#Adolescents

A new study from the University of Cambridge reveals that adolescents become significantly more motivated to chase rewards after only a few hours of social isolation. The research shows that a brief period without contact can heighten a teen’s drive to obtain rewards—ranging from social interactions to money and other pleasures—raising important questions about how isolation, digital life, and family dynamics shape youth behavior. The findings also highlight a potential double-edged sword: the same urge to reconnect could propel positive social reengagement, or lead to riskier choices if healthy outlets aren’t available. In addition, the study found that giving teens access to virtual social interactions during isolation can lessen feelings of loneliness and blunt the surge in reward-seeking, suggesting that digital connections can buffer some of the negative effects of loneliness.

A new study reported in Neuropharmacology suggests that cannabidiol, the non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis, may buffer against some lasting psychological and brain changes produced by social stress in adolescence. In a pair of carefully designed experiments, researchers found that giving CBD to male mice before repeated social defeats reduced social avoidance and the heightened readiness to seek drugs like cocaine that often follows stress exposure. The work also showed CBD reversed several stress-induced shifts in brain gene expression tied to the serotonin system, the endocannabinoid system, and the body’s main stress axis, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Importantly, the effects depended on the dose, and the study used animal models, so translating these findings to humans will require cautious, rigorous clinical testing.

Florida lawmakers are debating a bill that would require parental consent for minors to receive treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), contraception and even to complete certain school health surveys — a proposal critics say comes as teen STI rates in the state are at their highest in more than a decade and could push vulnerable young people away from lifesaving care. The bill, SB 1288, advanced through a Senate Pre‑K‑12 committee in late March after heated testimony from sexual‑assault survivors, public‑health advocates and clinicians who warned that removing confidential access risks higher rates of untreated infections and unintended pregnancies — outcomes that public‑health research links to policies that restrict adolescent confidentiality in sexual and reproductive health services (Florida Phoenix; Tallahassee Democrat). The debate in Florida is a stark reminder for Thailand that policy changes limiting adolescents’ confidential access to STI testing, treatment and contraception can have measurable public‑health consequences — especially where sex education is inconsistent and cultural stigma around adolescent sexuality remains strong.

A 15-year-old’s confession that she stumbled on her father’s anonymous Reddit posts — private-seeming messages that aired resentment toward his partner, guilt about parenthood and even sharp words about his daughter — has drawn fresh attention to a little-studied but increasingly common family fault line: what happens when parents use the internet as an emotional diary in a household where children share devices. The Slate advice column that published the teenager’s letter framed the dilemma as both a privacy breach and a worrying red flag for parental mental health; researchers say the episode is precisely the kind of everyday encounter that illuminates how family communication, adolescent wellbeing and online culture now overlap in complex ways (Slate). Recent psychology research on adolescent information management, studies of online parenting communities and public-health guidance on social media suggest that the consequences can be serious — for teens who feel forced into an adult role and for parents who use public platforms to vent without support.

New research released in June links excessive screen time and low physical activity to higher stress and depressive symptoms among teens. The study analyzed thousands of adolescents’ self-reported emotions and behavior, finding that those who spend more time on screens and are less active face noticeably greater mental health struggles. Regular exercise emerged as a protective factor, reducing the likelihood of distress and depressive feelings.

In Thailand, concerns about teen mental health have grown among universities and health agencies. Data from Thailand’s National Health Examination surveys show a substantial portion of secondary students spend several hours daily on digital devices, with social media platforms playing a central role in daily life. Meanwhile, public health guidance consistently shows that many Thai youth do not meet global recommendations for daily physical activity.

A new wave of research is sounding the alarm for parents, educators, and policymakers as a groundbreaking study published in June details how excessive screen time, coupled with low physical activity, is strongly associated with heightened stress and depressive symptoms among adolescents. This study, highlighted in PsyPost, brings fresh evidence to the ongoing debate over youth digital habits and their mental health in an era where smartphones and social media are nearly ubiquitous, especially in Thailand’s school-age population.

A new study finds that how parents respond during conflicts with their adolescent daughters may help predict the emergence of suicidal thoughts. The findings emphasize the power of family interactions in shaping mental health outcomes for Thai youth and beyond. This research adds to growing evidence that supportive, validating parenting during disagreements can act as a protective factor, while harsh or emotionally withdrawn responses may intensify distress.

In Thailand, traditional family norms and the stigma around mental health can complicate parent-child communication. Teen suicide remains a serious concern, and data from mental health authorities indicate rising concern among youth. Experts say that open, compassionate dialogue during conflicts can reduce feelings of isolation and hopelessness, whereas critical or dismissive behavior can worsen emotional strain.

A new study suggests that the manner in which parents respond during conflicts with their adolescent daughters may be a significant predictor of suicidal thoughts in these girls, highlighting a crucial dynamic in family interactions that could impact mental health outcomes. This research, recently covered by PsyPost, offers valuable insights for families, educators, and mental health professionals grappling with the rising tide of youth mental health issues in Thailand and beyond.

A new CDC briefing shows depression is more common now than at any time in recent history, yet treatment remains insufficient. The findings, drawn from 2021–2023 data, indicate that more than one in eight Americans aged 12 and older experienced depression, nearly double the rate from a decade earlier. Only about 40% of those affected sought counseling or therapy, underscoring a persistent gap between need and access to care.

The implications extend to Thailand, where mental health challenges surged after the Covid-19 era. While the United States reports rising prevalence, Thai policymakers and families can learn how social trends, public health strategies, and individual experiences shape outcomes. Data from the CDC show depression among Americans climbed from 7.3% in 2015–2016 to over 13% in 2021–2023. Researchers note that this increase reflects both real growth in cases and greater willingness to report symptoms as stigma declines.

A new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that depression is now more common among Americans than ever before, with treatment rates falling short despite growing awareness—a development that brings important lessons for health policymakers and families across Thailand. The report, based on data from 2021 to 2023, found that over one in eight Americans aged 12 and older have experienced depression recently, almost double the rate reported just a decade ago. Yet, only about 40% of those affected pursued counseling or therapy for their symptoms, highlighting a persistent gap between need and access to care (CNN).