Articles tagged with Adolescents
A new study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that adolescent girls participating in a sexual risk reduction intervention were more likely to practice abstinence and showed substantial decreases in unprotected sex, number of partners, and unintended pregnancies. The intervention used age-appropriate games and interact...
A study found that girls without health vulnerabilities in low-poverty neighborhoods experienced improved mental health outcomes. In contrast, boys from families with preexisting health-related vulnerabilities did not show significant benefits. The experiment benefited approximately 60% of the girls involved.
A new intervention, Suicidal Teens Accessing Treatment after an ED Visit (STAT-ED), will be tested on 160 adolescents at risk of suicide. The study aims to reduce suicidal ideation and depression symptoms, while improving mental health treatment and follow-up care.
Research found a significant association between sleep disturbance and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents, including high cholesterol levels, BMI, and hypertension. Poor sleep habits were also linked to unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as consuming more fried foods and exercising less.
A study reveals that adolescents are more likely to engage in risky behaviors due to their comfort with uncertainty, rather than an innate taste for risk. By providing precise information about the risks involved, adolescents become even more risk-averse, whereas ambiguity makes them more willing to take risks.
A study published in Behavioral Neuroscience found that repeated fluoxetine administration to adolescent hamsters increased offensive aggression and altered brain areas related to aggression control. The research suggests that clinically relevant doses of fluoxetine during adolescence can dramatically alter brain circuitry implicated i...
A study by University of Montreal researchers found that games like Wii Sports and Dance Dance Revolution can add to regular physical activity among teenagers. The study suggests that exergaming, particularly amongst female gamers concerned about their size, could be a valuable avenue for addressing the obesity epidemic.
A new study suggests that teenagers who get extra sleep can improve their insulin resistance and prevent the future onset of diabetes. The research found a significant association between shorter sleep duration and higher insulin resistance levels in healthy adolescents.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that adolescents' brains have impaired fear extinction learning, making it difficult for them to overcome fear. This may explain why anxiety and depression rates surge during adolescence.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) has released a new Practice Parameter addressing the unique challenges faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and gender variant youth. The parameter provides best clinical practices to combat stigma, bullying, and discrimination, as well as promote cultural competence and resea...
A recent study by the University of Missouri found that news consumption alone is not sufficient for retaining political knowledge. Adolescents who engage in discussions about the news with peers and relatives tend to have better understanding of political developments.
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has received a three-year grant to study healthy and unhealthy teen dating relationships. The research aims to improve the quality of teenagers' dating relationships and prevent subsequent domestic violence in adult intimate relationships.
Research at Oregon State University found that diverse sources of information can aid in smart choices for young black teens. The studies identified approaches to prevention programs and emphasized the importance of collaboration between family, schools, medical clinics, churches, and other entities.
Research found that physical inactivity and negative body image increase the risk of mental health problems in adolescents, while sports participation lowers this risk. The study suggests that psychosocial factors, such as body image and social interaction, play a crucial role in explaining the link between exercise and mental health.
A new study reveals that young cancer survivors frequently forego routine medical care because of financial constraints. Despite having health insurance, they face significant cost burdens, which can lead to unmet health needs.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that there is insufficient evidence to support medical interventions in adolescents and young adults with autism. Key findings include the potential benefits of antipsychotic medications in reducing problem behaviors, but limited effectiveness for vocational interventions.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that adolescents who eliminated sugar-sweetened beverages for one year gained less weight than those who didn't. The study showed that providing non-caloric beverages to teens can be an effective intervention to help combat adolescent obesity.
Researchers found that premature infants who received Kangaroo Mother Care had better brain functioning in adolescence, comparable to those born at term. The technique, which provides skin-to-skin contact with the parent's chest, promotes immediate and future brain development.
Researchers have observed dominance relationships among adolescent male chimpanzees in the Ngogo community, a large chimp community in Uganda with over 150 members. The study found that pant grunts are used to calm hostilities and establish dominance hierarchies, which is rare for this age group.
A study of 271 college students found that nearly two-thirds reported some type of abuse during their teenage years. Psychological abuse was the most common type, with controlling behavior and pressure to have sex also prevalent among female victims.
