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Chapter 3 - Risk Factors for Childhood Psychopathology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 October 2025

By
Joanne L. Doherty  and
Alka S. Ahuja MBE
Edited by
Shermin Imran
Shermin Imran
Affiliation:
Greater Manchester NHS Foundation Trust
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Summary

A survey found that 1 in 6 (16%) of children aged between 5 and 16 years has a probable mental illness. Furthermore, research has shown that most of these disorders have their origins in childhood, even if they are typically diagnosed in adulthood. Childhood represents a critical period of physical, cognitive, psychological, behavioural and social transformation. Identifying risk and protective factors that alter the typical developmental trajectory could have long-term educational, social, societal and economic implications. This chapter will address what is meant by the term risk factor and how these can be identified, provide examples of risk factors thought to be important in child and adolescent psychiatry. It concludes with some case vignettes to highlight the importance of taking a developmental biopsychosocial approach to identifying risk, considering predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating and protective factors.

Keywords

risk factorepidemiologyassociationcausationpsychopathologyCAMHSmental health

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Chapter
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Seminars in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , pp. 34 - 48
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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