Introduction
There are events in life of a child which could affect their development. These events are commonly associated to negative situations which could result to a toxic stress (Van Andel et al., 2014). Toxic stress usually occurs as a result of bad experiences which could influence the brain chemistry as well as brain architecture. Toxic stress is usually the response when an unpleasant, strong and prolonged activation of the body’s “stress mechanism” is activated. The effect of toxic stress on the child development has been one of the main focuses of researchers and experts (Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2015).
The Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2015) has been supporting the campaign for awareness on the effect of toxic stress and environment on the child development. Their campaign are supported by several facts which are mainly due to the effect of toxic stress on the early brain development of the child. The child’s development is mainly shaped during their first three years and it only takes a short period of time. This is one of the main reasons why experts have been focused on understanding the effects of toxic stress on child and how interventions could help those (Van Andel et al., 2014). Child’s development is severely affected by toxic stress and it must be taken into account that toxic stress is avoided. In addition, it is very critical to have a pleasant and supportive environment during the infanthood and childhood of a person.
The objective of this research paper is to analyze the effects of toxic stress on the brain development as well as the behavior development of the child. This research paper also opts to evaluate the causes of these toxic stress and how to avoid or their effects on the child development.
Effects to the brain and Causes of Toxic Stress
Experience is one of the main factors which could influence the brain development of the child. Proper brain development is commonly associated with safe and responsive environment. Proper nutrition and good health could also increase the possibility of having a proper brain development for a child (Henninger & Luze, 2014). However, in order to fully understand the brain development of the child, one should also consider the system or mechanism that occurs inside the brain. During any situations, the brain sends signals through the neurotransmitters. For example, the childhood stress results to a fight or flight decision making affected by cortisol and norepinephrine, respectively. This mechanism could occur from time to time and the repetitive events could result to the brain to memorize the situation. This phenomenon could result in the brain releasing neurotransmitter even if the intensity of the situation is only mild (Renner & Boel-Studt, 2013).
Specialists have identified some of the most common reasons of stress in children and some of which are the following:
Violent environment which includes abuse such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, mental abuse, verbal abuse and substance abuse. Problems in the child behavior could be due to the stress acquired from family violence (Renner & Boel-Studt, 2013).
Broken families or home which has the greatest impact on a child’s life. This scenario in life includes the separation of parents, the presence of a stepmother or stepfather, parental imprisonment or even a member of the family or the child himself or herself is separated from the parents. Proper child development usually requires support from society especially from their parents. Without these social support, the child’s development could be at stake (Lefmann & Combs-Orme, 2014).
Being in an unsupportive family or environment also triggers toxic stress to children especially when his or her parents don’t have the drive or goal to get out of their situation. Usually, this type of family lives an unhealthy routine. Most of these type of family lives near or below the poverty threshold (Henninger & Luze, 2014).
Desertion is also one of the common causes of toxic stress; it usually occurs when there is a death of family member or relatives, being in a new school or neighborhood, being physically or mentally ill, pressure from parents to do best in school and even the heavy tasks given to him or her at home. A child is commonly affected by intense and sudden environment or social changes. Extreme conditions could increase the risk of the development of mental illnesses or disorder for children (Lefmann & Combs-Orme, 2014).
Lastly, the most rampant scenario in schools, bullying. Bullying is a very traumatic incident in anyone’s life most especially when you are just a kid. Bullying is considered as one of the main problem associated to child and adolescent development. Childhood bullying could result to intense toxic stress for a child which could still influence their brain functioning even at adult age (Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2015).
Major Effects of Toxic Stress to a Child’s Development
Most of the studies suggest that the influence of the toxic stress on the development of the child is mainly due to its effect on the function of the brain such as the brain’s function to successfully adapt to adversities and learning new skills and it stress regulating physiology. Toxic stress could also increase the risk of having mental disorders or illnesses due to the intense environmental factors (Renner & Boel-Studt, 2013). Health is always associated with the events in a life of a child. The link of health and child’s exposure to toxic stress could be direct or indirect. For example, children’s exposure to toxic stress could directly linked to their low performance in school since it could greatly influence their brain development. On the other hand, children’s exposure to toxic stress could indirectly linked to their tendency to misbehave (Tucker, & Rodriguez, 2014).
Some of these children later become the bullies in school, failed most of their classes or didn’t even finish any degree or primary schooling. Also, some become single parents due to lack of support, usually becomes unemployed and experience poverty. In addition, there also cases wherein those who were exposed in toxic stress are convicted for violent crimes, gang membership and drug dealing. Usually, children mimic the bad experience they have experienced to what they do with the people around them. Moreover, as an example, those people with bad parenting environment and those who are reported against child abuse re found to have had the same experience during childhood.
