Developmental Psychopathology Approach in Addiction Diagnosis in Adolescence

Abstract

In order to provide multilevel potential explanations for the co-occurrence of addiction disorders and their developmental complex influence, developmental psychopathology has been considered to be an integrative perspective in research and in clinical treatment. This paper examined developmental psychopathology approach in addiction diagnosis and treatment. There is an historical and informative perspective that discusses two issues. The former is connected with the antecedents of addiction diagnosis. The latter parts of the article refer to the principles of developmental psychopathology and studies carried out in this field. In conclusion, the value of this perspective in diagnostic decision-making processes in adolescents is also discussed.