The key to kids making friends that's close to home
This part of the data from the largest longitudinal study into the development of Australian children demonstrates that 'kids are observing, and learning their own conflict management skills, from parents', she said.
It noted other research had demonstrated that children who have strong, healthy peer relationships have better mental health outcomes, manage adverse events like bullying better, and are less likely to experience loneliness in early adulthood.
Other research had also shown positive peer relationships in adolescence are strongly associated with improved mental health and with motivation and engagement in learning.
This part of Growing Up in Australia only considered children from the cohort whose parents were partnered, but future friendship research may be conducted with children from single-parent or separated households.
The paper suggested adolescents who had been 'exposed to parent relationship unhappiness or conflict' should be offered support to learn to manage their emotions and to avoid internalising negative parental behaviour.
Loading
Power cautioned that while the research showed a consistent correlation between adolescents' friendships and the level of conflict or happiness of their partnered parents, this was 'definitely not the only thing that matters'.
'Any phenomenon is complex, and made up of many pieces,' she said. 'Parenting is hard, and sometimes you snap at your partner – you're not dooming your kids to a life of loneliness … [but] it helps to say all of those things do matter.'
Households are under pressure from issues including the cost of living, housing availability and mental health, Power said, which can lead to hostility and conflict, but verbal adult conflict is often 'hugely difficult for children'.
The project will also examine the children's romantic relationships when they are older.
Loading
Psychologist Sarah O'Doherty, president of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc, said children might be aware of conflict between parents from a very young age, and that it was developmentally helpful for them to understand what is going on via age-appropriate conversations.
'Later on [when they are past early childhood], it's about demonstrating through role modelling what conflict resolution looks like, and what healthy, reparative relationships can look like so the child can have corrective experiences, not just believe there is one template for relationships,' O'Doherty said.
Younger generations of parents were demonstrating better communication skills around relationship conflict than might have been the case in previous generations, she said, including improved ability to apologise, be accountable and show children how conflict can be resolved in a healthy way.
'If we role model that and demonstrate it as parents, the likelihood is children might not only understand that conflict is normal, but that there are safe and healthy ways to resolve it,' she said.
Daisy Potter, 18, said she felt her happy household probably did contribute to the fact that she has many healthy friendships.
'From what I learn in psychology, it gives you a lot of protective factors, a good environment, and people you can turn to when you have questions or problems,' she said.
'If that's shown to you or demonstrated in your life, I feel like you're a lot more able to deal with things. Friendships are essential … You learn through other people there to challenge your perspective and be there for you and connect with.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Vulnerable migrants having abortions due to visa fears
Migrant women working in rural Australia are carrying unplanned pregnancies, having unwanted abortions or even giving their babies to authorities due to fear, poverty and poor healthcare coverage. This is the "unseen population" that NSW general practitioner Trudi Beck wants every Australian to know about. Dr Beck, a GP obstetrician from Wagga Wagga, told a NSW parliamentary inquiry into modern slavery that she routinely sees pregnant Pacific Islander workers, who are not entitled to free or subsidised healthcare in Australia. The vast majority of those women opted for an abortion, though it didn't always appear to be their preference, Dr Beck said. The women, who are usually working under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, fear they will breach their visa conditions if they cannot work due to pregnancy. "I find it really difficult to provide termination services for a woman where that's not her deeply-held desire ... that's the crux of the matter for me," Dr Beck told the inquiry sitting in Griffith on Thursday, in sometimes emotional evidence. "If this woman was in her home country and had the means to live above the poverty line, she would have this baby. "That is just such an ethics and values clash for me and that's what makes me want to reach out to people to say: can we make this better?" Some women who could not access abortion services in time gave birth in their home countries