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BMC Public Health Aug 2023Over one-third of cancer cases are attributable to modifiable risk factors. Because health-related behaviors are often established at adolescence, it is important that...
BACKGROUND
Over one-third of cancer cases are attributable to modifiable risk factors. Because health-related behaviors are often established at adolescence, it is important that adolescents understand the risks and lifestyle decisions that may reduce their chances of developing cancer. This study aims to identify the levels of cancer awareness of adolescents in Australia.
METHODS
Paper questionnaires were used to collect information about baseline levels of cancer awareness. These questionnaires included socio-demographic questions and the Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM) with slight modifications to ensure their suitability for the Australian adolescent population. Students aged 11 to 19 years were recruited from 13 Australian high schools between 2016 and 2019.
RESULTS
A total of 766 adolescents (58% female, mean age = 14.5 years) completed the questionnaires. Adolescents' cancer awareness was low. Adolescents who knew someone with cancer recognized significantly more cancer risk factors and cancer warning signs than those who did not know someone with cancer (t (756) = 2.35, p = .019; t (747) = 5.57, p = .001). Those from high Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) schools significantly recognized more cancer risk factors than those from low ICSEA schools (t (764) = 2.42, p = .016). Females recognized significantly more warning signs than males (t (583) = 3.11, p = .002) and students from senior high school grades recognized more warning signs than those from junior grades (t (754) = 2.24, p = .02). Most adolescents (78%) were aware of skin cancer as one of the most common cancers in Australia, however half or less were aware of other common cancers. Although most adolescents would seek medical help in the presence of possible cancer symptoms as soon as possible, approximately 20% of them would not see a doctor promptly. Emotional barriers were the most common reasons to delay seeing a doctor (56%), for example "being worried about hearing bad news" (27%).
CONCLUSIONS
Australian adolescents show poor awareness of cancer risk factors and cancer warning signs. A number of demographic and experience factors were found to be related to lower cancer awareness. Education is essential to raise cancer awareness, promote healthy lifestyles from adolescence and avoid a preventable cancer diagnosis.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adolescent; Female; Australia; Health Behavior; Health Education; Risk Factors; Skin Neoplasms; Surveys and Questionnaires; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
PubMed: 37528377
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16406-z -
Bundesgesundheitsblatt,... Apr 2024Anxiety and depression among young people had already increased in the years before the COVID-19 pandemic and then experienced a significant increase again during the... (Review)
Review
Anxiety and depression among young people had already increased in the years before the COVID-19 pandemic and then experienced a significant increase again during the pandemic. In this article the different clinical forms of expression of these emotional syndromes are presented in detail and the developmental paths of a combination of both disorders are also explained. Even subclinical forms of anxiety and depression already have clear clinical implications and impair the developmental tasks of adolescence. The "avolitional depression" (depression with severe drive disorders) is mentioned as a special form. Pathogenetic building blocks-from genetic vulnerability to psychosocial stressors-come up for discussion in light of the fact that anxiety and depression are about twice as common in adolescent females as in males. The embedding of the disorders in current events shows the special importance of the self-reflective emotion of shame in the adolescent development process. The scarcity and dysfunctionality of emotional dialogue between significant caregivers and children must be cautioned against. Its role in adolescents' self-regulation and affect regulation should not be underestimated. Finally, an overview of the most important therapeutic measures for anxiety and depression in adolescence is presented.
Topics: Male; Child; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Depression; Pandemics; Germany; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders
PubMed: 38456934
DOI: 10.1007/s00103-024-03849-x -
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Aug 2023Emotion regulation is particularly important for adolescents as they undergo normative developmental changes in affective systems and experience heightened risk for... (Review)
Review
Emotion regulation is particularly important for adolescents as they undergo normative developmental changes in affective systems and experience heightened risk for psychopathology. Despite a high need for emotion regulation during adolescence, commonly studied emotion regulation strategies like cognitive reappraisal are less beneficial for adolescents than adults because they rely on neural regions that are still developing during this period (i.e., lateral prefrontal cortex). However, adolescence is also marked by increased valuation of peer relationships and sensitivity to social information and cues. In the present review, we synthesize research examining emotion regulation and peer influence across development to suggest that sensitivity to peers during adolescence could be leveraged to improve emotion regulation for this population. We first discuss developmental trends related to emotion regulation at the level of behavior and brain in adolescents, using cognitive reappraisal as an exemplar emotion regulation strategy. Next, we discuss social influences on adolescent brain development, describing caregiver influence and increasing susceptibility to peer influence, to describe how adolescent sensitivity to social inputs represents both a window of vulnerability and opportunity. Finally, we conclude by describing the promise of social (i.e., peer-based) interventions for enhancing emotion regulation in adolescence.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Adolescent; Emotional Regulation; Brain; Prefrontal Cortex; Peer Group; Brain Mapping; Emotions
PubMed: 37302349
DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2023.101262 -
Issues in Mental Health Nursing Nov 2023Adolescence is one of the most crucial and challenging developmental stages to navigate. This critical stage of life marks an important time when individuals learn how...
