ABSIRACT: The authors examine the growth and role of child psychiatry in the developing world over the last 25 years. They review national epidemiologi cal studies of the prevalence of child psychiatric disorders, culture-specific symptoms of maladjustment and the evidence for culture-specific parenting patterns. They consider the impact of social change on psychiatric disorders in the Third World, identify ing specific protective factors (e.g. gender, intelli gence, special schooling, social skills) and vulner ability factors (e.g. poor diet). The authors then examine the role of culturally sensitive intervention strategies. Training programs for child psychiatrists in the developing world must encompass both medical and public health models. The review closes with a brief discussion of urgent research questions and a summary of the most pressing clinical requirements for child psychiatry in the developing world.
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