Articles tagged with Adolescents
A study by Jean M. Twenge and Heejung Park found that teenagers today are less likely to engage in adult activities such as working, driving, dating, drinking alcohol, and having sex compared to previous decades. The decline in these activities is observed across demographic groups and suggests a broad-based cultural shift.
Research found that transgender adolescents are up to four times more likely to engage in substance use and nearly double the risk of suicidal thoughts compared to non-transgender peers. School-based victimization and depression were significant factors contributing to these disparities.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has released its first clinical report on tattoos and piercings, providing guidance for pediatricians on body modifications. The report highlights potential risks and complications, including infection, and emphasizes the importance of proper care and caution when getting a tattoo or piercing.
Teenagers who try e-cigarettes are 2.16 times more likely to be susceptible to cigarette smoking, according to a study from the University of Waterloo and Wake Forest School of Medicine. The use of e-cigarettes among adolescents may lead to an increase in harmful cigarette use.
A new meta-analysis of over 6,500 patients found that antidepressants work better than placebos across various mental disorders, with the difference varying by disorder type. The study also highlights the strong placebo effect in depression and its potential for new treatment concepts.
A new study reveals that post-surgical painkiller prescriptions can become a pathway to continued, nonmedical opioid use in teens and young adults. The research found that nearly 5% of patients who underwent common surgeries had persistent opioid use after 90 days.
Western researchers have identified a specific mechanism in the prefrontal cortex for the mental health risks associated with adolescent marijuana use and developed a way to reverse those risks using pharmaceuticals. The study found that reducing GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, can lead to hyperactive states in the brain's dopami...
A recent UC Davis study found that early adolescents with cross-ethnic friendships had significantly higher GPAs and teacher expectations. Students who interacted with peers from other ethnicities experienced an average grade point increase of one-third of a point, corresponding to a B-plus to A-minus average.
A new study by Dr Daniel Brown defines thriving as a combination of personal development, succeeding at mastering something, and feeling good about life. The research outlines six recommendations for future studies on thriving.
A study by Indiana University researchers found that cannabidiol reduces symptoms such as impaired memory in adolescent mice exposed to THC, suggesting a protective effect of CBD against the negative effects of chronic THC use.
A study found PrEP effective in preventing HIV infection among adolescent men who have sex with men, but struggled with low adherence rates. The treatment was safe, with most participants having detectable drug levels throughout the study.
A research team led by Deborah Ellis aims to improve asthma management and reduce deaths among minority children, with a focus on African American adolescents. The project will test an adapted intervention, REACH for Control, in real-world settings.
A recent study published in NeuroImage found that adolescents at risk for obesity have reduced neural activity in attention and self-regulation circuits. The researchers used fMRI to investigate the relationship between neurological activity and risk for obesity, suggesting that interventions targeting self-regulatory systems may be a ...
A new longitudinal study suggests that high-quality friendships during adolescence can predict better mental health outcomes in young adulthood. Teens with stronger close friendships tend to experience lower social anxiety and increased self-worth, while those who are popular in high school may be more prone to social anxiety later on.
New research reveals abstinence-only-until-marriage programs are ineffective in delaying sexual initiation and reducing risk behaviors. Comprehensive sex education has favorable effects on multiple adolescent behaviors, including delayed initiation of sexual activity.
A study using fMRI scans found that reduced neural activity in teens at high risk of adult obesity may be an early predictor. The researchers discovered that lean adolescents with a family history of overweight parents showed less self-regulation activity than their peers.
A recent study found that female adolescents from low-income households with wide salary gaps show changes to their brain maturation, indicating a higher risk of developing mental illness. The research suggests that social environment and income inequality can influence brain development.
A new meta-analysis finds that having friends who smoke doubles the risk of adolescents starting and continuing to smoke. The study also reveals that peer influence is stronger in collectivist cultures, where adolescents are 4.3 times more likely to pick up smoking if their peers smoke.
A recent UK study found that schoolchildren who use e-cigarettes are 34% more likely to smoke a cigarette within a year. The research, led by the University of Leeds, surveyed over 2,800 adolescents and found that e-cigarette use was a strong predictor of smoking initiation, particularly among those with no friends who smoked.
A survey of Russian high school students reveals that those without university plans consume alcohol more often. Reading habits also show a positive correlation with sobriety among university-bound teens.
