A study by Elissa Epel found that lean women who experience high levels of stress are more likely to accumulate excess abdominal fat, which increases their risk for certain diseases. The researchers suggest that this type of fat is linked to greater heart disease and diabetes.
A recent study found that low-income parents, particularly those from minority ethnic groups, are more likely to use harsh discipline due to increased stress and cognitive-emotional reactions. The research suggests that parenting beliefs, family stress, and ethnicity play a significant role in shaping discipline approaches.
A study found that infant monkeys raised without adult supervision experienced higher cortisol levels, indicating increased stress, which later led to heavy drinking as adults. This suggests a link between early life experiences, sensitivity to stress, and subsequent alcohol consumption.
Yale University has received a $3 million grant from the Personality Disorder Research Foundation to study borderline personality disorder. The three-year grant aims to better understand the disorder, its causes, and effective treatments for patients.
Researchers found that short periods of stress can enhance the immune system's response to foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. The study showed that mice with normal gamma interferon function had a more robust immune response after being stressed.
A recent study found that nearly all children who experienced a traumatic event exhibited acute stress symptoms, with roughly half continuing to experience post-traumatic stress symptoms after 18 months. The researchers also discovered that indirectly-exposed children were at risk of developing full-blown post-traumatic stress disorder.
A recent study found that leisure physical activity buffers the effects of minor stress, but aerobic fitness does not. This suggests that exercise may help minimize stress-related symptoms by distracting from stressors or instilling a sense of accomplishment.
A study found that people with pets experienced half the increase in blood pressure under stress compared to those without pets. The researchers used medication to control high blood pressure and tested the effects of pets on stress reactivity.
A study of 318 men found that high levels of stress and low social support are associated with higher levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood, a marker for prostate cancer. The research suggests that psychosocial factors may promote prostate disease through direct physiological pathways.
A study of 182 Oklahoma City bombing survivors revealed high rates of postdisaster psychiatric disorders, with 45% experiencing symptoms in the six months following the explosion. The investigation also identified specific symptoms that indicated the need for treatment, including avoidance and numbing symptoms.
A study found that large doses of vitamin C can reduce levels of stress hormones in the blood and boost the immune system. Vitamin C also reduced indicators of physical and emotional stress, such as loss in body weight and enlargement of the adrenal glands.
Researchers found that psychological stress increases cortisol levels, which can slow down the delivery of cytokines to wounds, leading to slower healing times. This study provides a new insight into how stress affects physiologic changes within the body and may have serious consequences for patients recovering from surgery.
Research suggests that stress can alter key biochemical markers in the body, weakening the immune response and increasing susceptibility to infections. Stress may also lessen vaccine effectiveness and confound studies of certain illnesses.
A new study found that mild psychological stress can temporarily increase blood levels of homocysteine, a chemical associated with the development of heart disease. Researchers discovered that brief periods of stress resulted in a sharp rise in homocysteine levels in middle-aged women.
The American Psychiatric Association is hosting a symposium on school violence, examining its causes and possible solutions. The event features presentations by experts in the field, including discussions on inner-city violence, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and violence prevention in Chicago Public Schools.
Researchers found that psychological stress increases levels of IL-6, a cytokine linked to immune system response, making the body more susceptible to developing infection and symptoms of respiratory illness.
A recent study found that women who use oral contraceptives and smoke have significantly greater cardiovascular reactivity to stress, as well as increased lipid and fibrinogen levels. This can lead to a higher risk of heart disease.
A study suggests that maternal stress and stress hormones may influence fetal brain development. Research found associations between maternal factors, such as medical and psychological stress, and fetal brain function.
A study by Duke University Medical Center scientists found that habitual coffee drinkers experienced increased adrenaline, noradrenaline, and blood pressure when consuming caffeine. This heightened response can lead to damage in the heart over time.
A cross-cultural study of over 200 children with specific language impairment found that their native language affects the number and types of problems they face. The study suggests that creative use errors and grammatical principles are key to understanding the disorder, which prevents millions of children from keeping up in the class...
