A new study led by the University of Edinburgh has found that children who struggle to manage their emotions as early as age seven are at a much higher risk of developing anxiety and depression during their teenage years. The research, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders and funded by the UK’s Medical Research Foundation, tracked nearly 19,000 young people and uncovered a clear connection between early difficulties with emotion regulation and later internalizing problems such as sadness, worry, and fear. The findings highlight the critical importance of teaching emotional coping skills in childhood—a lesson with profound implications for parents and educators in Thailand and around the world Neuroscience News.
In an era where mental health challenges among youth are rising—particularly in the tumultuous context of the post-pandemic world—this research could reshape how Thai society addresses children’s emotional well-being. According to global estimates, about one in five adolescents experience anxiety disorders, and depression rates also peak during teenage years WHO. In Thailand, mental health experts and public health officials are increasingly concerned by rising depression and suicide rates among youth, often linked to escalating academic pressures, social media anxieties, and fragile family structures Ministry of Public Health, Thailand.
The University of Edinburgh study leveraged data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a large-scale, representative project that has followed the lives of UK children born between 2000 and 2002. Researchers assessed children’s emotional regulation at age seven, looking for signs such as mood swings, overexcitability, and frequent frustration. By tracking the same children through ages eleven, fourteen, and seventeen, and accounting for various factors such as early mental health status and family background, the team determined that early emotional dysregulation was a strong predictor of internalizing mental health problems—regardless of prior mental health history.
Crucially, the connection between early difficulty managing emotions and later anxiety or depression remained consistent through the end of adolescence. “Our findings suggest that early emotion regulation issues are a precursor to later mental health challenges in adolescence,” stated the study lead, a distinguished academic from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. “They suggest that supporting children to learn emotion regulation skills early could help reduce these later issues,” she continued.
This message was reinforced by a representative of the Medical Research Foundation, who emphasized, “By identifying factors in young children that may increase vulnerability to mental health problems in their teenage years, this research brings us closer to shifting from treatment to prevention—enabling early, targeted interventions in childhood that have the power to change the course of young lives.”
The implications resonate far beyond the United Kingdom. Thai children—like those in the UK—face intense academic, social and familial pressures. Educational psychologists in Thailand have long noted that rigid classroom environments and strict disciplinary styles can exacerbate emotional stress, often leading to a reluctance to express or process difficult feelings Thai PBS. In turn, untreated emotional issues can evolve into anxiety, depression, and even self-harm by the time children reach secondary school.
Globally recognized child development studies have consistently pointed to the benefits of early emotional education. Teaching children coping strategies—such as how to identify and name emotions, relax under stress, and seek social support—has been shown to boost resilience and lower the risk of later mental health problems UNICEF. In Thailand, organizations such as the Mental Health Department and leading NGOs have piloted classroom “life skills” modules aimed at emotional regulation in primary schools, but uptake remains uneven and varies widely by region Department of Mental Health Thailand.
Survey data also reveal the scale of the challenge. According to the Department of Mental Health, approximately 10% of Thai adolescents experience some form of anxiety or depression—a rate that has been increasing following the COVID-19 disruptions to schooling and family life. Yet stigma around mental health often prevents young people and families from seeking help, with many defaulting to disciplinary or avoidance strategies rather than supportive intervention Bangkok Post.
The University of Edinburgh researchers suggest that timely interventions in childhood—beginning in the first years of primary school—could greatly reduce the burden of adolescent mental health conditions. “The evidence now clearly supports targeting emotion regulation as a prevention strategy. This means training teachers, clinicians, and parents to help children develop these skills and making such programs a routine part of early education,” the lead author explained.
For Thailand, where educational reform is already a prominent issue and where national strategies for mental health improvement are underway, these findings provide a clear, evidence-based target for future action. Schools and families should prioritize emotional literacy, ensuring that children are not only expected to succeed academically but are also equipped to cope with the ups and downs of daily life. This might include integrating mindfulness and emotional regulation exercises into lesson plans, offering structured play therapy, or launching campaigns to destigmatize seeking help for emotional struggles.
It is also important to note the cultural nuances in how emotion and mental health are perceived in Thai society. Thai values of “kreng jai” (consideration and deference) and “jai yen” (cool heart) can help promote patience and mutual respect, but may also make it harder for children to openly express distress. Education and healthcare leaders must therefore design interventions that honor cultural values while still empowering children to seek help and develop emotional resilience.
Looking forward, the Thai Ministry of Public Health, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, can build on this research by expanding teacher and parent training in emotional support; integrating evidence-based life-skills curricula nationwide; and fostering collaboration between schools, mental health professionals, and community organizations. Increasing public awareness about the long-term importance of childhood emotional health is also essential—both through curriculum reform and national campaigns.
For parents and caregivers in Thailand, there are concrete steps to take right away—such as encouraging open conversations about emotions at home, modeling calm and constructive responses to frustration, and fostering strong, supportive relationships between adults and children. Seeking help from trained counselors, psychologists, or mental health services should be normalized—not stigmatized—as a responsible and compassionate act.
Experts urge all stakeholders to recognize that mental health is not a luxury, but a basic requirement for thriving in a rapidly changing society. As one researcher so succinctly put it, “Enabling children to handle their emotions is not just a matter of individual happiness; it’s central to the health and vitality of our entire society.”
The findings from this substantial UK study offer clear lessons for Thailand. By acting early—fostering emotional literacy and providing compassionate support—families, schools and policymakers can help ensure that today’s children grow into emotionally healthy, resilient adults.
For more on teaching emotional literacy at home, parents can consult guides from the UNICEF Thailand office or attend free workshops often hosted by child development centers in Bangkok and other major cities. Teachers and school administrators are encouraged to contact the Thai Department of Mental Health for training resources, or to partner with local universities for customized professional development modules.
In conclusion, prioritizing the development of emotional skills in children is an actionable, research-backed way to prevent anxiety and depression in Thailand’s future generations. Creating supportive environments—in schools, homes, and communities—and providing continuous, culturally sensitive programs will yield lasting benefits for individuals and society alike.
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