What makes young adults really happy? A new Italian research published on Journal of Psychology points the finger on an element that is too often underestimated: The type of emotional bond we had with our parents. According to the study, to make the difference in our life satisfaction are two precise emotions – anxiety and anger – who act as real mediators between the way we have been grown and our current well -being.
In particular, the researchers observed that Excessive maternal and paternal protection tends to increase anxietywhich in turn compromises well -being. On the contrary, A affectionate parenting, based on authentic care, seems to promote better control of angerthus favoring a more serene and satisfying life.
The parental bonding It is that emotional intimacy that was born between parent and son from the first days of life. It is not just a matter of physical presence, but of emotional proximity, listening, dedication and ability to respond to the needs of the child in an empathic and coherent way. This profound bond constitutes The foundations on which inner security, trust in others and emotional stability are built. When it is missing or is unstable, as in the case of not very present or inconsistent parents, problems of attachment, anxiety, relationship difficulties and behavioral disorders may occur.
Fortunately, the parental bond is not something immutable: even in adolescence or in adulthood, positive interactions and conscious parenting can strengthen this relationshipimproving the emotional balance of the child.
Care or control?
The research team, led by Martina Smorti Together with Cansu Alsancak-Akbulut, Francesca Pozza and Carmen Berrocal Montiel, he tried to understand how negative emotions, like anger and anxietycan explain the connection between parental bond and satisfaction in adult life. The study involved 369 young Italianslargely women, with an average age of 22. 72% graduated, 12% owned a master’s degree and 60% still lived with the family; Only 31% worked.
Through a series of questionnaires, the participants told how they perceived the behavior of the parents during growth: specific tools were used to measure the level of care received, the degree of hyperprotection, the intensity of anxiety, the expression and control of anger, in addition to the level of general satisfaction in life.
The results speak clearly: who has perceived greater care and affective presence On the part of Mother and Father he showed More ability to manage anger, less anxiety and a higher life satisfaction. On the contrary, who has experienced overprotective parentswho tend to control excessively, reported higher levels of anxiety, greater express express and less personal satisfaction.
Also interesting is the distinction between mother and father: maternal hyperprotection seems to affect anger and anxiety more directlywhile the paternal one is mainly associated with anxiety.
The domino effect
Through statistical analyzes, researchers confirmed that Anxiety acts as a mediator between overprotection and life satisfaction. In practice, the more the parents have been overprotective, the more the children have developed anxiety, the less they said they are satisfied with their lives. Anger, on the other hand, averages the relationship between parental affection and well -beingshowing that the emotional support received by parents helps to contain aggression and promotes a more stable emotional balance.
Even the negative expression of anger – the one that explodes in quarrels, tensions or loaded silences – was connected in particular to the maternal hyperprotectionconfirming that an excess of control can generate frustration and inner discomfort.
In summary, as the authors point out, Mother and father can influence differently but complementary on the quality of life of their adult childrenthrough psychological processes involving anxiety and management of anger.
This research offers fundamental ideas to reflect on how much our educational style can affect the psychological well -being of childreneven after years. Yes, because the emotions we learn to manage (or overwhelmed us) as adults often have roots in how we have been loved, listened and accompanied As children.
An important message emerges forcefully: Being present does not mean controlling everythingbut knowing how to offer security without invading. It is a thin but decisive balance. And if science today helps us better understand how anxiety and anger are inserted into this equation, we can use it for grow happiest and more aware children.
