Child and adolescent psychopathology: personality and psychological factors involved in the etiology and the course of behavioral and emotional disorders.

Description of impact

The main objective of this line is to study the psychological factors that are involved in the genesis and maintenance of psychopathology during childhood and adolescence. More specifically, the research focuses on to know the personality variables loadings, especially dispositional characteristics, in the explanation of certain disorders. Some lines of action are: - Analyze the etiological role of personality traits and other psychological factors related to personality and expectations, self-esteem and coping styles in the development of depression and suicidal behavior. Regarding this last aspect, targeted epidemiological studies have been conducted to know the extent of suicidal ideation in children and adolescents, to study the development of the concept of death, their distortions, and to identify risk factors for suicidal behavior in children. - Analyze the relationship between temperament and mental health and psychological wellbeing. - Develop and adapt to the Catalan measurement instruments for assessing temperament and other psychological factors involved in the etiology and maintenance of psychopathology. - Provide epidemiological data and identify risk factors associated with emotional disorders, affective and disruptive behavior of preschool stage, childhood and adolescence.