1

Mental Health in Children Literature Review

Laura Ortiz

University of Texas at Arlington

KINE 4359-500
2

Mental Health in Children Literature Review

Mental health in children in the U.S. is becoming one of the most important topics to

discuss. When we hear about the rise of mental illness in children, we understand it in the sense

that we know it exits but have we asked why it does. Research suggests that mental illness in

children is caused by two main factors: socio economic status and phycological trauma. In the

following, background information on the prevalence of mental health in children will be

introduced. Furthermore, to understand how socio-economic status and psychological trauma

factor into mental health several research articles will be discussed. Lastly, articles will review

how these factors play into crime and academic performance in children into adulthood.

The following is background information over mental and behavioral health of children

in the U.S. Mental illness of children in the U.S. is has increased throughout the years. Research

suggests that children “ever had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression” has increased from

5.4 percent in 2003 to 8.4 in 2011-2012 among children aged 6 to 12 (Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC), 2022). In 2018- 2019 adolescents aged 12 to 17 reported having

had a major depressive episode (15.1%), persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness (36.7%),

substance use disorders (4.1%, alcohol use disorder (1.6%, illicit drug disorder (3.2%), seriously

considered attempting suicide (18.8%), made a suicide plan (15.7%), attempted suicide (8.9%,

made a suicide attempt requiring medical treatment (2.5%) (CDC, 2022). In the U.S one in six

children experience a mental health disorder each year yet not half of those children receive

medical treatment (National Alliance on Mental Health, 2022). This is a topic that deserves

further investigation and awareness. It is essential this issue is understood. Finding the root

problems of this issue is essential to be able to address it. The following are reviewed articles

rooting the reasons behind mental illness in children.

3

Socio economic status (SES) plays a crucial role in the mental health development of a

child. An article by Acta Clinica Croatica authors discuss the effects of poverty on the mental

health of children demonstrates how the relationship between a parent's low SES and poor health

correlates with slow-moving child’s development which then spreads through a lifespan into

adulthood (Vukojevic et al, 2017). The authors discuss how SES influences risks for brain

development disorders. Data suggests that low SES families are at an increased risk of preterm

birth, disability at birth, and having low birth weight (Vukojevic et al, 2017). This is important

because diseases are related to mental personality disorders (Vukojevic et al, 2017). People of

low SES families often engage in risky health behaviors which can lead to consumption of

tobacco, alcohol, and addiction drugs which can cause permanent damage to the brain during

pregnancy (Vukojevic et al, 2017). Scientific research suggests that SES and persistent poverty

influences a child's mental health. This is particularly true with aggressive behavior in those

children from lower “SES families are more likely to manifest some psychosomatic symptoms or

non-adaptive behavior” (Vokojevic et al, 2017). Additionally, stress from living in poverty can

negatively impact the way a child feels. Stress affects the hippocampus and limbic system which

had an impact on the child's emotions (Vukojevic et al, 2017). Emotions cause excessive

amounts of cortisol which affects telomeres if chromosomes which can shorten a lifespan

(Vukojevic et al, 2017).

In an article by the American Phycologist research discuss the effects of poverty in

mental, emotional, and behavioral health in children. This article informs the reader that SES

families had an increased lifetime depression rate (Yoshikawa et al, 2012). Many people

belonging to families belonging to family of lower SES together will the family disruption and

residential instability is related to depression onset by age 14 (Yoshikawa et al, 2012). Scientific
4

research shows that individuals of low SES backgrounds. Furthermore, parent and child stress

from economic difficulties link poverty to a child's mental, emotional, and behavioral health

through biological and psychosocial pathways (Yoshikawa et al, 2012). These stressors can

affect a child so much that it can activate biological stress mechanism or their immune system

(Yoshikawa et al, 2012).

