US psychiatrist: Traumatic experiences can alter a child’s brain development

The extent of environmental influences on the individual has generated much scientific debate. However, research has shown that traumatic experiences can alter a child’s brain development.

Head of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Child Psychiatrist Dr Marilyn Benoit said, “In the developing brain, the laying down of infrastructure of the neural circuitry is affected by experiences and interactions with the environment.” Early in life, children need families, homes and a loving and nurturing relationship with an important person. Benoit said the impersonal setting of day care centres are not good for children. Addressing the topic “Creating Healthy Families”  at the Family Planning Association on TT’s Annual General Meeting which recently took place at Crowne Plaza, she said environment can stimulate DNA to produce special proteins which cause people to develop traits which are inherent but will not show unless aroused by environmental factors. A substance-abusing mother can create a toxic environment for her unborn child in the womb. “That is where the brain and other organs begin development and the toxic effect can start here.”

The family, neighbourhood, community and society also influence the way the individual and family develops. Research has found that children who receive more warmth and acceptance from mothers are less likely to have behavioural problems and have a higher self-esteem. Those who are harshly punished are also more likely to demonstrate aggression towards themselves and others. Benoit said children who are physically abused have a higher tendency to be abusers themselves. “Traumatic experiences like physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect actually alter the brain structure. There is a part of the brain that becomes hyper alert and these children are more likely to lash out, apparently for no reason.” Benoit said this part of the brain is constantly scanning the environment while the area responsible for memory shrinks.

Risk factors such as poverty, teen pregnancy, single parenting, substance abuse, pre-term delivery, mental illness in parents, domestic violence, child maltreatment all have adverse influences on the child and family. However, no one factor is responsible. Benoit said, “When you study a family or child, you look at how many of these factors accumulate in this person or family’s life and therefore putting them at greater risk for dysfunction.” She said poverty is a significant risk factor across all cultures and where it is present and combined with other factors, families are at risk. Among the protective factors which have positive influences on the individual are good quality parenting, a high level of education of parents, higher socio-economic status, support from extended family members, participation in faith-based belief system and a positive sense of one’s ethnicity and culture. Giving her views on how a society can promote healthy development, Benoit said research on early childhood development should be disseminated. “We must have public policies which integrate those research findings. Too often public policy has to do with politics, and politics has to do with people wanting to be in power...policy should be informed by good research.”

Benoit said there should be a broad-based public health plan of intervention and development. She appealed for the reintroduction of public health nurses to visit homes. The healthy family should be promoted and healthy communities (including adequate food and housing) promoted. Housing, health care and education must also be accessible and affordable. Benoit said substance abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, community violence, teen pregnancy must be reduced. Education is also important in promoting healthy development. She said the literacy rate of the entire population (women in particular) had to be improved. Psychosocial variables play a critical role in brain development. Benoit said when society has “good brains,” (those not exposed to risk factors such as substance abuse, family and community violence) then the thinking, social and emotional development and behaviour of children improve.