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The Thomas Achenbach paradigm of the assessment and the taxonomy of behavioural and emotional disorders and phenotypic and genotypic findings important for this

Ewa Zasępa1, Tomasz Wolańczyk2

Affiliacja i adres do korespondencji
PSYCHIATR. PSYCHOL. KLIN. 2011, 11 (2), p. 105-109
Streszczenie

The Thomas Achenbach’s conception of assessment and taxonomy of behavioural and emotional disorders is presented in this article. This conception is called the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA). This approach is called in other words the “bottom-up”. Empirically based paradigm assumes collection data from large population samples of individuals as a basis for constructing diagnostic criteria of specific mental illness and disorders. The classifications originated in this way serve to identify new cases. This approach is different from the DSM paradigm, which is called “top-down”. The data, which are measured in conformity with the “bottom-up” paradigm, may be presented on the following levels: specific kinds of problems at level one, eight scales of problem behaviour (Anxious/ Depressed, Withdrawn, Somatic Complaints, Thought Problems, Attention Problems, Aggressive Behaviour, Rule Breaking Behaviour, Intrusive) at level two, two broad band scales – Internalising and Externalising problems – at level three and the total of all Behaviour Problems at level four. The aim of this paper is presenting the phenotypic and genotypic findings which are important for the “bottom-up” paradigm. The phenotypic findings indicate that distinguished eight scales of problem behaviour form really the separate syndromes. The genotypic findings indicate that the specific kinds of syndromes are largely caused genetically. The environmental effects were less.

Słowa kluczowe
assessment, taxonomy, Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment, phenotypic findings, genotypic findings, psychopathology