Tg. Oconnor et M. Rutter, RISK MECHANISMS IN DEVELOPMENT - SOME CONCEPTUAL AND METHODOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS, Developmental psychology, 32(4), 1996, pp. 787-795
This commentary focuses on several issues concerning research on risk
mechanisms that are raised in this special issue. First, we focus on w
hat marks this special issue as distinctive in the ways in which risk
research is conducted. Second, several general issues in research are
highlighted, including sample characteristics, measurement strategies,
specificity of risk factors and risk mechanisms, categorical vs. dime
nsional approaches to samples and measures, and definitions of develop
ment and transitions. Third, the challenges for integrating alternativ
e models of risk are discussed, with special references to research on
genetic and environmental influences on developmental psychopathology
.