Clinical Edge: Developmental Adaptations to Stressful Environments скачать в хорошем качестве

Clinical Edge: Developmental Adaptations to Stressful Environments

Presented by: Willem Frankenhuis, PhD at The University of Amsterdam Growing up in stressful conditions can have negative impacts not only on health and well-being, but also development and learning. Such findings are consistent with deficit models, which propose that adverse experiences impair brain structure and function in ways that undermine cognitive abilities. Deficit models have guided vital discoveries that have informed policy and practice to improve millions of lives. However, these models do not provide the full picture. In this talk, I will argue that humans have evolved the capacity to adapt to certain forms of childhood adversity, such as exposure to violence, resource insecurity, and inconsistent parental care. Understanding such adaptations promotes a well-rounded view of psychological functioning in adverse conditions. This balanced view has implications for public discourse, education, policy, and intervention. Specifically, the better we understand stress-adapted cognition, including both vulnerabilities and strengths, the more effectively we can tailor education, jobs, and interventions to suit the needs and potentials of those affected. A balanced view also provides new pathways to improve mental health, particularly in deprived neighborhoods. Focusing on strengths as building blocks for success may boost confidence, motivation, and performance in people who suffer from stigma and hardship.