Mental Health of Affluent Teens: The Challenge of Prosperity

Mental Health of Affluent Teens: The Challenge of Prosperity HOW DOES AFFLUENCE AFFECT CHILDREN IN EARLY CHILDHOOD? It's a positive indicator. a b Better physical health Higher birth weight Higher academic achievement Earlier achievement of developmental milestones like language acquisition Why? Money for food, learning tools, and health care Educated Extra child parents care support HOW DOES AFFLUENCE AFFECT CHILDREN AS THEY GROW INTO ADULTHOOD? It increases children's physical and emotional isolation from their parents. 1950s BY 2005 Average home size: 983 square feet Average number of children: 2.4 Average home size: 2,414 square feet Average number of children: 1.8 Parents' demanding careers take away time Between 1981 and 1997, the time families spend talking to each other decreased by 50%. Family dinner is considered a "special event" instead of spent with their adolescents. routine. Parents lack energy to Adolescents further connect with their teens. isolate themselves with access to cellphones, TVs, computers, and cars. 2 It increases the amount of pressure parents place on adolescents. Affluent parents are more likely to be over-involved in their children's lives. High expectations alone are not a problem, but negative development occurs when love is communicated based on leel of achievement. AN INTERNAL PUSH AN EXTERNAL PUSH FROM THE CHILD FROM THE PARENT Results in passion and engagement Reduces the child's motivation and with satisfaction from achievement lowers commitment and passion FAILURE TO FAIL Affluent parents over-function to protect their children from failure. However, failure is one of the greatest character-building experiences a person can have. Being rescued from every failure creates a fear of failure and leads to anxiety and risk aversion. Anxiety among affluent boys and girls is 25% to 30% higher compared to other teens. AFFLUENTADOLESCENT BOYS AFFLUENT ADOLESCENT GIRLS 25% 35% 15% 15% self-define as more likely to self-define as more likely to use alcohol "underachievers" use alcohol "underachievers" Popular boys from suburban homes are at a greater risk for substance abuse. experience dinically significant levels of depression – 3x the national average. 20% WHAT PARENTS CAN DO Three contributors to children's development Provide structure and hand Communicate love Clearly communicate that parental love is responsibility to children as they show competence in managing it. frequently and consistently. unconditional. High-structure parenting practices Regular household chores and responsibilities Limited access to money, credit cards, and the acquisition of material goods as a means of trying to “feel good" Regular family dinners several times each week Limited privacy Social service activities High-warmth parenting practices ... Let them know they Create Listen to them talk about their inner are loved through opportunities to have fun together. experiences without judgment. word and action. Express faith and Do not let parental anxieties affect them. confidence in them louder and more often than criticisms and doubts. yfi THE FAMILY INSTITUTE NORTHWESTERN | Counseling@Northwestern UNIVERSITY SOURCE Cheryl Rampage ,"The Challenge of Prosperity: The Mental Health and Substance Abuse of Affluent Teens," Clinical Science Insights, Volume 4, 2008, http://www.family-institute.org/images/challenge_of_prosperity.pdf, Accessed January 16, 2015.