Family well-being remains a key area of focus due to its crucial role in adolescent development. Adolescence represents a transitional stage to adulthood, marked by the formation of self-identity, autonomy, and emotional stability. Within this context, adolescents’ perceptions of their family environment play an important role in shaping their psychological well-being and overall mental health. This study aims to explore adolescents’ perceptions of family well-being. A descriptive quantitative approach was employed, involving 122 adolescents aged 15–18 years from a high school in Jambi City. Participants were selected through purposive random sampling based on criteria relevant to the research objectives. Data were collected using the Family Well-being scale. The findings indicate that, according to adolescents’ perceptions, family well-being predominantly falls within the moderate to high range. These results provide valuable insights intro adolescents’ attitudes toward family dynamics and can serve as a foundation for developing youth-friendly interventions.

Childhood and adolescent development are deeply influenced by environmental factors, particularly early adversities and caregiver relationships. Maternal psychological distress (anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress) can adversely affect children's mental health and developmental outcomes, with these effects often magnified in immigrant and refugee populations. Telomere length (TL), a biomarker of biological aging, has been linked to chronic stress and maternal mental health challenges. This study explores the relationships between maternal psychological distress, psychological symptoms in children and adolescents, and TL among Arab American immigrant and refugee youth. A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 55 Arab American mothers who had resided in the U.S. for the past decade and their 160 children aged 7 to 17 years. Participants were recruited through community centers in the Midwest, with data collected during home visits. Maternal and child psychological distress were assessed, and TL was measured via buccal swabs using monochrome multiplex quantitative real-time PCR. Two-level Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to evaluate the effects of maternal psychological distress and related factors on child TL. The model demonstrated excellent fit (χ2(12) = 15.66, p = .208, CFI = 0.975, TLI = 0.949, RMSEA = 0.044, SRMR = 0.012). Maternal psychological distress was significantly associated with short child TL (β = -.54, p = .002), and children born in their home country exhibited shorter TL than children born after immigration (β = -.66, p = .035). Child anxiety and PTSD symptoms, however, were not significantly associated with TL. Findings suggest maternal distress and refugee experiences contribute to telomere attrition, underscoring the need for interventions targeting maternal mental health to improve long-term health outcomes in this population.

To investigate associations between social jet lag and the developing adolescent brain. N = 3507 youth (median (IQR) age = 12.0 (1.1) years; 50.9% females) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) cohort were studied. Social jet lag (adjusted for sleep debt (SJLSC) versus non-adjusted (SJL)), topological properties and intrinsic dynamics of resting-state networks, and morphometric brain characteristics were analyzed. Over 35% of participants had SJLSC ≥2.0 h. Boys, Hispanic and Black non-Hispanic youth, and/or those at later pubertal stages had longer SJLSC (β=0.06 to 0.68, CI=[0.02, 0.83], p≤0.02), which was also associated with higher BMI (β=0.13, CI=[0.08, 0.18], p<0.01). SJLSC and SJL were associated with lower strength of thalamic connections (β=-0.22, CI=[-0.39, -0.05], p=0.03). Longer SJLSC was also associated with lower topological resilience and lower connectivity of the salience network (β=-0.04, CI=[-0.08, -0.01], p=0.04), and lower thickness and/or volume of structures overlapping with this and other networks supporting emotional and reward processing and social function (β=-0.08 to -0.05, CI=[-0.12, -0.01], p<0.05). Longer SJL was associated with lower connectivity and efficiency of the dorsal attention network ( β=-0.05, CI=[-0.10, -0.01], p<0.05). Finally, SJLSC and SJL were associated with alterations in spontaneously coordinated brain activity, and. lower information transfer between regions supporting sensorimotor integration, social function and emotion regulation (β=-0.07 to -0.05, CI=[-0.12, -0.01], p<0.04). Misaligned sleep is associated with widespread alterations in adolescent brain structures, circuit organization and dynamics of regions that play critical roles in cognitive (including social) function, and emotion and reward regulation.

