Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
Researchers found that restricting screens in bedrooms and at mealtimes has the biggest impact on reducing screen time and addictive behavior. Parents who model healthy practices at home also see a decrease in their child's screen use. Limiting and monitoring screen time can reduce usage by 1.29 hours and 0.83 hours, respectively.
A literature review of neuroimaging studies found altered brain signaling in teenagers with internet addiction, affecting attention and emotional processing. The study suggests that internet addiction may impact development and well-being in adolescents.
A new study from the University of Illinois found that adolescents and their mothers preferred specific locations for discussing problems, with the house in general, bedroom, kitchen, and living room being top choices. These environments were perceived as safe spaces where conversation could flow more easily. Families also considered e...
A new study by the National Sleep Foundation finds that approximately one in six adolescent drivers have driven drowsy, leading to 1.7 million reported incidents and over 400,000 teens driving drowsy at least once a week. The majority of teens pointed to work or school schedules as factors preventing them from getting sufficient sleep.
Research from Cambridge University Press found that perceived unfair treatment by teachers is strongly associated with populist attitudes among teenagers. Girls were less likely to hold such attitudes than boys, while those with migration backgrounds and higher family affluence showed stronger populist tendencies.
A new study found that internet addiction in adolescents can lead to changes in the brain's neural networks, resulting in addictive behaviors and tendencies. The study, published in PLOS Mental Health, reviewed 12 articles involving 237 young people aged 10-19 with a formal diagnosis of internet addiction.
Longitudinal study finds that higher baseline body mass index is associated with more depressive symptoms over time. Children's cognitive performance also declines as they enter adolescence, highlighting the importance of monitoring children with overweight or obesity for depression problems.
A recent study from the University of Toronto analyzed data from 912 participants aged 16-30 and found that nearly 60% used protein bars and over half used whey protein powders. The study highlights alarming symptoms, including fatigue, digestive issues, and cardiovascular problems, with only 9.8% perceiving their use as problematic.
A study found that adolescents who slept less than 4 hours a night were two times more likely to attempt suicide, while improved sleep duration could potentially lower suicide risk among teens. Sleep moderates the association between bullying and suicide in U.S. teenagers.
A new study explores the relationship between sleep quality and ADHD symptoms in teens, revealing that household chaos and poor sleep hygiene are significant mediators. Improving daily routines and household stability can help alleviate sleep difficulties in adolescents with ADHD symptoms.
A new study found a strong correlation between social media usage and sleep duration in adolescents, with specific areas of the brain involved. The research suggests that digital engagement and poor sleep quality can alter neural reward sensitivity, potentially affecting adolescent brain development.
A Johns Hopkins Children's Center study found that social media use is associated with depression in young adults, but may not be the sole cause. Participants who were more depressed also tended to spend more time on social media, while excessive screen time was linked to lower green space exposure and cannabis use.
A real-time survey of US adolescents found that smartphone use is associated with improvements in mood, at least in the moment. The study used ecological momentary assessment and was funded by Facebook's Youth Research Fund.
York University Professor Gordon Flett highlights the importance of mattering in preventing youth suicide, linking it to feelings of being seen and heard. He argues that excessive social media use can exacerbate anti-mattering feelings, which are a key risk factor for youth suicidal ideation.
Early-life air and noise pollution exposure were associated with increased risk of psychotic experiences, depression, and anxiety from adolescence to young adulthood. Interventions to reduce pollution exposure could potentially improve population mental health.
A study by UC Davis found that schools with authoritative climates and supportive adults are linked to lower rates of hate speech among Asian American adolescents. Students in more structured environments experienced less hate speech, while those who engaged in fights were more likely to be targeted.
A study of over 9,000 participants found that small increases in fine particulate matter during pregnancy and childhood were associated with more psychotic experiences and depression symptoms later in life. Higher noise pollution exposure in childhood and teenage years was linked to increased anxiety symptoms.
A new study found that feeding children peanut products regularly from infancy to age 5 reduced the rate of peanut allergy in adolescence. The results showed a 71% reduction in peanut allergy, even when children ate or avoided peanut products later on.
Research found that 50.4% of TikTok videos advertised popular vaping brands and 45% included cannabis products. Vendors evade age restrictions by creating 'puffbundles' with non-vaping items, making it easy for minors to purchase e-cigarettes.
