Irish adolescents don't feel they get enough support from their families and peers, but are less likely to drink or smoke, according to a new Europe-wide survey.
Irish teens rank in the bottom four countries for believing they have high support from their families.
And Ireland is in the lowest third of countries for the proportion of young people who say they have strong back-up from their peers.
The weaker emotional bonds felt by Irish teens were highlighted in the World Health Organisation's cross-national survey of young people aged between 11 and 15 years in 42 countries.
Emotional support from family and friends was highlighted as crucial in helping teenagers deal with stressful situations and buffer them against negative influences.
"Social support from peers and parents is critical for psychological wellbeing," said the report.
Source: Eilish O'Regan, Irish Independent, 16/03/16
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