Original paper
Plasticity of human growth – a systematic review on psychosocial factors influencing growth
Niere, Oliver; Spannemann, Lisa; Stenzel, Patrick; Bogin, Barry; Hermanussen, Michael; Scheffler, Christiane
Anthropologischer Anzeiger Volume 77 No. 5 (2020), p. 431 - 443
published: Dec 1, 2020
published online: May 20, 2020
manuscript accepted: Mar 17, 2020
final revised version received: Mar 17, 2020
manuscript revision requested: Feb 17, 2020
manuscript received: Jan 11, 2020
DOI: 10.1127/anthranz/2020/1223
Open Access (paper may be downloaded free of charge)
Abstract
Background: This systematic review aimed at collecting, analyzing and summarizing scientific studies focusing on psychosocial factors that influence linear growth among humans. Methods: The online database “PubMed” was used in order to acquire suitable scientific studies. These studies were evaluated based on clearly defined criteria that determine whether a study was to be excluded or included in the literature review. In the end, a total sum of 36 studies remained, which were carefully analyzed and used to generate an overview of the association between psychosocial factors and linear growth. Results: In the 36 reviewed studies, different social and psychological factors, such as socioeconomic status, parental education or emotional deprivation were set in relation to physical growth among humans. The studies were listed and summarized, depending on the investigated psychosocial factor. A clear association between psychosocial factors and growth could be observed in most of the reviewed studies. Discussion: Based on the results of the reviewed studies it could be concluded that the regulation of linear growth is also subject to different psychosocial factors. The way in which the developing human and the specific social environment interact seemed to have a major impact on linear growth. Status-specific stress was discussed as one possible explanation for the regulating mechanism of human linear growth.
Keywords
linear growth • final body height • regulation • psychosocial factors • social factors • psychological factors