With new worries, doubts and uncertainties, new and aspiring parents often feel disoriented and confused, with many question marks, overwhelmed by an excess of information and advice that is often unsolicited. Six out of 10 new parents would like psychological support, but only 4% turn to a professional. Even though more than 84% would still have a child again if they could go back, more than half (59%) say that it is difficult to be a parent even if, despite all the difficulties, 69% feel sufficiently supported by their partner in parenting duties.
This is the snapshot taken by ‘Genitori ai primi passi’, the first Nestlé survey developed in Italy together with Unobravo and with the technical support of the YouGov platform. The survey – as stated in a note – investigated the needs, difficulties, fears and emotions of over 1,100 new parents or those intending to become parents, also investigating their physical and mental well-being and the support they receive from outside or from their partner. In terms of health, the tendency to sacrifice one’s own well-being for that of the child emerges clearly: only 35% of mothers say they feel physically and mentally well, compared to 52% of fathers. Furthermore, despite 60% of new parents declaring their desire to have support from a psychologist to face the challenges of parenthood, only 4% actually participate in courses with professionals. Starting from this data, Nestlé has developed ‘First-time Parents’, a project that aims to study and understand the needs of new parents and, at the same time, offer concrete support by making available, in a limited number, to begin with, the first 3 free sessions for those who choose to begin a psychological support program together with Unobravo professionals. After completing the questionnaire and having had the first free introductory interview, those who decide to continue will be able to take advantage of the subsequent 3 sessions offered by the company for both individual and couple services, evaluating together with Unobravo professionals how to proceed.
The initiative is in line with the Nestlé Group’s commitment to care for and support families during the first thousand days of a child’s life. Continuing to promote proper nutrition means contributing to the improvement of physical health and general well-being, bringing a positive impact also on the emotional and mental state of each individual, starting from the first days of life.
“We know that it takes much more than good nutrition to raise healthy and happy children: this is why we launched the First Steps Parents project – says Giacomo Piantoni, Nestlé HR Director – And we wanted to involve a partner like Unobravo, an expert in this field, to make everyone understand that those of new parents are very common emotions and experiences, which need to be taken care of.
to create a system and to prevent the sense of loneliness and personal inadequacy that often causes difficult situations in all areas, from family to work”.
But who do parents mainly turn to for support? The first person they turn to for help in critical moments is their partner (67%), a figure that highlights a strong connection and trust in the relationship between parents and confirms greater gender equality compared to recent years in the sharing of family responsibilities. In fact, according to 80% of respondents, fathers are more active in taking care of their children compared to previous generations. However, it is important to support the couple more. As Valeria Fiorenza Perris, psychotherapist and clinical director of the online psychology service Unobravo, observes, “the support of those around us is important but sometimes it alone is not enough. This is why it is important to raise awareness among new parents so that they recognize the need for psychological support during such a delicate phase. Asking for and accepting help means giving yourself the opportunity to focus on what you feel and the support of a professional can offer valuable tools to face the challenges associated with parenthood”.
Among the main difficulties that a new parent must face, it emerges that only 32% of new parents, less than 1 in 3, feel they have control over the challenges they must face. This perception of little control can have a significant impact on psychological well-being, creating a circular effect: the more you perceive yourself as losing control, the more your sense of unease increases and vice versa. The situation is then combined with social and family pressures and expectations, often experienced as very high and unrealistic: almost 40% of respondents say they feel social pressure on how to raise their children and more than half (59%) feel stressed by the opinion of others. “One of the main sources of anxiety for new parents is that of an overly overwhelming responsibility – adds Perris – There is a widespread belief that everything must be perfect to welcome a child, but wanting to strive for perfection could mean chasing an unachievable condition. Instead, considering anxiety or worry as a natural part of the journey can help you project yourself into this role with serenity and – he concludes – greater security”.
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