Research

Why is this important?
Understanding the root of the problem will provide information on how the issue can be addressed.

Summary
Toxic stress, particularly in the first three years of a child’s life impedes the development of children.
• physical or emotional abuse
• chronic neglect
• caregiver substance abuse or mental illness
• exposure to violence
• accumulated burdens of family economic hardship
• Without the adequate adult support

Research
“Toxic stress response can occur when a child experiences strong, frequent, and/or prolonged adversity—such as physical or emotional abuse, chronic neglect, caregiver substance abuse or mental illness, exposure to violence, and/or the accumulated burdens of family economic hardship—without adequate adult support. This kind of prolonged activation of the stress response systems can disrupt the development of brain architecture and other organ systems and increase the risk for stress-related disease and cognitive impairment, well into the adult years.”
“Excessive activation of stress response systems affects the brain and other organ systems in many ways. When we feel threatened, our body prepares us to respond by increasing our heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones, such as cortisol. When stress response systems are activated within an environment of supportive relationships, these physiological effects are moderated and brought back down to baseline. However, if the stress response is extreme and long-lasting— and supportive relationships are unavailable— it can overload multiple biological systems.”
“Chaotic, threatening, and unpredictable situations and environments that activate the “fight or flight” response repeatedly or excessively can make it difficult to engage executive function skills—the underlying skills we all need to plan, focus, adjust, and resist impulsive behaviors. And while it’s good to practice these skills, constant and intensive demand on them to deal with stressful situations can deplete them—just as exercise is good for physical fitness, but a marathon can leave us physically exhausted.”
https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/three-early-childhood-development-principles-improve-child-family-outcomes/

Neglect

Three Principles to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families