A new study from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center researchers found no significant differences in injury rates or types of injuries between adolescents and adults who were tased by law enforcement officers. The study, which reviewed 2,026 Taser uses, found most injuries to be mild and superficial.
A nationally representative sample of nearly 3,000 children and adolescents found those with higher urinary bisphenol A (BPA) concentrations were more likely to be obese. The study suggests BPA exposure may contribute to obesity in humans, particularly among white children and adolescents.
A study by NYU School of Medicine found a significant association between higher urinary BPA concentrations and obesity in children and adolescents. Exposure to BPA, a synthetic chemical banned from sippy cups and baby bottles, was linked to increased body mass in white children and adolescents.
A new study reveals that abstaining from smoking significantly affects teenagers' mood, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms in a manner similar to adults. Contrary to expectations, teenagers who had smoked for only two years showed strong negative effects after just one day of abstinence.
Young adults with advanced cancer experience life disruption and losses, affecting their educational, career, and personal goals. Clinical interventions can help patients cope with grief associated with cancer-related losses and life transition.
A 10-week LifeSkills program improved teens' ability to control anger, decreased anxiety, and lowered blood pressures, with benefits holding up at six months. The program, adapted for adolescents, teaches assertiveness, sound decision-making, and positive interactions to reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
A Canadian study found that vigorous physical activity is associated with reduced body mass index z score, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and increased cardiorespiratory fitness in youth. The study included 605 youth aged 12.1 years and found that performing more than seven minutes of vigorous PA daily was linked to lowe...
A USC-led study confirms a strong correlation between popularity and smoking behavior among high school students in the US and Mexico. Popular students were found to become smokers earlier and form friendships with other smokers.
New studies support the idea that certain higher-fibre diets can be well-tolerated and promote healthy gut environments, which may contribute to overall gut health. The soluble corn fibre has been found to increase beneficial bacteria in the gut and change the gut environment, enabling greater calcium absorption.
Adolescents in foster care are at risk of cyber-bullying, privacy loss and personal harm due to lack of guidelines on social media use. Child welfare agencies should develop policies to guide their online activities, says MU expert.
Research reveals that females tend to tell longer, more coherent stories with greater self-reflection, while males' stories are more matter-of-fact. These differences may indicate females have a stronger inclination to reflect on past experiences and give personal meaning to events.
A study found that prenatal exposure to maternal cigarette smoking is associated with increased risk of adolescent obesity. The authors suggest that this may be due to subtle structural variations in the brain's amygdala, which could influence dietary preferences for fatty foods.
A recent study published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that approximately 46.3% of adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder were victims of bullying. The study also revealed significant social and environmental factors contributing to bullying involvement among this population.
Researchers found that fewer adolescents started smoking after exposure to prevention programs and more quit if they began. Funding cuts negatively impacted these numbers, but state spending on prevention has increased, suggesting a potential reversal of behavior trends.
Researchers found that branding apples with Elmo stickers increased children's preference for fruit over cookies. The study suggests that similar tactics can be used to promote healthier eating in school cafeterias.
A systematic review of therapies for adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders found limited evidence to support medical interventions. Some treatments showed promise in improving social skills and educational outcomes, but studies had significant flaws and limited follow-up. The study underscores the urgent need for ...
A new study found that reducing television viewing among adolescents can lead to a decrease in excess weight gain over one year. The intervention included limiting TV hours, setting up home-based activities, and sending monthly newsletters.
A longitudinal study of over 1,000 New Zealanders found that persistent cannabis use before age 18 led to significant declines in IQ, attention, and memory. The study suggests that adolescence is a critical period for brain development and vulnerability to substance-induced harm.
A new genre of young adult literature, 'teen sick-lit,' portrays chronically ill protagonists as vessels for others' emotional development rather than self-actualized women. The study found little empowerment in these books, instead reinforcing negative stereotypes and societal norms.
Research presented at ESC Congress found that adolescent smokers have thicker artery walls, indicating early development of atherosclerosis. Early exposure to tobacco smoke is associated with various adverse health outcomes in children and adolescents.
