Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology, authored by Linda Wilmshurst and published in its second edition on March 6, 2017, offers a comprehensive exploration of psychological issues affecting children and adolescents through the lens of developmental psychology. Organized around five core themes—normal development as an orderly process, maladaptive behaviors as deviations from this norm, severity levels of these behaviors, interactions among individual, interpersonal, contextual, and cultural factors, and theoretical perspectives—the book provides a robust framework for understanding psychological disorders in youth.

The second edition integrates the latest updates from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), ensuring that readers are up-to-date with current diagnostic criteria. Additionally, it introduces new content on child maltreatment and self-injurious behavior, enriching the reader’s knowledge base.

This 712-page text is designed to serve as a valuable resource for students, professionals, and researchers in psychology, psychiatry, and related fields, offering insights into the complex interplay of factors that contribute to psychological health and disorder in childhood and adolescence.