Toxic stress could also be indirectly linked to the health and nutrition of the child. Toxic stress does not only affect the development of the brain but also the function of other organ systems. To explain it further, cardiovascular diseases, liver cancer, viral hepatitis, autoimmune disease, asthma, depression and even severe dental health are just some of the long term effects of toxic stress which can be acquired by children. In general, the risk of having health problems could increase if the child is exposed to intense toxic stress (Tucker, & Rodriguez, 2014).
Things to do to avoid the Effects of Toxic Stress
Parents should always be informed about the effect of toxic stress on child’s development (Tucker, & Rodriguez, 2014). Indeed, toxic stress is kind of inevitable especially when lack of knowledge, care and observation are the problems. However, there are of course things that can be done to help children to avoid experiencing it and to stop experiencing toxic stress. There are several ways to avoid the consequences or effects of toxic stress on child’s development.
First is the strong social relationship among family members. Support from family members could greatly influence the child’s emotional being and could improve the child’s brain development (Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2015). Family members should also provide time for their children. Quality times such as recreational activities, vacations and other routines could help children in surpassing toxic stress in their lives (Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2015).
These things can help people to evaluate their child’s growth basing on their response to other people and how well they cope with others. Reading is also very important and it is an event in a child’s life which can be considered as an activity where he or she is learning new things. Rewards and other incentives are types of supportive actions which could help children in overcoming intense obstacles such as toxic stress (Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2015). Last but not least, rhyming or cuddling or having any activities in the family’s leisure time it is very important to have bonding moments so as to engage the child in pleasant activities which in turn can develop his good characteristics and manners.
Furthermore, early counseling should be done if a child is proven to be experiencing toxic stress. It is not only the duty of a parent to look after his or her child, but also, teachers and adult in the community carries the same responsibility as well. Hence, there are a lot of programs specializing in this field and disseminating information on how to battle toxic stress. Counseling also involves talking with the child about their early problems and giving advice or support to overcome these problems (Tucker, & Rodriguez, 2014).
Personal Thought
As for me, I now realized that it is very important to take care of our child the day he or she was born. What matters most is that you make it to a point that your child lives in an environment where he or she can exercise his potentials and if possible, he or she will not worry about stressful things. It should be everyone’s goal to make a holistic and happy environment to every child in their community. Of course, it is inevitable that there will be nuisance around, but let us keep in mind that whatever happens or will happen in the first 5 years of a child’s life affect his or her life forever. It is therefore essential for us adults to protect them and to care for them during this stage, where all they can do is embrace what they have, accept what is given and appreciate what is in store for them. Health is also very important to fight this toxic stress because it is proven that a person, who is healthy, is more often than not happy and can fight against depression. When a person is depressed, his or her immune system fails, hence, making him weak and therefore acquires diseases and leads to failure of other organ and body systems. The early stages of a child’s development are very delicate to their physical, emotional and mental well-being. Let us help not to jeopardize it. Let us help them build their future. In addition, there are some parents obviously care too much about their child or children, but let us not forget that we are also capable of hurting others in the process of protecting our own. Some parents may accidentally bully other children because they see that her child is being bullied; however, let us take into account that we should not do the same so as to stop the cycle of bullying. I do not only speak to the bullies and those who are being bullies, but also to the other sources of toxic stress to children. If we want this to stop, let us eradicate the severe thought of revenge. Rather, let us forgive and teach what is right and good. Lastly, it is very important that educators pass on the right information regarding toxic stress, in any way possible may it be on internet or print ads. People should increase the awareness of others and eradicate totally toxic stress. And as the saying goes by Frederick Douglass, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men”.
Conclusion
References
Henninger, W., & Luze, G. (2014). Poverty, caregiver depression and stress as predictors of children's externalizing behaviours in a low-income sample. Child & Family Social Work, 19(4): 467-479.
Lefmann, T., & Combs-Orme, T. (2014). Prenatal Stress, Poverty, and Child Outcomes. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 31(6): 577-590.
Renner, L., & Boel-Studt, S. (2013). The Relation between Intimate Partner Violence, Parenting Stress, and Child Behavior Problems. Journal of Family Violence, 28(2): 201-212.
Tucker, M., & Rodriguez, C. (2014). Family Dysfunction and Social Isolation as Moderators between Stress and Child Physical Abuse Risk. Journal of Family Violence, 29(2): 175-186.
Van Andel, H., Grietens, H., Strijker, J., Van der Gaag, R., & Knorth, E. (2014). Searching for effective interventions for foster children under stress: a meta-analysis. Child & Family Social Work, 19(2): 149-155.
