Can parent-adolescent relationships influence a teen’s mental health? University of Queensland researchers are seeking families with teenagers to help them find out.
senior research fellow said teenagers’ relationships with their parents were important in helping them become more resilient.
“Supportive parenting can help teenagers be happy and healthy and reach their full potential,” Dr Burke said.
“By examining these relationships we hope to develop better ways to support young people with severe behavioural problems or those experiencing anxiety, and their families.
“Our aim is to improve treatment for young people facing mental health difficulties, and particularly to consider how parents can be better involved in treatment approaches.”
The study is being conducted by researcher at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»’s .
Parents and their teenager (aged 11 to 17) are sought to take part in both face-to-face and online sessions.
Participants are required to be fluent in English and be able to attend Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»’s St Lucia campus.
Parents of participating families will be offered a free two-hour Coping with Teenagers' Emotions parenting discussion group.
The discussion group, based on the successful , is designed to give parents strategies to understand and support teenagers in dealing with difficult emotions.
More information on the study is available via the or by contacting the research team at parentingteens@uq.edu.au.
Media: Dr Kylie Burke, parentingteens@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3365 7306; PFSC Communications Manager Paddy Hintz, p.hintz@uq.edu.au, +61 431 706 882.