What term describes the negative impact on a child's development when their needs are consistently ignored?

Learned helplessness refers to a condition in which an individual feels unable to control their environment due to repeated experiences of their needs being unmet or ignored, leading to a lack of motivation, self-efficacy, and ultimately, negative implications for their development. In children, this phenomenon can manifest as a withdrawal from attempting to engage or seek help, because previous attempts to meet their basic emotional and developmental needs have been disregarded. As a result, the child may start to believe that they have no influence over their circumstances, which can hinder their growth in resilience and problem-solving skills.

Engaging with this concept helps highlight the critical importance of responsive caregiving in early childhood. When caregivers consistently meet a child's needs, it fosters a sense of security and autonomy, encouraging healthy development. In contrast, when a child's needs are ignored, the impact can be damaging and pervasive, affecting their self-esteem, social interactions, and emotional well-being.