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Ye ZY, Han ZY, Zhong BL. Secure base and mental health in children: a narrative review. Transl Pediatr 2024; 13:1608-1616. [PMID: 39399718 PMCID: PMC11467232 DOI: 10.21037/tp-24-191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 10/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective Childhood is a crucial period for the formation of an individual's attachment type. Previous studies focused more on how to directly intervene in children's mental health problems such as depression, and less on how to improve children's mental health from the perspective of attachment relationship. Secure base, as one of the core concepts of attachment theory, plays an important role in the whole process of children's psychological development. In this article, we review the concept of the secure base, describe current clinical practice and suggest future directions. Methods A literature search was performed within electronic databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, and CNKI. Chinese and English articles focusing on the secure base and attachment relationship among children were retrieved. Their publication dates were set from the inception of the database to August 6, 2024. Key Content and Findings While the secure base significantly impacts early childhood, a safe base may also be established through group and teacher-student relationships to activate individual secure attachment schemas. Most prior studies concentrated on the mother-child bond, with limited exploration of the father's role in the family dynamic. Furthermore, children's secure attachment development is not only influenced by parents' secure base script knowledge (SBSK) but also by intergenerational transmission. The underlying structure of secure base scripting knowledge plays a distinct role in middle childhood mental health. Conclusions The mechanism by which family structure, the functional division of family roles, and the potential structure of safe-base script knowledge influence children's secure attachment development at various stages warrants further elucidation, including investigating cross-gender and cross-cultural stability. To facilitate the development of children's secure attachment pathways, it is essential to consider different attachment styles within parents and diverse family structures (including those in lesbian, gay, bisexual). From a clinical psychotherapy perspective, this review offered novel insights and practical guidance on how the secure base mechanism impacts children's mental health, with the overarching goal of mitigating the risk of mental health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Ying Ye
- Research Center for Psychological and Health Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, China
| | - Zhuo-Ying Han
- Research Center for Psychological and Health Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, China
| | - Bao-Liang Zhong
- Research Center for Psychological and Health Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Wuhan Mental Health Center, Wuhan, China
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2
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Chen E, Jiang T, Chen MA, Chiu RY, Miller GE. Resilience in children with chronic illness: Tests of the shift-and-persist and skin-deep resilience theories. Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:2264-2274. [PMID: 37340834 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579423000603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated, and discusses the integration of, the shift-and-persist (SAP) and skin-deep resilience (SDR) theories. The SAP theory states that the combination of shifting (adjusting oneself to stressful situations through strategies like emotion regulation) and persisting (enduring adversity with strength by finding meaning and maintaining optimism) will be beneficial to physical health in children experiencing adversity. The SDR theory states that high striving/self-control will be beneficial to mental health but detrimental to physical health among those confronting adversity. This study investigated 308 children ages 8-17 experiencing the adversity of a chronic illness (asthma). SAP and SDR (striving/self-control) were assessed via questionnaires, and physical health (asthma symptoms, inflammatory profiles), mental health (anxiety/depression, emotional functioning), and behavioral (medication adherence, activity limitations, collaborative relationships with providers) outcomes were measured cross-sectionally. SAP was associated with better physical health, whereas SDR was associated with worse physical health. Both were associated with better mental health. Only SDR was associated with better behavioral outcomes. Implications of findings and discussion of how to integrate these theories are provided. We suggest that future interventions might seek to cultivate both SAP and SDR to promote overall better health and well-being across multiple domains in children experiencing adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith Chen
- Department of Psychology and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Psychology and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Michelle A Chen
- Department of Psychology and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Rachel Y Chiu
- Department of Psychology and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Gregory E Miller
- Department of Psychology and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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3
