Teens View Anxiety, Depression as Biggest Problems in Lives, Study Says

Most American teenagers say they view anxiety and depression as a major problem in the communities where they live, a new Pew study indicates.

The study found that 70 percent of teens view the mental health concerns as a major problem, while 26 percent believe they’re a minor problem and 4 percent say they’re not a problem.

The polling organization asked 920 Americans between the ages of 13 and 17 about their concerns on eight topics. After anxiety and depression, they viewed bullying as the biggest problem in their communities, with 55 percent seeing it as a major problem, 35 percent a minor problem and 10 percent not a problem.

Other results included: drug addiction (51 percent major, 35 percent minor and 13 percent not a problem); drinking alcohol (45 percent major, 39 percent minor and 16 percent not a problem); poverty (40 percent major, 47 percent minor and 13 percent not a problem); teen pregnancy (34 percent major, 44 percent minor and 21 percent not a problem); and gangs (33 percent major, 38 percent minor and 29 percent not a problem).

When asked about the pressures they face, 61 percent say they feel a lot of pressure to get good grades, 29 percent say they feel a lot of pressure to look good, 28 percent feel a lot of pressure to fit in socially, 21 percent feel a lot of pressure to be good in extracurricular activities and sports, 6 percent feel a lot of pressure to drink alcohol and 4 percent feel a lot of pressure to use drugs.

The Pew study was conducted between Sept. 17 and Nov. 25 of 2018 and had a margin of error of 4.8 percent.

Excerpted from “Teens view anxiety, depression as biggest problems in lives, study says” from UPI, Inc. Read the full story.

More information on this study is available from the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research.

Source: United Press International | Teens view anxiety, depression as biggest problems in lives, study says, https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2019/02/20/Teens-view-anxiety-depression-as-biggest-problems-in-lives-study-says/4331550699048 |  Copyright © 2019 United Press International, Inc.

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