Family connectedness is the close bond between a child and a parent/guardian. Children who feel connected with their parents/guardians enjoy spending time together, communicate openly, and support one another.[1] Research shows that youth who do not value their parents'/guardians' opinions and have poor communication with them are more likely to experience poor mental health.[2]
| Youth who report high levels of family support |
About the MeasureThis measure is collected from the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (WDG) Youth Survey that gathers self-reported well-being data from grade 7 and 10 students. The survey asks students how often their parents (a) make sure they know they are appreciated and (b) speak of the good things they do. Students' responses are totalled and then given a high or low Family Support score. Children and youth who feel they have high levels of family support often make healthier choices.[3] Key FindingsAcross the three Youth Survey cycles, the percentage of students reporting high levels of family support increased. More grade 7 students reported high levels of family support than grade 10 students. Not shown on the graph, students who identified as non-binary (55%) were less likely to report high family support than male (75%) and female (73%) students. Data by gender and the municipal level can be found in the downloadable Excel file at the bottom of this page.
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LimitationsThe WDG Youth Survey collects self-reported data and is subject to response bias and recall bias. It should be noted that the questions changed slightly between 2011-12 and 2014-15, which reduces the ability to compare data across survey cycles.
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| Youth who report high levels of positive family communication |
About the MeasureThis measure is collected from the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (WDG) Youth Survey that gathers self-reported well-being data from grade 7 and 10 students. The survey asks students how often (a) their parents/guardians listen to their ideas or opinions and (b) they work with their parents/guardians to solve a problem together when they disagree. Students’ responses are totalled and then given a high or low Positive Family Communication score. Key FindingsAcross the three Youth Survey cycles, the percentage of students who reported high levels of positive family communication increased. For all cycles, more grade 7 than grade 10 students reported high levels of positive family communication (not shown in graph). Data by gender and grade as well as data at the municipal level can be found in the downloadable Excel file at the bottom of this page.
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Source: WDG Youth Survey, 2011-12, 2014-15 and 2017-18. WDG Report Card Coalition. Last updated September 5, 2018. LimitationsThe WDG Youth Survey collects self-reported data and is subject to response bias and recall bias.
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[1] Government of British Columbia. (2011). Child and youth health and well-being indicators project: Appendix h- Social relationships evidence review. Available at: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/reports-publications/special-reports/appendix_h_-_social_relationships_evidence_review.pdf
[2] Ackard, D. M., Neumark-Sztainer, D., Story, M., & Perry, C. (2006). Parent-child connectedness and behavioral and emotional health among adolescents. American journal of preventive medicine, 30(1), 59-66.
[3] Johns Hopkins Centre to Eliminate Cardiovascular Health Disparities. (n.d.). Family and social support. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University. Available at: http://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/johns-hopkins-center-to-eliminate-cardiovascular-health-disparities/about/influences_on_health/family_social_support.html