A DEVELOPMENTAL METATHEORY OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

The author proposes a developmental metatheory of psychopathology that integrates and transcends major psychoanalytic schools and perspectiv es. The roles of both deficits and conflicts, interfaced with signific ant maternal and paternal relationship patterns, are explored at diffe rent phases of maturation. For heuristic purposes, a fourfold matrix-d yadic deficit, dyadic conflict, triadic deficit, triadic conflict-is d elineated. Developmental precursors and clinical characteristics of ea ch prototype are presented.