,Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology, DSM-5 Update, 8th Edition – Complete Test Bank
By Rita Wicks-Nelson & Allen C. Israel
Routledge/Pearson, 8th Edition (2013/2015 DSM-5 Update)
This comprehensive test bank contains 75 questions per chapter (1,125 total questions across 15
chapters), featuring multiple-choice, true/false, and case-based questions with detailed rationales.
Updated for 2025–2026 academic use.
Chapter 1: Introduction
SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE (Questions 1-45)
Question 1
A 9-year-old boy is referred for evaluation because he cannot sit still in class, frequently interrupts the
teacher, and has difficulty completing assignments. His parents report that he behaves similarly at home
and during sports activities. Based on the developmental psychopathology perspective, which factor is
MOST important in determining whether these behaviors constitute a disorder?
A) The behaviors are excessive in intensity compared to peers
B) The behaviors occur across multiple settings
C) The behaviors cause significant impairment in academic and social functioning
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Determining whether behaviors constitute a psychological disorder requires considering
multiple factors: intensity (behaviors are more extreme than typical for the developmental level),
pervasiveness (occurring across settings), and impairment (interfering with functioning). The
developmental psychopathology perspective emphasizes evaluating behavior within the context of
developmental norms and the degree of functional impairment .
Question 2
Which of the following BEST describes the relationship between age and the identification of
psychological disorders in children?
A) Age is not relevant to understanding child psychopathology
B) A behavior that is considered normal at one age may be considered abnormal at another age
C) Older children have more disorders than younger children
D) Younger children have more disorders than older children
Answer: B) A behavior that is considered normal at one age may be considered abnormal at another age
Rationale: Age is a critical developmental index in judging behavior. What is developmentally
appropriate at one age (e.g., temper tantrums in toddlers) may be considered abnormal at another age
,(e.g., temper tantrums in adolescents). Developmental norms guide the assessment of
psychopathology .
Question 3
According to recent epidemiological research, approximately what percentage of youth have a serious
mental health disorder?
A) 5%
B) 10%
C) 20%
D) 30%
Answer: C) 20%
Rationale: The American Psychological Association estimates that approximately 20% of youth have a
serious mental health disorder that significantly impairs functioning across multiple domains. This
estimate reflects the substantial prevalence of mental health problems among children and
adolescents .
Question 4
Cultural norms for behavior MOST significantly impact:
A) The genetic predisposition to disorders
B) The expression and interpretation of symptoms
C) The neurobiological basis of disorders
D) The developmental trajectory of all children equally
Answer: B) The expression and interpretation of symptoms
Rationale: Cultural norms significantly influence what behaviors are considered normal or abnormal,
how symptoms are expressed, and whether families seek treatment. Asian American parents, for
example, may view a child with intellectual disability differently than European American parents.
Culture shapes the expression and interpretation of psychopathology rather than its underlying
biological basis .
Question 5
Serafica and Vargas (2006) found that anxiety:
A) Is not present in non-Western cultures
B) Is evident across cultures but may be expressed differently
C) Only affects European American children
D) Has no cultural variation in expression
Answer: B) Is evident across cultures but may be expressed differently
, Rationale: Research by Serafica and Vargas (2006) found that anxiety is a universal phenomenon evident
across cultures. However, cultural groups differ in the expression of anxiety symptoms, with some
groups expressing more somatic (bodily) symptoms while others express more cognitive symptoms .
Question 6
A child who is 6 years old continues to wet the bed at night. At what age does bedwetting typically
become a concern requiring evaluation?
A) 3 years
B) 5 years
C) 7 years
D) 10 years
Answer: B) 5 years
Rationale: While bedwetting (enuresis) is common in younger children, it typically becomes a concern
for evaluation when it persists beyond age 5 or 6, or when it causes significant distress or impairment.
The DSM-5 specifies that enuresis should be considered when bedwetting occurs at least twice a week
for at least 3 months in children at least 5 years of age .
Question 7
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be considered an indication of problem behavior in youth?
A) A behavior that is excessively intense
B) A behavior that is qualitatively atypical
C) A behavior that is unusual but causes no harm to anyone
D) A behavior exhibited in inappropriate settings
Answer: C) A behavior that is unusual but causes no harm to anyone
Rationale: For a behavior to be considered indicative of a psychological disorder, it must cause distress
or impairment to the individual or others. A behavior that is unusual but causes no harm is not sufficient
to indicate a disorder. Intensity, qualitative atypicality, and inappropriateness of setting are all indicators
of potential abnormality .
