Health
Gallup poll reveals how teens cope with negative emotions — and why 'they want to be heard'
A new Gallup survey explored how young Americans cope with stress, anxiety and other big emotions – and the results were mostly positive.
The research was done in partnership with the Walton Family Foundation and Dr. Lisa Damour, a bestselling author and clinical adolescent psychologist who served as a consultant on Pixar’s movie “Inside Out 2.”
Ohio-based Damour and the rest of the team dove deep into the Gen Z experience, exploring the relationship between teens and their parents and other support systems.
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The researchers surveyed 1,675 children between ages 10 and 18, along with their parents or guardians.
The data revealed that young Gen Zers are using a “range of healthy coping mechanisms” to deal with challenging feelings, according to a press release.
A poster for the movie “Inside Out 2” is displayed in Hong Kong, on July 3, 2024, with nine animated emotions: joy, sadness, anger, disgust, fear, ennui, envy, embarrassment and anxiety. Dr. Lisa Damour, a bestselling author and clinical adolescent psychologist, served as a consultant on the movie. (Vernon Yuen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
More than half of Gen Z respondents reported listening to music as a coping mechanism, while 45% said they play video games, 45% connect with friends and 39% talk about their feelings.
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Only 20% of teens reported that they turn to social media when upset.
The emotional lives of preteens and teens are “marked by more ups than downs,” according to the Gallup poll.
Listening to music is a “really effective way to manage emotions,” a psychologist told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
A whopping 94% of teens said they felt happiness “a lot on the prior day” — while 45% said they also felt stressed, 38% felt anxious and 23% felt sad.
Helping teens handle emotions
The survey explored how parents and guardians can help teens manage their emotions as they start to seek more independence.
More than 60% of Gen Zers said they want their parents to listen to them when upset. Only 28% want their parents to give advice.
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Younger Gen Z respondents are more likely to search for parental reassurance and physical comfort — but teenagers are 20% more likely to want their parents to give them space when they are upset, the survey found.
Young people who feel the need to be perfect are 23% to 30% more likely to feel anxious, sad and stressed.
Among the parents surveyed, 35% reported their teens having “very intense emotions,” but more than eight in 10 parents said they feel “confident in their ability to comfort and communicate with their children.”
The survey also found that one-third of Gen Z kids feel pressure to be perfect, a sentiment that is particularly higher among 13- to 15-year-olds (38%) and girls (40%).
“Social media may be shifting the landscape a little bit, but perfectionism in young people, and certainly in girls, has been on the scene for a long time,” the expert said. (iStock)
Young people who feel the need to be perfect are 23% to 30% more likely to feel anxious, sad and stressed, the research found.
“These new findings suggest that the negative emotions many Gen Zers feel are closely related to the pressure they feel to be perfect,” Stephanie Marken, Gallup senior partner, wrote in a statement.
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“Prior Gallup research has found that children who frequently experience negative emotions are more likely to say that they also struggle in school, so helping Gen Z to cope with these emotions – as well as their underlying causes – is critically important to their academic and future success,” Marken added.
Damour expressed how “delighted” she was to see how “strong and common” positive emotions were in young people. (iStock)
‘Surprisingly’ positive
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Damour expressed her surprise at the large number of young Gen Zers who reported positive emotions and coping techniques.
“I think our results will surprise a lot of people, because the headlines over the last several years have focused on mental health concerns and unwanted emotions,” she said.
“We are hearing from young people that, above all, they want to be heard and taken seriously.”
While 23% of children reported feeling envy and sadness, 29% experienced anger, 38% reported anxiety and worry, and 45% said they were stressed, a majority reported feeling enjoyment (91%) and happiness (94%).
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“The takeaway here is that teenagers have downs, but they also have ups,” Damour said. “And in terms of what they’re telling us, their ups are far more common than their downs.”
While teenagers tend to have complicated emotions and intense feelings, they’re not always negative, she pointed out.
The low number of teens who turn to social media when upset, according to a new poll, reflects their “own awareness” that it “does not help them feel better,” the psychologist said. (iStock)
The expert also offered guidance for parents whose teens may have perfectionist tendencies.
“We want to go out of our way as adults to remind young people that everyone has shortcomings,” she said. “The goal is not to be perfect, but to acknowledge and work on our shortcomings while still feeling good about ourselves overall.”
‘Listening goes a long way’
As the new school year kicks off, Damour encouraged parents to focus on listening rather than always providing solutions.
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“Well-meaning adults will often lead with some suggestions or guidance when a teenager brings painful emotions their way – and though it may come from a loving place, we are hearing from young people that, above all, they want to be heard and taken seriously,” she said.
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“Listening to teenagers and taking their feelings very seriously goes a long way to helping them feel better,” Damour added.
Parents should gauge how best to support their children based on their individual needs, the survey suggests. (iStock)
By stepping back instead of rushing in to help, adults may find that teenagers can effectively manage their own upset feelings, she said.
