Conducting psychopathology prevention research in the RDoC era

Alyson Zalta, Ph.D.
Rush University Medical Center

ABSTRACT:
The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative promoted by the National Institute of Mental Health emphasizes a dimensional approach to psychopathology that is agnostic to DSM diagnosis. The RDoC project offers exciting possibilities for advancing research aimed at preventing psychopathology. However, prevention has historically been defined using diagnostic status, requiring the field to redefine what constitutes prevention using an RDoC approach. This presentation will describe the potential advantages of RDoC for prevention research, outline new criteria for prevention research in the RDoC context, and provide guidance for implementing these criteria.