Frequent family arguments put kids at increased mental risk

London, Mar 30 (ANI): Frequent family arguments can drastically increase a child's risk of developing mental problems later in life, say researchers.

Over a period of 30 years, an international team of psychiatrists and sociologists studied 346 boys and girls aged 5.

At the age of 15, nearly 50 pct of the subjects reported a significant increase in the number of arguments with their parents and between their parents.

The analysis revealed that 15 years later these people were more than three times more likely than others to suffer from major depression, or indulge in drug or alcohol abuse, reports New Scientist.

Moreover, they were at three-fold risk of engaging in antisocial behaviour, and more than twice as likely to be unemployed.

Team member Helen Reinherz of the Simmons College of Social Work in Boston said that the research highlights the need for programmes to teach parents effective ways of communicating with their children and with each other. (ANI)