The teenage years of development are notoriously tempestuous due to a mixture of rapid brain development and raging hormones. But at least one recent study suggests that if teen strife with family and friends goes unchecked, its effects can reverberate through a lifetime of relationship troubles and contribute to premature ageing.
In the study, psychologists followed 121 teenagers from age 13 to 30, bringing in their parents and peers to help assess individual levels of aggression, conflict, and hostility. The teens were originally recruited from schools in the southeastern US. At the end of the study, their ‘biological age’ was estimated using health markers such as blood pressure, cholesterol level, and inflammatory indicators. Those 13-year-olds who rated themselves as more aggressive had more conflict with their fathers (though not their mothers) and went on to have relationship difficulties in later life. They showed higher levels of aggressive or hostile behavior towards friends in their 20s. By the time they turned 30, they were more likely to have a more advanced biological age and a higher body mass index (BMI).
Feelings of angst during teenage years are normal. However, when those difficult emotions turn to aggression, the impacts on physical health may become apparent later in life. The authors of the study advise early intervention to stop this cycle of relationship stress, although they do not specify what that intervention should involve.
The article addresses the question, 'Should I be worried about my teenager's moods?', and provides insights into the potential long-term consequences of unaddressed teen aggression and conflict management challenges.
Source: BBC Science Focus Magazine
