Childhood Parent-Child Relationships and Cognitive Health in Later Life: The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem and Sense of Control

Abstract

A growing body of research suggests that the early-life family environment plays a critical role in shaping cognitive health in later life. However, limited attention has been given to the quality of parent-child relationships and the psychosocial mechanisms that may underlie this association. Drawing on data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (1979–2020), this study examines how positive and negative parent-child relationships during childhood influence later-life cognitive health. Findings indicate that parental love and affection in childhood are linked to better self-rated memory, while negative parental relationships are associated with worse memory outcomes in later life. Moreover, self-esteem and sense of control in adulthood partially mediate these associations. These results highlight the lasting impact of early parent-child relationships on subjective cognitive health and underscore the importance of nurturing positive family dynamics to support cognitive well-being in older adulthood.