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Development and survival: a study of children at risk living in adverse psychosocial milieu
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Insights
This study examined how children at risk in stressful environments develop coping strategies. Findings indicate girls often develop constructive approaches, while boys tend to use less effective strategies.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Epidemiology
- Psychosocial Studies
Background:
- Psychopathology in children is complex and multidimensional.
- The developmental process of forming coping strategies in stressful environments is not well understood.
- Children at risk require effective survival strategies for psychosocially disadvantageous milieus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the situation of children at risk in psychosocially disadvantageous milieus.
- To investigate how these children cope with their situation.
- To identify the survival strategies developed by children facing psychosocial adversity.
Main Methods:
- A 4-year longitudinal study involving 12 preschool children.
- Utilized Griffith's psychomotorical test, behavior inquiry, case notes, and interviews.
- Included interviews with children, families, and involved staff.
Main Results:
- Three girls developed primarily constructive (moderating) coping strategies.
- Other children exhibited destructive, outerdirected, or innerdirected patterns.
- All boys in the study demonstrated less constructive strategies.
Conclusions:
- Gender differences observed in strategy development among children at risk.
- Constructive coping strategies are crucial for navigating stressful environments.
- Further research needed on the nuances of strategy formation in child development.
Abstract:
The aim of this study is to describe the situation of children at risk in psychosocially disadvantageous milieus, how these children cope with their situation, and which survival strategies they do develop. A summary of longitudinal research in child development and epidemiology shows that the reasons for psychopathology are complex and multidimensional. What is not known is the very process in which the child forms his or her experiences and resources into a constructive or less constructive strategy for handling the forces that build up a stressful milieu. To penetrate and learn something from such a process a longitudinal study concerning 12 preschool children during a 4-year period, was designed. Methods used were Griffith's psychomotorical test, a behavior inquiry, case sheet notes, and interviews with children, their families and the staff involved. The result showed three girls developing mainly constructive (moderating) strategies, the other children demonstrated more or less destructive, outerdirected, or innerdirected patterns. All boys in the study demonstrate less constructive strategies.