Parenting

Why does relationship happiness drop after having a baby? Research shows that while conflict rises, the most damaging factor is actually the disappearance of positive couple interactions, like sharing feelings and showing mutual appreciation.

Wearable trackers show a new parent's actual sleep time doesn't predict their mental health. Instead, a new study finds that psychological distress actually worsens perceived sleep quality over the first year postpartum for both parents.

New research shows that Chinese parents and adult children often share similar preferences for a future spouse. The study suggests that these shared values, particularly regarding financial stability, are strongly tied to specific childhood parenting styles.

A large survey of adolescents reveals that strong parent-child communication significantly boosts a teen's emotional and social skills. Interestingly, researchers found these character-building benefits are particularly strong for urban teenagers and only children.

Parents who perceive their child-rearing duties as sacred tend to report higher levels of happiness. A recent sociological study highlights how different internal images of God can subtly amplify or diminish this sense of fulfillment.

Research following nearly 6,000 parent-adolescent pairs over three years found that strong parental mental well-being is tied to higher physical activity and lower digital media use in teens, highlighting the family dynamics behind healthy youth behaviors.

New research shows a child’s home environment is closely linked to how their brain matures. A recent study associates parental acceptance with faster brain development, while exposure to household abuse correlates with delayed microstructural brain changes.

A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology suggests that while mothers and fathers are equally skilled at making preschoolers laugh, shared laughter is more strongly associated with secure emotional bonds in father-child relationships.

Few parenting topics spark as much debate as the "cry it out" method. While some experts warn it causes psychological harm, a study in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry argues it does not negatively affect infant development.

A new study finds that how fathers react when their toddlers are scared—whether they minimize the fear or become overly involved—is linked to distinct differences in the children's anxiety and behavior two years later.

Three new studies highlight how the timing of cardinal knowledge mastery predicts school readiness. Researchers found that complex parent-child conversations aid development, whereas parental math anxiety is linked to lower preschool numeracy skills.

A longitudinal study of Dutch adults reveals that personality traits, particularly agreeableness and extraversion, are linked to stable expectations of becoming a parent. The research identifies distinct trajectories for how these expectations develop over time.

Can a video game change your mind about having kids? A new study suggests that emotional bonds with virtual characters in simulation games may boost real-world fertility desires among young adults.

Researchers found that depression and sedentary behavior appear to reinforce each other in children. The also study indicates these patterns can eventually impact the mental well-being of parents.

Research published in Psychology and Aging finds that grandparents who provide childcare tend to have better memories. The study suggests these cognitive advantages exist independently of how frequently the care is actually provided.