The mental health of teenagers is globally seen to be at risk for multiple concerns and issues, with various factors impacting it, but did you know that teenagers’ mental health was found to be poor if they had siblings? Moreover, the more the siblings the poorer the mental health for teens. A study found these results to be consistent in both China and the US.
According to this study, siblings born within a one-year time frame were found to have the strongest negative association with mental health, stating reduction in resources and attention or care time from the parents as a probable reason for this impact.
Family size and mental well-being in teens
There are many researches suggesting a strong relationship between family size, the number of siblings one has, and mental well-being. Majorly, the researches point towards a negative impact over a positive one.
It is found that a large sibling-relationship size is associated with increased prevalence of childhood mental health problems, specifically conduct disorders and emotional issues.
It’s important to note that this relationship can be mediated or influenced by socioeconomic status as well as cultural factors. For families belonging to lower socioeconomic background it is not uncommon to have a larger family size, which can consequently increase the financial strain, the demands and non-availability of financial and emotional resources can be a stressor for the family.
The quality of sibling relationships has also been found to be an important determinant of mental health. Let’s look more closely at this association.
Sibling relationships and mental health
Siblings can be a great source of emotional strength and support. Sharing positive familial experiences can contribute greatly to emotional well-being. The key factor here is a warm and affectionate sibling relationship, which will consequently improve mental health.
On the other hand, conflicts between siblings are quite common which may lead to feelings of frustration and stress depending on the intensity and frequency of the conflicts. It is often observed that feelings of conflict and comparison may contribute towards development of inadequacy and further the need to prove oneself.
Impact of siblings on teenage mental health
Siblings can have different dynamics in the relationship they share, and depending on the nature of it, they can greatly impact mental health of their brothers and/or sisters.
An affectionate or positive sibling relationship is also found to decrease the likelihood of loneliness, depression and psychological distress.
A conflicting or disharmonious sibling relationship is found to increase the likelihood of depression, aggressive tendencies, poor self-esteem and a negative self-identity.
Hence, having siblings can go either way, which is why it is important to cultivate positive and supporting sibling relationships to foster better emotional and mental well-being.
Psychological effects of having many siblings
Having many siblings can have many psychological impacts, some positive such as social support and emotional strength. However, as explored above, there are many negative impacts of having multiple siblings such as increased risk of mental health issues. Hence, looking at the number of siblings and how close in age they are, it may be explored as a possible risk factor in teens for adverse mental health or mental health issues.
What are some common mental health concerns or issues faced by teenagers?
According to the World Health Organization, below are some of the most common mental health issues in teenagers around the globe.
Anxiety in teens is the most common and prevalent mental health concern in this age group. It is estimated that 3.6% of 10–14-year-olds and 4.6% of 15–19-year-olds experience an anxiety disorder (involves excessive worry or panic interfering with daily functioning).
Depression is a widespread mental disorder estimated to occur among 1.1% of teenagers aged 10–14 years, and 2.8% of 15–19-year-olds.
Bipolar disorder in teenagers usually occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood affecting approximately 1-2% of the population. It is one of the most common disorders to go undetected or misdiagnosed.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) occurs among 3.1% of 10–14-year-olds and 2.4% of 15–19-year-olds.
Conduct disorder (involving symptoms of destructive or challenging behaviour) occurs among 3.6% of 10–14-year-olds and 2.4% of 15–19-year-olds.
Self-harm among teenagers is increasingly becoming common and suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in older adolescents (15–19 years).
Substance abuse and dependence is observed as a risk-taking behavior and coping mechanism in teenagers. The prevalence of heavy episodic drinking among adolescents aged 15–19 years was 13.6% in 2016, with males most at risk.
Cannabis is the most widely used drug among young people with about 4.7% of 15–16-years-olds using it at least once in 2018.
Mental health help for teens
According to WHO, globally, one in seven 10-19-year-olds experiences a mental disorder.
To specifically cater to teenagers, certified child and adolescent psychologists are trained to deal with teenage mental health issues, school counselors are mandated in every school, several helplines for teens in crisis or suicide prevention helplines are available for someone who needs immediate assistance. Informative resources are available for teens such as planned parenthood, sex education seminars to increase awareness. There are also many peer support groups and text-based counseling and mental health support specially designed for teens.
Emphasizing the availability of such resources can be of great help in overcoming mental health issues among teenagers. Further, it is crucial to recognize, identify and correctly diagnose any mental health concern or issue, specially at an early stage so that appropriate strategies and treatment plans can be implemented well in time. Further, it is globally seen that early detection can significantly improve outcomes of treatments and support plans.
At North America Behavioral Health Services, we have developed programmes that particularly focus on the struggles faced by teenagers. We understand that this period of change can be difficult to deal with. Reach out to us today and we will guide you to the most suited program for you!
