Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 27, 2026
07:15
Author Spotlight: Understanding Adolescent Social Adversity Effects on Neurodevelopment in Mice
Published on: March 15, 2024
2.5K
Cohort Profile: The Tokyo Adolescent Mental Health Study (TAMHS)
Rui Zhou1,2, Satoshi Yamaguchi1,2, Atsushi Nishida1,2
1Department of Physical and Health Education, Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo.
Journal of Epidemiology
|January 25, 2026
Summary
The Tokyo Adolescent Mental Health Study (TAMHS) tracks Japanese youth aged 12-18, revealing links between lifestyle behaviors and mental health. This longitudinal research informs strategies for adolescent well-being.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- The Tokyo Adolescent Mental Health Study (TAMHS) is an ongoing, school-based longitudinal cohort initiated in 2009.
- It tracks adolescents aged 12-18 in a Tokyo secondary school, including twins and triplets, for up to six years.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate developmental trajectories of adolescent mental health in Japan.
- To inform evidence-based strategies for promoting adolescent well-being.
- To examine the impact of birth plurality on neurodevelopmental and mental health using a unique sample of singletons and multiples.
Main Methods:
- Annual tracking of 2,435 adolescents (as of 2024), with 551 twins/triplets (22%).
- High annual retention rates (96.2%-99.2%) ensure data integrity for longitudinal analyses.
- Data collection via self-report questionnaires on demographics, health, lifestyle, social factors, and healthcare access.
Main Results:
- The study has provided significant insights into the associations between adolescent lifestyle behaviors and mental health outcomes.
- The unique sample composition allows for rigorous comparisons between singletons and multiples.
Conclusions:
- Longitudinal data from TAMHS are crucial for understanding adolescent mental health development.
- Findings can guide the development of targeted interventions to improve adolescent well-being in Japan.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Stress and Mental Health
864
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
864
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
573
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
573
01:10Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language
3.5K
Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
3.5K
01:26Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory
1.9K
Memory is one of the most vital higher mental functions of the brain. Memory is closely related to learning because it enables us to retain information and experiences from our past to use them in our present life. It also helps us to remember facts, events, and skills, such as riding a bike or swimming. There are two types of memory — declarative memory, which involves memorizing facts or events, and procedural memory, which enables us to remember how to do something like writing or...
1.9K
01:24Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
297
A revisionist approach to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development has brought new insights that challenge and reinterpret his established ideas. Piaget proposed that the formal operational stage, emerging in adolescence, represents the culmination of cognitive maturity. During this stage, individuals are said to develop abstract thinking, engage in systematic problem-solving, and show a form of egocentrism, believing others are as preoccupied with their behavior as they are...
297
01:17Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
1.2K
Erik Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, "identity versus role confusion," is crucial during adolescence (ages 12 to 18). In this stage, adolescents face the developmental task of forging a distinct personal identity, a process influenced by social, psychological, and biological changes typical of this period. Adolescents naturally explore different roles, behaviors, and ideologies as they navigate complex questions of self-concept, asking, "Who am I?" and "What is my place in...
1.2K