A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

Battles between parents and children over a variety of issues, from when to go to bed to appropriate dress and supervision of academic study, are known to occur in most households, whether they’re subtle or the cause of major conflicts. In some cases, these issues may simply be a part of family life, and children and adolescents may be relatively accepting of their parents’ interest in their personal lives. But in other cases, “meddling” can have an adverse effect on mental well-being, and a recent study carried out both in the United States and China found that these effects are more pronounced among youths in the West than in East Asia. The study may reflect both cultural and psychological influences in both regions, and further research may help parents take on more positive roles.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Baltimore Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

Through most people would characterize the experience of raising children as a positive one overall, having kids –especially in high numbers– has been reported as detracting from life satisfaction levels in some studies. Challenging this notion, a recent study from the University of Glasgow has shown that satisfaction actually goes up in married couples, and increases with the addition of more children. The study suggests that those who “gear up” for child rearing and have the social, psychological, and real-world resources typically offered by marriage are more likely to find parenthood rewarding than those who are single or separated.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Bellevue Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

There are numerous stereotypes associated with teenagers. The idea that all or most teenagers engage in forbidden or risky behavior, including underage drinking and smoking, is prevalent throughout society, but this very prevalence may be adding to occurrences of mental health issues and related distress among teens. A study conducted at Wake Forest University has recently found that those teenagers whose mothers expected them to take part in high-risk activities were in fact more likely to do so. The study also found that teens who expected poor performance from themselves acted consistently with the expectation a year later. The research highlights the idea of the self-fulfilling prophesy and may encourage more positive expectations among parents.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist North Vancouver Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

Though depression can affect anyone at various points of life, it can be especially unwelcome for parents, who may feel guilty about experiencing the mental health issue around their children. Special efforts have been made to study the occurences of depression in parents, and to seek new ways to aid in accelerated and meaningful treatments. As part of this effort, a study was recently published in the journal Family Relations highlighting new evidence that a lack of social support, such as community events and meetings, church activities, and sports can increase the risk of depression among parents. While staying active and social is frequently advised for those with feelings of depression, the suggestion may be especially important for at-risk parents.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Simi Valley Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

The University of Cincinnati’s psychiatry team has recently announced that parents should be on the lookout for the establishment of mood difficulties and feelings of depression and anxiety in their young children as the new school year emerges from its short “honeymoon” phase. The professionals have noted that while the establishment of a routine can lead families to feel secure about school, many children develop mental health concerns after the novelty of the new year wears off, and have suggested that mental health treatments be considered for children who exhibit signs of suffering during this time. Mental health professionals in Cincinnati and across the country may experience an increased young client base as a result.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Tampa Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

By Sherry Gaba, LCSW and Life Coach

Click here to contact Sherry and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

Viewers cannot turn on the television today without a story depicting pop icon Michael Jackson and his un-timely death. It has brought to the forefront of everyone’s mind a reminder of the dangers of abusing prescription drugs. What parents may not realize is although overall teen drug use is down nationwide; prescription drug abuse is on the rise, as one of the fastest growing addictions amongst teenagers today. Since 1992, the number of teenager’s ages 12 to 17 years old abusing controlled prescription drugs has tripled and nearly one in five teens reported that they are able to get prescription drugs such as Vicodin or OxyContin in one hour. In fact, nearly all poison deaths in the country are attributed to prescription drugs. In the last ten years, the number of teens going into treatment for addiction to prescription pain relievers has increased by more than 300 percent. In fact, most of the clients I see today are struggling with prescription drug abuse, specifically pain medications. Although it is understood heroin is dangerous and that overdoses are common, what parents don’t understand is that narcotic painkillers mimic the same effects of heroin on their bodies and can be just as lethal. Teens turning away from street drugs and moving towards prescription drugs is rampant and the myth that these drugs are safe because they are legal must be squashed or this trend will continue to grow. Read the rest of this entry

By Pátzia Gonzalez-Baz D-CEP; EFT-Adv
Clinical member, OSP  

Click here to contact Patzia and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

Unfortunately, second marriages have an even worse track record than first marriages. Part of this has to do with the kids, yours, his/ hers. Don’t get me wrong, it has nothing to do with the kids as people, the kids are all right. It has a lot to do with our feelings about them. And I mean kids all ages, including adults. So here are some basic tips to help your children, you and your new spouse adjust:

1) Remind your kids that they were conceived in love.

It’s important to remind your children that you love them and that you once loved your ex very much. And that every time you see the child, you are reminded of how much you loved him/ her. And then things changed. Whatever happens between both parents has nothing to do with them. The divorce wasn’t their fault, you will always love them. Saying “You’re just like your mother (or father)” should be the highest praise! If you need to vent about your ex, do so in therapy.

2) Prepare your kids

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A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

The idea that aggression, both physical and emotional, arises in children from their observations of the methods used by their parents is fairly common, the need for greater research into the paths by which youths develop their behaviors is clear. In an effort to better understand a range of facets about the use of aggression and other controlling techniques among children and their parents, a study was performed in Belgium with telling results about the ways in which children are influenced. The study followed six hundred children ranging in age from eight to ten years old, along with their families, providing surveys about the ways in which behavior was controlled within the home.

In addition to these surveys, the participating children were scored as to their levels of physical and emotional aggressiveness not only by parents, but by their schoolteachers and peers as well. After collecting a great wealth of data, the researchers discovered that those children who lived in physically aggressive environments were considerably more likely to exhibit the same behaviors of physical aggressiveness at home and in school. Interestingly, however, children who were frequently exposed to relational aggression, described as the intentional manipulation of a relationship in order to serve some end, were found to practice similar behaviors at home but not among their peers or in school. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Philadelphia Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

While here have been scores of studies on the causes and effects of post-partum depression, a researcher from the University of Queensland recently set out to uncover the effects of mothers’ mental health during the long process of child rearing. Focusing her research on a study performed at the Mater University of Pregnancy, the researcher found that those mothers who exhibited signs of mental health concerns were significantly more likely to raise children with behavioral and other issues, while those with recurring issues such as feelings of depression or anxiety showed a dramatic increase in these rates. The effective treatment of mothers experiencing mental health issues may in fact prove valuable for more than just the client herself.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Fullerton Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

The ability to not let the thoughts and opinions of others interfere with one’s own emotional and mental well-being is an important skill, but the acquiring and refining of this ability isn’t always very easy. Usually associated with a greater degree of vulnerability to peer pressure and other social phenomena, teenagers can sometimes take the opinions of others very seriously. A new study performed at the National Institute of Mental Health has suggested that older teenage girls comprise the group most susceptible to peer judgment, following the use of MRI scanning and data collected from social judgment tasks. The study supports a heightened availability of psychotherapy and mental health services and support for young women, to help foster a healthy and happy personal and social life.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Evanston Bureau - All Rights Reserved.