Missing Child-Parent Bond Leads to Stronger Symptoms of Teen Anxiety and Depression Says Study

1. Missing Missing Child Child- -Parent Bond Leads Parent Bond Leads to to Stronger Symptoms Stronger Symptoms of of Teen Teen Anxiety Anxiety and and Depression, Says Study Depression, Says Study Adolescence is a time when children transform into young adults. Their experiences with life, including interactions with friends, family, peers, siblings, and parents, environmental factors and socio- economic conditions, influence the way their personalities shape. While some of the teens thrive, others get involved with substance abuse or battle mental disorders like anxiety and depression. Though, past studies have shown that social factors like racism and environmental factors like poverty were the primary reasons for increased risk of developing teen anxiety and depression, a recent study added another parameter to the equation – missing child-parent bond. The study, published in the Journal of Development Psychopathology in October associated increasing disconnect from both parents decreasing levels of trust with mothers at Grade 6 with higher levels of anxiety at Grade 12. Further, decreasing levels of trust with parents at Grade 6 and isolation and trust issues mothers at high school were associated with stronger symptoms of depression at Grade 12. and 2018, and both with Relationship between trust, communication, anxiety and depression The study followed 262 Grade 6 teens, for seven years, till they turned 18 to observe their relationship with their parents through middle and high school. Each year, the students were given an assessment form that quizzed them about their bond with their parents and their levels of anxiety and depression. The researchers found that the teens who displayed symptoms of depression and anxiety reported higher levels of alienation from their parents. Children in the age group of 11-12 years felt 1.5 times lonelier and detached from their parents in middle school compared to primary school. As a result their levels of trust dropped 3 times and their communication suffered four fold. Further, teens who lost trust in their mothers, compared to fathers, reported stronger symptoms of anxiety and depression at Grade 12. What surprised the researchers was that even though communication increased and stabilized by the end of high school, the symptoms of depression did not decrease. www.whiteriveracademy.com

2. Relationship with mother important Children like to explore their independence while they are in their pre-teens. Parents also tend to give them the space to do so. But, when the children perceive this space as disengagement on the part of the parents, especially the mother, the levels of trust and communication drop. The researchers found that overall teens felt closer to their mothers and when the relationship between them and their mothers deteriorated, their mental health suffered. Luthar insisted that mothers had a more important role to play as they themselves “hurt emotionally” when they saw their teen suffer. Therefore, she insisted that they took care of their mental health so that they could provide an emotionally supportive relationship to the teen. Seeking treatment for mental health Adolescence is an age which requires a lot of love, care and tender nurturing while providing the space for the teen to grow and explore his own personality. Miscommunication, perceived actions and resultant anger and mental and behavioral issues are common during this age. Fortunately, such issues can be dealt with by establishing a line of communication with the troubled teen. White River Academy, a therapeutic boarding school for troubled teens, does exactly this. Our mental health experts work with troubled teens to help them confront their problems, look for solutions and learn to communicate, in a safe and protective environment. If you know a troubled teen boy aged 12-17 and want to help him, then call our 24/7 helpline number (866) 300-0616 or chat online with our representative for more information about therapeutic residential schools for troubled teens. www.whiteriveracademy.com