How Adult Support in Teens' Activities Affects Their Mental Health

Did you know that the support teens get from adults in their organized activities can make a big difference in how they feel about themselves? A study tracked over 200 teens for six years to see how relationships with adults in sports and other activities changed over time and affected their mental health. The teens were mostly French-Canadian and middle-class, with an average age of 12. 5.

Surprisingly, the study found that both parents and activity leaders became less involved and supportive as the teens got older. This drop in support happened in all types of activities, but parents seemed to stay more involved in team sports than in non-sports activities. The leaders' support didn't change much between sports and non-sports groups. Even though adult support dropped, it still mattered a lot. Teens who had more support from parents and activity leaders reported feeling better about themselves and having fewer symptoms of depression. This shows that even as teens grow older, they still need supportive adults in their lives to help them feel good.

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