Life Events and Emotional Disorder Revisited explores the variety of events that can occur, their inherent characteristics and how they affect our lives and emotions, and in turn their impact on our mental health and wellbeing.
The book focuses on current social problems nationally and internationally, showing the reach of life events research including those linked to Covid-19. It also discusses trauma experiences and how they fit in the life events scheme. To underpin the various life event dimensions identified (such as loss, danger and humiliation), the authors have developed an underlying model of human needs, jeopardised by the most damaging life events. This includes attachment, security, identity and achievement. The book brings together classic research findings with new advances in the field of life events research, culminating in a new theoretical framework of life events, including new discussions on trauma, on positive events and an online methodology for measuring them. Additionally, it draws out the clinical implications to apply the research for improved practice.
The book will be of interest to researchers, clinicians and students in psychology, psychiatry and psychotherapy in broadening their understanding of how life events impact on individuals and how this can be applied to enhance clinical practice and stimulate future research.
About the Author: Antonia Bifulco is Professor and Director at the Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies at Middlesex University. She began her career as part of the original Brown & Harris team who developed their novel approach to life events methodology. She is a psychologist with expertise in lifetime development, trauma, attachment and emotional disorder.
Ruth Spence is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Centre of Abuse and Trauma Studies at Middlesex University. She undertook her PhD at the University of Cambridge and is expert in forensic and clinical issues and mental health in young people.
Lisa Kagan is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies at Middlesex University. Her interests include investigating risks for clinical disorder in youth and adults and qualitative methods to explore the meaning of experience. She is also a Chartered Clinical Psychologist working in IAPT services.
