Health · Mental Health · 8 hrs ago
Study finds teens and caregivers often differ on mental health diagnoses
Researchers analyzed separate mental health reports from 11,868 young people and their caregivers in the US, covering ages 9 to 17.
They found that when a diagnosis or problem was reported, only one of the two often reported it—in about 65% to 98% of cases, depending on the diagnosis and age.
Young people were more likely to report depression, sleep problems, substance use, suicidal thoughts and attempts, and self-harm without suicidal intent.
Caregivers were more likely to report conduct disorders, eating disorders and anxiety, while differences between the two groups generally narrowed as teens got older.
The findings matter because relying on caregivers alone could miss problems teens disclose privately, including suicidal thoughts and substance use.
The researchers say assessments should ask both teens and caregivers, and future work will examine whether these differences affect access to care and outcomes.
A study of 11,868 young people and their caregivers found that they often differed on mental health diagnoses.
Depending on the diagnosis and developmental stage, only one informant reported a diagnosis in about 65% to 98% of cases.
Young people more often reported depression, sleep problems, substance use, suicidal thoughts and attempts, and self-injury.
Caregivers more often reported conduct disorders, eating disorders, and generalized and social anxiety disorders.
Researchers said the findings support asking adolescents directly about their mental health alongside caregivers.
- Who
- Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and colleagues studied reports from 11,868 young people and their caregivers.
- What
- The study compared youth and caregiver reports of psychiatric diagnoses and clinical problems.
- When
- Published November 11, 2026, in JAMA Psychiatry.
- Where
- The reports came from the UC San Diego-coordinated Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study.
- Why
- To measure how often youth and caregivers agree on diagnoses and how agreement varies by diagnosis and developmental stage.
Youth informants
Caregiver informants
Reported problems
Youth informants
Young people more often reported depression, sleep problems, substance use, suicidal thoughts and attempts, and nonsuicidal self-injury.
Caregiver informants
Caregivers more often reported conduct disorders, eating disorders, and generalized and social anxiety disorders.
Researchers analyzed reports from young people and caregivers collected as part of the ABCD study.
The study was published in JAMA Psychiatry.
- Participants
- 11,868 youth and caregivers
- Age range
- 9 to 17
- Single-informant reports
- Approximately 65% to 98% of reported diagnoses, depending on diagnosis and developmental stage
- Study
- Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study
- Journal
- JAMA Psychiatry
What people are saying
If we're really thinking about suicidal thoughts, self-harm, substance use and sleep, most parents don't actually know that their kids are experiencing these mental health problems, which is why we need to ask both the teen and the parent
If you only ask one, you might miss the opportunity to identify a young person who needs help and to intervene early.