All posts tagged: Adolescent

Early PFAS exposure linked to adolescent bone density changes

Early PFAS exposure linked to adolescent bone density changes

Published by skeptic

Emerging evidence indicates that PFAS exposure in early life could influence bone development during adolescence, raising concerns about the long-term health implications of these persistent environmental chemicals. A new study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society reports associations between early exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and lower bone density in teenagers. Researchers found that the timing of exposure may play a critical role, with certain developmental stages appearing more sensitive than others. The study was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Tracking PFAS exposure across childhood PFAS are a large class of synthetic compounds widely used in industrial processes and consumer products, including food packaging, non-stick cookware and water-resistant materials. Often referred to as forever chemicals, they are resistant to degradation and can accumulate in both the environment and human tissue. ©Shutterstock/VectorMine To examine potential health effects, researchers analysed data from 218 participants enrolled in a long-term birth cohort study. Blood samples were collected at multiple points: at birth and at ages three, eight and twelve. Bone density …

Dating and breakups take a heavy emotional toll on adolescent mental health

Dating and breakups take a heavy emotional toll on adolescent mental health

Published by José Betancourt

Entering the dating world or going through a breakup can increase the likelihood that teenagers will experience suicidal thoughts or actions. A recent study published in the Journal of Adolescence tracked Chinese students over a year to understand how navigating new romantic relationships affects their mental health. The researchers found that starting a relationship or going through a breakup raised the odds of suicidal behaviors, highlighting a clear need for better emotional support for teens. Adolescence brings a sudden rush of physical and emotional changes. Teenagers are figuring out who they are and how they fit into the social world around them. This rocky transition can make them particularly vulnerable to a wide variety of mental health struggles. Globally, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among young people. Finding reliable ways to identify which teenagers are most at risk is a major priority for public health experts. Romance is a highly visible part of teenage life, but it comes with a steep learning curve. Navigating an intimate relationship requires high levels of …

Ketamine blocks the short-term anxiety and social withdrawal linked to adolescent social defeat

Ketamine blocks the short-term anxiety and social withdrawal linked to adolescent social defeat

Published by José Betancourt

A recent study published in Physiology & Behavior suggests that administering ketamine during periods of social stress in adolescence can prevent the development of anxiety and social withdrawal. These findings provide evidence that targeted medical interventions might one day help build resilience against the negative mental health impacts of bullying. Exposure to stressful life events during the sensitive developmental period of adolescence is closely linked to an increased risk of psychiatric illnesses and drug use disorders. In animal models, experiencing repeated social defeat, which mimics the human experience of bullying, tends to cause short-term anxiety and depressive symptoms. It also increases an animal’s sensitivity to the rewarding effects of drugs like cocaine later in adulthood. Scientists wanted to explore ways to interrupt this pathway from early stress to later psychological and addiction issues. Previous research indicated that the brain’s glutamate system, a major network of chemical messengers, is heavily involved in how the brain processes social stress and drug reward. Ketamine is a fast-acting antidepressant that works by blocking specific glutamate receptors in the brain. …

Violence linked to depression in adolescent girls but not boys

Violence linked to depression in adolescent girls but not boys

Published by José Betancourt

A longitudinal study of adolescents from the Chicago metropolitan area found that in female, but not in male adolescents, higher exposure to violence was associated with more severe depression symptoms. In males, depression was associated with the expansion of the salience network of the brain and with increased connectivity of this network. The paper was published in Translational Psychiatry. Violence exposure in this study was defined as experiencing, witnessing, or being repeatedly confronted with acts of interpersonal physical violence, such as being shoved, kicked, punched, or attacked with a weapon. It is a major risk factor for mental health problems, increasing the likelihood of all types of psychopathology. Childhood adversities such as physical abuse and family violence account for a substantial proportion of psychiatric disorders that emerge during adolescence. This period is especially sensitive because key social and emotional brain systems are still developing. Exposure to violence during adolescence is associated with maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, such as rumination and emotional suppression, which contribute to rising rates of depression. Although males are more likely to …

When a Parent or Adolescent Uses Wounding Words

When a Parent or Adolescent Uses Wounding Words

Published by Jenni Sidey

Of course, that old saying, “Sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me,” is wrong. Particularly between people who are caringly connected, like parent and adolescent for example, unhappy feelings expressed through hasty words can do a lot of damage. Thoughtlessly spoken, they are emotionally driven. Some relationships are particularly volatile, like a quick tempered parent and a hot-headed teenager who can create a lot of painful interactions this way when they allow frustration, hurt, or anger to dictate what they say. “I only spoke that way because I was feeling upset,” explains the offender. The parent or adolescent needs to find a better alternative, and the adult needs to lead and show that way. After all,now is later, an adolescent is just an adult in training, and part of the parental responsibility is modeling and teaching habits of spoken communication that the young person will carry forward into significant relationships to come. Ensuring safe speech means managing unhappy emotional arousal that can betray them into saying what can inflict …