8 . Children with strong family connections are associated with a high likelihood of flourishing in life, a study found. “What is different about this study is that it shows that family connection is associated with thriving and not just surviving or avoiding harm,” said lead study author Dr. Robert Whitaker.
Researchers surveyed over 37,000 children in 26 countries. In the study, family connection was determined by a mean score of five categories: care, support, safety, respect, and participation. Flourishing was determined by a mean score of six categories: self-acceptance, purpose in life, positive relations with others, personal growth, environmental mastery and autonomy. The essence of family connection is children feeling that they are accepted and cared for at home, which allows them to learn what their strengths and weaknesses are in a safe environment as they are building their identity,Whitaker said.
Children with the greatest level of family connection were over 49% more likely to flourish compared with those with the lowest level of family connection, according to the study. The highest scores in both family connection and flourishing came from children who said they lived with both parents, had enough food or never had their family worrying about finances. Researchers then controlled the data for families’ poverty levels to remove the effect they might have had on the numbers. After controlling the data, the strength of family connection still impacted how much children flourished.
According to Whitaker, adults have a very powerful influence on the emotional climate in the home, so it’s important to create a space where children feel seen and heard. A great opportunity to strengthen family bonds is around the dinner table. Adults should create an environment where children feel comfortable speaking freely. While they are talking,grown-ups should show that they have a genuine interest in what their children are saying. Silence is also another powerful form of communication, Whitaker said. Children and parents spending time together in silence or even doing chores can create a connection.
1. What is the study mainly about?
| A．The importance of family connection to children’s survival. |
| B．The relationship between family connection and children’s success. |
| C．The factors affecting children’ self-acceptance. |
| D．The impact of poverty on children’s development. |
2. Who are more likely to achieve high scores in both family connection and flourishing?
| A．Children who live with a single parent. |
| B．Children who have enough food and money. |
| C．Children who know of their strengths and weaknesses. |
| D．Children who have a whole family and economic security. |
3. Which of the following might be an influencing factor in the result?
| A．Family income. | B．Parents’ educational level. |
| C．Children’s age and gender. | D．The number of people in the family. |
4. How can adults strengthen family bonds during mealtime?
| A．By showing respect when children are talking. | B．By talking about their own problems. |
| C．By keeping silent when disagreements arise. | D．By backing children’s opinions forever. |
