Stark research warning to overprotective parents

• A University of Michigan poll suggests a link between rising teen anxiety/depression and overprotective parenting.
• The poll, conducted by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, surveyed over 1,000 parents of teens aged 13-18.
• Findings show less than 50 per cent of parents would allow their teen to stay alone in a hotel room while they get breakfast, and only 20 per cent are comfortable with unsupervised amusement park or museum visits.
• Experts suggest that decreased independence among teens may contribute to emotional struggles.
• Experts recommend teaching teens real-world skills and involving them in vacation planning to establish comfortable boundaries.

IN FULL

Experts warn this worrying parenting mistake may cause teens to be anxious and depressed