‘Eldest daughter syndrome’ occurs in first-born girls of stressed moms

women’s health

by asia grace

they’re just chips old block.

Oldest daughters who have one or more younger siblings tend to bear the brunt of the housework, babysitting, and parental care responsibilities, whether they like it or not.

In fact, women fed up with their first daughters have long agonized over their status as second-in-command to their mothers, using the buzzword “first daughter syndrome.”

Now, researchers at UCLA have discovered that this trending word isn’t just a made-up stamp that’s being abused by Grabbing the Harpy.

Rather, clinicians argue that first daughter syndrome may be a biological phenomenon in some cases, especially if the girl’s mother experienced stress, depression, or loneliness during pregnancy. .

“We found that adversity encountered during the prenatal stage can steer human female fetuses toward an earlier stage. [maturity],” I got it February 2024 Report Author. “Furthermore, we observed that this association was strongest for firstborn girls.”

To find out, the analysts conducted a 15-year longitudinal study of 253 mother-infant pairs from pregnancy through early adolescence. Most of the women observed were 30 years old, college educated, from Southern California, and primiparas.

A research team led by UCLA anthropologist Molly Fox measured the stress, depression, and anxiety levels of each pregnant woman at 15, 19, 25, 31, and 37 weeks of pregnancy to determine whether prenatal psychological distress A composite score was created.

To assess depression, participants were asked to rate the veracity of statements such as “I felt lonely,” and to determine anxiety, participants were asked to rate how often they experienced certain symptoms such as “I felt irritable.” I asked him if he felt it.

After delivery, mothers were assessed 2–3 months postpartum and assigned a postpartum distress composite score.

Scientists then investigated adrenal puberty (hormones that promote the development of pubic and armpit hair, body odor, and acne) and gonadal puberty (growth of reproductive organs, lower back and breasts) in children as young as eight years old. Biomarkers of fat redistribution and bone maturation) were measured. to 10, 11 to 12, 13 to 16.

The study found a correlation between mothers experiencing high levels of prenatal stress and eldest daughters showing early symptoms of adrenal puberty.

“Although the eldest daughter is more mature, she has not started menstruating earlier, which may allow her mother to successfully raise the other children.” Fox explained in a statement to UCLA:. She said, “Her daughter will be mature enough to help care for her children, but she is not yet able to have children of her own who require her own care.”

The study also found that eldest daughters are forced to take on the role of small helpers for their mothers after experiencing adversity and trauma in their childhood, such as the death of a parent, separation before the age of five, an absentee father, and low income. It also turns out that people often feel like they don’t have it. -Proportion of needs experienced between ages 7 and 9.

“This study adds to our field’s body of knowledge showing that prenatal emotional, environmental, and other factors have significant lifelong effects on women and their offspring,” said Fox. said. “This is important as we continue to come up with practical and policy solutions that contribute to improved access to healthcare and the general well-being of expectant mothers.”

Her research echoes a recent study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus that found depressed mothers who take Prozac during pregnancy are at increased risk of exposing their fetuses to a range of mental health disorders. similar.