CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOPATHOLOGY RESEARCH - PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS FOR THE 1990S

In November 1990 the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) conven ed a special conference of over 100 scientists and leaders to outline specific strategies and research initiatives that should be developed to implement the recently released National Plan for Research on Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders. Participants included journal editor s, educators from psychology and psychiatry, representatives from priv ate foundations, and leaders of research program areas in public fundi ng agencies. Critical knowledge gaps were identified in five areas of child and adolescent psychopathology, including depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, the anxiety disorder s, and the developmental disorders. For each of these areas, special e mphasis was placed on developing new ideas and obtaining critical inpu t from other areas of investigation. This report summarizes the identi fied research gaps and recommends research initiatives to implement th e National Plan, as outlined by the conference participants.