How Childhood Shapes Where You Fit In As An Adult

Childhood Experiences Play a Big Role

Key Findings:

• Positive Experiences:
• Good relationship with parents, especially mothers
• Good health as a child
• Negative Experiences:
• Abuse
• Feeling left out
• Money troubles
• Moving to a new country
• Parents getting divorced

Cultural and Contextual Differences

Country-Specific Insights:

• Argentina: Strong relationship with mom predicts adult belonging
• Japan: Weaker effect of mom's relationship
• Turkey & South Africa: Childhood abuse has a big negative effect
• United States & Nigeria: Smaller impact of childhood abuse
• Spain, Philippines, Brazil: Regular religious services linked to more connection
• Sweden & South Africa: Regular religious services linked to less connection

Conclusion

Feeling like you belong as an adult is shaped by many factors, and those factors can vary a lot depending on where you live. It's a reminder that everyone's experience is unique, and that the things that make us feel connected are complex and multifaceted.