Introduction to the Special Section on Developmental Psychopathology in Motion: Mechanisms, Contexts, and Translation Across the Life Course

This special section advances developmental psychopathology as a dynamic, multilevel, and contextually embedded perspective on human development. Moving beyond categorical models of disease vs. health, the six contributions emphasize dimensional, process-oriented, and culturally sensitive approaches to understanding heterogeneity in developmental pathways of psychosocial adaptation. Key topics addressed by this special section include strengths-based and global perspectives on positive youth development, resilience as a dynamic and multidimensional process, and person-centered approaches to investigate risk. Further papers examine the biopsychosocial embedding of early adversity and conceptualize personality pathology as a developmental disruption of identity formation. Most importantly, the special section also highlights the translation of developmental mechanisms into scalable interventions aiming at promoting positive development and preventing maladaptation. Together, the contributions demonstrate how integrating biological, psychological, and contextual processes studied under the umbrella of developmental psychopathology can inform developmentally sensitive prevention and intervention across the life course.