The Evolved Nest in Childhood: Relation to Adult Well-being and Social Capital Across Cultures

Abstract

Evolved nests are species-specific developmental systems that support biological, psychological, and social needs. The human evolved nest includes practices such as responsive care, self-directed play, and extensive affectionate touch. Previous studies have linked childhood experience of these practices to both child and adult well-being. Here we assessed whether recall of evolved nest experiences during childhood (age 0–18) was related to three dimensions of adult well-being and social capital (personal well-being, social relationships, and general prosociality) in three countries (USA, UK, Japan). Recalled evolved nest experience was positively associated with multiple measures under each dimension across cultures after controlling for demographic factors (n = 1,401). In contrast, it was not found to be associated with incentivised measures of prosociality (elicited via a series of economic games) in any country. Exploratory factor analyses revealed that experiences of evolved nest practices clustered together under two common factors in each country: positive and negative experiences. These factors were independently associated with multiple indicators of adult well-being and social capital in each country, and these associations were generally stronger for positive (vs. negative) experiences. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that childhood experience of the evolved nest has long-term benefits for individual and societal well-being regardless of cultural differences.