Adult Life Research Articles

Group intervention based on horticultural therapy for older adults living in Turkey: A randomized control trial study

ABSTRACT This research was designed as a pretest-posttest experimental study to evaluate the effect of a group intervention based on horticultural therapy on 20 older adults residing in different districts of Istanbul. Participants, aged between 58 and 65, were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. In addition to the Personal Information Form, the Older People’s Quality of Life-Brief (OPQOL-Brief) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were administered to the participants as both pretests and posttests. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 22.0 software. At the conclusion of the group intervention, a significant improvement was observed in the total scores of the OPQOL-Brief and DASS-21 among the older adults in the experimental group. These findings suggest that incorporating horticultural therapy practices may be beneficial in enhancing the quality of life and mental well-being of older adults.

Meis transcription factors regulate cardiac conduction system development and adult function.

The Cardiac Conduction System (CCS) is progressively specified during development by interactions among a discrete number of Transcriptions Factors that ensure its proper patterning and the emergence of its functional properties. Meis genes encode homeodomain transcription factors (TFs) with multiple roles in mammalian development. In humans, Meis genes associate with congenital cardiac malformations and alterations of cardiac electrical activity, however the basis for these alterations has not been established. Here we studied the role of Meis transcription factors in cardiomyocyte development and function during mouse development and adult life. We studied Meis1 and Meis2 conditional deletion mouse models that allowed cardiomyocyte-specific elimination of Meis function during development and inducible elimination of Meis function in cardiomyocytes of the adult CCS. We studied cardiac anatomy, contractility and conduction. We report that Meis factors are global regulators of cardiac conduction, with a predominant role in the CCS. While constitutive Meis deletion in cardiomyocytes led to congenital malformations of the arterial pole and atria, as well as defects in ventricular conduction, Meis elimination in cardiomyocytes of the adult CCS produced sinus node dysfunction and delayed atrio-ventricular conduction. Molecular analyses unraveled Meis-controlled molecular pathways associated with these defects. Finally, we studied in transgenic mice the activity of a Meis1 human enhancer related to an SNP associated by GWAS to PR elongation and found that the transgene drives expression in components of the atrio-ventricular conduction system. Our study identifies Meis TFs as essential regulators of the establishment of cardiac conduction function during development and its maintenance during adult life. In addition, we generated animal models and identified molecular alterations that will ease the study of Meis-associated conduction defects and congenital malformations in humans.

Embracing Large Language Models for Adult Life Support Learning.

Background It is recognisedthat large language models (LLMs) may aid medical education by supporting the understanding of explanations behind answers to multiple choice questions. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of LLM chatbots ChatGPT and Bard in answering an Intermediate Life Support pre-course multiple choice question (MCQs) test developed by the Resuscitation Council UK focused on managing deteriorating patients and identifying causes and treating cardiac arrest. We assessed the accuracy of responses and quality of explanations to evaluate the utility of the chatbots. Methods The performance of the AI chatbots ChatGPT-3.5 and Bard were assessed on their ability to choose the correct answer and provide clear comprehensive explanations in answering MCQs developed by the Resuscitation Council UK for their Intermediate Life Support Course. Ten MCQs were tested with a total score of 40, with one point scored for each accurate response to each statement a-d. In a separate scoring, questions were scored out of 1 if all sub-statements a-d were correct, to give a total score out of 10 for the test. The explanations provided by the AI chatbots were evaluated by three qualified physicians as per a rating scale from 0-3 for each overall question and median rater scores calculated and compared. The Fleiss multi-rater kappa (κ) was used to determine the score agreement among the three raters. Results When scoring each overall question to give a total score out of 10, Bard outperformed ChatGPT although the difference was not significant (p=0.37). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the performance of ChatGPT compared to Bard when scoring each sub-question separately to give a total score out of 40 (p=0.26). The qualities of explanations were similar for both LLMs. Importantly, despite answering certain questions incorrectly, both AI chatbots provided some useful correct information in their explanations of the answers to these questions. The Fleiss multi-rater kappa was 0.899 (p<0.001) for ChatGPT and 0.801 (p<0.001) for Bard. Conclusions The performances of both Bard and ChatGPT were similar in answering the MCQs with similar scores achieved. Notably, despite having access to data across the web, neither of the LLMs answered all questions accurately. This suggests that there is still learning required of AI models in medical education.

