For 75 years, in one of the most comprehensive longitudinal studies in history, researchers have been following 268 men through war, career, marriage and divorce, parenthood and grandparenthood, and old age.
Men who had “warm” childhood relationships with their mothers earned an average of $87K more a year than men whose mothers were uncaring.
Men who had poor childhood relationships with their mothers were much more likely to develop dementia when old.
Late in their professional lives, the men’s boyhood relationships with their mothers—but not with their fathers—were associated with effectiveness at work.
On the other hand, warm childhood relations with fathers correlated with lower rates of adult anxiety, greater enjoyment of vacations, and increased “life satisfaction” at age 75—whereas the warmth of childhood relationships with mothers had no significant bearing on life satisfaction at 75.

Vaillant’s key takeaway, in his own words: “The 75 years and 20y million $ expended on the Grant Study points … to a straightforward 5-word conclusion: ‘Happiness is love. Full stop.’ ”

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