Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that brief parent-targeted interventions can increase parent-teen communication about sexual and alcohol-related behavior. Parent-reported frequency did not differ by group.
Massachusetts kids experienced a doubling of cannabis-related poison control calls after medical marijuana was legalized, with single-substance exposure increasing 140% and edible products linked to most age groups. The study calls for stronger regulations to prevent unintentional exposure among young children and enhanced efforts to p...
A global study found that bullying victimization is associated with a three-fold increased risk of suicide attempts among young adolescents. The study, which analyzed data from 48 countries, also found that the duration and frequency of bullying are key factors in predicting suicidal behavior.
A study of almost 10,000 adolescents found that frequent social media use in teenage girls is linked to increased psychological distress, lower life satisfaction, and greater anxiety. Cyberbullying, sleep disruptions, and reduced physical activity are key mechanisms behind these findings.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 128,000 participants found a significant association between e-cigarette use and increased risk of marijuana use among adolescents and young adults. The study suggests that e-cigarette use may be a gateway to marijuana use, particularly among vulnerable populations.
A new study found that young adults in Asia have the shortest sleep duration, averaging 6 hours and 30 minutes per night. The researchers suggest that cultural factors, such as high work demands and limited leisure time, contribute to this trend.
A new study found that nearly one in eight female adolescents between ages 14 and 19 experienced reproductive coercion, a form of abuse where a woman is pressured to become pregnant against her wishes. The study also highlights the need for clinicians to understand how to spot relationship abuse in younger patients.
A randomized clinical trial compared a technology-enhanced community health nursing intervention to standard care for female adolescents and young adults with pelvic inflammatory disease. The study found that the tech-enhanced intervention may offer improved medication adherence and treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that a short online growth mindset intervention improved key predictors of high school graduation and college success, especially when supported by a school culture. Lower-achieving students earned higher grade points in core academic subjects and were more likely to take harder classes.
A study of adolescent substance use reveals that context plays a crucial role in decision-making about simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use. Adolescents choose to use substances based on how the physiological effects will fit with the social, physical, and situational characteristics of the context.
A new study found that many Indigenous North American youth experience depressive symptoms during adolescence, with risk factors including discrimination and early puberty. The study identified four developmental patterns of depressive symptoms, with nearly 33% of participants meeting criteria for alcohol-use disorder.
A study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that children and adolescents born with HIV are less likely to adhere to their medications as they age. The prevalence of detectable viral load, a factor associated with nonadherence, also increases with age.
A new study found that girls who were moderately to highly physically active in childhood had higher exhalation capacity and greater forced expiratory volume than their inactive peers. The research suggests that promoting physical activity in childhood may have long-term benefits for respiratory health, particularly in adolescent girls.
A new study suggests that measuring both birthweight and length provides a more accurate indication of fetal growth and future cardiovascular risk. A low ponderal index or body mass index at birth is associated with an increased risk of heart problems later in life.
A recent pilot study led by the University of Washington found that art-based mindfulness activities significantly reduced adolescent girls' headaches, with an average decrease of 4.63 headaches per two-week period. The students reported feeling better in the moment and improved ability to handle stress.
A study published in Brain Injury found that nearly three-quarters of traumatic brain injuries in children under 19 are caused by consumer products. Beds are a leading cause of non-fatal head injuries in infants, while contact sports pose the greatest risk to older children.
A study found that an intervention increasing sense of social belonging reduced disciplinary incidents, failing grades and absences by 34%, 18% and 12%, respectively among middle-school students.
This systematic review and meta-analysis found parent-based interventions associated with improved condom use and parent-child sexual communication in adolescents. The findings were generally modest, but there was a significant association across studies.
A new meta-analysis of 31 studies found that parent-based interventions increase condom use among adolescents and have specific features that enhance their effectiveness. These include targeting younger adolescents, culturally specific programs, equal involvement of parents and teens, and longer program durations.
A study found a statistically significant association between BRCA2 mutations and increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in children. Additionally, BRCA2 mutations were not associated with an increased risk of Hodgkin lymphoma.
Researchers at the University of Chichester developed a new method to assess complex simultaneous emotions in adolescents using an Analogue Emotion Scale. The study found that adolescents experience mixed emotions both simultaneously and sequentially, with different emotional pairs affecting their feelings.
