Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
A yearlong program for adolescent refugee girls in Sub-Saharan Africa successfully promoted healthy transitions to adulthood, reducing reports of sexual and physical violence. The COMPASS program taught life skills geared to build girls' knowledge of violence risk factors and empower them to advocate for their rights and physical safety.
A study highlights the existence of barriers to the inclusion of 12 to 25-year-olds in both adult and paediatric early phase clinical trials. The legal minimum age limit in Europe is 18 years, preventing young patients from participating in trials designed for their tumor type.
A study by the University of Pittsburgh found that nearly a quarter of JUUL's Twitter followers are under 18, retweeting and amplifying the brand's messages to vulnerable populations. This is concerning as e-cigarette marketing can lead to nicotine addiction and increased tobacco smoking among young adults.
This study examined pod-based e-cigarette use among California adolescents and young adults, finding that most users also used other e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes. The average perceived risk of social and health risks from pod-based e-cigarettes was around 40%.
Researchers found that fostering gratitude among adolescents can decrease materialism and increase generosity. By keeping a daily journal, teens showed significant decreases in materialism and increases in gratitude, demonstrating the potential of this simple strategy to curb materialistic tendencies.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that teens and young adults who use Juul e-cigarettes fail to recognize the product's addictive potential, with some reporting addiction despite infrequent smoking. The study emphasizes the need for clear public-health messages about the risks of new types of e-cigarettes.
Researchers found that maltreated teen girls are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts due to poor mother-daughter relationships and high levels of conflict. The study, published in the journal Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, highlights the importance of relationship-based interventions for vulnerable youths.
A study of 984 children found that consistent sport participators had significantly greater whole body and leg bone mineral content at age 20. Females who participated regularly also showed improved leg bone mineral content, highlighting the long-term benefits of childhood sports participation.
Young adults exposed to cannabis during adolescence show altered brain structure and gene expression related to psychosis risk. The study suggests that adolescent cannabis use can induce long-term changes in brain cells and gene networks, potentially increasing psychiatric vulnerability.
The Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health program supports junior faculty members Melanie Kornides and Jennifer Lewey to pursue research projects on sex differences and women's health. C. Alix Timko continues her second year of a BIRCWH-sponsored study on adolescent eating disorders.
Researchers at USC and the Los Angeles Cancer Surveillance Program found that 15- to 39-year-olds have the best survival rate among any age group for many years. The analysis adjusted for Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphomas, which were linked to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the US.
Researchers analyzed data from a province-wide survey of over 300,000 girls and found no correlation between HPV vaccination and increased risky sexual behaviors. The percentage of girls reporting ever having sex decreased, while the proportion engaging in intercourse before age 14 declined and condom use increased.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that sexual minority adolescents are at a greater risk of attempted suicide compared to their heterosexual peers. The study estimated over 2.3 million heterosexual and 113,468 sexual minority adolescents from 35 studies conducted in 10 countries.
A Mayo Clinic study found that firearms were involved in 85% of first-time youth suicides, resulting in high lethality rates. The study also revealed that prior mental health concerns were absent in 41.2% of youth index attempters.
A randomized controlled study found that a sexual education and skills-building program reduced the risk of new STIs by 45% among black girls aged 14 to 18. The adapted program, IMARA, will be tested in South Africa with 525 daughter-female caregiver pairs.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that adolescent cannabis use is associated with impairments in learning, memory, attention, and decision-making, as well as lower academic performance. The research team followed a large sample of high school students over four years to investigate the complex relatio...
To achieve an 80% HPV vaccination rate by 2026, 14.39 million more US adolescents will need to receive the vaccine, with a disproportionate burden among males, whites, and privately insured teens. The majority of those who haven't been vaccinated yet had opportunities to do so during wellness visits.
Adolescents who vape are more likely to start smoking cigarettes and increase their use of both products over time. The study suggests that teens don't substitute vaping for cigarettes, but rather use both products more frequently as they get older.
A multi-center study of adolescents reveals that bariatric surgeries like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy lead to substantial weight loss, while adjustable banding is less effective. The study, which included 544 teens, found comparable weight loss outcomes for gastric bypass and sleeve procedures.
A study of 10th-graders in Los Angeles finds that most teens who have tried marijuana use it in multiple forms, including smokable, edible, and vaporized products. The research raises concerns about the health implications of cannabis use among adolescents amid a growing market with sleek packaging and health benefits claims.
