Articles tagged with Developmental Psychology
A study published in Environment International found that children living closer to green spaces perform better on attention and achievement tests. The research controlled for confounding factors and suggests that experiencing nature has an inherent restorative effect on attention.
A study found that 69% of children like sharks, with common descriptors including 'cool' and 'good swimmers'. As children get older, fear associations with sharks increase, but there is no significant link to parents' fear or country of residence.
A new study challenges the biophilia hypothesis, suggesting that attraction to nature and aversion to specific creatures may represent distinct psychological systems. Children's fear of certain animals, such as snakes, did not necessarily deter their interest in biodiverse environments.
A new study by Bournemouth University reveals that autistic people experience more severe menopausal symptoms, leading to poorer wellbeing and quality of life. The study found stark health inequalities, including higher rates of anxiety, depression, and physical illness among autistic participants.
Digital platforms are changing the way young people participate in civic activities, with online spaces providing new opportunities for expression and engagement. Young people from diverse backgrounds are using social media and online tools to raise awareness, mobilize others, and challenge dominant narratives.
New research found that positive childhood experiences, such as supportive friendships and relationships, are linked to better mental health in early adulthood. The study suggests that these experiences provide additional protection for mental health, alongside other influences, and may be more important than previously thought.
Researchers found that silent counting became more consistent with age, suggesting that children's ability to count entirely in their minds emerges around age 5. The study provides a new way to investigate inner speech development during early childhood using a simple counting task.
Young infants (4-6 months) use saliva-sharing interactions to infer social intimacy, similar to older babies and toddlers. They can distinguish between 'thick' and 'thin' relationships based on saliva sharing, such as kissing or sharing food.
The new resources, created using Google's Gemini Notebook, offer interactive tools and video/audio overviews to deepen engagement with childhood development research. Dr. Jacqueline Harding's books provide accessible guidance on early childhood development, play, and human connection.
A new study found that chimpanzees steal less pineapple from friends and show less hostility, suggesting they have emotional expectations similar to humans. Closely bonded chimps also experience less agitation when victims are friends, implying mutual expectations in friendships.
Two new studies suggest that smiling and positive interactions with caregivers help babies develop emotion regulation skills and physiological foundations of emotional well-being. Researchers found increases in heart-rate variability when both the baby and caregiver were positively engaged, indicating a unique effect of mutual positive...
A new study by an international team provides the first systematic cross-cultural comparison of children's helping behaviour. Across six cultures, children consistently helped peers, with younger children providing practical assistance and older children offering information to solve problems. Cultural differences emerged, with some gr...
A new special issue explores how and why we express emotions, and how humans and animals shape their behavior and social worlds through smiles, glances, and body language. Researchers examine the origins and development of emotional expressions, their roles in behavior and social lives, and their commonalities across species.
Research by Yang and Liu found that even minimal significance can have an effect on motivation, especially in children, and can combat nihilistic views. This is true for activities such as saving artwork or creating shapes, where the process and outcome are both valued.
Researchers found that higher eye-blink rates in 3-6 year-olds are associated with improved cognitive flexibility and activation in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The study suggests that spontaneous eye-blink rate could be a non-invasive indicator for tracking executive function and brain development in early childhood.
Panelists emphasize the importance of empowering parents to make informed decisions about their children's digital lives. They argue that what works offline can also work online, with a combination of reasonable rules and genuine warmth. The discussion highlights the need for parents to understand media literacy and teach their childre...
A trial testing out-of-body experiences found no correlation with target identification, but participants unexpectedly described researchers' locations and activities. The unexpected findings may lead to the development of better evaluation methods and potentially support the case for out-of-body remote viewing.
A new study found that US children's emergency visits for mental health crises increased by 74% between 2016 and 2022. Half of these visits occurred in hospitals with low pediatric volume, highlighting the need for specialized resources and training.
Recent health tech advancements include drone delivery for organ transportation, AI tools in education with potential risks to childhood development, and early cancer neurotechnology research. Consumer wearables are shifting towards data interpretation, with wearable platforms needed to provide meaningful insights from collected data.
A new study identifies 26 treatment targets for children and 30 for adolescents with disruptive behavior and callous-unemotional traits. The study suggests that treatments need to address emotional, cognitive, and relationship stresses associated with CU traits, particularly in adolescents.
