A new study from the SAPIEN Institute of 1 million people aged 18 and older in 84 countries finds that young people in countries such as Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya fare better than those in the United States.
The researchers based their results on what they called “mental health,” a measure that reflects people’s ability to function in daily life based on their cognitive, emotional, and physical abilities. They found that on a Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) scale of -100 (distress) to 200 (thriving), Ghanaian 18- to 34-year-olds scored 69, while young Americans scored 36.
The top five countries for youth mental health were Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Tanzania.
When it comes to happiness and livelihoods, a country’s “wealth has never been an indicator,” says Tara Thiagarajan, founder and chief scientist at the Sapien Institute.
Here’s why America’s youth have been found to be performing so poorly, and what policymakers and parents can do to improve their life skills.
‘Ties of connection are becoming weaker’ within families in the US
Sapien Labs has identified four major contributors to higher mental health.
Strong family ties A sense of spirituality Delayed access to smartphones Decrease in consumption of ultra-processed foods
In most categories, U.S. practices run counter to what helps young people grow.
When it comes to family ties, American values are highly individualistic and emphasize professional and financial success, says Erika Rosmid, a clinical psychologist and founder and director of the Clarity CBT and DBT Center, a mental health center.
“Parents are working long hours,” much of it as a result of financial stress, she says. Unlike other countries, there are “less connections within the family household system.”
This weak bond continues for the rest of their lives. According to the Pew Research Center, less than half of 18- to 34-year-olds in the United States call or video chat with their parents at least several times a week.
According to Sapien Labs, the average age of first smartphone users in Tanzania is 18 years old, while the average age of first smartphone users in the United States is just under 13 years old.
Depending on what kids are doing on their phones, Rozmid says there’s evidence that social media can have negative effects on mental health, especially when it comes to “social comparisons and doom scrolling.”
Certain games may also have addictive properties that rewire young people’s brains. Some children who play, she says, “become so dependent on their phones that they lose the ability to control themselves and their emotions.” Some of these effects can last into adulthood, the study found.
Finally, ultra-processed foods account for more than 50% of the energy intake of U.S. adults, according to a study published in the January 2025 issue of the Journal of Nutrition. According to the Sapien Institute, ultra-processed foods are associated with increased depression and decreased cognitive control.
As far as spirituality in the United States is concerned, according to Pew, 70% of Americans consider themselves spiritual or say spirituality is very important to their lives. “I’ve done a lot of research on suicidality and how to prevent suicide, and the big research is spirituality,” Rozmid says.
“Even one small change can make a difference.”
What can policymakers do to improve the situation in the U.S.? “I think banning (phones) in schools is a great place to start,” Thiagarajan said, adding, “That’s where a lot of the peer pressure to have phones in the first place comes from.”
According to the Anxious Generation Movement, the majority of states in the country have enacted full or partial bans on bell-to-bell telephones.
And “[the U.S. Food and Drug Administration]needs to wake up and start regulating food,” Thiagarajan said. The amount of chemicals in America’s ultra-processed foods also impacts mental health, she says.
As for what parents can do to help their children as they grow, Rosmid says, “Be kind to yourself.” In America’s individualistic culture, she says, it’s not easy to prioritize family.
But ask yourself, “How can I increase connections within my home?” she says. “How can I take a breather before giving away a smartphone device? How can I make a meal with my family once a week?”
“Even just making one small change can make a difference,” she says.
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