that are consistent with a developmental psychopathology framework. We conclude by suggesting important future directions for research, clinical, and social policy initiatives that are informed by a developmental psychopathology approach.