Widrigkeiten in der Kindheit können die Entwicklung des Gehirns eher abschwächen als beschleunigen | Während frühere Theorien nahelegten, dass diese Veränderungen eine beschleunigte Gehirnentwicklung widerspiegeln könnten, deutet diese Studie darauf hin, dass sie stattdessen eine Abschwächung oder Verlangsamung spezifischer Entwicklungsprozesse darstellen könnten.

From the article: A new study [published](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878929324001233) in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience sheds light on how early exposure to family-related stressors, such as harsh parenting, family conflict, and unsafe neighborhoods, impacts brain development. Researchers found that children exposed to these threats showed distinct patterns of brain development between late childhood and adolescence. While prior theories suggested these changes might reflect accelerated brain development, this study indicates they may instead represent a blunting or slowing of specific developmental processes.

Childhood is a critical period for brain development, with the family environment playing a foundational role in shaping emotional and cognitive growth. Adverse experiences can have lasting impacts on mental health and well-being. However, the exact mechanisms by which these experiences influence brain development remain unclear.

“In recent years, a shift in thinking about adversity has taken place. Where the consequences of adversity were initially interpreted as damage, more recently, these consequences are seen as adaptations to the adverse environment,” said study author Sandra Thijssen, an assistant professor at the Behavioural Science Institute at Radboud University.