The effectiveness of the family-centered empowerment model towards the quality of life of older adults with hypertension

Older adults with hypertension often experience a low quality of life. Family support plays a critical role in maintaining and improving their well-being. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of a family-centered empowerment model on the quality of life of hypertensive patients. This quasi-experimental study included 70 participants with hypertension, who were divided into an intervention group and a control group. Participants were selected through a consecutive sampling technique. The study utilized the Family Empowerment Instrument and the European Quality of Life questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) for data collection. The data analysis was performed using Levene's, Wilcoxon Signed Rank, and Mann-Whitney U tests. There were no significant differences in the participants’ characteristics between the control and intervention groups (Levene's test p-value &gt;0.05). After the family-centered empowerment intervention, the quality of life in the intervention group was significantly higher than that of the control group (Mann-Whitney U test p-value=0.000 &lt; 0.05). This suggests that nurses can effectively involve patients with chronic diseases, particularly hypertension, and their families in the treatment process to enhance their quality of life.

Associations of cognitive test performance with self-reported mental health, cognition, and quality of life in adults with functional seizures: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: People with functional seizures (FS) have frequent and disabling cognitive dysfunction and mental health symptoms, with low quality of life. However, interrelationships among these constructs are poorly understood. In this meta-analysis, we examined associations between objective (i.e. performance-based) cognitive testing and self-reported (i) mental health, (ii) cognition, and (iii) quality of life in FS. Method: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science, with the final search on June 10, 2024. Inclusion criteria were studies documenting relationships between objective cognitive test scores and self-reported (i.e. subjective) mental health, cognition, and/or quality of life in adults with FS. Exclusion criteria were mixed FS/epilepsy samples. A modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale evaluated risk of bias. This project is registered as CRD42023392385 in PROSPERO. Results: Initially, 4,054 unique reports were identified, with the final sample including 24 articles of 1,173 people with FS. Mean age was 35.9 (SD = 3.9), mean education was 12.6 (SD = 1.3), and proportion of women was 73.9%. Risk of bias was moderate, due in part to inconsistent reporting of confounding demographic variables. Significant relationships were found between global objective cognition and global self-reported mental health (k = 21, Z = −0.23 [0.04], 95% CI = −0.30, −0.16), depression (k = 11, Z = −0.13 [0.05], 95% CI = −0.21, −0.04), cognition (k = 5, Z = −0.16 [0.05], 95% CI = −0.26, −0.06), and quality of life (k = 5, Z = −0.17 [0.05], 95% CI = −0.24, −0.10). Exploratory analyses showed associations between select cognitive and mental health constructs. Conclusions: Objective cognition is reliably associated with self-reported mental health, cognition, and quality of life in people with FS. Scientific and clinical implications are discussed.

Socioeconomic Position and Oral Health in Chinese Older Adults: A Life Course Approach.

We investigated associations between socioeconomic position (SEP) across childhood, adulthood, and older age and number of teeth among Chinese older adults. Data came from 15,136 participants aged 65 to 105 y in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2018 wave). The outcome was number of teeth. Pathways and sensitive period models were tested simultaneously via structural equation modeling. Ordinal logistic regression assessed the accumulation of risk and social mobility models. Differences were examined across 4 birth cohorts. Adult and older age SEP had direct effects on number of teeth in older age (adulthood, direct β = 0.182, P < 0.001; older age, direct β = 0.093, P = 0.005), supporting the sensitive period model. Childhood SEP had an indirect effect on number of teeth (indirect β = 0.130, P < 0.001) through adult and older age SEP, supporting the pathway/accumulation of risk and social mobility models. Effects of SEP on number of teeth were more pronounced in younger cohorts. Graded associations in the expected directions were found between the number of periods in which participants experienced disadvantaged SEP and number of teeth, as well as social mobility trajectories and number of teeth. Among Chinese older adults, the number of remaining teeth is subject to marked social inequalities. Our findings document the simultaneous applicability of life course models and a widening of oral health inequalities in China across generations. Interventions earlier in child and adult life are needed to address this problem and reduce oral health inequalities. The findings of this study suggest marked socioeconomic inequalities in oral health among Chinese older adults. These inequalities are generated throughout the life course and appear to have widened across cohorts. This study emphasizes that interventions are needed to address the social determinants of oral health at all life stages.

