By Debjani Baidyaray

Mumbai, February 08: A new study says that children who are of sensitive nature are likely to perform better in supportive environments. The study conducted by the Scientists at the University of British Columbia, the University of California, San Francisco, and the University of California, Berkeley, appeared in the January/ February 2010 issue of the Child Development journal.

It was always believed that kids who cannot handle stress are more prone to facing difficulties and may have mental and behavioral problems than their friends. But this new study offers a different perspective. Though it may not be easy to raise a sensitive child like other normal children but they can prosper and grow up as exceptional individuals in an encouraging, supportive and nurturing environment.

The researchers studied 338 kindergarten kids along with their families and teachers to check how family adversity and biological reactivity contribute to healthy development.

The results of the study showed that highly reactive children who grew up in hardships and stressful family environments were likely to have developmental problems than their peers. But given a supportive environment, these children can grow up to be successful and become more susceptible to stress.

A good parent-child relationship can build up an encouraging environment for such sensitive children and can help them get over their difficulties with the support of the parents.

Also read: My mom is my best friend

TAGS: Children, stress

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