NPSC revamps parenting support strategy survey reveals growing disconnect from children

A newly released national survey has revealed a troubling decline in parent-child relationships in Jamaica, prompting the National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) to intensify efforts aimed at helping families reconnect through more targeted and strategic interventions.

Findings from the 2026 Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) show that Jamaican parents are increasingly disconnected from their children’s lives, a trend the NPSC says confirms concerns it has been raising for years.

The survey, conducted by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in collaboration with the National Council on Drug Abuse, surveyed 3,058 students in grades seven to 12. It found that only 25.9 per cent of students felt their parents understood their problems and worries, a significant decline from 31.9 per cent in 2010 and 31.3 per cent in 2017.