Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
Research found a strong association between low resting heart rate and an increased risk of violent criminality in men. Men with the lowest resting heart rates were more likely to be convicted of violent crimes, with a 39% higher chance compared to those with the highest rates.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that discrimination during adolescence can have a lasting impact on cortisol levels, leading to flatter diurnal rhythms and increased risk of fatigue, mental health issues, and cardiovascular disease. The study suggests that cumulative experiences of discrimination, particularly during adole...
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics has revealed a significant association between e-cigarette use and the progression to traditional cigarette smoking among adolescents and young adults. The study found that nearly 70% of e-cigarette users progressed towards smoking, while only 18.9% of non-users did so.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that survivors of child trafficking experienced physical and/or sexual violence, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Mental health symptoms were associated with self-harm and suicide ideation among the 387 children and adolescents surveyed.
A new Duke University study reveals that adolescents aged 10 to 16 can be more analytical in their economic choices than slightly older young adults. Researchers found that teens carefully weigh decisions, using cost-benefit analysis skills, while young adults rely on simple rules.
Research from University of Cambridge found that extra hour of daily screen time in Year 10 is associated with 9.3 fewer GCSE points at age 16, while pupils doing an extra hour of homework and reading performed significantly better.
A new study finds that high school students lose an average of 32 minutes of sleep per night following the springtime change to daylight saving time. This leads to increased daytime sleepiness and decreased vigilance, posing a risk to teen drivers. The study suggests that this can further restrict their already limited sleep schedules.
A new study suggests that maintaining close relationships with peers in adolescence can have long-term benefits for adult physical health. The research found that both high-quality friendships and a drive to fit in with peers were associated with lower anxiety, depressive symptoms, and improved overall health.
Teenagers who identify with the goth subculture are more likely to experience depression and self-harm, according to new research. The study found that young people who strongly identified as goths at age 15 were three times more likely to be clinically depressed by age 18.
Research found adolescents with ADHD showed differences in brain structure and poor memory performance compared to peers, suggesting ADHD may persist into adulthood. Grey matter deficits in the caudate nucleus region were linked to poorer memory function.
Research found that cannabis use by age 16 affects cortical maturation in male adolescents at high genetic risk for schizophrenia. This study suggests a link between cannabis exposure and lower cortical thickness in these individuals.
A recent study found that children aged 13-19 who have been abused can regulate their emotions with a little guidance. The researchers tracked the teens' brain activity as they viewed emotional images and were taught cognitive reappraisal, a strategy to alter emotional responses.
A new study by Derek A. Kreager found that girls who have sex experience a 45% decrease in peer acceptance, while those who 'make out' without sex see a 25% increase. In contrast, boys who engage in casual sex gain friendships, but those who 'make out' lose them.
A study by Concordia University found that exercising regularly can reduce body-related guilt in teen smokers, while non-active smokers experience higher levels of shame. The research suggests that physical activity may be a promising solution to prevention and cessation.
A new study found that higher-quality romantic relationships are associated with fewer psychosocial difficulties across adolescence and young adulthood. The quality of the relationship, not just having one, is key to better psychosocial adjustment.
Teens who use e-cigarettes are more likely to start smoking combustible tobacco products, according to a recent study. The study found that e-cigarette users were 31% more likely to report using combustible tobacco within six months of using e-cigarettes.
An imaging study found that early adversity during childhood is associated with altered brain structure in late adolescence, including lower gray matter volume in a key brain region. Higher levels of internalizing symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, were also linked to this altered brain development.
A Mayo Clinic study published in Pediatric Obesity found that excessive vitamin D supplementation in obese teenagers showed no benefits for their heart health or diabetes risk. The study, led by Dr. Seema Kumar, also found increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the teens during supplementation.
Researchers at KU Leuven found a molecular switch that controls how the brain compensates for vision loss, with implications for sensory prosthetics and patient recovery. In adult mice, this cross-modal neuroplasticity is triggered by both eyes and whiskers, but in adolescents, only one eye takes over.
Despite claims by Susan Greenfield that intense internet use harms adolescent brains, experts warn that there is currently no evidence to support these claims. Research suggests that social networking sites can enhance friendships and relationships, while computer games do not lead to impulsiveness or aggression.
