Research on Communication Barriers Between Parents and Teens Related to Mental Health Support

Have you ever wondered why it can sometimes feel challenging to talk to your teen about their mental health?

A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health uncovered this. It looked at what helps (and what gets in the way) when parents and teens discuss mental health concerns.

Researchers talked to 20 teens with depression or anxiety and one of their parents to learn about the challenges and successes in these conversations.

The study found that teens face more barriers to seeking psychological help than their parents realize. Teens mentioned that they feared burdening their parents and worried that their concerns would be dismissed. They also felt guilty about their struggles.

Parents, on the other hand, generally felt communication was going well. Sometimes, they overestimated how open their teen felt.

These findings tell us that reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations about mental health can help parents and teens communicate better.

Understanding the Research

The study was done at a primary care clinic for adolescents and young adults in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Researchers invited teens who had previously shown symptoms of depression or anxiety to participate, along with one of their parents or guardians.

The teens had to be between 12 and 19 years old, speak and read English, and have scores showing at least mild symptoms of depression or anxiety on screening tools.

Both parents and teens first answered an online survey about their mental health history, views on therapy, and how well they communicate with each other. After that, they each took part in a one-on-one interview. This was done in person before COVID and over Zoom during the pandemic.

The researchers then carefully reviewed what everyone shared to find common patterns.

So, what did they discover about how families discuss mental health? Here are the main findings from the study:

• Compared with their parents, teens perceived greater barriers to getting support. Many hesitated because they feared adding stress to their parents or being dismissed.
• Parents thought they communicated well, but teens didn’t feel heard and found it hard to talk about their feelings.
• There were also emotional obstacles. Teens hesitated to speak up to avoid upsetting their parents, and parents also blamed themselves for their child’s mental health challenges.
• However, some factors made conversations easier. These included families talking more openly about their own mental health history, practicing patience, and showing open-mindedness.
• Therapy also improved family communication. It allowed teens to understand their parents’ perspectives and taught both sides strategies for more honest conversations.

Practical Strategies for Parents and Caregivers

Knowing these challenges, what can parents and caregivers do to make mental health conversations with teens easier and more effective? Here are some tips grounded in the study’s findings:

Listen first, don’t push

Teens in the study said they often hold back because they worry about upsetting or burdening their parents. When your teen opens up, try to just listen at first, without jumping in to fix things right away. Sometimes, what they need most is to feel heard before problem-solving begins.

Share your own experiences when appropriate

If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, stress, or sadness, mentioning it briefly can help your teen feel less alone. It also sends the message that mental health challenges are nothing to be ashamed of.

When sharing, keep the focus on your teen. You might give a short example like, “I remember feeling really anxious when I started high school, too. It helped when I talked to someone about it.” Short examples like this show understanding.

Normalize mental health care

Normalizing mental health care is about treating our mental well-being the same way we treat physical health. It means checking in with ourselves regularly and seeing therapy or counseling as a proactive step.

At home, you can start by talking about emotions in everyday conversations just like you would about school, sports, or meals. Your teen must know it’s okay to say when they’re feeling stressed or anxious.

Check your assumptions

The study showed that many parents believed communication was going better than it really was. Even if conversations seem okay, ask your teen how they feel about them. A simple “Hey, do you feel like I listen enough when we talk about this stuff?” can go a long way.

Learn more about Teen Mental Health in our article Mental Health in Teens: How to Know When Your Teenager Needs Help.

The researchers suggest that future studies should include families from different backgrounds. This may reveal new insights that weren’t captured in this study.

Discover our mental health resources — handouts and worksheets across categories like Feelings, Coping Skills, Stress Management, and more.