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Stress of government shutdown may impact children
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Government shutdowns can cause parental stress, which in turn can affect the stress levels of children in the household, a researcher from Virginia Tech suggested.
President Donald J. Trump agreed to reopen the government following the longest shutdown in U.S. history and provide funding until Feb. 15. Pediatricians are in a unique position to counsel families who experienced hardships during the most recent shutdown and are concerned that they will experience further hardships this month if Congress and the president cannot come to an agreement over spending.
“Pediatricians should take time to listen to families about their concerns because it may take a bit more to help families deal with their stress levels and anxiety related to the shutdown,” Thomas Ollendick, PhD, a distinguished professor in the department of psychology at the Virginia Tech College of Science and director of the Virginia Tech Child Study Center, told Infectious Diseases in Children. “Some families are directly affected, but many more are experiencing the shutdown vicariously or through a friend or family member who are directly affected.”
According to a study published in Pediatrics, the developing brain is sensitive to severe ongoing stress, or “toxic stress.” If not buffered by supportive caregivers, toxic stress can cause changes in the neuroendocrine system during childhood and adolescence.
“It is important for physicians in general to be open to the possibility that their patient is affected by the shutdown. Physicians should listen to what the patient has to say and not ignore or dismiss it,” he said. “Young patients need to know that we care, and we understand this is a difficult time.” – by Katherine Bortz
Reference:
Sege RD, et al. Pediatrics. 2017;doi:10.1542/peds.2017-0100.
Disclosure: Ollendick reports no relevant financial disclosures.