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  • Social connections
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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:

The number of families with children under 18 years who have family and community support as a proportion of respondents.

Main findings

• In 2006, over 88% of families with children aged under 18 years had family and community support.
• Families living in low socioeconomic areas were substantially less likely to have family and community support compared with those living in high socioeconomic areas.

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.

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