Lack of parental support during childhood is associated with poorer adult mental & physi...( WASHINGTON -- People with abundant pare...),Health

WASHINGTON -- People with abundant parental support during childhood are likely to have relatively good health throughout adulthood, whereas people with inadequate parental support while growing up are likely to have poorer health as adults, suggests a new study involving a nationally representative sample of nearly 3,000 adults. The findings are reported on in the March issue of Psychology and Aging, a journal published by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Research has long showed that children who receive abundant support from their parents report fewer psychological and physical problems during childhood than children who receive less parental support. Studies have also found that adult psychological and physical health is influenced by the amount of social support adults receive. Now, Benjamin A. Shaw, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the School of Public Health, University at Albany and colleagues from the University of Michigan investigated for the first time whether the health effects of parental support received during childhood persist throughout adulthood into old age.

The researchers analyzed responses from 2,905 adults, ages 2574, who participated in the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States. The participants were asked about the availability of emotional support from their mothers and fathers during the years they were growing up, such as "how much could you confide in her or him about things that were bothering you?" and "how much love and affection did she or he give you?" Depressive symptoms, chronic health conditions and self-esteem were also assessed through survey questions.

Results of the study indicate that adults' current mental and physical health is influenced not only by current psychosocial conditions, but also by earlier life psychosocial conditions dating back to childhood, including parental support. The researchers found a lack of parental support during childhood is associated wit
'"/>

Contact: David Partenheimer
dpartenheimer@apa.org
202-336-5706
American Psychological Association
21-Mar-2004

Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Mandated parental notification laws concerning prescription contraception would affect teenagers
2. New survey reveals surprising insights into parental attitudes toward teenage sexual behavior
3. Low activity levels found among children with asthma due to parental health beliefs
4. Increased parental mortality after death of a child
5. Joint-custody arrangements good for children of divorce -- but only if there is no parental conflict
6. Study finds parental influence still important during adolescence
7. Americans support most uses of reproductive genetic testing, report on US attitudes reveals
8. Northwestern Memorial Hospital receives $10 million commitment to support preeminent heart program
9. Emergency department study supports giving dehydrated children fluids by mouth
10. Early supported discharge services can reduce long term dependency for stroke patients
11. Care of rural stroke patients improves with telephone support