Poverty is linked to the overall success of a child. According to an article by Nikulina et

al, poverty is “linked to delinquency in children, to academic achievement deficits, and mental

health consequences” (Nikulina et al, 2010). In a meta-analysis of 34 studies, research suggests

that there is an association between poverty and violent crime (Nikulina et al, 2010). In one study

on poverty in neighborhoods and crime are related (Nikulina et al, 2010). Additionally,

adolescents who grew up in “poor neighborhood compared to those growing up in wealthier

neighborhoods are more likely to engage in violent and non-violent juvenile delinquency”

(Nikulina et al, 2010). Delinquency and mental health are interrelated.

Financial instability and lack of resources are essential for a child's mental health. In an

article by BC Medical Journal a case study is researched of a 6-year-old boy suffering from

separation anxiety. This article informs that the boy did not show any abnormalities in the mental

status examination (Jacovljevic, 2016). It was until the phycologist learned about the financial

hardships the parents expressed and that the separation anxiety has started six months ago due to

the mothers increased work hours that the child was evaluated for a screening intervention tool

for poverty (Jakovljevic, 2016). After resources were offered to the child and the family like

subsidized summer camp for the child, low-cost transportation passes, income tax filling for

parents, 30-minute play sessions with his mother, and afterschool free tutoring the child within a

3-month period the boys separation anxiety had improved as well as academic performance
5

(Jakovljevic, 2016). It is apparent that these resources were effective. Poverty and mental health

are interrelated.

Psychological trauma is also one of the leading causes for mental health in children. The

Journal of Counseling and Development developed an article addressing this topic. One of the

definitions of psychological trauma is when “an individual is exposed to an overwhelming event

that renders him or her helpless in the face of intolerable danger, anxiety, and instinctual arousal”

(Armsworth et al, 1993). Psychological trauma like this can have a significant effect on children.

Research suggests that childhood trauma is incredibly significant because children cannot fully

control their emotions (Armsworth et al 1993). Furthermore, terrifying events may have

profound implications on the nervous system and cognitive functions that have not fully matured

that can lead to psychological conditions ( Armsworth et al, 1993). The article further reiterates

the effects of psychological trauma in children’s behavioral and mental health. Traumatized

children tend to have cognitive effects such as “confusion, academic difficulties, learning

disability, lower IQ, developmental delays, and communication skills (Armsworth et al, 1993).

They also display effective effects like emotional responses, depressive reactions, guilt and

shame, distress, helplessness, powerlessness, omens, and fears (Armsworth et al, 1993). The

article also addresses behavioral effects of psychological effects on children. The article informs

that traumatized children are more likely to partake in aggressive behaviors towards peers,

parents' teachers, and figures of authority (Armsworth et al, 1993). They are also more likely to

be involved in delinquent, antisocial, and criminal activities (Armsworth et al, 1993).

Additionally, traumatized children are more likely to be disruptive in class, act out

aggressiveness, which repels them from establishing friendships, being able to perceive social

cues, and be more likely rejected by peers (Armsworth et al, 1993). Furthermore, the article lists
6

some physiological somatic effects. These include physiological and biological responses to

trauma (Armsworth et al, 1993. Traumatized children experience neurological chemical changes

in the brain, higher blood pressure, bladder problems, dormant pituitary gland and hormonally

hypofunctional, sleep disturbances, and abnormalities due to somatic involvement (Armsworth et

al, 1993).

Children who have suffered psychological trauma experience so much so young that it

can lead them to the worst outcomes, even suicide. An article by psychiatric investigation

highlights this topic. This article highlights a study done of the prevalence of suicide from the

study of Korean adults who had experienced childhood trauma. In this study, 6, 027 subjects

aged 18-24 who had experienced a traumatic event before the age 18 were reviewed (Park et al,

2014). The results of this trial were that the risk of suicide attempt increase with childhood

trauma (Park et al, 2014). Additionally, the risk of “suicide attempts related to childhood trauma

increased with the presence of concurrent alcohol use, depression, or eating disorder” (Park et al,

2014).

