#Youthwellbeing

In a time when mental health challenges loom large for the youngest generation of adults, emerging research—and the experiences of a select group of American “Zoomers”—suggests that saying “yes” to religion and family, while putting limits on social media, may be the keys to a happier life. According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, young Americans aged 18 to 29 ranked just 62nd in overall wellbeing out of 140 countries surveyed for self-reported life satisfaction—significantly lower than the broader U.S. adult population, which placed 24th. However, interviews with young adults who defy this downward trend highlight a set of unexpectedly traditional solutions: nurturing spiritual ties, investing in close familial relationships, and unplugging from the social media treadmill (NY Post).

New research and real-life stories from young adults suggest a simple path to well-being: lean on faith and family, while placing finite limits on social media. The 2025 World Happiness Report shows U.S. 18–29-year-olds ranking 62nd in life satisfaction, far behind the national adult average at 24th. Yet a subset of Gen Z individuals report higher happiness by embracing traditional supports and unplugging from constant online content.

This matters for Thai readers. Youth in Thailand are among Southeast Asia’s most active social media users, spending hours daily on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. At the same time, worries about anxiety, depression, and meaninglessness are rising, mirroring global trends. With Buddhism, strong family values, and a dynamic youth culture, Thailand has both the resources and the need to explore practical, culturally resonant solutions.

A new international study from the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra shows that ghosting and gaslighting—common online relationship behaviours—can fuel depression and paranoia, especially among young adults. The findings underscore the mental health risks tied to modern dating cultures and the broader impact of online dating on wellbeing. Research by reputable institutions highlights how anonymity and ease of cutting contact online exacerbate emotional harm.

In Thailand, social media and dating apps are increasingly shaping romance, mirroring global trends. Experts say online disappearance (ghosting) and manipulating someone’s perception (gaslighting) are not only painful but damaging to mental health. With dating app use rising locally and mental health apps gaining traction among Thais, it’s timely to understand these dynamics. Data from Thailand’s tech and health sectors shows high engagement with wellness platforms, reflecting a growing public interest in mental health support.

A recent study published in Dreaming reveals a strong link between childhood emotional abuse or neglect and more frequent nightmares among young adults. Research suggests that early emotional maltreatment can imprint lasting psychological scars, with rumination and social support shaping how severely dreams are affected. For Thai audiences, these findings highlight the need for broader awareness of emotional health within families, schools, and communities.

Nightmares are not just distressing bedtime stories; they can signal ongoing trauma. In Thailand, where family harmony and social harmony are valued, openly addressing emotional health remains challenging. This study underscores how subtle forms of maltreatment—without visible bruises—can influence mental health well into adulthood.

A groundbreaking study released by researchers at the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra reveals that ghosting and gaslighting—two behaviours increasingly prevalent in the digital age—can trigger depression and paranoia, particularly among young adults. The findings highlight not only the mental health risks associated with these relationship practices but also the broader impact of online dating culture on psychological wellbeing (The Independent).

Modern romance in Thailand, as in much of the world, is increasingly mediated by social media and dating applications. The latest research confirms suspicions long held by mental health professionals: the anonymity and ease of cutting contact online (known as ghosting) and manipulating a partner’s reality (gaslighting) are not just emotionally painful but measurably damaging to mental health. The study’s results are particularly relevant as usage of dating apps continues to surge locally, and mental health apps themselves find a growing market among Thais—82% of those surveyed by Rakuten Insight reported continued use of mental wellness apps in 2022 (Statista).

A groundbreaking study recently published in the journal Dreaming finds that young adults who experienced emotional abuse and neglect during childhood are significantly more likely to suffer frequent nightmares and bad dreams. This research sheds new light on the hidden long-term mental health scars left by emotional maltreatment, and offers important insights for families, educators, and mental health professionals in Thailand and beyond (psypost.org, psycnet.apa.org).

Nightmares and disturbing dreams aren’t just childhood fears—they can be serious symptoms of lingering trauma. For Thai society, where family harmony and emotional well-being are vital yet discussions of emotional health can be challenging, this study underscores the urgent need for greater awareness of the subtle damages caused by emotional abuse. Unlike physical abuse, emotional maltreatment leaves no bruises, but its effects can be just as profound, affecting victims’ psychological health well into adulthood.

A new study highlights ghosting and gaslighting in online dating as risk factors for mental health issues among young adults. Researchers from the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra found links between these behaviors and symptoms of depression and paranoia, underscoring emotional risks in modern dating culture.

For Thai readers, the findings feel highly relevant in a social media-driven era where dating apps are popular among Gen Z and millennials. As relationship norms evolve, digital rejection and manipulation can spread with a single tap. Ghosting—being suddenly ignored—and gaslighting—emphasizing doubt about one’s memory or perceptions—can leave lasting emotional effects.

