Child Welfare License (CWEL) Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Resource

The association between emotional stress in children from birth to 2 1/2 years and the health issue known as Failure to Thrive is well-documented in child welfare and developmental psychology. Failure to Thrive refers to a condition where a child does not gain weight or grow as expected. In this age range, children are highly sensitive to their emotional environments, and stress can significantly impact their physical health and growth.

When children experience emotional stress—whether from parental separation, neglect, abuse, or any instability in their environment—it can lead to a range of negative physical outcomes. This stress can affect their appetite, eating habits, and willingness to engage in activities, all of which are critical for healthy growth and development. The prolonged emotional stress can disrupt the patterns of biological and psychological functioning, resulting in insufficient weight gain and growth delays commonly observed in cases of Failure to Thrive.

In contrast, the other choices—like frequent illnesses, robust health, or excessive energy levels—do not align with the effects of emotional stress on young children's health during this critical development period. Frequent illnesses might occur, but they are typically not a direct result of emotional stress alone and can often be associated with environmental factors. Robust physical health and excessive energy levels suggest a state of well-being and