Long-Term Effects of Early Stress, Essay Example

Q1 | Overview the evidence that links exposure to stress during childhood (e.g. child abuse) to disturbed development of the brain and the stress response system.

Research has shown a significant accumulation of evidence that has linked ‘asymmetric brain electrical activity (EEG) to that of stress in vulnerable children. The theory behind this being demonstrated through frontal activation-emotion models. (Miskovic, 2009) Particular vulnerable sections being children who are inhibited from a behavioural perspective and those who are considered to be socially withdrawn. The exposure to stressful situations is shown to manifest itself later in life into adulthood and this is particularly cited with those diagnosed with schizophrenia that have experienced shy or withdrawn childhoods. Adults with clinical depression exhibit more signs of right frontal brain activity. (Miskovic, 2009)

An additional measure of stress is associated with that of cardiac vagal tone. The Vagal function is characterised by being lateralised to the right brainstem. As such the mammalian myelinated vagus is associated with applying the brake on the control of stress to the heart. Empirical research that has been conducted over a number of years has endorsed the theory behind cardiac vagal tone in both children and adults. (Miskovic, 2009)

The concept of stress induces a chemical reaction in the body that triggers a response to fight or evade the problem. Failure to respond can create future health issues and a prolonged defence can create other symptoms as a result of stress being repelled. Stress can impact most parts of the body but particularly the main organs. It is believed that unchecked stress can lead to a variety of serious illness. Business people are particularly prone to high stress levels so it is important that they find the right combatants in order to ensure that they remain healthy and focused on their job. (Miskovic, 2009)

Q2 | Overview the evidence that links exposure to stress during childhood to increased psychological issues throughout one’s life.

The psychological symptoms of stress include that of mood swings, quick temper, easily agitated, the inability to relax, sense of isolation, bouts of depression, feeling of sadness etc. In a situation where you experience any of these conditions for more than a week, it is important to see your doctor. The doctor may refer you to a mental health specialist. This is not a stigma but the importance to recognise that you need professional help in order to determine ways in order to cope with these emotional factors. Norris and Murrell conducted research that illustrated how stress from an early age transcended into psychological issues in adulthood. (Murrell, S.A. 1987)

This does not always resort to a course of action involving treatment with drugs but may embrace much needed lifestyle changes. It has been accepted that most types of psychological stress disorders are associated with emotional and physiological disorders. One of the most recognisable symptoms is that of sleep disorder i.e. sleeps apnea, delayed sleep phase syndrome and over sleeping. This constant exposure of stress can also cause mental conditions that may result in compulsive obsessive behaviour and fear. In certain young adults this can lead towards substance abuse, excessive drinking, smoking etc. These paths result in destroying both self-esteem and confidence and may result in severe personality disorders. (Stricker, G. 2003)

Research has indicated that exposure to stress in childhood can lead to a number of different psychological disorders that include such items as schizophrenia, Depression, Dependency or addiction problems like smoking, substance abuse or drink. The onset of psychiatric problems from children may be classified into one of three groupings: (1) Emotional (2) Social or (3) Behavioural problems. (George Stricker, 2003)

Q3 | What evidence suggests that children who are exposed to stress during childhood tend to express difficulties in parenting, such as greater parenting stress, when they have children later in life?

The organising framework in young children expresses the needs of intelligence, emotion and personality formation. Where a child has been exposed to periods of prolonged stress in childhood like abuse, violence, dysfunctional parenting etc. it can have a profound effect on the child in adult life. This particularly when the Adult starts to raise children of their own. Evidence has linked abusive behaviour in Adults to that of their own childhood and abusive parents. The mind had become conditioned to think of this as a normal behaviour pattern.

The link between childhood abuse and later psychological problems with the brain has been evidenced by : Olive, M.F. 2007)

• A reduced development of the left hemisphere of the brain; this may also account for increased levels of depression;
• Irritability in the limbic system. This has been also linked to that of post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorders;
• A reduced growth in the hippocampus of the brain can create memory disruption functions and disassociation disorders;
• Disruption in the link between the two brain hemispheres can lead to attention deficit disorders.(Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2009).

Disrupted attachment is another psychological problem that may manifest itself later in adulthood. The child may have experienced a withdrawn social interaction and never developed a healthy association with the primary caregivers, particularly where abuse or neglect has been experienced. These social behavioural conditions may create similar relationships with the adults child later in life. (Olive, M.F. 2007)

Q4 | What psychological interventions have shown promise in helping those who suffered stress during childhood to be better parents themselves, when they have children.

Child Welfare interventions have helped to prevent deteriorating situations in abusive or neglected children. Child welfare systems that have focused upon prevention in vulnerable situations have helped to promote healthy brain development in young children. The best plan is by education and awareness of the parents in order that they can remain the primary care givers and nurture and care for their children. By the time children have been neglected or abused then a significant amount of psychological damage has been done. Hence prevention is better than remedial action in most cases. (Olive, M.F. 2007)

Therapy in restoring damage to the brain may prove to be a lengthy process because brain functioning is strengthened by acts of repetition in processes along the neural pathways. As such intervention has to rectify this by replacing these with new experiences that become the accepted route for the brain and subsequent relegation of the old habits. This also means the creation of a new environment that the brain recognises to be safe, non-threatening and nurturing. It was Piaget who suggested that children enter the concrete operational stage of development at around 7 years of age. (M. Foster Olive, 2007)

As such, children enter a substantive degree of logic and reasoning over objects and events. At age 11, they reach the fourth stage of cognitive development and a formal operational stage commences. He identified four key stages of learning. Piaget signified the importance of developing a curriculum to assist in the education of children and teachers need to be fully aware and take into consideration environmental factors in consideration of learning. Piaget considered how children’s minds work and as such became extremely influential in childhood education. As children are growing up, they are limited in learning capacity until they are sufficiently psychologically mature enough to accept different tasks. (Miskovic, V. 2009)

References

Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2009). Understanding the Effects of Maltreatment on Brain Development. Washington DC: US Dep[t of Health and Human Services.

George Stricker, I. B. (2003). Clinical Psychology. New York: Wiley.

Foster Olive, C. E. (2007). Child Abuse and Stress Disorders. New York: Chelsea House.

Miskovic, V. S. (2009). Stability of resting frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry and cardiac vagal tone in adolescent females exposed to child maltreatment. Development Psychobiology, 474-487.

Murrell, F. H. (1987). Transitory Impact of Life-Event Stress on Psychological Symptoms in Older Adults. Journal of Health and Social Behavior Vol 28(2), 197-211.