High Levels of Early Maternal Affection May Lower Emotional Distress in Adult Offspring

Early nurturing and warmth from mothers can have long-lasting positive effects on the long-term mental health of their offspring into adulthood, according to a new cohort study that evaluated the children at 8 months and at a mean age of 34 years.

"It is striking that a brief observation of level of maternal warmth in infancy is associated with distress in adult offspring 30 years later," write lead study author Joanna Maselko, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and colleagues.

"These provocative findings add to the growing evidence that early childhood helps sets the stage for later life experiences and provide support for the notion that biological 'memories' laid down early may alter psychological and physiological systems and produce latent vulnerabilities or resilience to problems emerging later in adulthood," the investigators add.

"I think it's important to note that this study is about affection and only affection," Dr. Maselko told Medscape Medical News. "We don't say anything about levels of parental involvement, etc. I would not want clinicians to put any more pressure on moms than there already is."

The study was published online July 27 in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

The Influence of Early Life Experiences

Although past studies have suggested that "the quality of the mother's interaction with a child is a key determinant" of the child's subsequent vulnerability and has implications for their health in adulthood, "there is a dearth of longitudinal data with both objective assessments of nurturing behavior during infancy and sustained follow-up ascertaining the quality of adult functioning," the study authors write.

"We are starting to understand that a significant part of our mental health trajectory in life is influenced by early life experiences, but we don't really understand which experiences are important and how exactly they leave their mark," said Dr. Maselko. "This study is part of the larger area of research trying to decipher what's going on in this regard."

For the study, the investigators evaluated a cohort of 482 participants in the National Collaborative Perinatal Project.

When the children were 8 months of age, the quality of the mother-child interaction was "objectively" observed and rated by a psychologist at the test site and parental socioeconomic status (SES) was recorded.

During follow-up interviews conducted when the children were adults, the Symptom Checklist 90 was used to assess emotional functioning, including the following 4 subscales: distress due to somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, and hostility/anger.

More Warmth Equals Less Distress

Results at the 8-month assessment showed that 9.5% of the participants had a low level of mother's affection, 85% had a normal level, and almost 6% had a high level.

Although the strongest association between maternal affection at 8 months and distress as adults was seen with the anxiety subscale, with significant differences found between the low/normal and high affection groups (53.86 vs 46.70 scores; P < .001), significant differences were also found between the groups for general distress scores (55.38 vs 50.39; P < .001). The smallest difference was found for hostility (55.70 vs 52.40; P = .07).

"Across all the symptom subscales, the direction of association was highly consistent; more warmth was associated with less distress," report the study authors.

"We initially expected those with both the low and the very high levels of affection to do worse than those in the middle, consistent with the idea that a superaffectionate mom could be a smothering mom, which could, in turn, be associated with worse outcomes once the child grows up," said Dr. Maselko, "But this is not what we saw."

The investigators also did not find "evidence that mother's affection lies on the path between parental SES and higher offspring distress scores."

Overall, these findings "provide strong support to the assertion that even very early life experiences can influence adult health and emphasize the importance of having a strong nurturing relationship," the study authors write. Therefore, "a combination of strategies which empower families, improve access to high-quality childcare, and provide targeted interventions may improve overall population mental health."

When asked what she'd like to see next in regard to research in this area, Dr. Maselko said an important element would be a focus on understanding "whether there is something special about affection per se that is protective or whether affection is simply a marker for other positive parenting strategies.

"Testing the hypothesis that affection makes children and adults less reactive to stress through an oxytocin pathway is a great next step," she added.

Important Clinical Implications

"I think this study generally confirms the tenants of the attachment theory — that early relationship with a primary caregiver can shape the individual in their personal relationships from cradle to the grave," Mohammadreza Hojat, PhD, research professor of psychiatry and human behavior in the Center for Research in Medical Education and Health Care at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, told Medscape Medical News.

"Now why this is the case? According to attachment theory, a lovingly responsive mother can serve as a secure base for a child to confidently explore the universe," said Dr. Hojat, who was not involved with this study. "This can contribute to a positive personality profile, including higher self-esteem and better skill at coping with stressful life events."

He said that 1 advantage of this study is its longitudinal nature. "There are currently very few longitudinal studies to test this hypothesis."

Although Dr. Hojat noted that the study also had some shortcomings, including the way in which maternal affection was measured, he found it to be "an important study overall, and its outcomes could have important implications for clinicians.

"It reinforces this attention to the biopsychosocial model of health and illness rather than a biomedical model or paradigm — that there are some other factors that are important to take into consideration for the sake of public health," he concluded.

This study was partially funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Mental Health. The study authors and Dr. Hojat have disclosed reported no relevant financial relationships.

