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A Theoretical Model for Classical Psychosocial Dwarfism (Psychosocially Determined Short Stature)

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Psychoneuroendocrinology

Abstract

Classical psychosocial dwarfism (PSD) or psychosocially determined short stature offers an unusually clear example of the interaction between psyche and soma and their abilities to respond with exquisite sensitivity to the dynamic relationship between the child and his or her psychosocial environment. In this disorder, an inimical psychosocial environment, the most important feature of which is a severely disturbed primary caretaker/ child relationship, typically causes endocrine abnormalities, severe growth retardation, behavioral abnormalities, and developmental delays in the child. Abrupt improvement or worsening in the psychosocial environment of these children has dramatic and measurable consequences which often are reflected rather rapidly in a similar direction by changes in endocrine status, growth rate, and behavior. Consequently, PSD has provided us with an opportunity to make significant insights into some mechanisms through which the psychosocial environment may exert powerful influences on physical growth and psychological development through the mediation of the interposed central nervous system and its regulation of psychoneuroendocrine functioning.

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Authors
  1. Wayne H. Green
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Psychology and Pediatrics, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118, USA

    Clarissa S. Holmes

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Green, W.H. (1990). A Theoretical Model for Classical Psychosocial Dwarfism (Psychosocially Determined Short Stature). In: Holmes, C.S. (eds) Psychoneuroendocrinology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3306-0_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3306-0_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7960-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-3306-0

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