while on annual leave, Dr Beck said. The inquiry has been told PALM workers are particularly vulnerable to exploitation because their visa does not allow them to change employers, forcing some to abscond. Many disengaged workers have settled in the NSW Riverina, where they live in hiding, Leeton Multicultural Support Group chairman Paul Maytom said. Mr Maytom said 10 pregnant migrants have approached the organisation for help, including one woman who gave her prematurely-born baby to authorities after her older child was also taken in as a ward of the state. "She said, 'I didn't know what to do because I have no money, so I agreed to it, but I want my babies back', Mr Maytom said. "That's tough." Griffith domestic violence service Links For Women supported 47 female PALM workers in 2023-24. The women were assaulted by either male employers or their co-workers, forcing them to flee, manager Madeleine Rossiter said. It's estimated more than 40,000 people are enslaved across the nation, subject to violence, threats, punishing hours, low pay, poor housing and restricted movements. More than 16,000 are believed to be trapped in modern slavery in NSW, one of the few states that does not regulate the hire companies central to migrant recruitment. The inquiry continues. Reports of modern slavery can be made to 1800 FREEDOM (1800 37 333 66) Migrant women working in rural Australia are carrying unplanned pregnancies, having unwanted abortions or even giving their babies to authorities due to fear, poverty and poor healthcare coverage. This is the "unseen population" that NSW general practitioner Trudi Beck wants every Australian to know about. Dr Beck, a GP obstetrician from Wagga Wagga, told a NSW parliamentary inquiry into modern slavery that she routinely sees pregnant Pacific Islander workers, who are not entitled to free or subsidised healthcare in Australia. The vast majority of those women opted for an abortion, though it didn't always appear to be their preference, Dr Beck said. The women, who are usually working under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, fear they will breach their visa conditions if they cannot work due to pregnancy. "I find it really difficult to provide termination services for a woman where that's not her deeply-held desire ... that's the crux of the matter for me," Dr Beck told the inquiry sitting in Griffith on Thursday, in sometimes emotional evidence. "If this woman was in her home country and had the means to live above the poverty line, she would have this baby. "That is just such an ethics and values clash for me and that's what makes me want to reach out to people to say: can we make this better?" Some women who could not access abortion services in time gave birth in their home countries while on annual leave, Dr Beck said. The inquiry has been told PALM workers are particularly vulnerable to exploitation because their visa does not allow them to change employers, forcing some to abscond. Many disengaged workers have settled in the NSW Riverina, where they live in hiding, Leeton Multicultural Support Group chairman Paul Maytom said. Mr Maytom said 10 pregnant migrants have approached the organisation for help, including one woman who gave her prematurely-born baby to authorities after her older child was also taken in as a ward of the state. "She said, 'I didn't know what to do because I have no money, so I agreed to it, but I want my babies back', Mr Maytom said. "That's tough." Griffith domestic violence service Links For Women supported 47 female PALM workers in 2023-24. The women were assaulted by either male employers or their co-workers, forcing them to flee, manager Madeleine Rossiter said. It's estimated more than 40,000 people are enslaved across the nation, subject to violence, threats, punishing hours, low pay, poor housing and restricted movements. More than 16,000 are believed to be trapped in modern slavery in NSW, one of the few states that does not regulate the hire companies central to migrant recruitment. The inquiry continues. Reports of modern slavery can be made to 1800 FREEDOM (1800 37 333 66) Migrant women working in rural Australia are carrying unplanned pregnancies, having unwanted abortions or even giving their babies to authorities due to fear, poverty and poor healthcare coverage. This is the "unseen population" that NSW general practitioner Trudi Beck wants every Australian to know about. Dr Beck, a GP obstetrician from Wagga Wagga, told a NSW parliamentary inquiry into modern slavery that she routinely sees pregnant Pacific Islander workers, who are not entitled to free or subsidised healthcare in Australia. The vast majority of those women opted for an abortion, though it didn't always appear to be their preference, Dr Beck said. The women, who are usually working under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, fear they will breach their visa conditions if they cannot work due to pregnancy. "I find it really difficult to provide termination services for a woman where that's not her deeply-held desire ... that's the crux of the matter for me," Dr Beck told the inquiry sitting in Griffith on Thursday, in sometimes emotional evidence. "If this woman was in her home country and had the means to live above the poverty line, she would have this baby. "That is just such an ethics and values clash for me and that's what makes me want to reach out to people to say: can we make this better?" Some women who could not access abortion services in time gave birth in their home countries while on annual leave, Dr Beck said. The inquiry has been told PALM workers are particularly vulnerable to exploitation because their visa does not allow them to change employers, forcing some to abscond. Many disengaged workers have settled in the NSW Riverina, where they live in hiding, Leeton Multicultural Support Group chairman Paul Maytom said. Mr Maytom said 10 pregnant migrants have approached the organisation for help, including one woman who gave her prematurely-born baby to authorities after her older child was also taken in as a ward of the state. "She said, 'I didn't know what to do because I have no money, so I agreed to it, but I want my babies back', Mr Maytom said. "That's tough." Griffith domestic violence service Links For Women supported 47 female PALM workers in 2023-24. The women were assaulted by either male employers or their co-workers, forcing them to flee, manager Madeleine Rossiter said. It's estimated more than 40,000 people are enslaved across the nation, subject to violence, threats, punishing hours, low pay, poor housing and restricted movements. More than 16,000 are believed to be trapped in modern slavery in NSW, one of the few states that does not regulate the hire companies central to migrant recruitment. The inquiry continues. Reports of modern slavery can be made to 1800 FREEDOM (1800 37 333 66) Migrant women working in rural Australia are carrying unplanned pregnancies, having unwanted abortions or even giving their babies to authorities due to fear, poverty and poor healthcare coverage. This is the "unseen population" that NSW general practitioner Trudi Beck wants every Australian to know about. Dr Beck, a GP obstetrician from Wagga Wagga, told a NSW parliamentary inquiry into modern slavery that she routinely sees pregnant Pacific Islander workers, who are not entitled to free or subsidised healthcare in Australia. The vast majority of those women opted for an abortion, though it didn't always appear to be their preference, Dr Beck said. The women, who are usually working under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, fear they will breach their visa conditions if they cannot work due to pregnancy. "I find it really difficult to provide termination services for a woman where that's not her deeply-held desire ... that's the crux of the matter for me," Dr Beck told the inquiry sitting in Griffith on Thursday, in sometimes emotional evidence. "If this woman was in her home country and had the means to live above the poverty line, she would have this baby. "That is just such an ethics and values clash for me and that's what makes me want to reach out to people to say: can we make this better?" Some women who could not access abortion services in time gave birth in their home countries while on annual leave, Dr Beck said. The inquiry has been told PALM workers are particularly vulnerable to exploitation because their visa does not allow them to change employers, forcing some to abscond. Many disengaged workers have settled in the NSW Riverina, where they live in hiding, Leeton Multicultural Support Group chairman Paul Maytom said. Mr Maytom said 10 pregnant migrants have approached the organisation for help, including one woman who gave her prematurely-born baby to authorities after her older child was also taken in as a ward of the state. "She said, 'I didn't know what to do because I have no money, so I agreed to it, but I want my babies back', Mr Maytom said. "That's tough." Griffith domestic violence service Links For Women supported 47 female PALM workers in 2023-24. The women were assaulted by either male employers or their co-workers, forcing them to flee, manager Madeleine Rossiter said. It's estimated more than 40,000 people are enslaved across the nation, subject to violence, threats, punishing hours, low pay, poor housing and restricted movements. More than 16,000 are believed to be trapped in modern slavery in NSW, one of the few states that does not regulate the hire companies central to migrant recruitment. The inquiry continues. Reports of modern slavery can be made to 1800 FREEDOM (1800 37 333 66)
9 News
12 hours ago
- 9 News
Steve donated his kidney to a stranger and set an Australian record
