Research Finds That A Warm Home Environment Fosters Young People's Belief in a Safe and Positive World

Recent studies highlight the significant role of parental warmth in shaping young people's perceptions of the world as a safe, good, and inviting place. Researchers conducted a comprehensive, multi-country longitudinal study involving children, their parents, and young adults from nations including Colombia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, the Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, and the United States. The study observed children aged 8 to 16, collecting data on neighborhood safety, socioeconomic status, parenting styles, and psychological factors. When these children reached 22 years of age, they completed questionnaires about their beliefs regarding the world. Findings demonstrated that warm and nurturing parenting during childhood and adolescence strongly predicted positive world beliefs in young adulthood. Interestingly, factors such as neighborhood danger, socioeconomic status, harsh parenting, and psychological control showed weaker or no significant influence. These insights suggest that fostering a warm and supportive home environment can promote a worldview characterized by safety and worth, which is crucial for mental health and overall development.

This pioneering research, led by Dr. Jennifer Lansford of Duke University, underscores the importance of parental warmth across diverse cultural contexts. While creating safer neighborhoods or increasing socioeconomic status might be challenging, nurturing warmth within the home is an accessible way for parents to positively influence their children's perceptions of the world. The study also emphasizes the need for future research to explore how these beliefs develop during childhood and adolescence and how they differ across cultures. Overall, the findings reinforce the vital role of supportive parenting in fostering resilient and optimistic worldviews, contributing to healthier psychological development.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-qa-fostering-home-environment-young.html