INTRODUCTION: Developmental psychopathology is a discipline that integrates epidemiological, social, genetic, developmental, and psychopathological perspectives to understand the origins and courses of mental disorders. In the present paper, theoretical concepts and approaches applied with the purpose of understanding the developmental origins of mental disorders are discussed. RESULTS: According to developmental psychopathology, mental disorders are possible outcomes of the developmental process that depend upon social, genetic, and environmental influences. These factors are linked in different ways and levels, exerting a dimensional effect. The following factors are addressed: a) approaches to determine a causal effect between environmental factors and mental disorders; b) the importance of understanding biological mechanisms by which environmental and genetic factors exert their effect; c) genetic factors predicting the exposure to environmental stressors; d) genetic factors moderating the effect of environmental stressors. CONCLUSIONS: The origins of mental disorders can be clarified by data from studies that use complementary approaches and concepts, integrating social, genetic, environmental and developmental influences.
Developmental psychopathology; mental disorders; origins; gene-environment interaction; gene-environment correlation