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Objectives. Experiences in one's family of origin, especially the relationship to one's parents, supposedly form the basis of relationships in adulthood. The connection between traumatic childhood events and later life has been studied intensively, whereas average childhood growth experiences have been given less attention. The aim of this study was to find out the association between images of the mother and father and the psychosocial well-being of young adults from the perspective of satisfaction in intimate relationships. Study design. Cross-sectional study. Methods. The research is a part of the Oulu University Hospital "Mother-Child Follow-up Study 1971- 1972''. The follow-up data were collected from the young adults (n=337) in 2000 by way of mailed questionnaires, which included 17 questions about the participants' images of their parents and 18 questions about their intimate relationship satisfaction. In this study we used attachment theory as a theoretical frame of reference. Results. Mental images of dominating parents were associated with quarrelsome intimate relationships, and the image of a dominating father, with repressive/submissive and less balanced relationships. Mental images of diligent and sociable parents were associated with a loving and balanced relationship, and the image of supportive parents, with a balanced relationship. Parental diligence was associated with a less quarrelsome relationship. Conclusion. The young adults' mental images of their parents were associated with their intimate relationship satisfaction. Positive mental images of the father, in particular, seemed to protect young adults from a quarrelsome and repressive/submissive intimate relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve our understanding of the association between income and mortality, we analysed prospective record linkage data on Finns aged 30 and over in 1997. The results show a weaker association of mortality with household disposable income—the measure that best captures consumption potential—than with individual income, particularly above age 65 when the ability to work does not bias the associations. The association between income and mortality is greatly weakened by adjustment for socio-economic status and economic activity, and there is also weak evidence of curvature in the relationship with household disposable income. Among younger participants, social characteristics of the family of origin and early career incomes have a very limited effect on the association between adult income and mortality. The causal effects of income on mortality remain difficult to establish with certainty, and may easily be overestimated. Causal explanations based solely on material factors should be treated with scepticism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]