Researchers discovered a connection between cortisol levels in hair and depression risk in teens, with low cortisol levels also linked to mental health struggles. Family support was found to reduce depressive symptoms in adolescents.
A new study found that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be successful for youth with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), regardless of whether they have hoarding symptoms. The presence of hoarding symptoms did not negatively impact treatment response to CBT in children and adolescents.
Adolescents who skip breakfast tend to have higher waist circumference and body mass index, indicating an increased risk of weight gain. The study suggests that skipping breakfast can contribute to unhealthy habits and behaviors, potentially making adolescents more vulnerable to obesity.
Research by Irene Perini at Linköping University found that adolescent girls who self-injure believe they receive more negative feedback than actuality, leading to lower liking for themselves and others. This bias affects their brain's salience network, particularly associated with emotions and reflection.
A recent study found that nearly 11% of high school seniors reported misusing prescription drugs in the past year, with 44% relying on multiple sources. This increases the risk of substance use disorders and other issues.
Research from Duke Health suggests that new e-cigarette laws could have unintended consequences on existing users, leading them to smoke more traditional tobacco cigarettes. The study found that limiting flavors or customizability of e-cigarettes might cause some users to increase their use of traditional cigarettes.
A new study by University of Montreal scientists reveals that social media use and television viewing are associated with increased adolescent depressive symptoms. The study found that teens who spent more time on social media and in front of the TV experienced more severe depression over a four-year period.
A new study found that videogames, as part of an emotional intelligence training program, can enhance teenagers' evaluation and expression of emotions. The game, EmotivaMente, was designed to promote emotional intelligence among adolescents and showed promising results in this area.
A new study reveals that school suspensions are not only ineffective but also increase subsequent offending behaviors, including assault, stealing, and selling drugs. The research found that exclusionary discipline amplifies deviant behavior among youth, leading to higher crime rates in schools, neighborhoods, and communities.
Researchers found that intranasal insulin delivery improves performance on memory tasks and increases brain connectivity in adolescents with high BMI. The study suggests that obesity-related cognitive impairment can be reversed by intranasal insulin.
A longitudinal study found that derisive parenting, characterized by belittling expressions, fosters dysregulated anger in adolescent children, increasing their risk for bullying and victimization. This type of parenting, often overlooked, is a unique form of parenting that contributes to peer difficulties.
A study found that adolescents who non-medically used prescription opioids were more likely to develop a heroin use disorder. The study analyzed data from over 10,000 students and discovered a significant association between early opioid use and later heroin use.
Adolescents exposed to high levels of pesticides are at increased risk of depression, according to a new study. The study found that lower levels of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which measure pesticide exposure, were associated with more symptoms of depression in teens.
A whole brain imaging study found that excess grey matter in the brain can predict escalating drinking behavior in teens. Teens with more grey matter in certain regions were more likely to increase their drinking habits over time.
Conduct disorder is a highly impairing psychiatric disorder that requires improved diagnosis and treatment. The condition is associated with a seven times greater health burden than ADHD and is linked to depression, anxiety, and substance abuse in children. Correct diagnosis and management can improve patient well-being and life chances.
A new study published in the journal Emotion found that teenagers who can precisely label their negative emotions are better protected against developing depressive symptoms. This ability, known as negative emotion differentiation (NED), helps individuals regulate their emotions and respond to stressful life events more effectively.
Conduct Disorder is associated with an exceptionally high individual, societal, and economic burden, seven times greater than attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. If left untreated, CD can lead to negative consequences, including adult outcomes of antisocial or borderline personality disorder, criminal behavior, and gang involvement.
A new systematic review highlights gaps in understanding cancer among LGBTI adolescents and young adults, who face barriers to health services. Researchers propose a Call to Action to reduce these disparities and improve cancer care for this at-risk population.
Adverse mental health outcomes, including anxiety and poor sleep scores, were associated with concerns over US immigration policy among Latinx adolescents. High scores on an assessment tool indicating worries about immigration policy were also linked to adverse outcomes.
Researchers found that most amygdala neurons mature rapidly during adolescence, suggesting a key role in emotional development. However, some neurons remain immature throughout life, offering new insights into how the brain maintains emotional responses flexibility.