A University of Colorado at Boulder study found that rats who exercised regularly before stress exposure were protected against its suppressive effect on immune response. Regular exercise in moderation can help buffer the negative effects of stress on the immune system, according to the researcher.
A recent study of nearly 400 South Carolina women reveals that serious crime victims are at a high risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other emotional disorders. The effects were strongest for rape and life-threatening crimes, with robbery and burglary not linked to an increased risk.
Researchers found that athletes in a cognitive-behavioral stress management group experienced significant reductions in depressed mood, fatigue, and serum cortisol. These findings suggest that stress management programs can be an effective way to support athletes' mental health during intense training periods.
Researchers found distinct patterns of gene expression linking cognitive control regions to stress control regions in laboratory animals. The study suggests that the brain controls stress responses through inhibition, rather than excitation, and may lead to the development of future stress intervention strategies.
Researchers at Northwestern University have identified a new regulatory molecule, HSBP-1, that regulates the production of heat shock proteins in response to stress. This finding may lead to new insights into cell death associated with aging and diseases such as heart disease and stroke.
A study published in Nature Genetics found that mice deficient in a stress hormone receptor exhibit reduced anxiety and improved stress response. The research suggests that new drugs suppressing the receptor's function may be effective in treating depression and anxiety.
Traumatic stress triggers an intricate response in the body's biochemical equilibrium, affecting the brain, endocrine, and immune systems. Research aims to understand this process to create more effective treatments for related disorders.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new psychoeducation program that helps families deal with children diagnosed with depression, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder. The program has shown early signs of improvement in parents' understanding of their child's mood disorder and family interactions.
Researchers found that lower precombat and current intelligence were associated with PTSD symptoms among Vietnam veterans. Lower intelligence may lead to increased feelings of overwhelm and helplessness, increasing the risk for chronic PTSD.
Researchers identify eight physical indicators of stress, including blood pressure and cortisol levels, that can predict deadly consequences. Exercise is shown to be an effective antidote to break the cycle of chronic stress and its associated health problems.
Carnegie Mellon researcher Sheldon Cohen suggests that stress reduction may alter immune function, which could lead to better defenses against cancer. However, the evidence for this link is still incomplete, and more research is needed to confirm its validity.
A recent study by Ohio State University suggests that stress levels can motivate smokers to think about quitting. Contrary to popular belief, high stress does not discourage smokers but rather heightens their awareness of the health risks associated with smoking.
A UT Southwestern researcher has re-examined reports of stress in Gulf War veterans, finding minimal support for the theory that symptoms are stress-related. The data suggests a very low prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Gulf War veterans.
A Duke University study found that working mothers' stress hormone levels increase even with just one child at home, putting them at a higher risk for health problems. The study also showed that the number of children does not affect stress levels, and that quality of work and family experiences may be key factors in stress levels.
A CWRU study reveals a correlation between heavy TV viewing and increased levels of anxiety, depression, anger, posttraumatic stress, and dissociation among third through eighth grade students. The study suggests that excessive screen time may exacerbate existing mental health issues in children.
A Case Western Reserve University study of 2,244 youngsters ages 8-14 found that those with the greatest exposure to violence are at high risk for severe psychological trauma. The study investigated the relationship between violence exposure and symptoms of anxiety, depression, anger, posttraumatic stress, and dissociation.
Researchers found a significant link between maternal cigarette smoking and conduct disorder in boys, with 80% of sons of smokers developing the condition. The study suggests that nicotine may disrupt fetal brain development, highlighting the importance of preventing such disorders.
A new Carnegie Mellon University study found that chronic stress increases susceptibility to the common cold. Chronic but not acute stressors were linked to a higher risk of illness. Stress from family or work problems made people more likely to develop a cold.
In a groundbreaking study, antidepressant Zoloft significantly reduced depression, anxiety, insomnia, and reexperiencing of trauma in rape victims with chronic PTSD. Four out of five women participating in the study responded positively to treatment after 12 weeks on Zoloft.
Studies using high-resolution MRI scans show that long-term stress can cause a crucial part of the human brain to shrink. Research has found links between stress hormones and atrophy in regions responsible for memory and learning, such as the hippocampus.