Pew Research Center: Anxiety and Depression a Concern Among Teens

A survey showed 70 percent of teens seen the mental health issues as a significant concern among their peers.

Anxiety and depression are a major concern for teens, according to a Pew Research Center survey of kids age 13 to 17 that was released today. Seven-in-10 of those surveyed see the issues as significant problems among their peers—and it's a universal feeling.

"Concern about mental health cuts across gender, racial, and socio-economic lines, with roughly equal shares of teens across demographic groups saying it is a significant issue in their community," according to the report.

The results did show some key gender differences in response to certain questions, including a higher percentage of girls feeling nervous or tense at school every day and feeling pressure to look good. More girls than boys plan to go to a four-year college, as well. That can create more pressure, as well. School tops the list of stressors, according to the survey.

"When it comes to the pressures teens face, academics tops the list: 61 percent of teens say they feel a lot of pressure to get good grades," the report said.

Academics was followed by the pressure of feeling the need to look good, fit in socially, and excel at extracurricular activities such as sports.

The full report can be downloaded at pewsocialtrends.org

 

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Kara Yorio

Kara Yorio (kyorio@mediasourceinc.com, @karayorio) is senior news editor at School Library Journal.

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