A new study from Duke University suggests that high levels of maternal affection can impact children’s emotional well-being well into adulthood. The study followed children from infancy to adulthood with objectively measured scores of infant-maternal quality determined at 8 months of age and adult emotional functioning assessed later on in life (average age being 34). The researchers found that high levels of maternal affection at 8 months of age were associated with significantly lower levels of distress in adult offspring, especially when it comes to anxiety level. Although prevailing theory is that this kind of nurturing interaction can be a key determinant of a child’s future mental resilience or vulnerability, this study demonstrates objectively this relationship. [via Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health]
Share your comments here.
Tags: anxiety, emotional well-being, Mental health, nurtur, psychiatry, psychology, stress
Follow us on Twitter
Become a fan on Facebook
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
July 28th, 2010 at 6:54 am
The scientist in me always feels much more grounded in a belief that I hold when I see it proven with scientific methods. It helps me hold the belief more strongly. This is one of those situations. I intuitively knew this, but it’s great to see it proven by colleagues. Thanks for the heads up.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
i wanna knw about healthy diet for skin problem because i am suffering from acne nd extremely redness on cheeks.i have fair complexion.
July 28th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
i wanna know about the basic secrets for removing the extremely redness on the face