THE SCIENCE OF PREVENTION - A CONCEPTUAL-FRAMEWORK AND SOME DIRECTIONS FOR A NATIONAL RESEARCH-PROGRAM

A conceptual framework for studying the prevention of human dysfunctio n is offered. On the basis of recent advances in research on the devel opment of psychological disorders and methods of preventive interventi on, generalizations about the relation of risk and protective factors to disorder are put forward, along with a set of principles for what m ay be identified as the science of prevention. Emerging themes from th e study of human development, in general, need to be incorporated in t he models for explaining and preventing serious problems of human adap tation. The article concludes with a set of recommendations for a nati onal prevention research agenda.