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What does this mean?

In Kids Stats social connections refer to the interlocking network of social relationships between individuals and groups.

Why is it important to monitor?

Social connections, like neighbourhood connections, provide children, young people and their families with experiences of belonging and shared membership. These connections contribute to the well-being of children, young people and parents individually and the well-being of the family as a unit.

This sense of belonging influences levels of safety experienced by children, young people and their families, and affects parents’ ability to fulfil their parenting role [1].

Research has shown that for adolescents, social connections are an important factor associated with lower levels of emotional distress and risk-taking behaviour including attempted suicide [2].

Indicator

Currently, there is no routine measure of social connections collected in NSW. The indicator used in Kids Stats to monitor social connections is obtained from the NSW Child Health Survey 2001 [3]. The indicator is:

The number of parents or carers of children aged 0 to 12 years reporting they have friends who make them feel safe, secure and happy as a proportion of NSW Child Health Survey respondents.

Main findings

• In 2001, over 95% of parents or carers of 0 to 12 year olds had family and friends who make them feel safe, secure and happy
• In 2001, feelings of safety, security and happiness were more strongly felt by parents or carers of 0 to 4 year olds than those of 5 to 12 year olds (62.5% compared with 49.7%)

Notes:
[1] Buchanan, A. & Hudson, B.L. (2000). Promoting children’s emotional wellbeing: messages from research, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
[2] Glover, S., Burns, J., Butler, H., & Patton, G.C. (1998). Social environments and the emotional well-being of young people. Family Matters, No. 49. Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne.
[3] Quaine, J., Eyeson-Annan, M., Baker, D., O’Sullivan, B., Williamson, M., & Jorm L. (2003). Report on the Development of the Child Health Survey. NSW Public Health Bulletin, 14 (S-1).

For details of the references and to find out more about the data follow the link to Glossary and further information