When a mother’s love burns too brightly

A man has a lot to gain if he has a strong bond with his mum. But ‘smotherhood’ can have a negative impact on his relationships with women, says Ailin Quinlan.

LOVE-LORN Ben Affleck has turned to mum Christine for support as he struggles to come to terms with the trauma of divorce from wife Jennifer Garner.

But the Hollywood A-lister is not alone in having a loyal mother, Matt Damon has Nancy, Justin Timberlake’s often photographed with Lynn, while the muscle-bound, honey-tongued Matthew McConaughey is regularly seen out and about with his beloved Mary Kathlene.