Health
Grateful children make parents happier and less stressed, new study suggests
Parents aim to teach their children good manners by saying “please” and “thank you” from an early age – but these polite words, plus other actions, may mean much more than people realize.
Particularly when parents hear “thank you” from their children, they may experience improved mental well-being and less stress, according to a recent study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology.
The study involved 593 parents of children ranging in age from 4 to 17 years old.
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The parents — who were either married or in romantic relationships — completed a survey regarding the impact of gratitude within their family unit.
Data was assessed regarding two groups of children — 4 to 12 years and 13 to 17 years — to determine if a child’s age impacted the parents’ feelings of gratitude.
Gratitude from both older and younger children is linked to lower parental stress, a new study found. In addition, gratitude appears to have a greater impact on mothers than fathers. (iStock)
Gratitude from both older and younger children is linked to lower parental stress, the study results revealed.
In addition, gratitude appears to have a greater impact on mothers than fathers.
Gratitude can reduce stress for parents by providing a sense of affirmation, said Rajasekhar Kannali, M.D., a child and adolescent psychiatrist with Novant Health in Charlotte, North Carolina, who was not involved in the study.
“Appreciation can also strengthen the parent-child bond, creating a more harmonious family dynamic.”
“Knowing that their efforts are appreciated can alleviate feelings of overwhelm and exhaustion, fostering a more positive outlook on parenting,” Kannali told Fox News Digital.
“This appreciation can also strengthen the parent-child bond, creating a more harmonious family dynamic.”
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Parents often appreciate hearing “thank you” from their children because it reinforces their efforts and sacrifices, the doctor said.
“When children express gratitude, it helps parents feel seen and valued, reminding them that their love and dedication have a positive impact,” Kannali said.
“Gratitude creates a positive feedback loop, benefiting both children and parents by fostering a culture of appreciation and emotional connection.” (iStock)
Additionally, when parents feel acknowledged, they’re often more motivated and engaged in their role, which can lead to happier interactions and a more fulfilling family environment.
“Ultimately, gratitude creates a positive feedback loop, benefiting both children and parents by fostering a culture of appreciation and emotional connection,” Kannali said.
Here’s more insight.
How does gratitude springboard better parental mindsets?
Gratitude from children helps parents feel less stressed, more appreciated and happier overall, simply because it shows that the child cares, according to Mia Rosenberg, LCSW, a psychotherapist with Upsider Therapy in New York.
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“With a small act of acknowledgment of what the parent just provided to [the kids], parents often can feel a sense of reward — which can then act as a catalyst for them to do it again,” she said.
“The goal is to show satisfaction with what we have and lean into feeling gratitude for those ideas or items,” said one expert. (iStock, courtesy of user Jacob Wackerhausen)
How can parents instill gratitude in kids?
Children look to their parents for cues on how to react and respond to situations, Rosenberg said.
“Doing things like modeling appreciation to children can help show them the value of appreciating any gift or act of kindness,” she noted.
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When parents model language like “I feel so lucky that it’s a beautiful day” or “I am so grateful that we have what we need every day,” these are useful ways to show appreciation to a child.
“The goal is to show satisfaction with what we have and lean into feeling gratitude for those ideas or items,” Rosenberg said.
Instilling gratitude as a core life trait in children can be very impactful, experts told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
Child psychiatrist Kannali with Novant Health agreed that instilling gratitude as a core life trait in children can be very impactful.
“Parents who use strategies such as discussing feelings, encouraging empathy, celebrating efforts without just measuring outcomes, creating gratitude rituals, modeling gratitude while teaching reflection, and avoiding overindulgence can help children cultivate a genuine sense of gratitude that extends beyond polite expressions,” he said.
In effect, the expert added, these actions are “nurturing a lifelong appreciation for people and experiences.”
Diagnoses of ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) are on the rise among adults in the U.S.
Approximately 15.5 million adults had an ADHD diagnosis in 2023, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
That’s equivalent to around 6% of adults in the country, or one in 16.
Around half of these diagnoses didn’t come until adulthood.
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The agency gathered this data from the National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Surveys System between October and November 2023.
Approximately 15.5 million adults had an ADHD diagnosis in 2023, according to a new report from the CDC. (iStock)
The study also found that adults with ADHD were more likely to be 50 or younger (84.5% versus 51.2%) and more likely to be non-Hispanic White (70.4% versus 61.4%).
Those earning less than the federal poverty level were also more likely to be diagnosed (22.1% versus 12.3%), per the CDC.
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Around one-third of the adults with ADHD reported taking some type of stimulant medication, but more than 71% said the prescription was difficult to obtain.
Around half of diagnosed adults said they had ever used telehealth to receive treatment for ADHD.
The study did have some limitations, the CDC acknowledged.
Electronic devices and social media could contribute to the spike in diagnoses, a psychotherapist said. (Marina Demidiuk)
“First, self-reports of ADHD diagnosis might be subject to recall and reporting biases and were not validated against medical records,” the agency stated in the report.