At the population level, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are known to have a detrimental influence on health and well-being in later life. Research is key to guiding prevention and intervention initiatives by elucidating how childhood adversity experiences impact development. With this objective in mind, our investigation focuses on aspects of adolescent development that are sensitive to ACE exposure and implicated in adult psychopathology: namely, pubertal timing and cognitive self-regulation (i.e., executive functions: EF). Mediation models were tested using data from a large-scale, nationally representative sample of American youth (Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study; N = 11,878, 52% male, 52.4% White, 13.4% Black, 24.0% Hispanic). Concurrent models assessed the integrity of adolescents' core EF abilities via performance on tasks of response inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility (baseline assessment; 9-10 years), whereas prospective models examined adolescents' day-to-day EF via parent ratings of their behavior (follow-up assessment; 12-13 years). For females, but not males, earlier pubertal timing mediated pathways between greater ACE exposure and worse EF, as reflected in lower task performance (baseline) and greater behavioral challenges (follow up). These findings suggest there may be sex-specific pathways through which early adversity experiences impact development, with puberty emerging as a particularly important consideration for females vis-à-vis adolescent refinements in their capacity for cognitive self-regulation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

BackgroundThe proliferation of smartphones raises worries over their impact on adolescent development, especially problematic smartphone use. This research investigates the intricacies of problematic smartphone usage in adolescents, particularly in light of significant increases in screen time, from a developmental psychology perspective.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the association between adolescent-perceived parental monitoring strategies and problematic smartphone use in Taiwan, while also exploring variations across age, gender, and socioeconomic status.MethodsA nationwide dataset from Taiwan’s annual survey (n=1673; aged 10‐18 y) was analyzed using descriptive analysis and moderated multiple serial mediation regression. In total, 3 parental mediation styles—restrictive monitoring, evaluative mediation, and unfocused monitoring—were examined for their effects on smartphone usage.ResultsRigorous surveillance is more beneficial for younger adolescents (aged 10‐12 y), significantly reducing smartphone addiction. Conversely, as teenagers mature, the efficacy of restrictive approaches wanes. Adolescents aged 16-18 years benefit more from parental mediation strategies that foster autonomy and encourage appropriate digital conduct. Restrictive monitoring significantly diminishes addiction by constraining internet access; yet, the diverse outcomes of assessment methods highlight the importance of qualitative engagement. Conversely, unfocused surveillance is ineffective, necessitating the use of targeted parental strategies.ConclusionsThis study highlights the significance of developmentally suitable parental strategies to mitigate digital addiction and enhance teenage self-regulation. We urge policymakers to implement age-specific, evidence-based methods to improve digital literacy and overall well-being in youth. Future research should investigate the enduring psychological and behavioral impacts of parental mediation and analyze cross-cultural differences in digital parenting methodologies.

Pediatric obesity rates are rising, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may contribute by promoting stress-induced weight gain. Few studies have examined the association of ACEs with body mass index (BMI) and youth-reported protective factors, particularly among Latinx and Hispanic youths, who face higher rates of ACEs and obesity. To evaluate the association of ACEs with BMI in a population-based cohort and determine whether youth-reported protective factors (eg, self-coping skills, caregiver or friend support, or overall support) moderate this association, with a focus on Latinx and Hispanic youths. This large, cross-sectional study of youths aged 11 to 12 years was conducted using year 2 data (July 2018 to March 2020) of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, a prospective, 10-year longitudinal, 21-site dataset comprised of a population-cohort of US youths. Data were analyzed between August 2024 and March 2025. Cumulative ACEs (12 categories) and youth-reported protective factors (4 categories). The primary outcome was the ability of self-reported protective factors to moderate the hypothesized association of ACEs with BMI in Latinx and Hispanic youths. Linear mixed-effects models explored associations of ACEs, protective factors, and ethnicity (ie, Latinx and Hispanic or non-Hispanic) with BMI, while controlling for confounders (eg, sex, age, puberty, and socioeconomic status). There were 5435 youths with available data at ages 11 to 12 years (1141 Latinx and Hispanic [21.0%]; 2636 female [48.5%]; mean [SD] age, 143.1 [7.6] months). Compared with non-Hispanic youths, Latinx and Hispanic youths had greater BMI (mean [SD], 22.1 [5.0] vs 20.3 [4.6]; P < .001) and more ACEs (mean [SD], 2.1 [1.7] vs 1.7 [1.7]; P < .001). Across all youths, ACEs were significantly associated with BMI, with a 0.431 BMI increase for every 1.7-point increase (1 SD) in ACE score. In Latinx and Hispanic youths only, self-coping (β = -0.74; 95% CI, -1.03 to -0.46; P < .001), caregiver support (β = -0.38; 95% CI, -0.66 to -0.11; P = .006), and overall protective score (β = -0.55; 95% CI, -0.61 to -0.06; P < .001) moderated the association of ACEs with BMI. These findings highlight the clinical importance of early ACE screening to identify at-risk youths for targeted, trauma-informed weight management interventions, and gather support for the cultivation of resiliency-focused skills like self-coping and caregiver support. Pediatric obesity is a pressing public health issue, and these strategies hold potential to alter weight trajectories, which may improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities.

