A growing disconnect between students and parents who are increasingly taking a more hands-off approach has triggered alarm among analysts who warn of long-term repercussions in the just-released 2026 Global School-Based Student Health Survey.

The data shows that “protective family factors have weakened over time” with only three in 10 students reporting that their parents understood their problems and just four out of 10 saying their parents know what they do in their free time, provide guidance or spend quality time with them.

The survey results were officially released Wednesday morning by Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton in collaboration with representatives of the National Council and Drug Abuse. It showed that of the 3,058 students between grades seven to 12 who were surveyed, only 25.9 per cent felt their parents understood their issues, 39.2 per cent said their parents knew what they were doing in their free time, 42.7 per cent got guidance or advice from their parents while 40.7 per cent said their parents spent quality time with them.

The researchers in comparing the findings across 2010, 2017 and 2026 for Jamaica said fewer parents understand the problems faced by their children today than they did 16 years ago. The data showed a slide from 31.9 per cent in 2010 to 31.3 per cent in 2017 with the numbers falling even further to 25.9 per cent this year. According to researchers, in 2010, 40.4 per cent of students surveyed said their parents knew what they were doing in their free time compared to 39.7 per cent in 2017 and 39.2 per cent this year.

However, a comparison of the data gathered for parents giving advice or guidance to their children showed an 8.5 per cent decrease between 2017 and 2026. No data was gathered for 2010 for that survey question. In terms of parents spending quality time with their children, there was a two per cent decrease from 2017 to 2026 (from with 42.7 per cent to 40.7 per cent. There was no data gathered for 2010.

The surveyors have in the meantime warned that, if current trends persist, “several systemic pressures and behavioural risks will emerge across multiple areas” which will include “a greater reliance on peers and online influences meaning guidance is shaped increasingly beyond the family”. Furthermore they said “adolescents face increased vulnerability to risky behaviours including substance use, unsafe relationships, violence and exploitation and school disengagement leading to higher risks to health, safety and well-being”. According to researchers there will also be growing pressure on schools and support services as increasing cases place more demands on institutions and systems.

According to the analysts, action in the future should be guided by determining the scope of parenting initiatives to strengthen parent-child communication and help parents remain influential sources of guidance. Furthermore they said the question of how effectively parents are being equipped to recognise, prevent and respond to risks affecting the health, safety and well-being of adolescents must also be answered. Additionally, the canvassers said, it must also be established what strategies exist to strengthen parental engagement with schools to reduce reliance on educational institutions and support services.