A new study found that early and regular cannabis use by youth is associated with alterations in brain circuits that support cognitive control. Chronic cannabis use may lead to reduced activation in the frontostriatal circuits that govern cognitive control and conflict resolution.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that high school seniors' confidence in law enforcement declined significantly between 2006 and 2017, while their faith in religious organizations and schools remained relatively stable. The researchers also discovered racial and ethnic disparities in trust, with black t...
Research papers examine global cigarette consumption patterns and vaping among adolescents, emphasizing the importance of robust data reporting and effective tobacco control policies. Investments in low- and middle-income countries are crucial to combat industry attempts to delay public health policies.
A study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that autistic adolescents need the support of their parents or guardians to prioritize independence and develop life skills before learning to drive. Driving instructors emphasize the importance of parent-supervised practice, individualized training, and prioritizing independent living.
A comprehensive analysis of school disciplinary practices found persistent ethnic/racial disparities, with African American students at increased risk for suspension/expulsion. Schools with higher poverty rates and diversity reported higher discipline action rates.
Researchers at UNIGE discovered that the development of the hippocampus, responsible for memory and emotions, is severely impacted in adolescence following the onset of psychotic symptoms. The study suggests that a 'second hit' later in development may determine further hippocampal atrophy and psychotic symptom emergence.
A meta-analysis of 20 studies with over 38,000 participants found a small positive correlation between video game playing and body mass in adults, but no link was established for children and teenagers. The study suggests that people who spend more time gaming may also spend less time exercising, contributing to weight gain.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 studies found associations between sexting and increased rates of sexual activity, multiple sex partners, and mental health risks like anxiety and depression among teens. Younger adolescents were more likely to experience stronger links between sexting and these outcomes.
A recent study by the Centre for Substance Use Research found that approximately 45.5% of 15-17 year olds in the US had heard or seen a JUUL, while 7.6% had used one in the past and 4.0% within the last 30 days. The research suggests that JUUL use is less prevalent amongst young people than previously thought.
Despite improvements in cancer treatment for HIV/AIDS-related cancers, adolescents and young adults continue to face disparities in survival rates by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. The study highlights the need for continued research to improve survival rates in this vulnerable age group.
A comprehensive alcohol policy can help curb adolescent alcohol use in Tanzania, where high-density outlets and advertising contribute to rising youth drinking. The study suggests that restricting outlet density, enforcing minimum drinking age laws, and using economic policies like taxation can reduce access to alcohol among adolescents.
A large community-based study of over 25,000 Iranian youths found that obesity is correlated with depression among boys but not girls. Underweight boys have an increased risk of depression, while overweight girls do. The study suggests weight management interventions should anticipate potential depression in boys.
A new study found a significant rise in Ontario adolescents visiting emergency departments for self-harm between 2009 and 2017. The rate of self-harm visits more than doubled, while mental health problem visits rose by 78% among female adolescents.
A new study reveals that obese adolescents are significantly more likely to experience bullying, with greater odds of depression, behavioral problems, and difficulty making friends. The study also found no link between obesity and being a perpetrator of bullying alone.
A new USC study suggests that viewing viral videos of police shootings and detained immigrants may be spurring mental-health issues in adolescents of color. The research found that Hispanic participants reported more depressive symptoms, while female participants reported more depressive and PTSD symptoms than male participants.
A study led by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that Madagascar girls experience significant gaps in knowledge about puberty, leading to inadequate guidance on sexuality and menstruation management. Improved toilet facilities are also needed to reduce challenges faced by girls in school.
A new Northwestern University study suggests that parents of depressed teenagers should also receive counseling to address their marital relationships and parent-child conflicts. The research found that while the teenager's depression was being treated, parental marriages and conflict remained stable, but worsened after treatment ended.
A new study found that LGBTQ adolescents who experienced weight-based victimization had increased odds of alcohol use, binge drinking, marijuana use, and cigarette use, as well as poorer self-rated health, higher depressive symptoms, and lower self-esteem.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that teenagers who didn't get enough sleep were nearly two times more likely to engage in unsafe sex than those who slept in extra hours on weekends. The researchers suggest finding a middle ground for teens and encouraging school districts to delay school start times.