A large-scale study found that mental disorders can be transmitted within social networks formed by school classes. The researchers analyzed population-wide registry data and discovered a strong link between the number of classmates diagnosed with a mental disorder and an individual's risk of receiving a diagnosis later in life, partic...
A national US study finds approximately one in nine children have ever received an ADHD diagnosis, with 11.4% of children aged 3-17 currently living with the condition. The study also highlights socioeconomic and geographic factors influencing diagnosis and treatment patterns.
A recent study published in ScienceDirect found that adolescents who receive cognitive reappraisal solutions from their mothers experience more adaptive coping strategies, whereas those who receive strategizing or help-seeking solutions do not. On the other hand, children who reject or respond ambiguously to their mother's cognitive re...
A study led by University of Leeds found that children behind in development at age 4-5 were almost three times as likely to have been out of education, employment, or training at age 16-17. Early intervention by schools is crucial to reduce disadvantage in later life.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have received a $16.4 million grant to advance mental health care for children, leveraging machine learning and novel clinical measures to improve prediction, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions across childhood and adolescence. The project aims to create an actionable ...
A new study reveals that preteens are using online dating apps at an alarming rate, with LGB adolescents being 13 times more likely to report engagement. The study also found that preteen boys spend more time on screens than girls, highlighting the need for guidance and media literacy programs to mitigate risks.
The study found a substantial increase in glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) dispensing among adolescents and young adults between 2020 and 2023. This trend is particularly notable for females, emphasizing the need for targeted education on sex-specific safety risks, such as concerns during pregnancy.
A new study found that nearly 3% of healthy adolescents aged 11-15 have used commercial CBD products for medicinal or health-related reasons. The study identified predictors of commercial CBD use, including older age, certain health conditions, and parental attitudes towards cannabis use.
A new study tracks three generations of family relationships, finding that mothers' empathetic responses to their teenage children can predict the teens' empathetic behavior towards their closest friends. This long-term study highlights the importance of adolescent friendships in developing essential social skills like empathy and supp...
A recent study found that mental disorders can be transmitted within adolescent peer networks, highlighting the importance of social connections in mental health. The research suggests that these networks play a significant role in shaping mental health outcomes among adolescents.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have created a new structured clinical interview to screen for multiple sleep problems in children. This tool allows clinicians to assess children for various sleep disorders simultaneously, providing a more comprehensive view of their sleep issues.
A longitudinal study of LGBTQ+ youths found that transitioning gender identities is not associated with depression. Instead, higher rates of depression were linked to bullying and victimization. The study followed 366 young people ages 15-21 and measured depressive symptoms periodically over three years.
Adolescents with overweight or obesity may be more vulnerable to negative cognitive effects following sleep restriction. Improved sleep hygiene and duration can positively impact their cognitive health.
The study found that brain circuits associated with emotion, reward, and pain processing predicted adolescents' stress, negative emotions, and mental health. Greater robustness of the salience network conferred emotional resilience, while weaker connections in certain parts of the brain were linked to higher stress and sadness.
Researchers analyzed diets of 856 schoolchildren in Germany, finding potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by changing eating habits. However, nutrient adequacy was not optimized, highlighting the need for context-related nutritional recommendations.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive optical-acoustic imaging method using short laser pulses to create images of muscle tissue. This breakthrough technology has the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder causing muscle degeneration.
A study of over 2600 people found a significant correlation between loneliness and various mental health problems, including depression and psychosis. The researchers suggest that loneliness can increase the risk of developing these conditions, although causality cannot be determined.
A study found a dose-dependent association between adolescent body mass index and mental health, with the strongest link observed over time. The U-shaped relationship was consistent across sex and grade levels, highlighting the need for targeted interventions addressing body image and mental health.
A recent study published in the Ochsner Journal found alarming increases in daily vaping device use among US adolescents from 2015 to 2021. The percentage of EVP use increased significantly over this period, with a greater increase among girls than boys and higher rates among whites and Blacks.
A new study found that transgender preteens reported 13 hours of daily recreational screen time, which was 4.5 hours more than their cisgender peers. The researchers highlight the importance of managing the risks associated with excessive screen use for this vulnerable population.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals that harsh anti-immigrant rhetoric and actions can significantly damage parent-child relationships in Latino families, leading to a higher risk of mental health problems for the adolescents. The researchers found that one out of every four kids in US high schools are of Latin American...
