Shocking study: children feel less resilient than parents!

Shocking study: children feel less resilient than parents!

A new study by the Innsbruck Medical University, which was carried out as part of the Tyrolean Post-Covid children's study, shows shocking results about the psychological well-being of children and adolescents in Tyrol. The investigation that the psychologist Dr. Silvia Exenberger was led, based on 953 questionnaires that were filled out by parents, children and adolescents. It was found that the perception between parents and their children dies down. While parents do not perceive significant gender differences in terms of trauma, fear and depression, girls report depressive feelings much more often than boys. This throws a worrying light on the support that children receive in their emotional development.

The child's self -awareness shows that they assess their own resilience significantly lower than their parents. However, the children feel that their parents do not know them enough and can hardly talk to them about emotional issues. "Perhaps parents do not signal their support significantly enough," Exenberger points out possible causes. Kathrin Sevecke, director of the Univ.-Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, also emphasizes that parents often overestimate their children's resilience and do not perceive the psychological stress from. Children are particularly affected from financially difficult conditions, the information that is less resilient and are therefore under even higher pressure.

The influence of pandemic

The study recalls that pandemic is not the only factor for psychological stress in children. Sevecke emphasizes that the results indicate complex challenges that go beyond pandemic and in the long run can result in persistent disease stories. In addition, a connection between intensive Instagram consumption and an increased risk of eating disorders and depression is determined. A creative approach to problem solving that Dr. Exenberger appeals to promote children's resilience: the children should put themselves in the perspective of creative problem solvers in order to develop their own solutions. This could help to reduce the psychological pressure and to strengthen the skills to cope with challenges, as on the website of the Institute for Positive Psychology and Resilience Research is explained .