Longitudinal studies show that psychological health increases steadily after age 30, regardless of initial teenage health. Participants who started with fewer signs of psychological health in adolescence still showed improvement in adulthood.
A new study found that depression, loneliness, and coping styles are significant predictors of problem drinking behaviors in both men and women. The study revealed different patterns of problem drinking behavior between younger and older adults, highlighting the need for further research into the factors influencing drinking behavior.
A new study on rhesus monkeys found that those without functioning ovaries performed better on spatial memory tasks than monkeys with intact ovaries. This suggests that the lack of estrogen may protect against age-related decline in certain aspects of spatial memory.
A new study found that fathers were more involved in caregiving when they worked fewer hours and had greater marital intimacy. Fathers with high self-esteem and less traditional child-rearing beliefs were also more active in caregiving.
Research debunks popular belief on family size and intelligence, suggesting no direct causal link between the two. Instead, factors like parental IQ and genetic heritage may influence children's intelligence.
A meta-analysis of 42 studies found that regular church attendance and public religious involvement are associated with a 29% higher survival rate. Private religious involvement also shows some benefits, but the effects appear to be partially due to social support and health behaviors.
A new study published in Behavioral Neuroscience found that exposure to a paired scent and milk can condition newborn rats to suckle on a surrogate nipple. The researchers observed an 80% suckling rate in pups exposed to lemon odor and milk, compared to 20% in control groups.
A new study published in Developmental Psychology found that older preteen children (6th grade) are at risk of chronic partial sleep deprivation, leading to increased daytime sleepiness. Family stress, parental education, and age may contribute to this issue, highlighting the need for better sleep habits and support.
Barbara Fredrickson's broaden-and-build model asserts that positive emotions broaden thinking and action, creating an upward spiral that builds strength, character, and health. Her research shows positive emotions reduce cardiovascular activity and increase psychological resilience.
Researchers have developed a model called Reconstruction After Feedback with Take the Best (RAFT) that explains how hindsight bias occurs. Consistent with the model, experiments found that knowledge of nutrition values was updated with feedback, reducing hindsight bias.
The 108th Annual Convention will examine the role of psychology in changing healthcare environments, online therapy, and the human genome project. Keynote speakers Pete Seeger and Arthur Jensen will discuss their work on music, spirituality, and genetics.
Research suggests that violent video games can increase aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behavior in individuals, particularly young men who are habitually aggressive. The interactive nature of these games may be more harmful than exposure to violent television and movies, as they require players to identify with the aggressor.
A new violence prevention program, LIFT, has been shown to reduce aggressive behavior in elementary school children by 90% after a single year. The program includes parents, teachers, and peers in monitoring and managing environments to create a safer experience for all students.
A new study found that adolescents from different ethnic groups share similar levels of illegal drug use with their friends. The study suggests that historical and cultural circumstances may influence the selection of friends, but not to an extent that identical friends are avoided.
New research suggests that mother baboons do not use their voices to call back to lost infants, contrary to previous assumptions. This lack of 'theory of mind' is believed to be due to the inability to recognize that other animals have thoughts and feelings apart from their own.
Research reveals that Americans are increasingly seeking support through self-help groups, with those affected by embarrassing conditions showing higher participation rates. The study found that cities like Chicago had the highest levels of support groups, while rare and debilitating conditions were more likely to utilize online forums.
Research funded by NIDA explores how craving tobacco increases urge to use illicit drugs. Studies found that smokers who use illegal drugs have a harder time quitting their drug habit than nonsmokers.
A new study of 452 fourth-through-sixth-grade boys found that tough, antisocial boys were viewed as popular and antisocial by their peers and teachers. This finding highlights how children are rewarded with popularity for being antisocial, which can have significant implications for their future adjustment.
Research finds that mothers' delinquency prior to marriage predicts divorce and accounts for many of the behavior problems found among children after divorce. Younger mothers also tend to have children who exhibit more behavioral difficulties.
A new study found that adolescent girls who engage in drastic weight-loss efforts such as dieting, appetite suppressant use, and vomiting are at greater risk for obesity. The study also revealed that exercise for weight-control purposes can lead to increased growth in relative weight.
A new study of 663 children with elevated cholesterol levels found no adverse psychological effects after three years on a cholesterol-lowering diet. The Dietary Intervention Study in Children (DISC) looked at the effect and safety of a low-fat diet, and showed that it is safe for children with high blood cholesterol.
A new study published in Developmental Psychology found that children who spend more time in nonmaternal care have somewhat less positive interactions with their mothers. The study also showed that higher-quality child care is associated with increased maternal sensitivity and a stronger mother-child bond.
Researchers have identified key factors contributing to the gender difference in depressive symptoms, including lower mastery over life areas and chronic strain. Women are more likely to get caught in a cycle of despair and passivity due to these interactions.
Researchers found that interventions with peers grouped together often worsen adolescent problem behavior, leading to increased delinquency and substance abuse. Training adolescents to give up destructive behaviors seems ineffective when several group members have a tendency toward these behaviors.
