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Children, stress, and context: integrating basic, clinical, and experimental prevention research

Laurie Miller Brotman1, Kathleen Kiely Gouley, Rachel G Klein

  • 1New York University Child Study Center, NY 10016, USA. mille102@med.nyu.edu

Child Development
|August 27, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Early life context significantly influences physiological and emotional regulation in children. Environmental factors shape the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, impacting development and behavior.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Child Psychopathology

Background:

  • The study examines the influence of early life context on physiological and affective regulation in young children.
  • It highlights the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in mediating these developmental processes.
  • Findings build upon previous research in animal models and extend observations to human development.

Discussion:

  • The article discusses how environmental factors at critical developmental periods can shape HPA axis function.
  • It explores the implications for affective and behavioral regulation in children.
  • Connections are drawn between animal studies and human developmental trajectories.

Key Insights:

  • Contextual factors are crucial for understanding HPA axis regulation in early childhood.
  • Environmental influences can have long-lasting effects on stress response systems.
  • Early interventions may mitigate risks associated with dysregulated HPA axis function.

Outlook:

  • Future research should investigate specific environmental mechanisms impacting HPA axis development.
  • Translational studies can inform the design of prevention programs for at-risk children.
  • Understanding context-dependent development is key to promoting healthy emotional and physiological regulation.

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