A survey of 10th-graders in Los Angeles found that most who had ever used cannabis also used multiple types of the drug. Combustible, edible, and vaporized products were popular among adolescents, with many using multiple methods to administer the drug.
A Penn Nursing study found that parents with lower education levels were more likely to access a web-based health program, but still struggled with computer and internet access. The research highlights the need for culturally sensitive digital health resources to address health disparities among Puerto Rican adolescents.
Researchers found specific physical changes to axons speed up neural transmission, leading to higher cognitive abilities. Axon myelination increased significantly during adolescence, corresponding with a dramatic increase in signal conduction velocity.
A new study found that teenagers exposed to TV and film violence and high levels of household conflict are at risk of engaging in aggressive behaviors. Parental monitoring is a strong protective factor against aggression, even when combined with other risk factors.
Researchers analyzed 214 studies on 91,338 adolescents to find that racial and ethnic discrimination influences all aspects of daily life and well-being. Discrimination is linked to poorer mental health, lower academic achievement, and more negative behaviors.
Researchers at MassGeneral Hospital for Children found that microglia play a crucial role in shaping behavior during adolescence, with different effects in males and females. The study suggests that this process could improve understanding of normal behavioral changes and neuropsychiatric disorders that emerge during adolescence.
Research conducted by the University of Otago has found that New Zealand teenagers are less physically active and fit compared to previous generations. The study measured fitness using an exercise cycle test on 343 children aged 15, revealing a decline in fitness levels over time.
A meta-analysis found that perceived racial/ethnic discrimination is consistently linked to poorer mental health, lower academic achievement, and more engagement in risky or negative behaviors. Latino youth tend to exhibit higher levels of depression than their white and African-American peers in response to discrimination.
Elaine Vitone wins $2,000 award for 'Cut Off,' a compelling narrative about severe depression in adolescents. The National Association of Science Writers established the Excellence in Institutional Writing Award to recognize high-caliber science writing produced on behalf of institutions.
Researchers found that people with regular spiritual habits in childhood and adolescence reported greater life satisfaction, positivity, and lower depressive symptoms. They were also less likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, illicit drug use, or sexually transmitted infections.
A new study from the University of Arizona found that transmasculine adolescents and nonbinary teens are at the greatest risk for attempting suicide. The research highlights the need for targeted suicide-prevention efforts, particularly among these vulnerable groups.
A new study reveals a strong association between back pain, smoking, drinking, anxiety, depression, and school absenteeism in adolescents. Researchers found that teens experiencing frequent back pain are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors and report mental health problems.
A recent Finnish study found that adolescents with better aerobic fitness have more compliant arteries than their lower-fit peers, suggesting a link between anaerobic threshold and arterial stiffness. Regular physical activity starting in childhood may be the first line in preventing early arterial aging.
A study of 1,826 adolescents found that higher current total activity was associated with lower VLDL and triglycerides, while longer-term activity showed similar results. The findings suggest that it's never too late to benefit from physical activity, but maintaining regular engagement is key.
A recent study by Boston Medical Center found that only 24% of youths receive FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder within three months of diagnosis. Patients who receive medication are more likely to remain in treatment compared to those who only receive behavioral health services.
A US housing subsidy program may reduce adolescent girls' binge drinking but worsen boys'. The study analyzed 2829 adolescents and found a harmful effect of treatment on boys' binge drinking. The reasons for the gender difference are unclear, but further research is needed to uncover the exact mechanisms.
Researchers found that judicial bypass processes function as a form of punishment for adolescents, causing emotional harm through unpredictability and shame. Adolescents in Texas reported difficulties with transportation, intimidating court environments, and biased GALs who imposed unwanted adoption offers.
A Swiss study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that children born through IVF may have a higher risk of developing arterial hypertension by age 16. The study measured ambulatory blood pressure and found that ART adolescents had a higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than control participants.
The study found a significant increase in diagnosed ADHD among US children and adolescents, from 6.1% to 10.2% between 1997 and 2016. Notably, the prevalence varied by age, sex, and geographic region, suggesting that multiple factors contribute to the trend.
