The psychologist spoke about the impact of the mental state of parents on children

The mental health of parents forms the basis of the emotional climate in the family and directly affects the development of the child. A Harvard Medical School study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry found that children whose parents suffered from anxiety or depressive disorders were more likely to experience similar problems during adolescence.

Scientists have been monitoring families for 10 years and have recorded that the emotional state of the mother and father affects not only the child's behavior, but also his neurobiological reactions — cortisol levels, heart rate, and even the activity of brain regions responsible for stress and safety.

Moreover, disorders can be transmitted to children both through the genetic line and through the environment, which increases the risk of developing mental illness in the younger generation. Olga Kushnareva, a psychologist, family psychologist, and psychotherapist, told Izvestia on October 10 about how the mental health of parents affects the upbringing of children.

"When a mom or dad lives with anxiety, depression or other disorder, it affects not only their own well-being, but also the atmosphere in the family. The child, even if nothing is directly explained to him, always reads the mood of the parents: by intonation, facial expression, tone of voice," the expert noted.

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In addition, if the environment is often anxious, sad, or unpredictable, the child learns to live in constant tension, which over time can lead to difficulties in the emotional sphere and in relationships with other people.

Kushnareva added that emotional connection with parents plays a crucial role in shaping a child's inner stability. According to her, in the early stages of development, a child regulates his emotional state through an adult. If a parent is stable, aware of their own feelings and knows how to take care of themselves, they become a kind of "container" for children's emotions — they help the child to live through anxiety, resentment and anger.

According to the study, in families where at least one parent underwent psychotherapy or participated in emotional support programs, the risk of developing anxiety disorders in children decreased by almost 30%. This confirms the importance of a systematic approach: the treatment of one family member affects the psychological health of all its members.

"A genetic predisposition does exist, but it is not a verdict. Genes only increase sensitivity, and the environment remains the decisive factor: how safe the child feels, whether he receives support, whether there are adults nearby who know how to be stable. Even if one parent is sick, the other can become that "island of tranquility" that helps the child maintain inner balance," Kushnareva explained.

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The expert also stressed that emotional health is transmitted to children not only through the behavior of parents, but also through their bodily reactions. She explained that when an adult knows how to slow down, breathe calmly and not react impulsively, the child involuntarily adopts this rhythm. According to her, this is how emotional stability is "inherited" — not through words, but through bodily experience.

"The mental health of parents is not just about illnesses. It's about love, warmth, and the ability to be there even when it's difficult," the expert concluded.

Alexey Bondarev, a cognitive patterns specialist and business consultant, shared recommendations on how to prevent burnout at work. He advised me to identify an activity that comes easily and naturally, whether it's idea generation, creativity, or analysis. The expert also identified three types of joys that help maintain balance: physical (sports, massage), impressions (new places, meetings) and solitude (time alone with oneself). Bondarev warned about a common mistake that hinders career growth — defocusing, when a person tries to cover too many areas, which leads to stress and superficial knowledge.

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