A UK study found that e-cigarette use among teens is associated with an increased risk of starting conventional cigarette smoking and escalating their habit. The study suggests that e-cigarette use may be a marker for those who would have started smoking anyway, but more research is needed to confirm this.
A recent literature review suggests that adolescent risk-taking behavior is not due to a brain development deficit, but rather exploration and learning. The review highlights that most adolescents pass through this period without significant problems, while a smaller subset is at higher risk of unhealthy outcomes.
A new study from McGill University Health Centre highlights significant gaps in transition care services for young adults with diabetes in Quebec. Pediatric care providers reported lack of standardized policies and limited communication between settings, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to improve the transition process.
Research published by Chapman University found that transgender students in California are at a higher risk of substance use compared to their non-transgender peers. The study showed that transgender students were more than two times more likely to engage in substance use throughout their lifetimes.
Researchers found that adolescents aged 11-17 spent over an hour less daily in their neighborhoods if residents had a high fear of crime, compared to kids from safer areas. The study used smartphone data to track kids' whereabouts and linked collective fear of crime to high-poverty neighborhoods.
A study by Oregon Research Institute found that e-cigarette use among 8th and 9th graders is higher than national samples, closely linked to marijuana and tobacco use. The study tracked usage patterns from 8th grade through 9th grade, revealing high rates of addiction.
Research suggests that traumatic brain injuries in childhood and adolescence can increase the risk of alcohol abuse problems in adulthood. The study found a clearer link between brain injury and alcohol abuse in people who suffered an injury before age 5, with children under 5 being over 3.6 times more likely to exhibit substance abuse...
A new study found that cognitive abilities in adolescence are positively related, suggesting a 'mutualism' model where skills help each other develop. This research has implications for understanding developmental challenges and life outcomes, such as academic success and longevity.
A study of age and crime statistics from Taiwan suggests that cultural factors, such as collectivist societies and parental supervision, may influence the age-crime relationship. The findings challenge the long-held assumption that biology drives teen criminal behavior, instead highlighting the importance of cultural influences.
The CHLA Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) Program will train healthcare professionals to address emerging health issues among adolescents and young adults. The five-year program aims to prepare providers for culturally competent care, particularly for underrepresented populations such as LGBTQ youth and system-involved ...
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found a consistent pattern of increased risk of later violence among adolescents with depression. The research team identified modest increases in risk of violence in depression, with an odds ratio of two-fold in one sample.
A new study by Duke researchers found that teenagers who were exposed to violence consumed more unhealthy foods and beverages, including increased soda consumption, which is a strong predictor of weight gain. The study also revealed that adolescents took more steps on days they were exposed to violence, contrary to expectations.
A randomized trial found that incorporating 12-step program elements into adolescent substance-use disorder treatment resulted in significantly reduced substance-related consequences. Participants in the integrated program also reported higher rates of 12-step meeting attendance, associated with longer periods of continuous abstinence.
A study found that extended-release guanfacine only showed a small reduction in tic severity among children with chronic tic disorders, with no significant difference between the drug and placebo. The medication was associated with common side effects such as fatigue, dry mouth, and headache.
Two clinical trials found that adolescents using oral Truvada and a vaginal ring for HIV prevention had high adherence rates, with most participants taking the medication as prescribed. The studies pave the way for larger trials of these interventions in this vulnerable age group.
A study found that adolescents with an increasing pattern of marijuana use over their teens had the greatest dysfunction in brain reward circuitry, highest rates of depression, and lowest educational achievements. The findings highlight the importance of understanding marijuana use across adolescence to predict long-term impacts.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends focusing on clusters of cardiometabolic risk factors, such as high blood sugar, hypertension, and obesity, to identify overweight or obese children at highest risk for cardiovascular and metabolic complications. Pediatricians should target youth with multiple component risk factors for more...
A recent study found that parents have a significant impact on their teenagers' decisions regarding alcohol, with parental behavior and attitudes being key factors in preventing or delaying underage drinking. The study suggests that parents should discuss alcohol use with their children, set clear expectations, and avoid binge drinking.
A comprehensive treatment framework is presented to guide the management of children with PANS/PANDAS, focusing on psychiatric interventions, infection prevention, and immunomodulatory therapies. The guidelines aim to improve symptom relief, functioning, and adherence to therapeutic interventions.
An 8-year-old boy received a double hand transplant and regained independence in writing, feeding, and dressing himself after months of occupational therapy and psychological support. However, he faced setbacks, including treatment of rejections and extensive rehabilitation.
