Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
A study by researchers at Penn State and Washington state universities found that relying on others outside the family for information is associated with parents being less knowledgeable about their child. In contrast, parents in relational groups were more likely to be informed and had teens engaging in less risky behavior.
Parents affect adolescents' substance use behaviors by influencing their images of typical smokers and drinkers, as well as their willingness to try substances. Strong parenting, especially in high-risk neighborhoods, has a positive impact on reducing substance use among teens.
A study found that boys with supportive parents are less likely to engage in violent behavior after witnessing violence, while girls with high levels of social understanding are also at risk. Interventions focusing on improving the parent-adolescent relationship and teaching social understanding may reduce violence in both boys and girls.
Researchers found that sensory deprivation prevented substantial synapse loss in growing mice, contradicting the widely-held notion that brain neurons naturally lose connections as they form new ones. The study's findings suggest a potential link between childhood experiences and long-lasting impacts on brain function.
A study of over 2,200 US girls found that decreased physical activity was the main reason for weight gain and obesity. Increasing physical activity by 2.5 hours of brisk walking per week could potentially prevent weight gain and reduce obesity risk during adolescence.
A long-term study of over 1,000 children found that those who watched less TV in childhood and adolescence were more likely to achieve a university degree. Excessive TV time was associated with lower levels of educational attainment, even after controlling for other factors.
State-sponsored anti-tobacco media campaigns are associated with reduced youth smoking rates and increased antismoking attitudes. Students exposed to at least one state ad per four months were less likely to smoke and more likely to believe they would never start.
A new study found that higher adolescent IQ and greater activity levels are associated with a lower risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairments. The research used historical data from high school records and interviews with graduates to explore the relationship between early-life factors and late-life cognitive status.
A new study by Cornell University finds that acting violently can be protective against the effects of community violence among adolescent males, but not females. The research suggests that exposure to community violence is a widespread risk factor for emotional and behavioral problems.
A 54-week randomized study found that orlistat, a gastrointestinal tract lipase inhibitor, significantly improved weight management in obese adolescents. The medication was well-tolerated and showed a sustained effect on reducing BMI, waist circumference, and lipid levels.
Research suggests high school start times deprive teens of sleep, affecting cognitive performance and mood. Students perform better in the afternoon, but early morning classes report being wearier and less alert.
Chronic drowsiness in teens can be a sign of an underlying sleep disorder, according to a new report. The study highlights the importance of rigorous pediatric sleep histories to diagnose potential conditions.
A recent study suggests that a one-time adolescent vaccination against whooping cough could prevent 36% of projected cases while being reasonably cost-effective. The analysis considered various vaccination strategies and their impact on disease incidence, vaccine efficacy, side effects, and costs.
A study of 13,601 US adolescents found that perceived weight was a significant risk factor for suicidal ideation and attempts, regardless of actual body mass index (BMI). Perceived underweight or overweight status increased the likelihood of suicidal thoughts and attempts among students.
Researchers discovered that children begin incorporating brands into their self-concepts around age 10. As they move into adolescence, these connections evolve qualitatively, reflecting shared personality traits and user characteristics.
A recent study published in JAMA Network found that the Tdap vaccine elicited robust immune responses in adolescents and adults to pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria antigens. The potential benefits of widespread use of an adolescent and adult pertussis booster vaccine include a reduction in pertussis disease.
A new study by Dr. Jane Dimmitt Champion and her team found that minority adolescent women with a history of sexual/physical abuse are at higher risk of pelvic inflammatory disease and HIV/STDs. With better screening, these health problems could be decreased.
A K-State professor is conducting research on the STAR Lab's simulation training program for young teenagers. The lab aims to assess training effectiveness and study whether such training transfers to real-life driving situations.
A new study by University of Michigan researcher Jeffrey B. Bingenheimer found that adolescents exposed to gun violence are nearly four times as likely to perpetrate violence over the next two years. The study used propensity stratification to simulate randomization and controlled for demographic, socioeconomic, and temperamental factors.
A recent study found that tobacco brand appearances in PG-13 movies did not significantly decrease after the Master Settlement Agreement, leaving adolescent audiences exposed to tobacco advertising. The percentage of R-rated movies with tobacco brand appearances dropped by 55.4%, but that for PG-13 films remained unchanged since 1998.
