Almost Nine in Ten Irish Parents Say Their Teen Feels Stressed Every Week

The bags are packed, the new runners are on and the house is — briefly — quiet again. But while parents across Ireland might be exhaling this week, a new survey suggests our teenagers are doing the opposite.

A nationwide study carried out for Zenflore Teen has found that 89% of parents in Ireland believe their teenager feels stressed on a weekly basis. That’s almost nine in ten of us watching our kids carry a weight that, honestly, we sometimes don’t fully see until it spills over at the kitchen table.

So what’s actually stressing them out?

It probably won’t come as a shock that schoolwork and homework top the list, cited by half (50%) of parents as the biggest source of pressure for their teens. For parents of children who are very stressed, that figure climbs to 55%. Social media came in second at 34%, followed closely by friendships at 33% and worries about future plans or college at 30%.

The data paints a picture most of us recognise. Teenagers today are managing a juggle that looks very different to the one we remember — group chats running at all hours, college CAO points looming earlier than ever, and the constant background hum of comparison culture online.

For parents of teens who are very stressed, the signs are hard to miss. The survey found that 50% of this group experience irritability and mood swings, 48% show increased anxiety and worry and — perhaps most concerningly — 43% of parents said their teenager had missed school because of stress.

What actually helps

Here’s where the survey offers something useful. When it comes to easing teen stress, talking to parents came out on top, with 39% of parents of stressed teenagers saying that’s what makes a real difference. Which is worth sitting with for a moment — in a world of apps and quick fixes, just being available still matters enormously.

Other coping strategies identified in the survey included:

• Listening to music (37%)

• Exercise or sport (33%)

• Talking to friends (28%)

Educator Tadgh O’Donovan, known to many parents and teens through his social media presence as Teach With Tadgh, offered some grounded advice for the new term.

Tadgh O’Donovan

“The back-to-school period can cause a significant amount of stress with teenagers coming off the back of stress-free summers,” he said. “There are many different coping mechanisms and each will vary from person to person. We often recommend a good mix between exercise, good nutrition, socialising and consistent sleep. The most important thing is to have a consistent and healthy routine.”

He also flagged something that doesn’t always get enough attention in these conversations — the connection between gut health and mental wellbeing. “It’s important to look after ourselves, especially our gut, because the gut and brain talk to each other. That often explains why stress can upset your tummy and why gut health can affect your mood.” If you’re wondering whether supplements might play a role for your teenager, Tadgh’s advice is straightforward: speak to your local pharmacist, who can point you in the right direction for your child’s individual needs.

What can parents do right now?

The survey’s findings are a useful reminder that the back-to-school rush isn’t just logistical — it’s emotional. Getting the lunches sorted and the books covered is the easy part. The harder work is keeping the lines of communication open when teenagers are most likely to shut down.

A few things worth trying as the new term gets going:

• Keep mealtimes as screen-free and low-pressure as possible — connection happens in the small moments

• Don’t push for big conversations straight after school; teenagers often open up later in the evening or at bedtime

• Encourage movement, even if it’s just a walk — the data backs it up

• Take sleep seriously; consistent bedtimes make a measurable difference to mood and resilience

• If things feel beyond the normal back-to-school adjustment, your GP or pharmacist is always a good first port of call

None of this is a magic formula. But knowing that 89% of us are navigating some version of this at the same time? That’s at least something — a reminder that you’re not alone in it, and neither is your teenager.

The Zenflore Teen Stress Survey was commissioned by Precision Biotics and is based on 502 responses from parents with teenage children in Ireland.