Stress is an aspect of everyones lives. The amount of stress we all have differs and so does the way that we respond to it. As a baby being born into a family of abuse or where resources are scarce will change the way that your brain reacts to stress and the emotions you have.

A study done by Ross A. Thompson looked at the way that children respond to the struggle of living in poverty. It was found that it can change their neurobiology in a way that can hurt their physical health, social competence, and their ability to succeed in school and life. It can also make them have a hard time controlling their emotions, focusing, and creating relationships later on in life.

The study found that this neurobiological change can be altered. Creating warm and nurturing relationships in children’s lives can help to reverse this change. Programs to build this relationship have been very helpful for children. These programs don’t only focus on biological parents or caregivers but move onto grandparents or distant relatives to make it a multigenerational program. Thompson suggests this multigenerational approach to helping children living in poverty cope and thrive with their chronic stress.

Learn more by reading the article Here!

Ben Solomon

Research Assistant, UConn Kids

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