4:43 AM | 0 komentar | Read More

Plentiful maternal affection in early infancy boosts adult coping skills

 Mums who shower their infants with affection equip them to cope well with life stressors as adults, indicates research published online in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Despite growing interest in the role of early life experiences in adult health, most studies have relied on recall; few have tracked participants from childhood to adult life, say the authors.

They base their findings on 482 people, who were part of the US Providence Rhode Island birth cohort of the National Collaborative Perinatal Project.

The quality of their interactions with their mothers at the age of 8 months was objectively rated by a psychologist during routine developmental assessment.

At the end of each session, the psychologist completed an assessment of how well the mother had coped with her child's developmental tests and how she had responded to the child's performance.

The amount of affection and attention she gave to her child was also categorised, with descriptors ranging from "negative" to "extravagant."

Mental health was subsequently assessed in adulthood at the average age of 34, using a validated symptom checklist, which captures both specific elements— such as anxiety and hostility— and general levels of distress.

At the 8 month assessment, one in 10 interactions (46) were characterised by a low level of maternal affection towards the infant. Most (85%; 409) were characterised by normal levels of affection.

The remaining 6% (27) were characterised by very high levels of maternal affection.

When the specific elements of the checklist were analysed, those whose mothers had been observed to be the most affectionate at the 8 month assessment had the lowest levels of anxiety, hostility, and general distress.

There was more than a 7 point difference in anxiety scores between those whose mothers had displayed low/normal levels of affection and those whose mothers had displayed high levels.

And there was more than a 3 point discrepancy in hostility scores and a 5 point difference in overall general distress scores.

This pattern was seen across all the various elements of the symptom checklist: the higher the mother's warmth, the lower the adult's distress.

The authors conclude that their findings back up the assertion that even very early life experiences can influence adult health.

High levels of maternal affection are likely to facilitate secure attachments and bonding, say the authors. This not only lowers distress, but may also enable a child to develop effective life, social, and coping skills, which will stand them in good stead as adults.

4:41 AM | 0 komentar | Read More

Expressing Love in Children with a kiss

Not all people celebrate Valentine's Day or Valentine's day. But there's nothing wrong with loving celebration sense to reevaluate the extent you, as parents, show love and affection to children. However, the feeling of affection should be disclosed, so that your child understands the parents' love against him.

This is important for pesinetron, Vira Yuniar (29), which recently tested the theater stage with a seasoned poet Remy mbeling Sylado. Women born in the Riau Islands, September 1, 1981, is a word of praise must confess that it provides to both her son, Cut Shalinni (6) and Teuku Prayaa (5).

"I do not celebrate Valentine's special, but my own search for meaning about it. Every day is a time to express affection. Always bring the kids in my practice to be one way. Another way to give a kiss to the children every day to shape my affection as his mother. Bonding is built from the heart to make children feel vulnerable. Children have an instinct to know what love for his parents,

In addition to praise and kisses, Vira also admitted intense build the mother-child bond with her two children. Inviting children while filming is not a new activity for her family. "If possible, take my kids to where I work," he explained. According to Vira, children can learn many things from the environment around him, including his mother's work environment.

Togetherness and express feelings for Vira important for mother-child bond stronger. Sure enough, now that her two children growing older, they do not hesitate to show his feelings. "My second child was suddenly like kissing or ask for kisses. And he was always close to my delight. Habit was wrapped around the hair-wrap when you're near me," Vira describes the behavior of their children. The attitude of children who are not familiar show indulgence. Because recognized Vira, two children grow independently, especially his daughter.

"The kids do not ever depend on others, with the nanny for example. If there was no rush, I prefer with the kids. If need be deposited, I prefer his grandmother to supervise," said Vira.

3:27 AM | 0 komentar | Read More

Never Bored Bring Love to Children

Psychiatrists from Angsamerah clinic, dr Eka Viora, SpKJ, explaining that love should be expressed in words but also with an attitude. Meaningful expression of love from their parents wrath, because the child will feel loved. The impact is also not only be felt when a child is growing. Habits express and receive love will form the children become individuals who are more sensitive to others and the environment. Included also in the future of children a family.

"The man (adult) that is not easy to express love because he did not have a model that is remembered as a child. So look again at how a man raised as a child. If since childhood, the child does not receive an expression of love from his parents, he will grow into a personal difficult to express love. Parents who are flooding the child with words of love into learning for children to express love, "said Dr. Eka the talk entitled" Expressing Love in Couples and Children "held Compass Female and clinics in Supermal Angsamerah Karawaci , Sunday (2/13/2011) ago.

In addition to words of love like saying "I love you, kid" or "I love you, kid" you can express love in many ways. Dr Eka share how:

1. Always give praise
There is no limit to give a compliment. Praising children constantly not to have negative impacts for children. According to Dr. Eka, parents usually stingy praise the child because they think kids do something that according to ordinary parents, and children have become liabilities. Parents more often criticized, blamed when children do not comply with parental wishes. So, give praise as often as possible to the child, said Dr. Eka.