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Decades ago, Melbourne man Steve Liston heard a story on the radio about the need for kidney donors. He never forgot it. The idea of making such a difference to a sick person's life became a tantalising thought he came back to again and again. "It hit a nerve with me on so many levels, and it actually baffles me about why it doesn't strike a nerve with more people," Liston, 57, said. Steve Liston donated one of his kidneys to a stranger. (Supplied) It took a few years before he first broached the idea of donating one of his kidneys to a stranger with his family. However, back then, the timing wasn't right, with his children still in school. Once his children became adults, he visited his GP to kick off the process of donating a kidney. Liston was told by doctors he would need to lose 13 kilograms in order to become a suitable donor. He put in the work and lost the weight. Liston then underwent a series of medical and psychological tests before he was given the tick of approval. His kidney donation went ahead a few years ago. Liston said his recovery from the operation was straightforward. "It's not as big as people make it out to be," he said. "If you're an office worker, you can actually be back to work in about two weeks. "I had to be off for six weeks because lifting is involved in the work that I do, and there's a risk of a hernia." Under the federal government's Supporting Living Organ Donors program, donors can claim up to 342 hours of leave from work, paid at minimum wage, and $1000 in out-of-pocket medical costs. Liston said the knowledge of what he had done would stay with him for life. "Some people will achieve an Olympic gold, which is something they've worked very hard for and will have forever. "Other people can do a doctorate and discover something new. But, for the average person who is never going to break a world record, or is not a genius, this is something almost anyone can do. "I don't get a buzz out of driving a nice car, or drinking fine wine. The biggest buzz I get is out of helping people." Unless someone is donating their kidney to someone they know, the process is strictly anonymous. Liston will probably never know where his kidney went, and he likes it that way. "I actually love the idea that it could be in anyone," he said. People who give up a kidney to a stranger are called altruistic donors, and they often set off a chain of matches because they are not already paired with a recipient. Liston said his donated kidney started a chain of more than 10 people. "I was told at the time it was an Australian record, which I hope gets broken, if it hasn't already," he said. In Australia, there are around 1400 people in need of a kidney transplant, with the waitlist time averaging about 2.2 years, according to Kidney Health Australia. About two-thirds of kidney transplants come from deceased donors, and the rest are from living donations. Dr Stella McGinn is the deputy director of the Australian and New Zealand Paired Kidney Exchange, which is run by the Royal Melbourne Hospital. The program accounts for about a third of all live kidney donations in Australia. It allows friends and family who want to donate a kidney to a loved one but aren't a good medical match, to be paired with others in the same situation. The exchange also accepts donations from altruistic donors, however, it was still relatively rare to see people giving one of their kidneys to a stranger in Australia, McGinn said. In 2019, the Australian program joined forces with New Zealand, where altruistic donations are slightly more common. The partnership saw the number of altruistic donors immediately shoot up, from a couple a year, to around 10 in both 2022 and 2023. Last year, there were six altruistic donors in the program, and so far this year, three. In Australia, kidney transplants have a high success rate - over 94 per cent of transplants are working one year later, according to Kidney Health Australia. Live kidney transplants tend to fare slightly better than those from deceased donors, because of the planned nature of the operation and the high level of screening for donors. McGinn said it was now common for kidney transplants from live donors to last around 20 years. "If you get a good kidney, and you look after it, it can see you for a very long time. A man in our hospital has got a deceased donor kidney, and he's had it for 53 years," she said. Around 15,500 people in Australia are being treated with dialysis for kidney failure - at an annual cost of around $1.9 billion, a research article published this week in the Medical Journal of Australia noted. The article found hospitals are struggling to meet the growing demand for dialysis services, with people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds most affected by the growing crisis. The strain on these centres has led to compromised dialysis care, with some patients, even those with minimal residual kidney function, receiving dialysis twice a week instead of three. Seth Holm knows what it is like to spend years on dialysis. The 24-year-old, from Perth, was born with his bladder outside of his body. After multiple surgeries and a lot of setbacks, his kidneys failed when he was 14 years old. Holm's mum, Michelle Radis, was able to donate one of her kidneys to him after he had been on dialysis for two years. Although the pair was not an ideal match, the transplant