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New study reveals high levels of anxiety and emotional distress following the April 2024 Iranian missile attack

A new study reveals high levels of peritraumatic distress (41%) and anxiety (19%) among adults in Israel five days after the Iranian drone and missile attack. The study highlights the need for early identification and timely therapeutic intervention to mitigate long-term psychological harm.

SourceReichman University·JournalEuropean Journal of Psychotraumatology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2025

White-collar crimes: ‘Fall from grace’ and the stigma of reentry into society

A Florida Atlantic University study reveals that middle-class white-collar offenders face unique challenges during reentry into society, including stigma, anxiety, and fear of public exposure. Despite these challenges, they tend to secure employment and stable housing more easily than non-white-collar offenders.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJustice Quarterly·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 24, 2025

Anxiety disorders in children can be screened through school health care

A new study from the University of Turku screened school-age children for anxiety and found that a Master Your Worries programme reduced symptoms of generalised anxiety, social anxiety, and separation anxiety. The study also showed that lighter digital study materials can reduce anxiety symptoms in children.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateMar 20, 2025

Why are night owls at greater risk of depression?

A new study published in PLOS One found that people with an evening chronotype have poorer sleep quality, higher alcohol consumption, and act with less mindfulness than morning chronotypes. The association between chronotype and depression symptoms may be mediated by differences in mindfulness, sleep quality, and alcohol consumption.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeSurvey·DateMar 19, 2025

Climate change fuelling mental health crisis in areas most affected by climate crisis

A new study reveals that climate change is having a severe impact on adolescent mental health in southern Madagascar, with high levels of anxiety, depression, and sense of hopelessness reported. The research highlights the need for mental health supports to be built into climate adaptation efforts to help young people facing an uncerta...

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalThe Journal of Climate Change and Health·TypeSurvey·DateMar 18, 2025

Adolescents with mental health symptoms more likely to use multiple nicotine products, particularly e-cigarettes, new international research finds

A recent study led by Emily Hackworth and colleagues found that youth with internalizing mental health symptoms are more likely to turn to nicotine products. The analysis showed a strong association between non-combustible product use, including e-cigarettes, and poor mental health among adolescents.

SourceArnold School of Public Health·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateMar 16, 2025

Assessing pain, anxiety and other symptoms of nursing home residents unable to speak for themselves

Researchers have revamped a symptom assessment instrument to address pain, anxiety, and other symptoms of nursing home residents who are cognitively impaired. The new tool reliably captures physical and emotional distress, well-being, and end-of-life symptoms, providing guidance for expanding palliative care services in nursing homes.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·DateMar 12, 2025

Lack of appropriate mental health care impacts quality of life for people with COPD

A new study highlights the importance of diagnosing depression and anxiety in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to address gaps in care. The study found that fewer than half of those meeting the criteria for a depression or anxiety diagnosis were receiving mental health counseling or using antidepressants.

SourceCOPD Foundation·JournalChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases Journal of the COPD Foundation·DateMar 6, 2025

Stressed New Yorkers can now seek care at Mount Sinai’s new resilience-focused medical practice

New York City residents can now access behavioral health treatment services, including cognitive therapy and medication management, at Mount Sinai's Center for Stress, Resilience and Personal Growth. The center aims to help individuals strengthen resilience, improve well-being, and navigate life challenges with confidence.

Anxiety sensitivity led to pandemic problem drinking, new Concordia study shows

A new Concordia study shows that consuming alcohol to cope with fears of anxiety was linked to unhealthy outcomes in young adults during the pandemic. Anxiety sensitivity, a fear of experiencing anxiety symptoms and negative health consequences, was also found to predict higher levels of drinking among young adults.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of American College Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 4, 2025

New University of Minnesota research shows impact of anxiety and apathy on decision-making

A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that anxiety and apathy lead to different patterns in how people process uncertainty and make decisions. Participants made choices between exploring new options or sticking with familiar ones, revealing distinct computational mechanisms underlying these behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 4, 2025

One of the largest psychotherapy trials in the world has implications for transforming mental health care during pregnancy and after birth

A large psychotherapy trial has demonstrated that trained nurses, midwives, and doulas can deliver effective talk therapy, significantly improving symptoms of depression and anxiety in pregnant and postpartum individuals. The study also found that online therapy is equally beneficial to in-person sessions.

SourceLunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 3, 2025

ChatGPT on the couch? How to calm a stressed-out AI

Studies show that AI chatbots, when exposed to traumatic content, exhibit increased anxiety levels. However, researchers at the University of Zurich have found that therapeutic prompts can significantly reduce these elevated anxiety levels in language models like ChatGPT.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 3, 2025

Scientists discover key protein in resilience to stress

A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that overexpressing cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) in astrocytes promotes resilience to chronic social stress by reducing anxiety levels and depressive symptoms. The researchers also discovered an association between CB1 receptors and depressive symptoms in human brains.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2025

Antidepressants linked to faster cognitive decline in dementia

A new observational study suggests that antidepressants can accelerate cognitive decline in people with dementia, while certain medications appear to be less harmful. Researchers analyzed data from 18,740 patients and found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were associated with the fastest cognitive decline.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalBMC Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2025

Burnout from financial stress may lower job satisfaction

A recent study by the University of Georgia found that financial stress can contribute to burnout and reduce job satisfaction. The researchers surveyed over 200 employees and discovered that current worries about money management increased levels of burnout, while expected future financial security improved views on one's job.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalJournal of Workplace Behavioral Health·DateFeb 24, 2025

Surgery may improve memory and psychological health for Chiari malformation patients, Pitt and UPMC surgeons report

A study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that surgery can alleviate psychiatric distress and improve cognitive function in patients with Chiari Malformation type 1. Nearly 90% of patients showed improvements in cognitive function or psychiatric symptoms, with many reporting a significant reduction in brain fog.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of Neurosurgery·DateFeb 21, 2025

New solution to help therapy ‘dropouts’

A new review of clinical trials found that single-session interventions can significantly improve mental health outcomes for both youth and adults, with 83% reporting positive effects. The approach is poised to fill gaps in the mental health care system, particularly for digital, self-guided therapies.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAnnual Review of Clinical Psychology·DateFeb 20, 2025

Researchers from South Korea reveal how gender shapes perceptions of safety in urban parking spaces

A study by Seoul National University researchers found that men and women prioritize different aspects of visibility in urban spaces, with men focusing on clear views and women concerned with unexpected threats. The research suggests designing piloti parking spaces with transparent fences and minimizing blind spots can reduce crime anx...

SourceSeoul National University of Science & Technology·JournalFrontiers of Architectural Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2025

Do embedded counseling services in veterinary education work? A new study says “yes.”

A groundbreaking study by University of Missouri researchers shows that embedded counseling services in veterinary programs lead to significant reductions in psychological distress among veterinary trainees. The study also highlights the critical role of mental health support in high-stress professional education, with implications for...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Veterinary Medical Education·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 7, 2025

Scratching through the negative emotions

A study on six Japanese macaques reveals that bodily responses like self-scratching predict pessimistic judgment bias, but not vice versa. This suggests an evolutionary conserved system where monkeys address immediate needs through bodily responses before engaging in cognitive information processing.

SourceKyoto University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 6, 2025

School bans alone not enough to tackle negative impacts of phone and social media use

A first-of-its-kind study found that restrictive school policies didn't lead to lower phone and social media use among students, nor better outcomes in mental health and wellbeing. The study suggests that reducing time spent on phones is crucial, but schools must consider phone use beyond their boundaries.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 5, 2025

Innovative program helps seniors manage stress

A six-week stress management program, O'stress, has been shown to improve the emotional health of seniors by increasing problem-solving strategies and reducing anxiety. The program also addresses emotional contagion, a significant factor in psychological distress among seniors.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateFeb 3, 2025

Treatment for children with obesity has lasting effect

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that childhood obesity treatment can reduce the risk of serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia in young adults. However, it did not have a lasting impact on depression and anxiety, which remained unchanged regardless of treatment outcomes.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2025

Qigong significantly decreases chronic low back pain in US military veterans

A pilot study found that qigong significantly decreases chronic low back pain in US military veterans, improving physical function and reducing sleep disturbance. The holistic practice also showed positive effects on PTSD, depression, anxiety, and social roles, highlighting its potential as a nonpharmacological treatment option.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalPain Management Nursing·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 17, 2025

Nine in ten Afghans struggle with diminished quality of life

A survey of over 800 Afghans found that nearly nine in ten face diminished quality of life due to psychosocial stress, while three-quarters experience food insecurity and over seven in ten have poor healthcare access. The study highlights the impact of the Taliban's takeover on daily life.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Mental Health·TypeSurvey·DateJan 16, 2025

Rats anticipate location of food-guarding robots when foraging

Researchers studied rats navigating an L-shape track with a food-guarding robot. The rats created neurological maps of places to avoid after experiencing negative events and thought about these locations even after leaving the area. This finding provides insight into the neuroscience of common psychological conditions like anxiety.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2025