During 1967-1980, the field progressively embraced an ecological perspective that foregrounds how family dynamics, institutional contexts, and broader societal conditions combine to shape child well-being. Research highlights protective factors such as social supports, caregiver warmth, and self-regulation as buffers that promote resilience under adversity, while acknowledging the lasting influence of early care environments through longitudinal observation. Methodologically, studies favor ecological and longitudinal designs that map interactions across levels of the child’s environment and time.