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Objectives. Experiences in one's family of origin, especially the relationship to one's parents, supposedly form the basis of relationships in adulthood. The connection between traumatic childhood events and later life has been studied intensively, whereas average childhood growth experiences have been given less attention. The aim of this study was to find out the association between images of the mother and father and the psychosocial well-being of young adults from the perspective of satisfaction in intimate relationships. Study design. Cross-sectional study. Methods. The research is a part of the Oulu University Hospital "Mother-Child Follow-up Study 1971- 1972''. The follow-up data were collected from the young adults (n=337) in 2000 by way of mailed questionnaires, which included 17 questions about the participants' images of their parents and 18 questions about their intimate relationship satisfaction. In this study we used attachment theory as a theoretical frame of reference. Results. Mental images of dominating parents were associated with quarrelsome intimate relationships, and the image of a dominating father, with repressive/submissive and less balanced relationships. Mental images of diligent and sociable parents were associated with a loving and balanced relationship, and the image of supportive parents, with a balanced relationship. Parental diligence was associated with a less quarrelsome relationship. Conclusion. The young adults' mental images of their parents were associated with their intimate relationship satisfaction. Positive mental images of the father, in particular, seemed to protect young adults from a quarrelsome and repressive/submissive intimate relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

John Lind, Professor of Pediatrics at the Karolinska Institute, emphasized that ‘the family is born in the maternity hospital.’ He had a warm concern for all parents and infants and was extremely influential in both pediatric and child-rearing practices in Sweden and in the promotion of infant and caregiver-infant interaction research. Lind initiated and/or stimulated the scientific study of the infant's cry, parent-infant interactions, the role of the father in the perinatal environment, fetal and neonatal perception, and perinatal hospital practices. In many respects, his work predated contemporary emphases on perinatal coaching programs, social support (doula) during labor and delivery, parent education on childrearing, the use of ethnographic data for contemporary perinatal practices, interdisciplinary, team approaches to study of infant care and development, changes in newborn nursery practices, and, above all, care and sensitivity to the initial synchronization of the parent-infant interaction system. This paper honors John Lind's contributions to our knowledge of infant development and parent-infant interaction, his influences on the field of pediatrics and the interdisciplinary study of infancy, and his commitment to enhancement of the quality of life for infants and their families. Although his life has ended, his ideas will continue to inspire and challenge the study of early human development for many years to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Experiences in one's family of origin, especially the relationship to one's parents, supposedly form the basis of relationships in adulthood. The connection between traumatic childhood events and later life has been studied intensively, whereas average childhood growth experiences have been given less attention. The aim of this study was to find out the association between images of the mother and father and the psychosocial well-being of young adults from the perspective of satisfaction in intimate relationships., Study Design: Cross-sectional study., Methods: The research is a part of the Oulu University Hospital Mother-Child Follow-up Study 1971-1972. The follow-up data were collected from the young adults (n=337) in 2000 by way of mailed questionnaires, which included 17 questions about the participants' images of their parents and 18 questions about their intimate relationship satisfaction. In this study we used attachment theory as a theoretical frame of reference., Results: Mental images of dominating parents were associated with quarrelsome intimate relationships, and the image of a dominating father, with repressive/submissive and less balanced relationships. Mental images of diligent and sociable parents were associated with a loving and balanced relationship, and the image of supportive parents, with a balanced relationship. Parental diligence was associated with a less quarrelsome relationship., Conclusion: The young adults' mental images of their parents were associated with their intimate relationship satisfaction. Positive mental images of the father, in particular, seemed to protect young adults from a quarrelsome and repressive/submissive intimate relationship.