Answer TWO of the six questions below

• You are allowed to consult your notes and other resources, but it is essential that you submit your own work and do not plagiarise. All work will be checked for plagiarism using Turnitin. Please note that plagiarism penalties will be enforced during the exam period.
• These are exam-style essay questions, and we expect a word count for each answer of 900 – 1,200 words. Do not exceed the maximum word count (1,200 per essay) – any words over this limit will not be marked.
• Although you have 24 hours to work on this assessment, we do not intend you to use all this time. Between one and two hours is sufficient to answer each question.
• You should show your grasp of the material in your answers, but we do not expect coursework standard answers. Please refer to your sources in the text where appropriate, but you do not need to include an APA format reference list.

Questions

1) Analyse the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences in the general population and the impact of these experiences on human development.

2) Discuss the pros and cons of a diagnostic classification system versus a formulation approach in understanding an individual’s mental health difficulties.

3) What is the transdiagnostic approach to psychopathology? What advantages does it have over disorder specific models such as CBT for depression?

4) The majority of the population do not struggle with mental health difficulties and therefore Clinical Psychology has nothing to offer them. To what extent does the Positive Psychology literature support this statement?

5) Biological factors are the most important contributors to mental illness. Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with this statement with reference to the literature.

6) Sleep problems are common in those experiencing depression. Describe these associations and discuss some of the possible mechanisms underlying them.

Do you need any guidance on these questions or want to know more? 🤔

Answers

1) Analyse the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences in the general population and the impact of these experiences on human development.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years), such as experiencing or witnessing violence, abuse, or neglect, and growing up in a household with substance misuse, mental health problems, or instability due to parental separation or incarceration. In the UK, there is significant research indicating the prevalence and profound impact of ACEs on human development.

Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences

Several studies have explored the prevalence of ACEs in the UK. A prominent study by Public Health Wales in 2015 found that nearly half of adults in Wales reported experiencing at least one ACE during their childhood, and 14% reported experiencing four or more ACEs. A similar study conducted in England by Bellis et al. (2014) revealed that around 47% of adults had at least one ACE, while 9% had four or more. These studies indicate that ACEs are relatively common in the UK, with a substantial proportion of the population affected by multiple adverse experiences during childhood. The prevalence is consistent across various regions, although certain demographic factors such as socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and family structure can influence the likelihood of experiencing ACEs.

Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Human Development

The impact of ACEs on human development is profound and multifaceted, affecting physical health, mental health, and socio-economic outcomes throughout an individual’s life.

Physical Health

Individuals who have experienced multiple ACEs are at increased risk for numerous health problems, including chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The stress associated with ACEs can lead to alterations in brain development and immune function, resulting in long-term health consequences. For instance, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Children reported that individuals with four or more ACEs are twice as likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hepatitis compared to those with no ACEs.

Mental Health

ACEs are strongly associated with mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance misuse. The Mental Health Foundation highlights that individuals with a history of ACEs are significantly more likely to suffer from mental health disorders. The cumulative stress from multiple ACEs can disrupt neurodevelopment and increase vulnerability to psychiatric conditions.

Behavioural and Social Outcomes

Children who experience ACEs are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use. They may also exhibit antisocial behavior and have difficulty forming healthy relationships. These behavioral issues can extend into adulthood, affecting educational attainment, employment, and socioeconomic status. For example, the APPG for Children noted that individuals with multiple ACEs are more likely to have lower educational achievement and higher rates of unemployment.