{"id":33371,"date":"2026-06-13T09:24:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T09:24:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/13\/grandparents-are-a-vital-resource-in-the-child-mental-health-crisis-says-leading-child-psychologist\/"},"modified":"2026-06-13T09:24:06","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T09:24:06","slug":"grandparents-are-a-vital-resource-in-the-child-mental-health-crisis-says-leading-child-psychologist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/13\/grandparents-are-a-vital-resource-in-the-child-mental-health-crisis-says-leading-child-psychologist\/","title":{"rendered":"Grandparents are a vital resource in the child mental health crisis, says leading child psychologist"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBook publication announcement\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Expert argues that rebuilding family support can help foster empathy and community values in children<\/h2>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"
Image is for illustrative purposes only. Image by Getty Images for Unsplash+<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n

As more than 40% of American teenagers report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness<\/a>, a leading child psychologist says grandparents and extended family have a vital role to play.<\/p>\n

Kenneth Barish, Ph.D., Clinical Professor of Psychology at Weill Cornell Medicine, argues that the erosion of extended family support has contributed to what the U.S. Surgeon General calls a prolonged crisis in child and adolescent mental health.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did not evolve to raise children with as little extended family and community support as most American parents have now,\u201d says Dr. Barish, a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. \u201cChildren need grandparents, and they always have.\u201d<\/p>\n

In his new book,\u00a0The Art and Science of Parenting and Grandparenting<\/em><\/a>, Dr. Barish reflects on four decades of clinical work alongside insights from neuroscience, child development research, and educational programs for children to make his case that grandparents can help with modern parenting challenges.<\/p>\n

Raising children with purpose<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grandparents play a crucial role in addressing what Dr. Barish identifies as a recent societal shift.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver several decades, America has increasingly become a society of I, not We. In many families and communities, preoccupation with individual achievement has eroded the values of kindness and caring in the lives of our children,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n

Research shows that intense pressure for achievement leads to high rates of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse in affluent communities. Dr. Barish believes the antidote lies in helping children develop a sense of purpose beyond personal success.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndividual achievement alone is a fragile source of motivation and effort, with a high cost in anxiety and stress,\u201d Dr. Barish writes. \u201cHelping others promotes a greater balance in children\u2019s emotional lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Studies reviewed by psychologist Jane Piliavin, for example, found that helping others leads to improved self-esteem, less depression, lower dropout rates, better immune function and a longer life.<\/p>\n

Dr. Barish recommends volunteering together and having frequent family conversations, from an early age, about the importance of kindness and understanding the needs and feelings of others.<\/p>\n

He explains: \u201cThese conversations strengthen a child\u2019s sense of meaning and purpose. They are just as important as making sure kids have done their homework and correcting their mistakes, maybe more.\u201d<\/p>\n

The role of the grandparent<\/strong><\/p>\n

As well as providing support to parents<\/a>, grandparents provide what Dr. Barish calls \u2018molecules of emotional health\u2019 \u2013 moments of listening and encouragement that strengthen children\u2019s \u2018emotional immune systems\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cA child\u2019s confident expectation that someone will listen and understand is the best protection against the emotional pathogens they will experience throughout their childhood. \u00a0\u201cMore than anything else, children need someone in their life who listens, who helps them feel less alone, and who teaches them that problems can be solved, relationships can be repaired, and bad feelings do not last forever,\u201d Dr. Barish explains.<\/p>\n

Other practical ways that grandparents can help include creating moments of play and fun that build positive emotions and expressing enthusiastic interest in children\u2019s interests and goals.<\/p>\n

Too much criticism<\/strong><\/p>\n

In findings that challenge conventional wisdom, Dr. Barish reports that the most common problem in his clinical work is not over-praising children, it\u2019s unintentional criticism from well-meaning family members.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most common problem I see in my work with families is not too much praise, but too much criticism,\u201d Dr. Barish states.<\/p>\n

\u201cCriticism does not motivate children to work harder. Instead, frequent criticism breeds resentment and defiance, and undermines children\u2019s initiative and effort.\u201d<\/p>\n

But not all praise helps. Citing Carol Dweck\u2019s concept of a \u201cgrowth mindset,\u201d Dr. Barish distinguishes between praise that fosters resilience and praise that creates fragility: \u201cPraise effort, not intelligence or talent. Praise learning, not grades.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Barish acknowledges that children can have challenging behaviours, and he offers 21 rules to promote cooperative behaviour in children based on both research and clinical insights. These include engaging children in collaborative problem-solving conversations and offering them a chance to \u2018reset\u2019, which he suggests is more effective than punishment.<\/p>\n

Dr. Barish explains: \u201cHelping our children and grandchildren succeed in life is less about teaching skills and more about having conversations; less about earning rewards and more about learning to cope with painful feelings; less about clearing a path to success and more about strengthening an inner feeling of confidence and pride. \u00a0Our children will then work harder, bounce back more quickly, show more caring and kindness toward others, and pursue interests with greater enthusiasm, commitment, and sense of purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n