Researchers surveyed participants from six countries and found a consistent pattern in how people perceive children's mental development, dividing it into two dimensions: experiential and perceptual, and reflective and evaluative. This framework aligns with the nature-nurture debate, suggesting a universal view of human mind development.
Children's sense of fairness becomes increasingly sophisticated as they get older, and they expect rules to be applied impartially and equally to every group member. A fair punishment brings emotional relief to children, whereas unequal treatment provokes strong resistance and undermines their sense of justice.
A new study shows that caregivers from Indigenous Wichi and European descent cultures have different approaches to supporting infants' developing agency, with Wichi interactions being more communal and non-verbal. The research provides empirical evidence for alternative pathways to infants' acquisition of agency.
Research from Washington University School of Medicine identifies brain differences tied to sensory distress, often linked to anxiety and autism. Sensory over-responsivity is connected to anxiety in both children with autism and those without, but not directly related to ADHD.
Teaching children emotional regulation and healthy friendships can provide a crucial buffer against social media's risks to mental health and self-worth. Strong childhood friendships are better equipped to navigate digital spaces, reducing the likelihood of online validation-based identity and self-worth issues.
A new study found that four in ten children who attend Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Scotland go on to access adult mental health services. Eight percent of these children accounted for 46% of all adult psychiatric inpatient bed days and 41% of all NHS adult mental health outpatient appointments by the age of 32.
This new section in JMIR Pediatrics & Parenting explores the modern shift to data-driven parenting with digital technology guiding parental planning. Research topics include the impact of wearable devices, AI-powered apps, and tracking on child health outcomes, parental well-being, and the parent-child bond.
A new study at the University of California, Davis found that an adolescent's brain response to a face may predict their social health two years later. High activity in the amygdala when an adolescent looks at a face showing emotions predicts more involvement with peers for girls, but less involvement for boys.
A new study found that children of mothers with congenital heart disease face a higher risk of developmental vulnerability, including physical health and emotional maturity issues. The study, published in PLOS Medicine, analyzed over 250,000 Canadian children born to mothers with heart defects.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen found that people diagnosed with ADHD or autism in recent years have a lower genetic predisposition than those diagnosed earlier. The study suggests that today's diagnoses encompass a broader group of individuals and milder symptom profiles. This shift is attributed to changes in diagnostic...
A new study published in PLOS One found that slower maternal vocal responses at 12 months may predict later childhood behavior disorders such as ADHD. The study analyzed data from 158 mother-infant pairs and found associations between slow maternal responses and increased odds of psychiatric diagnoses by age seven.
Researchers found limited benefits to under-twos' screen time and a lack of guidance for parents, calling for targeted support and reduced screen time. The iADDICT group recommends no intentional screen time for under-twos to mitigate developmental concerns and promote healthier habits.
A cross-cultural study found that people across six countries divide mental capacities into two broad groups: Perceptual-Experiential (emerging early) and Reflective-Evaluative (emerging later). This structure suggests a shared, intuitive framework for understanding mental development.
Researchers warn that teens' reliance on AI chatbots may bypass opportunities for developing essential relationship skills. The technology offers immediate, nonjudgmental guidance but lacks needed safeguards, potentially reinforcing unhealthy relationship patterns and increasing vulnerability to mental health problems.
A University of Zurich study found that positive, everyday life events like school, friendships, and travel have a greater impact on young people than crises. The research used open-ended written responses from 1,442 participants to show that 83% of mentioned events were positive.
Research at UCLA finds that childhood abuse and neglect alter cellular energy production, affecting physical and mental health. Mitochondria in cells produce more energy in response to stress, but this can lead to maladaptive effects over time.
A recent study found that exposure to their own reflection in 4-month-old infants enhanced neural processing of others' facial actions but did not increase facial mimicry. The results suggest that simple experiences like seeing one's own reflection can shape the social brain from an early age.
A study found that a commonly used framework for assessing social-emotional skills in youth does not work equally well across cultures. The framework's structure changes with age and varies significantly by culture, highlighting the need for age-appropriate and culturally-sensitive approaches to measure these skills.
