Table Of ContentA 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 significance of infant mental
health, adding to the growing body of literature on influences upon lifestyles,
communities, society, and attainment.
The significance 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 influences
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 influences and permutations that can
enhance or hinder development. This book discusses internal influences 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 identified 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 identification 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, fulfilling 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 field 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 influences upon development and include minority
groups. A deeper understanding of neuroscience and environmental impact is
gained by contextualising research findings within daily lifestyles.
Knowledge is weak as a single entity but rich if accompanied by under
standing which can influence 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 field 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 reflect 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 influences 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 findings 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 significance of
infant mental health through presentation of research, theory, and intervention,
and to add to the growing body of literature on influences 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.
