Annotation: recent life events and psychiatric disorder in school age children.

Life events research in school age children using semi-structured interview techniques has only just begun. The advantages, however, for investigating the role of events and difficulties in children's lives outweigh the problems of data collection and training involved in the technique. Improving the collection of information also improves sensitivity at the level of measurement through a consideration of the personal meaning of social experiences. It is already apparent that recent undesirable life events effects of some importance in the genesis of anxious and depressive disorders in school age children. Investigating the social origins of emotional and behavioural disorders, and determining the role of recent social factors in the course and outcome of these conditions, will be substantially advanced by the application of these techniques in future studies.