Understanding & Promoting Well-being in Middle Childhood: MDI Trends & Data Dashboard - Eva Oberle, Ph.D.,

MDI Self Reported Gender, 2022/23 26,984 children in grades 6,7 and 8 completed the MDI 4% of those students identified their gender “in another way” How do children describe their gender identity? MDI 2022/23, Grades 6-8, Worries & Sadness Students who self-identified in another way reported higher levels of sadness and worries than self-identified boys and girls. [...] Sadness Worries 70% 70% 60% 56.4% 60% 53.3% 50% 50% 44.2% 40% 40% 30% 30% 22.3% 20% 17.9% 16.3% 20% 10% 10% 0% 0% In another way Girl Boy In anothor way Girl Boy In another way High Medium Low High Medium Low MDI 2022/23, Grades 6-8, Self-Esteem & Happiness Students who self-identified in another way reported lower rates of self-esteem and happiness than self-identified boys and girls. [...] Self-Esteem Happiness 70% 70% 63.7% 60% 60% 51.7% 50.6% 50% 50% 39.0% 40% 40% 30% 30% 24.2% 20% 20% 16.2% 10% 10% 0% 0% Girl Boy In another way Girl Boy In another way High Medium Low High Medium Low MDI 2022/23, Grades 6-8, Bullying Children who self-identified in another way were twice as likely to report experiencing bullying at school. [...] 19.4% 20% 10% 0% Girl Boy In another way High Medium Low School Belonging MDI 2022/23, Grades 6-8, Assets by Well-being Children Identifying Gender “In Another Way” % Thriving Assets Matter 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 0 1 2 3 4 5 Number of Reported Assets MDI 2022/23, Grades 6-8, Well-being by School Belonging Children Identifying Gender “In Another Way” % Thriving 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0. [...] MDI 2022/23, Grades 6-8, Social Media Use Social Media Use by Grade Social Media Use – Girls vs Boys 100% 100% 90% 90% 80% 80% 70% 70% 60% 60% 50% 50% 40% 40% 30% 30% 20% 20% 10% 10% 0% 0% Never < 2 hours a day 2+ hours a day Never < 2 hours a day 2+ hours a day Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Girl Boy Older children reported using social media more time each day than younger children.