Adolescents

  • Low empathy in adolescent boys predicts violent behaviour in adulthood

    Low empathy and low resting heart rate are established, independent risk factors of antisocial behaviour. Now, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have studied whether an interaction between these two factors during adolescence might mediate violent behaviour in early adulthood.

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  • Determining the “IMPACT” of therapeutics for depression requires an adaptive trial design

    A large proportion of adolescents suffering from moderate-to-severe major depression respond to psychological and pharmacological therapy, and the range of effective treatment modalities is increasing. Now, Ian Goodyer and Paul Wilkinson have compiled a Practitioner Review that compares the various treatment options available and assesses their effectiveness for adolescents affected by major depressive episodes.

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  • The trajectories of depressive symptoms expressed in early childhood differ between boys and girls

    A study by Diana Whalen and colleagues at Washington University has used latent class analysis (LCA) to identify and define the trajectories of latent classes of depressive symptoms in early childhood.

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  • Genetic factors influence the relationship between the home environment and onset of depressive symptom

    Clinical depression is prevalent in adolescence, but how depression emerges and the nature of the early risk factors is unknown. Insight has now come from a study performed by researchers at King’s College London.

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  • Clinical characteristics of adolescents referred for treatment of depressive disorders

    Low mood and depression often emerge during adolescence and are associated with long-term difficulties including increased risk of developing other mental health disorders, educational underachievement, low income/unemployment, and risk of suicidal behaviour.

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  • Teen on green background

    Addiction & Substance Use

    Irrespective of the age group it is just as important to be aware of what we don’t know as what we can be more confident about. This is particularly true of young people and drug use, as most research investigating prevention and interventions has tended to focus on adult populations.

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  • young boy in super hero costume

    ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder

    Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others. People on the autism spectrum may have difficulties with social communication, social interaction and restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours, activities or interests.

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  • ADHD teen

    ADHD – Attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder

    ADHD is a behavioural disorder with three key aspects, inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

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  • worried teen

    Anxiety Disorders

    Anxiety disorders in children and young people are common and can have a significant impact on mental health and well-being. Anxiety disorders can affect family, school and social life, leisure activities and educational achievement and they often occur alongside other mental health problems.

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  • Couple holding baby

    Attachment

    The disposition of an infant or young child to identify and interact with the person or small set of persons considered most likely to provide them with care and protection is known as attachment.

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