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Articles from January 2011

• Parents who share caregiving may contribute to an unsupportive relationship

  According to new research from Ohio State University, families in which the mother is the primary caregiver of preschool-aged children may experience less conflict than those in which the parents share responsibility. For the study, the scientists surveyed 112 Midwestern couples who had a four-year-old child. more...

• Unhealthy relationships may affect mental and physical well-being

  Teens who grow up in unstable households may be at a higher risk for developing mental illnesses. However, unhealthy relationships affect both parents as well. more...

• Children whose fathers work overtime may exhibit bullying behaviors

  Recent research suggests that bullies may be a product of their father's work schedule. According to a study from Vanderbilt University, children who believe that their fathers work too much may exhibit bullying behaviors. more...

• Rethink Autism launches free webinar for parents and teachers of children with an ASD

  According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, an estimated 637,000 children between the ages of 3 and 17 in the U.S. - or one in 91 - were diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2007. This figure shows a 67 percent increase from 2002, when the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network estimated that one in 150 children were diagnosed with the disease. more...

• NAMI offers free course for family members of individuals with mental illnesses

  Parents of teens who suffer from a mental illness may be at risk for developing health problems as a result of caring for a disabled child. However, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is offering a free 12-week course for family members and partners of those who have been diagnosed with serious mental illnesses, Peninsula Daily News reports. more...

• Young adults who commit violent crimes may demonstrate warning signs of mental illness

  In recent years, the media has focused on tragedies in which young people commit horrible crimes. For example, in Tuscon, 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner went on a shooting spree, which left six people dead and 14 injured, according to USA Today. more...

• Research links stress to depression

  According to new research published in the journal Neuron, complex molecular mechanisms that are associated with chronic stress may help scientists find new treatments for depression. more...

• Legislators decide how to punish teens found guilty of "sexting"

  A survey conducted in 2008 by teen magazine Cosmo Girl and the National Campaign revealed that 39 percent of teens between the ages of 13 and 19 admit to having sent a sexually explicit message or picture in the past. The study also revealed that boys are more likely to receive sexts, while girls are more likely to send them. more...

• Caffeinated beverages may pose health risks to teens, according to researchers

  Despite the media's recent focus on caffeinated alcoholic beverages, such as Four Loko, many experts agree that energy drinks alone can be a danger as well. According to researchers from the University of Maryland School of Public Health and Wake Forest University School of Medicine, highly-caffeinated beverages are often consumed with alcohol by teens and young adults. more...

• Study shows that consumption of unhealthy fats may contribute to increased risk of depression

  New research from scientists at the universities of Navarra and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, reveals that a diet of unhealthy foods may contribute to the risk of suffering from depression. more...

• Study shows many teens do not receive treatment for mental health disorders

  According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, many American teens who suffer from mental health issues are not treated for their conditions. For the research, scientists surveyed 6,483 adolescents who were between the ages of 13 and 18. more...

• Abuse of bath salts is becoming a dangerous new drug trend

  An alarming new trend is putting many teens in danger. In states across the U.S., people are snorting, smoking and injecting bath salts in order to get high. However, the chemicals in these products can lead to hallucinations, paranoia, rapid heart rates and suicidal thoughts, according to the Chicago Sun Times. more...

• Health organization makes online resource for pregnancy information

  The Guttmacher Institute reports that the U.S. has the highest levels of teen pregnancy among developed nations. In order to curtail this issue, many local governments are launching preventive programs. For example, the St. Lawrence County Health Initiative in New York is aiming to make more information about reproductive health and pregnancy available online, the Watertown Daily Times reports. more...

• School district partners with police to prevent teen drug use

  The Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that mental health problems, including depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal and other psychosocial dysfunctions, are frequently linked to substance abuse among adolescents. As a result, many school districts are implementing programs to prevent teen drug and alcohol use. more...

• New research suggests psychopaths and brain injury sufferers have similar characteristics

  In an effort to find treatments for people who are diagnosed as psychopathic, researchers from the University of Haifa compared adults who suffer from brain injuries with those who have the mental disorder. According to the team, these two conditions have similar characteristics. more...

• Impulsive children may have self-control issues as adults, according to study

  Lack of self-control may be an issue that appears as early as childhood. According to researchers from Duke University, kids who score low on measures of self-control are more likely to experience social and behavioral problems as adults. more...

• High school senior creates YouTube video about suicide prevention

  According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is the third leading cause of death among young Americans between the ages of 15 and 24, behind unintentional injuries such as car accidents and homicide. more...

