Power of the positive: Childhood assets and future cardiometabolic health
Short Summary: This commentary discusses a study by Qureshi & colleagues (2018) that focuses on the relationship between positive psychological assets in childhood and cardiometabolic health, which is a largely unexplored area of research. The four domains examined in the study showed potential for investment, including early childhood executive function, prosocial behaviors, positive relationships, and neighborhood opportunities. The authors highlight the need to both document associations and to rigorously study methods to enhance these positive psychological assets. The article concludes by discussing the implications of the study for researchers and clinical practitioners, emphasizing the need for a life course approach to cardiometabolic health with particular emphasis on the pediatric period.
Authors: Bush NR, Bibbins-Domingo K.