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Kelada L, Molloy CJ, Hibbert P, Wiles LK, Gardner C, Klineberg E, Braithwaite J, Jaffe A. Child and caregiver experiences and perceptions of asthma self-management. NPJ Prim Care Respir Med 2021; 31:42. [PMID: 34504105 PMCID: PMC8429661 DOI: 10.1038/s41533-021-00253-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is the most common chronic condition of childhood. Self-management is integral to good asthma control. This qualitative paper explores how children with asthma and their parents perceive asthma, their experience with asthma, and how they manage symptoms, preventions and medications within and outside the home. We undertook 15 focus groups with 41 school-aged (6-11 years) children with asthma and 38 parents. Parents and their children attended the same focus groups. We used thematic analysis to analyse the transcripts. Our findings show the impact asthma can have on children's social and emotional wellbeing and highlight how reliant school-aged children are on their parents to effectively manage their asthma. Parents reported being unsure when their child's symptoms warranted visiting their doctor or hospital. Schools were identified as a source of difficulty regarding asthma management; families reported that children may be self-conscious about their asthma and using their inhaler at school. School policies and teachers' lack of asthma knowledge were reported to exacerbate children's reluctance to use their inhaler at school. Our results have implications for the design and implementation of children's self-management interventions for their asthma, particularly when they are at school and away from their parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Kelada
- grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia ,grid.414009.80000 0001 1282 788XKids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, NSW Australia
| | - Charlotte J. Molloy
- grid.1004.50000 0001 2158 5405Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW Australia ,grid.1026.50000 0000 8994 5086Australian Centre for Precision Health, Cancer Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA Australia ,grid.430453.50000 0004 0565 2606South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA Australia
| | - Peter Hibbert
- grid.1004.50000 0001 2158 5405Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW Australia ,grid.1026.50000 0000 8994 5086Australian Centre for Precision Health, Cancer Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA Australia ,grid.430453.50000 0004 0565 2606South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA Australia
| | - Louise K. Wiles
- grid.1004.50000 0001 2158 5405Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW Australia ,grid.1026.50000 0000 8994 5086Australian Centre for Precision Health, Cancer Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA Australia ,grid.430453.50000 0004 0565 2606South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA Australia
| | - Claire Gardner
- grid.1026.50000 0000 8994 5086Australian Centre for Precision Health, Cancer Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA Australia ,grid.1014.40000 0004 0367 2697Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA Australia
| | - Emily Klineberg
- grid.416088.30000 0001 0753 1056Ministry of Health, NSW Health, St Leonards, NSW Australia
| | - Jeffrey Braithwaite
- grid.1004.50000 0001 2158 5405Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Adam Jaffe
- grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia ,grid.414009.80000 0001 1282 788XRespiratory Department, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, NSW Australia ,grid.414009.80000 0001 1282 788XAiming for Asthma Improvement in Children, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, NSW Australia
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4
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Jiang Y, Farrell AK, Tobin ET, Mair-Meijers H, Wildman DE, Luca F, Slatcher RB, Zilioli S. Socioeconomic status, financial stress, and glucocorticoid resistance among youth with asthma: Testing the moderation effects of maternal involvement and warmth. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 96:92-99. [PMID: 34015429 PMCID: PMC8319072 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Children who grow up in more socioeconomically disadvantaged homes experience greater levels of inflammation and worse asthma symptoms than children from more advantaged families. However, recent evidence suggests that certain family-level factors can mitigate health disparities associated with socioeconomic status (SES). In a sample of youth with asthma, we investigated the potential buffering effects of maternal involvement and warmth on SES disparities in asthma-related immune responses, assessed via glucocorticoid resistance (GR) of immune cells. METHODS One hundred and forty-three youth (10-16 years of age) with asthma completed measures of maternal involvement and warmth, and their primary caregivers reported their levels of education, income, and financial stress. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from youth's blood were isolated, cultured, and assayed to determine mitogen-stimulated (PMA/INO + Etho) and mitogen/hydrocortisone-stimulated (PMA/INO + Cort) levels of two Th-2 cytokines (i.e., interleukin-5, interleukin-13) and one Th-1 cytokine (i.e., interferon-γ). GR was calculated by subtracting log-transformed cytokine concentration in the PMA/INO + Etho samples from log-transformed cytokine concentration in the PMA/INO + Cort samples. RESULTS Both maternal involvement and warmth moderated the indirect pathway from family SES to GR of Th-2 cytokines via financial stress. Specifically, we found that low family SES was associated with elevated GR of Th-2 cytokines via increased financial stress among youth reporting low levels of maternal involvement and warmth, but not among those reporting high levels of maternal involvement or warmth. CONCLUSIONS These results highlight the protective role of maternal involvement and warmth in health-related biological processes modulated by family SES among youth with asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Jiang
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, United States.
