Paperback: ISBN 10: 1118016998 ISBN 13: 978-1118016992
How to weigh genetic factors while choosing the best psychosocial interventions
Psychosocial Interventions for Genetically Influenced Problems in Childhood and Adolescence explores empirically supported psychosocial interventions in light of our current understanding of the genome. It considers how interventions may be modified and enhanced as the products of genomic research continue to expand – and why they offer the most promise for making substantial gains in treatment and prevention.
Providing a clear, accessible assessment of our current knowledge, both of the genome and evidence based treatments, Psychosocial Interventions for Genetically Influenced Problems in Childhood and Adolescence provides practical advice to clinicians,policy makers, and others invested in treating young people who present with a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, substance abuse, and dyslexia. Rende discusses the current understanding of genetic etiology of psychopathology, and explores the support, or lack thereof, for various modes of treatment in light of new genomic knowledge. The overall premise is that our advances in genetics will be put to best therapeutic use by fueling translational psychosocial interventions.
Key points raised include:
The need for treating children suffering today, rather than waiting for a biological "magic bullet"
Discussion of how empirically-supported interventions mesh with genetic vulnerabilities
Ways in which interventions may change as genetic research continues
From the Back Cover
A guide to weighing the genetic factors when selecting effective psychosocial interventions
Psychosocial Interventions for Genetically Influenced Problems in Childhood and Adolescence offers an accessible guide and well-researched assessment of the most current knowledge, both of the genome and evidence-based treatments, for treating young people who present with a variety of conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, substance abuse, and dyslexia. The text also contains information on how interventions may be adapted as the products of genomic research continue to develop. Written for clinicians, policymakers, and others invested in working with youth, this important book is filled with up-to-date research findings, practical advice, effective interventions, and illustrative examples.
Designed as a useful resource, the book puts the focus on what professionals can do right now to improve the lives of children and adolescents, using environmental designs combined with the growing sophistication about how genes have their influence. The book includes a valuable and illuminating discussion of how empirically-supported interventions mesh with genetic vulnerabilities.
The author also reveals when “reprogramming” genetically influenced pathways via the environment are most appropriate and explores how the effects of genes may be circumvented or shaped. The author includes compelling examples in which genes and environment seem to be inextricably linked, but in surprising ways that can direct new ways of thinking about changing the result of that mix by manipulating the environment.
While the burgeoning field of genomic research holds great promise for the future, this important text shows how today’s clinicians can use the emerging knowledge about genetics and integrate it with non-biological approaches to effective treatment.
About the Author
Richard Rende, Ph.D., is a nationally and internationally recognized researcher who combines expertise at the intersection of developmental psychopathology and developmental behavioral genetics. As Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Alpert Medical School of Brown University, he has been awarded multiple grants from 4 branches of the National Institutes of Health. He is the founder of Social Behavioral Research Applications (SBRA), a unique consultation service for industry, government, and academics. Rende developed the Red-Hot Parenting blog for Parents.com and a monthly column for the New Bedford Standard Times. His work has been featured on NPR, ABC News, The Huffington Post, Yahoo!, Time.com, CNN.com, and MSNBC.