The Critical Role of Nurturing Environments for Promoting Human Wellbeing

摘要

The recent Institute of Medicine report on prevention (National Research Council [NRC] & IOM, 2009) noted the substantial inter-relationship among mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, and pointed out that, to a great extent, these problems stem from a set of common conditions. However, despite the evidence, current research and practice continues to deal with the prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders as if they are unrelated and each stem from different conditions. This paper proposes a framework that could accelerate progress in preventing these problems. Environments that foster successful development and prevent the development of psychological and behavioral problems are usefully characterized as nurturing environments. First, these environments minimize biologically and psychologically toxic events. Second, they teach, promote, and richly reinforce prosocial behavior, including self-regulatory behaviors and all of the skills needed to become productive adult members of society. Third, they monitor and limit opportunities for problem behavior. Fourth, they foster psychological flexibility—the ability to be mindful of one's thoughts and feelings and act in the service of one's values, even when one's thoughts and feelings discourage taking valued action. We review evidence to support this synthesis and describe the kind of public health movement that could increase the prevalence of nurturing environments and, thereby, contribute to the prevention of most mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.