• Surgeon General speaks out about childhood obesity and depression

  According to research conducted by PBS, major depression affects approximately 15 million American adults - or about 8 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older - in a given year. New research is suggesting that children who are obese may be at a greater risk for developing this condition. more...

• Author tours the U.S. to end "ex-gay" organizations

  According to the National Education Policy Center, more than 85 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered (LGBT) students report being harassed because of their sexual or gender identity. In addition, more than 20 percent report being physically attacked. more...

• Teen and adult weightlifters increasingly abusing HGH

  The Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that mental health problems, including depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal and other psychosocial dysfunctions, are frequently linked to substance abuse among adolescents. more...

• Study shows meditation may improve mindfulness and memory

  A new study published in the journal Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging suggests that meditation can produce changes in the brain in regions that are associated with memory, sense of self, empathy and stress. The researchers surveyed 16 individuals who participated in the eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program at the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness. more...

• New study suggests female bully victims more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol

  A study by researchers from the University of Washington suggests that teen girls who are victims of bullying may be at a higher risk for substance abuse as a result of depression. The report, which is published in Prevention Science, surveyed 1,495 tenth grade students from across the country. more...

• Study shows many teens with mental health issues are not receiving proper care

  According to a recent study, only half of adolescents who suffer from severely impairing mental disorders receive proper treatment for their condition. The study, which was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, reveals that only one-third of teens with mental disorders receive care for their illness. more...

• Research shows deaf children are more frequently maltreated than their hearing peers

  New research from the Rochester Institute of Technology reveals that neglect, physical and sexual abuse occur more frequently to children who are deaf or hard of hearing. According to the study, which was presented at the 2010 annual meeting of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, maltreatment is 25 percent more common in children who are hearing-impaired. more...

• Study reveals children with ADHD and PBD have abnormal brain patterns

  According to research from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), brain imaging may reveal differences in the brains of teens with pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study is published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. more...

• High school teacher aims to curb teen drug use

  The Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that mental health problems, including depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal and other psychosocial dysfunctions, are frequently linked to substance abuse among adolescents. more...

• Study reveals that pregnant teens may be more impulsive than their peers

  According to new research, teenage girls who get pregnant may demonstrate impulsivity in other areas of their lives. The Globe and Mail reports that an associate professor of psychology at the University of Windsor in Canada is conducting the study. Participants were asked to fill out personality tests and complete quizzes involving pictures, memory and reactions. more...

• Students who are treated for colds at college health centers may have depression

  According to research conducted by PBS, major depression affects approximately 15 million American adults - or about 8 percent of the U.S. population - age 18 and older in a given year. As a result, a growing number of researchers are aiming to identify a way to prevent teens from developing serious depression. more...

• Researchers find that expressing worries before a stressful situation may be beneficial

  In the latest issue of the journal Science, research from the University of Chicago shows that students who write about their anxiety before a test may perform better. For the study, the scientists asked 20 college students to take two short math tests. more...

• Researchers find that children's successes and failures can be influenced by their friends

  According to researchers from the University of Oregon, the friends that teens make as they move from elementary school to middle school may signify their future successes or failures. The study, which is published in the Journal of Early Adolescence, looked at the data of 1,278 students, 55 percent of whom were girls, from a previous study. more...

• Researchers make advances in PTSD research

  New research by scientists at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) may help treat people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety conditions. The findings are published in the journal Science. more...

• Increase in teen medical marijuana use may be result of legalization

  As medical marijuana becomes legal in many states throughout the U.S., some experts wonder what the impact will be on teen drug use. In an effort to find the answer, officials in Colorado are studying the effects of legalizing the drug on teen usage in the state, The White Mountain Independent reports. more...

• Texas school district aims to reprimand 'sext' offenders

  In recent weeks, officials at the Freeport Intermediate School District in Texas have reacted to allegations of sexual assault via cyberbullying. News channel KHOU reports that many parents are concerned about inappropriate images of young girls that have potentially been forwarded to many students. more...

• Parents try to raise awareness about the many faces of teen drug abuse

  In response to a growing teen drug use problem, one parent is trying to prove that all substance abusers do not look the same. My West Texas reports that Josie Alvarez - a parent in the Midland Independent School District - is hosting a forum on teen drug use prevention. more...

