A New Theory on the Teen Mental Health Crisis
While rising rates of teen mental health issues can鈥檛 be pinned to a single root cause, a 2023 study surfaced a compelling connection to the decline in childhood independence.
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Go to My Saved Content.There is growing concern around , and while finding causes can be elusive, a recent study reveals a new angle鈥攔ooted in childhood development鈥攖hat is gaining traction.
In 2023, researchers compiled and assessed data trends that showed a drop in opportunities for children to engage in play, chores, and roles that are not directly overseen and controlled by adults. Unsupervised play and purposeful work contribute to the development of important feelings of competence, autonomy, and relatedness in childhood and adolescence, which lead to healthy young adults. Without those opportunities, children may be missing out on a critical part of their growth. The message seems clear鈥攁dults should strive to ensure that children have ample chances to grow in their confidence through independent play and exploration.
To read the research cited in the video, check out the links below:
- Peter Gray, David F. Lancy, and David F. Bjorklund鈥檚 (2023)
- Ben Shaw, Ben Watson, Bj枚rn Frauendienst, Andreas Redecker, Tim Jones, and Mayer Hillman鈥檚 (2012)
- Noreen C. McDonald, Austin L. Brown, Lauren M. Marchetti, and Margo S. Pedroso鈥檚 (2011)
- Natasha Goodhall and Cathy Atkinson鈥檚 (2017)
To learn more about 2023鈥檚 most compelling research findings for educators, visit The 10 Most Significant Education Studies of 2023.