A new study published in Addiction journal found that high-potency cannabis use between 16 and 18 doubles the risk of psychotic experiences from 19 to 24. Researchers analyzed data from the Children of the 90s study, which tracked over 14,000 individuals from birth to age 24.
A new study from the University of South Australia shows that young children learn about pain through reading, promoting empathy and emotional development. Reading picture books frequently prompts interactions about pain and injury, teaching valuable responses to these concepts.
Food and drink advertisements on videogame livestreaming platforms (VGLSPs) like Twitch are associated with more positive attitudes towards and purchases of unhealthy foods. Researchers call for stronger regulations to protect young viewers from the potential harms of digital food marketing.
A recent study in Brazil found that over 27% of children and adolescents suffer from musculoskeletal pain, with back and leg pain being the most common complaints. The study highlights the need for better understanding and planning of public health policy regarding treatment of chronic pain in adults.
A new study suggests that parents' monitoring of their teenagers can reduce substance use by making them think twice about it. The research found that kids are less likely to try alcohol or drugs if they believe their parents know their whereabouts.
New research found that maternal grandmothers' investment in grandchildren who experienced adverse early life experiences can significantly reduce emotional and behavioral problems. The study suggests that supportive caregiving from grandparents can protect children from negative effects of early adversity-induced behavioral issues.
A recent Finnish study discovered that high levels of sedentary behavior and low physical activity in children are associated with a higher cardiac workload and increased risk of heart disease in adolescence. Regular moderate to vigorous physical activity from childhood can help prevent these issues.
A new study found that sociodemographic variables are the most robust predictors of substance use initiation among adolescents. Factors such as religion, race, and income play a significant role in determining an adolescent's likelihood of initiating substance use.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals that children diagnosed with hypertension are at a higher risk of major adverse cardiac events later in life. Improved detection, follow-up, and control of pediatric hypertension may reduce the risk of adult cardiovascular disease.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that less than 15% of US college students can administer naloxone, a life-saving medication for opioid overdoses. Despite this, nearly 62% of students can identify signs of an overdose and nearly 67% feel comfortable calling emergency services.
A new study published by the University of Bath found that adolescents are more vulnerable to cannabis use disorder than adults, despite using cannabis less frequently. The study showed that adolescents reported greater negative impacts on daily functioning and symptoms of cannabis use disorder.
A recent study reveals significant racial and ethnic disparities in all-cause and cause-specific mortality among US youth. The findings highlight a disproportionate burden of mortality among American Indian or Alaska Native and Black youth, particularly those involving firearms.
Researchers analyzed flour and rice stored in Brazilian homes and found six mycotoxins, including aflatoxin B1 and deoxynivalenol, at high levels, posing significant health risks. The study highlights the importance of proper food storage to prevent contamination.
Researchers found that popular teens sleep less than their peers, with popular girls experiencing more insomnia symptoms. This study suggests that social context and emotional investment may contribute to sleep difficulties in popular teenagers.
Researchers will investigate sleep patterns in adolescents with TBI, explore behavioral changes in individuals with spatial neglect, and develop a caregiver training program for TBI care. The studies aim to improve treatment outcomes and rehabilitation experiences for individuals with traumatic brain injury.
Researchers validated pediatric emergency department guidelines promoting safer CT scan use, finding both predictive rules safe and effective in minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure. The study enrolled thousands of children and adolescents nationwide, showing high accuracy in identifying cases requiring immediate intervention.
A study of LGBTQ+ summer camp youth found that polyamorous teens reported higher levels of depressive symptoms than their peers. Many felt unsafe being open about their relationships in their home communities, highlighting the need for support and acceptance.
A new study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that school-entry requirements are linked to an increase in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations. The study showed that these requirements, currently only implemented in a few states, can lead to higher HPV vaccination rates among adolescents.
Researchers found a correlation between prolonged postdelivery elevation of corticosterone and behavioral changes in postpartum mice who experienced social isolation in adolescence. A novel treatment using a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist shows promise in blocking behavioral changes.
A repeated cross-sectional study of recreational marijuana laws and teen marijuana use from 1993-2021 found no evidence of an encouraging effect. The logistic regression and interaction-weighted models showed no significant association between the two variables.