Adolescence is a stage full of many changes and challenges for everyone, and for this reason, it is important that as parents we do the same to reach this age by having a close bond with our children, to support and accompany them in the best possible way.
But in addition to being beneficial for them and us the fact of having a good relationship, this is also reflected beyond the bond between parents and children, because according to a new study, those adolescents who have a close and strong relationship with their parents they tend to be more empathetic to their peers .
Published in the journal Child Development , the study aimed to analyze how adolescents aged 16, 17 and 18 were influenced by having a close and strong relationship with their parents at age 14, specifically when being empathetic and doing something to help other guys.
According to what was mentioned in the study, other previous research had found that adolescents who had a strong bond with their parents showed greater empathy towards others , but wanted to analyze whether this empathy was manifested in real interactions with their friends or their peers.
The results of the study indicate that a secure bond, reflected in a close and emotionally balanced relationship in which adolescents feel valued, could predict their ability to empathize and support their close friends.
Interestingly, it was also found that close friends of adolescents who maintained a close relationship with their parents were more likely to seek them out for support , something that was interesting to the team that conducted the study.
The researchers mention that this was mainly found in adolescents who at age 14 had a strong bond with their parents, but comment that even those who did not yet have it at that age, could develop it over time and gradually increase their level and capacity for empathy with others.
The findings in general suggest that in addition to being more empathetic by having a strong and close relationship with their parents, adolescents are capable of transmitting that empathy , which helps their friends to seek them out for support and, in turn, learn to develop they also have a better and greater empathy with others.
Photos | iStock, Pexels
Via | EurekAlert
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