A report on Growing Up in North Yorkshire indicates a positive trend in the emotional well-being of school-aged children, but shows girls worrying more than boys.
A recent report on the Growing Up in North Yorkshire survey for 2024 indicates a positive trend in the emotional well-being of school-aged children, with fewer youngsters reporting frequent worries compared to the findings of the 2022 survey. However, the data also highlights a persistent gender difference, particularly concerning girls' anxieties about their appearance.
The Growing Up in North Yorkshire survey gathers data on various aspects of young people's lives, including school culture, health, safety, and emotional well-being. Dr Gill Kelly, Consultant in Public Health, says that although the new data shows an across the board improvemnt in wellbeing over the last two years, there is a significant gender difference.
"Wellbeing is so much better than it was back two years ago, particularly for boys. In fact, our boy wellbeing in secondary school is back where it was a decade ago.
So way before the pandemic, way back before a huge increase in the use of social media. So it, we really are seeing those positive improvements within boys. Girls are showing small improvements. But, girls are still worrying about how they look and is that peer pressure? Is that social media? It's likely a combination of everything.
It's a lot better than it was back in 2022. However, it's still more than half of girls are worrying significantly most days about their appearance."
According to the survey, there has been a general decrease in the proportion of pupils worrying on most days, but Dr Kelly noted, says they are keeping a close eye on the significant disparity between boys and girls.
"We're also seeing a change in the way children are worrying about how they look. That's something that is in all age groups, there's ever so slight improvements. We are definitely moving in the right direction. And the it, the one about how you look I think is very important for me because girls are so much more affected by this.
And that's something to say about all of the worries, all of the resilience and all of the wellbeing figures. Girls worry girls. Don't have such good wellbeing as boys and resilience. Again, not as good as boys, and that is all age groups, bar the year twos, so it's something that we are keeping an eye on very closely."
The survey also indicated that a notable percentage of young people in secondary school do not feel they have someone they can talk to. Dr Kelly expressed concern over this and said they are taking steps in schools to address the problem.
"Just over 30% of our young people do not feel they've got somebody they can talk to. . And yes, it's definitely improved since 2022.
But I think this is a societal thing, just actually knowing that our secondary school. Young people have someone they can talk to is so important. we are working very hard in our secondary schools about relationship building, about that trusted adult. And we're also looking at, our youth worker offers, social workers, everybody and anybody.
Anyone that we feel these young people can talk to. 'cause it is so important."
Looking ahead, Dr Kelly suggested that focusing on girls' well-being and resilience is crucial.
The Growing Up in North Yorkshire survey for 2024 provides valuable insights into the experiences and concerns of young people in the Scarborough and Whitby area, contributing to a broader understanding across the county.
The findings will likely inform future strategies and support services aimed at improving the overall well-being of children and adolescents in the region.
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