A new study highlights the unique challenges of adolescent sibling stem cell donation, including health risks, pain, and psychological burdens. The authors argue that the role of siblings in providing life-sustaining stem cells has been taken for granted.
A meta-analysis of integrated care for youth found that children and teens who receive combined mental health and medical treatment are 66 percent more likely to have a good outcome. The study also revealed that the likelihood of a positive outcome increases when primary care and mental health providers work together closely.
A study found that physical activity reduces insulin resistance in early-teens, but not at age 16. The findings suggest targeting the early-teens for more effective interventions to prevent type 2 diabetes.
A study in northern Mexican cities found that over a quarter of female sex workers entered the sex trade as minors, increasing their risk for HIV infection and violence. Those entering at an adolescent age were more likely to experience these risks compared to those who entered as adults.
A study of 408 teenage males found that chronic marijuana use was not linked to later physical or mental health issues such as depression, psychotic symptoms or asthma. The researchers controlled for other factors that could have influenced the findings, including cigarette smoking and access to health insurance.
Researchers found that nearly 25% of female sex workers entered the sex trade before age 18, and six percent tested positive for HIV. Adolescents were more likely to experience violence, have multiple clients per day, and not use condoms, increasing their risk of infection.
Regular exercise in adolescence is associated with a reduced risk of cancer and all-cause mortality in women. Participation in team sports during the teen years also shows a protective effect against cancer death later in life. The study suggests that promoting exercise participation in adolescence could have important public health im...
Women who participated in exercise as adolescents had a reduced risk of death from cancer and all causes in their middle and older ages. Exercise participation was also associated with lower mortality risks for cardiovascular disease. The study found that women who engaged in team sports or regular exercise during adolescence had a 14-...
A study by psychologists at Plymouth University found that parents of children and adolescents consistently misjudge their happiness. The researchers attribute this to an 'egocentric bias' where parents rely heavily on their own feelings to assess the family unit's happiness.
A new study from Lund University in Sweden found that nearly all adolescents who underwent gastric bypass surgery experienced improved mental health two years post-op. However, 13% showed severe depression and 20% did not feel better mentally after weight loss.
A recent study found that marijuana use among teens is increasing, particularly among black teens, while cigarette and alcohol use are decreasing. The study analyzed data from over 600,000 high school seniors between 1976 and 2013 and found a marked decline in cigarette use and an increase in marijuana use.
A six-year longitudinal study found that adolescents are most likely to enjoy successful long-term friendships with those who share similar traits. The strongest predictors of friendship dissolution were differences in sex, physical aggression, and being liked by other children.
A nationwide sample of 1st through 12th graders showed less than 60% meeting healthy fitness standards for aerobic capacity and body mass index. The middle school years are critical when aerobic capacity declines and body mass index increases, emphasizing the need for early intervention to prevent declining physical activity.
A £6.4 million study launched today will evaluate whether teaching mindfulness to teenagers can improve their mental health outcomes. The three-part trial, involving nearly 6,000 students, aims to assess the impact of mindfulness training on teenage mental resilience and well-being.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is currently required in only two US states, with vaccination coverage substantially below the Healthy People 2020 target. A recent study found that HPV vaccination rates are lower than those for other adolescent vaccines, such as hepatitis B and meningococcal conjugate vaccines.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that increasing numbers of overweight adolescents do not consider themselves overweight. This misperception is linked to a decline in willingness to make weight-related behavioral changes, despite being at risk for obesity.
Youth from low-income families who achieve success academically and socially may experience a physical toll on their health. High levels of self-control, which facilitates success, are associated with faster cellular aging and poorer health outcomes in adulthood.
Researchers found that prenatally exposed adolescents were 2.2 times more likely to engage in sexual intercourse before age 15 than non-exposed peers. Girls who reported behavior problems during their preteen years were also at higher risk, with 42% of those living with birth mothers or relatives reporting early sex.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Hypertension revealed a decline in blood pressure levels among US children and adolescents over the past decade. The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999-2012, finding that mean blood pressure levels, as well as the prevalence of elev...
A Cancer Research UK study found that almost three-quarters of overweight or obese 13-15-year-olds are in the normal-weight range. The study showed that only around 40% of these teens thought they were too heavy, while seven per cent believed they were too light.
