Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
A new study found that adolescent scoliosis patients who received regular monitoring of their brace wear had less spinal progression and were less likely to require surgery. Patients who wore their braces for an average of 13.8 hours per day showed a 59% success rate in preventing curve progression.
A study by University of California, Irvine researchers found that inconsistent maternal care can lead to increased risk of risky behaviors, drug seeking, and depression in adolescents and adults. The study suggests that predictable and consistent care is crucial for proper brain development.
A study by LA BioMed suggests that involving parents in violence prevention programs and tailoring them to specific racial/ethnic groups can improve their effectiveness. The research found that Latino parents condoned fighting only as a last resort, while African American parents sometimes saw it as necessary.
A study found that adolescents discharged from hospitals in England after an admission for violent, drug- or alcohol-related, or self-inflicted injuries have a higher risk of subsequent death and emergency re-admission up to a decade later. The risks were highest in 18-19 year olds with chronic conditions or living in deprived areas.
A USC study surveyed 3,310 ninth-grade students and found that those with moderate mental health problems who vape e-cigarettes have emotional and behavioral issues midway between smokers and non-vapers. E-cigarette use has tripled among teens in recent years, with flavors like Skittles enticing young people.
A study found that chronically lonely adolescents interpret social inclusion as coincidental and social exclusion as personal failure, leading to increased emotional distress. These self-defeating interpretations can perpetuate loneliness, making it harder for them to take advantage of opportunities for social inclusion.
Adolescents separated from their fathers experience increased stress and transient depression symptoms four to nine months following separation. However, these symptoms typically disappear over time. The study highlights the importance of informal support or therapy for young adults whose parents have recently separated.
Researchers found that teens who witness others using substances are more likely to engage in antisocial behavior, especially those with a 'risk-taking' gene. The study used cell phones to track teens' daily lives and found that witnessing substance abuse triggers misbehavior.
A new study found that even free online educational courses tend to favor students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. Additionally, adolescents from lower-income neighborhoods were less likely to earn certificates in MOOCs compared to their peers from more affluent areas.
A new FAU study found that adolescents who started dating became more similar to their romantic partners than to their friends on measures of alcohol abuse. Similarity between friend reports of alcohol abuse declined after one or both of the adolescents became involved in a romantic relationship.
A new study reveals that teenagers who experience traditional dating abuse are at a higher risk of becoming cyberdating abuse victims, and vice versa. Researchers analyzed data from over 1,000 high school students and found that involvement in one form of abuse increases the likelihood of involvement in the other.
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry finds that high-quality foster care can reduce the development of callous-unemotional traits in adolescents who experienced parent deprivation. The intervention also showed benefits for boys, particularly those with sensitive caregiver responses.
A study published in Neurosurgery found that most children and adolescents with herniated disks in the lower spine have some type of spinal vertebrae malformation. The researchers analyzed x-rays of 63 patients under age 20 and found that nearly all had at least one type of malformation involving the lumbar spine and sacrum.
A randomized trial found that metformin did not improve glycemic control after 6 months, despite reducing weight gain and insulin doses. The study included 140 adolescents with type 1 diabetes, aged 12-19 years, and was conducted at 26 pediatric endocrinology clinics.
Recent studies found that Latino immigrant youth who reported feeling discriminated against had more depressive symptoms and were less likely to perform altruistic behaviors six months and a year after experiencing discrimination. The study suggests that discrimination can lead to mental health issues and decreased social engagement.
Researchers developed a tool to measure consumers' 'brand embarrassment tendency', which determines how likely they are to feel shame or embarrassment when wearing certain brands. The study found that brands like Ed Hardy and Lonsdale trigger more brand embarrassment than others, affecting consumer buying intentions.
While parents' fears about teens' digital habits are often overstated, there are valid concerns about cyberbullying and sleep disruption. Teens' online lives mirror their offline experiences, but excessive screen time can lead to negative effects for vulnerable adolescents.
Researchers found that having over 300 Facebook friends increases cortisol levels in teens, while supportive behavior towards friends reduces stress. The study suggests that excessive social media use can lead to increased stress and potentially depression.
A University of Houston study found that minority girls who were teased about their weight engaged in unhealthy eating behaviors, including disordered eating and emotional eating. The study suggests that teasing can have a strong impact on young girls' perceptions of themselves and food.
