Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
A new study by Kennedy Krieger Institute found that children with autism spectrum disorder are twice as likely to report suicidal thoughts during routine medical screenings. The study highlights the importance of implementing suicide risk screenings for all children, especially those with neurodevelopmental disorders.
A review and meta-analysis of 17 studies found a significant increase in cannabis vaping among adolescents in the US and Canada. The study reported nearly 200,000 participants, with a doubling of reported vaping prevalence over the eight-year period.
A study of 702 Swedish adolescents aged 15–19 found that 54.3% were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, with many citing a desire to protect others. Anxiety about vaccination and misinformation from parents contributed to reluctance.
Two studies confirm that COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduces both COVID-19 hospitalization rates and severe illnesses among adolescents aged 12-18. A CDC-supported study found two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to be 93% effective in preventing COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Experts warn of a crisis in sex education due to the continued creation and endorsement of abstinence-only curricula. Comprehensive sex education is proven to promote sexual health among adolescents, but its delivery has declined over the last 25 years.
The study shows that COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness is substantial in adolescents, with a 93% decrease in symptomatic cases and a 90% decrease in documented infections after the second dose. Vaccine effectiveness was lower but still significant before the second dose.
A new study found that adolescents' experiences with police can negatively impact their future orientation, leading to reduced educational and career aspirations. The research, conducted by the American Society of Criminology, analyzed data from 1,354 serious offenders and found that even positive interactions with police can create co...
A study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases found that children can carry high levels of live, replicating SARS-CoV-2 virus in their respiratory secretions, with no correlation between age and viral load. The researchers also noted that viral loads are highest early in the illness in both symptomatic and asymptomatic children.
A new study investigates the experiences of Hispanic/Latinx youth during the pandemic, identifying seven themes related to racism, family support, and coping mechanisms. The research suggests that cultural factors may offer important protection against COVID-19-related stressors.
A new study reveals that childhood adversity is a major contributor to early and preventable causes of mortality and long-term physical and mental health issues. Childhood adversity was found to be associated with elevated risk for chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer.
A recent study published in British Journal of Psychiatry found that adolescents diagnosed with mental health disorders are more likely to be excluded from education and labor market for at least five years. The results highlight the importance of timely treatment and rehabilitation to prevent social exclusion.
A phase II clinical trial has shown that the DNA alkylation drug DM-CHOC-PEN improved survival in adolescent and young adult patients with central nervous system cancers. The treatment was well-tolerated, with no severe toxicities observed, and showed potential for combination with other treatments.
A recent study found that HPV vaccine hesitancy has either stabilized or increased in some ethnic and age groups, highlighting the need for targeted campaigns to encourage hesitant families. The study also identified several reasons why parents hesitate to vaccinate their children with the HPV vaccine.
Research finds that at-risk teen girls who have experienced sexual abuse are more likely to be cyberbullied and experience heightened offline sexual activities. Targeted intervention strategies using algorithm-based approaches could help these teens navigate the Internet safely.
Researchers discovered structural differences in brain regions responsible for decision-making and empathy in adolescents with conduct disorder compared to their unaffected siblings. These findings suggest that small changes in brain function may contribute to the development of antisocial behavior in some siblings.
Researchers found that depressed adolescents' brains reduce activity in brain areas related to visual processing when shown distressing images. Antidepressant treatment restored brain activity to healthy levels, suggesting a potential vulnerability in adolescent brains.
Researchers at UIC will evaluate the effectiveness of integrated behavioral health care coordination on mental health outcomes for teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The study aims to identify better care coordination models to reduce barriers to access to behavioral health care for this vulnerable population.
A new study of over 17,000 participants found that sibling bullying in early adolescence is associated with poorer mental health outcomes in late adolescence. The research suggests that prevention and clinical interventions aimed at reducing sibling bullying can benefit from improving positive mental health during late adolescence.
A Rutgers University study found that teenagers whose fathers are behind on paying child support suffer from more behavioral problems than those with other types of parental debt. Child support debt can lead to negative consequences for adolescent outcomes, including increased conflict and reduced physical and mental health.
