Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Neurodevelopmental biology associated with childhood sexual abuse
- Authors:
- de BELLIS Michael D., SPRATT Eve G., HOOPER Stephen R.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 20(5), September 2011, pp.548-587.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Child maltreatment appears to be the single most preventable cause of mental illness and behavioural dysfunction in the United States. This article reviews the psychiatric problems associated with maltreatment and the emerging biologic stress system research with a special emphasis on what is known about victimisation by sexual abuse. Data shows that the effects of traumatic stress on the developing brain may be severe and persistent. There are multiple mechanisms through which sexual abuse can cause post-traumatic stress disorder, activate biological stress response systems, and contribute to adverse brain development. However, there appear to be some factors that may be protective against this response. In theory, early interventions with maltreating parents, loving adoptive families, cognitive behavioural therapy and medications may lead to therapeutic reversibility of the adverse brain developmental effects of abuse.
Impact of childhood abuse: biopsychosocial pathways through which adult mental health is compromised
- Author:
- COATES Dominiek
- Journal article citation:
- Australian Social Work, 63(4), December 2010, pp.391-403.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The relationship between childhood abuse and adult mental and physical health problems is well documented. Over the lifespan of victims of child abuse, social, psychological and biological consequences of abuse interact in complex ways. This paper applies a biopsychosocial model to the experiences of adult victims of child abuse to examine and make sense of the complex and varied impacts of child abuse. The long-term difficulties experienced by adult victims of child abuse are discussed in relation to the neuro-biological impacts of child abuse on the child's developing brain. The impact of child abuse on neuro-endocrine functioning and the structure of the brain are explored. A number of implications for social work practice are outlined.
Casting long shadows: the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on babies, their families and the services that support them
- Authors:
- HOGG Sally, MAYES Georgina
- Publishers:
- First 1001 Days Movement and Institute of Health Visiting, Institute of Health Visiting
- Publication year:
- 2022
- Pagination:
- 48
- Place of publication:
- London
This report describes the ongoing impact of the pandemic on babies, young children and their families, and the services that support them. It sets out the results of a review of relevant reports, research and national data and a new survey of 555 professionals and volunteers who work with babies and their families in health visiting, mental health, maternity, early education, and other services. The findings from both the survey and literature review were consistent and compelling. For babies' development and wellbeing, the data shows that: 94.8% of professionals say that the pandemic has an ongoing negative or very negative impact on the personal and social skills of children who were living in the pandemic, and 92.4% say the same for communication, speech, and language skills and for emotional wellbeing and development; almost half (42.7%) of respondents stated that "many" babies they work with are affected by parental anxiety, stress, or depression due to the pandemic, which is affecting bonding and responsive care; more than 4 in 10 (44.1%) of respondents said that "many" of the babies they work with are currently affected by increased exposure to domestic conflict, child abuse and neglect; 4 in 10 (40.4%) survey respondents reported "many" babies they worked with had been affected by the loss of family income or increased risk of food poverty. The statistics also highlight how services are responding: services have not returned to normal, and this could impact future generations; services are in 'crisis' - a significant number of survey respondents raised issues relating to low staffing numbers and poor staff wellbeing, with some professionals talking about services being in "crisis"; the majority of respondents (90.5% in England) did not feel that national or local governments had taken sufficient action to ensure that babies under two and their families receive the support they need to recover from the impact of the pandemic. (Edited publisher abstract)
Childhood adversities and post-traumatic stress disorder: evidence for stress sensitisation in the World Mental Health Surveys
- Authors:
- MCLAUGHLIN Katie A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 211(5), 2017, pp.280-288.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Background: Although childhood adversities are known to predict increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after traumatic experiences, it is unclear whether this association varies by childhood adversity or traumatic experience types or by age. Aims: To examine variation in associations of childhood adversities with PTSD according to childhood adversity types, traumatic experience types and life-course stage. Method: Epidemiological data were analysed from the World Mental Health Surveys (n = 27 017). Results: Four childhood adversities (physical and sexual abuse, neglect, parent psychopathology) were associated with similarly increased odds of PTSD following traumatic experiences (odds ratio (OR) = 1.8), whereas the other eight childhood adversities assessed did not predict PTSD. Childhood adversity–PTSD associations did not vary across traumatic experience types, but were stronger in childhood-adolescence and early-middle adulthood than later adulthood. Conclusions: Childhood adversities are differentially associated with PTSD, with the strongest associations in childhood–adolescence and early-middle adulthood. Consistency of associations across traumatic experience types suggests that childhood adversities are associated with generalised vulnerability to PTSD following traumatic experiences. (Publisher abstract)
Life course pathways of adverse childhood experiences toward adult psychological well-being: a stress process analysis
- Authors:
- NURIUS Paula S., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 45, 2015, pp.143-153.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Growing evidence suggests that toxic stressors early in life not only convey developmental impacts but also augment risk of proliferating chains of additional stressors that can overwhelm individual coping and undermine recovery and health. Examining trauma within a life course stress process perspective, the authors posit that early childhood adversity carries a unique capacity to impair adult psychological well-being both independent of and cumulative with other contributors, including social disadvantage and stressful adult experiences. This study uses data from a representative population-based health survey (N = 13,593) to provide one of the first multivariate assessments of unique, cumulative, and moderated effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) toward explaining 3 related yet distinct measures of adult mental health: perceived well-being, psychological distress, and impaired daily activities. Results demonstrate support for each set of hypothesised associations, including exacerbation and amelioration of ACEs effects by adult stress and resilience resources, respectively. Implications for services and future research are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Identifying conduct problems in young children: developmental pathways and risk factors
- Authors:
- MORRISON Margaret, MacDONALD Grant, LeBLANC Terry
- Journal article citation:
- International Social Work, 43(3), October 2000, pp.467-480.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Conduct problems in young children, if not addressed, can develop into extremely serious and costly problems by the time adolescence is reached. The findings of this research project indicate that there are effective, affordable interventions for young children. Early identification and intervention are the keys to reducing the personal costs to troubled children and their families as well as the financial costs to health and social service systems.
Childhood attachment and abuse: long-term effects on adult attachment, depression, and conflict resolution
- Authors:
- STYRON Thomas, JANOFF-BULMAN Ronnie
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 21(10), October 1997, pp.1015-1023.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Determines the relative contributions of early attachment and abuse history to adult attachment, depression, and conflict resolution behaviours. Differences between abused and nonabused respondents were also assessed. Results suggest the long-term impact of abuse may be mediated by early attachment experiences, whereas the long-term impact of abuse on conflict resolution behaviours may be considerably more direct.
Severe stress and mental disturbance in children
- Editor:
- PFEFFER Cynthia R.
- Publisher:
- American Psychiatric Press
- Publication year:
- 1996
- Pagination:
- 697p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Washington, DC
Blends current research and clinical data on the effects of severe stress in children. Asks how major stressful events such as accidents, sexual abuse, violence, divorce, adoption, natural disasters, during the developmental stages relate to functioning in adulthood. Describes stressful situations such as accidents, suicide, and violent and sexual abuse. New areas of research, for example that of the stressful effects of sophisticated medical technology in the treatment of childhood life-threatening illnesses, are explored. Implicit in the emphasis on the book is the importance of integrating scientific inquiry with social policy planning.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction for parents of young children with developmental delays: implications for parental mental health and child behavior problems
- Author:
- NEECE Cameron L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 27(2), 2014, pp.174-186.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Parents of children with developmental delays (DD) typically report elevated levels of parental stress compared with parents of typically developing children. Children with DD are also at high risk for exhibiting significant behaviour problems. Parental stress has been shown to impact the development of these behaviour problems; however, it is rarely addressed in interventions aimed at reducing child behaviour problems. The current study examined the efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for parents of children with DD by investigating whether this intervention is effective in reducing parenting stress and whether decreases in parenting stress lead to reductions in behaviour problems among children with DD. Materials and methods: Forty six parents of children with DD were randomly assigned to an immediate treatment or wait list-control group. Participants completed questionnaires assessing parental stress and child behaviour problems at intake and at a second assessment, which took place after only the immediate treatment group had received the MBSR. Results: Parents who participated in MBSR reported significantly less stress and depression as well as greater life satisfaction compared with wait list-control parents. Regarding child outcomes, children whose parents participated in MBSR were reported to have fewer behaviour problems following the intervention, specifically in the areas of attention problems and ADHD symptomatology. Discussion: Results indicated that MBSR may be an effective intervention for ameliorating parental stress and mental health problems among parents of children with DD. Additionally, these benefits may ‘spill over’ and improve behaviour challenges among these children. (Publisher abstract)
Parental mental health problems: messages from research, policy and practice
- Author:
- TUNNARD Jo
- Publisher:
- Research in Practice
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 117p.
- Place of publication:
- Dartington
This review presents and distills the findings of UK and international research about the impact of parental mental health issues on children and other family members. It supports the case for bridging the gap between providers of services to adults and services to children. It draws out messages particularly relevant to those who deliver services to children and families.