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Articles from February 2011

• Study: Many teens who have kinship caregivers develop behavioral problems

  A new report in the journal Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine reveals that children who stay with kinship caregivers are more likely to develop problems than if they lived with foster parents. more...

• The King's Speech may give hope to stuttering teens

  Millions of children around the world have problems communicating because of speech defects such as stuttering, lisps and severe performance anxiety. more...

• Study: Victimized individuals more likely to abuse drugs, alcohol

  A new report in the journal Addiction states that individuals who are victimized are more likely to develop substance abuse problems. more...

• Happiness during adolescence linked to pleasurable adulthood

  A new study from researchers at the University of Cambridge and the MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Aging reveals that a happy teenager is more likely to be a satisfied adult. more...

• Teens have mixed views on value of marriage

  Adolescents who do not hold strong family values may turn to alcohol and drugs to cope with their domestic issues and avoid relationships. On the other hand, teens who are unhealthily co-dependent on other individuals may also be at risk of developing addiction problems. more...

• Study: Faking a smile can lead to sadness, withdrawal

  Some teens who suffer from emotional problems such as depression and anxiety may try to hide their conditions from their parents, friends and teachers. On some occasions, adolescents will feign happiness by smiling when they are around other people. more...

• Scientists identify gene irregularity linked to bipolar disorder

  A new report reveals that a brain protein called Piccolo may be the genetic variation that explains why many children inherit bipolar disorder (BPD) from their parents. more...

• Temple researchers examine effectiveness of online support groups for mentally ill

  Researchers from Temple University (TU) have discovered that online peer support groups for people with mental illnesses can have mixed results. These web-based tools can provide emotional support for isolated individuals, but they are likely to have little or no effect on one's condition. more...

• Study: Young children need better treatment for mental health problems

  A new study debunks the myth that young children cannot be afflicted by mental health disorders and reveals that many of these kids do not receive the treatment that they need. more...

• Senator Brown shares traumatic story to inspire others

  The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that children who experience traumatic events before they are 11 years old are three times more likely to develop psychological symptoms later in life, compared to those who experience their first trauma as a teen or adult. more...

• New test can spot autism risk in infants, according to study

  Scientists at Children's Hospital Boston have developed a noninvasive test that may detect autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in children as young as 9 months old. more...

• Study: Blood, spit samples can reveal burnout symptoms

  A new study concludes that simple blood and saliva tests can show if an individual is overworked and stressed. more...

• Dermatologist: Acne can lead kids to antisocial behavior, depression

  Past studies have shown that teens who have severe acne problems are more likely to have low self-esteem and experience suicidal thoughts. more...

• Some teens post self-harm videos on YouTube to express themselves, educate others

  A recent study reveals a troubling new trend of teenagers posting self-harm videos on YouTube. more...

• Study: Women more likely to forgive than men

  Many problem teens engage in negative activity because they hold grudges and resentments against other individuals, such as their peers, parents or authority figures. more...

• Birth, placenta size may indicate future mental health problems, study shows

  A recent study reveals a link between the size of babies at birth and mental health problems that they may experience later in life. more...

• Owning a dog can increase positive teen activity, researchers find

  Past studies have shown that some adolescents who are not physically active are at risk of developing depression and low self-esteem. As a result, many parents are searching for ways to help their teens avoid sedentary lifestyles. more...

• Study: BP oil spill caused widespread mental distress

  Past studies have shown that traumatic events can affect the long-term mental health of children and teenagers. Some people believe that a troubling event has to occur in direct proximity of an individual for he or she to become emotionally disturbed. more...

• Severe emotional reactions may impact long-term health, study reveals

  A new study in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity reveals that an individual's emotional response to challenging situations can predict how one's body reacts to stress. more...

• Protein shortage in brain may explain why men are more likely to develop autism

  A new study reveals brain activity that may explain why males have a higher incidence of autism that female subjects. more...

• Study: Self-portrait may reveal eating disorders among teenage girls

  Some parents question whether their teenage daughters are suffering from eating disorders (EDs) such as anorexia and bulimia, but they have trouble broaching the sensitive subject with their children. more...

• FSU researcher says educational video games could be wave of the future

  Although some parents are unhappy with their children's video game habits, a researcher from Florida State University (FSU) has proposed a solution. more...

• Online film shows devastating effects of teen eating disorders

  A nonprofit organization called Normal in Schools (NIS) that is dedicated to educating students about eating disorders (EDs), self-esteem and wellness recently launched an online educational film to coincide with National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, which takes place from February 20 to 26. more...

• Asian Americans are most depressed out of all teen demographics

  A new report by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reveals that Asian American girls have the highest rate of depression among all teenage demographics. more...