Delay discounting tasks are increasingly used across psychology to examine self-regulation and value-based decision making. These tasks assess how individuals devalue rewards as delays to receipt increase, with responses expected to follow a decreasing pattern. When participants report higher valuation at longer delays-a violation of this expected trend-such responses are often flagged as nonsystematic and, in many cases, excluded from analysis. Although intended to optimize data quality, such exclusions may systematically bias samples and distort downstream inferences. Using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study (N = 11,307), we examined whether nonsystematic responding covaried with demographic, cognitive/behavioral, and environmental characteristics. Nearly half of participants exhibited at least one nonsystematic responding violation, with greater likelihood among youth from low-income households, low-resource neighborhoods, and racially minoritized backgrounds. Nonsystematic responding was also associated with lower abstract reasoning and higher positive urgency. Violations disproportionately occurred at the earliest presented task delays, suggesting a possible learning effect. These findings raise concerns that data exclusion criteria may bias behavioral samples and alter conclusions in translational research domains such as addiction science, behavioral pharmacology, and public health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Pediatric sarcopenia is an emerging health issue that affects muscle development, strength, and overall well-being in children and adolescents. While it was initially linked to aging, recent studies highlight its presence in younger populations, particularly among those with chronic conditions. This condition affects growth and neurodevelopment in the short term and is associated with an increased risk of long-term complications, namely metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Several factors contribute to pediatric sarcopenia, including inadequate prenatal nutrition, low birth weight, genetic susceptibility, insufficient dietary protein intake, sedentary behaviors, obesity, metabolic imbalances, and chronic illnesses. Reduced muscle mass impairs bone health, delays growth spurts, and affects physical performance, which may result in a lower quality of life. In children with chronic diseases, sarcopenia exacerbates clinical outcomes, prolongs hospital stays, and increases the likelihood of complications. Diagnosing sarcopenia in children is complex due to differing growth patterns. Existing assessment methods, such as imaging techniques and body composition analysis, lack standardized reference values tailored to pediatric populations, which makes early detection challenging. Preventive strategies emphasize physical activity, especially resistance exercises (muscle strengthening), reduced screen time, improved dietary habits, and sleep hygiene. Innovative treatments are being explored, including targeted drug delivery to the muscle to minimize side effects, regenerative approaches utilizing nanoparticles, and myostatin inhibitors for stimulating muscle growth. Stem cell therapy and biomaterial-based muscle reconstruction are also under investigation; however, pediatric-specific therapeutic guidelines remain undefined. Early intervention is crucial for reducing its negative effects and fostering healthier developmental paths.

Pediatric sarcopenia is an emerging health issue that affects muscle development, strength, and overall well-being in children and adolescents. While it was initially linked to aging, recent studies highlight its presence in younger populations, particularly among those with chronic conditions. This condition affects growth and neurodevelopment in the short term and is associated with an increased risk of long-term complications, namely metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Several factors contribute to pediatric sarcopenia, including inadequate prenatal nutrition, low birth weight, genetic susceptibility, insufficient dietary protein intake, sedentary behaviors, obesity, metabolic imbalances, and chronic illnesses. Reduced muscle mass impairs bone health, delays growth spurts, and affects physical performance, which may result in a lower quality of life. In children with chronic diseases, sarcopenia exacerbates clinical outcomes, prolongs hospital stays, and increases the likelihood of complications. Diagnosing sarcopenia in children is complex due to differing growth patterns. Existing assessment methods, such as imaging techniques and body composition analysis, lack standardized reference values tailored to pediatric populations, which makes early detection challenging. Preventive strategies emphasize physical activity, especially resistance exercises (muscle strengthening), reduced screen time, improved dietary habits, and sleep hygiene. Innovative treatments are being explored, including targeted drug delivery to the muscle to minimize side effects, regenerative approaches utilizing nanoparticles, and myostatin inhibitors for stimulating muscle growth. Stem cell therapy and biomaterial-based muscle reconstruction are also under investigation; however, pediatric-specific therapeutic guidelines remain undefined. Early intervention is crucial for reducing its negative effects and fostering healthier developmental paths.

