Bronfenbrenner (1979) proposed the Ecological Systems Theory, which emphasizes that a child's development is shaped by interactions within various environments, from immediate surroundings to broader

Question: Summarise the following using APA7 referencing style: Ecological systems theory, conceived by Urie Bronfenbrenner (1979), postulates that a child's development is influenced by the systemic interactions they have within their inherent environments, ranging from immediate surroundings (microsystem) to the broader societal culture (macrosystem). When applied to Alicia's situation, this theory outlines multiple factors across various systems that are critically impacting her development. Firstly, at Alicia's microsystem level, invaluable elements such as family, school, and her immediate environment have significant effects. Alicia's home setting is rather unstable, marked by her mother's substance abuse and limited monetary resources, contributing to her impaired cognitive development and low energy levels (Petrenko, 2015). The macrosystem includes cultural context and social policy. Alicia's parents' immigrant status and subsequent estrangement from the predominant culture possibly contribute to socio-economic and linguistic hurdles. In addition, an efficient social policy aimed at comprehensive support for children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) would significantly improve Alicia's status. Lastly, Alicia's condition – FAS indicates the chronosystem influence, where time-dependent events, including exposure to alcohol prenatally, which significantly impair her cognitive development and learning capacity over time. In conclusion, Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory allows an understanding of Alicia's circumstances holistically. Interactions across multiple systems, each fraught with challenges, critically affect her development. Adequate assistance tailored to her needs at every level is crucial to foster her growth and harness her artistic potential.