Psychopathology and Developmental Trajectories

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last 50 years, there has been increasing interest in the definition of psychopathology, psychological disorders, mental disorders, and distress. However, there is still a lot of work to be done, and future research is needed to address these topics, along two main different but interrelated directions: a general framework useful for understanding both continuity and discontinuity among the psychopathological features during the entire lifecycle, also taking into account individual, relational, social, and environmental protective and risk factors, and an overall approach useful for intervention and able to take into account all of the previously discussed aspects. A lifespan approach in psychopathology, focused on developmental trajectories that are focused on all of the phases of a lifecycle, rather than on specific critical steps in an individual’s life, might offer a new way to think about causation, within a complex multilevel causal model, characterized by interdependence among the different levels and by mutually reinforcing effects, operating over time. We also need a new approach to address prevention and intervention. As a part of this Topic, we invite scholars to discuss these topics and to share their experiences in these fields, with a multidisciplinary/transdisciplinary approach. We welcome research, scoping reviews, systematic reviews, and/or meta-analyses of these newer approaches in the study of psychopathology, according to the perspective of developmental trajectories.

Dr. Donatella Rita Petretto
Dr. Carmelo Masala
Prof. Dr. Stefan Bogaerts
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Behavioral Sciences behavsci	2.5	3.1	2011	29.6 Days	CHF 2200	Submit
Brain Sciences brainsci	2.8	5.6	2011	16.2 Days	CHF 2200	Submit
Geriatrics geriatrics	2.1	3.4	2016	19.5 Days	CHF 1800	Submit

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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18 pages, 345 KiB  

Open AccessPerspective

Definitions of “Mental Disorder” from DSM-III to DSM-5

by Mattia Vacca, Alessandro Mura, Gian Pietro Carrogu, Luca Gaviano, Riccardo Atzori and Donatella R. Petretto

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 830; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060830 - 18 Jun 2025

Viewed by 289

Abstract

The definition of “mental disorder” (MD) is one of the most critical themes throughout the history of psychopathology and in the development of the discipline itself. Despite this theme having been addressed since ancient times, the first explicit and shared definition of MD [...] Read more.

The definition of “mental disorder” (MD) is one of the most critical themes throughout the history of psychopathology and in the development of the discipline itself. Despite this theme having been addressed since ancient times, the first explicit and shared definition of MD only appeared in the seventies, soon after the first internationally shared nosographies. In this perspective paper, we focused on the definitions of MD proposed in the various versions of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—DSM”, starting from the third edition of 1980. Over about 40 years, in the various versions of the DSM, six definitions of MD were proposed. We discussed the general matrix/structure of those definitions, as well as the main similarities and/or divergences, and some of the specific constructs and approaches used in such definitions. Additionally, we examined some papers that addressed the same topic in a similar manner and discussed the general debate that accompanied the proposal of the various DSM definitions, the significant attention those definitions attracted, and some minor and major criticisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Psychopathology and Developmental Trajectories)

14 pages, 439 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Trajectories of Emotional Exhaustion and Their Contribution to Depression: Optimism as a Buffer in Young People

by Martha Cruz-Soto, Emmanuel Said Baeza-Torres, Luis Castañeda Pelaez, Jesús Rojas Jaimes and Jorge Palacios-Delgado

Brain Sci. 2025, 15(6), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15060656 - 18 Jun 2025

Viewed by 804

Abstract

Background: In Mexico, depression is one of the main mental health problems, with university students being particularly susceptible. Recent studies have explored the relationship between emotional factors and depression in young people. Our study investigates whether optimism buffers the indirect relationship between burnout, [...] Read more.