The rise of ghosting and gaslighting in digital-age relationships is causing significant psychological harm, especially among young adults, a new study reveals. Researchers from the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra have found strong links between these increasingly common relationship behaviors and symptoms of depression and paranoia, raising fresh concerns about the dangers lurking within online dating culture (The Independent).

For Thai readers living in an era dominated by social media and dating apps, these findings underscore a growing mental health risk that may hit close to home. As relationship customs shift, digital rejection and manipulation techniques—once limited by physical proximity—now cross geographical borders with the tap of a screen. Whether someone has been abruptly ignored by a romantic prospect (ghosting) or repeatedly manipulated to question their own memory and reality (gaslighting), the psychological damage can be profound.

A quiet health challenge is taking root among Thai youths: bigorexia, or muscle dysmorphia. Health professionals warn that this disorder goes beyond vanity and can threaten both mental and physical wellbeing. As Western beauty ideals and online comparisons flood Thai media, parents and teachers are urged to rethink conversations about bodies, exercise, and social media.

Muscle dysmorphia is a form of body dysmorphic disorder centered on the belief that one is not muscular enough, even when the physique is healthy or fit. Those affected may spend excessive hours training, follow restrictive diets, or turn to risky supplements or steroids. Adolescent boys are increasingly showing patterns of disordered eating and extreme exercise focused on muscularity, signaling a shift in how eating disorders are understood and diagnosed among males.

A revealing new study conducted by academic teams at the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra has spotlighted the profound psychological impacts that ghosting and gaslighting can have—especially among young adults negotiating today’s digitally-driven relationship landscape. The findings forge important connections between the surge of online communication and risks to mental health, and they carry sobering implications for individuals across Thailand navigating similar social terrains.

According to the research, which surveyed 544 adults aged 18 to 40 in the UK, both ghosting—the act of abruptly ending all communication without explanation—and gaslighting—a psychological manipulation tactic that leads individuals to doubt their reality—were shown to trigger mental health symptoms such as depression and paranoid thinking. The study’s methodology accounted for variables like age, income, and personality traits, including sensitivity to rejection and uncertainty, which are themselves recognized as risk factors for mental distress.

A new study by researchers at the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra shows ghosting and gaslighting can profoundly affect mental health, especially among young adults navigating today’s digital dating scene. The findings highlight how online communication correlates with psychological distress and carry important implications for Thailand’s youth and adults facing similar social dynamics.

The UK-based research surveyed 544 adults aged 18 to 40. It found that ghosting—ending communication without explanation—and gaslighting—manipulating someone to doubt their reality—are linked to symptoms of depression and paranoid thinking. The study controlled for age, income, and personality traits such as sensitivity to rejection and uncertainty, which themselves increase vulnerability to distress.

Therapists have identified a pervasive challenge particularly troubling for eldest daughters: an overwhelming sense of over-responsibility, which significantly affects their happiness and well-being. Drawing on both recent research and extensive professional experience, mental health experts now describe “eldest daughter syndrome”—a set of expectations and pressures uniquely experienced by firstborn girls—as a major factor in their long-term mental health outcomes. The concept strikes a chord with many, resonating powerfully within Thai families, where cultural traditions often reinforce the burdens shouldered by eldest children.

Therapists warn of a quiet but widespread challenge for firstborn girls: an overwhelming sense of over-responsibility that erodes happiness and well-being. Known in some circles as “eldest daughter syndrome,” this collection of expectations uniquely affects firstborns and shapes long-term mental health. The idea resonates in Thai families, where traditions often place heavy duties on the eldest child.

In Thai society, family structure and filial duty are deeply valued. Eldest daughters often serve as the emotional backbone of the household. They are expected to care for younger siblings, coordinate family activities, and handle numerous unseen tasks that keep daily life running smoothly. When these roles start early, they can foster perfectionism, self-criticism, and burnout over time.

A surge in dating app use among younger generations is taking a significant mental and emotional toll, with psychologists warning of a growing epidemic called “dating burnout.” According to a 2024 Forbes Health/OnePoll survey, almost 80% of Gen Z and Millennials report feeling exhausted by the experience — a figure echoed by global and local research into the widespread effects of digital dating fatigue. For Thailand’s young urbanites, increasingly turning to apps to expand their social circles or seek relationships, the findings raise crucial questions about the impact of online matchmaking on wellbeing and how to approach romantic connections in the digital era Forbes.

Dating apps have surged among Thailand’s urban youth, but new research warns of a growing mental health burden. A 2024 survey by Forbes Health and OnePoll found that nearly 80% of Gen Z and Millennials feel exhausted by dating experiences. This pattern mirrors broader global studies and local observations of digital dating fatigue affecting well-being and social connections.

Across Bangkok and other cities, the romance search often promises excitement. Yet a 12-week study of almost 500 dating-app users found rising emotional exhaustion and self-doubt the longer people stay active. Those already dealing with depression, anxiety, or loneliness were especially vulnerable, sometimes entering a cycle of swiping and messaging that deepened isolation rather than fostering real connection.

