Teens Feel Less Supported Than Perceived

Gap in Teen Support Perception A new study from the National Center for Health Statistics uncovers a significant gap. It shows that while 93% of parents believe their teenagers have adequate emotional support, only 59% of teens feel the same. Surprisingly, 20% of teens feel they rarely or never get the support they need, a stark contrast to the 3% of parents who are aware of this shortfall

Understanding Support There’s a disconnect between parents and teens regarding what ‘support’ means. Parents often offer advice or guidance. Teens, however, are looking for empathy and reassurance. Dr. Lisa Damour, a psychologist, points out that teens value adults who can help them see things in perspective without necessarily trying to solve their problems.

Discrepancies in Minority Groups This perception gap is more pronounced in certain groups. Fewer than half of Black and LGBTQ+ teens feel they receive the support they need. Their parents, however, believe they provide sufficient support more than twice as often. Similarly, teenage girls report lower levels of support compared to boys.

Serious Consequences The repercussions of insufficient support are severe. Teens who don’t feel supported report much higher rates of depression and anxiety. They also experience poor sleep and express lower life satisfaction. Dr. Jeffrey Arnett emphasizes the critical role of maintaining open communication lines, noting the delicate balance teens navigate between independence and reliance on parental support.

Effective Engagement with Teens Experts stress the importance of intentional engagement with teenagers. Adults should show genuine curiosity about what teens bring to the conversation and offer empathy. This approach helps teens feel valued and understood, crucial for maintaining good mental health and fostering strong family connections.

Re-reported from the article originally published in CNN.