The impacts of Christmas arguments have been highlighted by a new report showing ‘family tensions’ are making an increasing number of young people feel negative about the festive season.
The second annual headspace Christmas survey of 500 young people revealed more than 65 per cent cited ‘tensions between family members’ as a factor that made them feel negative about Christmas, up from 58 per cent from last year.
Chris Tanti, CEO of the National Youth Mental Health Foundation headspace, said everyone should be mindful that families should be supporting each other over Christmas, rather than letting tensions simmer over into arguments and other disputes.
“This survey clearly shows that many young people approach Christmas with trepidation, rather than excitement,” Mr Tanti said.
24 per cent of survey respondents said Christmas made them feel depressed (slightly down from 27 per cent) and for 33 per cent, Christmas made them feel worse than usual.
Mr Tanti said the survey sent a message to parents that the wellbeing of young people is more vulnerable than they might think over the Christmas period.
“The message to parents is clear: at this time of year, young people need more than just presents, they need support,” he said.
For the first time, the survey also reveals just how much young people are turning to social media at Christmas to connect with loved ones, and also deal with some of the pressures.
More than 86 per cent of young people said they would be using social media on Christmas Day.
62 per cent said they used social media to escape family tensions and 54 per cent said they used it to help them feel less lonely.
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