研究发现：生女比生男还要幸福

 　　Sisters spread happiness while brothers breed distress¹, experts believe。

　　专家相信，姐妹为家庭播洒快乐，而兄弟让家庭陷入忧愁。

　　Researchers quizzed 571 people aged² 17 to 25 about their lives and found those who grew up with sisters were more likely to be happy and balanced。

　　研究人员在对571名年龄在17至25岁的青年人进行调查后发现，那些在成长过程中有姐妹相伴的人长大后更快乐、心理也更平衡。

　　The University of Ulster said having daughters made a family more open and willing to discuss feelings。

　　阿尔斯特大学的研究人员说，家中有女儿有助于家庭成员之间敞开心扉、增进交流。

　　They said the influence of girls was particularly important after distressing³ family events such as marital⁴ break-ups。

　　女孩对家庭有着巨大的影响力，这种影响力在家庭遭遇诸如夫妻离异这样的重大变故后，会尤为明显地体现出来。

　　The findings are due to be presented at the British Psychological Society in Brighton on Thursday。

　　该项研究成果将于周四在英国心理学会在布莱顿召开的会议上公布。

　　During the study, participants filled in psychological questionnaires which researchers used to assess a range of issues, including whether they had a positive outlook and any mental health problems。

　　在研究过程中，研究人员通过问卷调查的方式，对受访者是否心态乐观、是否患有精神抑郁疾病作了深入的了解。

　　Lead researcher Professor Tony Cassidy said: "Sisters appear to encourage more open communication and cohesion⁵ in families. "

　　该项研究的负责人托尼?卡西迪教授说：“家里有姐妹更有助于家庭成员加强交流并增进凝聚力。”

　　"However, brothers seemed to have the alternative effect. "

　　“相反，兄弟们似乎只能增加家人间的隔膜。”

　　"Emotional expression is fundamental to good psychological health and having sisters promotes this in families."

　　“情感的表达对于个人心理健康有着重大作用，家有姐妹能够进一步强化这种家庭纽带。”

　　He said many of the participants had been brought up in families where parents had split and the impact of sisters was even more marked in these circumstances。

　　他说，很多参加调查的人都来自单亲家庭，姐妹关系对这些人起到了非常显著的积极影响。

　　"I think these findings could be used by people offering support to families and children during distressing times. "

　　“我想，这项研究成果对于帮助家庭和孩子渡过情感危机，将起到一定的指导作用。”

　　"We may have to think carefully about the way we deal with families with lots of boys."

　　“我们也应该重视那些只有男孩儿的家庭的情感沟通方式。”

　　Geri Burnikell, co-ordinator of the charity Support Line, which offers counselling to young people and families, said: "This is very interesting and certainly chimes with our experiences."

　　向年轻人和家庭提供咨询服务的慈善组织支持热线的负责人盖里? 波尼科尔表示，这项研究的成果非常有趣，它与我们在工作中的发现相吻合。

　　"Boys tend to internalise problems and in families where there are lots of sons, I can see that can cause problems。

　　“男孩子容易将事情个人化，我觉得家里要是男孩子多，自然容易出现沟通方面的问题。”

　　"I think the most important thing in these circumstances is to give people someone independent to talk to outside the immediate⁶ family unit."

　　“我想消除这种沟通障碍的最佳办法，就是找一个局外人就事论事地解决矛盾。”

1 distress   

n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛

参考例句：

• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
• Please don't distress yourself.请你不要忧愁了。

2 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

3 distressing   

a.使人痛苦的

参考例句：

• All who saw the distressing scene revolted against it. 所有看到这种悲惨景象的人都对此感到难过。
• It is distressing to see food being wasted like this. 这样浪费粮食令人痛心。

4 marital   

adj.婚姻的，夫妻的

参考例句：

• Her son had no marital problems.她的儿子没有婚姻问题。
• I regret getting involved with my daughter's marital problems;all its done is to bring trouble about my ears.我后悔干涉我女儿的婚姻问题, 现在我所做的一切将给我带来无穷的烦恼。

5 cohesion   

n.团结，凝结力

参考例句：

• I had to bring some cohesion into the company.我得使整个公司恢复凝聚力。
• The power of culture is deeply rooted in the vitality,creativity and cohesion of a nation. 文化的力量，深深熔铸在民族的生命力、创造力和凝聚力之中。

6 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。