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Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Nov 2016Sleep is a core behavior of adolescents, consuming up to a third or more of each day. As part of this special issue on the adolescent brain, we review changes to sleep... (Review)
Review
Sleep is a core behavior of adolescents, consuming up to a third or more of each day. As part of this special issue on the adolescent brain, we review changes to sleep behaviors and sleep physiology during adolescence with a particular focus on the sleeping brain. We posit that brain activity during sleep may provide a unique window onto adolescent cortical maturation and compliment waking measures. In addition, we review how sleep actively supports waking cognitive functioning in adolescence. Though this review is focused on sleep in healthy adolescents, the striking comorbidity of sleep disruption with nearly all psychiatric and developmental disorders (for reviews see ) further highlights the importance of understanding the determinants and consequences of adolescent sleep for the developing brain. Figure 1 illustrates the overarching themes of our review, linking brain development, sleep development, and behavioral outcomes.
Topics: Adolescent; Cognition; Humans; Mental Health; Sleep
PubMed: 27531236
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.08.008 -
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) Sep 2021Adolescence (ages 13-18 years) is a period of significant growth and physical development that includes changes in body composition, metabolic and hormonal... (Review)
Review
Adolescence (ages 13-18 years) is a period of significant growth and physical development that includes changes in body composition, metabolic and hormonal fluctuations, maturation of organ systems, and establishment of nutrient deposits, which all may affect future health. In terms of nutrition, adolescence is also an important time in establishing an individual's lifelong relationship with food, which is particularly important in terms of the connection between diet, exercise, and body image. The challenges of time management (e.g., school, training, work and social commitments) and periods of fluctuating emotions are also features of this period. In addition, an adolescent's peers become increasingly powerful moderators of all behaviours, including eating. Adolescence is also a period of natural experimentation and this can extend to food choice. Adolescent experiences are not the same and individuals vary considerably in their behaviours. To ensure an adolescent athlete fulfils his/her potential, it is important that stakeholders involved in managing youth athletes emphasize eating patterns that align with and support sound physical, physiological and psychosocial development and are consistent with proven principles of sport nutrition.
Topics: Adolescent; Athletes; Diet; Exercise; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Male; Sports
PubMed: 34515968
DOI: 10.1007/s40279-021-01534-6 -
Journal of Clinical Research in... Feb 2020Although pregnancy and abortion rates have declined in adolescents, unintended pregnancies remain unacceptably high in this age group. The use of highly effective...
Although pregnancy and abortion rates have declined in adolescents, unintended pregnancies remain unacceptably high in this age group. The use of highly effective methods of contraception is one of the pillars of unintended pregnancy prevention and requires a shared decision making process within a rights based framework. Adolescents are eligible to use any method of contraception and long-acting reversible contraceptives, which are “forgettable” and highly effective, may be particularly suited for many adolescents. Contraceptive methods may have additional non-contraceptive benefits that address other needs or concerns of the adolescent. Dual method use should be encouraged among adolescents for the prevention of both unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Health care providers have an important role to play in ensuring that adolescents have access to high quality and non-judgmental reproductive health care services and contraceptive methods in adolescent-friendly settings that recognize the unique biopsychosocial needs of the adolescent.
Topics: Adolescent; Contraception; Contraception, Postcoital; Counseling; Female; Health Personnel; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy in Adolescence; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 32041390
DOI: 10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2019.2019.S0003 -
Birth Defects Research Dec 2017Few adolescents engage in the recommended levels of physical activity, and daily exercise levels tend to drastically decrease throughout adolescence. Beyond physical... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Few adolescents engage in the recommended levels of physical activity, and daily exercise levels tend to drastically decrease throughout adolescence. Beyond physical health benefits, regular exercise may also have important implications for the teenage brain and cognitive and academic capabilities.
METHODS
This narrative review examines how physical activity and aerobic exercise relate to school performance, cognition, and brain structure and function.
RESULTS
A number of studies have found that habitual exercise and physical activity are associated with academic performance, cognitive function, brain structure, and brain activity in adolescents. We also discuss how additional intervention studies that examine a wide range of neurological and cognitive outcomes are necessary, as well as characterizing the type, frequency, and dose of exercise and identifying individual differences that contribute to how exercise may benefit the teen brain.
