Running Head: INFANT NEGLECT
Effects of Neglect in Infancy
Stefanie Smagala
Sheridan College
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Effects of Neglect in Infancy
Infancy is the time when an important development happens: attachment. Attachment a bond between child and caregiver, and is key when it comes to positive socio-emotional and behavioral development. With attachment unfortunately, comes neglect. The question though that needs to be asked is; does parental neglect in this period effect a child’s socio-emotional and behavioral development? Neglect, one of the 5 types of child maltreatment, along with physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and exploitation(World Health Organization, 2010), is a global occurrence (Polansky et al., 1992, p. 21). The majority (80%) of people responsible for child maltreatment/neglect are parents (Wechsler, 2009). Infants rely on parents/caregivers to provide the basic needs such as a safe environment, and verbal/non verbal communication, and affection, because they can’t themselves (Mosher, 1994). When these needs are not met it causes stress to the child and disrupts development in many areas including the socio-emotional and behavioral skills. Interfering with these developmental skills can cause certain disorders such as anxiety and major depression (Wechsler, 2009). Most of these symptoms of neglect emerge at a later time in a person’s life, but all root back to parental attachment issues during infancy.
This research report will be focusing on 3 articles about parental neglect during infancy, and how they disrupt socio-emotional/behavioral development. The following articles will be used; Child Neglect: A Guide for Prevention, Assesment, and Intervention, Child Neglect: A Guide for Intervention, and Child Neglect and Trauma: The Additive Traumatic Effects of Neglect on Maltreated Adolecents. Each of this articles will provide insight into how neglect during infancy affects development in the socio-emotional and...