A study of 604 Canadian teens found that high grades lead to higher perfectionism, which can result in anxiety, depression, and decreased motivation. Experts call for parents and educators to foster environments of self-acceptance and acknowledge successes, rather than pushing for perfection.
A new study published in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health found that eating well is associated with better mental wellbeing in children. Children who consumed five or more portions of fruit and veg a day had the highest scores for mental wellbeing.
A parent-led therapy for early signs of autism has significantly reduced the likelihood of an autism diagnosis at age three. The iBASIS-VIPP program uses video-feedback to support social development and unique abilities, resulting in increased parental sensitivity and language development.
A study published in ERJ Open Research reveals a rise in smoking and vaping among Irish teens, undermining the country's efforts to become tobacco-free by 2025. The research suggests that e-cigarette use is linked to an increased risk of smoking, particularly among teenagers.
A study found that oxcarbazepine, a commonly prescribed anti-seizure medication, is associated with a higher risk of fractures in children with epilepsy. The research team examined the effects of levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine on bone fragility in children between the ages of four and 13.
A new study from McGill University reveals that delaying school start times can help reduce stress and improve coping skills in teenagers during times of crisis. The research found that allowing teens to follow their natural sleep-wake cycle led to improved mental health outcomes.
A new study found that psychological interventions can have a significant effect on the treatment of subthreshold depression in adolescents. The meta-analysis showed that approximately eight adolescents need to be treated to see one more positive outcome than no treatment, with moderate effects size.
A recent study found that Black youth in California have significantly higher rates of injuries caused by law enforcement than their non-Black peers. The researchers used California emergency department and hospitalization data to examine the overall rates of such incidents.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open analyzed the relationship between marijuana legalization and adolescent use, finding no significant association. The researchers used updated estimates from survey data, concluding that state-level marijuana legalization does not impact teenage marijuana use.
A review of 29 studies with nearly 20,000 participants reveals an association between police exposure and adverse health outcomes for Black youth. The current body of evidence suggests that police contact may be a significant risk factor for poor health and well-being in this demographic.
New research found that COVID-19 infection does not significantly impact lung function in young adults, including those with asthma. Lung function in children and adolescents also appears to be unimpaired after infection, apart from severe cases.
A recent study of over 700 Peruvian adolescents during the COVID-19 lockdown found that teenagers who interacted positively online reported less loneliness and better well-being. The quality of their online interactions, such as chatting with friends and relatives, was a key factor in reducing loneliness.
A new USC study found a link between 'forever chemicals' and changes in glucose metabolism in Latina girls, potentially increasing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers measured the impact of PFAS on glucose metabolism over time among adolescents and young adults.
A study of 277 drug-naive adolescents found a link between fingertip advanced glycation end products and the trajectory of psychotic symptoms. Baseline levels of these compounds predicted the risk of persistent psychotic symptoms, suggesting their involvement in the pathophysiology of early psychosis.
Researchers found a significant increase in suicidal thoughts and behaviors among children and teens during the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency department encounters for these individuals also saw a substantial rise, highlighting the need for improved mental health support services.
A study of rural schoolchildren found that behaviors leading to obesity decreased on school days compared to non-school days, while activity levels increased. The researchers recommend structured programs or schedules for children on non-school days to combat obesogenic behaviors.
Severe eczema was associated with symptoms of depression and internalizing behaviors throughout childhood and adolescence. The observational study included 11,000 children from the United Kingdom.
A new study found that recreational marijuana legalization may increase the risk of alcohol and marijuana co-use among adolescents in California. The study suggests that restricting access to retail outlets, hours of operation, advertising, and imposing higher taxes on products may help reduce this negative public health effect.
Middle school teachers who praised students more often than reprimanding them saw a significant improvement in class-wide on-task behavior, with some classrooms experiencing improvements of up to 60-70%. The study also found that high-risk students benefited from increased praise, leading to improved grades and reduced behavioral issues.
The need for public engagement on menstrual health is emphasized by a commentary in JAMA, highlighting the importance of sufficient funding and research. Menstrual equity is recognized as a human rights and public health issue with significant disparities affecting schoolgirls, women, and those experiencing homelessness.
The prevalence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes among US children and teens rose significantly from 2001 to 2017. Researchers estimated an increase in diabetes cases across all age groups during this period, with the largest increases seen among younger populations.