Adolescence is one of the most crucial and challenging developmental stages to navigate. This critical stage of life marks an important time when individuals learn how to incorporate independence and autonomy with healthy decision-making. Relationships are a strong factor in mental and emotional wellness during adolescence. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated quarantine limited opportunities for connectedness outside the home. This may have affected adolescents in unhealthy ways, negatively impacting their sense of support, belonging, and closeness with others. Understanding, evaluating, and promoting connectedness during adolescence is now more essential than ever. The purpose of this concept analysis is to add to what has previously been addressed regarding adolescent connectedness in an effort to promote healthy behaviors during this stage of development and into adulthood.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Pandemics; Emotions; Mental Health; Health Status
PubMed: 37616591
DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2022.2141388 -
JAMA Network Open Jan 2024The suicidal risk of psychopathology in adolescence is suggested to differ based on its longitudinal trajectory, but the comorbidity of these symptom trajectories has...
IMPORTANCE
The suicidal risk of psychopathology in adolescence is suggested to differ based on its longitudinal trajectory, but the comorbidity of these symptom trajectories has not been well examined. This study comprehensively clustered trajectories of multiple psychopathological and behavioral symptoms and examined their associations with suicidal thoughts in adolescence.
OBJECTIVE
To determine which categories and trajectories of psychopathological and behavioral symptoms are associated with suicidal thoughts in adolescence, accounting for comorbid symptoms.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This population-based cohort study in Japan used data from the Tokyo Teen Cohort (TTC) study, which was established in 2012 and is currently ongoing. Data from 3 waves of surveys conducted at ages 10, 12, and 16 years from October 2012 to September 2021 were used. Of the adolescents in the cohort, participants with at least 2 evaluations of psychopathological and behavioral symptoms were included. Data were analyzed from December 2022 to March 2023.
EXPOSURE
Latent class growth analysis was used to cluster the trajectory of each psychopathological and behavioral symptom.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The associations between symptom trajectories and suicidal thoughts at age 16 were examined. Suicidal thoughts were assessed using a self-report questionnaire. Psychopathological and behavioral symptoms were assessed using the 8 subscale scores of the caregiver-report Child Behavior Checklist.
RESULTS
This study included 2780 adolescents (1306 female participants [47.0%]). Of the 1920 adolescents with data on suicidal thoughts, 158 (8.2%) had suicidal thoughts. The median (IQR) age was 10.2 (10.0-10.3) years at the first evaluation, 11.9 (11.8-12.1) years at the second evaluation, and 16.3 (16.1-16.5) years at the last evaluation. The clustering pattern of trajectories varied depending on symptom categories. After adjusting for each symptom trajectory and confounders, adolescents with persistent high withdrawn symptoms (odds ratio [OR], 1.88; 95% CI, 1.10-3.21) and those with increasing somatic symptoms (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.16-3.34) had a significantly higher risk of suicidal thoughts than adolescents without these symptoms. There was no interaction between these symptom trajectories and the risk of suicidal thoughts.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
This cohort study found that persistent withdrawn symptoms and increasing somatic symptoms during early to midadolescence were associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts in midadolescence, even after accounting for comorbid symptoms and confounders. Attention should be paid to the suicidal risk associated with these symptoms, particularly when they persist or increase in the longitudinal follow-up.
Topics: Child; Adolescent; Humans; Female; Cohort Studies; Medically Unexplained Symptoms; Suicidal Ideation; Behavioral Symptoms; Antisocial Personality Disorder
PubMed: 38270951
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.53166 -
Pathologie (Heidelberg, Germany) Nov 2023Osseous lesions are rare; however, their incidence is increased in childhood and adolescence. The spectrum of osseous processes in this age group is limited, with benign... (Review)
Review
Osseous lesions are rare; however, their incidence is increased in childhood and adolescence. The spectrum of osseous processes in this age group is limited, with benign lesions being much more prevalent than malignant tumors. For the differential diagnosis, it is essential to have in-depth knowledge of the more frequent bone diseases in children and adolescents. The current review presents these diseases based on the morphologic approach of the WHO classification, including giant cell-rich and cystic lesions, chondrogenic and bone-forming lesions [7]. Small round cell sarcomas which are now summarized in a separate chapter of the WHO classification have been described previously [12, 20].
