8 out of 10 parents say their children are impacted
by at least one physical or mental health related
issue
- More than half (54%) of all parents
worry about children’s mental health (up from 50% in
2021) - 63% think their kids are more aware
than they were of big picture issues like the environment,
mental health and gender diversity.
Leading
health insurer, nib New Zealand (nib), has released further
findings from its fourth annual State of the Nation
Parenting Survey, revealing parents’ concerns for their
children’s health and future.
The survey, which nib
conducts annually with global research company, One Picture,
canvassed the views of 1,226 parents, step-parents and
guardians of children under 18 from around the
country.
The 2022 survey shows that parents worry
about their kids’ health and wellbeing and whether they are
doing a good job as parents.
Mental and physical
health takes a hit
The nib survey found that 80% of
parents say their children are impacted by at least one
physical or mental health concern.
The key health
issues troubling parents include sleep (33%), behavioural
problems (28%) and viral infections (26%), which have an
impact on almost 1 in 3 children. Almost a quarter of all
parents who took part in the survey worry that their
children are eating properly and exercising enough (24%),
and just slightly fewer (23%) say they worry about their
children’s mental health, especially children from
intermediate school age.
The survey also revealed kids
are bouncing back from the challenges of COVID lockdowns and
learning to adjust to a “new normal”. Compared to 2021,
fewer parents say their children struggle with regulating
their emotions (26%, down from 32%).
nib New Zealand
Chief Executive Officer, Rob Hennin, said support exists to
help parents who are worried about the health of their
children.
“It’s confronting to see parents so
concerned,” Mr Hennin said. “But it’s also great to
see kids bouncing back after the pandemic, which shows a lot
of resilience among our young people.”
More
awareness among children
Despite concerns, more than
half (59%) of parents who responded to the survey feel
equipped to prepare their child for the future. They’re
confident they can support their child to learn the physical
(62%) and mental skills (61%) they need over their
lifetime.
In addition, 27% say they have access to
valuable external support such as close and extended family,
friends, childcare centres, along with after-school
care.
However, 14% disagree. Some feel unable to
predict what their kids will need in the future; others feel
they lack the finances required to support their children,
or lack confidence to effectively manage their kids’ mental
health.
And, not surprisingly, times are changing.
More than half of parents surveyed said their kids are more
socially aware than they were at their age (63%) on issues
like the environment, mental health and gender identity.
This was even prevalent in parents of preschool aged
children (53%).
Concerns for the future
The
cost of living was revealed as parents’ biggest concern
for the future, (67%), followed by mental health issues
(40%) and climate change (33%).
Wealth inequality
(20%), physical health (16%) and prejudice (14%) were the
next largest points of worry. One respondent said: “I
sometimes worry that they won’t have the tools they need to
cope with life stresses. Mostly the changing climate and all
that it entails.”
The survey also highlights
different ways in which uncertainty sits within ethnic
groups: 22% of Asian parents named education as their top
concern for the future (nearly double the national figure),
and nearly a quarter (24%) of Pacific Island parents worry
about their child’s future success or financial security
(versus 11% for all parents). Asian (24%) and Māori (23%)
parents are also more concerned about their children facing
prejudice (versus 14% of all parents).
Nathan Wallis,
nib’s resident parenting expert, reminds parents about the
importance of working in collaboration with their children
to find a brighter path ahead.
“It’s important to
remember that our kids live in a fast-moving world,” Mr
Wallis said. “And it may feel scary that it’s very
different to the one we were raised in, but it is vital to
navigate it together.
“The data reiterates that
tamariki are tuned in to socio-political issues, so practise
open communication and ask them what’s important or
concerning in their lives to better understand how you can
support them.
“And don’t forget that modelling
positive behaviour is a powerful thing. Making proactive
lifestyle changes and talking openly about emotions is great
role-modelling, so kids can see their parents take health
and wellbeing seriously,” he
said.
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