Parenting

Researchers found that when caregivers sing more often to their infants, babies become noticeably happier over time. The randomized trial used real-time mood tracking and showed that even a brief music enrichment intervention can shape emotional development in infancy.

A new study suggests that mothers who favor social hierarchies and obedience to authority use less perspective-taking language with their children—especially when discussing people from different ethnic backgrounds. Their children also show weaker ability to understand others’ thoughts and feelings.

A new study using nationwide data from China finds that when mothers dominate educational decisions, children tend to perform better academically—but show weaker non-cognitive skills, such as emotional regulation and social traits.

A recent study suggests that childhood trauma doesn’t end with the individual—it can influence the next generation. Maternal adversity was linked to children’s conduct, emotions, and cognition through economic strain, depression, relationship conflict, and parenting behavior.

A new study shows that parents who experience pride and awe in everyday moments with their children report higher life satisfaction, deeper meaning, and greater emotional richness—highlighting the powerful psychological benefits of these emotions in family life.

A new study finds that postnatal depression may impair the body’s hormonal response to breastfeeding. While oxytocin nasal spray boosted breast milk levels in healthy mothers, the same effect was not seen in those experiencing depressive symptoms after childbirth.

A new study suggests that girls whose parents fail to reciprocate eye contact or positive facial expressions during conflict may be more likely to experience suicidal thoughts later. These subtle interaction patterns could serve as early behavioral indicators of risk.

Motherhood reshapes brains, behaviors, and bonds in surprising ways. These studies reveal how maternal affection, stress, biology, and caregiving influence everything from children’s intelligence and personality to mothers’ own mental health and neural architecture.

Groundbreaking research spanning 14 years and eight countries reveals that warm parenting during childhood strongly predicts young adults’ beliefs that the world is good, safe, and enticing—while material hardship and harsh discipline showed little effect on worldview.

A new study finds that people with avoidant attachment styles toward their parents are more likely to be childfree, offering insight into how early emotional bonds may shape decisions about parenthood.

Research published in the Journal of Marriage and Family finds that single mothers who re-partner experience a rise in life satisfaction, especially when household income improves.

Who’s the favorite child? A large-scale study explores how traits like gender and personality shape parental favoritism.

Sad baby faces grab women’s attention even when presented subliminally, according to new research, revealing a hidden layer of sensitivity to infant emotions.

Childhood experiences with neglectful or controlling parents may shape adult personality traits that interfere with daily life, a new study shows.