BackgroundAdolescence is a critical period for the development of mental health problems, with self-regulation playing a crucial role as a protective factor. However, little is known about the self-regulation development in adolescence and how this is influenced by environmental factors such as negative life events (NLEs) and parental mental health problems. This study aimed to examine changes in self-regulation and the predictive effect of NLEs and parental mental health problems on self-regulation.MethodsWe included a sample of N = 2803 adolescents from the ABCD study. We explored changes in self-regulation by comparing variables between the ages of 11–12 and 13–14 (behavioral and cognitive self-regulation) and the ages of 12–13 and 13–14 (emotional self-regulation). We also compared self-regulation changes in adolescents with and without a history of NLEs and with and without parents with clinically significant mental health problems. Using linear regression, we analyzed the predictive effect of NLEs and parental mental health problems on self-regulation two years later.ResultsAdolescents showed a small increase in mean cognitive self-regulation (η2part = 0.22) and expressive suppression as part of emotional self-regulation (η2part = 0.07), and a small decrease in behavioral self-regulation (η2part = 0.09). The results of the regression analysis indicate small, significant effects of NLEs and parental mental health problems on adolescent self-regulation. Self-regulation at the first assessment significantly predicted later self-regulation.ConclusionsOur results suggest that self-regulation still develops in early adolescence, marked both by improvements in some components of self-regulation and difficulties in others. To better understand developmental trajectories and determinants of self-regulation, prospective longitudinal studies starting earlier in development and covering a longer period are needed.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13034-025-00991-5.

Evaluating bidirectional, longitudinal associations between adolescent executive control and eating behaviors.

Association between early-life exposure to mercury and cardiometabolic risk factors development in adolescence.

Immigrant Status, Socioeconomic Status, and Sleep Disparities in Early Adolescence: Findings From the National Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study.

Adolescent Sleep Disruption: Implications for Psychiatric Morbidity.

The study examined the intergenerational transmission of aggressive conflict resolution toward intimate partners from Generation 1 (G1) parents during Generation 2's adolescence to both G2 and their partners (G2 partner), and the potential spillover effects from G2 and G2 partner's aggressive conflict resolution to G2's harsh and inconsistent parental discipline towards Generation 3 (G3) children. Using data from the Research on Adolescent Development and Relationships (RADAR) project, G1, G2 (51.5% girls; Mage = 14.82 in mid-adolescence, Mage = 29.66 in parenthood), and later G2's partner and G3 were followed from G2's adolescence to adulthood. The sample comprised 1178 G1-G2 dyads, including 222 G1-G2-G3 triads. Path analyses provided evidence for (1) intergenerational transmission, that is, G1's aggressive conflict resolution in G2's mid-adolescence weakly predicted G2's aggressive conflict resolution in G2's adulthood and (2) spillover effects, that is, G2's aggressive conflict resolution predicted G2's harsh and inconsistent discipline toward G3 children. Most of the intergenerational transmission and spillover relations did not differ across G1 and G2 gender. Overall, the findings highlight the intergenerational transmission of aggressive conflict resolution towards intimate partners and its subsequent relation with harsh and inconsistent discipline. Future prevention could target both parental figures in G1 and G2 to disrupt the cycle of aggressive conflict resolution and prevent problematic discipline practices.

This study aims to assess the State's responsibility in guaranteeing the right to inclusive education for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Despite legislative advances in Brazil, such as Law 12.764/12, which recognizes ASD as a disability, and the inclusion of autism in the 2020 demographic census, there are still difficulties in implementing effective public policies that ensure access to quality education for these students. The research adopted a qualitative approach, reviewing legislation, international treaties, case law and academic studies, in addition to analyzing cases of state omission in offering inclusive school environments. The results show that, although legislation protects the right to education, the practice still faces problems such as a lack of trained professionals, inadequate pedagogical resources and a lack of adaptations in schools. This negligence violates fundamental rights and prevents the full development of students with ASD, contributing to the maintenance of social inequalities. It is concluded that it is essential for the State to implement concrete actions, such as efficient public policies, training of specialized professionals and the creation of inclusive school environments. These measures are fundamental to guarantee the right to education, promote social inclusion and ensure the full development of children and adolescents with ASD, fostering a more just, equitable and inclusive society.

Early nicotine initiation and white matter integrity: Associations from late childhood to mid-adolescence.

Erratum to “Civic reasoning depends on transcendent thinking: Implications of adolescent brain development for SEL” [Social and Emotional Learning: Research, Practice, and Policy 4 (2024) 100067

Temperament mediates the relationship between family environment and psychotic-like experiences in early adolescence: Findings from the ABCD study.

Associations between sleep, obesity, and mental health in adolescents: Understanding sex-specific vulnerabilities.