Parents who Put their Children First Are Happier

As many parents often may want to shelter their children, a recent study looks at how some "helicopter parents" who put their children's needs above their own are not only happier, but find more meaning in their lives via their parenting responsibilities.

"These findings stand in contrast to claims in the popular media that prioritizing children's well-being undermines parents' well-being," the researchers wrote, via a press release.

According to study authors Clarke E. Ashton-James, Kostadin Kushlev and Elizabeth W. Dunn, they conducted two studies encompassing a total of 322 parents.

The first study asked parents to complete a child-centrism scale and measure their parenting style and the happiness and meaning they felt in their lives due to their children.

Some responded with statements, such as the following, courtesy of the release: "My children make my life meaningful."

The researchers also found that more child-centric parents tended to be more likely to report higher levels of happiness and a sense of purpose in their own lives.

The second study looked at participants who were asked to retell their previous day's activities and report how they felt during each activity. Results showed that more child-centric parents had greater positive feelings and less negative ones, as well as a more meaningful life.

"These findings suggest that the more care and attention people give to others, the more happiness and meaning they experience," the authors wrote. "From this perspective, the more invested parents are in their children's well-being-that is, the more 'child centric' parents are-the more happiness and meaning they will derive from parenting."

What do you think?

More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science.