A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that psychological factors, such as loving to play the sport and having a positive attitude, are more important than physical gifts in achieving athletic success. Coaches also cited criticism and pressure as the most harmful forces on young athletes' development.
A new study found that exposure to fashion magazines did not lead to excessive dieting, body dissatisfaction, or depression among adolescent girls. Only those with existing body-image problems showed increased negative affect after reading the magazine for 15 months.
A study by Jungmeen E. Kim, Ph.D., and Phyllis Moen, Ph.D. found that newly retired women experience higher depression if their husbands remain employed, while newly retired men with employed wives face more marital conflict. In contrast, retired men who re-employ show higher morale.
A study by Colorado State University researchers found that students who reported more anger in response to common driving situations were at risk for anger, aggression, and accidents. Both groups of drivers were more alike than different in terms of their risk levels.
Researchers found that airplane crash survivors have lower levels of anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms compared to non-crash air travelers. The study suggests that survivors may benefit from experiencing a traumatic event, providing a resource for recovery.
A longitudinal study of over 600 adult participants found a significant seasonal effect on depression, hostility, anger, irritability, and anxiety, with winter months showing the highest levels. The researchers suggest diet, activity, and light exposure may contribute to these seasonal mood differences.
Research suggests that bullying is a continuum of behaviors, with many students engaging in both bullying and victimization. Teachers and parents can play a crucial role in supporting affected students. Effective interventions require changing school climate and tailoring approaches to address physical aggression and bullying.
A new study by psychologist Harold D. Fishbein, Ph.D., and sociologist Neal Ritchey, Ph.D., found no significant effects from the attitudes of friends on an adolescent's prejudices or stereotypes. The researchers administered questionnaires to 426 ninth and eleventh graders at two nearly exclusively white Catholic schools.
A new review of psychological research reveals exercise as a viable treatment for mild to moderate depression. Regular exercise has been shown to be an effective but underused treatment option.
The convention will explore the role of psychologists in preventing teenage aggression and violence, as well as the consequences of internet usage. Experts will also discuss cancer treatment and prevention, including promoting well-being in cancer patients.
A new longitudinal study found that working mothers do not have a significant negative impact on their children's development. The research, based on the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, analyzed data from approximately 12,600 individuals and found no significant differences between children of employed and non-employed mothers.
A new study published by the American Psychological Association found that most parents do not intervene when their children squabble, even if they believe nonintervention is ineffective. Contrary to self-reports, parents often use passive nonintervention more than active management techniques.
Researchers discovered a link between the dopamine transporter gene (SLC6A3-9) and cigarette smoking behavior. Individuals carrying this gene were less likely to start smoking before age 16 and more likely to quit smoking, with an average of one and a half times greater success rate.
A study of nearly 4,000 young adults found that smoking has a negligible effect on body weight, contrary to the tobacco industry's claims. Smoking cessation, however, is associated with significant long-term weight gain.
A new study found that strengthening parenting skills can prevent aggressive behavior problems in children at risk. The study involved 426 families participating in parent-training programs that taught positive discipline strategies and effective parenting skills.
A meta-analysis of 19 drug studies involving 2,318 patients suggests that three-quarters of the beneficial effect of anti-depressant medications can be attributed to the placebo effect. The remaining 25 percent may be due to side effects of the medication.
A new study found that narcissists are more likely to become aggressive when they receive negative feedback, but not when they receive praise. The researchers suggest that this is because narcissists are emotionally invested in establishing their superiority and view criticism as a personal threat.
A new study analyzing hate crime data from New York City from 1987 to 1995 found no statistical link between economic fluctuations and rates of hate crimes. The researchers suggest two reasons for this lack of correlation: the decay of aggressive impulses over time, and the role of political leaders in framing economic grievances.
Researchers found that praising children for their intelligence can lead them to believe good test scores are more important than learning and mastering new things. In contrast, praising effort leads to a focus on learning goals and strategies for achievement.
Research reveals that positive feedback from law enforcement can distort eyewitness memories, making them more confident and accurate. The study suggests that this distortion can lead to innocent convictions, highlighting the need for supervised lineups and confidence assessments.
A study of 23,393 sex offender cases found that only 13.4% committed another offense after four to five years in the community. Deviant sexual interests, prior offenses, and not completing treatment were significant risk factors for reoffending.
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.
Research highlights girls' increased relational victimization, leading to social anxiety, loneliness, and self-restraint issues. The study underscores the importance of studying relational victimization for girls' mental health.
Researchers discovered the spontaneous trait transference phenomenon, where people who describe positive or negative traits in others are often attributed those same traits. This occurs even when participants are told there's no connection between the speakers and statements, suggesting an irrational, unconscious process.
A study by Eric M. Anderman and colleagues found that students who prioritize grades and performance are more likely to cheat, while those using deep-level cognitive strategies are less likely. Additionally, research by Harris Cooper and colleagues shows that homework completed is positively related to achievement in school.
A study of physically impaired older Americans found that 50% reported receiving unnecessary help, while 28% felt they needed more support. Negative reactions to care significantly predicted depression, highlighting the need for interventions improving caregiving exchanges and quality of life.