Love Lets Us Learn_ Psychological Science Makes the Case for Policies That Help Children  – Association for Psychological Science – APS.pdfDownload Love Lets Us Learn_ Psychological Science Makes the Case for Policies That Help Children  – Association for Psychological Science – APS.pdf

Then, answer the 2 questions in the assignment, with a short paragraph for each one.

1. Do early adverse experiences have harmful effects on adult outcomes? Describe 3 studies that help answer this question, that are discussed in the assigned reading (the column by Alison Gopnik). You do not have to go find/ read the other articles directly — you can pull the information from the assigned reading itself.

2.Can improving early experiences improve adult lives? Describe 2 studies that help answer this question, that are discussed in the assigned reading (the column by Alison Gopnik). You do not have to go find/ read the other articles directly — you can pull the information from the assigned reading itself.

ANSWEREffects of Early Adverse Experiences on Adult Outcomes

1. Introduction

In the second section, concepts of adverse experiences and stages of the life-course perspective that informs each of the studies are introduced in more details. Last, the third section explains the rationale for studying the effects of early adverse experiences and illustrates how the life-course perspective informs such research in depth. Overall, the introduction serves as a roadmap of the entire piece of writing and orients readers to the structure and the logical development of the argument. By the end of the introduction, as a reader, we will have a good understanding of the objectives of each study and how they contribute to the overall argument. Consequently, we will also know what to look for as we move through each section of the article. Also, with the knowledge based on the introduction, we can start to form an interpretation of the relevance and meaning of each of the studies well before even start to look at the research design or results.There are three large sections in the study. These three sections broadly focus on three different aspects of adult health – physical health, cognitive capability, and mental health. These sections culminate in the final goal of the article, which is to provide insights into the long-term effects of early adverse experiences on various aspects of adult life. In particular, the first section introduces the three studies and explains the significance of each of the studies’ findings, which will be explored later in the article. This is a kind of preview that gives readers an advance organizer of what is to come, which can assist those readers who have some degree of expertise in the field but not others, and also can help the reader maintain a sense of orientation. By directing attention to the specific details that will be explained at length later in the article, it can also help to promote greater understanding and retention of the information.As we can see, the effects of adverse experiences on adult’s well-being are profound. A better understanding of the processes that contribute to compromised development and the links between childhood and adult functioning could lead to new and more effective prevention and treatment programmes for mental health. Last but not least, if we hope to break the intergenerational cycle of abuse and dysfunction and promote positive developmental outcomes for the current generation of children, we must use this understanding of the deep and abiding impact of early adverse experiences and intervene early.The adverse experiences of life are seen to increase the risk of developing hypertension, diabetes, and other physical health problems in adulthood. On the other hand, childhood trauma is a strong risk factor for developing a wide range of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and PTSD in adulthood. These findings have important clinical implications. If we find the roots of certain diseases in early childhood, preventive care and therapies could start immediately to avoid the manifestation of symptoms and improve the life quality of these individuals. The sooner healthcare providers intervene in the lives of the affected adults who carry the burden of early life adversities, the more physical and emotional distress can be mitigated. Furthermore, identifying the residue of childhood trauma will advance the understanding of the pathogenesis of certain disorders. Consequently, it will drive the development of specific interventions and improve the effectiveness of treatments.Early adverse experiences have the potential to negatively impact an individual’s life trajectory in many ways. These experiences, also known as childhood trauma, can range from physical, emotional, or sexual abuse to parental divorce, economic hardship, or exposure to violence. They not only affect a child’s psychological and emotional development, but also compromise the development of cognitive and social abilities. Importantly, mounting evidence suggests that early adverse experiences may have lifetime consequences on physical and mental health.

1.1. Definition of Early Adverse Experiences

Early adverse experiences, commonly known as childhood adversities, refer to stressful or traumatic events experienced during childhood such as abuse or exposure to violence. These experiences are considered adverse as they are harmful to the child’s physical, mental, or emotional well-being. Early adverse experiences can vary in nature and can be interpersonal – such as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse – or related to the wider environment – such as growing up in a home with domestic violence, substance abuse, or mental illness. More recently, research studies have included broader aspects of adverse experiences, like experiencing poverty, discrimination, community violence, or witnessing others being mistreated. It is important to note that the resulting harm caused by early adverse experiences can manifest differently according to the age and developing stage of the child, the type and timing of the event, and the protective factors present in the child or wider environment. Protective factors refer to the positive experiences or relationships that can buffer or mitigate the negative impact of early adverse experiences. For example, a strong and supportive relationship with a caregiver or a stable home environment can help to promote resilience, defined as the ability to adapt positively, maintain, or regain mental health, despite experiences of adversity. Adult outcomes refer to the impact of childhood adversities on physical and mental health during adulthood. Some of the common adult outcomes explored in research studies include heart disease, liver disease, depression, anxiety, and traumatic disorders. Adults who experienced multiple and different types of early adverse experience are more likely to develop long-term health issues. However, differences in study findings suggested that further research is needed to investigate the complex relationship between the types, accumulation, and interaction of adversity and the emergence of different adult outcomes. Also, studying the effects of early adverse experiences on adult outcomes is important because findings can inform the development of early intervention and prevention programs. Such programs aim to train healthcare and social welfare professionals to recognize children at risk and to promote quick access to effective treatments. More importantly, promoting public awareness of the long-term effects of early adverse experiences can help to increase community support for children and families. Research studies conducted in different countries showed that adults who had adversity experiences in their childhood are more likely to be in contact with a healthcare service for recurrent chronic physical health problems and psychiatric disorders. Adults who experienced early stress are also less likely to respond to medical and psychological treatment.

1.2. Importance of Studying the Effects on Adult Outcomes

Another important issue that the focus on adult outcomes reflects is the idea that early adversity may cast a long shadow across the life course, seriously compromising not only current health and development, but also future health, economic and social participation, and subjective well-being in adulthood. In other words, an understanding of the adult impact of childhood adversity is critical not only on compassionate and scientific grounds, so that our responses as a society to adults who have suffered early adversity are informed and efficacious; it also matters on economic and social policy grounds, insofar as a primary league is work towards both the relief of current suffering and incapacity and the prevention of future suffering and incapacity. This combination is important because it is not enough in the case of any other contrast to be simply described and staged. The relevance of studying the effects of adverse experiences on adult outcomes also lies in the need to produce rigorous, scientific evidence in a diverse set of adult outcomes areas that can be used to inform policy. In the absence of such evidence—and there is a significant lack of such evidence at present—policy makers and taxpayers are unable to use resources in ways most likely to make a meaningful and long-lasting difference in the lives of those who have experienced early adversity. Further, a lack of evidence renders all decision-making in this area somewhat speculative because, without grounding in empirical data or the best guesses of clinicians and social scientists, even the most well-intentioned programs or legislative efforts may be ineffective or sub-optimal. Conversely, high-quality scientific evidence can be marshaled to support existing programs that are effective and to argue for termination or alteration of those that are not. This has the effect of ensuring resources are allocated wisely and that political and legislative efforts do not falter or fail because they are not based on well-grounded, empirically driven conclusions about what is likely to be most effective.

2. Study 1: The Longitudinal Study on Childhood Adversity and Adult Health

2.1. Methodology

2.2. Findings

2.3. Implications

3. Study 2: The Impact of Early Stress on Cognitive Abilities in Adulthood

3.1. Methodology

3.2. Findings

3.3. Implications

4. Study 3: The Association Between Childhood Maltreatment and Mental Health in Adulthood

4.1. Methodology

4.2. Findings

4.3. Implications