A large-scale analysis of three diabetes registries found that insulin pump use is associated with lower mean HbA1c levels and better blood sugar control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Pump use was also more common among certain subgroups, such as girls and non-minority ethnic groups.
A study of over 1,900 young adults found that increases in self-weighing were associated with increased weight concern, depression, decreased body satisfaction, and lower self-esteem among females. This behavior may be a predictor of eating disorders, highlighting the need for obesity prevention programs to consider its impact.
Astronomers have discovered an adolescent protostar, CARMA-7, exhibiting rapid-fire growth spurts and intermittent jets streaming away from its poles. This finding provides insights into chaotic stellar formation in the densely packed Serpens South star cluster.
A study suggests that health campaigns tailored to teen subcultures can reduce risky behaviors such as smoking and drinking. The 'peer-crowd' campaign, which targets alternative youth, has shown promising results in preventing smoking from being seen as socially acceptable.
A new review questions whether premature ejaculation is an illness, citing false assumptions and influence from drug companies. The authors suggest that physiology of ejaculation and orgasm remains intact in men with premature ejaculation.
A University of Georgia study finds that tobacco addiction in adolescents is often overlooked due to lack of stigma. Researchers recommend treating tobacco cessation treatments for adolescents with substance abuse issues and implementing more counselor training.
Research suggests that parent-adolescent communication is positively linked to safer sex behavior. The study found a small but significant association between parent communication and contraceptive use, which was stronger for girls than boys. Open communication about sex can help delay sexual debut and reduce the risk of sexually trans...
A study published in the American Journal of Transplantation shows that new policies could increase pediatric lung transplants by twice as much. The research team tested alternative allocation models to improve pediatric access to donor lungs and found two models resulted in significantly more transplants for pediatric patients.
A new study found that early life stress can impair the development of reward circuits in adolescents, increasing the risk of depression. The study revealed a decrease in ventral striatum activity in response to rewards, which predicted the emergence of depressive symptoms.
Researchers at the University of Rochester developed a method to analyze Instagram data to expose underage drinking patterns and demographic trends. The study found that teenagers consume alcohol more on weekends and holidays, and that different brands are followed by varying demographics.
More than two-thirds of health food store sales attendants recommended creatine to a researcher posing as a 15-year-old athlete, despite American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations against use in minors. Sales attendants were also more likely to recommend creatine to male athletes.
Urban teens identify improving employment opportunities, after-school activities and a cleaner city environment as key solutions to reduce violence. The study found that 61% of youths reported having a family member killed in an act of violence, highlighting the need for targeted prevention strategies.
A new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals a significant increase in ACL tears among youths, particularly high school students, over the past two decades. The incidence rose by 2.3% per year, with females experiencing most ACL tears at age 16 and males peaking at age 17.
A study found that many pediatricians and primary care physicians report communicating about HPV vaccination in ways that discourage parents from getting their children vaccinated. The researchers recommend improving communication practices, such as recommending HPV vaccination for all 11- to 12-year-olds and suggesting same-day vaccin...
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that US teens exhibit higher sensation-seeking behavior compared to their peers in Puerto Rico, with rates increasing earlier and being influenced by family environment and parenting practices.
A study of 228 young women found that alcohol-involved first experiences were more likely to occur outside relationships, with less planning and higher risk of assault. Young women who used alcohol during their first sex were three times more likely to be victims of incapacitated rape.
A new longitudinal study found that adolescents' mood swings decline gradually as they get older, stabilizing by mid-adolescence. This decrease in mood variability is linked to fewer significant life events and better emotional regulation skills.
A survey of 282 adolescents aged 12-18 found that most prefer to know secondary genetic findings, even if not medically actionable until adulthood. The main reasons cited were future planning and reducing anxiety, with some respondents expressing concern about introducing stress in their family.
A Pitt research team will study nearly 10,000 children from ages 9-10 to investigate the effects of marijuana, alcohol, and other substances on developing brains. The study aims to understand predictors of substance use and its consequences.
A new review of studies found that psychostimulant treatment for ADHD significantly reduces the risk of anxiety. Higher doses of psychostimulants appear to be associated with a greater reduction in anxiety risk.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that teenage girls who compulsively text do worse academically compared to their male counterparts. The research suggests that compulsive texting is more problematic than mere frequency of texting, as it involves trying to cut back and feeling frustrated.