“We’re in a moment where parents are very, very anxious about teenagers and very, very anxious about their kids becoming teenagers,” the psychologist noted.
“Teenagers want to be heard by and taken seriously by adults, they are very thoughtful about how they manage emotions, and they know what doesn’t help them feel better.”
You really can think so hard about something that it hurts, according to a new study.
The American Psychological Association recently published new research proving that mental exertion leads to negative feelings and irritation.
The study was published Monday in the APA’s monthly journal, Psychological Bulletin.
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Data collected from a wide variety of professions across 29 countries shows that mental efforts can be seen as aversive, and that unpleasantness appears to apply to specific populations with certain characteristics. Painful thinking seemed to have less effect on those in Asian countries than other populations.
A woman, sitting on a couch, appears to be deep in thought. (BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The study, titled “The unpleasantness of thinking: A meta-analytic review of the association between mental effort and negative affect,” meta-analyzed 170 studies to draw its conclusions.
The studies were conducted from 125 articles published from 2019 to 2020, and involved 4,670 unique subjects.
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The results proved a strong positive association between mental effort and “negative affect.” However, this could vary depending on the type of task and the feedback received.
Additionally, whether the subject had completed a college education or not also affected results.
A frustrated businesswoman having headache and crumpling paper
The professions studied, including healthcare workers, military employees, amateur athletes and college students, featured a variety of vocations.
The 358 tasks studied varied in their perceived mental effort. Across all participants and all tasks, the greater the mental effort, the greater the unpleasantness.
The study concludes that employers and education professionals find it “sensible to support or reward” students and employees engaged in mentally difficult tasks.
Aerosmith’s mid-tour announcement that the band is retiring after five decades has spotlighted the little-known condition that frontman Steven Tyler is battling.
On Friday, the band announced on its website and its X account that Tyler’s ongoing vocal issues led them to the “heartbreaking” decision to stop performing.
“As you know, Steven’s voice is an instrument like no other,” the statement read.
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“He has spent months tirelessly working on getting his voice to where it was before his injury. We’ve seen him struggling despite having the best medical team by his side.”
“Sadly, it is clear that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible. We have made a heartbreaking and difficult, but necessary, decision – as a band of brothers – to retire from the touring stage.”
Steven Tyler experienced vocal damage that led to the cancellation of Aerosmith’s farewell tour. (Getty Images | iStock)
Prior to the tour cancellation, the band had postponed a few dates of their Peace Out farewell tour after Tyler damaged his vocal cords during a Sept. 10 performance, according to reports.
“I’m heartbroken to say I have received strict doctor’s orders not to sing for the next 30 days,” Tyler, 75, posted on Instagram.
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“I sustained vocal cord damage during Saturday’s show that led to subsequent bleeding. We’ll need to postpone a few dates so that we can come back and give you the performance you deserve.”
“Sadly, it is clear that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible.”
Later in September, the band posted on Facebook that Tyler’s injury was “more serious than initially thought.”
“His doctor has confirmed that in addition to the damage to his vocal cords, he fractured his larynx, which requires ongoing care.”
What is a laryngeal fracture?
The larynx, also known as the voice box, is a hollow tube that runs vertically down the middle of the neck above the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
As part of the respiratory system, it also helps to prevent food from entering the windpipe while breathing.
The larynx is essential for breathing and producing vocal sounds, the Cleveland Clinic states.
On Friday, the band announced on its website and its X account that Tyler’s ongoing vocal issues led them to the “heartbreaking” decision to stop performing. (Getty Images)
A laryngeal fracture, which Tyler suffered, is rare, but it can occur when there is a blunt external force applied to the voice box, according to Dr. Joel E. Portnoy, a laryngologist and otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Lake Success, New York.
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“After about age 30, the laryngeal cartilage becomes bone, which is more brittle and subject to fracture,” Portnoy told Fox News Digital via email.
“This can be life-threatening if the injuries extend internally and may require emergency surgery to repair.”
A laryngeal fracture is rare, but it can occur when there is a blunt external force applied to the voice box, according to a doctor. (iStock)
Patients with trauma to the larynx typically experience hoarseness, neck pain, shortness of breath, loss of voice, and pain while speaking or swallowing, Medscape states.
For a singer, a laryngeal fracture can lead to “devastating consequences,” Portnoy said.
“At best, internal swelling will lead to temporary hoarseness, but in rare scenarios, irreparable damage can occur that permanently impairs the ability to sing or speak,” he said.
“Thankfully, most laryngeal fractures are minor and respond to voice rest, humidification, close monitoring and sometimes steroids to manage,” the doctor added.
In some severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.
In general, most vocal injuries are due to local tissue trauma, such as vocal fold hemorrhage (bleeding under the surface) or mucosal tears (like a scrape of the vocal fold surface), according to Portnoy.
For singers and others who rely on their voices for their professions, timely diagnosis and management are critical, a doctor advised. (iStock)
“These typically resolve with absolute voice rest, humidification and time,” he said.
