nib’s 2020 parenting survey indicates Asian parents more likely to maintain positive habits from lockdown
Leading health insurer, nib New Zealand, has released the findings from its second annual nib State of the Nation Parenting Survey, shedding light on the concerns that have been top of mind for Kiwi parents during a year unlike any other.
While New Zealand’s nationwide lockdown was a challenge for many, this year’s survey findings have highlighted a number of positive trends among Asian* parents and families that have been sustained since the lockdown experience.
Asian parents were more likely to report they are continuing to experience more family time together compared to non-Asian parents – and were also more likely to having continued working from home, experienced both improved sleep and an increased sense of happiness for themselves and their children.
During lockdown, Asian parents also reported a higher level of increased parent child connection and improved communication when compared with non-Asian respondents.
While Asian parents cited many positive and sustained improvements, COVID-19 has also led to a heightened sense of concern regarding health, parenting, and their family. Asian parents were significantly more likely to be concerned about getting sick or their family getting sick, their children’s behavioural issues and physical health.
The findings further illustrate that while Asian parents were more likely than non-Asian parents to be proactive about their family’s physical health, they were also less likely to feel informed enough to recognise whether their children’s symptoms are a real issue and to feel able to access the support they need for any health-related concerns they have for their children. Furthermore, only 28% of Asian parents cited talking to others or seeking information for these concerns, compared with 40% of non-Asian parents.
nib parenting expert, Nathan Wallis says, “The strong cultural value placed on family, coupled with the increased time parents who identified as Asian are continuing to spend with their children, will certainly help to offset any added stress that may have been caused by the lockdown.
“One of the best ways for parents to access advice when they’re dealing with concerns about their child’s health and wellbeing, is to turn to the wealth of information and resources that exist online – especially if they don’t feel comfortable sharing their concerns with others. The internet can connect you with expertise and practical advice for any challenge you might be facing,”” says Wallis.
More broadly speaking, the findings identified behavioural issues as the number one health concern facing Kiwi parents, cited by more than a third (34%) of respondents, a figure up 13% on 2019 measures. Last year’s biggest health-related concern, sleep, still features prominently, as do stress levels and diet and exercise.
Taking a closer look at families’ lockdown experience, the number of respondents reporting sustained episodes of negative behaviour from their children (lasting two weeks or longer) grew significantly during the nationwide lockdown period – and, concerningly, this increase has been largely sustained since lockdown ended.
Parents of younger children most frequently reported prolonged episodes of irritability, anger and short-temperedness as their biggest concern, while among parents of high schoolers, the sharpest increase came in levels of concern around changes to children’s motivation.
Wallis adds, “Just because the official lockdown has finished, this doesn’t mean children’s stress levels immediately return to normal. In the continued uncertainty of COVID-19, it’s natural and to be expected that children will continue to need added support to manage their emotions.”
The findings also clearly demonstrate the toll 2020 has taken on parents themselves. Lockdown saw sharp increases in the number of respondents suffering from decreased motivation, decreased energy, a sense of feeling overwhelmed, and declining performance at work. Any subsequent reduction since lockdown ended has been limited to just one or two percentage points. Fewer than one in ten respondents (8%) reported not feeling any particular level of stress over this period.
For the 42% of respondents who saw their financial situation worsen due to COVID-19, the impact of this was reflected in general stress levels, and also felt in terms of quality of sleep and relationships.
Despite an undeniably tough year, it’s not all bad news. When asked about the outlook for their family, 70% of respondents reported feeling positive about the future – and 67% believe lockdown strengthened their family unit, with many reporting a greater sense of happiness, and better communication as a result.
nib New Zealand CEO, Rob Hennin says “Despite what has been an incredibly challenging year for most, it’s encouraging to see our Kiwi resilience shining through – and parents and families feeling largely positive about what’s to come. It’s never been more important for us to stay connected, and we hope that these findings help reassure Kiwi parents they’re not alone in their concerns and experiences, and empowers them to talk to one another, and seek help when they need it.”
nib partnered with One Picture to deliver the nib State of the Nation Parenting Survey which surveyed 1,200 respondents across the country.
