Family relations and children’s/young people’s mental health: the impact of separation from the birth family

Heaslip, Vanessa; Hean, Sarah; Tembjerg, Pravin

Abstract

Mental health is a key public health issue, due to the rising global mental illness pandemic. Many mental illnesses present in adults commenced before the age of 14, as such childhood and adolescence is an important time in terms of securing the foundations for positive mental health and well-being. Yet, many children experience difficult and troubled childhoods, through exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) which can lead to separation of the child from their family and carers which, in turn, can negatively impact on their attachment development which can have lifelong implications. Attachment theory can be used to understand these implications and therefore the importance of ensuring that children and young people are enabled to develop strong and secure attachments to promote their mental health and well-being.

• Online Publication Date: Oct 21, 2024
• Publication Date: Oct 21, 2024
• Deposit Date: May 1, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 22, 2025
• Publisher: Springer
• Edition: 1st
• Book Title: Rebuilding Family Relations for Children and Youth Separated from Family
• Chapter Number: 2
• ISBN: 978-3-031-67105-0
• Keywords: mental health, diverse childhood experiences, separation, attachment
• Contract Date: Oct 21, 2024