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Poverty, underdevelopment, and infant mental health
Author(s) -
Richter Linda M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
infant mental health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1097-0355
pISSN - 0163-9641
DOI - 10.1002/imhj.20018
Subject(s) - underdevelopment , poverty , psychological intervention , malnutrition , mental health , cycle of poverty , psychology , medicine , developmental psychology , development economics , psychiatry , economic growth , economics
Abstract Great advances have occurred in disciplinary and professional knowledge of infant development and its influence on subsequent development. This expertise includes the ways in which early experiences affect the capacity of mature individuals for social adjustment and productive competence and promising methods of intervention to promote infant mental health and prevent adverse sequelae of risk conditions. However, very little of this knowledge has been applied in work amongst infants and children living in conditions of poverty and underdevelopment. This lack of application continues despite the enormous threats to the well being of infants and young children brought about by the combined effects of poverty and the AIDS pandemic, especially in southern Africa. Protein–energy malnutrition, maternal depression, and institutional care of infants and small children are cited as illustrative of areas in which interventions and their evaluation are desperately needed in resource‐poor countries. An argument is made for the critical importance of considering and addressing psychological factors in caregivers and children in conditions of extreme material need. An example is provided of a simple intervention model based on sound developmental principles that can be implemented by trained non‐professionals in conditions of poverty and underdevelopment.