Overview

This important book combines insights from disciplines as diverse as developmental psychopathology, pediatrics, and public policy to offer a detailed description of the impact of global crises, such as armed conflict, climate change, and environmental degradation, on the developing child. This book explores both the direct harms of these crises and those caused indirectly, including family separation, strained caregiving relationships, loss of cultural resources, and damage to children’s self-efficacy and emotion regulation abilities. Using case studies from the last few decades, the authors demonstrate the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate systems, such as soil health, family cohesion, individual coping skills, nutrition availability, and economic policy, all with an eye to the urgent developmental processes unfolding within and around the child. This text is core reading for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students in child psychology, social work, public health, healthcare, public policy, and public affairs. Also, by offering several roadmaps by which individuals, organizations, communities, and nations may leverage resources at each level of a child’s ecology to support healthy development, this book will be of interest to professionals working in humanitarian sectors as well as leaders in global pediatrics.

Full Product Details

9781032774879

Table of Contents

Reviews

This compelling and readable book brings hope and guidance to the crucial task of building brighter futures for children in these turbulent times. Grounded in developmental theory and research on trauma, risk, and resilience, this volume highlights growing evidence on multisystem threats to child development and the multisystem strategies needed to counteract them. Drawing on research spanning multiple disciples, the authors identify practical ways to reduce risk and promote positive development in a world of increasing uncertainty and existential hazards for children everywhere. An illuminating resource for scholars, students, practitioners, and policymakers. -Ann S. Masten, PhD, Regents Professor Emerita of Child Development, University of Minnesota, and author of Ordinary Magic: Resilience in Development (2nd ed., 2025) The threats posed by climate change, conflict, and social inequity to the physical and psychological well-being of children are the scourge of our times. Dr. Charles Oberg and Hopewell R. Hodges provide a comprehensive map of how children are impacted by these global threats and what we can do to prevent harm and help heal children in our communities. This is a must-read for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students who work on issues related to the well-being of refugee and immigrant children and families. -Saida M. Abdi, PhD, LICSW, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota Charles Oberg and Hopewell Hodges have thoughtfully and painfully woven together descriptions of three existential threats to the health and development of children throughout the world. Their ability to engage the reader in considering the impact that human behavior and policy decisions have on future generations is both sobering and hopeful. I urge students, activists, policy makers and educators to read this textbook and make a commitment to engage in meaningful action to transform our collective behaviors in order to achieve a more hopeful and dynamic tomorrow. It is our individual and united responsibility to learn and think and act! -Ellen Benavides, MHA, Independent Health Policy Consultant In a world increasingly defined by existential challenges to the rights of children to optimal survival and development, Global Impacts on Childhood Social Development provides a uniquely comprehensive and cogent discourse to understand and respond to the converging polycrises of our time. Grounded in science, policy, and the principles of human rights, the authors illuminate the devastating effects of inaction, and—most importantly—chart a powerful course forward framed in the context of resilience, justice, and hope. This book is essential reading for anyone committed to building a sustainable and equitable future for all children. -Jeffrey Goldhagen, MD, MPH, Professor and Chief of the Division of Community and Social Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville; President, International Society for Social Pediatrics and Community Health Global Impacts on Childhood Social Development is a valuable resource for advocates, educators, practitioners, and researchers, who are working with and for children to thrive. The scope and scale of this book creatively intertwines human and climate challenges impacting children’s livelihood with innovative responses to collectively engage communities to champion children’s rights and resilience. Through collaboration and reciprocity, the authors provide multiple possibilities for facing traumatic events, loss and displacements head on by centering children as our heart and soul. -Kristi Rudelius-Palmer, PhD, Human Rights Educators USA, Strategy Advisor & Director

This compelling and readable book brings hope and guidance to the crucial task of building brighter futures for children in these turbulent times. Grounded in developmental theory and research on trauma, risk, and resilience, this volume highlights growing evidence on multisystem threats to child development and the multisystem strategies needed to counteract them. Drawing on research spanning multiple disciples, the authors identify practical ways to reduce risk and promote positive development in a world of increasing uncertainty and existential hazards for children everywhere. An illuminating resource for scholars, students, practitioners, and policymakers. -Ann S. Masten, PhD, Regents Professor Emerita of Child Development, University of Minnesota, and author of Ordinary Magic: Resilience in Development (2nd ed., 2025). The threats posed by climate change, conflict, and social inequity to the physical and psychological well-being of children are the scourge of our times. Dr. Charles Oberg and Hopewell R. Hodges provide a comprehensive map of how children are impacted by these global threats and what we can do to prevent harm and help heal children in our communities. This is a must-read for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students who work on issues related to the well-being of refugee and immigrant children and families. -Saida M. Abdi, PhD, LICSW, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota Charles Oberg and Hopewell Hodges have thoughtfully and painfully woven together descriptions of three existential threats to the health and development of children throughout the world. Their ability to engage the reader in considering the impact that human behavior and policy decisions have on future generations is both sobering and hopeful. I urge students, activists, policy makers and educators to read this textbook and make a commitment to engage in meaningful action to transform our collective behaviors in order to achieve a more hopeful and dynamic tomorrow. It is our individual and united responsibility to learn and think and act! -Ellen Benavides, MHA, Independent Health Policy Consultant In a world increasingly defined by existential challenges to the rights of children to optimal survival and development, Global Impacts on Childhood Social Development provides a uniquely comprehensive and cogent discourse to understand and respond to the converging polycrises of our time. Grounded in science, policy, and the principles of human rights, the authors illuminate the devastating effects of inaction, and—most importantly—chart a powerful course forward framed in the context of resilience, justice, and hope. This book is essential reading for anyone committed to building a sustainable and equitable future for all children. -Jeffrey Goldhagen, MD, MPH, Professor and Chief of the Division of Community and Social Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville; President, International Society for Social Pediatrics and Community Health Global Impacts on Childhood Social Development is a valuable resource for advocates, educators, practitioners, and researchers, who are working with and for children to thrive. The scope and scale of this book creatively intertwines human and climate challenges impacting children’s livelihood with innovative responses to collectively engage communities to champion children’s rights and resilience. Through collaboration and reciprocity, the authors provide multiple possibilities for facing traumatic events, loss and displacements head on by centering children as our heart and soul. -Kristi Rudelius-Palmer, PhD, Human Rights Educators USA, Strategy Advisor & Director

Author Information

Charles Oberg is a Pediatrician and Professor Emeritus in Public Health at the University of Minnesota, United States. He is an outspoken advocate for children’s rights and has an extensive teaching and research background in child development, pediatrics, and public health. Clinically, he has provided care to refugee and immigrant children both at home and abroad in low- and middle income-countries (LMIC). Hopewell R. Hodges is an advanced doctoral student and PhD candidate in clinical and developmental psychology at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development. In addition to providing therapy to children and families exposed to multisystem stressors and traumas, she conducts community-based research and trainings on strategies to promote resilient development.

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