Teenagers and Violent Video Games: Questions Following the Newtown Shooting

In the aftermath of the nation’s most tragic school shooting, many people across the nation are asking questions to try to understand how this could have happened and how events like this can be prevented in the future. The issues coming to light are age old debates such as gun control and school security, and the link between violent video games and aggressive behavior among teenagers and young people. Adam Lanza, the killer behind the horrific Newtown massacre, was an avid video gamer who played violent video games such as Call of Duty for hours. Do playing violent video games translate to real life violence? Research into this issue shows evidence supporting both sides of the argument.

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Untreated Issues in Adolescence Linger into Adulthood: Teen Dating Violence and Teen ADHD

Two articles published today reinforce the notion that untreated issues in adolescent years linger into adulthood. The first article Teen Dating Violence Affects Well-Being in Adulthood published in USAtoday.com cites a new study that shows that teenagers who reported physical or psychological abuse from a relationship reported more drinking, smoking, drug abuse, depression, thoughts of suicide, and anti-social behaviors 5 years later. The study is hoping to raise awareness about this public health hazard and encourages parents, educators, and pediatricians to talk to teens about dating violence to quickly get help for those who need it.

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Teenagers and Bad Grades: Depression or Bad Behavior?

Succeeding in high school is an important foundation for teenagers as they transition into early adulthood. It is important to stay informed about your teen’s performance at school by communicating with teachers, administrators, or guidance counselors. Talk to your teenager if report card grades fell below expectations. While a drop in grades could be as simple as your teenager struggling with a new subject or teacher, it could be a red flag for a variety of issues such as attention issues such as ADHD, depression, substance abuse, or bad behavior. Consider all factors to help your teen get back on track as soon as possible.

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Nurturing Mothers Boost Their Teen's Brain Power

Finally! Scientific evidence that supports what mental health professionals have been saying for decades. When you nurture your child it is good for their brain. According to the article below children with nurturing mothers have a significantly larger brain structure, called the hippocampus, compared to children with less nurturing mothers.

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Affluent Teenagers - Privilege and Risk

I recently read an article published by the National Institutes of Health about the mental health characteristics of affluent teenagers as compared to teenagers living near poverty. Before I read the article I assumed that teenagers with the stresses of poverty would have more significant mental health issues than the teenagers of affluent parents. According to this research I was wrong. Here is the link to the article:

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