• Child advocacy service notes shortage in male mentors for foster children

  In Roseville, California, Don Genasci works as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Child Advocates of Placer County. According to the Roseville Press Tribune, the organization has about 170 volunteers, but Genasci is one of very few men. more...

• Proposed bill may make synthetic marijuana illegal in Indiana

  Synthetic marijuana, which is also known as spice, could be illegal in some states within the next few months. This week, the Senate's Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters Committee voted unanimously to support a bill that could potentially make the substance illegal in Indiana, the Indy Star reports. more...

• Research shows children who survive a natural disaster may suffer from PTS

  According to new research by a psychologist from the University of Miami, children who live through a severe hurricane may show signs of post-traumatic stress (PTS) - such as having reoccurring dreams, being tense or distracted, and feeling sad or fearful - years after the trauma. The study, which is published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, is called Hurricane-Related Exposure Experiences and Stressors, Other Life Events, and Social Support: Concurrent and Prospective Impact on Children's Persistent Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms. more...

• New drug that helps mice overcome fear could help treat humans PTSD

  Researchers from the U.S. and Spain have recently discovered that 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone - a type of flavonoid - may suppress the fear that is associated with a traumatic experience. The study, which was led by scientists at Emory University and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, was recently published in the American Journal of Psychiatry. more...

• Study reveals secondhand media exposure may influence body image

  According to a new study by researchers from Harvard Medical School, indirect media exposure - or having friends who watch television - may be damaging to a teen's body image regardless of whether they have a TV at home. more...

• Improperly implanted contraceptives result in potential teen pregnancies

  In an effort to prevent pregnancy, many woman choose slow-release contraceptives that are implanted for as many as three years. However, according to the Guardian, more than 500 women in the UK became pregnant as a result of a faulty contraceptive implant known as Implanon. more...

• Study shows students with disabilities are increasingly attending college

  According to a recent study by SRI International - an independent research organization - the number of young adults with special needs who participate in volunteer or community service has grown from 13 percent in 2009 to 25 percent in 2005. In addition, the number of students with savings accounts grew from 44 percent in 1990 to 56 percent in 2005. more...

• Oregon facing critical prescription drug abuse issues

  According to a study done by the National Center On Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, between 1993 to 2005, teen usage of prescription drugs increased by 93 percent. In some states, the number of teens who are abusing these substances has become an issue of significant proportions. more...

• Community seeks to prevent minors from access to alcohol

  Recent research has suggested that teens may not have difficulty obtaining alcohol. One method of acquiring the substance is to get it from older friends and siblings. In an effort to curtail this practice, the Beacon Coalition - which is run by the Newburyport, Massachusetts Youth Services department - is launching a campaign aimed at preventing 20- to- 25-year-olds from providing alcohol to minors, Newburyport News reports. more...

• Underage drinking and driving becoming a major issue in Texas

  Drinking and driving is a serious issue, but the problem can be even worse for teens. In order to uncover why more efforts are not taken to prevent intoxicated driving among adolescents, the Dallas Morning News investigated the Texas legal system. more...

• States aim to curtail teen bullying in schools

  As teen bullying becomes a national issue, many school districts are implementing prevention plans in an effort to curtail this trend. However, many of these initiatives may be ineffective at best, according to The Boston Globe. more...

• Bullying victim opens up about former abuse and recovery from depression

  As a result of incessant bullying, many teens suffer from severe bouts of depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts. In an effort to prevent other teens from feeling helpless, high school student Kate McGlynn-Moore spoke with The Daily Courier about her past experiences. more...

• County receives approval for teen pregnancy prevention funding

  Teen pregnancy is a national issue that has been highlighted in recent years, due in part to television shows such as MTV's Teen Mom. In an effort to prevent teen pregnancy, the Graham County Board of Supervisors in Arizona recently approved next year's budget for programs, the Eastern Arizona Courier reports. The county's teen prevention initiatives were recently re-approved for $100,000 in funding through 2011. more...

• Texas county faces growing heroin problem among teens

  According to the Greater Dallas Council of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the number of heroin addicts seeking treatment in Dallas County has nearly doubled, many of whom are teenagers. The number of teens who have received treatment for this addiction in the county has increased from 33 in 2005 to 215 in 2010, news channel KDAF reports. more...

• TV personality Dr. Drew Pinsky joins drug abuse prevention campaign

  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five high school students has taken a prescription drug that was not prescribed for them by a doctor. In addition, 2,500 young people use a prescription pain reliever to get high for the first time every day. more...