Time-restricted eating for prevention of age-related vascular cognitive decline in older adults: A protocol for a single-arm open-label interventional trial.

Age-related cerebromicrovascular endothelial dysfunction underlies the initiation and progression of cognitive dysfunction and dementia, thus increasing the susceptibility of older adults to such conditions. Normal brain function requires dynamic adjustment of cerebral blood flow to meet the energetic demands of active neurons, which is achieved the homeostatic mechanism neurovascular coupling (NVC). In this context, therapeutical strategies aimed at rescuing or preserving NVC responses can delay the incidence or mitigate the severity of age-related cognitive dysfunction, and time-restricted eating (TRE) is a potential candidate for such a strategy. Studies have reported that TRE can improve cardiometabolic risk factors in older adults. However, the effect of TRE on cerebrovascular endothelial function remains unexplored. Thus, this protocol outlines the study procedures to test our hypothesis that a 6-month TRE regimen of 10-h eating window will improve NVC responses and endothelial function in community-dwelling older adults. This is a single-arm, open-label interventional trial. We aim to recruit 32 adults aged 55-80 years. Participants are instructed to maintain a TRE regimen of 10 h of free eating followed by 14 h of fasting for 6 months. Before and after fasting, participants are assessed for cognitive performance, peripheral micro- and macrovascular endothelial function, and NVC responses, as well as for several confounding factors, including body composition, dietary, and physical activity data. We expect that 6 months of TRE will improve NVC response and endothelial function in older adults compared with baseline, and that these improvements will be accompanied by improvements in cognitive performance. The study proposed herein will provide critical insight into a new potential therapeutical strategy for targeting age-related cognitive dysfunction. Ultimately, slowing down or alleviating cognitive decline will translate into improved quality of life and longer healthspan for aging adults. This study was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06019195) on August 24, 2023.

COVID-19 Attitudes and Quality of Life in Older Adults in Puerto Rico: The Mediating Role of Psychological Sense of Community.

Quality of life (QOL) for older adults in Puerto Rico was significantly impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet there has been little attention to this topic. This study examines the association between COVID-19-related attitudes and QOL and the mediating role of the psychological sense of community (PSOC) in this context. Data are from a COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey with a nonprobability sample of 213 Puerto Rican adults aged 60+ in 2021. We conducted a mediated linear regression model using Hayes's PROCESS macro. Results showed that both COVID-19 attitudes and PSOC positively related to QOL. Additionally, COVID-19 attitudes also had a positive effect on PSOC and an indirect, positive effect on QOL through PSOC. These findings suggest that enhancing older adults' positive attitudes and strengthening community connections should be central to public health strategies, especially in community-oriented cultures like Puerto Rico.

Developmental Trajectory of Autistic-Like Behaviors in a Prenatal Valproic Acid Rat Model of Autism.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by deficits in social functioning, stereotyped patterns of behaviors, narrowed interests, and elevated anxiety. Certain ASD symptoms can persist, whereas others may improve throughout the lifespan, but the specific patterns of changes have not been clearly delineated. Using a valproic acid (VPA) rat model of ASD, the present study took a developmental approach and examined how autistic-like behaviors, including anxiety-like behavior, object obsession, and social functioning deficits, manifested differently in three critical periods representing preadolescent (postnatal day [PND] 25), adolescent (PND 45), and adulthood life stage (PND 75) in a sex-dependent manner. Starting on PNDs 25, 45, and 75, VPA- or saline-exposed male and female offspring were tested in an elevated plus maze (EPM) and a newly validated composite social and object interaction and a triple recognition test (object, spatial, and social recognition). Across the three age groups, VPA-exposed offspring did not exhibit enhanced anxiety-like behavior in the EPM nor enhanced object interaction ("object obsession") in the triple recognition test. However, both male and female preadolescent (PND 25) VPA-exposed offspring showed a significantly increased latency to initiate social contact than the saline-exposed controls, although their latencies to contact novel objects were comparable to those of the controls. Male preadolescent and adolescent VPA-exposed offspring, to a lesser extent the female preadolescent offspring, exhibited significantly lower levels of social interaction. These social functioning deficits were absent in adult VPA offspring. Additionally, prenatal VPA exposure did not cause an impairment of object recognition, spatial recognition, or social recognition of a familiar conspecific. Unexpectedly, it enhanced social recognition of a novel conspecific, but only in adolescent female offspring. These findings suggest that this rat model based on prenatal VPA exposure is valid in capturing early social motivational and functioning deficits but is limited in its capacity to model increased object obsession and enhanced anxiety as seen in ASD, as well as the developmental trajectory of non-social ASD symptoms. Recognizing these limitations is important as it informs us how to properly use this model to investigate the neurobiology of ASD and incentivizes us to develop better rodent models.

