Verywell Study: Parental Worries About Children's Mental Health Increases

Main Findings:

• Parents report increased concerns about their children's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Children are experiencing difficulties in social interactions, maintaining a work-life balance, and managing friendships.
• Parents highlight behavioral changes such as loneliness, anxiety, sadness, and sleeping problems among their kids.

Introduction:

Mental health issues have been steadily increasing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and children have not been spared from its impact. To understand the mental health concerns parents have about their children during this time, Verywell conducted a survey. The results provide insights into how children are coping with their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors amidst the pandemic.

Elevated Stress Levels Among Parents and Children:

The pandemic has brought unique stressors into family life. School closures, uncertain employment, and social disruptions have taken a toll on parents' mental well-being, with 59% reporting feeling stressed. Additionally, 44% of parents indicate that their children are experiencing similar stress levels, with concerns ranging from social interactions to maintaining a healthy work-life balance and friendships.

Escalating Concerns About Children's Mental Health:

A substantial proportion of parents expressed concern about their children's mental well-being, with 20% expressing extreme concern and 60% reporting moderate levels of concern. Moreover, over half of the parents indicated that their concerns had heightened since the start of the pandemic. They observed troubling changes in their children's behavior, including loneliness, anxiety, sadness, and sleeping problems.

Alarming Patterns in Children's Thinking, Emotions, and Behavior:

The survey examined patterns in children's thinking, emotional regulation, and behavior. Parents noted signs of excessive worry, self-doubt, and a tendency to magnify situations. These thought patterns, along with difficulties in calming down, managing anxiety, and excessive future worry, negatively impacted children's mental health. Additionally, parents reported challenges with motivation and engagement in tasks, such as household chores, homework, and activities they may find less enjoyable.

Diminished Mental Strength in Children:

Mental strength is essential for overall well-being. The survey highlighted that 80% of parents identified their children struggling with at least one trait associated with strong kids. Common struggles included persisting at difficult tasks, acknowledging mistakes, adapting to changes, and persevering after failures. Parents indicated that some of these struggles emerged during the pandemic.

Parental Preparedness to Support Children:

Recognizing their role in supporting their children's mental health, 89% of parents felt somewhat prepared to help their children cope with pandemic-related stress. However, they expressed uncertainties in specific skills such as teaching kids to take productive action during challenges, managing emotions, and handling negative thoughts.

Conclusion:

The increased concerns among parents about their children's mental health during the pandemic emphasize the need for attention and support. Although parents feel equipped to help their children through this difficult time, professional assistance should not be overlooked if signs of depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues arise. Early intervention is crucial for managing mental health and promoting overall well-being. Parents and children can benefit from therapeutic interventions that nurture mental strength, foster mental well-being, and equip them with strategies to combat stress.

Methodology:

Verywell conducted an online survey of 1,000 parents over the age of 18 with children between 4 and 18 living at home. Data was collected from March 11 to March 16, 2021.

Demographics:

| Characteristic | Percentage | | Gender | | | Female | 52% | | Male | 48% | | Age | | | 18-24 | 10% | | 25-34 | 28% | | 35-44 | 32% | | 45-54 | 20% | | 55-64 | 10% | | Race/Ethnicity | | | White | 72% | | Black or African American | 12% | | Hispanic or Latino | 10% | | Asian | 6% | | Other | 2% | | Education | | | High school diploma or GED | 20% | | Associates's de