Adolescence is a time of mental and physical fluctuation as well as a preparation for adulthood. The rapid changes that occur during this period may impact mental health, which could continue following the transition into being an adult. An investigation in JAMA Network Open looks into whether social support during the teenaged years could lead to fewer mental health issues once an individual is an adult.1
The investigation was a population-based cohort and used participants from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. The participants in the cohort were given either yearly or biennial assessments beginning at age 5 months until age 20 years. They were asked to self-report their perceived social support when they were aged 19 years using the 10-item Social Provision Scale. Then, when each participant was aged 20 years, an assessment of mental health issues such as depressive symptoms and suicide ideation was administered.
A total of 1174 adolescents were included in the study, breaking down into 574 female participants and 600 male participants. The researchers found that young adults who reported higher levels of perceived social support when they were aged 19 years subsequently reported having fewer mental health problems a year later. This remained true even following adjustment for a number of mental health problems, such as depressive symptoms and suicide attempts, in adolescence at aged 15 and 17 years as well as family characteristics such as socioeconomic status. Additionally, higher perceived social support was linked with fewer symptoms of depression (β = −0.23; 95% CI, −0.26 to −0.18; P = <.001 and odds ratio [OR], 0.53; 95% CI, 0.42-0.66 for severe depression) and anxiety (β = −0.10; 95% CI, −0.15 to −0.04; P < .001 and OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62-0.98 for severe anxiety). It was also tied to lower risks for outcomes related to suicide (for suicidal ideation: OR, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.50-0.70] and for suicide attempts: OR, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.46-0.79]).
The investigators concluded that perceived social support appears to help prevent the increase of mental health problems, at least over the course of a year. Providing social support during this transition period could help promote better health in the population.
Reference
1. Scardera S, Perret L, Ouellet-Morin I. Association of social support during adolescence with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in young adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(12):e2027491. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.27491
Social support in teen years could improve later mental health
The transition from adolescence to adulthood can be fraught. Could support during this period help lessen later mental health issues?
Adolescence is a time of mental and physical fluctuation as well as a preparation for adulthood. The rapid changes that occur during this period may impact mental health, which could continue following the transition into being an adult. An investigation in JAMA Network Open looks into whether social support during the teenaged years could lead to fewer mental health issues once an individual is an adult.1
The investigation was a population-based cohort and used participants from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. The participants in the cohort were given either yearly or biennial assessments beginning at age 5 months until age 20 years. They were asked to self-report their perceived social support when they were aged 19 years using the 10-item Social Provision Scale. Then, when each participant was aged 20 years, an assessment of mental health issues such as depressive symptoms and suicide ideation was administered.
A total of 1174 adolescents were included in the study, breaking down into 574 female participants and 600 male participants. The researchers found that young adults who reported higher levels of perceived social support when they were aged 19 years subsequently reported having fewer mental health problems a year later. This remained true even following adjustment for a number of mental health problems, such as depressive symptoms and suicide attempts, in adolescence at aged 15 and 17 years as well as family characteristics such as socioeconomic status. Additionally, higher perceived social support was linked with fewer symptoms of depression (β = −0.23; 95% CI, −0.26 to −0.18; P = <.001 and odds ratio [OR], 0.53; 95% CI, 0.42-0.66 for severe depression) and anxiety (β = −0.10; 95% CI, −0.15 to −0.04; P < .001 and OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62-0.98 for severe anxiety). It was also tied to lower risks for outcomes related to suicide (for suicidal ideation: OR, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.50-0.70] and for suicide attempts: OR, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.46-0.79]).
The investigators concluded that perceived social support appears to help prevent the increase of mental health problems, at least over the course of a year. Providing social support during this transition period could help promote better health in the population.
Reference
1. Scardera S, Perret L, Ouellet-Morin I. Association of social support during adolescence with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in young adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(12):e2027491. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.27491
Medicaid-enrolled children not receiving mental health services after firearm injuries
Having "the talk" with teen patients
Government aims to streamline Medicaid billing for students with disabilities, expand health care services in schools
Addressing atypical anorexia: Part 3
Highlighting Mental Health Awareness month
AAP: Helping children believed to be self-harming
Medicaid-enrolled children not receiving mental health services after firearm injuries
Having "the talk" with teen patients
Government aims to streamline Medicaid billing for students with disabilities, expand health care services in schools
Addressing atypical anorexia: Part 3
Highlighting Mental Health Awareness month
AAP: Helping children believed to be self-harming
Medicaid-enrolled children not receiving mental health services after firearm injuries
Having "the talk" with teen patients
Government aims to streamline Medicaid billing for students with disabilities, expand health care services in schools
Addressing atypical anorexia: Part 3
Highlighting Mental Health Awareness month
AAP: Helping children believed to be self-harming
Medicaid-enrolled children not receiving mental health services after firearm injuries
June 8th 2023Investigators state public health strategies should prioritize early detection of mental health needs and equitable access to it, as some Medicaid-enrolled children are not receiving mental health services following a firearm injury.
Having "the talk" with teen patients
June 17th 2022A visit with a pediatric clinician is an ideal time to ensure that a teenager knows the correct information, has the opportunity to make certain contraceptive choices, and instill the knowledge that the pediatric office is a safe place to come for help.
Government aims to streamline Medicaid billing for students with disabilities, expand health care services in schools
May 24th 2023The US Department of Education, US Department of Health and Human Services, and the Biden-Harris Administration look to increase access to school-based health services, including mental health services, amid the national crisis.
Addressing atypical anorexia: Part 3
April 1st 2022The final episode in our podcast series on atypical anorexia discusses fat bias in health care and its impact on diagnosis and when pushback against diagnosis happens.
Highlighting Mental Health Awareness month
May 15th 2023Our President and CEO, Mike Hennessy Jr, says now is the perfect time to assess your own mental health in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.
AAP: Helping children believed to be self-harming
May 11th 2023Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, the American Academy of Pediatrics is offering several tips to help a suspected self-harming child.