Yale Professor Reveals Two-Thirds of Adults Had No Emotional Ally in Childhood

What was said

"My research shows that only 1/3 of us say yes and 2/3 of us say no. Was there an adult while you were growing up that created the conditions for you to be your true, full, feeling self?"

Dr. Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, shares research showing 67% of people report never having an adult they could be emotionally vulnerable with during childhood. Those who did have such an ally show significantly better physical health, mental health, sleep quality, life satisfaction, and sense of purpose as adults. The five key characteristics of these emotional allies are warmth, being nonjudgmental, listening skills, compassion, and steady presence.