A team of researchers found that pre-emptive cognitive training in laboratory rats can improve brain function and compensate for abnormal neural circuits. The study, published in the journal Neuron, holds promise for addressing human neuropsychiatric impairments such as schizophrenia.
A new study found that spending time with parents increases in early and middle adolescence, despite a decline in overall parent-teen interaction. Teens who spend more time alone with their dads experience better social skills with peers, while those with mothers report higher self-worth.
A study by Penn State researchers found that teens continue to spend time with their parents, contrary to the stereotype that they grow apart. Shared time with fathers has a positive impact on adolescents' social skills and self-esteem.
Children exposed to secondhand smoke have a less sensitive cough reflex, making them more susceptible to environmental threats and increasing the risk of developing respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis. The study's findings highlight a previously unrecognized public health risk from exposure to secondhand smoke.
College students who started drinking early or became intoxicated quickly faced increased risks of heavy drinking and negative consequences. The study found that both early age at first drink and progression from first use to intoxication predicted later problems.
A cluster randomized trial found that pay for performance improved demonstration of competency in treatment delivery and increased the number of patients receiving targeted treatment procedures. However, no statistically significant difference was found in patient remission status between the two groups.
A study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that normal-weight teenagers who perceive themselves as fat are more likely to become obese as adults. The researchers analyzed data from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, finding a significant association between perceived weight and actual obesity.
A recent study by University of Colorado researchers found that 73.8% of adolescents in substance abuse treatment used medical marijuana recommended to someone else. Regular use of medical marijuana began at a younger age among these patients, and they had more severe symptoms of marijuana abuse and conduct disorder.
A new study found correlations between micronutrient levels and performance on physical fitness tests in adolescents. Hemoglobin, retinol, and vitamin C were positively associated with cardiorespiratory fitness, while hemoglobin and beta-carotene were linked to muscular fitness.
Researchers found that kids with less brain activation initially were at greater risk for becoming heavy drinkers. Heavy drinking was linked to increased brain activity during memory tests, particularly among those who consumed four or more drinks per occasion.
A recent study found that average total cholesterol levels among US children and adolescents decreased between 1988-1994 and 2007-2010. Additionally, there was a decrease in prevalence of elevated non-HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides among this age group.
New research published in Addiction suggests that plain packaging of cigarettes can draw attention to health warnings and deter young smokers. The study found that students who were occasional or had tried smoking before paid more attention to the health warnings on plain packs.
Research highlights the dangers of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) on adolescent brain function and behavior. Studies show that exposure to AAS at critical periods during adolescence can impose permanent changes in brain organization and function, leading to physiological and psychiatric effects that may persist into middle age.
Research shows adolescents' brains mature intellectually before they mature socially or emotionally, influencing how policymakers and courts treat teenagers. The findings could impact policies on medical decision-making, autonomy, and punishment for juveniles.
A new study by UCSB researchers found that adolescents with ASD can improve their social skills by playing to their strengths, such as high intelligence and specific interests. The research team created social clubs around these interests, where students with ASD could interact and make friends with peers.
A new study finds that American teens' low expectations of longevity before age 35 predict increased risk behaviors, such as substance abuse and suicidal thoughts. The research, published in PLOS ONE, suggests that monitoring survival expectations may identify at-risk youth.
A new study by MU researcher Gustavo Carlo found that empathetic adolescents are more likely to use problem-focused coping, which aims to reduce stress. They also tend to perform prosocial behaviors that benefit others, while emotionally unstable teens rely on emotion-focused coping tactics.
A study by University of Missouri researcher Ross O'Hara found that young people who watch more sexually explicit movies tend to engage in more sexual behavior and start having sex at a younger age. The study also discovered that adolescents exposed to more sexual content in movies are less likely to use condoms with casual partners.
A study examining diagnostic tests in adolescents with hypertension found that echocardiograms and renal ultrasonography were underused, while electrocardiograms were overused. The findings highlight the need for better adherence to pediatric guidelines and further research on treatment effectiveness.
A new study found that Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) improved the mental and physical health of adolescents in foster care by reducing anxiety and increasing feelings of hopefulness. CBCT also reduced inflammation levels, which is a fundamental risk factor for chronic illnesses.