The Thompson-Patterson Scale of Psychosocial Development: I. Theoretical basis

This paper presents a theoretical framework for describing childhood psychopathology in terms of coping styles and introduces a scale to measure psychosocial development in young children. It is hypothesized that coping styles characteristic of specific stages of development evolve in a predictable sequence with treatment. The term coping style rather than disorder is used to reflect the opinion that the child's behaviour constitutes an attempt to find a solution to difficulties encountered during the normal course of psychosocial development. These styles of relating are not static. The coping styles are presumed to arise from partial blocks to normal development during the period of early attachment and separation and individuation. A computer scored behaviour rating instrument, the Thompson-Patterson Scale, allows for the determination of the child's predominant coping style at a particular point in time. Clinical work and research has shown the utility of this paradigm and supports the hypothesis that changes in pathological behaviour patterns which emerge during treatment are predictable.