Young teenagers were less likely to smoke or drink than their counterparts a decade ago – The Irish Times

Young adolescents are less likely to smoke or drink than their counterparts a decade ago, but they are almost twice as likely to be “at risk” for depressive symptoms, with girls at particular risk. according to a historic study published Thursday.

The report, which draws on data from the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) longitudinal study, reveals that almost one in ten 13-year-olds have tried vaping, ten per cent had a boyfriend or girlfriend friend, but less than half of those who were bullied had told an adult about it.

Titled Key Findings from the Self-Complete Survey with Cohort '08 at 13, the study examines the results of a cohort of 6,000 13-year-olds born in 2008, comparing them with the results of a cohort born in 1998 .

The GUI study followed two groups of children, born approximately ten years apart. Families from the '08 cohort, the subject of this report, were first interviewed in 2008/2009, when the child was 9 months old. They were re-interviewed face-to-face when the child was three years old, five years old and nine years old. Due to the Covid pandemic, home interviews scheduled at age 13 were replaced by remote surveys.

Regarding mental health, researchers used a tool to measure depressive symptoms called the “Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire” and found that 31% of 13-year-olds born in 2008 were “at risk” for depression.

“In contrast…only 16 percent of the 1998 cohort were flagged as 'at risk.' This suggests a substantial upward trend in the experience of depressive symptoms, particularly among girls,” the report said.

Girls are more than twice (45 percent) as likely to be “at risk” as boys (19 percent), with a higher proportion also in single-parent households (42 percent) than in two-parent households (29 percent). hundred).

Also among parents of 13-year-olds, mothers were more likely (15 percent) to be “at risk for depression” than fathers (7 percent) and “single-parent mothers and/or those in the age quintile.” lowest income”. » with “notably” more risks than those of two-parent and wealthy households.

Just under 10 percent of 13-year-olds have been “bullied in the past three months”, roughly the same number as the older cohort, with those from poorer backgrounds more likely to have been. The most common bullying was being excluded or left out (34 percent), followed by hurtful name calling/slagging (33 percent) and being pushed, shoved or slapped (30 percent).

“Boys were twice as likely to report that they didn't feel upset at all (53 percent) compared to girls (24 percent). Girls were much more likely to have been very upset by the experience (23 percent) than boys (8 percent).

According to the study, less than half (46%) of 13-year-olds who have been victims of bullying have told an adult.

On a more positive note, the 2008 cohort of 13-year-olds are making healthier choices. Only ten percent had drunk an alcoholic beverage, compared to 16 percent of their counterparts ten years earlier, although girls are now more likely to drink than boys, a reversal of the situation. The likelihood of smoking is lower, dropping from nine percent to just three percent after trying cigarettes or tobacco.

However, nine per cent have “ever used a vape” – a choice that was not available ten years earlier – and girls are more likely than boys to have done so (10 per cent versus seven per cent).

Nearly a third (30 percent) of 13-year-olds in the lowest income families were “overweight or obese,” compared to 20 percent in the highest income families.

Just over half (55 percent) of the 2008 cohort had discussed sexual and/or relationship issues with a parent, with girls (59 percent) more likely to do so than boys (52 percent). hundred). This compares to 46 percent of the 1998 cohort who discussed it with a parent.

When asked who they would go to most for information or advice about sex and/or relationships, the most popular choice was “mom” (37%), followed by friends (17%). ) and the Internet (13%). , nowhere (eight percent), dad (8 percent), teachers (7 percent) and siblings (6 percent).

More than three-quarters of 13-year-olds said they “got along very well” with their primary caregiver, and 1% said they “did not get along” with their parent. main responsible.

One in five people had a biological parent living elsewhere and there was considerable diversity in the patterns of contact between them and the non-resident parent. While 22 percent saw them face-to-face “more than once a week,” 34 percent “never saw them face-to-face.” Nearly a third have had no contact.

When asked what they expected from becoming an adult, 32 percent said “travel to different countries,” followed by “live at home” (18 percent) and “find a job” (16 percent). hundred).

Commenting, Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman said: “This research provides us with up-to-date evidence on some of the challenges adolescents face today. This shows us what we, as a government, need to focus on to be able to help all young people reach their full potential and live healthy, happy lives.