Looking out for next gen
SUPPORTING the mental health of young people today could benefit future generations, as emerging research shows how parents’ wellbeing across their lifetimes influences their children.
Your parents’ mental health likely shaped your early social and emotional development, say researchers from Deakin University’s Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development (SEED).
The mental health impacts of trauma and emotional distress may extend from parents to their children, while a positive history of wellbeing could also cross generations.
And mounting evidence suggests your parents’ experiences could have influenced your development.
Traumatic or distressing experiences your parents had even decades before your birth may still affect you, according to a recent review by SEED researchers.
“This may be because trauma and distress could have lasting biological and social impacts, influencing future reproductive processes and parenting,” lead study author Dr Liz Spry said.
Your tendency to experience distress is influenced by complex factors, including genetics and how you were raised.
Many social and financial conditions are also slow to shift.
If your parents have experienced racial discrimination or poverty, you may be more likely to experience these too while growing up. Effects such as this can shape the continued experience of adversity between generations.
Extreme stress due to traumatic events, including genocide, combat and forced displacement, can also shape future generations.
“There is also potential to shift outcomes for parents and their children,” Dr Spry said. “We should provide appropriate support for expectant and new parents who have experienced trauma, adversity and distress.”
Yet, while the mental health impact of trauma and emotional distress may extend from parents to children, a positive history of wellbeing could also have a multigenerational impact.
Recent SEED research found children showed more positive behaviours when their parents had a history of wellbeing in adolescence and young adulthood.
Their children were also less fearful or restless.
Dr Spry said a greater focus on preventing trauma and psychological distress in young people was needed
“Young people today face increasing and unprecedented challenges including Covid-19, climate change and other ongoing humanitarian issues both in Australia and internationally,” Dr Spry said.
“Acting now to prevent trauma and support the mental health of young people may have benefits not only for young people themselves, but also for future generations.”