lasted almost seven years. Seth Holm, pictured with his mother Michelle Radis. Holm is back on dialysis after a kidney donated by his mum failed. (Supplied) The kidney has since failed and Holm has been back on dialysis for the past 18 months. Radis said the difference the transplant made to her son's life was incredible, especially in the first few years after the operation. "He was actually able to get a job for a short time - he did bricklaying for a bit and he loved it," she said. These days, her son was rarely well enough to leave the house, she said. "Over the last two years, he's had quite a lot of things go wrong, and he's ended up in a coma twice, once from fluid overload and another time from COVID," she said. Holm has dialysis treatment every second day at home, with each session lasting 4-6 hours. "He gets really tired from dialysis," she said. "All he wants to do is get his life back … he said to me the other day he would do anything to be able to go out and work." Holm was recently cleared to go back on the transplant list, but, having had one transplant already, he has antibodies that will make it harder to find a match. With no other living relatives able to donate, Radis said she was holding out hope they could find someone willing to give up a kidney for her son. "Waiting on the deceased donor list is something I hope Seth doesn't have to go through." "I would give him my other kidney if I could." health Health Services national Melbourne Perth CONTACT US
The Age
13 hours ago
- The Age
The key to kids making friends that's close to home
This part of the data from the largest longitudinal study into the development of Australian children demonstrates that 'kids are observing, and learning their own conflict management skills, from parents', she said. It noted other research had demonstrated that children who have strong, healthy peer relationships have better mental health outcomes, manage adverse events like bullying better, and are less likely to experience loneliness in early adulthood. Other research had also shown positive peer relationships in adolescence are strongly associated with improved mental health and with motivation and engagement in learning. This part of Growing Up in Australia only considered children from the cohort whose parents were partnered, but future friendship research may be conducted with children from single-parent or separated households. The paper suggested adolescents who had been 'exposed to parent relationship unhappiness or conflict' should be offered support to learn to manage their emotions and to avoid internalising negative parental behaviour. Loading Power cautioned that while the research showed a consistent correlation between adolescents' friendships and the level of conflict or happiness of their partnered parents, this was 'definitely not the only thing that matters'. 'Any phenomenon is complex, and made up of many pieces,' she said. 'Parenting is hard, and sometimes you snap at your partner – you're not dooming your kids to a life of loneliness … [but] it helps to say all of those things do matter.' Households are under pressure from issues including the cost of living, housing availability and mental health, Power said, which can lead to hostility and conflict, but verbal adult conflict is often 'hugely difficult for children'. The project will also examine the children's romantic relationships when they are older. Loading Psychologist Sarah O'Doherty, president of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc, said children might be aware of conflict between parents from a very young age, and that it was developmentally helpful for them to understand what is going on via age-appropriate conversations. 'Later on [when they are past early childhood], it's about demonstrating through role modelling what conflict resolution looks like, and what healthy, reparative relationships can look like so the child can have corrective experiences, not just believe there is one template for relationships,' O'Doherty said. Younger generations of parents were demonstrating better communication skills around relationship conflict than might have been the case in previous generations, she said, including improved ability to apologise, be accountable and show children how conflict can be resolved in a healthy way. 'If we role model that and demonstrate it as parents, the likelihood is children might not only understand that conflict is normal, but that there are safe and healthy ways to resolve it,' she said. Daisy Potter, 18, said she felt her happy household probably did contribute to the fact that she has many healthy friendships. 'From what I learn in psychology, it gives you a lot of protective factors, a good environment, and people you can turn to when you have questions or problems,' she said. 'If that's shown to you or demonstrated in your life, I feel like you're a lot more able to deal with things. Friendships are essential … You learn through other people there to challenge your perspective and be there for you and connect with.'
