Estrés en la primera infancia y su correlaciòn con su funcionamiento familiar.

Abstract

Early childhood stress is not an isolated problem; rather, it results from a constant interaction between the dynamics of the child's social and family environment. This study analyzed early childhood stress and its correlation with family functioning, as well as the child’s own characteristics and skills. A narrative literature review was conducted, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative scientific data. The search was performed across databases including Scopus, PubMed, Dialnet, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Springer, Wiley Online Library, and ScienceDirect, using DeCS and MeSH terms, which facilitated a structured search for key terms related to childhood stress, family functioning, family relationships, child development, child mental health, family support, parental stress, and family dynamics, combined with Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) and a maximum publication age of seven years for all studies analyzed. Findings indicate that stressful experiences during early childhood significantly influence a child's psycho-emotional well-being and socio-emotional development. Key variables such as stability in family relationships, cohesion, parental relationship stability, and parenting styles directly affect the child's emotional adaptation. Early childhood stress is a complex, multidimensional phenomenon of social and health significance that is closely linked to the family environment, as it is not limited to isolated events but arises from the child's ongoing interaction with their personal, social, and family environment.