stressors on child development

     My cousin's son was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 3.  He is halfway through his 3 year treatment plan. The family was devastated to learn of this and it is taking its toll on all of them. Corey experienced the side effects of chemotherapy, including his hair falling out and being very weak. During treatment, he has to be excluded from school and people in general because of his weakened immune system. His hair has grown back, but now he is experiencing bladder problems. He feels the urge to urinate constantly, but can't go. It is like the symptoms of a bladder infection only without the infection. This stressor does not seem to be affecting his biosocial development or his cognitive development as of this time. This is probably due to the tremendous involvement of both of his parents. He is very bright and enjoys playing with cars, puzzles, and loves science. His psychosocial development; however, is what is impacted the most. He has been isolated from large groups of people and cannot participate in family events when he is enduring rounds of chemo. Through all this little boy has been through (and has yet to go through), he remains positive. He enjoys going to the park with his parents, bike rides, and the science center. I believe we may not know the effects on his biosocial or cognitive behavior until later in his life.  We can only hope and pray that he is able to avoid any long term developmental deficiencies.

      In contrast, children in Sri Lanka are dealing with the stressors of war and disaster. Children are affected by armed conflict in many ways.  Some are being kidnapped to become soldiers, some are tortured, some are crippled from mine explosions, and some are orphaned (Fernando, Gaithri A.; Miller, Kenneth E.; Berger, Dale E., 2010).  These children had a little reprieve in 2002 when a cease fire was agreed upon, but then a tsunami hit Southeast Asia in 2004, devastating them again.  Many are still in refugee camps from this disaster.  To make matters worse, in 2005 the armed conflict resumed.  Studies from the effects of these stressors have shown that girls tend to internalize their stress through anxiety or depression. Boys tend to externalize their stress through aggressive behavior.  Social conditions from these stressors may also relate to the high instance of child abuse.  The psychosocial well-being of these children can be improved by the development of child abuse prevention programs.  Greater attention also needs to be paid to meeting the basic needs of these children such as access to water, safe housing, and schooling.

Reference

 

Fernando, Gaithri A.; Miller, Kenneth E.; Berger, Dale E. Child Development. Jul/Aug2010, Vol. 81      

         Issue 4, p1192-1210.