Skip to main content
Log in

Stressful events in early childhood: An ecological approach

  • Articles
  • Published:
Child care quarterly Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Many factors influence the way a child responds to stress. This article describes how the developmental-ecological approach can clarify the interplay between developmental and environmental phenomena. Relevant findings from the literature on stress are considered in relation to certain aspects of developmental theory. Case material is presented to illustrate the dynamic interaction between the somatic, psychological, and social dimensions of the child's development. This approach intends to emphasize the multiple realities in the lives of children and encourage more effective interventions on their behalf.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aponte, H.J. The family-school interview: An eco-structural approach.Family Process 1976,15, 303–311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Auerswald, E.H. Interdisciplinary vs. ecological approaches.Family Process 1968,7, 202–215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barker, R.G., & Wright, H.F.Midwest and its children: The psychological ecology of an American town. Evanston: Row, Peterson, 1954.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belsky, J. Future directions for day care research: An ecological analysis.Child Care Quarterly 1980,9(2), 82–99. (a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Belsky, J. Child maltreatment: An ecological integration.American Psychologist 198035(4), 320–335. (b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bott, E. Family and social networks: roles, norms, and external relationships in ordinary urban families. London: Tavistock, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyce, W.T., Jensen, E.W., Cassel, J.C., Collier, A.M., Smith, A.H., & Ramey, C.T. The influences of life events and family routines on children's respiratory illness.Pediatrics 1977,60, 609–615.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brazleton, T.B.Neonatal behavioral assessment scale. Spastics International Medical Publications, Philadelphia: J.B. Lippencott, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U. Toward an experimental ecology of human development.American Psychologist 1977,32, 513–531.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U.The ecology of human development. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cobb, S. Social support as a moderator of life stress.Psychosomatic Medicine 1976,38, 300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cochran, M. & Brassard, J. Child development and personal social networks.Child Development 1979,50(3), 601–616.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coddington, R.D. The significance of life events as etiologic factors in the diseases of children.Journal of Psychosomatic Research 1972,16, 7–18; 205–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dean, A., & Lin, N. The stress-buffering role of social support.Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 1977,165, 403.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dohrenwend, B.S., & Dohrenwend, B.P. (Eds.),Stressful life events. New York: John Wiley, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erikson, E.,Childhood and society. New York: W.W. Norton Company, 1950.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garbarino, J. The human ecology of child maltreatment: A conceptual model for research.Journal of Marriage and the Family 1977,39(4), 721–735.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrity, T., Marx, M., & Somes, G. The relationship of recent life changes to seriousness of later illness.Journal of Psychosomatic Research 1978,22, 7–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gersten, J., Langner, T., Eisenberg, J., & Orzek, L. Child behavior and life events: Undesirable change or change per se? In B.S. Dohrenwend & B.P. Dohrenwend (Eds.),Stressful life events. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham, P. & George, S. Children's response to parental illness.Journal of Psychosomatic Research 1972,16(4), 251–255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenacre, P. The biological economy of birth.Psychoanalytic study of the child, I. New York: International Universities Press, 1945, pp. 31–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heisel, J.S. Life changes as etiological factors in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.Journal of Psychosomatic Research 1972,16, 411–420.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hickle, L.E. The concept of “stress” in the biological and social sciences.Science, Medicine and Man 1973,1, 31–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, R.Families under stress. New York: Harper & Row, 1949.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmes, T.H., & Rahe, R.H. The social readjustment rating scale.Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine 1967,11, 213–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kliman, G.K.Psychological emergencies of childhood. New York: Grune & Stratton, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R.S. The concepts of stress and disease. In L. Levi (Ed.),Stress and disease: The psychosocial environment and psychosomatic disease. London: Oxford University Press, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leboyer, R.Birth without violence. New York: Alfred Knopf, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, G. Effects of social networks on the family. In W.R. Burr, R. Hill, F. Nye & I. Reiss (Eds.),Contemporary theories about the family, Vol. I. New York: The Free Press, 1979, 27–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi, L. Psychosocial stress and disease: A conceptual model. In E. Gunderson & R. Rahe (Eds.),Life stress and illness. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C. Thomas, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewin, K. Environmental forces in child behavior and development. In C. Murchison (Ed.),A handbook of child psychology. Worcester: Clark University Press, 1931.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewin, K.A dynamic theory of personality. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1935.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, J.W. A historical view of the stress field.Journal of Human Stress 1975,1(1), 6–12;1(2), 22–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minuchin, S. The use of an ecological framework in the treatment of a child. In E.J. Anthony & C. Koupernik (Eds.),The child in his family, Vol. 1. New York: John Wiley, 1970, pp. 41–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mueller, D. Social networks: A promising direction for research on the relationship of the social environment to psychiatric disorder.Social Science and Medicine 1980,14A, 147–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, L.B. et al.The widening world of childhood. New York: Basic Books, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parness, E. Effects of experiences with loss and death among pre-school children.Children Today 1975,4(6),Nov.–Dec., 2–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paykel, E.S. Life stress and psychiatric disorder. In B.S. Dohrenwend & B.P. Dohrenwend (Eds.),Stressful life events. New York: John Wiley, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearlin, L.I., & Schooler, C. The structure of coping.Journal of Health and Social Behavior 1978,19, 2–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sibert, R. Stress in families of children who have ingested poisons.British Medical Journal 1975,3, 87–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stein, S.P., & Charles, E. Emotional factors in juvenile diabetes mellitus.American Journal of Psychiatry 1971,128(6), 56–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, A., & Chess, S.Temperament and development. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolff, H. Crisis points and problems of identity.Journal of Psychosomatic Research 1972,16, 229–234.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Benswanger, E.G. Stressful events in early childhood: An ecological approach. Child Youth Care Forum 11, 267–279 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01116206

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01116206

Keywords

Navigation