Parents and children may view the world through different lenses, but when it comes to attitudes towards core concerns that affect youth mental health, a recent Intergenerational Stressors Study from the Child Mind Institute offers insights that show how children across the U.S. and their parents often see more eye to eye than many might assume.
The Child Mind Institute’s nationally representative study of matched parent-child pairs, funded by the Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health, took a unique look at how families experience and interpret today’s most pressing mental health challenges—from loneliness, bullying, economic realities, and academic pressures to the rise of social media and artificial intelligence. The results tell a story of both alignment and disconnect of perspectives within families—providing insights that can help families, educators, and policy makers build more effective supports for youth.
How Parents and Youth View Mental Health
Youth in the study ranged from pre-teens to young adults. Both youth and their parents were concerned about loneliness and social isolation, with nearly eight in 10 parents and youth citing it as a top concern, proving the importance of friendship and human connection across the board. “This study shows that despite generational differences, recognizing loneliness as a shared priority is a powerful starting point for meaningful action in homes, schools, and communities,” said Michael Milham, MD, PhD, Chief Science Officer at the Child Mind Institute.
While global and domestic political issues and current events can be stressors for some, both parents and youth expressed greater concern about challenges in their everyday lives. For families with school-aged children, concerns often center on academic performance and socializing at school, with more than half of parents (54%) and children (63%) identifying bullying, school safety and academic pressure as top concerns.
Beyond these common leading threats, youth are more concerned than parents about the impact of social media and AI on their mental health (60% versus 47% of parents). Parents viewed the impacts of cyberbullying and online harassment approximately the same as privacy and online security (63% and 61%, respectively), whereas youth were largely more concerned about cyberbullying and online harassment than privacy (84% and 63%, respectively). Parents also emphasized the perceived impact of substance use (74% versus 42% of youth).
When getting mental health information and help, parents are more likely to reach out to healthcare professionals first, followed by medical websites and friends and family. More young people first turn to friends and family, followed by social media and then healthcare professionals.
One of the most encouraging findings is that most parents and youth report that they feel aligned on values as a family, and many young people believe their parents share their mental health concerns. It suggests a promising opportunity: families already possess a shared foundation that can be leveraged to foster dialogue and mutual understanding, even when experiences with specific stressors diverge. Many participants also reported high levels of optimism about the future, especially tweens and younger Millennial parents.
“The Intergenerational Stressors Study highlights the most pressing mental health challenges facing youth today—including loneliness, bullying, and academic pressure,” said Joan Steinberg, President of the Morgan Stanley Foundation and CEO of the Alliance for Children’s Mental Health Advisory Board. “By pairing parent and child perspectives, the report offers actionable insights for how families can support young people in navigating these stressors. It underscores the vital role families play in bridging generational divides and building resilience across generations.”
How Parents Can Help Support Children’s Mental Health
The study points to significant opportunities for connection and progress. To better support youth mental health, families can take several proactive steps.
1. Leverage shared concerns as conversation starters. Use points of agreement—such as the shared recognition of loneliness as a threat—to open ongoing, judgment-free discussions about mental health.
2. Bridge the digital divide. Ask your child what they see on social media and explore it together, to turn social media from a hidden stressor into an opportunity for guidance and connection. Stay informed about emerging platforms, including AI, and talk proactively about both risks and opportunities to help prevent harm before it escalates.
3. Support teens in help-seeking. Adolescents naturally turn first to peers and school-based support. Parents can strengthen these networks by helping youth build circles of trusted friends, adults and school staff.
4. Model help-seeking and openness. The normalization of help-seeking begins at home. Modeling healthy stress management involves correcting outdated or inaccurate beliefs that can create barriers to support. Parents can reduce stigma by openly engaging with trusted, evidence-based mental health resources.
5. Navigate transitions to adulthood together. Understand that your child’s needs and experiences will change as they get older. As they reach young adulthood, they may be experiencing new challenges that they may be reluctant to talk about. Take an active role in supporting them and keeping dialogue open during this time.
By fostering a supportive and understanding home environment, families can help navigate the challenges of growing up and the complexities of mental health, building resilience for a healthier future.
For more information, read the full report.
