Like Parent, Like Child: New Study Links Emotional Bias to How Families Talk
A new study published in a leading developmental psychology journal finds that emotional biases—the way people interpret emotionally ambiguous situations—may run in families and are shaped by the everyday conversations between parents and children. The research suggests that when families talk openly about feelings and uncertainty, children are more likely to adopt the emotional outlook their parents model. Conversely, if family talk is limited or faces are hidden behind routine smiles and quick answers, children may develop distinct patterns of interpreting ambiguous emotional cues that diverge from their parents’ stance. For Thai readers navigating complex public health and education systems, the finding underscores a familiar truth: how families speak about emotions at home may have lasting implications for a child’s mental wellness and resilience in school and community life.