Background: In Mexico, depression is one of the main mental health problems, with university students being particularly susceptible. Recent studies have explored the relationship between emotional factors and depression in young people. Our study investigates whether optimism buffers the indirect relationship between burnout, stress and coping in mitigating the negative effects on depressive symptoms in young university students. We hypothesized that optimism would moderate the negative impacts of stress and emotional exhaustion on depression. Methods: In total, 497 students of a university in Mexico participated (63% female and 36.6% male), ranging in age from 18 to 29. Students completed screenings for depression, emotional scales and optimism measures. Results: Emotional exhaustion and stress are direct predictors of depression. Although coping strategies did not have a direct effect, optimism mediated the relationship between stress and depression. Conclusions: These findings suggest that promoting optimism in university students could be an effective strategy to reduce depressive symptoms, especially in the context of socioemotional vulnerability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Psychopathology and Developmental Trajectories)

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8 pages, 185 KiB  

Open AccessPerspective

From “Mental/Psychological Disorder” and/or “Individual Pattern of Adaptation” Toward “Developmental Trajectories During the Lifespan”

by Donatella R. Petretto, Alessandro Mura, Mattia Vacca, Gian Pietro Carrogu, Luca Gaviano, Riccardo Atzori and Carmelo Masala

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15050591 - 28 Apr 2025

Viewed by 351

Abstract

A general and still open question in clinical psychology is the crucial one: “What is a psychological/mental disorder?”. In the second half of the 20th century and now, the question has been addressed along two different parallel paths/approaches: one path aimed to classify [...] Read more.

A general and still open question in clinical psychology is the crucial one: “What is a psychological/mental disorder?”. In the second half of the 20th century and now, the question has been addressed along two different parallel paths/approaches: one path aimed to classify those disorders, also thanks to the development of the international classification manuals (DSM and ICD); another path aimed to describe in what ways those “disorders” manifest themselves in the life of each individual. While the first path used explicitly the word “disorder”, the second one mainly preferred to use the words “pattern of adaptation/maladaptation”. In this brief perspective paper, we will discuss both paths and approaches, according to the perspective of clinical psychology and as a result of a narrative review. We discuss some differences between the two paths, some points of contact between them, and some critical issues. Moreover, we will briefly discuss a third integrative path that may integrate the first two. We then discussed if the third integrative path may increase the strength of both previous ones and overcome their limits, with the aim to support individual patterns of adjustment, prevent “mental/psychological disorder” and empower individuals in coping with adverse life events during all the phases of lifespan. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Psychopathology and Developmental Trajectories)

9 pages, 214 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

A Retrospective Study of the Influence of Life Events and Social Support on Relapses and Recurrences in Older Patients with Bipolar Disorder

by Hanna Cusell and Rob Kok

Geriatrics 2025, 10(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics10010016 - 17 Jan 2025

Viewed by 1139

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Life events and lack of social support are risk factors for a relapse or recurrence in patients with a bipolar disorder, yet studies focusing on older adults remain limited. Our aim was to investigate the influence of life events and social [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Life events and lack of social support are risk factors for a relapse or recurrence in patients with a bipolar disorder, yet studies focusing on older adults remain limited. Our aim was to investigate the influence of life events and social support on the course of bipolar disorder in older adults. Methods: A retrospective cohort study included patients aged 55 years and older in treatment for bipolar disorder and who used lithium. During a follow-up of maximum 5 years, relapses and recurrences, life events and six social support variables were constructed based on patients’ electronic medical files. Results: We included 100 older patients with a mean age of 68.1 (SD 8.6) years; 69% were female. At least one relapse or recurrence was observed within the 5 years of observation in 52% of our patients. Life events were noted in the medical files in 24 out of these 52 (46.2%) patients. Living alone, a lower quality of social support and having at least two children was significantly associated with the onset of a relapse or recurrence (p = 0.024, p < 0.001, p = 0.022, respectively). Conclusions: Older adults with bipolar disorder have a high rate of relapses or recurrences within 5 years of observation, and half of the relapses or recurrences were preceded by life events. Social factors may also play a significant role in the onset of relapses and recurrences. Our results underline the necessity for incorporating social and environmental factors into prevention of relapses or recurrences for older bipolar patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Psychopathology and Developmental Trajectories)

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