Section 3: Demographic profile 3.6 Diversity of children, and parents/guardians and grandparents Children, and parents/guardians and grandparents were each provided with five statements about their background and diversity and were asked to indicate which of them were ‘true for you’. Respondents could choose multiple options and were also provided with the option to select ‘none of the above’. 2,686 (59%) children responded that none of the five statements were true for them. 1,076 children selected at least one of these statements, 323 selected two statements, 38 selected three statements, 1 selected four statements and 2 selected all five statements. 566 children did not select any of these statements (did not answer question). 2,192 (78%) parents/guardians and grandparents responded that none of the five statements were true for them. 525 selected at least one of these statements, 62 selected two statements, 12 selected three statements and 1 selected five statements. 35 did not select any of these statements (did not answer question). The responses to these questions may underrepresent the diversity of those participating in the surveys as they were not asked to indicate whether they would prefer not to say and could simply choose not to answer. In the children’s survey, 13% of children stated that they come from a specific cultural or ethnic background, and 12% indicated that they mainly speak another language other than English at home. In the parents/guardians and grandparent’s survey, 9% of parents/guardians and grandparents identified as having a specific cultural or ethnic background and 3% indicated that they mainly speak another language other than English at home. Across both surveys, 4% of children and 4% of parents/guardians and grandparents stated that they are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. These figures show that the survey demographics are slightly different from the national average (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 3.2% of the Australian population,14 and 6% of the total child population in Australia).15 7% of children stated that they have a disability. This matches the national average for children—7% of children in Australia have some level of disability, as at 2020.16 6% of parents/ guardians and grandparents also stated that they have a disability. Figure 7: Diversity of children, and parents/guardians and grandparents Children I come from a specific cultural or ethnic background 604 (13%) I mainly speak a language other than English at home 554 (12%) 297 (7%) I have a disability I am Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander 199 (4%) I recently came to Australia from another country 196 (4%) Parents/guardians and grandparents I come from a specific cultural or ethnic background 249 (9%) 181 (6%) I have a disability I am Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander I mainly speak a language other than English at home I recently came to Australia from another country 99 (4%) 96 (3%) 65 (2%) 3.7 Surveys completed by parents/guardians and grandparents on behalf of their children 884 (38%) parents/guardians and grandparents answered the survey questions on behalf of their children. The demographic profile of this group generally reflects that of the general sample of parents/ guardians and grandparents responding to the survey (see Table 3). The main difference found in the demographic information collected was that those completing the survey on behalf of their child were more likely to be mothers (79%) compared with those who did not complete a survey on behalf of their child (72%). 30 | Additionally, parents/guardians and grandparents were more likely to complete the survey for boys and younger children aged 9–11 when comparing the demographic profile of children whose parents completed the survey on their behalf with the profile of children who completed them independently (see Table 4). The results of the surveys completed by parents/guardians and grandparents on behalf of children and those completed independently by children are reported separately throughout the report as the perceptions of each group are likely to be informed by different considerations. ‘Mental health shapes my life’: COVID-19 & kids’ wellbeing • 2022 | 31