Teens' Emotional Support Needs Vastly Underestimated by Parents, Report Reveals

A new study highlights a significant gap between teenagers' perceived emotional support and parents' assumptions, with potential impacts on mental health.

• Only 28% of teens report always receiving needed emotional support, while 77% of parents believe their children do.
• The perception gap exists across all demographic groups, including race, gender, and socioeconomic status.
• Teens lacking emotional support report higher rates of anxiety, depression, and poor physical health.
• Experts suggest that teens often seek empathy and reassurance rather than advice from parents.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the disconnect between teens and parents regarding emotional support.

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