Mental health is often discussed in the context of adult care, but factors that influence mental health are present in the earliest days of life and even before birth. However, the diagnostic classification of mental disorders in children under the age of 5 didn’t even exist until 1996. So, although mental health is a critical consideration in infancy and early childhood, the field of children’s mental healthcare is still emerging. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the key factors that influence mental health in early childhood, so you can help your child develop a strong foundation to positively impact their entire lives.
How Mental Health Is Formed During Early Childhood
Humans are social creatures, which is why babies are born into the world wired to form connections and build relationships with those around them. Even in their first days, babies are learning social responses, developing bonds with their parents and caregivers, and already have a capacity for emotional experiences. Although children do not start forming lasting, episodic memories until they reach ages 2-3, their first years will still create a lasting impression that will serve as the foundation of their mental health.
Mental health indicators for young children are limited, but they include affection, resilience, curiosity, and positivity. Children who experience trauma due to abuse, neglect, or other negative experiences are less likely to develop these attributes and demonstrate positive mental health. Conditions like depression and anxiety can be seen at the pre-verbal level.
Prenatal Care Is a Strong Influencer of Mental Health
While it is important to provide children with supportive, nurturing environments after they’re born, it is also essential to recognize how prenatal care influences mental health outcomes later in life. Substance abuse during pregnancy, for example, may be linked to a lower capacity for emotional control, hyperactivity, problems with attention, and disruptions in cognitive and emotional development in children. Additionally, illnesses during pregnancy can be a precursor to mental illness. One study indicated that the risk for developing schizophrenia is three times greater in children whose mothers had the flu during pregnancy. Toxic exposure through tainted water, food, and synthetic materials can also affect brain development and create a negative impact on mental and cognitive health.
Domestic violence poses another potential risk for mental and physical health issues in children, as mothers who are exposed to intimate partner violence during pregnancy are at a higher risk for preterm birth and low birth weight. Both issues are associated with a higher risk of attentional, behavioral, and psychological disorders in children. Additionally, domestic violence is associated with anxiety, PTSD, depression, and other mood disorders in mothers, so women who have been victims of abuse from their intimate partners may struggle to provide the nurturing care their babies need.
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Statistics
According to the child development advocacy organization Zero to Three, between 10-16% of young children experience mental health conditions including PTSD and anxiety. However, that number is closer to 22% for babies in poverty due to limited access to food, housing, healthcare, and other vital resources.
Knowing When Your Child Needs Care
As a parent, you may do everything you can to care for your child. However, not all factors affecting your child’s health are under your control. Not all cases of mental illness in infants and young children are related to maltreatment—in other words, you can do everything right and still see a need for mental healthcare in your child. Still, it can be difficult to recognize and address mental health issues in your young child due to the shame and guilt that you may feel due to the social stigma surrounding mental health in early childhood. Additionally, it may be difficult to distinguish symptoms of mental health disorders when your child cannot verbalize their feelings and is still discovering the world around them.
Proper preventive screening is an essential step in nurturing your child’s physical and mental development. Your pediatrician should assess various benchmarks for your child’s cognitive and emotional development during their regular checkups. You should also bring any troubling signs to the attention of your pediatrician, even if you think these might simply be a phase. These signs include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Resistance to physical contact
- Frequent fussiness and irritability
- Missing key developmental milestones (or backwards progression with development)
What Mental Healthcare Looks Like for Young Children
If your child is showing symptoms of mental health issues, your pediatrician may recommend mental healthcare from a professional trained in child psychology. Therapy in early childhood may include strategies like play therapy, drawing, and other creative activities to help your child express themselves. Research has also shown that parental involvement in therapy for young children is likely to improve outcomes. Parent-involved therapies may include parent child interaction therapy and other attachment focused, evidence-based approaches.
Here at Integrated Behavioral Health, we work with patients of all ages, including infants, toddlers, and adolescents. Contact us today to set up a consultation with our team of child psychology and psychiatry professionals.