Understanding Individual Risk Factors: Helping Parents Support Children’s Mental Health

Posted on November 10, 2024

At ISA, we aim to report valid, reliable data used to make research-based decisions that drive improvement. We gather perception data from students, teachers, and parents and provide detailed reports to crucial education stakeholders, providing a platform for informed decision-making at the administrative level. This month, we’re focusing on understanding individual risk factors in middle and high schoolers to help parents support their children’s mental health.

As children transition into middle and high school, we know they face a multitude of challenges that can significantly impact their mental health. For parents who want to support their children effectively during this period, this blog post will explore key risk factors such as early aggressive behavior, poor impulse control, difficulties with emotional regulation, and low self-esteem or feelings of hopelessness and depression. Additionally, we will provide tips for parents to identify these risk factors and strategies to help their children thrive.

Early Aggressive Behavior

Early aggressive behavior can manifest in various forms, including verbal outbursts, physical altercations, or bullying. Research indicates that adolescents who exhibit aggressive behaviors are at a higher risk for developing mental health issues later in life, including anxiety and depression. Parents should be able to recognize signs of aggression, including frequent temper tantrums, defiance towards adults, or a tendency to blame others for their problems.

Tips for Parents:

Open Communication: Encourage your child to express their feelings and frustrations with you by encouraging open communication. Create a safe space where they feel comfortable discussing their emotions with you or another trusted adult.
Model Positive Behavior: Demonstrate healthy conflict resolution strategies and emotional regulation in your interactions. Children often learn by observing their parents, so we recommend that parents, whether they’re together or not, show their kids how to handle tensions when they arise.
Seek Professional Help: If aggressive behaviors persist, consider consulting a mental health professional who can provide guidance and support tailored to your child’s needs.

Poor Impulse Control

Poor impulse control is another significant factor that can affect a child’s ability to make sound decisions and manage their behavior. This can lead to risky actions, such as substance use or engaging in dangerous activities. Adolescents with impulse control issues may struggle academically and socially, further exacerbating feelings of isolation or inadequacy.

Tips for Parents:

Establish Clear Boundaries: Set clear expectations regarding acceptable behavior and consequences for impulsive actions. Consistency is a must in reinforcing these boundaries so your child understands you’re serious about them when you try to enforce them.
Teach Problem-Solving Skills: Help your child develop critical thinking skills by discussing the potential consequences of their actions before they make decisions.
Encourage Mindfulness Practices: Introduce mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing or yoga to help your child become more aware of their thoughts and feelings before acting on them. Advise them to journal or draw so they can also make sense of their feelings in other artistic outlets.

Difficulties with Emotional Regulation

Emotional regulation refers to the ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences appropriately. Adolescents often experience intense emotions due to hormonal changes and social pressures. Those who struggle with emotional regulation may exhibit mood swings, anxiety, or depression.

Tips for Parents:

Validate Emotions: Acknowledge your child’s feelings without judgment. Let them know feeling sad, angry, or overwhelmed is okay.
Teach Coping Strategies: Equip your kids with coping mechanisms such as hobbies, physical activity, or creative outlets like art or music, all of which can improve children’s mental health.
Monitor Stress Levels: Pay attention to stressors in your child’s life, whether academic pressures or social dynamics, and check in with them on how they’re feeling about their school workload, how their friends are being treated, or how your child is being treated by their friends. Help them find healthy ways to cope with these inevitable challenges.

Low Self-Esteem or Feelings of Hopelessness

Low self-esteem can significantly impact children’s mental health. Adolescents may compare themselves unfavorably to peers or feel inadequate due to academic performance or social interactions. Low self-esteem can lead to withdrawal from activities they once enjoyed and increase the risk of depression.

Tips for Parents:

Encourage Strengths: Help your child identify their strengths and talents. Celebrate achievements, no matter how small, to boost their confidence.
Promote Positive Self-Talk: Teach your child the importance of positive affirmations and how to challenge negative thoughts about themselves.
Foster Connections: Encourage friendships and participation in group activities where your child can build social skills and confidence in a supportive environment.

Understanding individual risk factors that may impact children’s mental health helps parents navigate the complexities of the middle and high school years. By recognizing signs of early aggressive behavior, poor impulse control, difficulties with emotional regulation, and low self-esteem, parents can take proactive steps to support their children’s well-being.

By normalizing conversations about children’s mental health and coping strategies, we can reduce the stigma that surrounds these topics and help students find healthier ways to navigate their emotions. If you would like more information on issues like student risk factors, general behavioral stress, depression, addiction, or other mental health-related issues in your communities, International Survey Associates offers many options to fit various needs.

Resources

https://centerstone.org/our-resources/health-wellness/7-tips-for-parents-to-support-their-childrens-mental-health/#:~:text=Share%20some%20coping%20mechanisms%3A%20Change,can%20cope%20with%20the%20crisis.

https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/how-to-nuture-your-childs-mental-health

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9497754/

https://www.unicefusa.org/what-unicef-does/parenting/support-child-mental-health