Childcare as a stabilising influence on HPA axis functioning: A re-evaluation of maternal occupational patterns and familial relations
In this UK study the influence of factors including childcare on pre-school children's production of cortisol (the 'stress hormone') were investigated in 56 mother-child pairs. Elevated levels of cortisol were detected in children of mothers reporting low levels of job role quality or high levels of emotional exhaustion. Frequent childcare use was found to protect children against the physiological effects of this.
Chryssanthopoulou, C and others. Developmental Psychobiology 47(4):354-368, Dec 2005. Abstract: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com
A longitudinal study exploring Liverpool primary schoolchildren's perspectives on smoking
A cohort study of more than 200 schoolchildren aged four to seven explored perspectives on smoking in the context of their lives and assessed changes over time. The children had a negative disposition about the habit and a fairly substantive understanding of smoking and its consequences to health, and they acknowledged the central role that the family played within the 'culture' of smoking.
Porcellato, L, Dugdill, L and Springett, J. Childhood 12(4):425-443, Nov 2005. Abstract: www.sagepub.com
Understanding emotions in others: mirror neuron dysfunction in children with autism spectrum disorders
In this US study a group of 12-year-olds diagnosed with autism and a non-autistic control group were shown 80 faces illustrating emotions. In the non-autistic children various parts of their brains flickered into life, including mirror neurons. The autistic children processed the faces properly but the mirror neurons failed to light up. This suggests that a dysfunctional 'mirror neuron system' may underlie the social deficits observed in autism Dapretto, M and others. Nature Neuroscience, Published online: 4 December 2005. Abstract: http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/
The role of parenting styles in children's problem behaviour
This Finnish study investigated the combination of mothers' and fathers'
parenting styles that would be most influential in predicting their children's internal and external problem behaviours. It followed up 196 children aged five to six between kindergarten and second grade. A high level of psychological control exercised by mothers, combined with high affection, predicted increases in problem behaviours among children.
Aunola, K and Nurmi, J-E. Child Development76(6):1144-159, Nov/Dec 2005.
Abstract: http://www.srcd.org/pubs.html
