By Eric W. Dolan, Photo: from article, PsyPost, July 30, 2023
Childhood stress is linked to decreased hippocampal volume — a brain region important for memory and learning, according to new research published in PNAS Nexus. The study indicates that positive parenting practices act as a protective factor, but only when perceived positively by the youths themselves. The new findings contribute to our understanding of the impact of childhood stress and the factors that can promote resilience in children’s neurodevelopment and psychological functioning.
Previous research has shown that childhood stress can affect brain regions like the amygdala and hippocampus, leading to potential mental health issues. On the other hand, positive parenting has been linked to better outcomes for children, both behaviorally and neurobiologically.
“It’s well known that stress experienced in childhood (e.g., chronic illness, death of a loved one) has negative effects on the brain and behavior of a developing child,” explained study authors Isabella Kahhale, a clinical and developmental psychology graduate student, and Jamie Hanson, an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh.
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