Child abuse remains a serious problem: Nearly 700,000 children are abused in the U.S annually. No one needs an academic study to understand that abuse and neglect take a terrible toll on young people, their families, and society. We now have clear evidence that child abuse has long-term effects on its victims’ mental and physical health throughout their lives. [Read more…]
Parenting Programs Can Help Prevent Child Abuse
March 30, 2022 By Leave a Comment
What We Know About Preventing Teen Dating Violence
March 16, 2022 By Leave a Comment
Approximately 18 percent of teens in the U.S. experience sexual or physical abuse from a romantic partner, according to the National Survey on Teen Relationships and Intimate Violence. And more than 60 percent report psychological abuse from their romantic relationships. Not surprisingly, this abuse is associated with depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicide ideation, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [Read more…]
To Excel in Sports, Try Them All
December 14, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams started playing tennis at age 4 and began playing professionally as teenagers. Similarly, golf phenomenon Tiger Woods first held a club at age 2 and won his first junior world championship at age 13. [Read more…]
The Pros and Cons of Social Media for Youth
October 18, 2021 By Leave a Comment
More than 90 percent of teenagers in the U.S. have a smartphone. Access to this type of technology and social networking changes the playing field for young people who are simultaneously developing a sense of identity and new social relationships. [Read more…]
Why Cross-Ethnic Friendships Are Good for Kids
August 23, 2021 By Leave a Comment
It’s well established that friendships are important influences on youth. Studies show that peers affect teens’ body image, physical activity levels, likelihood of smoking, and much more. A growing field of research demonstrates that the race and ethnicity of friends matter too.
For starters, there is a large body of evidence that shows that face-to-face interactions between members of different racial groups reduces prejudice. In other words, when you personally interact with someone from a different racial or ethnic group, you’re more likely to approach other people from that group with an open mind. [Read more…]
What We Know About Opioids and Child Mistreatment
August 20, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Opioid use has surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data show the use of fentanyl and methamphetamine climbed steeply in 2020 and drug overdose deaths jumped by 18% last year.
The opioid epidemic has serious consequences for millions of Americans. Opioid misuse increases the risk of illness from COVID-19 and leads to long-term consequences for mental and physical health. People who misuse illegal substances are more likely to experience job loss, interpersonal violence, and become involved in criminal activity. [Read more…]
What We Know About Trans Youth and Bullying
June 25, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Transgender youth, kids whose gender identity does not match their assigned sex, experience bullying and violence in schools at much higher rates compared to cisgender youth, whose gender identity does match their assigned sex.
In fact, evidence shows that trans youth are more likely to experience what researchers call poly-victimization — multiple forms of abuse or discrimination simultaneously — compared to cis youth. This type of abuse is associated with serious mental and emotional problems including lower self-esteem, anxiety, depression, suicide, poor school performance and more. [Read more…]
Quarantine Side Effect: Nearsightedness in Kids
May 29, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Most kids in the U.S. have spent more time on screens during the COVID-19 pandemic for a myriad for reasons: to complete schoolwork virtually, stay occupied while parents worked at home and maintain connections with friends and family members. [Read more…]
This Parenting Style Is Proven to Build Independence
April 5, 2021 By Leave a Comment
As a parent, it can be useful to understand which parenting style comes naturally to you, as well as the pros and cons of each style. But there is one parenting style you may not have heard of, one that researchers have found supports psychological health, academic achievement, and positive attitudes toward school. [Read more…]
Kids These Day: How Youth Behavior Stacks Up
December 5, 2020 By Leave a Comment
If you haven’t said it yourself, you’ve certainly heard other utter the statement that typically begins with “Kids these days…” and describes some deficiency of modern youth. Usually it’s said with a lofty tone that suggests today’s young people are less responsible and well-behaved compared to previous generations. [Read more…]
The Link Between Food Insecurity and Mental Health
November 10, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Unemployment rates rose to more than 14 percent in April this year with more than 23 million Americans without work when the U.S. shut down to stop the spread of COVID-19. Since economic activity in the U.S. has resumed, millions have returned to their old jobs or found new ones. But there are still more than 11 million Americans unemployed – more than double than were unemployed in February before COVID-19 spread widely in the U.S. [Read more…]
How to Get Kids to Change Their Behavior for the Better
October 29, 2020 By Leave a Comment
When trying to convince someone to take action, our words matter – even more so when talking to a young person.
If you have ever parented a child or worked with youth, you have likely witnessed that lectures rarely lead to whole-hearted behavior change, even when the lecturer has the best intentions. So, what’s the best way to encourage behavior change in young people, especially when there is a serious health problem at hand? [Read more…]
