Thriving in midlife: The roles of childhood nurturance and adult defense mechanisms

The current study examined whether reliance on more adaptive defense mechanisms throughout early adulthood may help explain previously documented relationships between childhood nurturance and better midlife functioning. Utilizing a unique longitudinal study, data were from age 18 through midlife (age 63) on 135 males. Childhood nurturance was assessed upon study entry and defense mechanism usage was assessed throughout earlier adulthood. Percentage of 'engaging' (more adaptive) vs. 'avoidant' (less adaptive) defenses mediated the relationship between childhood nurturance and 3 midlife outcomes: participants' relationship quality with their children, marriage stability, and maximum earned income. Results suggest that greater childhood nurturance relates to more adaptive defensive styles in early adulthood, which is then associated with healthier midlife functioning at work and in relationships.