Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Suicidal thoughts can help identify teens with a variety of treatable psychosocial problems

A new study finds that adolescents with frequent suicidal thoughts are at risk for a range of psychological and social issues, including depression, anxiety, attention disorders, and more. Pediatricians can use screening tools to identify teens who need help, regardless of whether they will attempt suicide.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2022

Lonely teenagers at greater risk of poor educational outcomes

A new study from King's College London found that lonely teenagers are at a greater risk of poor educational outcomes and negative mental health issues. Participants who experienced loneliness during early adolescence were more likely to finish school with lower grades and experience problems such as depression and anxiety by age 18.

SourceKing's College London·JournalDevelopment and Psychopathology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 3, 2022

Study shows discrepancy in 'hookup culture' sexual activity on dates

A recent study from the University of Kansas found that college students' self-reported attitudes towards sex on dates do not match their actual behavior. When men initiated dates, sex was more restricted than when women asked for a date. In contrast, female-initiated dates saw genital contact occurring on 63% of occasions, while tradi...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalSexuality & Culture·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 3, 2022

Not living the dream: Millennials locked out of housing market by older generations

A new research paper from the University of South Australia reveals that older generations hold a significant portion of housing properties, locking out younger Millennials. The study highlights how government policies designed to protect one generation can hinder another, creating severe housing tenure inequalities.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalProperty Management·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 2, 2022

Suicides by drug overdose increased among young people, elderly people, and Black women, despite overall downward trend

A recent study found an increase in intentional drug overdose deaths among young people aged 15-24, older adults aged 75-84, and non-Hispanic Black women. Despite a downward trend in overall deaths, these subgroups saw a rise in intentional overdose death rates, with women ages 45 to 64 having the highest rates.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateFeb 2, 2022

For young people with meniscal tears, surgery and exercise are equally effective

A new study published in NEJM Evidence reveals that exercise and patient education can provide similar results as surgery for young people with meniscal tears. The research compared surgical and non-surgical treatment options among 121 young individuals and found no significant difference in outcomes between the two groups.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences·JournalNEJM Evidence·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 2, 2022

Better education needed about oral sex disease risk, poll of young people shows

A new poll shows that most teens and young adults know it's possible to catch or spread a sexually transmitted infection by having unprotected oral sex, but over half underestimate the level of that risk. Young people also call for more education about the risks of oral sex and normalization of protection through popular culture.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateJan 27, 2022

Progression of nearsightedness in young adults

A recent study investigated the progression of nearsightedness in nearly 700 young adults, aged 20-28. The findings indicate a significant increase in myopia among this age group, with a substantial impact on their daily lives and vision health.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateJan 6, 2022

Loneliness among emerging adults increased slightly

A recent study found that loneliness among emerging adults (18-29 years old) has increased by about 0.56 standard deviations on the UCLA Loneliness Scale over a 43-year period. This slight increase is considered a warning signal for the need to design prevention and intervention measures against loneliness.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPsychological Bulletin·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 17, 2021

Welsh kids' self-reported wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic differed by gender, ethnicity and deprivation, with younger children reporting the need for playing with friends and older students wanting support with anxiety and educational pressures

Younger children report need for social interaction, while older students seek support for anxiety and educational pressures. The study surveyed 6291 young people in Wales to understand factors influencing their wellbeing during the pandemic.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 15, 2021

Measuring inequality in COVID-19 mortality

The study found significant disparities in COVID-19 mortality rates among racial and ethnic groups and those with different levels of educational attainment. The researchers analyzed data from 219 million adults aged 25 or older to identify these inequalities.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 23, 2021

12-year-old children consume on average 8 1/4 hours of media daily, with media multitasking associated with worse mental health outcomes but videogaming associated with better mental health outcomes

A study of 8-12 year olds reveals that media multitasking is associated with worse mental health outcomes, while videogaming shows a positive correlation. The research highlights the importance of balancing screen time with other activities for children's overall well-being.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 17, 2021

Flavoured vapes less harmful to young people than smoking, and could help teen smokers quit

A systematic review of over 500,000 under 18s found that flavoured vapes are an important aspect of vaping enjoyed by young people, potentially encouraging them to switch from tobacco smoking to less harm vaping. However, the study warns that more needs to be done to prevent young non-smokers from being attracted to vaping.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalAddiction·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 16, 2021

