CHILDREN WITH LESS CONTROLLING PARENTS LEAD HAPPIER LIVES

Experts found those who perceived their parents as more caring and less psychologically controlling during childhood were likely to be happier and more satisfied throughout their lives. Care from parents was found to be an important predictor of people's mental wellbeing through to middle age, although paternal care had a greater link with well being in later life. People whose parents exerted greater psychological control during childhood had significantly lower mental wellbeing during adulthood than those with less controlling parents.The research involved 5,000 people who have been tracked since their birth in 1946. The study highlights for the first time how parenting can have a long-term impact on wellbe ing that continues through to r older age. Lead author Dr Mai Stafford said, “People whose parents showed warmth and responsiveness had higher life satisfaction and better mental . wellbeing throughout early , 0 middle and late adulthood. By contrast, psychological con trol was significantly associatt ed with lower life satisfaction and mental wellbeing.“

Source | Times of India | 5 September 2015