The frontal cortex, a brain region controlling multi-tasking, continues to develop until age 17. The ability to remember single pieces of spatial information develops by age 11-12, while strategic self-organized thinking takes longer to mature.
Research found popular adolescents were more well-adjusted on many dimensions, but over time, they showed greater increases in delinquency and drug use. This suggests that the benefits of popularity may come with negative consequences.
A study of 132 adolescent patients found that isotretinoin treatment did not lead to an increase in depressive symptoms. In fact, treatment of acne was shown to improve depressive symptoms. The researchers emphasize the importance of recognizing depressive symptoms in patients with acne.
A study published in Journal of Research on Adolescence found that minority youth self-esteem increases with age, driven by family support and positive school climate. Ethnic differences were also observed, highlighting individual variations in adolescent development.
A study using a large U.S. population sample found that current DSM-IV criteria for alcohol-use disorder may be overly diagnostic in adolescents due to relatively infrequent drinking and shorter drinking histories. The study suggests age-specific distributions for these criteria conform to the age-specific distributions of alcohol use.
A study of adolescent patients in private, managed-care chemical-dependency treatment found that those receiving needed psychiatric services were more likely to be abstinent from alcohol and drugs. The results highlight the importance of providing psychiatric assessment and treatment in CD programs.
Researchers at Purdue University found that African-American and Caucasian adolescent girls handle sodium and calcium differently, leading to varying rates of hypertension and osteoporosis. The study concluded that excessive salt intake reduces bone density in both races, with Caucasian girls losing more calcium through their urine.
Teen athletes may have an advantage when traveling across time zones, as they can wake up later and feel more alert. Chronic sleep deprivation from irregular schedules, part-time jobs, and social activities can severely impair morning performance.
Boostrix is approved by the FDA for use in US adolescents against pertussis, with reported cases rising nearly 20-fold since 1976. Experts estimate the true incidence of the disease may be greater than one million cases per year, particularly among teens.
Children living with single mothers and grandparents in the household show similar test scores to those in married-couple families. Research highlights the importance of grandparents' role in supporting children during adolescence. Grandparents can serve as a source of strength for youth navigating this critical period.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that only about one-quarter of teen check-ups included diet and exercise discussions, while skin cancer was the least likely topic. The study also revealed low rates of counseling on HIV and family planning, with only about 5% of visits addressing these topics.
A Danish study found that sunburns occur most frequently among adolescents and young adults, who also exhibit the most risk-taking behavior when outdoors. Women tend to experience more sunburns due to longer exposure times during peak sun hours.
A Swedish study found that adolescents with a specific genetic variation in the serotonin transporter gene and poor family relationships are more likely to engage in high-intoxication frequency. Conversely, a favorable family environment can protect against genetic vulnerability. The study suggests an interaction between genetic and en...
Adolescent girls who engage in radical weight-control behaviors, depression, and perceive their parents' weight as obese are more likely to become obese. Erratic eating and lack of exercise do not strongly predict obesity.
Researchers found that adolescents averaging five minutes of vigorous physical activity per day were leaner and fitter than their peers. This suggests that general exercise recommendations for adolescents should encourage vigorous physical activity to help them maintain a healthy weight.
A study analyzing 2002 claims data from two large private health insurers in Washington state found that 83.6% of insured children had any insurance claims, with 6.2% using an alternative professional during the year. CAM use was more likely among children with cancer, low back pain, and adult family members who used CAM.
A study found that zinc supplementation improved reaction time, correct answers, and sustained attention in 7th-grade students. However, no significant improvement was seen in motor and social skills. The results suggest that increasing zinc intakes may benefit adolescent mental function, particularly memory.
A survey of 580 ethnically diverse Northern California ninth-graders found that teens considered oral sex less risky and socially acceptable than vaginal sex. However, most participants underestimated the risk of sexually transmitted infections due to oral sex.
Researchers found a step-wise increase in soft drink consumption among US children as they age, leading to a decline in milk intake and increased calorie consumption. Milk remains a primary source of essential nutrients, including calcium, phosphorus, and potassium, but its consumption declines with age.
Research suggests that intrinsic goal setting and autonomy support improve conceptual learning in adolescents. Teachers can promote this by highlighting the relevance of learning to intrinsic goals and using an empathy-based approach.
