Flourishing - Children in Massachusetts

Massachusetts

Flourishing is a measure of how well children are thriving within their family and community. It represents curiosity, resilience and self-regulation. Flourishing in children is associated with higher levels of school engagement, and attributes of flourishing have been linked to a reduced likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors and developing mood disorders. 

Many factors can influence flourishing among children, including parental capacity (such as the health of parents, their ability to cope with stress and any substance use) and family dynamics (such as parent-child relationships and family activities). Promoting flourishing at home supports childhood development and increases the likelihood of well-being and success in adulthood.

According to data from the National Survey of Children’s Health, the percentage of children who meet the criteria for flourishing is higher among:

• White children ages 6 months to 5 years compared with Black, Asian and Hispanic children of the same age. Flourishing is lowest among Asian children in this age group.
• Asian children ages 6-17 years compared with Black, white and Hispanic children of the same age. Flourishing is lowest among Black children in this age group.
• Children from higher-income families.
• Children whose parents graduated college compared with children from families with less educational attainment.
• Children without adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) compared with children with two or more ACEs.

Comprehensive interventions targeting family connection and positive parenting are recommended. Studies show that family resilience and connection have a positive association with child flourishing, even among those who have experienced ACEs or other adversities. 

Child Trends — a leading research organization in the United States — identifies 10 components that support flourishing among children:

1. Positive parenting skills.
2. Conflict-resolution skills within families.
3. Social support for parents.
4. Community cohesion.
5. Access to contraception and family planning resources.
6. Family routines.
7. Community safety.
8. Availability of high-quality early child care and education.
9. Relevant, high-quality, culturally appropriate and available local services, including transportation.
10. Jobs that pay parents a living wage.

Healthy social and emotional development during early childhood is needed to help children flourish. Creating a safe and loving home environment where children can play, sing and talk openly supports emotional, behavioral, social and cognitive growth in children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers positive parenting tips for raising children and adolescents, and provides guidance on identifying developmental delays through milestone checklists.

Bethell, Christina D., Narangerel Gombojav, and Robert C. Whitaker. “Family Resilience And Connection Promote Flourishing Among US Children, Even Amid Adversity.” Health Affairs 38, no. 5 (May 2019): 729–37. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05425.

Jones, Damon E., Mark Greenberg, and Max Crowley. “Early Social-Emotional Functioning and Public Health: The Relationship Between Kindergarten Social Competence and Future Wellness.” American Journal of Public Health 105, no. 11 (November 2015): 2283–90. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2015.302630.

Kim, TaeEung, Chang-Yong Jang, and Minju Kim. “Socioecological Predictors on Psychological Flourishing in the US Adolescence.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 21 (October 28, 2020): 7917. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217917.

Moore, Kristin Anderson, Christina D. Bethell, David Murphey, Miranda Carver Martin, and Martha Beltz. “Flourishing From the Start: What Is It and How Can It Be Measured?” Research Brief. Bethesda, MD: Child Trends, March 2017. https://www.childtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2017-16FlourishingFromTheStart-1.pdf.

Waigel, Nicole C., and Viviana N. Lemos. “A Systematic Review of Adolescent Flourishing.” Europe’s Journal of Psychology 19, no. 1 (February 28, 2023): 79–99. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.6831.