Introductory description

Mental health and wellbeing are important across all stages of the lifespan. Some life stages are particularly sensitive periods for the development of mental health problems. This first half of this module will introduce core terms and will outline the risk and protective factors for a variety of mental health problems that onset during infancy, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, the transition to parenthood, and older adulthood. The second half of the module consider the biological, psychological and social factors that contribute to mental health and illness. Throughout the module, a variety of research methodologies will be considered. Sessions will be led by academics from psychology with expertise in each topic area.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Although the content may vary, the module will cover subjects such as: Infancy and childhood; Adolescence and young adulthood; Parenthood; Older adults; Cross-cultural differences; Psychobiology; Personality; Stigma; Transforming research into policy.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Outline key terms and definitions relevant to mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan.
• Identify and evaluate sensitive periods for the development of mental problems across the lifespan.
• Compare risk and protective factors for mental health and wellbeing in the biological, psychological and social domains.
• Explain the strengths and limitations of the research methodologies used to examine mental health at various stages of the lifespan.

Indicative reading list

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5®). American Psychiatric Pub.
Cicchetti, D. & Cohen, D.J. (Eds.), Developmental Psychopathology. Volume 1: Theory and Method. Hoboken, J.J.: John Wiley & Sons
Rutter, M. (2006) Genes and behaviour: nature – nurture interplay explained. Oxford: Blackwell
Tsuang, M. T., Tohen, M. (Eds.) Textbook in Psychiatric Epidemiology, Second Edition. New York: John Wiley & Sons

Subject specific skills

Understanding of the development of mental health problems across the lifespan.
Critical evaluation of risk and protective factors for mental health and wellbeing.
Examination of practical, theoretical, and ethical issues associated with a range of research methodologies

Transferable skills

Critical evaluation of research
Knowledge of a range of research methodologies