• Study: Bone protein linked to neurological irregularities

  Doctors have identified a protein in the brain that is responsible for helping individuals learn from their mistakes. more...

• Software company shares healthy teen dating tips

  Awareness Technologies, a company that produces remote monitoring software, recently released a series of tips for parents in honor of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. more...

• Bullied boy gets national spotlight, visit from his favorite athlete

  Four months ago, a 13-year-old Pennsylvania boy was bullied by seven of his peers, and the beating was caught on tape. As he was kicked, dragged through the snow and stuffed into a tree, some adults stood by and did not intervene. more...

• Study: Children with ADHD at risk of developing substance abuse problems

  A recent study reveals that children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are up to three times more likely than kids without the disorder to develop serious substance abuse problems later in life. more...

• Abused children more likely to develop ulcers as adults, researchers say

  A recent study reveals that children who are victims of physical abuse may be at risk of developing ulcers later in life. more...

• Study: Common bug killer may cause cognitive problems in fetus

  A new study reveals that exposure to a common insecticide during pregnancy can impair the mental development of their child. Researchers from Columbia University (CU) concluded that pyrethroid insecticides can have long-term effects after exposure. more...

• Study reveals brain activity associated with anxiety

  Researchers from the University of California-Berkeley recently examined the brain activity that causes some individuals to be more prone to anxiety disorders. more...

• State of the nation can influence people's emotions, study says

  A high national unemployment rate and a sputtering economy has left the U.S. in a melancholy state in recent years, and parents may want to see if these difficult times have negatively impacted their children's emotional well-being. more...

• Study: Rate of drug-using stroke patients spikes

  Although strokes among teenagers and young adults are rare, they do occur. The most notable case in recent history was Sheryl Wolfe, a teen beauty pageant champion from Hawaii who died from a stroke last spring. more...

• Teens with addictive personalities susceptible to gambling problems

  Millions of teens gathered around their television sets this past weekend to watch Super Bowl XVL. Although the annual event provides an opportunity for family members to bond while watching football, the game also can expose children to unhealthy behaviors such as drinking alcohol and gambling. more...

• Young child's diet could affect IQ later in life, study finds

  A new study reveals that young children who have diets that are high in fat, sugar and processed foods may be more likely to struggle in school than kids who have healthier eating habits. more...

• Study: Many teens don't understand facets of developmental disabilities

  There are many children in America who have misconceptions about the intricacies of learning disabilities, which can lead to bullying and other unhealthy responses to these disadvantaged students. more...

• Study: Many autistic young adults not receiving adequate health services

  A new report in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine reveals that medical services for many autistic individuals declines after they leave high school. more...

• Advertisements during football broadcasts littered with adult-themed content

  Young fans of the NFL were exposed to much more than a football game on Super Bowl Sunday. Several advertisements featured adult content such as sexual innuendo, beer commercials and violent movie trailers. more...

• Study: High-quality child care can help at-risk kids

  Many toddlers who are adopted come from difficult home environments, which can lead to various social and emotional problems when they reach adolescence. more...

• Study links Facebook use and eating disorders among teen girls

  A new study reveals that girls who use Facebook are more likely to have low self-esteem and develop eating disorders than those who do not use the social networking website. more...

• Professor calls on states to extend benefits for foster care teens

  Many adolescents who are not adopted by the age of 18 are released into the real world without a place to stay, money, a job or reliable transportation. more...

• Study: Genetics play an important role in academic performance

  Millions of students drop out of high school every year, and many more struggle to pass their classes. Although a lot of the blame has been directed at lackluster education programs, a new study reveals that genetics have a significant impact on student achievement. more...

• Virginia House approves autism healthcare coverage mandate

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the lifetime cost to care for an individual who has autism is approximately $3.2 million. However, lawmakers in Virginia are attempting to reduce those expenses for parents. more...

• Discovery of gene mutation could lead to treatment for schizophrenics

  According to MentalHealthAmerica.net, neurodevelopmental damage is more common among schizophrenic children than in adults who have the mental disorder. Before psychotic symptoms begin to emerge, adolescents with schizophrenia may experience delays in language and other motor functions. more...

• Study: Ritalin may help iron-deficient children focus

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports than iron deficiency affects more than 2 billion children in the world. more...

• Girls who play video games with parents may improve their mental health

  A new study reveals that girls who play video games with their parents are more likely to be well-behaved and have strong mental health. more...

• New study examines brain activity associated with sleep apnea

  Some children who suffer from sleep apnea struggle with their academics because they are restless and inattentive during the day. In addition, kids who have trouble sleeping may also develop behavioral and emotional problems, such as irritability or depression. more...