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Causation
There is no one specific cause. The main pattern of man's development
is determined by inherited factors, so that the general direction
of functional activity is predetermined, but outside factors such as
nutrition, for example, can deflect the body from its ordained pattern,
or enable its fulfilment. All sorts of other physical interference can
maim or improve it. The same is no doubt true of the mental side of
human growth and maturity. The experiences and influences of the
first few years of life constitute enormously to mental development,
and people dealing with a maladjusted child will often need to see into
his early childhood for the cause of the present trouble. There are
very many factors which may play a part in producing maladjustment
but there is much evidence that a most important factor is a breakdown
in the relationship between mother and child in the early months of
the child's lire. If the infant is robbed of his mother's attentions,
through illne s, desertion or death, and she is not replaced by a permanent
substitr then maladjustment may result. Similarly if the attitude
of the mothes is grossly faulty and she totally rejects the child as may
happen if sh herself is mentally ill or defective or is overwhelmed by
difficulties, then she cannot give the baby the unremitting care which it
needs.
Persona elationships with father develop later. If he is dead,
left home, of irresponsible, aggressive, drunken, brutal, or rigidly
demands at ute obedience, then the child's chances of normal
emotional devlopment will be reduced.
Persons o suffer from a physical disability may become maladjusted
as a pechological reaction, for instance those who suffer from
blindness, de ess, epilepsy, crippling conditions or other blemishes
may develop were emotional disturbance. Other causes may be
related to too eat scholastic pressure, expecting too much of children,
major upheave in their lives, etc. Portrayals of violence and evil in
books and cc cs, on the cinema or television screens may confirm
and encourage morbid tendencies, such as aggression, cruelty or
sensuality.
Bad physical conditions or squalor need not, of themselves, have
a bad psychological effect provided the parents are adequate and
provide the right kind of care and affection for their children, but
maladjusted pareents because of their disability and inadequacy frequently
graviate to slum property where overcrowding, poverty and
Parental disharmony imposes a severe strain on their children.
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