Editorial Perspective: What can we learn from hunter-gatherers about children’s mental health? An evolutionary perspective

‘Editorial Perspective: What can we learn from hunter-gatherers about children’s mental health? An evolutionary perspective’

Open Access paper from the JCPP

Abstract – Humans lived as hunter-gatherers for more than 95% of our evolutionary history, thus studying contemporary hunter-gatherer populations offers insight into the conditions children may be psychologically adapted to. Here, we contrast hunter-gatherer childhoods with those of WEIRD (Western Educated Industrialised Rich Democratic) societies and consider the implications for children’s mental health.

Authors: Nikhil Chaudhary, Annie Swanepoel

First published: 07 March 2023

https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13773

Read the full paper

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Other resources

• Blog ‘Hunter-gatherer childhoods may offer clues to improving education and wellbeing in developed countries, Cambridge study argues’
• Podcast ‘What can we learn from hunter-gatherers about children’s mental health?’ with Dr. Nikhil Chaudhary and Dr. Annie Swanepoel