Exploring the Role of Wearable Electronic Medical Devices in Enhancing Patient Safety and Quality of Life for Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Exploring the Role of Wearable Electronic Medical Devices in Enhancing Patient Safety and Quality of Life for Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Advancing user-centric design and technology adoption for aging populations: a multifaceted approach

The global demographic shift toward an aging population necessitates a nuanced approach to developing and adopting assistive technologies tailored for older adults. This paper synthesizes key challenges, strategies, and recommendations identified in addressing the complex landscape of technology adoption and usage among aging populations. User-centric design and co-creation initiatives are vital for developing assistive technologies that meet the needs of older adults. These initiatives involve engaging older adults in activities like workshops, focus groups, and design sessions to gather feedback and refine technology solutions, ensuring they are accessible, intuitive, and effective. Challenges such as participant selection, cultural attitudes, and trust-building mechanisms are paramount in ensuring meaningful user involvement in technology development processes. Accurate assessment of older adults’ technological literacy is identified as critical for designing and implementing digital solutions. The unreliability of self-reported proficiency necessitates objective measures in assessments to counter potential biases and ensure accurate insights into user capabilities. The fragmented digital ecosystem and resulting digital divide among older adults pose significant barriers to technology adoption and usage. The role of caregivers in technology acceptance highlights the need for integrated models that encompass the caregiver perspective, reducing adoption barriers and fostering meaningful engagement with assistive technologies. Interdisciplinary collaboration and robust research standards are essential in advancing technology adoption and addressing societal inequalities. Prioritizing user-centric design, integrating caregivers into technology adoption models, and fostering collaborative efforts across disciplines can significantly improve technology acceptance and enhance the quality of life for older adults in an increasingly digital era.

“I am lost in that reality, and I'm just playing the game”: a qualitative study exploring gaming behaviour and its effect on young adults in India

ABSTRACT The current study aims to explore gaming behaviour among young adults in India and its effects on their physical and emotional health, productivity, interactions, and social life. Data were collected from 12 avid gamers through in-depth semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify the global theme and organise themes from the data. The global theme was the “exploration of contemporary gaming behaviour”. The habit theme included the origin of the game, practice, and change over time, while the effects’ theme focused on the physical and emotional health, productivity, interactions, and social life of young adults who engaged in gaming. The findings suggest that gaming behaviour has become an established habit among young adults in India, significantly affecting various aspects of their lives. The study highlights the need for increased awareness of the potential negative consequences of excessive gaming and emphasises the importance of moderation in gaming.

NiCo identifies extrinsic drivers of cell state modulation by niche covariation analysis

Cell states are modulated by intrinsic driving forces such as gene expression noise and extrinsic signals from the tissue microenvironment. The distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic cell state determinants is essential for understanding the regulation of cell fate in tissues during development, homeostasis and disease. The rapidly growing availability of single-cell resolution spatial transcriptomics makes it possible to meet this challenge. However, available computational methods to infer topological tissue domains, spatially variable genes, or ligand-receptor interactions are limited in their capacity to capture cell state changes driven by crosstalk between individual cell types within the same niche. We present NiCo, a computational framework for integrating single-cell resolution spatial transcriptomics with matched single-cell RNA-sequencing reference data to infer the influence of the spatial niche on the cell state. By applying NiCo to mouse embryogenesis, adult small intestine and liver data, we demonstrate the ability to predict novel niche interactions that govern cell state variation underlying tissue development and homeostasis. In particular, NiCo predicts a feedback mechanism between Kupffer cells and neighboring stellate cells dampening stellate cell activation in the normal liver. NiCo provides a powerful tool to elucidate tissue architecture and to identify drivers of cellular states in local niches.

