Read through Chapter 7 in The Coddling of the American Mind, 1) What do the authors mean by the term "spurious correlation"? How does that term relate to the discussion over adolescent mental illness and suicide? 2) According to the research compiled by Lukianoff and Haidt, what are some of the reasons "iGen girls" suffer more from mental health issues than "iGen boys"? Do these reasons seem logical to you, or do you think the research is overlooking any aspects of this issue? 3) How does this chapter on adolescent mental illness relate to the authors' overall argument about college campuses? Do you agree with their connections?

Hope this helps. 

Step-by-step explanation

1. The authors Lukianoff and Haidt define spurious correlation as "correlation is "spurious" because it's just a coincidence that both numbers rose steadily over the same period of time" (Lukianoff and Haidt, 7) which means that the correlation is false. This relates to the study of Twenge on suicide tendencies of adolescents wherein to avoid spurious correlation, he added more causal activities that adolescents do that may lead to depression; "Twenge finds that there are just two activities that are significantly correlated with depression and other suicide-related outcomes (such as considering suicide, making a plan, or making an actual attempt): electronic device use (such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer) and watching TV" (7).

2. The authors presents possible causes as to why iGen girls seem to suffer more that iGen boys. They stated that iGen girls focus much on their appearance which is superficial that their real lives. Girls wants to belong in groups where they can feel fame or acknowledgment; "There are at least two possible reasons. The first is that social media presents "curated" versions of lives, and girls may be more adversely affected than boys by the gap between appearance and reality. Many have observed that for girls, more than for boys, social life revolves around inclusion and exclusion" Lukianoff 7).

I do not fully agree on this as this is only a fraction of reasons as to why girls feel depressed. There are other aspects such as home life and other relationships outside social media circle. Also, depression can be caused by bodily or hormonal imbalances therefore, there is more to depression that just social media problems or issues. 

3. The authors states that anxiety and depression is not caused by colleges for students already presents the conditions even before they enroll at school; "Anxiety and depression rates were already rising for all teenagers before they arrived at college, and for those who never attended college as well. Clearly universities were not causing a national mental health crisis" (Lukianoff, 7).

I do not agree because not all the student population are surveyed and not all students are diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Their argument is weak for it only shows small percentage of students. Perhaps, some students becomes depressed because of school pressure and problems too.