Culture Post: Six in Ten Parents Now Seeking Therapy for Their Entire Family

A new study finds children are just as stressed out as their parents – and the pandemic may be to blame. A recent survey of 2,000 American parents reveals that since the pandemic began, 68 percent have seen their children face significant mental and emotional challenges.

Among some of the biggest pandemic stressors for children: heading back to in-person school (44%), adjusting to remote learning (38%), and grieving the loss of loved ones (28%).

Half the poll believes that missing life milestones, such as participating in graduation ceremonies and birthday parties, has negatively impacted their child’s mental health.

Parents have also faced mental health challenges during the pandemic — the leading challenges people are facing revolve around work (45%), school (41%), and making new friends (36%). Child stress also affects parents, too, since 77 percent feel stressed if their children are themselves.

As a result, 63 percent of parents have sought a therapist for themselves, their children, or the entire family, according to the research conducted by OnePoll on behalf of LifeStance, a provider of virtual and in-person outpatient mental health care. Parents cite their child’s lack of socialization (47%), showing signs of depression or anxiety (45%), or losing interest in their favorite activities (40%) as the top reasons they sought therapy for their child.

More than eight in 10 parents (84%) who have sought help say their family now openly talks about their therapy sessions and 37 percent believe that therapy is helping them feel closer to their family than ever before. Over two in five (44%) feel they have a good support network within their family and circle of friends to help them support their child’s mental health.

Overall, 69 percent of parents now feel more attuned to their child’s mental health during the pandemic. Seventy-one percent add they’re more knowledgeable about their child’s mental health state. Half of parents talk to their child about mental health at least a few times a week, if not daily. Another 72 percent believe their child feels comfortable coming to them with any issue.

Source: StudyFinds
https://www.studyfinds.org/parents-therapy-family/

Find more culture news on HomeWord’s Culture Blog, named in 2022 for the seventh consecutive year, as one of the top 50 culture blogs on the planet!

Help us reach the next generation of families

Donate
Back to Top

[reposted by] Jim Liebelt

Jim is Senior Writer, Editor and Researcher for HomeWord. Jim has 40 years of experience as a youth and family ministry specialist, having served over the years as a pastor, author, consultant, mentor, trainer, college instructor, and speaker. Jim’s HomeWord culture blog also appears on Crosswalk.com and Religiontoday.com. Jim and his wife Jenny live in Quincy, MA.

  • About HomeWord

    HomeWord helps families succeed by creating Biblical resources that build strong marriages, confident parents, empowered kids and healthy leaders. Founded by Jim Burns, HomeWord seeks to advance the work of God in the world by educating, equipping, and encouraging parents and churches. Learn More »

  • Support Our Mission

    HomeWord is non-profit, donor supported ministry. If you would like to partner with HomeWord in our effort to help more parents and families you can make a donation. Your investment will allow us to expand this ministry by offering more resources to families and churches in need.

  • Contact Information

    • HomeWord
      PO Box 1600
      San Juan Capistrano, CA
      92693

    • Send us an email

    • 800-397-9725
      (M-F: 8:30am-5pm PST)

Close