Referring to the article by the American Journal of Community Psychology, the article

also informs of the outcomes of neglected children in relation to academic achievement and

crime. In a study adult who were neglected as adults scored lower on IQ tests compared to

controls (Nikulina et al, 2010). They were also more prone to participating in prostitution,

delinquency, and violent behavior (Nikulina et al, 2010). Additionally, the study concluded that

participants who were neglected as children had an increased risk of developing personality

disorders and major depressive disorders (Nikulina et al, 2010). The article also reports that in a

study half of the neglected group were arrested as adults (Nikulina et al, 2010).
7

Mental health illness in children takes effect in adulthood. In a longitudinal cohort study

conducted by the Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology children were studied to

investigate the relationship between mental health and academic achievement in children.

Children were studied in three periods, age 3 from mother's reports and self-reports at age 12-20

(Agnafors et al, 2021). The cohort study of 1700 children showed that emotional and behavioral

problems at age “were associated with performing below grade at age 12” (Agnafors et al, 2021).

Additionally, mental health problems at age “12 were associated with lack of complete final

grades from compulsory school and non-eligibility to higher education” (Agnafors et al, 2021).

In result of the study, the article concluded that mental health problems in early childhood can

lead to academic performance in adolescence (Agnafors et al, 2021). Furthermore, indicating the

need for mental health awareness and early intervention in childhood (Agnafors et al, 2021).

All these articles review the root causes for mental and behavioral illness in children. All

the articles conclude that there is a need for a child to grow up in a healthy safe environment

where they can grow healthy. Children need resources to be able to succeed. Poverty is one of

the main reasons for mental illness in children. The story of the child with anxiety separation was

addressed. It helps understand the need for resources. Once resources were available for that

child it decreased his social anxiety. Phycological trauma is the biggest cause for mental illness

in children. The articles defend the idea that children need safety and love in a home. Without it

they are susceptible to traumas that can lead them to mental illnesses. These two factors play into

how a child develops socially, emotionally, and academically into adolescence to become

productive members of society.

8

References

Agnafors, S., Barmark, M., & Sydsjö, G. (2021). Mental health and academic performance: a

study on selection and causation effects from childhood to early adulthood. Social

psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, 56(5), 857–866.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01934-5

Armsworth, M. W., & Holaday, M. (1993). The effects of psychological trauma on children and

adolescents. Journal of Counseling and Development: JCD, 72(1), 49.

doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1993.tb02276.x

Centers for Control Disease and Prevention. (2022). Data and Statistics on Childrens Mental

Health. https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/data.html

Jacovljevic, I., Miller, A.P., Fitzgerald, B. (2016). Children’s Mental Health: Is Poverty the
Diagnosis? BC Medical Journal. https://bcmj.org/articles/children-s-mental-health-
poverty-diagnosis
National Alliance of Mental Health. (2022). Mental Health in Schools.
https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Policy-Priorities/Improving-Health/Mental-Health-in-Schools
Nikulina, V., Widom, C.S. and Czaja, S. (2011), The Role of Childhood Neglect and Childhood

Poverty in Predicting Mental Health, Academic Achievement and Crime in Adulthood.

American Journal of Community Psychology, 48: 309-321. https://doi-

org.ezproxy.uta.edu/10.1007/s10464-010-9385-y

Park, S., Hong, J. P., Jeon, H. J., Seong, S., & Cho, M. J. (2015). Childhood exposure to

psychological trauma and the risk of suicide attempts: the modulating effect of

psychiatric disorders. Psychiatry investigation, 12(2), 171–176.

https://doi.org/10.4306/pi.2015.12.2.171
9

Yoshikawa, Aber, J. L., & Beardslee, W. R. (2012). The effects of poverty on the mental,

emotional, and behavioral health of children and youth: Implications for prevention.

American Psychologist., 67(4), 272–284. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0028015

Vukojevic, M., Zovko, A., Talic, I., Tanovic, M., Resic, B., Vrdoljak, I., & Splavski, B. (2017).

PARENTAL SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AS A PREDICTOR OF PHYSICAL AND

MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES IN CHILDREN-LITERATURE REVIEW. Acta

Clinica Croatica, 56(4), 742+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A535613066/HRCA?

u=txshracd2597&sid=summon&xid=d89f76ff