As Scoufe, et. al. discusses, interpersonal relationships are critical for individuals and those diagnosed with a mental health disorder. The article explains relationships as indicators of disorders, risk and protective factors as well as in terms of psychopathology. These relationships can help to better understand the origin and course of the disorder and how the pathology is defined. Relationship problems in an individual are often indicators of disorder which often describes the classification criteria. These relationship problems are part of the DSM systems that determine the existence of a problem to warrant a diagnosis but also determine the specific classification. On the other hand, early relationships are seen as the origin of disorders while relational disorders represent the origin of psychopathology. Social relationships are also fundamental in the individual as relationships with caregivers, peers and others are important in the development of psychopathology. RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS AS CRITERIA FOR DISORDER Relationship problems in an individual are a key component when diagnosing a person. These problems are often indicators of a disorder and can lead to a referral and diagnosis. An individual with interpersonal relationship problems has difficulty creating investments with their partners, colleagues, and others. A person who is unable to form relationships and who is experiencing social withdrawal may be one of the criteria for a person to be diagnosed with a serious disorder such as schizophrenia. The problem of social relationships can be detected already in childhood, as in the case of autistic disorder. It can also be found in most major adult disorders such as Bipola...... middle of paper ...... SHIP IN DEVELOPMENTAL PERSPECTIVES Coufe, et. al explains that the Bowley model is probabilistic rather than deterministic. There are many predictors of outcomes that can be found in an individual's early assessment of their infancy and childhood. Some of these predictive factors may be stress experienced by the family and changes in caregivers. An individual's attachment is not just a criterion that can predict whether a person will be diagnosed with a disorder. However, these are important risk factors that we must consider when diagnosing a person. A person's interpersonal connections with others and emotional regulation are crucial because they can provide us with patterns of behavior and emotional organization. Works CitedScoufe, L. A., Duggal, S., Weinfield, N. & Carlson, E. (2000). 5 Relationship, development and psychopathology. Manual of Developmental Psychopathology, 1-17.