“Second, surveys with commercial online panels have low response rates and might underrepresent certain subpopulations, increasing the potential for nonresponse bias.”
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A third limitation is that the sociodemographic and geographic data were collected before the survey was administered, which “could have affected the demographic distribution for some variables, such as age, education, household income and metropolitan status,” the report stated.
A psychotherapist weighs in
Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist in Manhattan and Washington, D.C., said he has a new patient coming in each week with concerns about ADHD.
“There certainly are those accurately diagnosed with ADHD and in need of medication — however, much like the GLP-1 phenomenon, there’s a shortage of medication because of all the people using it off-label or not truly in need of it,” he told Fox News Digital.
“The first line of treatment should be psychological and behavioral intervention.”
There are also many patients who don’t actually have the disorder, but have been self-diagnosed through online research, according to Alpert.
“This fits into a broader phenomenon in our nation where we have become too therapized, too diagnosed, and frankly, too dependent upon people like me,” he said.
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When it comes to the treatment of ADHD and other mental health disorders, Alpert says, “the first line of treatment should be psychological and behavioral intervention — not necessarily medications, as they are not without side effects.”
Around one-third of the adults with ADHD reported taking some type of stimulant medication, but more than 71% said the prescription was difficult to obtain. (iStock)
The psychotherapist also flagged electronic devices and social media as potentially contributing to the spike in diagnoses.
“The very nature of these is to provide stimulation through a device where the brain is continuously engaged — and, for many people, overly engaged,” Alpert cautioned.
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“This leads to distractibility, disorganization and the inability to complete tasks, among other hallmark features of the diagnosis.”
“By making significant behavioral and lifestyle changes, one can start to minimize their symptoms and make improvements, thereby lessening their reliance on medication.”
Acne affects millions of Americans every year, sometimes causing stubborn scarring that can be difficult to clear. Certain vitamins, including vitamin A, can help clear acne scars, an expert told Fox News Digital.
Fifty million Americans deal with acne annually, according to the American Academy of Dermatology’s website. Acne is the most common of any skin condition and occurs at any age of life, though it typically begins during puberty.
When an acne breakout happens, there is a potential for scarring to follow. Acne scars can be difficult to clear and can impact self-esteem.
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“Acne is caused when the tiny hair follicles on your skin become blocked, and there’s a buildup of dead skin cells, debris and oily material deep in your pores. This forms a pus-filled bump, which ruptures and draws inflammation into the surrounding skin,” Dr. Ife J. Rodney, founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics in Fulton, Maryland, told Fox News Digital via email.
“This inflammation damages both the collagen deeper in the skin as well as the surface cell layers,” Rodney added. “When the surface is damaged, you can get discoloration (brown or red spots), and when the collagen deep in the skin is damaged, you can get uneven texture and ‘ice-pick’ acne scarring.”
There are several vitamins and minerals that could help clear up acne scars. (iStock)
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for clearing acne scars. Each individual’s treatment is different.
several vitamins and minerals can help clear acne scars. Read below to learn more about them.
- Zinc
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B3
1. Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that users may find helps reduce their acne scars.
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It can be successful in clearing acne scarring by reducing oil production as well as inflammation of the skin, according to Rodney.
“It also helps with wound healing and collagen production, a key step in managing acne scarring,” Rodney said.
While zinc has the potential to reduce acne scarring, it’s important not to take too much. (iStock)
It’s important to be cautious when using zinc as too much can do more harm than good.
Too much zinc can cause a copper deficiency and acne breakouts due to a rise in testosterone levels, Rodney told Fox News Digital.
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The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) recommends 8–11 milligrams of zinc daily. Check with a physician or dermatologist.
2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is abundant in fruits and vegetables and can be taken in supplemental form.
Vitamin C can help with acne scarring because “it brightens the skin and also enhances collagen production and helps your body repair damaged cells,” Rodney said.
To prevent acne scarring before it forms, it’s vital to avoid touching pimples. Try your best not to pop a pimple as that could increase the risk of scarring.
Vitamin C can easily be incorporated into your routine by eating more fruits and vegetables or taking supplements. (iStock)
“When you do get an acne lesion, whether it’s a blackhead, whitehead, a pus-filled bump (pustule) or even an acne cyst, do not try to pick or squeeze the bump,” Rodney said.
“This only causes more damage to the skin and increases the inflammation, which results in more severe scars that take longer to heal.”
3. Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3 is also often used to help clear acne scars.
Vitamin B3, “also known as niacinamide, stimulates collagen production and fights hyperpigmentation, improving both skin tone and texture,” Rodney told Fox News Digital.
While vitamins and minerals can play a role in reducing acne scarring, it’s important to remember that it’s likely going to take more than just vitamins alone to help improve acne scars.
