Study: Irish teens some of the least able to talk to parents about things that bother them

Irish teenagers are among the least able to talk to their parents about things that interest or bother them and many feel they do not have high levels of family support.

Research by the World Health Organisation (WHO) found just 42% of Irish 11-year-olds, 33% of 13-year-olds, and 23% of 15-year-olds enjoyed a high quality of communication within their family.

The study of 42 countries and regions, including EU member states, places Ireland fourth from bottom in terms of young people feeling high levels of family support, with the only notable exception being that girls tend to feel more supported the more affluent their family.

It says the number of Irish children having family meals is below average, with 54% of 11-year-olds having dinner daily with one or both parents, falling to 49% for the 13-year-olds and 42% of the 15-year-olds. At breakfast, the rate falls further to 31% at age 11; 19% at age 13; and just 13% at age 15.

The study is the latest in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) research project, which is updated every four years.

It questioned more than 219,000 children aged 11,13, and 15 years, including 4,000 from Ireland, on a range of health-related subjects including diet, exercise, mood, social media use, smoking, drinking, and sex, and analysed the results for trends relating to age, gender, and family wealth.

Ireland was ranked 15th out of the 42 countries for family affluence and had one of the highest proportions of non-nationals among the interview group with 69% of the children being Irish-born to Irish parents; 17% Irish-born to one or two non-Irish parents; and 14% being first-generation immigrants who were born abroad.

The group had one of the highest rates of traditional family type, with 77% of the children living with both parents; 16% living with a single parent; and 6% living in a stepfamily.

They were among the most active texters, but had below-average daily computer use and gaming time. However, they also reported suffering some of the highest levels of cyberbullying.

The proportion classed as overweight or obese was about average: 17% of 11-year-olds, 14% of 13-year-olds, and 15% of 15-year-olds.

There was a marked decrease in mental wellbeing the older the children were, with 16% of 11-year-olds reporting having trouble sleeping more than once a week, rising to 28% at age 15.

At age 11, 10% reported feeling nervous more than once a week. This also rose to 28% by age 15, and while 6% of 11-year-olds said they felt low at least once a week, the same was true for 23% of 15-year-olds.

The Irish group ranked average for exercise levels, better than average for daily vegetable consumption, and below average for alcohol intake and smoking.

Researchers from the Health Promotion Research Centre at NUI Galway were among the international team compiling the study, which will be published in full today.

The team said many patterns of behaviour established during adolescence would continue through adult life so it was essential for policymakers to know how to cultivate good habits and understand how gender, age, and affluence influenced outcomes.

“Increased attention to, and more investment in, programmes that support positive parenting during adolescence are necessary,” said the team.