ABCnews/HealthDayNews reports on the lifelong effects of early parental support.
Kathleen Doheny writes (excerpt):
“I think the biggest surprise is that the relationship [between early support and health] persists at these older ages,” Shaw says. “The idea that the level of parental support [during childhood] still sort of matters, even up to age 75, is kind of surprising, I think. You’d think these effects would diminish, but they really didn’t.”
Another expert praises the study. “I think it was a terrific idea to make this connection,” says Barry Ginsberg, a child and family psychologist in Doylestown, Pa.
Ginsberg believes the association has to do with security. “If you grow up in an environment in which you feel low anxiety, a sense of safety and the emotional connection you get out of that, the attachment component is probably the most significant aspect of this.”
“These early relationships define how you understand yourself and relate to others,” Ginsberg adds. “Good skills in those areas can help protect you from physical and mental problems.”