Teen mental health support linked to father relationship quality
Researchers in Norway found that adolescents with high conflict with their fathers are less likely to seek specialized mental health services.
Study data source and scope
The findings come from the Trondheim Early Secure Study, which tracked 822 teenagers between ages 12 and 18. Participants completed four surveys that measured their closeness to mothers, fathers, and best friends alongside reported relationship conflicts.
Father conflict reduces service use
Mina Moeineslam, a Ph.D. candidate at NTNU, stated that greater conflict with a father decreases the likelihood of later using specialized care. The study examined how emotional support from parents and friends influences whether youth turn to professional help when struggling.
Role of other relationships
The research team noted they found no association between youths' use of services and their closeness to mothers or best friends. These results highlight the specific impact of father-teen dynamics on accessing mental health resources in Norway.
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