2. Do a special activity together every day
Create a little of your valuable time, every day, to do special activities with the children. Like the play, listen to your favorite music, favorite television programs children watch, or to cuddle under a warm blanket and cozy.

3. Create a message of love
Make a note contains a declaration of love for the child or message of love. For example by writing the phrase "Mama love you", put the letter magnets on the refrigerator door bearing similar messages, heart-shaped pillow to award child, or make a cake with a heart-shaped pan that read "I Love You".

4. Fill your child kegemari
Expressing love can also be done by meeting the child's favorite. Make a child's favorite dishes, read a favorite book or fairy tale.

5. Give a kiss
Another way of expressing love to the child is with a simple action, kissing her. Give kisses to the kids more often.

6. Give a hug
Hugs and with folded arms of children with a warm, stroking her hair or rub her feet.

7. Give something special
Nothing wrong with giving something special to the children that are out of habit. The form did not have to be good. For example, allow children to watch television longer than usual.

8. Special attention
If a child has a brother or sister, give special attention to him or full for a while.

9. Your Applause meaningful
Give a hand clap bookmark your appreciation to the children when children do something well or according to your wishes.

3:26 AM | 0 komentar | Read More

Train Child High Not To Exercise

though bearing the name of Martha Tilaaar, four sons and daughters of a cosmetics company founder Martha Tilaar Group does not show that the high character of the liver. Respect for others, willing to learn and listen to the opinion of the team which incidentally is his subordinate, embedded in Bryan David Emil Tilaar, Pingkan Engelien Tilaar, Wulan Maharani Tilaar, and Kilala Esra Tilaar. Martha Tilaar together with her husband, Prof. Dr. Rudolf Tilaar Alexis Henry, to train the children of an independent character, caring, and concern for others.

The key, says Martha, is the sensitivity and self-trained from an early age. That way children grow and develop into a full figure of respect for others, willing to learn from the younger, and open to the opinions of everyone regardless of age.

Children learn to share since childhood as a way to train their sensibilities, go Martha. Martha applied parenting with her husband must have a mission. In addition to building a positive personal character, sensitivity inculcated in the child prepared for the future is ready to lead the company that pioneered Martha's family since 1970. "By having a high sensitivity, they will become leaders who are better able to appreciate other people and not arbitrarily," said the eldest of three siblings.

Martha Tilaar Leadership Group which will be followed by her children, also not given easily. Independence built since the small child who continues to be nurtured as an adult. Martha said, her sons and daughters who are involved in the family beauty business is starting role from the lower level. "The children involved in the company from a management trainee level," said the woman who once worked as primary school teachers and lecturers. By doing so, continued Martha, the kids will have a great sense of belonging to the company and interested in continuing the family business.

In the dictionary parenting Martha, independence and sensitivity to be qualified to prepare a stock figure of the leader. Although the opportunity to become a leader is in sight, the character of this leadership still needs to be prepared early. As Martha and her husband are preparing Wulan as Director Martha Tilaar Group, Bryan as Director of PT Martina Berto, Kilala as Deputy Marketing Director of PT Martina Berto, and Pingkan as Manager of PT Martha Beauty School Beauty Gallery.

"Looking for work is currently difficult, if there is a work of children just need to continue it," said Martha simple.

3:24 AM | 0 komentar | Read More

Making Children Need to Hear You Without Yelling

Communicating with children should occur in both directions. You talk to him, he listens, and vice versa without any one of the intonation of his voice rising. There are effective ways to communicate with children without having to shout. Here's tips:

Message "I"
There is one expressive communication techniques for use with the child, his name is "my message". There are 3 key words in this technique, namely, I felt, when, and because.

When you are in a situation when the child asks for something now, you can use this technique, do not forget to use the three keywords, for example, "Mama (I) feel upset when you interrupt the work Mama, because I had to finish it before we go to the park play it. "

This technique is effective because it focuses on you and your feelings. This technique does not blame anyone, but it becomes a simple statement of your perspective on the situation at hand.

Emphasize kepositivan
One way to communicate effectively with your children is to develop in a positive sentence. Avoid the words "no" or "no" when talking with children. Rather than saying, "Do not throw toys on the floor," better to say, "Toys that his place in the toy basket." Although the changes are simple, the choice of words you use have a major impact on the reactions of children and the way he interacts with others.

Belanjar listen
Learning and practicing receptive communication is an important aspect to enhance parent-child interaction. Very important about what you say (or what is expressed in your child) be heard and understood. Listening to children is part of the receptive communication, and can be used as a way to understand children.

When you hear a child, stop all forms of activity you're doing and focus on your child. Kneeling, sitting, or a little lift on the bench for you and he are in an equal level. When the small talk, really listen. Ask yourself, "What is perceived by my child?" Then, repeat what you hear or what you think he is feeling (if his voice is less clear).