Enabling Formal and Natural Supports for Adults with Developmental Disabilities in British Columbia, Canada: Experiences of Three Organizations

Despite the recognition of the importance of both formal and natural supports for adults with developmental disabilities, there is limited research on how organizations integrate these supports in the Canadian context. Using a collective case study design, this study explored how three organizations in British Columbia, Canada, facilitate the integration of formal and natural supports to improve the lives of adults with developmental disabilities. Data were collected through a comprehensive document review, interviews, and focus groups. The analysis was conducted in multiple phases, focusing initially on individual cases and then on cross-case themes. This research revealed both similarities and differences across three organizational approaches to integrating formal and natural supports for adults with developmental disabilities and their families. Key themes were identified, including the importance of relationships in this work, the creation of natural supports through formal supports and brokered community connections, systemic changes and innovative approaches, and the impact of funding models on organizational support. The findings highlight the critical need for organizations to build trust-based relationships between staff and the people they serve and to provide flexible support that adapts to changing needs and circumstances, facilitated by funders allowing for such flexibility. This study also underlines the value of formal supports in establishing natural networks and the necessity for cross-organizational partnerships to foster innovation and implement effective changes in the provision of services for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Chronic Concealment and Awareness in the Affective Worlds of Young People Living With Chronic Illness.

From the onset of chronic illness, a variety of challenges emerge-challenges that both persist and evolve as life progresses. For young adults living with chronic illness, the age-specific difficulties of becoming ill while young form a foundation that shapes their experience of illness in enduring ways. This paper draws on a series of in-depth qualitative interviews with 33 young adults (aged 19-29 years old) living with a range of chronic illnesses, including fatigue syndromes, auto-immune diseases, and neurological conditions. Participants demonstrated an emergent chronic consciousness of how others perceived their health, which created a series of fraught affective tussles centered on relational recognition and feared judgment. This article explores the difficulties and concerns participants had when communicating the nature and realities of illness; the emotional toll of attempting to avoid attention and judgment from others regarding their conditions; and the ways in which others could productively and sensitively acknowledge participants' illness experiences. We demonstrate that the process of learning how to navigate these issues was one important way that participants began to integrate their illness (and its implications) into their emerging sense of self and adult life.

Fall Risk Assessment in Active Elderly Through the Use of Inertial Measurement Units: Determining the Right Postural Balance Variables and Sensor Locations

Falls among the elderly have been a significant public health challenge, with severe consequences for individuals and healthcare systems. Traditional balance assessment methods often lack ecological validity, necessitating more comprehensive and adaptable evaluation techniques. This research explores the use of inertial measurement units to assess postural balance in relation to the Berg Balance Scale outcomes. We recruited 14 participants from diverse age groups and health backgrounds, who performed 14 simulated tasks while wearing inertial measurement units on the head, torso, and lower back. Our study introduced a novel metric, i.e., the volume that envelops the 3-dimensional accelerations, calculated as the convex hull space, and used this metric along with others defined in previous studies. Through logistic regression, we demonstrated significant associations between various movement characteristics and the instances of balance loss. In particular, greater movement volume at the lower back (p = 0.021) was associated with better balance, while root-mean-square lower back angular velocity (p = 0.004) correlated with poorer balance. This study revealed that sensor location and task type (static vs. dynamic) significantly influenced the coefficients of the logistic regression model, highlighting the complex nature of balance assessment. These findings underscore the potential of IMUs in providing detailed objective balance assessments in the elderly by identifying specific movement patterns associated with balance impairment across various contexts. This knowledge can guide the development of targeted interventions and strategies for fall prevention, potentially improving the quality of life for older adults.

Life and Quality of Life of Older Adults in Residential Centers in Spain: A Focus Group Analysis Based on Center Quality from the Perspective of Management Stakeholders.

New residential models for older adults highlight the need for both public and private institutions to adopt new governance and management approaches. These approaches focus on strategic frameworks that guide decision-making, daily operations, and processes aimed at addressing and resolving the economic and social challenges faced by our society while promoting quality standards that serve the public good. The primary objective of this research is to identify and analyze the quality of residential centers and their impact on improving the quality of life of older adult residents from the perspective of management stakeholders; Methods: This study employed a qualitative methodology, involving systematic literature reviews and the analysis of focus groups. The participants were professionals from various fields working with older adults in Spanish residential centers; Results: The results reveal widespread dissatisfaction among participants regarding the need for change to improve both the quality of the centers and the quality of life for older adult residents; Conclusions: This study suggests that the well-being of older adults residing in these centers requires regulatory changes that focus on person-centered care and are tailored to the specific needs of the residents.