Rats exposed to frequent stress during adolescence showed improved problem-solving skills and foraging efficiency under high-threat conditions in adulthood. This study provides insights into how humans respond to adolescent stress and may inform research on human maltreatment and adverse environments.
A new study from the University of California, Berkeley found that teenagers who go to bed late on weeknights are more likely to gain weight than their peers who hit the hay earlier. For every hour of sleep lost, participants gained 2.1 points on the BMI index over a five-year period.
A new study finds that going to bed late during adolescence is associated with an increase in body mass index over time. Researchers analyzed data from over 3,000 participants and found a significant link between later bedtimes and higher BMI. The study highlights the importance of adolescent bedtime habits in weight management.
A cognitive-behavioral prevention program for depression among at-risk youth showed benefit over 6 years after implementation, reducing depression incidence and promoting competence. The program's effects were seen in youths whose index parent was not depressed at enrollment.
A world-first trial by the University of Melbourne has successfully reduced risk-taking behavior in teenagers through trained doctors. The study found that after discussions with GPs, young people reported fewer instances of illicit drug use, sexually transmitted illnesses, and unplanned pregnancies.
The study found that Mexican-origin adolescents with positive sibling relationships had fewer depressive symptoms and engaged in less risky behavior. Siblings with negative relationships, on the other hand, were more likely to engage in risky behaviors, including those with sexual risks. The research highlights the importance of family...
The study found that sympathy predicted prosocial behaviors, but also engaging in earlier prosocial behaviors positively predicted later sympathy. The researchers aim to understand what makes individuals altruistic and develop interventions to promote positive behaviors in adolescents.
A review of medical literature found that metformin use was associated with a small increase in height in children and adolescents with higher cumulative doses. However, the results were not significant for those with lower doses, indicating a potential need for longer-term studies to confirm these findings.
A new study by Florida Atlantic University researchers found that early maturing girls who receive inadequate parental supervision are more likely to develop problem drinking behaviors. The study revealed a significant association between parental autonomy granting and increased alcohol abuse among early maturing girls.
The NIH has launched a landmark study examining the effects of adolescent substance use on brain development. The study will track 10,000 children from ages 9 to 10 and beyond, assessing exposure to substances, mental health, cognitive skills, and brain structure.
The adolescent brain is more susceptible to forming new memories, experiencing social stress, and engaging in risky health behaviors. Research suggests that adolescence may be a sensitive period for recovery from negative experiences and that alternative treatments might be needed for anxiety disorders.
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that nearly a quarter of teenagers in England and Wales who have had an abortion have been pregnant before. The research also showed that teenagers who become pregnant are at a higher risk of further pregnancies in their teenage years.
Involving parents in the treatment of adolescents with bulimia nervosa is more effective than treating the patient individually. Family-based therapy achieved higher abstinence rates from bingeing and purging compared to cognitive behavioral therapy, according to a randomized clinical trial.
New research from Monash University finds that Australian children and adolescents receive millions of exposures to alcohol advertising during daytime TV viewing of AFL, NRL, and Cricket. The study suggests removing a clause allowing alcohol advertising during daytime in sport could halve children's exposure.
A study found that teenagers are more likely to smoke if their parent is a smoker, with daughters being particularly vulnerable. The study also found that the risk of nicotine dependence increases with parental smoking and dependence.
A study of 13,583 US adolescents found that exercise for 4+ days a week reduces sadness and suicidal ideation by 23%. Exercise was associated with significant reductions in sadness, suicidal ideation, and attempt across all students, particularly bullied teens.
Research finds that rural adolescents are 35% more likely to abuse prescription painkillers in the past year compared to urban teens. The study suggests that limited medical care and emergency room prescriptions contribute to this issue.
A reanalysis of a 2001 study on antidepressants found that popular drug paroxetine is neither safe nor effective for adolescents with depression. The new results contradict the original research and have important implications for research and practice.
A University of Adelaide-led reanalysis of Study 329 found that paroxetine was no more effective at relieving depression symptoms than a placebo, linked to 11 suicidal or self-harming behaviours
Global health experts highlight critical actions and investments to impact the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents. The new Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health aims to prevent deaths and improve the health of millions.