A new online self-help technology is being launched to tackle eating disorders, particularly bulimia nervosa. The computer-based package aims to provide accessible treatment options for adolescents and young adults affected by the condition.
A recent study by Yale University researchers found that virginity pledges do not reduce STD risk, but rather may encourage higher risk sexual behavior among young adults. Pledgers were less likely to use condoms at first sex and less likely to seek health care for STD infections.
A study of over 13,700 US school students found that those involved in substance use, delinquency, and school problems were at high risk for continued marijuana use. The study identified five stages of marijuana involvement and recommended targeting these areas for prevention efforts.
A survey of Iraqi teens found a correlation between high self-esteem and perceptions of danger, challenging traditional views on young children's responses to war. The study, led by Steve Carlton-Ford, reveals that groups with higher status in their communities exhibit the strongest self-esteem and perceived threat.
The FDA Advisory Committee has unanimously recommended approval of Boostrix, a vaccine candidate against pertussis, for use in adolescents. The vaccine showed comparable safety and immunogenicity to a U.S.-licensed Td vaccine, with higher anti-pertussis antibody levels in adolescents than in infants.
The Society for Adolescent Medicine advocates for adolescents to receive extended protection against pertussis. Adding a pertussis component to the current tetanus-diphtheria booster vaccine could help prevent this disease in teens and reduce transmission to infants.
Researchers found that Hispanic youth who speak English are at higher risk of having sex earlier than those who speak Spanish. Acculturation into US culture significantly affects their sexual behavior, with highly acculturated teens more likely to engage in early sex.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that motorbike-related injuries among children and adolescents are increasing, with most cases involving young boys who did not wear helmets. The researchers recommend mandatory helmet use and stricter age restrictions to prevent these types of injuries.
A recent study by Indiana University researchers found that existing school-based smoking prevention programs have little impact on long-term smoking prevalence among youth. Only one program, Life Skills Program, showed a reduction in smokers at long-term follow-up.
Researchers found that black adolescents who practiced transcendental meditation for eight months experienced a significant improvement in the ability of their blood vessels to dilate, reducing their risk of cardiovascular disease. This finding suggests that meditation may be an effective way to prevent and treat heart disease.
Teenagers often inadvertently expose themselves to pornography while conducting legitimate internet searches. The study reveals that late childhood has become a time of relative exposure to sexualized media due to the pervasive nature of online content.
The new guidelines, developed by a team of leading experts in child psychiatry, provide evidence-based recommendations for treating children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. The guidelines emphasize the importance of using multiple medications to stabilize moods and promote recovery.
A study by the University of Washington found that more than half of high school seniors (56%) were employed in the spring of their final year, mostly in minimum-wage jobs. These students often worked long hours and for low pay, which can impact their ability to balance work and academic responsibilities.
Research found that adolescent brain function is vulnerable to disruption from binge drinking, resulting in permanent damage. Heavy drinking during adolescence can impair problem-solving skills, working memory, and emotional reactivity, increasing the risk of mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar spectrum disorders.
A study by Kalil A and Ziol-Guest KM found that single mothers' employment dynamics impact their adolescents' sense of self-efficacy, self-esteem, and educational progress. Adolescents whose mothers were stably employed in higher-wage jobs showed better outcomes compared to those with unstable or low-wage employment.
Research shows that while limited TV time may be beneficial, excessive screen time can hinder cognitive development. Children's computer use also has pros and cons, with benefits in learning and socialization outweighing drawbacks.
A study found that parents are as likely to vaccinate their children against STIs as other types of infection, with the severity of the infection and vaccine effectiveness being key determinants. Parents favored vaccines for infections without behavioral prevention methods.
A survey of 1,068 parents aged 13-17 found that more than half supported parental notification laws (PNLs), which allow minors to obtain birth control without parental consent. Parents' support for PNLs may stem from fears about unknown others making decisions on their children's health.
After discontinuing DMPA, adolescent girls experienced significant gains in bone mineral density, with their levels comparable to those of other women in their age group. The study's findings suggest that DMPA use may not have a lasting impact on bone health in young women.
Adolescent smokers showed impairments in accuracy of working memory performance, with males more affected. Those trying to quit smoking also experienced further disruption of working memory.