Феміністичні аспекти життєпису Елізи Ожешко та Олени Пчілки

The purpose of the publication is to determine the origins of feminist views based on specific facts from the biographies of Ukrainian Olena Pchilka and Polish Eliza Orzeszkowa. The results. In the 19th century, views on the role and place of women in family and society began to change radically. It is outlined that these changes start with family upbringing, which, according to both writers, plays a crucial role in preparing girls for adult life, laying the foundation for the realization of their personal needs and desires, and developing a clear civic position. An important role in this process is assigned to the mother, who should contribute to teaching her daughter not only good manners, crafts, singing, and dancing but also to cultivate a love for the native language and respectful attitude towards folk traditions. It is clarified that in the family of the Dragomanovs, the role of women and mothers went beyond the traditional boundaries of patriarchal society. Olena Pchilka is a vivid example of a new woman-mother, a woman-citizen. It is determined that the lack of understanding with her mother prompted Eliza Orzeszkowa to pay much attention to family issues and its role in shaping the next generations of Poles, giving rise to the conviction that the fate and future of the nation are in the mothers’ hands. A woman-mother should not forget that having a family is not just a privilege, but above all a duty. On her shoulders lies the burden of raising the next generations, and therefore, the responsibility for the fate of future Poland. It is noted that for the full fulfilment of these functions, women lack appropriate education, knowledge in solving household problems, and financial independence since women cannot realize themselves in many professions. The conclusions emphasize that the personal life experience of Olena Pchilka and Eliza Orzeszkowa influenced the formation of feminist views in them, which undermined patriarchal notions of women and their purpose.

A Cohort Replacement of Household Labour Supply in Germany and the UK

In recent decades, fluctuating unemployment rates and welfare state retrenchment have led to increased levels of economic insecurity in some countries. At the same time, cultural norms and family policies have become more gender-egalitarian. While earlier research related these trends to the decline in the male breadwinner model, little is known about whether recent cohorts who entered adult life against the backdrop of a new socio-economic opportunity structure have established new configurations of household labour supply. Using sequence analysis and cluster analyses across harmonised longitudinal data (GSOEP, BHPS and Understanding Society) for a sample of adults born between 1961 and 1973 in Germany and the United Kingdom (UK), this study introduces an innovative indicator of household labour supply types and new descriptive findings on the cohort replacement of household labour supply in these two countries. Descriptive findings show that recent cohorts in both Germany and the UK are forming more gender-egalitarian households, as reflected by the decline in the male breadwinner model as well as by the rise of 1.5-male breadwinner households in Germany and dual-earner households in the UK. However, the proportion of single and low labour intensity households in recent cohorts has declined in the UK, while there has been no meaningful change in East Germany and a strong increase in West Germany. The evolution of household labour supply types can be attributed to the replacement of cohorts who entered adulthood and established their households under shifting socio-economic contexts and gender ideologies.

The OHC penalty in the UK: maternal experience and child development

We examine the extent to which experience of out-of-home residential care (OHC) during childhood (ages 0–16) relates to development in the ‘next generation’. Specifically, we ask whether maternal experience of OHC during her own childhood is associated with the behavioural, emotional and cognitive development of her child (age 3), drawing on data collected for the UK Millennium Cohort Study. Comparing the children of OHC experienced mothers with those whose mothers had not spent time in care, we observe stark raw differences between their early development, with children of OHC mothers performing worse across all domains examined – cognitive (language and school readiness), behavioural and emotional adjustment. Using regression analyses, we show that while the disadvantages in cognitive (language) and emotional adjustment among children of OHC experienced mothers are explained by differences in the child’s family demographic characteristics and socio-economic status (SES), the associations between maternal OHC experience and behavioural problems and school readiness remain. Behavioural differences are mediated by aspects of parenting behaviours and the parent–child relationship; school readiness differences are only fully attenuated once maternal health and wellbeing measures are further accounted for. This article highlights the importance of extending support for those with OHC experience into adult life, particularly for those who become parents, and for particular attention to be given to initiatives that nurture parent–child relationships to help break the intergenerational transmission of disadvantage.