Adolescent heavy drinking alters brain structures and function, resulting in reduced cognitive abilities. Research highlights the detrimental effects on memory, attention, language, and socio-emotional processing. The review emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about binge drinking risks and promoting future research.
A Seattle-focused study found that young people with chronic depression are at a higher risk of developing a cannabis-use disorder. The study suggests that preventing or reducing chronic depression during early adolescence could lead to a reduced prevalence of cannabis use disorder.
A recent survey found that adolescent girls seeking medical care in emergency departments are open to receiving information on preventing pregnancy. The study, which analyzed data from 219 non-pregnant females aged 14-21, revealed that 72% of participants wanted EDs to provide pregnancy prevention and contraception info.
Playing football improves bone development compared to swimming and cycling, particularly after a year of training. The study found that adolescents who played football had better bones than those who engaged in non-weight-bearing sports.
A recent study published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health found that face-to-face bullying is considerably more common than cyberbullying among English teenagers. Nearly 30% of all teenagers reported experiencing some form of regular bullying, with girls being more likely to experience traditional bullying.
Researchers found that depression impacts brain activity uniquely in adolescent girls and boys, particularly in regions like the supramarginal gyrus and posterior cingulate. This highlights the need for sex-specific treatment strategies to address depression in adolescents.
The late adolescent years are a critical period for bone growth, with 10% of bone mass continuing to accumulate after adult height is reached. A study found that bone mineral density develops at different rates in different parts of the skeleton, highlighting the importance of considering growth trajectories when interpreting data.
A new study found that Conversation Cards can help families prioritize key challenges regarding pediatric weight management and create treatment plans with health care providers. The most popular card choices reflected families' readiness to make healthy changes, preference for involving children and adolescents in clinical discussions.
A Canadian study found that frequent marijuana use during adolescence is associated with an increased risk of recurrent psychotic-like experiences. The study suggests that emerging symptoms of depression are a key factor in this relationship, and highlights the need for targeted prevention programs to delay or prevent marijuana use amo...
A new study reveals how metamemory improves from childhood through adolescence, with accompanying brain structure changes. The ability to reflect on memories continuously improves into adolescence, predicting increases in IQ.
A study found that hoarding symptoms are heritable and moderately stable between 15-18 years old, suggesting genetic effects play a significant role. The findings could help inform treatments development for young people experiencing hoarding symptoms, preventing potential progression into Hoarding Disorder as adults.
A new Israeli study found that higher BMI and even normal-weight adolescents are at increased risk of death from non-coronary cardiovascular diseases. Researchers analyzed data from over 2 million adolescents, showing a significant association between adolescent obesity and mid-life cardiovascular mortality.
Adolescent weight gain has been linked to a long-term increased risk of stroke in adulthood, according to new research. Children who returned to a normal BMI by age 20 had no such increased risk.
A combination of diet, physical activity, and behavioral change interventions may reduce weight in children aged six to 11 years and adolescents aged 12 to 17. The reviews summarize the results of 114 studies involving over 13,000 children and young people.
A new study found that maintaining a strong ethnic identity and high levels of social support can help Latino adolescents in the US cope with racism. Outward expression of anger, however, exacerbated adjustment problems among Mexican-origin adolescents.
A study analyzing self-reported data from over 53,000 respondents found that sleep chronotypes vary widely, peaking in lateness during adolescence. Chronotypes can differ up to 10 hours between individuals, suggesting tailored work schedules could minimize health risks.
Researchers found that negative body image is associated with increased substance use in teenagers, including girls who believe they are very good-looking being more likely to binge drink. This study suggests that improving body image awareness through education and prevention programs can help reduce unhealthy behavior.
A survey of 102 young cancer patients aged 13-24 found that digital resources could enhance their experience and engagement. The study's lead author believes digital support resources can address unmet needs and improve patient outcomes.
The USPSTF recommends screening for obesity in children and adolescents 6 years old and older, offering comprehensive behavioral interventions to promote weight improvements. This recommendation is based on moderate certainty, as screening can lead to small harms but also improve weight status with moderate net benefits.
A new study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that adolescent mice fed a poor diet lacking omega-3 fatty acids showed increased anxiety-like behavior and poorer memory performance as adults. The study suggests that adequate nutrition during adolescence is crucial for brain refinement and function.