The intergenerational evolved nest: a longitudinal study of nested care and wellbeing

Evolved nests are developmental systems tailored to nurture psychological, social, and biological needs in a species-specific manner. Humanity’s evolved nest includes practices such as extensive affectionate touch, self-directed play, family togetherness, responsive care, and a positive emotional climate. Previous studies have shown that early life experience of these practices is associated with wellbeing during childhood and adulthood. Drawing on longitudinal data (n = 222) collected in the US at eight time periods over the first eight years of life, we present a snapshot of the intergenerational evolved nest: a model of species-normal childhood experiences and wellbeing across two generations. Maternal early life experiences of nested care were associated with equivalent experiences for their children from age four to six, as well as multiple measures of maternal wellbeing, including attachment, depression, self-esteem, life satisfaction, and stress. Maternal wellbeing correlated with child wellbeing and evolved nest experience. Child evolved nest experience was linked with lower anxiety and greater social engagement from age four to eight. Our findings highlight the critical importance of providing nested care for the wellbeing of today’s children, who are tomorrow’s parents, and therefore the potential long-term benefits of the intergenerational evolved nest.