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Questions and Answers
What is a potential outcome of disrupted HPA axis function due to maternal factors?
How does fetal programming relate to maternal depression?
What role does biological resilience play in child development?
What can chronic exposure to stress lead to regarding health outcomes?
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Which of the following factors does NOT affect the outcome of stress on child development?
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What is an example of epigenetic effects in the context of stress and parenting?
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What is hyper-vigilance in the context of early childhood stress?
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Which factor can help in decreasing allostatic load in children?
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Study Notes
Biological Basis of Stress Response in Children
- Children's biological systems are shaped by early social experiences, leading to both positive and negative outcomes.
- Biological resilience is key for survival; infants show metabolic and perceptual adaptability to stressors, potentially leading to biological changes.
Fetal Programming and Early Stress
- Maternal depression during pregnancy correlates with higher infant cortisol levels at three months.
- Disruptions to the HPA (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenocortical) axis stem from factors like low socioeconomic status (SES), maternal depression, and maternal emotional unavailability.
Consequences of HPA Axis Disruption
- HPA disruption results in varied outcomes, including heightened vigilance, poor self-regulation (emotional and otherwise), and social difficulties.
- Cognitive effects include decreased concentration, memory, focus, and attention. Increased emotional reactivity is also common.
Factors Influencing Stress Outcomes
- The nature, duration, and intensity of stressful events significantly impact child development.
- A child's inherent vulnerability or resilience plays a crucial role.
- The availability of social support influences coping mechanisms and outcomes.
- Prior experiences shape a child's coping strategies.
Diverse Outcomes of Early Childhood Stress
- Early stress can manifest as hyper-vigilance or, conversely, hypo-responsiveness (where the stress system shuts down).
Epigenetics and Long-Term Effects
- Epigenetics examines how environmental factors affect gene expression.
- Harsh parenting coupled with biological vulnerability significantly increases the risk of adult conduct disorder, criminality, and antisocial personality disorder.
- Toxic stress—the interaction between child vulnerability, the nature of the experience, and epigenetic effects—causes significant harm.
Allostatic Load and Chronic Stress
- Adapting to stressors incurs a cost; chronic daily stress negatively affects long-term health.
- Managing stress and reducing allostatic load are crucial for well-being.
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Description
Explore the intricate relationship between childhood stress and biological systems. This quiz covers the influence of maternal mental health and socioeconomic factors on the HPA axis, as well as the long-term consequences of early stress exposure in children. Test your knowledge on resilience and developmental outcomes.