For singers and others who rely on their voices for their professions, timely diagnosis and management are critical, Portnoy advised.
“General prevention of vocal injuries includes vocal warm-ups, humidification and hydration as well as employing good vocal techniques,” he said.
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“We always advocate for listening to your body; if you feel a change in your voice or are experiencing fatigue, strain or pain, it’s generally time to refrain from voice usage.”
Aerosmith isn’t the only band to recently announce a tour cancellation due to illness.
“If you feel a change in your voice or are experiencing fatigue, strain or pain, it’s generally time to refrain from voice usage.”
Last month, Eddie Vedder and the members of Pearl Jam canceled a string of shows on the European leg of their Dark Matter World Tour, citing recovery from a continued “illness” within the band.
In June, Neil Young, 78, and his band Crazy Horse announced they were taking an “unplanned break” due to illness among various band members.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health
Also in June, country music star Mark Chesnutt announced the cancellation of his tour as he recovered from emergency quadruple bypass surgery.
Janelle Ash, Tracy Wright and Christina Dugan Ramirez of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.
Patients who are taking GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and others could face complications during surgery, recent research has shown.
In one study led by UTHealth Houston, more than half of patients taking GLP-1s had “significant gastric contents” before going into surgery, even if they had followed pre-op fasting protocols, according to a press release on the university’s website.
This could lead to a potentially life-threatening condition called pulmonary aspiration, when food or liquid is inhaled into the lungs.
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GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) receptor agonists are commonly prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes (to stabilize blood glucose levels) or obesity (to assist with weight loss).
“These medications slow down digestion, which means food stays in the stomach longer,” said Dr. Alfred Bonati, the founder of the Bonati Spine Institute in Florida.
Patients who are taking GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and others could face complications during surgery, recent research has shown. (iStock; Getty Images)
Pulmonary aspiration can cause severe lung damage, infections or even death, Bonati warned.
“General anesthesia can also cause nausea, and the slowed digestion from weight-loss meds can exacerbate this, leading to a higher risk of vomiting during surgery,” he said.
“These medications slow down digestion, which means food stays in the stomach longer.”
Dr. Brett Osborn, a board-certified neurosurgeon and section chief at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Florida, always advises his patients who are taking GLP-1 agonists to stop the medication at least one week before a surgical procedure, he said.
In addition to aspiration, Osborn warned of the increased risk of postoperative ileus, a dysfunction of the intestines after surgery.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) receptor agonists are commonly prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes, to stabilize blood glucose levels — or patients with obesity, to assist with weight loss. (iStock)
“This could predispose patients to significant problems, including bowel ischemia (a rare circulatory condition that occurs when blood flow to the intestines is reduced),” he told Fox News Digital.
Healing is a secondary concern among patients taking GLP-1s, according to Osborn.
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“Those following a hypocaloric diet, as is the case with patients on GLP-1 agonists, may potentially inhibit healing and recovery from surgery, which requires a caloric surplus, particularly from protein-laden foods,” he said.
Proper nutrition is crucial for tissue recovery, Osborn said.
Proper nutrition is essential to healing after surgery, a doctor said. (iStock)
“By inducing a relative state of malnutrition, these medications can be problematic in perioperative patients.”
Dr. Jean-Carlos Jimenez, medical director at Attune Med Spa in Connecticut, agreed that these medications can lead to complications during surgery.
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“GLP-1 agonists can cause nausea, vomiting and something known as delayed gastric emptying, or gastroparesis — which means the stomach takes longer than usual to empty its contents into the small intestines,” he told Fox News Digital via email.
“Residual gastric content can increase the risk of pulmonary aspiration during anesthesia and potentially worsen post-operative recovery.”
Surgery is known to alter blood sugar levels due to stress from the procedure, a doctor noted. (iStock)
Surgery is also known to alter blood sugar levels due to stress from the procedure, Jimenez added.
Due to these risks, doctors agree that patients should review all the medications they’re taking with their surgeon and anesthesiologist.
For surgical procedures that require patients to fast or remain on a clear liquid diet, they may need to do this for a longer period of time, said Jimenez.
“The timing of when to stop will depend on the type of GLP-1 agonists a patient uses, but can range from holding the daily dose on the day of surgery to holding the scheduled weekly dose one week before a planned procedure,” he told Fox News Digital.
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GLP-1s typically can be restarted at the next scheduled dose, but should be carefully monitored by the doctor, he advised.
The timing can depend on the type of surgery and the patient’s overall condition, according to Bonati.
Due to the risks, doctors say patients should review all their medications with the surgeon and anesthesiologist. (iStock)
“It’s crucial to follow the instructions provided by the health care providers, as they will tailor the advice to your individual health needs and the specifics of your surgery,” he added.
In June 2023, the American Society of Anesthesiologists published an announcement warning of the risks and recommending that patients consider pausing their doses in the days or weeks leading up to an elective surgical procedure.
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The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology has issued a similar recommendation.
Fox News Digital contacted Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, requesting comment.
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