Family Emotional Stability Plays a Role in Preventing Stunting

Senior psychologist and Theme Lead on Cognition Action Againts Stunting Hub (AASH), Risatianti Kolopaking, said that emotional stability in the family plays a very important role in preventing children from getting stunted.

"The stable emotional condition of parents, especially in caring for the first 1,000 Days of Life  starting from pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, to the provision of complementary foods for ASI is very crucial. If it is not fulfilled, there is a risk of causing stunting," said Risa in Jakarta, quoted from ANTARAnews, Friday (30/6/2023).

Risa said, the meaning of emotional stability in the family, as an expression of emotions that everyone has, is declared stable if the reactions are reasonable in accordance with the conditions faced so that they are able to express emotions appropriately and in control.

Within the family, emotional stability is closely related to support in the family, both between husband and wife, or relationships with other families.

"The harmonious relationship between mother and father, as well as the role of significant (other) people in the family have the potential to influence, such as mother-in-law, uncles, aunts, and others," said Risa.

Rita Anggorowati, an education practitioner who is also the Theme Lead on Education & Share Values AASH, added that emotional stability is closely related to maturing the age of marriage, planning and preparing the bride and groom for stunting prevention.

Open communication in the family must be taken as commonplace, such as acceptance, admitting mistakes, and honesty, so that problems can be managed properly and support each other no matter what the conditions are. This is able to maintain the parenting style given to children continues to run well.

For example, when conducting research in schools, a unique phenomenon was found whereby children whose fathers actively took part in many parenting roles tended to be more confident and consume relatively healthier foods.

“This is an important matter. The educational environment is in filling the void of psychosocial stimulation in the family, especially for disadvantaged children with non-ideal family conditions," she said.

Previously, BKKBN's Director of Family Development for Toddlers and Children, Irma Ardiana, said the government had started conducting a five-year survey to monitor the emotional condition of families in Indonesia since 2021 through the Family Development Index (i-Bangga).

i-Bangga could define what factors cause the potential for stress in the family to increase. For example, the post-pandemic effects, both in terms of the economy, education, employment, including parenting.

Irma said the 2022 Indonesian Nutrition Status Survey (SSGI) showed that the prevalence of stunting was still at 21.6 percent. Thus he hopes that there will be more and more researches in Indonesia regarding editing and intervention.