LECTURE 9 - CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH Flashcards
What is infant mental health?
The developing capacity of a child from birth to three to experience, express, and regulate emotions, form relationships, and explore the environment.
What is emotion regulation?
Processes by which emotional arousal is maintained within an individual’s capacity to cope.
What are extrinsic processes in emotion regulation?
Caregiver support, such as parental “holding” to help infants regulate emotions.
What are intrinsic processes in emotion regulation?
Brain and nervous system developments that enable self-regulation.
What is the significance of emotional competence?
It is critical for healthy social and emotional development and successful developmental milestones.
What happens if emotional milestones are not met?
Preschoolers may face psychopathology at the time and later in life.
What are basic emotions observed at birth to 6 months?
Startle, disgust, distress, happiness, anger, and saDNESS
What milestone appears at 7-9 months?
Genuine fear of strangers and separation anxiety.
What is social referencing?
Using another’s emotional expressions as a source of information, observed by 12 months.
What complex emotions appear by 1-2 years?
Shame, pride, and empathy.
What is parallel play?
Infants play alongside each other but do not interact directly, typical at 1-2 years.
What emerges at 3+ years?
Cooperative play, pretend play, pro-social behaviors like sharing, and dominance hierarchies.
What is temperament?
Constitutionally-based personality traits influenced by maturation and experience.
What are the nine dimensions of temperament identified by Thomas and Chess?
Activity level,
rhythmicity,
approach/withdrawal,
adaptability,
intensity,
threshold,
mood,
distractibility, and attention span/persistence.
What are the three temperament types?
Easy, difficult, and slow to warm up.
How does temperament influence emotional development?
It determines the intensity of infant behaviors, eliciting specific caregiver responses.
What is attachment?
A special relationship between infant and caregiver that promotes survival and modulates emotions.
What is a secure attachment?
Develops when caregivers respond sensitively, providing a foundation for future relationships.
What is an insecure attachment?
Results from unresponsive caregiving, leading to negative beliefs about oneself and others.
What is the prevalence of child mental health problems in the UK (2003)?
10% of children aged 5–15, with 5% conduct disorders and 4% emotional disorders.
How did the prevalence of mental health problems change from 2004 to 2017?
Increased from 10.1% to 11.2% in 5–15-year-olds.
What are common reasons for referral to CAMHS?
Disruptive behavior difficulties, including persistent oppositional or aggressive behavior.
What are risk factors for child mental health problems?
Family violence, poverty, low intelligence, and deviant peer groups.
What are protective factors for child mental health?
Supportive relationships, good education, positive self-esteem, and material resources.
