Kids are more stressed than we think
Liz Atwood writes about stress this Tween Tuesday:
The economy is still in the doldrums and the holidays are approaching. It’s the perfect formula for stress. And the kids are not immune.
For the first time the American Psychological Association's annual stress survey included kids 8 to 17, and it found that kids are more worried than their parents think they are.
Nearly half (45 percent) of teens ages 13-17 said that they worried more this year, but only 28 percent of parents think their teen’s stress increased. While a quarter (26 percent) of tweens ages 8-12 said they worried more this year, only 17 percent of parents believed their tween’s stress had increased.
Similarly, only 2-5 percent of parents rate their child’s stress as extreme (an 8, 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale) when 14 percent of tweens and 28 percent of teens say they worry a lot or a great deal.
“It’s clear that parents do not fully appreciate the impact that stress is having on their kids,” says Dr. Mary Alvord, public education director for the Maryland Psychological Association in a press release. “What we’re seeing with stress is in line with existing research about parents’ perception of their kids’ engagement in risky behaviors. Parents often underreport drug use, depression and sexual activity in their children. Now it appears the same may be true for stress.”
Other findings in the recent study include:
- Nearly 30 percent of youth worried about their family having enough money
- 44 percent of children report feeling worried about doing well in school
- 17 percent of children report concerns related to getting into a college
- 36 percent of children report stress-related headaches
- 44 percent of children reported stress-related sleep difficulties
The Maryland Psychological Association reminds parents to make time to listen to children’s concerns and to be aware of any changes in behavior. There may be a lot more going on inside their heads than we think.
I know my stress level has increased as I wrestle with job demands and the kids' activities. And I have no doubt the kids are feeling it.
What about yours?
Comments
My oldest is a worrier by nature and holds himself to a very high standard. This is despite our attempts to let him know that we love him NO. MATTER. WHAT.
Sometimes the news, like the swine flu fears etc, can really wear a kid down ad adults do not even realize.
I try to talk to him often about his feelings but middle-school boys tend to not be the most open creatures on the planet so I wait for openings.
Posted by: Mindy | November 11, 2009 3:44 PM