| | | | - Erin T. Tobin
- Behavioral Health and General Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Health System
| | | | - Derek E. Wildman
- Genomics Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida
| | - Francesca Luca
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University
| | | | - Samuele Zilioli
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, United States; Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, United States.
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5
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Ehrlich KB. How does the social world shape health across the lifespan? Insights and new directions. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 75:1231-1241. [PMID: 33382288 DOI: 10.1037/amp0000757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Decades of research highlight the connections between stressful life experiences-particularly those experienced in childhood-and physical health across the lifespan. In recent years, studies at the intersection of social and biomedical science have provided intriguing insights into the biological mechanisms that might explain how chronic and acute stressors give rise to health problems, sometimes decades later in life. To date, efforts to understand these connections have relied on a handful of study designs, and these studies have revealed important observations about how stressful experiences are thought to shape health. At the same time, these study designs have some drawbacks that limit the conclusions that can be drawn about the role of the social world for health. This article provides an overview of research on social determinants of health and includes a discussion of conceptual and methodological directions for the field to consider. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
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Lewis CR, Sowards HA, Huentelman MJ, Doane LD, Lemery-Chalfant K. Epigenetic differences in inflammation genes of monozygotic twins are related to parent-child emotional availability and health. Brain Behav Immun Health 2020; 5:100084. [PMID: 34589859 PMCID: PMC8474531 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2020.100084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The inflammatory response is an immune defense engaged immediately after injury or infection. Chronic inflammation can be deleterious for various health outcomes and is characterized by high levels of pro-inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). A large body of research demonstrates these inflammatory markers are responsive to stress and quality of social relationships throughout the lifespan. For example, the quality of the early parental bond predicts various health outcomes and may be driven by changes in immune function. Epigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation, may be one mechanism by which early social experiences shape immune functioning. The present study used a monozygotic twin difference design to assess if mother-reported emotional availability at 1 year and 2.5 years predicted immune gene methylation at 8 years of age. Further, we assessed if inflammation gene methylation was related to general health problems (e.g. infections, allergies, etc.). We found that mother-reported emotional availability at 1 year, but not 2.5 years, was related to methylation of various immune genes in monozygotic twins. Furthermore, twin pairs discordant in health problems have more difference in immune gene methylation compared to twin pairs concordant for health problems, suggesting that methylation of immune genes may have functional consequences for general health. These results suggest that the emotional component of attachment quality during infancy contributes to immune epigenetic profiles in childhood, which may influence general health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candace R Lewis
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Neurogenomics Division, United States.,Arizona State University, Psychology Department, United States
| | | | - Matthew J Huentelman
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Neurogenomics Division, United States
| | - Leah D Doane
- Arizona State University, Psychology Department, United States
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Chen E, Hayen R, Le V, Austin MK, Shalowitz MU, Story RE, Miller GE. Neighborhood Social Conditions, Family Relationships, and Childhood Asthma. Pediatrics 2019; 144:peds.2018-3300. [PMID: 31320467 PMCID: PMC6856806 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-3300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Poor neighborhood conditions have established associations with poorer child health, but little is known about protective factors that mitigate the effects of difficult neighborhood conditions. In this study, we tested if positive family relationships can buffer youth who live in dangerous and/or disorderly neighborhoods from poor asthma outcomes. METHODS A total of 308 youths (aged 9-17) who were physician-diagnosed with asthma and referred from community pediatricians and/or family practitioners participated in this cross-sectional study. Neighborhood conditions around families' home addresses were coded by using Google Street View images. Family relationship quality was determined via youth interviews. Clinical asthma outcomes (asthma