The influence of toxic stress on socio-emotional development Free Essay Example, 2250 words

A group of researchers led by Chen conducted a study on development of recurrent MD as a result of the early sexual abuse among Chinese women. The research evaluated the non-genital, intercourse and genital childhood sexual abuse (CSA) to study their risk in experiencing recurrent MD (Chen et al, 2014). The study gives a better understanding of the early maltreatments in childhood that leads to adult-onset depression. Children could have been victims of their rape and molestation due to negligence of their parents, from their caregivers or relatives. Therefore, as these children grow up their childhood experiences could diverge from the normal healthy relationships, as they try to isolate themselves and suffer emotional breakdown when they threatened again or remember the incidences. In relation to the CSA, the research established that victims of CSA were associated with increased risk of developing recurrent MD, CSA was associated with suicidal ideas, feeling of self-worthlessness and guilt, resulted in symptoms of recurrent MD, right from longer depressive episodes, high risks of phobia and dysthymia (Chen et al, 2014). With severity, lack of intervention early in time combined with repetitive trauma definitely pushes the child or an adult to depression state. It is evident that childhood victims of sexual abuse are at a greater risk of suffering more drastic and long term mental disorder. We will write a custom essay sample on The influence of toxic stress on socio-emotional development or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now From a psychological understanding of depression during childhood development, sexual abuse has an effect on the level of cortisol hormone. Sexual abuse could cause PTSD or chronic toxic stress, which causes the body to secrete high or very low level of cortisol hormone only to overload the stress response system and harm the development, wellbeing or health of the an individual (Society for Research in Child Development, 2010). Children or even adults could develop trust issues and lead an isolated life, to form loose relationships with those supposed to be close to them. For clinicians and caregivers assisting victims of sexual abuse and patients suffering from depression, understanding the patient’s history would help in their psychological therapy. Early therapeutic interventions have the ability to help depressed victims from CSA be able to overcome depression and other symptoms owing to it. The article is quite informative and confirms the results of other studies on psychological effect for victims of sexual abuse. 2. Neglect and learning difficulties Child abuse and neglect ion can have a devastating effect on the brain development of minors.