Mindfulness Training at School Reduces Depression in Teenagers
A study published last month in the Mindfulness Journal, found that a mindfulness program integrated into school hours, can prevent and reduce symptoms of clinical depression in high school students...The researchers found that six months after the study, the mindfulness students with clinical depression symptoms showed significantly greater reductions in depression compared to their control group peers. Read full article
Here's a Downside of Honesty with Children
...Reading new research results from the University of Illinois about the downside of parents honestly revealing their experiences with drugs and alcohol made me realise that my views on honesty and openness come with ... qualification...Results of the new study involving over 550 young teens indicated that children whose parents had shared details of their own drinking, smoking and marijuana use were less likely to think drugs were bad. Read full article
What Makes Teenagers Stand Up for Bullying Victims?
To bully, 'bystand' or 'upstand'? This is the question that adolescents who witness bullying behaviour are processing at the time of an incident. New research from the Harvard Graduate School of Education discovers why teens at school don't always stand up for bullying victims, even though they want to. Read full article
Reducing Aggression by Teaching Teens that People Can Change
When adults see media coverage of teens reacting aggressively to minor provocation, they often assume this behaviour is influenced by a teenager’s family background and experiences. And although a hostile family and school environment can contribute to aggressive behaviour, new research shows that the tendency of teens to act aggressively also depends on their belief about people’s ability or inability to change. This finding may help adults create education programs aimed at reducing violence and aggressive behaviour, and give parents important ideas on how to talk to children about people’s potential for change. Three key ideas for parents and teachers are included in this article. Read full article
Will Our Kids Be Better 'Technology Parents'?
So this morning I saw the headline “Our web-addict kids miss out on meals and sleep”.And I thought, somewhat judgementally - surely their parents can do something about that? And at the same time I acknowledged, from my own personal experience, how hard it is to get teens to stop using a computer and do something else. Read full article
Effective Strategies to Prevent Teen Depression and Suicide
Untreated depression is one of the leading causes of teen suicide, and signs of depression can also be a warning that a teenager is contemplating suicide. In an article published this week in the quarterly journal, The Prevention Researcher, University of Cincinnati researchers described how positive connections can help offset these tragedies...The authors state that teen suicidal warning signs encompass three specific categories ... Read full article
Why Do So Many Teenagers Get Into Trouble?
Whether it be managing the unexpected behaviours of teenagers, a chronic disability, an acute illness, or mental health issues, Benison O'Reilly explores why teenagers get into trouble even with supportive parenting. Read full article
Why Do Teens Take More Risks? Do They?
A study by researchers at New York University, Yale’s School of Medicine, and Fordham University suggests that one reason why adolescents tolerate situations where the outcome is uncertain is that they have a higher level of comfort with “the ambiguous”. And this result could help in suggesting new ways for parents and teachers to talk to teenagers about risk. What do you think? Read full article
Are Teens Passive Smoking via Their iPhones?
A recent study from the School of Public Health at the University of Sydney uncovered 107 pro-smoking apps downloadable from smartphone application stores globally...The study notes there are no data available about who downloads these apps, but the high quality 3D designs, free access, and the share-ability on social media of some of these apps, makes them particularly appealing to the teen consumer. Read full article
Teens Using Technology - Backlit Devices can Impact on Sleep
New research from the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York, indicates that teenagers who use backlit technology, such as tablet devices, for two hours before bed, may have their sleeping patterns disrupted. At this time of year in Australia, many teens are studying for their final HSC exams and technology usually plays a significant role at this time. Being aware of its possible effects on sleep and melatonin release, may help parents advise their teens on how to ensure they get sufficient sleep. Read full article