A new wave of international research points to a striking loneliness crisis among young men in the United States, with a notable gender gap that stands out even among wealthy Western nations. Aggregated data from 2023 and 2024 indicates that about one in four American men aged 15 to 34 felt lonely “a lot” the previous day. This rate is higher than the national average and higher than the loneliness reported by young American women. Experts say the pattern is intensely pronounced in the U.S. and not widely mirrored in other developed countries.

Recent international research has spotlighted a growing crisis of loneliness among young men in the United States, with a scale and gender disparity that stands out even among wealthier Western countries. According to aggregated data from 2023 and 2024 by Gallup, one in four American men aged 15 to 34 reported feeling lonely “a lot” of the previous day—significantly higher than both the national average (18%) and the rate among young American women (also 18%) (Gallup; UPI; Fortune). Experts warn that these findings suggest not only a deepening emotional health problem among U.S. young men, but also an exceptional pattern rarely mirrored elsewhere in the developed world.

Recent discussions around whether today’s youth are the unhappiest generation have sparked global headlines and strong local interest in Thailand. International studies indicate that Generation Z, roughly born between 1996 and 2012, faces notable mental health challenges. The big question now: are young people genuinely less happy than previous generations, or are they simply more open about discussing mental health in an uncertain era?

For Thai readers, the topic hits close to home. Young people in Thailand face rising living costs, intense academic and career pressures, and a culture shaped by pervasive digital connectivity. The debate invites us to distinguish between real distress and a broader willingness to seek help and speak out about mental health.

A large Swedish-initiated study finds that regular physical activity in childhood, especially participation in organized sports, may reduce the risk of psychiatric conditions by late adolescence. The findings arrive at a time when youth mental health is a rising concern in Thailand and around the world, underscoring practical, evidence-based paths for prevention. The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in May 2025, followed thousands of children from birth and tracked their activity patterns to later diagnoses of anxiety, depression, and related conditions.

A landmark longitudinal study from Sweden has found that regular physical activity (PA), especially participation in organised sports, may significantly reduce the risk of children developing psychiatric conditions by late adolescence. The findings come at a critical time for both Thailand and the global community, as mental health challenges among youth continue to rise and policymakers seek practical, evidence-based solutions. The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in May 2025, tracked a large birth cohort of children over more than a decade, linking their physical activity patterns to later-incidence of disorders including anxiety, depression, and addiction (bjsm.bmj.com).

A new UNICEF assessment shows Japanese children excel in physical health, yet their mental well-being ranks among the lowest in developed nations. The 2025 study places Japan 32nd out of 43 nations for youth mental health, highlighted by a troublingly high suicide rate. This contrast—strong physical health alongside fragile mental well-being—calls for urgent policy action and broader public discussion in Japan and across Asia, including Thailand.

According to UNICEF, the report evaluates countries on mental well-being, physical health, and academic and social skills. Japan’s overall score has improved to 14th place from 20th, with a notable rise in academic and social skills. Physical health remains consistently strong. However, mental health remains a critical vulnerability, with suicide among youths ranking as one of the highest in the sample. Data from multiple sources underscore the severity of the issue, indicating a persistent mental health gap despite other gains.

A new study highlights a troubling trend: about one in three U.S. college students are considering leaving university, driven largely by emotional stress and mental health challenges. This alarming finding signals a growing crisis in higher education that resonates beyond borders and speaks to Thai readers about student wellbeing and resilience.

Post-pandemic academics have intensified pressures—from heavy coursework and financial concerns to social isolation. For Thai audiences, the issue echoes local experiences at universities where surveys show emotional wellbeing increasingly affects both students and faculty. With Thai institutions expanding global partnerships and competition intensifying, the mental health dimension remains a critical factor in student success.

A growing body of research and recent commentary suggest that society’s heightened focus on mental health could paradoxically be undermining our collective sense of well-being. This provocative notion—explored in a recent article by The Telegraph—raises questions about whether our cultural “fixation” with monitoring, diagnosing, and discussing mental health might be fueling anxiety, undermining resilience, and, ironically, making us more miserable. The debate is especially relevant in Thailand, where stigma around mental health is gradually lifting, but imported Western mental health models are being embraced with mixed results.

A growing body of research suggests that our increasing attention to mental health may not always boost happiness. A recent analysis in The Telegraph questions whether constant monitoring, diagnosing, and discussing wellbeing could, in some cases, heighten anxiety and reduce resilience. The discussion matters in Thailand, where stigma around mental health is easing, yet Western models are adopted with mixed results.

Globally, mental health awareness surged after the COVID-19 pandemic, with schools, workplaces, and governments promoting openness and reducing stigma. In Thailand, universities, government bodies, and NGOs have expanded counselling and support services. Yet commentators warn that relentless attention to mental health can, paradoxically, make people more anxious.