Children’s math and reading skills are linked to better maternal health in midlife
A new analysis of longitudinal data reveals a surprising cross-generational connection: mothers whose children excel in math and reading tend to experience better physical and mental health during their middle-aged years.
A recent study published in Intelligence discovered a link between children's math and reading abilities and their mothers' health in midlife. The research, conducted by Linda Wänström and her colleagues, examined data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79). This survey tracked the health of mothers and their children's cognitive abilities over time.
The study found that, on average, mothers' depression symptoms increased and physical health scores decreased between the ages of 40 and 50. However, mothers whose children had higher math and reading scores tended to have better physical and mental health. Children's math and reading scores did increase as they aged. The researchers suggested that families with higher cognitive levels may exhibit better maternal health outcomes in midlife, a phenomenon known as the "Flynn effect transfer."
The study's findings support the idea that cognitive abilities and health are interconnected, particularly during early life.
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