Department of Economics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
Adolescents are slowly being recognized as a generation, worldwide, that may require different policy approaches to improve staggering statistics on their failing well-being, including mental health. By providing the support to allow the next generation to achieve better mental health outcomes, they are going to be more economically successful and the future economic growth of nations can be better assured. Adoption of mobile-based health interventions (e.g., mHealth) has garnered a lot of attention toward this end. While mHealth interventions are growing in popularity, many researchers/policy-makers appear to have neglected assessing potential (indirect) costs/negative consequences from their use. Evidence from the developed world shows strong associations between extensive cell phone use and negative mental health outcomes, but similar research is minimal in developing world contexts. Additionally, t
Finland is the happiest country in the world – again. Or is it? 31 March 2021 Finland, Helsinki, Pohjois-Haaga Primary School 2nd grade, 2018. Photographer: Hanna-Kaisa Hämäläinen
But is it true?
Similar to the 1950s household surveys that questioned only the male breadwinner and projected his feelings to the rest of the society, this poll misses a quarter of the world’s population – children under 15 years old.
In a Lamentable Year, Finland Again is the Happiest Country in the World https://t.co/jGzx81PEo2 via @HappinessRptpic.twitter.com/oUp6crxZJi
So, do children in Finland and other countries agree with adults? Not particularly. There are several studies of children that ask similar questions to the one in the Gallup World Poll. These are all schools-based surveys and have some sampling limitations. But the picture is consistent.
Kildare schools take part in three-year study of alcohol use
Reporter:
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Over 13,000 students, including pupils from seven secondary schools across Co. Kildare, have to date participated in Drinkaware’s Junior Cycle Alcohol Education Programme (JC AEP) which was the subject of the three-year longitudinal study carried out by Maynooth University.
This significant study, for the first time, tracks 1st to 3rd year students’ experiences of alcohol education in Ireland in real time. As the national charity working to reduce and prevent alcohol misuse in Ireland, Drinkaware commissioned Maynooth University’s Centre for Mental Health and Community Research to investigate the programme’s effectiveness in particular its primary prevention goal to delay the age of first drink.
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Photo: (Photo : Jeswin Thomas / Unsplash )
A study on children ages 10 to 17 aimed to determine the habits affecting children s health. The findings are promising, showing a significant decrease in substance use-smoking, drinking, and drugs. There has also been a decline in child bullying.
However, boys, especially those in the lowest social class, may need help with a healthier diet and coping mechanisms towards pressure and depression.
HBSC Study Shows Improvements in Children s Health
Senior researcher Aoife Gavin collaborated with the HBSC research team to conduct the study on Irish Behavior in School-aged Children. The Health Behavior in School-aged Children Trends Report (HBSC) showed positive results in changing children s habits. It is a cross-sectional study in collaboration with the World Health Organization, Breaking News reported.
Western Correspondent
New research has shown a significant decrease in the number of children smoking and drinking over a 20-year period to 2018.
But there has been an increase in the number trying to lose weight and more children say they feel low at least once a week.
The Health Behaviour in School Aged Children report compares studies from 1998 with follow up surveys in 2018. It was overseen by the Health Promotion Research Centre in NUI Galway.
The data has been gathered from questionnaires completed by more than 15,000 school pupils, aged between ten and 17. This takes in children in fifth class, to students in fifth year of secondary school.