Are the Kids All Right? A Look at Flourishing among School-age Children and Youth in Minnesota

Abstract

Flourishing is a state characterized by positive social and behavioral functioning in children, which can be influenced by family, health care, and community factors. The National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) provides an opportunity to describe characteristics of the children who are—and are not yet—flourishing at the state level. Using the 2016-2017 NSCH to calculate prevalence estimates and odds ratios (ORs), this study examined parents’ perspectives on Minnesota children aged 6–17 in households, and explored select child, family, and health care correlates. The findings indicate that 41.4% of children in the state met flourishing criteria. Unadjusted ORs demonstrated differences in flourishing by child, family, and health care characteristics; after accounting for relevant covariates, parent-child connectedness, family resilience during difficult times, medical home status, and encountering adverse childhood experiences remained significantly associated with flourishing. Through highlighting factors predictive of parent-perceived flourishing, this study outlines potential insights for intervention that could accelerate child and adolescent well-being in Minnesota.