CONCLUSIONS
Routine exercise relates to adolescent brain structure and function as well as cognitive performance. Together, these studies suggest that physical activity and aerobic exercise may be important factors for optimal adolescent brain development.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Development; Brain; Cognition; Exercise; Humans
PubMed: 29251839
DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1178 -
Biological Psychiatry Jan 2021Adolescence is characterized by significant changes in several domains, including brain structure and function, puberty, and social and environmental factors. Some of... (Review)
Review
Adolescence is characterized by significant changes in several domains, including brain structure and function, puberty, and social and environmental factors. Some of these changes serve to increase the likelihood of psychosis onset during this period, while others may buffer this risk. This review characterizes our current knowledge regarding the unique aspects of adolescence that may serve as risk factors for schizophrenia spectrum disorders. In addition, we provide potential future directions for research into adolescent-specific developmental mechanisms that impart vulnerability to psychosis and the possibility of interventions that capitalize on adolescents' unique characteristics. Specifically, we explore the ways in which gray and white matter develop throughout adolescence in typically developing youth as well as in those with psychosis spectrum disorders. We also discuss current views on the function that social support and demands, as well as role expectations, play in risk for psychosis. We further highlight the importance of considering biological factors such as puberty and hormonal changes as areas of unique vulnerability for adolescents. Finally, we discuss cannabis use as a factor that may have a unique impact during adolescent neurodevelopment, and subsequently potentially impact psychosis onset. Throughout, we include discussion of resilience factors that may provide unique opportunities for intervention during this dynamic life stage.
Topics: Adolescent; Brain; Humans; Psychotic Disorders; Risk Factors; Schizophrenia; White Matter
PubMed: 32896384
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.06.028 -
International Journal of Environmental... Sep 2021In recent years, there has been an important commitment to the development of programs to promote mental health literacy (MHL) among adolescents, due to the prevalence... (Review)
Review
In recent years, there has been an important commitment to the development of programs to promote mental health literacy (MHL) among adolescents, due to the prevalence of mental health problems and the low level of MHL that affects this group. The aim of this study was to map the structure and context of programmes/interventions for promoting MHL among adolescents in school settings. A scoping review was conducted following the guidelines of The Joanna Briggs Institute. We searched for studies on programmes/interventions promoting at least one of the components of MHL of adolescents, written in Portuguese, English or Spanish, published from 2013 to 2020, in MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, SciELO, SCOPUS, OpenGrey, RCAAP and in the article reference lists. This review included 29 articles. The majority of programmes/interventions addressed one or more of the four components of MHL, with the knowledge of mental disorders and stigma reduction components being the most covered; were taught by adolescent's regular teachers; used face to face interventions; had a height variable duration; used non-validated instruments; were implemented in a classroom environment; and showed statistically significant improvements in adolescent's MHL levels. More research is needed to implement/construct programmes/interventions promoting adolescents' MHL concerning knowledge on how to obtain and maintain good mental health.
Topics: Adolescent; Health Literacy; Humans; Mental Disorders; Mental Health; Social Stigma
PubMed: 34574427
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189500 -
Journal of Clinical Research in... Feb 2020This article reviews the current understanding and management of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in adolescents. It is hoped that this review will provide readers with... (Review)
Review
This article reviews the current understanding and management of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in adolescents. It is hoped that this review will provide readers with an approach to the evaluation and treatment of mild to severe uterine bleeding. AUB is a common problem which has significantly adverse effects on an affected adolescent’s quality of life. The most common underlying condition in AUB in adolescence is anovulation. During the evaluation, pregnancy, trauma and sexually transmitted diseases must be ruled out, regardless of history. It should be kept in mind that AUB during this period may be the first sign of underlying bleeding disorders. Although observation is sufficient in the mild form of AUB, at the other end of the spectrum life-threatening bleeding may necessitate the use of high doses of combined oral contraceptives, intravenous estrogen and/or interventional procedures.
