A Study into Infant Mental Health: Drawing together Perspectives of International Research, Theory, and Practical Intervention

A Study into Infant Mental Health This book is a study of infant mental health which blends knowledge and understanding from three perspectives: international research, theory, and inter­ vention. The volume increases awareness of the signi?cance of infant mental health, adding to the growing body of literature on in?uences upon lifestyles, communities, society, and attainment. The signi?cance of mental health to development has come to the fore in recent years and research in neuroscience is used to explore, and to understand the complexities of the human brain. Each infant is exposed to unique in?uences before and after birth. Neuroscience, genetics, adverse childhood experiences, and personalities feature in the chapters as mitigating factors to attainment. Exemplars create a bridge between research and implementation of recommen­ dations, and illustrate the myriad of in?uences and permutations that can enhance or hinder development. This book discusses internal in?uences from an infant’s biological make-up, alongside the circumstances and relationships within a family unit, as understanding these key aspects is integral to promotion of each infant’s life chances. The volume concludes by considering future approaches to nurturing infant mental health. Carefully designed to stimulate discussion and professional inquiry, this volume is an invaluable resource for researchers, academics, and scholars with an interest in infant mental health. Hazel G. Whitters is a practitioner-researcher who works in an early years service in Glasgow, Scotland. Interests include the professional–parent rela­ tionship, therapeutic play, and infant mental health. Advances in Mental Health Research Books in this series: Narratives of Art Practice and Mental Wellbeing Reparation and Connection Olivia Sagan The Prevention of Suicide in Prison Cognitive Behavioural Approaches Edited by Daniel Pratt Schizotypy New Dimensions Edited by Oliver Mason and Gordon Claridge Supervision and Treatment Experiences of Probationers with Mental Illness Analyses of Contemporary Issues in Community Corrections Babatunde Oluwaseun Adekson Mental Wellbeing and Psychology The Role of Art and History in Self Discovery and Creation Sue Barker with Louise Jensen and Hamed Al Battashi Neurolinguistic Programming in Clinical Settings Theory and Evidence-Based Practice Edited by Lisa de Rijk, Richard Gray, and Frank Bourke A Study into Infant Mental Health Drawing together Perspectives of International Research, Theory, and Practical Intervention Hazel G. Whitters Film/Video-Based Therapy and Trauma Research and Practice Joshua L. Cohen A Study into Infant Mental Health Drawing together Perspectives of International Research, Theory, and Practical Intervention Hazel G. Whitters Designed cover image: © Getty Images First published 2023 by Routledge 4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN and by Routledge 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2023 Hazel G. Whitters The right of Hazel G. Whitters to be identi?ed as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identi?cation and explanation without intent to infringe. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN: 978-1-032-41441-6 (hbk) ISBN: 978-1-032-41445-4 (pbk) ISBN: 978-1-003-35810-7 (ebk) DOI: 10.4324/9781003358107 Typeset in Times New Roman by Taylor & Francis Books I dedicate this book to children, parents, and carers throughout the world. Nurturing the next generation is key to attainment for all within happy, ful?lling lives. I include a dedication to my hus­ band John whose continuous support and encouragement has enabled me to achieve. Thank you. Contents Preface viii 1 Infant mental health 1 2 Relationships, involvement, and well-being 28 3 The developing child 58 4 Learning and adversities 88 5 Ability, capacity, and creativity 122 6 Research, theory, and intervention 150 Index 181 Preface This book is a monograph that presents knowledge and understanding of infant mental health from the three perspectives of research, theory, and intervention. I hope that this monograph will stimulate discussion and pro­ fessional inquiry from scholars and researchers. I have worked for 40 years in childcare and education, and in the past 12 years I have undertaken research and training in infant mental health. The key to an infant’s independent learning is transformation of his inner working model. This monograph aims to engage readers by contributing to the knowledge base that informs issues pertaining to this ?eld of study. Current and past research from international sources is used to increase a reader’s under­ standing of mental-health issues in young children with an emphasis on neural development and the impact of adversities. Participants in these studies have experienced negative in?uences upon development and include minority groups. A deeper understanding of neuroscience and environmental impact is gained by contextualising research ?ndings within daily lifestyles. Knowledge is weak as a single entity but rich if accompanied by under­ standing which can in?uence strategy and, ultimately, implementation of intervention. I feel passionately that learning and professional development should be shared with others to generate discussion, investigation, and to increase expertise in the ?eld of infant mental health. This book discusses the attainment gap by accessing research on high abil­ ity, additional learning needs, and developmental norms. The current focus upon attainment is contextualised by reference to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has presented a new multilayered adversity and prompted profes­ sionals to seek out knowledge and to re?ect upon pertinent issues. The lock- down periods narrowed the daily world of the workforce but increased opportunities and time for research and professional development. Infant mental-health teams are being established throughout the world to target this area of need. The pandemic has resulted in unpredicted in?uences upon mental health in adults, children, and infants. The book describes how children are presenting in services with unusual demonstration of trauma which is emerging within research as associated with social and emotional isolation, and parents’ anxieties. Preface ix Knowledge and understanding of these aspects feature in studies throughout the world, and ?ndings will continue to be published over the coming months and years. I feel that this is an opportune time to write a monograph in response to these issues. The book is designed to increase awareness of the signi?cance of infant mental health through presentation of research, theory, and intervention, and to add to the growing body of literature on in?uences upon lifestyles, com­ munities, society, and attainment. This book is primarily aimed at scholars in the disciplines of health, education, social work, and family therapy.