Adolescents in the US showed stable overall drug use rates during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, but nicotine and prescription misuse increased, while alcohol use decreased. The study monitored 7,842 adolescents and found heightened stress, depression, and anxiety associated with youth substance abuse.
Higher maternal weight during pregnancy may be associated with poorer offspring brain development into adolescence. The observational study found a positive correlation between maternal weight and brain development in offspring, suggesting potential long-term effects on cognitive function.
A new study by University of Houston researchers suggests that maximizing sleep can offer psychological benefit to adolescents in this at-risk group. The study found that experiences of neglect in childhood were associated with mental health symptoms, but this relation was weakened in the presence of high sleep duration.
A study of over 11,000 elementary school students found Black children are 3.5 times more likely to receive detentions or suspensions than their white peers, even after controlling for socioeconomic factors. This disparity suggests individual biases and systemic racism may be contributing to the findings.
A study found that seating students next to each other boosted their tendency to become friends, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or educational achievement. The number of friendships increased more for similar versus dissimilar pairs of students, with gender being the main driver of this pattern.
The study analyzed 444 cancer treatment trials and found that 8.4% of patients enrolled were in the 15-39 age range, more than double the national average. AYA patients were also found to be more racially and ethnically diverse than older patients.
A new study by the Prevention Research Center found that California's T21 law has positive public health effects on adolescent tobacco and nicotine use. The law is associated with reduced use among students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, particularly among Hispanic and Asian youth.
A new study found that depression and anxiety symptoms have doubled in children and adolescents globally during the pandemic. The study recommends prioritizing recovery planning now to mitigate sustained mental health effects.
A study of 4,661 Finnish children found that six hours of physical activity per week reduces the risk of being overweight at age 14 associated with heavy digital media use. Physical activity appears to reverse adverse effects of screen time.
The study found a significant increase in child and adolescent mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The global estimates indicate that it is increasingly more common for children and adolescents to experience depressive and anxiety symptoms.
A University of Texas at Arlington researcher examines the impact of blunt smoking on teenagers, revealing heightened risks of respiratory disease, addictive behavior, and mental health disorders. The study also finds that blunt use can act as a gateway to other tobacco and nicotine products.
New research at Penn State found that close, supportive relationships with parents, especially dads, can help stave off certain adjustment problems during adolescence. The study showed that father-adolescent intimacy was associated with fewer depressive symptoms and weight concerns across most of adolescence.
According to Nemours Children's Health, over 21.5% of teen ER patients screened showed symptoms of severe depression, while 7.8% reported suicidal thoughts during the pandemic. This finding underscores the need for increased vigilance and support for adolescent mental health.
Researchers studied how adolescent experiences of racial, ethnic, national origin, and other marginalized identities are associated with negative health, mental health, and violence outcomes. The study found a significant link between these experiences and poorer outcomes among adolescents.
A new three-paper series published in The Lancet calls for immediate action to prioritize research and public health measures to improve physical activity worldwide. The authors highlight the need to address inadequate support for adolescents and people living with disabilities, who are disproportionately affected by physical inactivity.
A study published in Pediatrics found that healthcare providers rarely discuss sexual health with adolescents, despite their importance for preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. The researchers identified gaps between parent and adolescent perceptions of the need for these discussions.
A new study from Université de Montréal found that sexually diverse youths with depression are more likely to use cannabis. The study analyzed data from over 1,500 adolescent participants and found a fivefold stronger association between depressive symptoms and increased cannabis use in LGB youth.
A study of 3,568 children aged 9-15 found that proximity to woodlands was linked to better cognitive development and lower risk of emotional problems. Higher exposure to woodland was associated with higher scores in cognitive development and a 16% lower risk of emotional and behavioural problems.
A new UK study found that around 1 in 20 children hospitalized with COVID-19 develop brain or nerve complications linked to the viral infection. The research identified a wide spectrum of neurological complications in children and suggests they may be more common than in adults admitted with COVID-19.
A study found that adolescent girls and young women in Africa consistently used daily oral PrEP and monthly dapivirine vaginal ring to prevent HIV. The results exceeded expectations, with 97% of participants using the products, indicating high acceptability and adherence.