Introduction to Developmental Psychology

Introduction to Developmental Psychology

• Focuses on human growth and changes across the lifespan
• Includes physical, cognitive, social, intellectual, perceptual, personality and emotional growth
• Aims of developmental psychology include describing, explaining, predicting, and influencing change
• Influencing change is particularly important to occupational therapists

Major Development Issues

• Nature vs. Nurture: Degree to which development is influenced by genes/biology or experience/environment
• Activity vs. Passivity: Extent to which individuals shape their environments or are shaped by external forces
• Continuity vs. Discontinuity: Whether development is gradual and quantitative or involves qualitative stages and dramatic changes
• Universality vs. Context Specificity: Similarities and differences in development across individuals and cultures

Theoretical Approaches

• Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Approach:
  • 7 interconnected layers of environment influencing development
  • Traditionally used for child development, but applicable to all ages
• Baltes' Lifespan Developmental Perspective:
  • Focuses on constancy and change in biological, cognitive, and psychosocial domains across the lifespan
  • Emphasizes potential for growth at all ages
  • Maturation is a lifelong adaptive process
  • Different systems develop at different rates and may decline or improve over time
  • "Use it or lose it" principle
  • Contextualism:
    • Age-grade normative influences (typical events for an age group)
    • History-grade normative influences (events shared by a generation)
    • Non-normative influences (unique life experiences)

Life Course Perspective on Occupation

• Occupations Embedded in Communities:
  • Communities provide structure and constraints for occupations
  • Mutual goals shape and transform occupational choices
  • Individuals join and leave communities throughout their lifespan
• Interpersonal Influences on Occupations:
  • Interactions with others impact occupational engagement and choices

Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

• Trauma affects development and engagement throughout life
• ACEs are potentially traumatic events with negative, lasting effects on health and well-being
• Examples include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, substance abuse, divorce, or death of a parent
• Downstream Impact: ACEs can lead to a cascade of negative consequences later in life, impacting physical and mental health
• Brain Development: ACEs alter the structure and function of the brain, potentially causing long-term effects on mental and emotional well-being.

ACEs and Brain Development

• Amygdala: Responsible for fear and stress responses, can be smaller in those who experienced neglect or abuse
• Hippocampus: Involved in memory and emotion, can be smaller in those with PTSD and emotional neglect
• Prefrontal Cortex: Handles planning, complex behavior, and social skills, can be affected by maltreatment-related PTSD
• Cerebellum: Involved in balance and coordination, can be affected by maltreatment-related PTSD

ACEs and Health Outcomes

• Childhood:
  • Impaired immune function
  • Poorer behavioral and social skills
  • Increased risk of chronic medical conditions
• Adulthood:
  • Lower levels of parent-child attachment
  • Increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality
  • Altered immune function and brain development

Trauma-Informed Care

• Organizational Approach: Recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and supports recovery by:
  • Recognizing and understanding the signs and symptoms of trauma
  • Implementing policies and procedures to prevent re-traumatization
  • Prioritizing safety, communication, and empowerment

Resilience and ACEs

• Resilience: Can mitigate the impact of ACEs and help individuals cope with adverse experiences

Conclusion

• ACEs have significant and lasting effects on health and well-being but can be mitigated through resilience and interventions like trauma-informed care.