How surviving cancer as a child affects lifelong health

A new UCL-led study found that people who survived childhood cancer have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, infections, and disorders of the immune system by age 45. The study also suggests that cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy face greater long-term health effects.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 14, 2021

Netflix’s Sex Education lives up to its name – and challenges perceptions about teens and porn

The study analyzes how Sex Education fills the gap in sex education for teenagers, offering a more nuanced understanding of their needs. The show represents sex education as a conversation between teens, parents, and experts, challenging traditional gatekeeper ideas about adult protection.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalInformation Communication & Society·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 11, 2021

COVID-19 leads to a decrease in prosocial behaviour among disadvantaged adolescents

A study by University of Cologne researchers found that COVID-19 has a particularly negative impact on young people from economically disadvantaged and less educated backgrounds. They exhibit decreased prosocial behavior, including lower generosity, altruism, and cooperation, as well as reduced trust in others.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateNov 11, 2021

Younger generation eat climate-consciously

The study found that 29% of younger Germans eat a flexitarian diet and 17% follow a meat-free diet, demonstrating high levels of climate awareness. The results highlight the need for effective communication to promote climate-conscious eating habits among the undecided group.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalCleaner and Responsible Consumption·TypeSurvey·DateNov 8, 2021

The state of research into youth helplines

A systematic review of youth helplines found that while they appear to be beneficial, there is limited evidence on their effectiveness, particularly for lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The study highlights the need for further research and tailored services to address systemic barriers to help-seeking.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 2, 2021

Researchers uncover new links between arts programming and social action

A study by NYU researchers reveals that participating in arts programming enhances critical consciousness among youth of color and white youth alike, promoting greater awareness of social inequity. This breakthrough finding highlights the significance of arts programming as a site for developing critical consciousness.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

Survival similar for younger and older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, study finds

A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that younger patients with metastatic colorectal cancer have a similar overall survival time as older patients, defying expectations. The study included data from the CALGB/SWOG 80405 clinical trial and compared survival times in 514 younger patients under 50 with 1,812 older patients.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2021

Giving disadvantaged kids a sporting chance

A new study by Flinders University highlights the importance of organized activities for disadvantaged youth, finding they are almost three times more likely to miss out on such opportunities. Participation in these activities can help reduce socio-economic disparities by promoting better mental health and improved educational outcomes.

SourceFlinders University·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

Study: Adolescents’ experiences with police have harmful repercussions for later life outcomes

A new study found that adolescents' experiences with police can negatively impact their future orientation, leading to reduced educational and career aspirations. The research, conducted by the American Society of Criminology, analyzed data from 1,354 serious offenders and found that even positive interactions with police can create co...

SourceAmerican Society of Criminology·JournalCriminology·DateOct 15, 2021

Differences in brain structure between siblings make some more susceptible to developing severe antisocial behaviour

Researchers discovered structural differences in brain regions responsible for decision-making and empathy in adolescents with conduct disorder compared to their unaffected siblings. These findings suggest that small changes in brain function may contribute to the development of antisocial behavior in some siblings.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalPsychological Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 4, 2021

Sibling bullying associated with poor mental health outcomes years later, new study finds

A new study of over 17,000 participants found that sibling bullying in early adolescence is associated with poorer mental health outcomes in late adolescence. The research suggests that prevention and clinical interventions aimed at reducing sibling bullying can benefit from improving positive mental health during late adolescence.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 29, 2021

VUB led Science publication shows how climate change is disproportionally affecting children

International research reveals that children will face a disproportionate increase in lifetime extreme event exposure due to climate change. The study, led by Prof. Wim Thiery of VUB, quantifies the impact of climate change on children born between 1960 and 2020, showing they will experience more heatwaves, droughts, crop failures, riv...

SourceVrije Universiteit Brussel·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 26, 2021

Psychosis risk linked to cats

A new study by Orygen has linked exposure to toxoplasma gondii, carried by cats, with an increased likelihood of developing psychosis in young people. The observational study found a significant association between long-term Toxoplasma infection and the transition to first-episode psychosis.

SourceOrygen·JournalSchizophrenia Research·TypeObservational study·DateSep 20, 2021