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Psyche neglect in children shows very serious consequences
Children should always experience a lot of love and personal attention, but unfortunately this is not always the case. Neglecting children or experiencing ill-treatment has a lasting impact on their personal development. The level of stress hormone levels in those affected will also be significantly altered in the long term, which in turn may be accompanied by neurobiological impairments.
In a recent study, scientists from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Leipzig examined the level of stress hormone levels of abused and neglected children and found that for neglected children of a certain age, it is significantly lower than that of neglected children. A reaction with far-reaching neurobiological consequences. The results of the study were published in the journal "Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry".
Children show long-term neurobiological changes when neglected. Years later, your stress hormone level drops well below normal, which can have far-reaching consequences. (Image: MNStudio- fotolia) Stress hormone levels studied in more than 500 children
The scientists of the University of Leipzig examined the consequences of neglect and mistreatment on the stress hormone level of children in more than 500 children. About half of the children were reported to have experienced violence, sexual abuse or neglect - "be it physically, emotionally or cognitively - according to the university." To compare the level of stress hormones in abused and not abused children, the researchers analyzed the children's cortisol levels at the age of 3 to 16 years. Cortisol is one of many stress hormones that provide the body with energy quickly and directly in certain situations, explain the scientists. The hormone concentration was checked in the hair of abused children or children who were not abused from the so-called "LIFE Child Depression Cohort" of the Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases.
Hair analysis on stress hormone relatively new procedure
In the hair, the cortisol accumulates over long periods of time, which allows a good measurability. "This is a very special aspect of our study, because hair analysis for stress hormones has not been around for a long time, and it has not been used in such a large sample of stressed and unloaded children yet," says study leader Dr. Lars White from the Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics of Child and Adolescence at the University Hospital Leipzig. With the help of the method, the cortisol level can be observed over several months and show the longer-term adaptation of the body to stressful situations, explains the expert.
Stress hormone level falls below normal levels
According to the researchers, neglect is one of the stressful situations. Many children in the sample are affected by it. However, the aspect remains underrepresented in public perception. "We speak of the neglect of neglect," says the study director. Neglect can have serious consequences for the children. "In our study, this group had the greatest effects on stress hormone levels," Dr. White. The study provides evidence that chronic stress - which is the source of ill-treated children - lowers the level of stress hormones beyond a certain point, the body practically adapts to the situation with an exhaustion reaction, and the level of stress hormones falls below normal levels.
Biological stress regulation systems increasingly overstrained
According to the expert, the observed effect may also protect other body systems from excessive cortisol release. The change in the level of cortisol in children with neglect and maltreatment in infancy is particularly evident, according to the Leipzig researchers. "We know that neglected and abused children are permanently exposed to high levels of stress in their lives, but their biological stress regulation systems are increasingly less able to regulate these stress experiences to contribute to a healthy developmental process," Dr. White.
Remaining time window to avoid adverse effects
According to the Leipzig physicians, the altered cortisol levels can have serious consequences, and in the further course, neurobiological changes "which may manifest themselves in increased aggression, hyperactivity or even anxiety" are in danger. The observed lower levels of stress hormones, however, only occurred in children from the age of nine and a half years, resulting in a time window in early childhood, in which the effect is not yet observed. According to him, "interventions such as therapy and support offers must take place as early as possible, ideally before the age of nine, in order to improve the living conditions for the child", explains Dr. med. White. With timely intervention, the exhaustion reaction and thus the drop in the stress hormone level can still be prevented. (Fp)