Question 8
Rates of referral for psychological services among youth are MOST influenced by:
A) The child's self-recognition of problems
B) Adult perception of the child's behavior as problematic
C) The child's age and gender
D) Genetic predisposition to disorders
Answer: B) Adult perception of the child's behavior as problematic
By Rita Wicks-Nelson & Allen C. Israel
Routledge/Pearson, 8th Edition (2013/2015 DSM-5 Update)
This comprehensive test bank contains 75 questions per chapter (1,125 total questions across 15
chapters), featuring multiple-choice, true/false, and case-based questions with detailed rationales.
Updated for 2025–2026 academic use.
Chapter 1: Introduction
SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE (Questions 1-45)
Question 1
A 9-year-old boy is referred for evaluation because he cannot sit still in class, frequently interrupts the
teacher, and has difficulty completing assignments. His parents report that he behaves similarly at home
and during sports activities. Based on the developmental psychopathology perspective, which factor is
MOST important in determining whether these behaviors constitute a disorder?
A) The behaviors are excessive in intensity compared to peers
B) The behaviors occur across multiple settings
C) The behaviors cause significant impairment in academic and social functioning
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Determining whether behaviors constitute a psychological disorder requires considering
multiple factors: intensity (behaviors are more extreme than typical for the developmental level),
pervasiveness (occurring across settings), and impairment (interfering with functioning). The
developmental psychopathology perspective emphasizes evaluating behavior within the context of
developmental norms and the degree of functional impairment .
Question 2
Which of the following BEST describes the relationship between age and the identification of
psychological disorders in children?
A) Age is not relevant to understanding child psychopathology
B) A behavior that is considered normal at one age may be considered abnormal at another age
C) Older children have more disorders than younger children
D) Younger children have more disorders than older children
Answer: B) A behavior that is considered normal at one age may be considered abnormal at another age
Rationale: Age is a critical developmental index in judging behavior. What is developmentally
appropriate at one age (e.g., temper tantrums in toddlers) may be considered abnormal at another age
,(e.g., temper tantrums in adolescents). Developmental norms guide the assessment of
psychopathology .
Question 3
According to recent epidemiological research, approximately what percentage of youth have a serious
mental health disorder?
A) 5%
B) 10%
C) 20%
D) 30%
Answer: C) 20%
Rationale: The American Psychological Association estimates that approximately 20% of youth have a
serious mental health disorder that significantly impairs functioning across multiple domains. This
estimate reflects the substantial prevalence of mental health problems among children and
adolescents .
Question 4
Cultural norms for behavior MOST significantly impact:
A) The genetic predisposition to disorders
B) The expression and interpretation of symptoms
C) The neurobiological basis of disorders
D) The developmental trajectory of all children equally
Answer: B) The expression and interpretation of symptoms
Rationale: Cultural norms significantly influence what behaviors are considered normal or abnormal,
how symptoms are expressed, and whether families seek treatment. Asian American parents, for
example, may view a child with intellectual disability differently than European American parents.
Culture shapes the expression and interpretation of psychopathology rather than its underlying
biological basis .
Question 5
Serafica and Vargas (2006) found that anxiety:
A) Is not present in non-Western cultures
B) Is evident across cultures but may be expressed differently
C) Only affects European American children
D) Has no cultural variation in expression
Answer: B) Is evident across cultures but may be expressed differently
, Rationale: Research by Serafica and Vargas (2006) found that anxiety is a universal phenomenon evident
across cultures. However, cultural groups differ in the expression of anxiety symptoms, with some
groups expressing more somatic (bodily) symptoms while others express more cognitive symptoms .
Question 6
A child who is 6 years old continues to wet the bed at night. At what age does bedwetting typically
become a concern requiring evaluation?
A) 3 years
B) 5 years
C) 7 years
D) 10 years
Answer: B) 5 years
Rationale: While bedwetting (enuresis) is common in younger children, it typically becomes a concern
for evaluation when it persists beyond age 5 or 6, or when it causes significant distress or impairment.
The DSM-5 specifies that enuresis should be considered when bedwetting occurs at least twice a week
for at least 3 months in children at least 5 years of age .
Question 7
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be considered an indication of problem behavior in youth?
A) A behavior that is excessively intense
B) A behavior that is qualitatively atypical
C) A behavior that is unusual but causes no harm to anyone
D) A behavior exhibited in inappropriate settings
Answer: C) A behavior that is unusual but causes no harm to anyone
Rationale: For a behavior to be considered indicative of a psychological disorder, it must cause distress
or impairment to the individual or others. A behavior that is unusual but causes no harm is not sufficient
to indicate a disorder. Intensity, qualitative atypicality, and inappropriateness of setting are all indicators
of potential abnormality .
Question 8
Rates of referral for psychological services among youth are MOST influenced by:
A) The child's self-recognition of problems
B) Adult perception of the child's behavior as problematic
C) The child's age and gender
D) Genetic predisposition to disorders
Answer: B) Adult perception of the child's behavior as problematic
