The Most Important Child Development Studies of 2011
Although many important studies were published this year, some stand out because they not only offer new information, they also affect our way of thinking about parenting and child development. Here are my picks for the most important studies of 2011 -- and what lessons they hold for parents.
By Richard Rende
Study: Parents' Depression Corresponds with Children's Depression
Study name: "Remission of depression in parents: links to healthy functioning in their children," Garber et al., 2011, Child Development, Volume 82 (1), p. 226 - 243.
What was found? By conducting six observations across two years of parents (70 percent were moms) in treatment for depression, along with their kids, this study revealed that kids' symptoms of depression mirrored their parents' symptoms closely. These included decreases in symptoms that corresponded to treatment effects, increases in symptoms once treatment effects ended, and lack of improvement in depression if parents didn't respond to treatment.
Why is this study influential? Other studies have shown how treating parental depression leads to improved behavior in their kids. This study, however, demonstrates how episodic and harmful depression is in adults even after successful treatment, and how such recurring depression has an immediate corresponding negative impact on their kids' functioning. Another critical point is that parents need to find treatments that work for them (there are a variety of antidepressants, along with cognitive and behavioral therapies, and some time and effort may be required to find the right mix) because being in treatment is not enough, and treatment effects are not always long-lasting.
What's the take-home message? Depression is a common disorder, especially among women of childbearing and child-rearing age. It also affects men, but at a lower rate. Because kids are extremely sensitive to increases in parental depression, it's important for parents to learn the signs of depression, seek help, find a treatment that works, and be prepared to seek out new (and possibly different) treatment if depression recurs. Expect more studies that focus on treatment strategies for parents and kids at risk for depression and more studies about depressed dads and the effects of their depression on kids.
Study: Children's Sleep Habits Interfere With Cognitive Development
Study name: "Children's sleep and cognitive performance: A cross-domain analysis of change over time," Bub et al., 2011, Developmental Psychology, Volume 47 (6), p. 1504-1514.
What was found? By recording children's sleep problems and cognitive problems in 250 second- and third-grade students over a three-year period, this study showed that kids who reported problems with sleepiness during the day, with increased sleepiness over time, did not show growth in their cognitive development. Over time, this resulted in learning losses that were significant compared to the normative gains among kids without signs of sleep deprivation.
Why is this study influential? On average, kids don't sleep as much as they used to (or should), but this study shows that young kids who report being tired during the day (and who show signs of sleep deprivation) will most likely have long-term impairments during critical learning stages in childhood (that is, from second grade through fourth grade). These effects are especially strong among girls, possibly due to pubertal changes in the oldest girls that make them more susceptible to the effects of sleep deprivation. Most troubling is the discovery that lack of cognitive growth is cumulative; each year of sleepiness adversely interferes with the development of cognitive abilities.
What's the take-home message? There are many serious and negative consequences of childhood sleep deprivation. This study is sobering because it shows convincingly that lack of adequate sleep can undermine a child's ability to learn. All parents need to be vigilant about monitoring their kids' sleep, developing awareness for signs of sleep deprivation, and being ready to take action to improve their kids' sleep habits.
Study: Young Children's Consumption of Media Is Increasing
Study name: "Zero to eight: Children's media use in America," A Common Sense Media Research Study, Fall 2011.
What was found? By conducting interviews with 1,384 parents, this study provided detailed estimates about the high media use (TV, DVD, and mobile media that included tablets and smartphones) by kids between ages 0 to 8 years old. Some highlights include: 1) kids under age 2 spent an average of 53 minutes a day watching TV/DVD but only 23 minutes a day reading or being read to; 2) 42 percent of kids have a TV in their bedroom; 3) 53 percent of 2- to 4-year-olds have used a computer; 4) 52 percent of kids between ages 0 to 8 have access to mobile media.
Why is this study influential? Although media use has been tracked extensively, this is one of the first studies to generate descriptive data about kids' use of different media. The bottom line: Screen time is increasing for this digital generation, partly because of increased access to mobile media and computers and partly because of increased TV watching (increases over the last six years are the result of more kids having a TV in their bedroom). Professional recommendations continue to advise reductions in kids' screen time, including one offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics that kids under age 2 should not be watching TV.
What's the take-home message? Parents need to weigh the advantages of modern technology against the disadvantages of increased screen time, including interference with reading time, encouragement of sedentary behavior, and decreased opportunities for social interaction with parents and peers. This study is the tip of the iceberg, as researchers are just starting to observe how kids are adding mobile devices into their repertoire of media use. Expect more studies on the positive and negative effects of increased media consumption by kids. In the meantime, encourage reading as well as play and social interaction at all ages, given the amount of time kids are devoting to media use.
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This article first appeared on Parents.com.
