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Conceptualizing mental disorders in children: where have we been and where are we going?

J S Silk1, S R Nath, L R Siegel

  • 1Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA.

Development and Psychopathology
|February 24, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Understanding child mental illness requires examining historical context, including societal norms and diagnostic manuals. This review explores the evolution of childhood disorder conceptualizations and offers policy recommendations.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Sociology of Health

Background:

  • Child mental illness concepts are shaped by cultural and social norms of healthy development.
  • Historical understanding is crucial for current conceptualizations of childhood disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the historical evolution of conceptualizations of child mental illness.
  • To analyze these changes through sociopolitical, mental health field, and diagnostic manual lenses.
  • To project future directions in child diagnosis and inform policy.

Main Methods:

  • Historical review of child and family sociopolitics in America.
  • Examination of the history of mental health fields and diagnostic disciplines.
  • Analysis of the role of children in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) over time.

Main Results:

  • Childhood mental illness conceptualizations have significantly evolved over the past century.
  • Current diagnostic practices reflect a complex interplay of historical, social, and scientific factors.
  • The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has adapted, influencing and reflecting changing views.

Conclusions:

  • The field's understanding of child mental disorders is dynamic and culturally influenced.
  • Future child diagnosis requires consideration of historical context and evolving societal values.
  • Social policy recommendations are proposed based on historical research and theoretical frameworks for child mental health.

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