Child Health, Wellness, and Substance Use — Chapter 13 Summary from Mash & Wolfe

Child Health, Wellness, and Substance Use — Chapter 13 Summary from Mash & Wolfe

Book cover

Chapter 13 of Child Psychopathology by Eric J. Mash and David A. Wolfe explores the complex relationship between children's physical health and psychological well-being. From sleep disturbances and chronic illnesses to elimination disorders and adolescent substance use, this chapter highlights the interconnected nature of biopsychosocial development—and the importance of early, integrated intervention.

Sleep-Wake Disorders in Childhood

Sleep problems such as insomnia, sleep terrors, narcolepsy, and sleepwalking can significantly disrupt brain development, mood stability, and behavioral regulation. Sleep deprivation impairs the prefrontal cortex, which governs attention, impulse control, and emotional balance. Treatment includes:

  • Behavioral therapy and consistent bedtime routines
  • Environmental modifications to reduce stimulation
  • Medical interventions for more severe cases

Elimination Disorders: Enuresis and Encopresis

Enuresis (bedwetting) and encopresis (involuntary defecation) often result from developmental delays, stress, or physiological conditions. While sometimes stigmatized, these disorders are highly treatable using:

  • Behavioral reinforcement strategies (e.g., reward charts)
  • Medical evaluation and treatment for underlying conditions
  • Family counseling and psychoeducation to reduce shame

Chronic Illness and Psychological Adjustment

Chronic illnesses like asthma, diabetes, and cancer affect every domain of a child's life, from physical functioning to social relationships and emotional resilience. These children are at increased risk for:

  • Anxiety and depression
  • Academic difficulties
  • Low self-esteem and peer challenges

Pediatric health psychology provides evidence-based strategies for promoting adaptive coping, improving treatment adherence, and supporting family adjustment through targeted education and therapeutic support.

Adolescent Substance-Use Disorders (SUDs)

Substance use during adolescence is particularly concerning due to its impact on the developing brain. Early use of substances like alcohol, marijuana, or stimulants disrupts dopamine pathways and impairs executive functioning. Risk factors include:

  • Genetic predisposition
  • Family dysfunction or parental substance use
  • Peer pressure and social modeling

Effective prevention and intervention strategies include:

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): To restructure thinking and reduce risky behaviors
  • Family-Based Interventions (e.g., Multisystemic Therapy): Target the home, school, and community environment
  • School-based prevention programs: To reduce stigma and increase protective behaviors

Conclusion

Chapter 13 illustrates how physical health, emotional regulation, and behavioral development are deeply intertwined. Whether addressing sleep issues, chronic conditions, elimination problems, or substance use, early and holistic interventions can dramatically improve long-term outcomes. A biopsychosocial approach is essential to helping children and adolescents thrive in both body and mind.

🎥 For a structured audio breakdown of this chapter, watch the embedded podcast-style video above.

📚 Continue your learning with more summaries from Child Psychopathology to build a solid understanding of childhood mental health and developmental challenges.

If you found this breakdown helpful, be sure to subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more chapter-by-chapter textbook summaries and academic study guides.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Behavior Therapies & Evidence-Based Practice — Chapter 9 Summary from Systems of Psychotherapy

Image
Behavior Therapies & Evidence-Based Practice — Chapter 9 Summary from Systems of Psychotherapy Chapter 9 of Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Analysis explores the robust field of behavior therapies, which focus on changing maladaptive behaviors through practical, empirical methods. These approaches, grounded in learning theory and continuous assessment, have become foundational in treating a range of psychological conditions. This expanded summary, based on our podcast-style breakdown of Chapter 9 , highlights the key techniques, theoretical foundations, and clinical applications of behavior therapy. Want a concise video guide? Watch the chapter summary above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more psychology study resources! The Foundations of Behavior Therapy Behavior therapy focuses on observable, measurable changes in behavior rather than probing unconscious processes. Using empirical methods, therapists continuously assess and adjust treatmen...
Read more

Cognitive & Rational-Emotive Therapies — Chapter 10 Summary from Systems of Psychotherapy

Image
Cognitive & Rational-Emotive Therapies — Chapter 10 Summary from Systems of Psychotherapy Chapter 10 of Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Analysis explores the evolution and techniques of Cognitive Therapy (CT) and Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Developed by Aaron Beck and Albert Ellis, these therapies target the root of emotional distress by challenging and changing maladaptive thought patterns. This in-depth summary, based on our podcast breakdown of Chapter 10 , explains the major concepts, therapeutic techniques, and clinical impact of these cognitive-based approaches. Watch the chapter summary above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for expert textbook guides and psychology study resources! The Foundations of Cognitive Therapy & REBT Cognitive therapies emerged in response to limitations of psychoanalysis and behaviorism, emphasizing the role of thoughts in shaping emotions and behaviors. Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Therapy and Albert E...
Read more

A Day in the Life of Adam and Eve — Hunter-Gatherer Society, Diet, and Spirituality Explained | Chapter 3 from Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

Image
A Day in the Life of Adam and Eve — Hunter-Gatherer Society, Diet, and Spirituality Explained | Chapter 3 from Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari What was daily life really like for our prehistoric ancestors? In Chapter 3 of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind , Yuval Noah Harari takes us inside the complex, often misunderstood world of hunter-gatherer societies. To fully understand our modern minds and social habits, Harari argues, we must examine the foraging communities in which Homo sapiens evolved for 95% of our history. Watch the full video summary below, and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more insightful breakdowns of Sapiens and other essential books! The Forager Legacy: How Hunter-Gatherers Shaped Humanity For most of human existence, people lived in small, mobile groups—relying on hunting, gathering, and foraging. Harari dispels the myth that these societies were either idyllic Edens or brutal battlegrounds. Instead, they were diverse, adaptable, and surpri...
Read more