Researchers at Aarhus University found that group and individual therapy can significantly reduce tics in children with Tourette's Syndrome. The study confirms the effectiveness of training strategies outlined in a new Danish manual, which combines multiple methods for treating the condition.
Fewer teens are experiencing physical abuse from their dating partners, with five percent of teens reporting dating violence in 2013. The researchers found 5.8 percent of boys and 4.2 percent of girls reported experiencing dating violence in the past year.
Researchers found that teenagers have difficulty reading the emotions expressed in their peers' voices, particularly when it comes to tones of voice conveying anger, meanness, or happiness. However, they can accurately interpret adult tone of voices. This challenges the social interactions and relationships among teens.
A recent study published in the European Heart Journal found that teenage smokers and heavy drinkers experience arterial damage, which can predict heart problems later in life. The research analyzed data from over 1,200 adolescents and showed that a combination of smoking and drinking significantly increased arterial stiffness.
A $7 million grant will fund a 18-month study comparing two interventions: online CATCH-IT and in-person POD group therapy, to prevent depressive episodes among adolescents. The trial aims to identify which program has the greatest capacity for large-scale impact.
Heavy alcohol consumption during adolescence and young adulthood may increase the odds of developing high-grade prostate cancer. Men who drank at least seven drinks per week between ages 15-19 had three times the odds of being diagnosed with clinically significant prostate cancer compared to non-drinkers.
A team of multidisciplinary researchers provides novel insights into parenting and diversity, identifying common themes and future directions for research. The study sheds light on the impact of increasing population diversity on parenting adolescents, offering new ways of thinking about parenting.
A recent study found that around 1.1% to 2.5% of ADHD patients treated with methylphenidate may experience psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations. The medication, commonly prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy, can cause these adverse effects in some children and adolescents.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that European 'new smoker' rates among younger teens have increased in recent years, while older teens' rates declined from the 1970s to the 2000s. The study suggests that tobacco control measures are necessary to address this trend.
A six-session school-based program significantly reduced the chances that students would force sex on someone else, with an effect that held true over four years. The intervention also showed promise in reducing victimization, although this effect was not significant over the entire time period.
A recent University of Cincinnati study found that even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to respiratory problems and increased absenteeism among teens. The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to educate parents and family members on preventing secondhand smoke exposure and treating tobacco use.
A Kaiser Permanente study of nearly 200,000 young women found no increased risk of primary ovarian insufficiency after HPV vaccination. The research contradicts earlier reports and provides further evidence on the safety of adolescent vaccines.
A USC study found that kids stressed over public acts of discrimination show increased behavioral problems, including depression and substance use. The study tracked 2,572 11th-grade students in L.A. County and found a significant association between concern about discrimination and adverse behavioral outcomes.
A survey of southern California high school students found a correlation between concerns over increasing social discrimination and poorer behavioral health outcomes. The study suggests that public health attention and policy changes may be needed to address the impact of public expressions of discrimination on adolescent mental health.
A recent study published by the American Psychological Association found that teenagers are spending less time reading books, magazines, and newspapers, and more time on social media. The study analyzed data from over 1 million teenagers between 1976 and 2016, revealing a significant decline in traditional media consumption.
A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that grip strength in children is a strong predictor of their future health, including risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Researchers suggest that improving muscular strength during adolescence could help prevent these outcomes.
Despite making up 26% of the population, adolescents receive only 1.6% of global development assistance, with funding primarily focused on HIV/AIDS and other leading causes of illness, leaving underfunded areas such as mental health and injury prevention unaddressed.
Adolescents with conduct and substance use problems are five times more likely to die prematurely than their peers. Conduct disorder is a powerful predictor of early mortality, beyond substance use problems.
A study by the University of Melbourne and Harvard Medical School found that international aid spent on youth health projects is drastically underinvested in the developing world. Despite making up 12-13% of disease burden, adolescents receive only a tiny share of global investments.
A new study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence found that most teenagers do have behavioral brakes, contradicting the long-held idea that adolescence is a time of impulsive behavior. The research suggests that only children with weak cognitive control are at risk for trouble in adulthood.
A study published in Frontiers in Public Health found that Grenadian female adolescents adhering to a traditional diet rich in healthy foods have lower rates of obesity than those consuming a more westernized diet. The researchers identified a generational effect, where the prevalence of obesity increases with future generations.