30.2: Environmental Impact
- Page ID
- 199009
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Let’s look back at the quote we opened this section with. Bruner very intentionally uses the word choice “somewhat open plot.” Why is that the word choice? We have to think about the factors influencing a child’s life.
Understanding the Effects of Prenatal Stress
Prenatal stress, occurring before birth, significantly impacts a child's future growth and behavior[1]. Research shows that high levels of maternal stress during pregnancy increase the risk of issues like anxiety and depression for the child [2]. This influence extends beyond the prenatal period, as studies by Sharp et al. (2014) and Grant et al. (2009) reveal. Sharp et al.'s work indicates that maternal anxiety during pregnancy can sensitize the baby to post-birth caregiving[3]. Grant et al. found that babies exposed to prenatal stress react differently to post-birth stress, depending on their mothers' responsiveness[4].
Various stressors before birth, such as maternal anxiety, sadness, pregnancy-related worries, or traumatic events, contribute to prenatal stress[5],[6],[7],[8]. Additionally, the timing of stressors matters; early exposure to high cortisol levels may negatively impact brain development [9],[10],[11].
Stress experienced by the mother during pregnancy. It can have significant impacts on a child's development, affecting their emotional and physical growth.
A steroid hormone released in response to stress and low blood-glucose concentration. High levels during pregnancy can negatively affect fetal brain development.
Furthermore, research by Hartman et al. (2020) emphasizes that both excessive and minimal prenatal stress make children more sensitive to their environment post-birth. This heightened sensitivity means that adverse and positive experiences profoundly influence children. Thus, early support and responsive relationships, particularly for infants exposed to prenatal stress, can mitigate adverse outcomes and promote positive development [12].
Prenatal stress amplifies children's sensitivity to post-birth experiences, emphasizing the need for supportive and responsive caregiving, which can help infants and toddlers grow and develop positively[13]. Infant and toddler caregivers need to understand the pre-natal influences that might impact classroom support and guidance.
Attributions:
- [1] Glover, V., O’Donnell, K. J., O’Connor, T. G., & Fisher, J. (2018). Prenatal maternal stress, fetal programming, and mechanisms underlying later psychopathology—a global perspective. Development and Psychopathology, 30(3), 843–854. https://doi.org/10.1017/s095457941800038x
- [2] Glover, V., O’Donnell, K. J., O’Connor, T. G., & Fisher, J. (2018). Prenatal maternal stress, fetal programming, and mechanisms underlying later psychopathology—a global perspective. Development and Psychopathology, 30(3), 843–854. https://doi.org/10.1017/s095457941800038x
- [3] Hartman, S., Eilertsen, E. M., Ystrom, E., Belsky, J., & Gjerde, L. C. (2020). Does prenatal stress amplify effects of postnatal maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms on child problem behavior? Developmental Psychology, 56(1), 128–137. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0000850
- [4] Hartman, S., Eilertsen, E. M., Ystrom, E., Belsky, J., & Gjerde, L. C. (2020). Does prenatal stress amplify effects of postnatal maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms on child problem behavior? Developmental Psychology, 56(1), 128–137. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0000850
- [5] O’Connor, T. G., Heron, J., Golding, J., & Glover, V. (2003). Maternal antenatal anxiety and behavioural/emotional problems in children: A test of a programming hypothesis. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 44(7), 1025–1036. https://doi.org/10.1111/1469-7610.00187
- [6] Van den Bergh, B. R., Van Calster, B., Smits, T., Van Huffel, S., & Lagae, L. (2008). Antenatal maternal anxiety is related to HPA-axis dysregulation and self-reported depressive symptoms in adolescence: A prospective study on the fetal origins of depressed mood. Neuropsychopharmacology, 33(9), 2301–2301. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.npp.1301540
- [7] Huizink, A. C., Robles de Medina, P. G., Mulder, E. J. H., Visser, G. H. A., & Buitelaar, J. K. (2002). Psychological measures of prenatal stress as predictors of infant temperament. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 41(9), 1078–1085. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-200209000-00008
- [8] Laplante, D. P., Brunet, A., Schmitz, N., Ciampi, A., & King, S. (2008). Project ice storm: Prenatal maternal stress affects cognitive and linguistic functioning in 5 1/2-year-old children. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 47(9), 1063–1072. https://doi.org/10.1097/chi.0b013e31817eec80
- [9] Davis, E. P., & Sandman, C. A. (2010). The timing of prenatal exposure to maternal cortisol and psychosocial stress is associated with human infant cognitive development. Child Development, 81(1), 131–148. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01385.x
- [10] Hartman, S., Belsky, J., & Pluess, M. (2023). Prenatal programming of environmental sensitivity. Translational Psychiatry, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-023-02461-y CC:BY
- [11] Räikkönen, K., Gissler, M., & Kajantie, E. (2020). Associations between maternal antenatal corticosteroid treatment and mental and behavioral disorders in children. JAMA, 323(19), 1924. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.3937
- [12] Hartman, S., Belsky, J., & Pluess, M. (2023). Prenatal programming of environmental sensitivity. Translational Psychiatry, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-023-02461-y CC:BY
- [13] Hartman, S., Belsky, J., & Pluess, M. (2023). Prenatal programming of environmental sensitivity. Translational Psychiatry, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-023-02461-y CC:BY