Childhood Experiences Shape Mental Health and Psychopathology
A study by Boston Children's Hospital explored how stressful life events impact internalizing and externalizing symptoms of psychopathology in children. The research found that the timing of stress, type of trauma, and family resilience significantly influence mental health outcomes. Stressful events in early childhood were linked to internalizing symptoms in girls, while both sexes showed externalizing symptoms. Family resilience, particularly a sense of control, mitigated these effects. These insights could guide the development of interventions to reduce the impact of early stress on mental health.