MENTAL HEALTH IN CHILDREN OF LOW INCOME FAMILIES

East Central Chapter of Indiana AEYC ConferenceApril 12th, 2014

ABOUT US

Lillie Weidner Ball State University Child Development with minors in Interpersonal

Relations and Developmental Psychology Senior

Alyssa St.Amant Ball State University Child Development with a minor in Leadership

Studies Senior

ACTIVITY

POVERTY

Poverty is the condition of not having enough income to meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter. An income at or below $22,113 per year (for a

family of four) 44% of children in Indiana live in low-income

families Adverse health, developmental, emotional

and behavioral problems are more prevalent http://youtu.be/MHPz8YPys2w

LOW SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND THE FAMILY DYNAMICS

Parental stress negatively affects the child Time constraints Relationships Increase child stress levels Physical and mental development

Home chaos Lower test scores of cognitive ability Low self-regulatory capabilities Poor language skills Higher behavioral problems Learned helplessness

POVERTY AND MENTAL HEALTH Mental health refers to state of well-being in which one is

able to cope with the stressors of life in a productive and fruitful way.

Children’s development can be related to poverty histories.

Children’s early experiences of poverty may be the most important time in reducing the overall poverty impact on children. Ill tempered, shy and children with close relationships interactional continuity

Problems may remain at a high level, even when economic situations improve. habits becoming constant and continuous (negative outcomes)

If poverty continues, there may be increasing mental health problems as children grow older.

POVERTY AND MENTAL HEALTH (CONTINUED)

The relationship between financial burden and mental health in early childhood may be disconnected. Not the financial burden its self, rather the

hardships that branch off of the instability of poverty

Do early experiences of poverty predict high levels of mental health problems in children?

Do persistently poor children experience more rapid increases in mental health problems than other children?

CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH

Common Disorders Withdrawal Depression Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome Peer Problems

POVERTY THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD

http://youtu.be/JpS_eJkkAxc

EFFECT ON BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

Effects of stress on growth and development Release of cortisol

Switching on genetic markers Schizophrenia Anti-social personality disorder Major depression Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Hippocampus/ Amydala Hippocampus (episodic)

Matures throughout childhood and adolescence Amydala (emotional)

Mature at birth

BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

System Need State Skills We Can Access

Behaviors

Brain Stem Provide safety

Survival Defense Fits, temper tantrums, withdrawal

Limbic System

Provide connections

Emotions and memory

Upbringing Name callings, inducing guilt, nagging

Frontal Lobe of the Cortex

Provide problem solving skills

Unlimited New ideas Bright moments, using words to solve disputes

DR. BECKY BAILEY

Creator of Conscious Discipline Four Brain Smart Principles

The best exercise for the brain is exercise. The brain is pattern-seeking and survival-

oriented. Connections on the outside with others build

neural connections. The brain functions optimally when the child

feels safe.

CLASSROOM TECHNIQUES

Corticolimbic Connections Enable a person to override impulses from the

lower states Made through connections with other people

Connections involving eye contact, touch, presence

I Love You Rituals http://youtu.be/C3PtrlnUm4U

Self Regulation Control impulses

Jim Gill Music http://youtu.be/5Zs9z3_LOpU

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Programs for young children should be attentive to mental health problems as well as cognitive and intellectual deficits Open communication with families Fostering meaningful relationships within the

classroom setting Maintain a stable environment

You CAN make a difference!

OTHER COMMENTS/DISCUSSIONS?