The Otter Edit | June Edition

We know that parenting advice can feel overwhelming, especially when it’s buried in dense academic language. That’s why we take the latest child and family mental health research and translate it into clear, practical insights you can actually use in everyday moments. Whether you’re navigating tantrums, bedtime battles, or just trying to raise emotionally healthy kids, we're breaking down the science to support your parenting.

Teens Are Taking Fewer Risks — Many Still Struggle Inside

New national data reveals two major trends in teen mental and behavioral health:

• The majority of teens today are steering clear of risky behaviors like substance use, violence, and unsafe sex. In fact, the “Low Everything” group — teens reporting low levels of all risk behaviors — has grown from 40% to nearly 60% of youth.
• At the same time, the number of teens experiencing internal struggles like depression and suicidality — without engaging in risky external behaviors — is on the rise. This “High Internalizing” group has grown steadily since 2009.

The data revealed that this growing group of teens with internalizing symptoms includes more girls, younger adolescents, and youth of color. Teens may look “fine” on the outside while quietly battling emotional pain.

Little Otter's Recommendation: If your teen is struggling, or you think they might be, our Time Nurturing Teens (TNT): Strengthening Communication and Connection could be great for your family to try! 

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Tech Isn’t All Bad — But How Kids Use it Makes a Big Difference 

A new pilot study highlights the nuanced impact of social media on Florida tweens. It suggests that tech itself isn’t the problem, but *how* it’s used. The way kids engage with screens can either support their well-being or quietly chip away at it.

Key takeaways: 

• Kids with their own smartphones reported better overall well-being than those without.
• Kids who post publicly online have higher rates of depression, anxiety, and sleep issues.
• Kids with screen time limits participate more in extracurricular activities.

The study’s authors recommend: set healthy boundaries around social media, especially public posting; be alert to even small signs of cyberbullying; and keep phones out of bedrooms to protect sleep.

Little Otter's Recommendation: Read our article to learn tips on How to Create Phone Boundaries with Your Teen

Mothers’ Mental Health Is Significantly Declining

Moms are struggling more now than ever before, with rising rates of poor mental health especially among single mothers and those with uninsured or Medicaid-covered children.

In 2016 38% of moms reported excellent mental health. In 2023, only 26% of moms reported excellent mental health, a decrease of 12 percentage points. During the same period, there was a 3% increase in moms reporting poor mental health (from 6% in 2016 to 9% in 2023).

This nationwide trend highlights growing challenges such as financial stress, lack of paid parental leave, and pandemic-related isolation. Experts emphasize the urgent need for accessible maternal mental health care, increased support systems, and awareness around postpartum depression, anxiety, and burnout.

Little Otter's Recommendation: Take our Free Family Mental Health Check-up to understand where how your mental health is doing.

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Early Bonding Buffers Kids from Lasting Effects of Maternal Depression

A new study highlights the lasting impact of postpartum maternal depression and mother-to-infant bonding on children’s emotional and behavioral outcomes. Researchers found that early bonding can partially offset the negative effects of maternal depression, reducing future psychosocial difficulties.

Among 245 mother–child pairs, maternal depression significantly predicted challenges in sixth-grade children, but strong early bonding mediated nearly 35% of that impact. These findings support the importance of early interventions aimed at strengthening bonding in mothers experiencing postpartum depression.

• Mediating Role of Bonding: Mother-to-infant bonding accounted for 34.6% of the link between postpartum depression and child difficulties.
• Long-Term Effects: Children whose mothers had postpartum depression showed higher emotional and behavioral challenges in sixth grade.
• Sex Differences: Boys experienced more psychosocial difficulties than girls, especially in conduct and attention areas.

Little Otter's Recommendation: If you're struggling with depression, consider starting mental health care with our team of experts.

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