Leading health insurer, nib New Zealand, has released the findings from its second annual nib State of the Nation Parenting Survey, shedding light on the concerns that have been top of mind for Kiwi parents during a year unlike any other.
While New Zealand’s nationwide lockdown was a challenge for...
Leading health insurer, nib New Zealand, has released the findings from its second annual nib State of the Nation Parenting Survey, shedding light on the concerns that have been top of mind for Kiwi parents during a year unlike any other.
While New Zealand’s nationwide lockdown was a challenge for many, this year’s survey findings have highlighted a number of positive trends among Asian* parents and families that have been sustained since the lockdown experience.
Asian parents were more likely to report they are continuing to experience more family time together compared to non-Asian parents – and were also more likely to having continued working from home, experienced both improved sleep and an increased sense of happiness for themselves and their children.
During lockdown, Asian parents also reported a higher level of increased parent child connection and improved communication when compared with non-Asian respondents.
While Asian parents cited many positive and sustained improvements, COVID-19 has also led to a heightened sense of concern regarding health, parenting, and their family. Asian parents were significantly more likely to be concerned about getting sick or their family getting sick, their children’s behavioural issues and physical health.
The findings further illustrate that while Asian parents were more likely than non-Asian parents to be proactive about their family’s physical health, they were also less likely to feel informed enough to recognise whether their children’s symptoms are a real issue and to feel able to access the support they need for any health-related concerns they have for their children. Furthermore, only 28% of Asian parents cited talking to others or seeking information for these concerns, compared with 40% of non-Asian parents.
nib parenting expert, Nathan Wallis says, “The strong cultural value placed on family, coupled with the increased time parents who identified as Asian are continuing to spend with their children, will certainly help to offset any added stress that may have been caused by the lockdown.
“One of the best ways for parents to access advice when they’re dealing with concerns about their child’s health and wellbeing, is to turn to the wealth of information and resources that exist online – especially if they don’t feel comfortable sharing their concerns with others. The internet can connect you with expertise and practical advice for any challenge you might be facing,”” says Wallis.
More broadly speaking, the findings identified behavioural issues as the number one health concern facing Kiwi parents, cited by more than a third (34%) of respondents, a figure up 13% on 2019 measures. Last year’s biggest health-related concern, sleep, still features prominently, as do stress levels and diet and exercise.
Taking a closer look at families’ lockdown experience, the number of respondents reporting sustained episodes of negative behaviour from their children (lasting two weeks or longer) grew significantly during the nationwide lockdown period – and, concerningly, this increase has been largely sustained since lockdown ended.
Parents of younger children most frequently reported prolonged episodes of irritability, anger and short-temperedness as their biggest concern, while among parents of high schoolers, the sharpest increase came in levels of concern around changes to children’s motivation.
Wallis adds, “Just because the official lockdown has finished, this doesn’t mean children’s stress levels immediately return to normal. In the continued uncertainty of COVID-19, it’s natural and to be expected that children will continue to need added support to manage their emotions.”
The findings also clearly demonstrate the toll 2020 has taken on parents themselves. Lockdown saw sharp increases in the number of respondents suffering from decreased motivation, decreased energy, a sense of feeling overwhelmed, and declining performance at work. Any subsequent reduction since lockdown ended has been limited to just one or two percentage points. Fewer than one in ten respondents (8%) reported not feeling any particular level of stress over this period.
For the 42% of respondents who saw their financial situation worsen due to COVID-19, the impact of this was reflected in general stress levels, and also felt in terms of quality of sleep and relationships.
Despite an undeniably tough year, it’s not all bad news. When asked about the outlook for their family, 70% of respondents reported feeling positive about the future – and 67% believe lockdown strengthened their family unit, with many reporting a greater sense of happiness, and better communication as a result.
nib New Zealand CEO, Rob Hennin says “Despite what has been an incredibly challenging year for most, it’s encouraging to see our Kiwi resilience shining through – and parents and families feeling largely positive about what’s to come. It’s never been more important for us to stay connected, and we hope that these findings help reassure Kiwi parents they’re not alone in their concerns and experiences, and empowers them to talk to one another, and seek help when they need it.”
nib partnered with One Picture to deliver the nib State of the Nation Parenting Survey which surveyed 1,200 respondents across the country.
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