Social and Relational Health Risks and Common Mental Health Problems Among US Children: The Mitigating Role of Family Resilience and Connection to Promote Positive Socioemotional and School-Related Outcomes

Abstract

Nearly 70% (67.6%) of US children with mental, emotional, and behavioral problems (MEB) experienced significant social health risks (SHR) and/or relational health risks (RHR). Shifts are needed in child mental health promotion, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to address both RHR and SHR. Public health approaches are needed that engage families, youth, and the range of child-serving professionals in collaborative efforts to prevent and mitigate RHR and SHR and promote positive mental health at a community level. Building strong family resilience and connection may improve SR and, in turn, academic and social outcomes among all US children with or without MEB.

Keywords: Economic hardship; Family resilience; Food insecurity; Neighborhood violence; Parent mental health; Parental stress; Racial discrimination; Relational health.