Children born to older parents may have fewer behavioural problems than children born to younger parents.

Dutch researchers investigated the effects of parental age on both externalizing and internalizing problems in 10 to 12-year-olds.

Externalizing problems include aggression and rule-breaking behaviour, while internalizing ones are manifested in depression, anxiety and social withdrawal.

Researchers found that parental age was inversely correlated with externalizing problems, but unrelated to internalizing problems.

They believe that’s because older mothers punish children less frequently, typically also exercise more patience, are capable of setting stricter boundaries, and feel better equipped to respond to and handle rule-breaking behaviour.