Narrative review on the relationship between toxic stress and occupational performance in early childhood

Abstract Introduction Early childhood is a crucial stage for human development during which the environment significantly influences brain formation and functioning. Adverse experiences during this period can trigger toxic stress, which in turn may hinder the achievement of developmental milestones....

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional 2024, Vol.32
Main Authors: Poblete Almendras, María José, Contreras Vergara, Catalina, Díaz Vargas, Belén, Martínez Muñoz, Belén, Pino Hueche, Sebastián, Urzúa Riveros, Nadia, Olivares Araya, Pablo
Format: Article
Language:English
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract Introduction Early childhood is a crucial stage for human development during which the environment significantly influences brain formation and functioning. Adverse experiences during this period can trigger toxic stress, which in turn may hinder the achievement of developmental milestones. Objective This study aims to describe the main adverse childhood experiences that lead to toxic stress in children aged 0 to 6 years, also considering their implications for mental health and occupational performance. Method A narrative review was conducted using the databases Web of Science, EBSCO, Scopus, and Psychology Database. Ten relevant articles were selected for analysis. Results The search revealed that poverty, child violence, and discrimination are the three most common adverse experiences generating toxic stress. Additionally, protective factors that can mitigate the impact of these adverse experiences, thereby strengthening childhood resilience, were identified. Among these factors, positive parenting characteristics stand out as the primary protective element. Conclusion Although a direct relationship between toxic stress and occupational performance was not found in the reviewed literature, it is concluded that the latter is indirectly affected because of its connection with mental health and child development – key aspects of participation in daily activities. This underscores the importance of expanding research in the field of occupational therapy, as it can significantly contribute to the promotion and prevention of mental health in childhood. Resumen Introducción La primera infancia es una etapa crucial para el desarrollo humano, donde el ambiente ejerce una influencia significativa en la formación y funcionamiento cerebral. La presencia de experiencias adversas puede desencadenar estrés tóxico, lo que a su vez puede obstaculizar de los hitos propios del desarrollo infantil. Objetivo El presente estudio tiene como objetivo describir las principales experiencias adversas en la infancia que provocan estrés tóxico en niños y niñas de 0 a 6 años, considerando también sus implicancias en la salud mental y el desempeño ocupacional. Método Se realizó una revisión narrativa utilizando bases de datos como Web of Science, EBSCO, Scopus y Psychology Database. Se seleccionaron diez artículos relevantes para el análisis. Resultados La búsqueda reveló que la pobreza, la violencia infantil y la discriminación, son las tres experiencias adversas más comune
ISSN:2526-8910
2526-8910
DOI:10.1590/2526-8910.ctoar281636612