Mother's happiness impacts child's well-being, survey reveals

By Staff Writer

New research indicates that a child's overall satisfaction is influenced more by Mom than Dad.

The report, which appears in the journal Understanding Society, was based on a study of 40,000 households over several years. Young people between ages 10 and 15 were questioned about their overall satisfaction. They were also asked about their parents' levels of happiness in their respective marriages.

Researchers found that 60 percent of adolescents said that they were "completely satisfied" with their lives. However, of those who reported that their mother was unhappy with their domestic partnership, only 55 percent of respondents reported that they were satisfied with their own lives.

Of those whose mothers were "perfectly happy" in marriage, a total of 73 percent of participants said that they were satisfied. Responses were not significantly influenced by a father's contentment in marriage.

Furthermore, the team concluded that the most satisfied respondents lived with two adults, either biological or stepparents. On average, the happiest adolescents had no younger siblings, did not argue with their parents regularly and ate at least three evening meals per week with their family.

Adolescents who suffer from emotional or behavioral issues due to their family dynamics may benefit from troubled teen programs, many of which provide therapeutic treatment.