Which of the following statements is true about stress in young children?
A. Children who experience high stress in the early childhood years develop coping skills that result in a higher threshold to stress
in later years.
B. Stress isn't as harmful in very young children because they're less aware of it.
C. Unresponsive care can cause stress, altering brain development and the biochemistry of the brain in young children.
D. While elevated stress can cause short-term health issues, it has no influence on long-term stress-related disorders.
my answer is c.
I agree.
Your answer is correct. Option C is the true statement about stress in young children. Unresponsive care can cause stress, which can have negative effects on brain development and the biochemistry of the brain in young children.
To determine which statement is true about stress in young children, let's analyze and evaluate each option:
A. Children who experience high stress in the early childhood years develop coping skills that result in a higher threshold to stress in later years.
To assess the validity of this statement, we need to consider whether exposure to high levels of stress in early childhood can indeed lead to the development of effective coping skills and increased resilience to stress in later years. Research suggests that while some level of stress can prompt the development of coping mechanisms, prolonged or chronic stress can actually have adverse effects on a child's coping abilities. Therefore, this statement is not entirely accurate.
B. Stress isn't as harmful in very young children because they're less aware of it.
This statement posits that young children are less affected by stress due to their limited awareness of it. However, studies have shown that young children are indeed susceptible to stress and can experience negative consequences, both cognitively and emotionally, as a result of elevated stress levels. Thus, this statement is not entirely true.
C. Unresponsive care can cause stress, altering brain development and the biochemistry of the brain in young children.
This statement suggests that unresponsiveness in caregiving can induce stress in young children, leading to changes in their brain development and brain chemistry. Numerous studies have confirmed this to be true. Stress caused by unresponsive care can disrupt a child's normal development, impact their emotional well-being, and affect the structure and function of the brain.
D. While elevated stress can cause short-term health issues, it has no influence on long-term stress-related disorders.
This statement claims that while stress can have short-term health implications, it does not contribute to long-term stress-related disorders. However, research indicates that prolonged exposure to high levels of stress during childhood can impact long-term well-being and increase the risk of developing stress-related disorders later in life. Thus, this statement is also inaccurate.
From evaluating the options, the correct statement is C. Unresponsive care can cause stress, altering brain development and the biochemistry of the brain in young children.