New research from the University of Rochester highlights a powerful truth: experiencing feelings of pride and awe toward one’s children can significantly boost parental well-being. The study, led by Princeton Chee, is set to be published in Social Psychological and Personality Science. It found that these positive emotions contribute meaningfully to greater life satisfaction and stronger parent-child relationships.
Exploring Pride and Awe in Parenthood
The research team conducted a series of studies involving nearly 900 parents to explore how feelings of pride and awe affect various aspects of well-being.
“Parental pride and awe are common and beneficial emotions,” explains Chee. “Parents may feel proud when their child achieves a goal after hard work. They may feel awe when their child does something so amazing or unexpected that it sparks a ‘woah’ or ‘wow’ reaction.”
While both emotions proved beneficial, awe emerged as particularly powerful. “We find that awe strengthens parental well-being more broadly and holistically compared to pride,” says Chee. “It helps parents feel happier, find greater meaning in life, and experience richer emotional lives.”
Why Awe Matters More Than Pride
The study uncovered a key distinction: while pride tends to focus on personal achievements and ego, awe connects parents to something larger than themselves—the parent-child relationship, the family unit, or even the broader concept of parenthood.
This connection to something greater explains why awe had stronger links to feelings of purpose, meaning, and psychological richness.
Even more remarkably, the research found that awe can alter a parent’s sense of time. “Awe helps parents fully immerse themselves in moments, making time feel like it slows down during extraordinary experiences,” Chee notes.
Relevance Amid Parental Mental Health Challenges
The findings come at a crucial time. Parental mental health concerns are growing, and even the U.S. Surgeon General has called for urgent action to support parents’ well-being.
“Our research shows that one way parenthood can be rewarding—not just stressful—is through cultivating feelings of pride and especially awe,” says Chee.
Importantly, awe does not have to be reserved for once-in-a-lifetime events. “Awe may be easier to find and cultivate than you might think,” Chee adds. “It can arise during everyday moments—weekend outings, small successes, or simply spending quality time with one’s child.”
A Balanced View of Parenting
The researchers are careful to point out that acknowledging these positive emotions doesn’t diminish the very real challenges of parenting. Instead, savoring moments of pride and awe can help parents experience greater joy, meaning, and emotional richness throughout their parenting journey.
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