Study finds being proud of your children is good for your health

By Stephen Beech

Parental pride is good for the health of moms and dads, according to new research.

Experiencing feelings of pride and awe toward one's children can "significantly enhance" the well-being of parents, American researchers say.

Their findings, published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, showed that those positive emotions contribute to greater life satisfaction and stronger parent-child bonds.

The research team from the University of Rochester in New York conducted a series of studies involving more than 850 moms and dads to examine how parental pride and awe affect various aspects of well-being.

Study leader Princeton Chee said: "Parental pride and awe are common and beneficial feelings parents can have with their children.

"Parents may feel proud when their child does something they worked hard to succeed in and accomplish.

"They may feel awe when their child does something amazing or completely unexpected that make them feel like saying 'woah' or 'wow.'"

While both emotions proved beneficial, the research showed that awe had more profound effects on overall well-being.

Graduate psychology student Chee said: "We find that awe can actually strengthen parental well-being more broadly and holistically, compared to pride, making parents lives feel happier, more meaningful, and richer in experiences."

The study found that awe connects parents to something larger than themselves, such as the parent-child relationship or the concept of parenthood itself, while pride tends to focus more on personal ego and accomplishments.

The researchers say that distinction helps explain why awe showed stronger associations with purpose, meaning, and psychological richness in parents' lives.

They said the finding that awe can alter parents' perception of time was "particularly noteworthy."

Chee said: "Awe in particular can help parents fully immerse themselves by making time feel like it's slowing down during extraordinary moments."

He says the research appears especially relevant amid growing concerns about parental mental health.

Chee said: "Parents everywhere are struggling with mental health and well-being, with even the US surgeon general calling for an urgent need to better support parents.

"Our research finds that one way in which parenthood can be rewarding, rather than detrimental, is through feeling pride and especially awe with one's child."

He said that, contrary to popular belief, experiencing parental awe doesn't require rare or exceptional circumstances.

Chee added: "Awe may be easier to find and cultivate than you might think.

"It doesn't have to be only once in a lifetime, extraordinary experiences in which parents feel awe.

"These certainly are rewarding moments that elicit awe, but awe, along with its many rewards, can also be cultivated through things as simple as weekend outings and quality time spent with one's child."

He said the findings suggest that "cultivating and savoring" moments of pride and awe can help moms and dads find greater joy, meaning, and richness in the parenting experience.