Vitamins can promote overall skin health, but working with a dermatologist will help you establish a treatment plan that works best for you.
“Treating acne scars is a gradual process.”
“Vitamins on their own cannot clear acne scars. The way the vitamins work is that they create a healthy overall environment in the skin, which gives the best chance for the scars to improve. The most effective treatments for acne scars are in-office procedures performed by your dermatologist,” Rodney said.
Acne treatments include microneedling, laser treatments and chemical peels.
“The specific treatment regimen that we recommend depends on a variety of factors, including your type and extent of acne scarring, your skin type and how long the scars have been present,” Rodney said.
“With all of these treatments, we usually recommend a series of 4-6 treatments spaced a month apart. It is important that you understand that treating acne scars is a gradual process. There are no overnight results.”
Whooping cough (pertussis) infections continue to rise in the U.S., with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating more than 17,600 cases as of Oct. 5.
That’s more than a 340% increase over the 3,962 cases reported last October.
Pre-pandemic, cases would typically exceed 10,000 per year, spiking to 18,600 in 2019.
Post-pandemic, whooping cough diagnoses plummeted, with just 2,100 cases reported in 2021.
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The 10 states with the highest number of cumulative (year to date) cases include Pennsylvania (2,209), New York (1,228), Illinois (1,153), California (1,123), Wisconsin (903), Washington (844), Ohio (814), Texas (676), Oregon (546), Arizona (491).
Whooping cough (pertussis) infections continue to rise in the U.S., with the CDC estimating more than 17,600 cases as of Oct. 5. (iStock)
What’s causing the uptick?
One theory for the spike is that cases fell sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, as mask-wearing, social distancing and other infection protocols helped to protect against whooping cough.
“They are increasing more now as our immune systems are exposed to viruses and bacteria we haven’t seen and are slower to respond,” Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, previously told Fox News Digital.
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Whooping cough outbreaks typically occur when there are populations with low vaccination rates, Katy Dubinsky, a New York pharmacist and the CEO and co-founder of Vitalize, a private supplement company, previously told Fox News Digital.
The DTaP vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis infections in children. (iStock)
“Pertussis is highly contagious, and in areas where herd immunity is not strong due to insufficient vaccination, the disease can spread more easily,” she told Fox News Digital.
“Additionally, the immunity from the vaccine or previous infection wanes over time, which can also contribute to outbreaks.”
What is whooping cough?
A highly contagious respiratory tract infection, pertussis gets its more common name, “whooping cough,” from the severe hacking cough that some people develop.
In addition to the cough, initial symptoms mimic those of a cold — including nasal congestion, runny nose, fever, and red, watery eyes, according to Mayo Clinic.
While the vaccine offers protection against severe illness for children, infants who are too young for vaccination are at the highest risk. (iStock | National Institutes of Health)
Symptoms get worse over time, often leading to severe and uncontrollable coughing fits, which end with a “whooping” sound after the patient breathes in due to a buildup of mucus in the airways, the same source noted.
“This is an underappreciated problem, and a good reason why I am giving out Tdap vaccines to my adult patients regularly,” Siegel told Fox News Digital on Friday.
“This disease is especially problematic in young children, because they have less developed airways.”
Tdap is a combination of three vaccines that protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis infections in teens and adults.
The DTaP vaccine is the same trio of vaccines administered to children.
“Pertussis is highly contagious, and in areas where herd immunity is not strong due to insufficient vaccination, the disease can spread more easily,” a doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
“The vaccine works — and it lasts three to five years,” Siegel said. “Everyone should have an up-to-date vaccine.”
While the vaccine offers protection against severe illness for children, infants who are too young for vaccination are at the highest risk.
“This disease is especially problematic in young children, because they have less developed airways,” Siegel cautioned.
It is recommended that pregnant women get the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy, as it helps protect the newborn until they can receive their own vaccinations.
When to seek medical attention
Due to the potential severity in young infants and those with weakened immune systems, it’s important to seek medical attention if pertussis is suspected, experts advise.
In addition to the cough, initial symptoms mimic those of a cold — including nasal congestion, runny nose, fever, and red, watery eyes. (iStock)
“Unfortunately, the diagnosis is often missed because the dry cough may be mistaken for a virus,” Siegel said.
Adults can be treated with doxycycline, a type of antibiotic that prevents the growth and spread of bacteria.
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Azithromycin is the common treatment for children, according to Siegel.
“The condition becomes dangerous when it leads to severe coughing spells that cause difficulty breathing, vomiting or interrupting normal breathing patterns in infants,” said Dubinsky.
“The diagnosis is often missed because the dry cough may be mistaken for a virus.”
In addition to giving antibiotics, it’s important to manage symptoms, especially in severe cases, she said.
“This might include hospitalization for infants or those with severe symptoms to monitor and treat complications.”
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Approximately 160,000 children under the age of 5 die globally of pertussis each year, and there are 24 million cases annually, per CDC data.
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