Adversity, Stress, and Psychopathology

Book excerpt: The term "adversity" is used to describe exposure to unpropitious or calamitous circumstances. It occurs in extreme situations such as prolonged combat or natural disasters, both of which affect whole groups or communities of people simultaneously. It is also observed in more individually targeted events, such as child abuse, bereavement, rape, physical illness, marital separation or divorce, unemployment, and homelessness. This volume brings together contributions from leading investigators in the field. They review and analyze research on the nature of adversity and its relationship to major types of psychopathology including schizophrenia, depression, alcoholism and other substance use disorders, antisocial personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and nonspecific distress. Adversity, Stress, and Psychopathology is the only book to offer such a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the role of psychosocial stress in mental disorders. It will be welcomed by psychiatrists: psychologists, especially clinical, health and social; public health researchers, especially epidemiologists; and social scientists, especially sociologists.