symptoms, activity limitations, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second percentile), asthma management behaviors (family response to asthma symptoms and integration of asthma into daily life), and asthma-relevant immunologic processes (lymphocyte T helper 1 and T helper 2 cytokine production and sensitivity to glucocorticoid inhibition) were assessed via questionnaires, interviews, spirometry, and blood draws. RESULTS Significant interactions were found between neighborhood conditions and family relationship quality (β = |.11-.15|; P < .05). When neighborhood danger and/or disorder was low, family relationships were not associated with asthma. When neighborhood danger and/or disorder was high, better family relationship quality was associated with fewer asthma symptoms, fewer activity limitations, and higher forced expiratory volume in 1 second percentile. Similar patterns emerged for asthma management behaviors. With immunologic measures, greater neighborhood danger and/or disorder was associated with greater T helper 1 and T helper 2 cytokine production and reduced glucocorticoid sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS When youth live in dangerous and/or disorderly neighborhoods, high family relationship quality can buffer youth from poor asthma outcomes. Although families may not be able to change their neighborhoods, they may nonetheless be able to facilitate better asthma outcomes in their children through strong family relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith Chen
- Department of Psychology and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois; and
| | - Robin Hayen
- Department of Psychology and Institute for Policy
Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois; and
| | - Van Le
- Department of Psychology and Institute for Policy
Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois; and
| | - Makeda K. Austin
- Department of Psychology and Institute for Policy
Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois; and
| | - Madeleine U. Shalowitz
- Center for Clinical Research Informatics, NorthShore
University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois
| | | | - Gregory E. Miller
- Department of Psychology and Institute for Policy
Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois; and
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The costs of high self-control in Black and Latino youth with asthma: Divergence of mental health and inflammatory profiles. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 80:120-128. [PMID: 30818034 PMCID: PMC6660352 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 02/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/23/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence in psychology suggests a paradox whereby high levels of self-control when striving for academic success among minority youth can have physical health costs. This study tested the skin-deep resilience hypothesis in asthma- whether minority youth who are striving hard to succeed academically experience good psychological outcomes but poor asthma outcomes. Youth physician-diagnosed with asthma (N = 276, M age = 12.99; 155 = White, 121 = Black/Latino) completed interviews about school stress and a self-control questionnaire. Outcomes included mental health (anxiety/depression) and ex-vivo immunologic processes relevant to asthma (lymphocyte Th-1 and Th-2 cytokine production, and sensitivity to glucocorticoid inhibition). Physician contacts were tracked over a one-year follow-up. For minority youth experiencing high levels of school stress, greater self-control was associated with fewer mental health symptoms (beta = -0.20, p < .05), but worse asthma inflammatory profiles (larger Th-1 and Th-2 cytokine responses, lower sensitivity to glucocorticoid inhibition), and more frequent physician contacts during the one-year follow-up (beta's ranging from 0.22 to 0.43, p's < .05). These patterns were not evident in White youth. In minority youth struggling with school, high levels of self-control are detrimental to asthma inflammatory profiles and clinical outcomes. This suggests the need for health monitoring to be incorporated into academic programs to ensure that 'overcoming the odds' does not lead to heightened health risks in minority youth.
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Abstract
Over the last 40 years, researchers have made considerable progress identifying the ways in which attachment security shapes individuals' social and emotional functioning. In recent years, new investigations have shed light on connections between attachment and physiological systems in the body. The goal of this special issue is to focus attention on how attachment may be related to biological markers that relate to physical health, including inflammation, cortisol, and cardiometabolic risk. The papers in this special issue, highlighted in this introduction, demonstrate that these links may exist across the lifespan. We conclude with several examples of extensions of this work might emerge in the years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine B Ehrlich
- a Department of Psychology and Center for Family Research , University of Georgia , Athens , GA , USA
| | - Jude Cassidy
- b Department of Psychology , University of Maryland , College Park , MD, USA
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