The key words similar to the first point, "you feel, because". For example, "You feel upset because you want to go to the playground right now when Mama stopped working." According to Terry Meredith, Speech and Language Pathologist from TLM Consulting, it is important for children to express their feelings through language. Parents also can tell the child that it is not a problem to feel some of the same thing at once.

Actions more clearly than words
Remember, that your thoughts are communicated through signs non-verbal. The way you carry yourself can say many things rather than words.

Your breath is very tight, wrinkled forehead, hands clenched, and then suddenly your child asks, "Mama mad?" then you replied with a frown, "Nah, Mama baseball mad." Your body language is clear show you angry and upset, but you actually say the opposite. When actions and words you do not sync, you send a double message to the child. You lied to feelings, but you show what you feel through your body.

3:23 AM | 0 komentar | Read More

6 Pillars Positive Parenting on Children

Nothing special schools to become parents. But parents still need to learn to apply positive parenting on children in order to form the positive character of children in the future. Science parenting you can get from various sources, such as seminars or articles in magazines and books.

The first pillar is meant, partnership or cooperation between fathers and mothers (parenting partnership.) Parents must learn to work together well, especially in the teaching of values ​​to the child's life. There should be no difference of opinion in the teaching discipline and norms of life. Thus, the child will comply with parental guidance due to see both father and mother agreed to give the same view.

The second pillar consists of "4B", said Hannah, namely belailah, talk, play, and thinking. Hannah describes the research of Dr. Harold voth, a psychiatrist from Kansas, United States, regarding the element of caresses. How many times caress you give the child every day will affect the growth-development. For example, four fondling the child in a day can make your child always survive. Eight fondling a day to support the growing child. While 12 fondling will make your child physically and emotionally healthy. The function is also valid for fondling a married couple. Fondling able to drive the depression, make us younger, sleep more soundly, and boost immunity.

Then Hannah encourage parents to establish communication with the child. Communication can be done in many ways, one by reading books to children and ask their opinions about the contents of the book.

Besides talking, parents also should take the time to invite children to play by involving physical. On the chance to play, the role of fathers much more likely to encourage children to do activities like sports or do other games. Not only the physical play, children also should be taught to play by using exposure to the mind. This helps children to manage the natural mind. Exercise also helps children communicate thought what he was thinking because the mind is not necessarily the same children and parents.

The third pillar, between parents and children always have an agreement in implementing discipline, and apply the rules consistently. The rules do not always have to be made by parents. For example in the agreed hours of learning. Children and parents can discuss, how many hours it takes the child to repeat a school lesson. Parents show love but with firmness.

"Fourth pillar, parents must understand the negative emotions since early childhood. When our children are sad and cry, ask why she was sad, or what made him cry. We try to understand the feelings of the child to repair negative emotions," said Hanny.

The fifth pillar, namely the importance of positive language style for the child physically and emotionally healthy. In this section, Hannah cites a statement from the Task Force for Personal and Social Responsibilities in America who explained that every day people listen to 432 words and negative sentences, and only 32 positive words and sentences. As many as 80 percent of those hurtful words, give a bad psychological effects, and do not motivate people to rise up. The rest, 20 percent of people survive even hears those words. Therefore, parents need to learn not to excessively angry, let alone threaten the child.

3:22 AM | 0 komentar | Read More

Parents Make Children Self Confidence

Confidence given to the child's parents affect the independence and confidence. It was included in liberating children looking to experience a different adventure which one day will bring a positive influence for himself. This is evidenced Skip Yowell, co-founder of American manufacturers of branded JanSport bags.

The man who was familiarly called Skip are believed to free themselves for the adventurous, look for a different experience, and observe life on the ground, the provision of individuals to become independent and confident. The impact then, the individual is better able to tread life, able to bring many innovations and confident with himself to realize the dreams and desires. In addition to his own practice the principle of this adventurous life, Skip also gave freedom to his daughter for the adventurous.

"When my daughter was 17, I pay for around six countries in Europe alone. I said to him, bertualanglah, look for challenges. Son of my backpacking to Europe and he visited museums, historic sites, make friends with foreign students there. He learned to get along and meet with different cultures and people. From this trip, he learned to be independent and build confidence, "the story of Skip to Female Compass after the talk show in the series of programs"

Skip said, the key, parent (parents) to give full trust to the child. That way, children freely explore themselves and the opportunity to gain different experiences in life that a provision in the future. Now, the daughter of Skip aged 25 and follow in the footsteps of his father adventurous hobby. "My daughter is also a traveler," he said.

What about you? Forms of trust as what has been given to children? No matter how small your faith against children, have a major influence for him. He'll grow up independent and sure of himself because he knows that his parents believe fully and support whatever he does.

3:20 AM | 0 komentar | Read More