The role of early parental bonding in the development of psychiatric symptoms in adulthood.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and discuss recent research concerning the association between parent-child relationships and psychiatric symptoms in adulthood.


RESULTS
Despite their methodological limitations such as small sample sizes and inadequate follow-up periods, recent studies have shown that early parental bonding may play an important role either as a risk or protection factor for the development of psychiatric symptoms in adulthood. Affective enhancement and encouragement of autonomy seem to exert a protective effect, whereas emotional neglect and overprotection seem to be risk factors for the development of psychiatric symptoms in adulthood.


CONCLUSIONS
Current available data indicate that parent-child relationships may prevent or promote the development of psychiatric symptoms, mainly anxiety and depressive symptoms. In order to investigate the quality of parental bonding and its correlation with the level of psychological well being or psychiatric morbidity, further longitudinal studies with larger samples and adequate follow-up periods should be conducted.
Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil. adriano.rlima@uol.com.br
Adriano Resende
AR
Lima
Marcelo Feijó
MF
Mello
Jair de Jesus
Jde J
Mari
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D009769:Object Attachment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations