Pathological Demand Avoidance in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

This paper provides an overview of the research history of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and highlights areas where further study is needed. Research on PDA is still in its early stages due to limited funding, and more work is required to determine how useful the concept is. The review emphasises the importance of longitudinal studies to track avoidant behaviours over time, as well as research into the role of anxiety, trauma, and environmental factors in PDA. Although the review predates key clinically based research (such as Eaton and Weaver), it reinforces the need for systematic studies to assess whether PDA as a concept leads to better outcomes. The authors stress that continued research is essential to understand and validate PDA’s role in diagnosis and intervention.