A new study reveals that a mother's fat-rich diet during pregnancy increases her offspring's risk of combined alcohol and nicotine abuse in adolescence. The research found that rats exposed to a high-fat diet in utero were more likely to develop a greater vulnerability to excessive drug-seeking behavior.
A new RAND Corporation study found that adolescents who saw medical marijuana ads were twice as likely to use the substance or report plans to use it in the future. The study suggests a need to revise prevention programming for youth as legalization and visibility surrounding marijuana change.
The American Society of Human Genetics has issued a position statement on the ethical, legal, and psychosocial implications of genetic testing in children and adolescents. The statement addresses various issues related to genetic testing, including predictive testing, whole-genome sequencing, and implementation challenges.
The study found that antipsychotic medication use increased among adolescents and young adults, with males being more likely to use it than females. However, most office visits by children and adolescents with antipsychotic treatment did not include a clinical diagnosis of bipolar mania, schizophrenia, or autism.
A study of nearly 1,000 teens found that sexually active obese adolescents were significantly less likely to use contraception than normal weight peers. Obese adolescents who did use contraception were also less likely to use it consistently, according to the University of Michigan Health System study.
Researchers at Kessler Foundation received grants to investigate treatments for emotional processing deficits, balance dysfunction, and memory impairments in TBI patients. These studies aim to improve quality of life, independence, and community involvement for individuals affected by brain injury.
A new study published in Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology found that Evekeo improves ADHD symptoms and behavior in children with ADHD. The medication, given once or twice daily, shows significant improvement in ADHD rating scores, especially within the first 10 hours post-dose.
Researchers found that pet care can significantly improve monitoring of Type 1 diabetes in adolescents, leading to lower blood glucose levels. The study's senior author instructs families to associate regular pet fish care with diabetes care, resulting in improved hemoglobin A1C levels.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that teenagers are unclear about the risks of marijuana and e-cigarettes, receiving conflicting information from various sources. The study suggests that future messages should address the addictive potential, health risks, and presence of nicotine in these products.
A review of 36 studies found a consistent relationship between cyberbullying and reports of depression among children and adolescents. The study also identified common forms of cyberbullying and coping strategies used by victims.
Adolescents with weaker working memory are more likely to have difficulty controlling impulsive tendencies, leading to early and unprotected sex. Improvements in working memory may provide a pathway to greater control over risky sexual behavior.
Research from Monash University and Harvard Medical School reveals that restricting teenagers from driving unsupervised at night can significantly reduce car crashes. The study found a 19% decrease in crash rates for drivers aged 16-17, as well as substantial reductions in nighttime crashes and fatal injuries.
A new study from Brigham Young University found that parents' beliefs about their children can influence sibling differences, particularly in academic achievement. The study discovered a significant difference in GPA among participants whose parents believed one child was smarter than the other.
A recent Harvard study found that over half of US children and adolescents are not getting enough hydration, leading to potential health problems. Racial and ethnic disparities were also observed, with black children and boys at higher risk of inadequate hydration.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reveals longitudinal brain changes in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during late adolescence and young adulthood. The research found that these individuals experienced an exaggeration of normal cortical thinning, which wa...
A recent study conducted by the RAND Corporation found a significant association between sleep problems, energy product use, and increased alcohol use in teens. The research included over 2,500 racially/ethnically diverse teens and highlighted racial differences in observed associations.
A recent study published in Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry demonstrates that early intensive behavioral intervention improves outcomes for young children with ASD, including intellectual ability and adaptive behavior. The study found no group differences in core autism symptoms immediately post-treat...
A new study by MIT scholars finds that juvenile incarceration significantly lowers high-school graduation rates by 13 percentage points and increases adult incarceration by 23 percentage points. The research project analyzed tens of thousands of teenagers in Illinois, using a natural experiment to isolate the effects of sentencing on k...
A short educational program in Kenya produced lasting improvements in male attitudes towards women, with participants showing more positive views and less agreement with rape myths. The program also encouraged males to intervene in cases of violence against women.
A study published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation found that standard BMI assessments tend to underestimate obesity in adolescents with physical disabilities. The researchers suggest new cutoff points are needed for identifying disabled teens who may need diagnosis and treatment.