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Child; Bone Neoplasms; Giant Cells
PubMed: 37828376
DOI: 10.1007/s00292-023-01235-z -
Handbook of Clinical Neurology 2024Successful management of migraine in childhood and adolescence starts with making the correct diagnosis, assessing the impact of migraine on the child/adolescent's... (Review)
Review
Successful management of migraine in childhood and adolescence starts with making the correct diagnosis, assessing the impact of migraine on the child/adolescent's quality of life including impact on education, family life, and social activities. Understanding the child's and family's concerns and reasons for seeking medical advice is an important starting point in the management plan. Pharmacological treatment should go hand-in-hand with appropriate advice on maintaining a healthy life style, avoidance of triggers and aggravating factors, and exploring comorbid disorders that may influence response to treatment. Compared to those available for adult patients, pharmacologic treatment options for migraine in children and adolescents are relatively untested and limited at the present time. Therefore, an individual management plan on the appropriate use of medications, including the limitations of acute treatment and prevention of migraine, should be agreed and well understood by the patient, his/her carers, and school teachers, in order to achieve best results. Treatment of acute migraine episodes should be given as early as possible after onset of headache using an appropriate dose to child's age and weight and in the correct formulation and route of administration. Preventive treatment should be given regularly in a dose titrated to achieve maximum benefit with least adverse effect for at least 6-8 weeks before a judgment is made on its efficacy. Regular monitoring of treatment response can be facilitated by prospective headache diaries and follow-up.
Topics: Child; Adult; Humans; Adolescent; Female; Male; Quality of Life; Prospective Studies; Migraine Disorders; Headache; Social Behavior
PubMed: 38307665
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-823357-3.00034-3 -
The Psychiatric Clinics of North America Dec 2023This article discusses the application of brief interventions to address adolescents with a cannabis use problem. Topics include a general model of brief interventions,... (Review)
Review
This article discusses the application of brief interventions to address adolescents with a cannabis use problem. Topics include a general model of brief interventions, the outcome literature, existing brief interventions that focus on youth cannabis use, adjustments to a brief intervention when addressing cannabis, referral to treatment issues, personalizing a brief intervention, the need to address coexisting problems, and future directions.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Cannabis; Crisis Intervention; Adolescent Behavior
PubMed: 37879837
DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2023.03.010 -
Omega Sep 2023While extensive research exists on parental loss in childhood and the related psychological interventions, little has been done in the adolescent population. Adolescence... (Review)
Review
While extensive research exists on parental loss in childhood and the related psychological interventions, little has been done in the adolescent population. Adolescence is a particular phase of life characterized by a singular psychological, emotional, neurological, and endocrinological development, paralleled by the process of self-affirmation and an opening toward social relationships. This complex neuropsychological phase should thus be understood independently from children and adults. The objective of this work was to review the literature studying the impacts of parental loss in adolescents. The current review identified a wide range of behavioral and emotional responses to parental death in adolescence, including depression, suicidal ideations, anxiety, insomnia, addiction and impaired function at school and home. The role of peers, school life, and family and social environment are important for the recovery from loss. More studies are required to better understand the different psychological trajectories in adolescence after parental death and tailor mental health interventions accordingly.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Bereavement; Mental Health; Parental Death; Parents
PubMed: 34324402
DOI: 10.1177/00302228211033661 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2023Regular cannabis use during adolescence can lead to cognitive, psychological, and social consequences, causing significant distress. Although psychological interventions... (Review)
Review
Regular cannabis use during adolescence can lead to cognitive, psychological, and social consequences, causing significant distress. Although psychological interventions are the mainstay type of treatment for cannabis use disorder, the results remain mixed among youths. The objective of this review is twofold: to identify the existing psychological interventions for cannabis use among youths, and to assess the evidence regarding the effectiveness of those interventions. Randomized controlled trials focused exclusively on cannabis use among adolescents and young adults were included. Three databases-Embase, PsycInfo, and PubMed-were searched to identify relevant peer-reviewed manuscripts published before February 2022 in English and French. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Twenty-five randomized controlled trials were included. Fourteen studies reported a significant outcome related to cannabis use. These were mainly non-intensive, online interventions that aimed to improve the patients' relationships and emotion regulation. This review highlights the need to conduct additional randomized control trials that target cannabis use disorder specifically among adolescents. These randomized control trials should also aim to reduce the risk of bias related to psychiatric comorbidities as well as detection and attrition problems.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Young Adult; Cannabis; Psychosocial Intervention; Marijuana Abuse; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37510578
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20146346