Articles labeled: illness levels from stress

A new report from the University of Rochester indicates that kids with stressed, anxious or depressed parents have a higher rate of illness. Does that mean “visibly” stressed? Is it some sort of “placebo effect” (don’t know if that’s the appropriate term here, hey we’re not scientists) caused by the children worrying about their parents? In any case, it does seem to point that kids do better in what they feel is a safe and happy environment.

It also found links between stress and immune system activity in the children.

A UK scientist said children were “highly resilient”, and urged parents not to worry about the findings.

It has long been known that stress can cause immune system changes that make a person more prone to infections and other illnesses.

However, the new study, first published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity, is the first to provide evidence that the problem can be transmitted from parent to child.

The researchers, led by Dr Mary Caserta, followed the parents of 169 children over a three-year period, with the parents recording instances of childhood illness, before undergoing six-monthly psychiatric evaluations.

The total number of illnesses was significantly higher in the children of parents with higher levels of “emotional stress”.