Crisis and Childhood: Dr. Hiba Kassir Reflects on the Impact of Economic Crisis on Early Development Screening in Lebanon

Hiba Mohammad Kassir, an MMA research fellow, recently presented her study on the impact of the economic crisis and displacement on early screening for developmental difficulties in Lebanon at the 1st Annual Conference on Mental Health and Early Childhood Development.

One salient finding is the strong correlation between the intensity of economic crises and parent-child interactions. This compels early interventionists to support parents, aiming to mitigate the impact of these circumstances on family dynamics and bolster the pivotal role of parents during crucial developmental phases. 

Hiba earned a Ph.D. in Psychological Sciences, Education, and Speech Therapy. She has 20+ years of clinical and academic experience as a speech and language pathologist in Lebanon and currently heads the speech therapy department at the Islamic University of Lebanon (IUoL).

In the following Q&A we garner insights from her experience as a researcher and a fellow of the Moving Minds Alliance.

What inspired you to focus on early childhood development in crisis contexts?

During my clinical work as a Speech and Language Therapist, I observed that the early years of a child’s life are crucial for developing essential skills—such as linguistic, social, motor, and cognitive abilities—that shape a child’s future. Through assessing, providing parental guidance, and intervening with children with communication and language difficulties, I became convinced of the ‘earlier is better’ concept, aligning with research evidence on child development.I have been conducting multiple studies on language difficulties in children.

Living through recent crises in Lebanon, where a third of the population are refugees or displaced persons, and experiencing the coincidence of COVID-19 with the growing economic crisis and Beirut’s massive 2020 port blast has posed several challenges to both resident and displaced families. These experiences have inspired me to focus on early screening, which is crucial for timely intervention and support.

How has your experience as a Moving Minds Alliance Research Fellow influenced your approach to studying mental health and early childhood development in emergencies?

Undertaking this research through the MMA Research Forum proved to be an enriching experience. It allowed engaging with researchers from diverse countries and disciplines, fostering new perspectives in early childhood studies.

The Arab Network for Early Childhood Development team provided invaluable support through regular academic seminars, mentorship throughout the research process, and access to essential resources.

The MMA team’s unwavering commitment to early childhood development in crisis and displacement contexts enabled the exploration of mental health during a crucial developmental stage amidst challenging circumstances.

Could you describe a moment during your fellowship that reinforced your commitment to this field of study?

It was consistently fascinating to receive feedback and enquiries from parents after completing the questionnaire regarding the significance of play, parent-child interaction, and developmental red flags. Their responses inspired me to persevere.I witnessed the elevation of parental knowledge concerning their engagement with children. This experience instilled in me a sense of optimism that positive change is achievable and that my research could contribute valuable insights into early childhood development.

Please share a critical insight or finding from your presentation at the conference that you believe could significantly impact the ECD field.

One of the salient findings of my research is the strong correlation between the intensity of economic crises and parent-child interactions. This compels early interventionists to support parents, aiming to mitigate the impact of these circumstances on family dynamics and bolster the pivotal role of parents during crucial developmental phases.

Furthermore, research has demonstrated a strong correlation between parents’ educational attainment, parent-child interactions and knowledge of child development.

This demonstrates why displacement significantly affects these two factors, given the higher prevalence of lower educational levels amongst displaced families.

We observed a clear correlation between crisis intensity, parental knowledge and parent-child interactions. This underscores the importance of direct interventions to support families during economic hardship and displacement.

What do you see as the most pressing challenges in supporting young children’s mental health and development in crisis-affected areas?

Parents shoulder immense responsibility when bringing children into the world. One of the most formidable challenges I encountered was motivating parents to participate in the research, particularly in the face of hardships and crises. Engaging uneducated parents from displaced families in the research survey proved especially difficult.

As we recognise, parents play a pivotal role and exert the most significant influence on their children. Therefore, parents must engage more actively in these types of studies. Such participation can heighten their awareness and equip them with better interaction strategies with their children.

How do you envision your research contributing to the broader goal of supporting families affected by crisis and displacement?

My research comprehensively analyses how economic crises and displacement affect early childhood development, mainly focusing on early screening practices and parent-child interactions. By uncovering the specific challenges and barriers these families encounter, we aim to shed light on this critical issue.

The primary objective is to formulate evidence-based strategies that policymakers and early interventionists can implement to enhance children’s well-being and developmental outcomes in these vulnerable circumstances. Our goal is to ensure that these young children receive the requisite support to flourish, notwithstanding their challenging situations.

What advice would you give emerging researchers interested in studying early childhood development in humanitarian contexts?

For emerging researchers in this field, it is crucial to begin by comprehending the distinct challenges of humanitarian contexts and engaging with communities and stakeholders to gain a foundational perspective.

Developing robust interdisciplinary collaborations is essential, as these situations frequently demand a blend of expertise from psychology, education, social work and public health. Researchers must prioritise creating culturally sensitive and contextually relevant research designs. Moreover, we should be prepared to adapt our methodologies to the often unpredictable and rapidly changing conditions in crisis settings.

What role can collaborative research play in improving policies and practices for young children in emergencies?

Collaborative research is paramount in this field, as it harnesses knowledge and resources, fostering more holistic and effective solutions. By joining forces, researchers can pool their expertise to address the multifaceted needs of young children in emergencies.

Such collaborative endeavours often yield more comprehensive data, crucial for informing evidence-based policy decisions and best practices. Furthermore, collaborative research catalyses innovation and drives systemic change, ultimately leading to enhanced outcomes for children in humanitarian contexts.

What are your plans to build upon your current work and continue impacting this critical area?

This research represents the initial phase of my early childhood study, which I intend to expand upon to understand how the crisis affects early childhood development. I plan to conduct qualitative analyses to inform bespoke parental training programmes on child development and parent-child interaction. Fortifying partnerships with relevant organisations will be crucial for implementing successful interventions and ensuring the sustainability of the research.

The significance of this topic is underscored by the interest it has garnered from the Higher Council for Childhood in Lebanon and a research centre, both of which have pledged support for the continuation of this research project.