The past five years have seen an alarming surge in anxiety among children and young adults, with mental health referrals for anxiety in youth in the UK more than doubling since 2019—from about 99,000 to over 204,000 cases annually (The Times). Yet as society scrambles to address this crisis in children, a critical—and less visible—public health problem is emerging right alongside it: children’s anxiety often triggers or worsens anxiety and distress in their parents, creating a ripple effect through families. Recent studies suggest it may be impossible to fully address childhood anxiety unless parents’ mental well-being is considered too.
This issue is especially relevant for Thai readers today, as rapid social changes, heightened academic pressures, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic are fueling a dramatic rise in both child and parental mental health concerns. In Thailand, as in many cultures, family harmony (ความสามัคคีในครอบครัว) and parental role modeling are central values. When a child struggles with anxiety, it not only disrupts their own life and learning, but can quietly undermine parents’ confidence, energy, and relationships. A new wave of international research illuminates why parents of anxious children are at such risk—and what can help families recover their balance.
One UK survey found that 41% of parents observed increased anxiety in their children since the pandemic started, and nearly one in four said their own mental health declined as a result. This two-way relationship—anxious children impacting parents, and vice versa—is increasingly supported by scientific evidence (The Times). Additional data from the US and Europe reveals similar patterns, where even everyday household stressors—not just major traumas—raise the risk of anxiety symptoms in both children and their caregivers (PMC8120989).
A highly influential study published in 2021 in the journal Developmental Psychobiology (available via PubMed Central here) found that in families with young children, everyday stress in the home (think job loss, parental arguments, financial pressure) predicted higher anxiety and behavioral problems in children aged 2-6. Crucially, this connection was largely mediated by the parents’ own anxiety—not the direct effect of the stressful event on the child. In other words, when parents became anxious or emotionally dysregulated due to life’s pressures, their children’s mental health was much more likely to suffer.
The study also highlighted the role of so-called “adult-targeted stressors,” such as parental job changes or health problems, as stronger predictors of child anxiety than events directed at the child. Despite parents believing that events like sibling conflicts or school problems were more upsetting for their kids, it was their own suffering—often unnoticed—that most strongly shaped children’s emotional health.
As explained by Dr. Nim Tottenham, Professor of Psychology at Columbia University and a co-author of the study, “Our findings point to parents as critical translators of household stress. If a parent is very anxious, even if they’re trying not to show it, children pick up on those signals and can become anxious themselves.” This transmission happens not just through words, but via subtle nonverbal cues, family routines, and even biological mechanisms. The study measured children’s evening cortisol (a stress hormone) and found it was higher in kids whose parents reported more anxiety, suggesting the effect penetrates both mind and body.
This parent-child feedback loop can be deeply reinforcing. When a child is anxious—refusing to go to school, worrying about exams, or struggling with friendships—parents naturally become alarmed or frustrated. This extra stress can erode their patience and emotional resilience, which, in turn, makes it harder to support their child calmly. Over time, both parent and child can get locked in a cycle of escalating anxiety (“วิตกกังวลซ้อนวิตกกังวล”), which can fuel conflict, exhaustion, and guilt.
In the Thai context, this finding carries added weight. Respect for parental authority and family privacy can make it harder for parents to admit their own vulnerabilities or access mental health support. In many Thai homes, parents—especially mothers—see themselves as the emotional pillar of the family. Admitting overwhelm or anxiety may feel like a personal failing or a threat to family reputation (หน้าตาครอบครัว). Yet, as research shows, attending to parental well-being is not a sign of weakness, but a vital protective factor for children.
The implications for Thai families and schools are significant. When teachers notice a student struggling with anxiety, it may be helpful to consider what stresses the family is facing as a whole, and whether the parent also needs support. As Dr. Jennifer Louie, clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, notes, “Sometimes the best way to help an anxious child is to help their parent. When parents feel more in control and less stressed, kids often improve more quickly.”
This insight is shaping new approaches to mental health care overseas. Family-based interventions are gaining popularity, in which therapists work not just with the child, but also provide parents with tools to manage their own stress and change the way they respond to their child’s worries. Evidence from clinical trials suggests that when parents learn relaxation techniques, restructuring negative thoughts, and setting healthy boundaries, children’s symptoms often diminish—sometimes even without direct work with the child (Medical Xpress). Initiatives in the UK and Australia are integrating parent-focused modules into school mental health programs and pediatric clinics, recognizing that family well-being is a shared responsibility.
Closer to home, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Education have started to provide online counseling and psychoeducation for parents in partnership with schools, especially since the disruptions of COVID-19 (Thai Ministry of Public Health). However, challenges remain, particularly in rural areas and among families less familiar with modern mental health concepts.
The current research provides specific recommendations relevant for Thai parents, teachers, and health workers:
- Acknowledge parental anxiety as a normal response to having an anxious child, but take steps to manage it rather than ignore it. This could include mindfulness, breathing exercises, or gentle physical activity. The Buddhist principle of “knowing and accepting one’s mind” (รู้เท่าทันจิตตนเอง) aligns well with modern self-regulation strategies.
- Talk openly with trusted family or friends about parental stress. Suppressing worry can intensify emotional tension at home.
- Seek family-based support when a child’s anxiety persists, rather than focusing only on the child. Group parenting workshops, counseling hotlines, or school mental health staff can often help.
- Prioritize structure and predictable routines in the home, which reassure both parents and children, especially during times of uncertainty.
- Advocate for school-based mental health education that includes components for parents and encourages collaborative support between teachers, counselors, and families.
Looking ahead, experts predict that rates of anxiety in both children and parents may remain elevated for years as the long-term pressures of post-pandemic society become clearer. However, the positive news is that both child and parental anxiety are treatable, and early intervention is highly effective. According to the World Health Organization, with the right support, over 70% of people with anxiety recover fully and regain a good quality of life (WHO Anxiety Fact Sheet).
As Thai society adapts, combining wisdom from traditional family values (เช่นความรัก ความเมตตาในครอบครัว) with modern psychological science offers a promising path forward. By recognizing and treating family anxiety as an interconnected problem—rather than blaming one person—parents can become not just caretakers, but powerful agents of resilience for the next generation.
For Thai readers seeking practical help, reputable resources include government websites such as the Department of Mental Health, school counselors, and community health centres. Remember, seeking support for your own mental health is a gift to your children, not a failure. As the research shows, an investment in parental well-being is an investment in the future happiness (ความสุข) of the whole family.
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