Topics: Adolescent; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Intrauterine Devices; Menstrual Cycle; Physical Examination; Quality of Life; Uterine Hemorrhage
PubMed: 32041387
DOI: 10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2019.2019.S0200 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2021Adolescent suse internet via several devices to gather information or communicate. Sleep, as a key factor of adolescents' development, contributes to their physical and... (Review)
Review
Adolescent suse internet via several devices to gather information or communicate. Sleep, as a key factor of adolescents' development, contributes to their physical and mental health. Over the past decades insufficient sleep among adolescents has been wide spread, and one of its attributing factors is the increased availability of technology. This review aims to investigate the body of evidence regarding the impact of problematic internet use on adolescent sleep. Extensive search of databases was performed according to PRISMA guidelines for studies published within the last decade, regarding subjects aged 10-19. The final step of the search yielded 12 original studies. The quality of extracted data was evaluated with the AXIS tool, in order to estimate the risk of bias. All studies showed a negative correlation between adolescent sleep and problematic internet use. It was found to affect sleep quality and quantity and provoke insomnia symptoms. Interestingly, adolescent's sex, parental educational level, type of family and use for leisure or academic reasons appeared as affecting factors of the problematic internet use-sleep relationship. Problematic internet use has several effects on adolescents' sleep. Results of relevant studies should be embedded in educational interventions addressed to adolescents as well as parents, to eliminate the negative outcomes of problematic internet use on sleep and adolescence's health in general.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Adult; Behavior, Addictive; Child; Humans; Internet; Internet Use; Sleep; Sleep Wake Disorders; Young Adult
PubMed: 33477410
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18020760 -
BMC Psychology Apr 2023Adolescents have extensive use of screens and, they have common complains related to mental health. Here a systematic review was done to understand the association...
BACKGROUND
Adolescents have extensive use of screens and, they have common complains related to mental health. Here a systematic review was done to understand the association between screen time and adolescent's mental health.
METHOD
This review was conducted in compliance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses - PRISMA. An update search was performed in January 2023 with the following keywords: "screen time," "adolescent," and "mental health" on PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus databases.
RESULTS
50 articles were included, most have found associations between screen exposure and mental health in adolescents. The most used device by adolescents was the smartphone and the use on weekdays was associated with diminished mental well-being. Social media use was negatively associated with mental well-being and, in girls, associated at higher risk for depression.
CONCLUSION
Excessive screen time in adolescents seems associated with mental health problems. Given the profusion and disparity of the results, additional studies are needed to clarify elements such as the screen content or the interaction of adolescents with different screen devices.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42022302817.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adolescent; Screen Time; Mental Health; Smartphone; Depression; Psychological Well-Being
PubMed: 37081557
DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01166-7 -
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Jan 2021The restrictions put in place to contain the COVID-19 virus have led to widespread social isolation, impacting mental health worldwide. These restrictions may be...
The restrictions put in place to contain the COVID-19 virus have led to widespread social isolation, impacting mental health worldwide. These restrictions may be particularly difficult for adolescents, who rely heavily on their peer connections for emotional support. However, there has been no longitudinal research examining the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents. This study addresses this gap by investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents' mental health, and moderators of change, as well as assessing the factors perceived as causing the most distress. Two hundred and forty eight adolescents (M = 14.4; 51% girls; 81.8% Caucasian) were surveyed over two time points; in the 12 months leading up to the COVID-19 outbreak (T1), and again two months following the implementation of government restrictions and online learning (T2). Online surveys assessed depressive symptoms, anxiety, and life satisfaction at T1 and T2, and participants' schooling, peer and family relationships, social connection, media exposure, COVID-19 related stress, and adherence to government stay-at-home directives at T2 only. In line with predictions, adolescents experienced significant increases in depressive symptoms and anxiety, and a significant decrease in life satisfaction from T1 to T2, which was particularly pronounced among girls. Moderation analyses revealed that COVID-19 related worries, online learning difficulties, and increased conflict with parents predicted increases in mental health problems from T1 to T2, whereas adherence to stay-at-home orders and feeling socially connected during the COVID-19 lockdown protected against poor mental health. This study provides initial longitudinal evidence for the decline of adolescent's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results suggest that adolescents are more concerned about the government restrictions designed to contain the spread of the virus, than the virus itself, and that those concerns are associated with increased anxiety and depressive symptoms, and decreased life satisfaction.
Topics: Adolescent; Anxiety; COVID-19; Child, Preschool; Communicable Disease Control; Female; Humans; Mental Health; Pandemics; Prospective Studies; Protective Factors; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33108542
DOI: 10.1007/s10964-020-01332-9