More than 60% of parents of teenagers aged 15 to 25 experience high levels of stress, and this tension increases significantly as their children grow older, according to a survey of 1,617 parents conducted by the Walloon Family Allowance Fund Camille.
The average stress level of parents of teenagers aged 15 to 25 is 6.6/10 (with 0 being "not at all stressed" and 10 being "completely stressed"). More than six in 10 parents give a score between 7 and 10.
Three in four parents say their stress level has increased with the age of their children. This confirms the "small children, small worries; big children, big worries" adage. More than a third of parents consider this increase in stress to be "particularly sudden."
Stress is influenced by several factors, including financial pressures (50% of respondents), late nights out and back (49%), social media and the risks of cyberbullying (44%), and concerns about overall health (46%). The primary source of anxiety for parents, however, is the professional integration of young adults (66%).
In terms of ways to help parents reduce stress, 40% want more time for themselves, while 30% want a fairer division of labour, and 30% want a better work-life balance.
Finally, one in four parents acknowledges that they can no longer cope alone and would like to be able to access psychological or stress management support more easily, or receive more help from those around them. However, the key issue remains financial for more than one in two parents.
Note that 89% of survey respondents are women and 11% are men.
