Q: I have been living away from my daughter for more than 2 years due to some family problems. She is 4 years old now. My wife lives with her parents. My wife's mother had been treated for hysteria. My wife also has the similar problem. Will my child get affected since she too lives in that atmosphere?

A:A child's personality development can be affected by the mental health of family members as well as the quality of the family environment. The impact depends on the resilience of the individual child. Some children remain unaffected and do well despite all odds. The presence of a support system in the form of even one person-family, neighbour, teacher or friend can work wonders.