Leading child psychologist Dr. Barish argues that grandparents have a crucial role to play in helping children develop a sense of purpose beyond personal success and in providing emotional support. He recommends practices like volunteering together and frequent family conversations about kindness and understanding.
A major new study from Queen Mary University of London found that non-cognitive skills like motivation, curiosity, and self-belief play a key role in translating children's genetic dispositions into academic achievement. The research suggests that education systems should prioritize fostering these skills alongside traditional academic...
Research found that children who play outdoors more frequently during the preschool years are less likely to develop emotional and behavioral difficulties later in childhood. This study suggests that providing young children with more opportunities to play outside could support better mental health.
A systematic review of 73 studies found that early diet may shape cognitive performance and academic outcomes in adolescents. Unhealthy dietary patterns in infancy have lasting consequences for intelligence in adolescence, according to the study.
A recent study by Karolinska Institutet researchers found that semantic knowledge plays a vital role in human innovation, enabling individuals to create new connections between objects and ideas. The study showed that groups with access to both semantic knowledge and social learning produced more unique innovations than those with only...
Research from the University of Colorado Anschutz suggests that stress experienced by a father before conception may alter small molecular signals in sperm, shaping early development and later physical growth. The study found that increased levels of let 7f 5p in fertilized eggs mimic the biological effects of paternal stress.
Dr. Harding's research shows that laughter can help children handle stress, develop emotional intelligence, and improve memory. Laughter also fosters social skills and strengthens the immune system, making it an essential component of early childhood development.
A new study by Concordia researchers found that well-liked friends can help reduce peer exclusion, but not social withdrawal in isolated children. The study tracked 252 fifth- and sixth-grade students over eight weeks and found that friendships with high-status peers reinforced existing social status, rather than improving inclusion.
A new study from Florida Atlantic University and Mykolas Romeris University found that maternal disapproval is a significant factor in the demise of best friend relationships. Children who reported their mothers' disapproval were more likely to abandon those friendships, even if they initially persisted.
Researchers argue that childhood behaviors are being pathologized, and instead propose addressing the root causes of psychological distress by reforming education and mental health systems. They advocate for a more collaborative approach, trusting children and families to define themselves and co-construct their support needs.
Researchers discovered that children who take risks during play are quicker and more efficient at making safe decisions when crossing busy streets. This challenge traditional assumptions about letting children take risks, highlighting the importance of playful risk-taking in developing judgment skills.
A new review article synthesizes research on the mental and psychological health impacts of greenspace on advantaged and disadvantaged children. Nearly 60% of studies found that people living with disadvantage benefitted more from natural environments, with reduced anxiety, behavioral difficulties, and improved cognitive functioning.
A new study by the University of East Anglia reveals that refugees who entered the UK as unaccompanied minors experience relentless cycles of intrusive memories, loneliness, and physical pain. Social connection emerges as a powerful buffer against distress, with many participants finding comfort in activities like cricket or prayer.
A new study found that physically or psychologically aggressive parenting can disrupt a child's ability to regulate stress, leading to more external regulation as they age. Researchers observed 129 mother-child pairs and used heart rate monitoring to measure physiological regulation.
A new study from Durham University found that the way parents instruct and encourage infants to help plays a key role in shaping their helping behavior. The research, published in Developmental Psychology, discovered clear cultural differences in parenting styles between the UK and Uganda.
Researchers have created a new scale to measure whether lactating mothers' psychological needs are being met, providing a tool to improve breastfeeding outcomes. The study found that when all three basic needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) are satisfied, exclusive breastfeeding is more likely to persist.
A study by King's College London found that babies exposed to high levels of air pollution in the womb show slower signs of development at 18 months compared to those exposed to lower levels. This is particularly true for premature babies, who experience poorer motor and language skills.
Researchers found that building everyday behavioral skills in early childhood can shield young brains from the detrimental effects of prenatal stress. Children with stronger adaptive skills showed comparable brain activation patterns to their unexposed peers, suggesting these skills may protect brain function.
Research by Virginia Tech researcher Phil Thompson and his colleagues found that when managers frame work problems as potential losses, employees are more likely to take action. Framing something as a loss yields employees to voice a work suggestion more than framing them as gains. This approach can influence employees' motivation to s...
A study of 19,711 Chinese students aged 6–16 found that rural children are more likely to experience emotional and psychological problems, while urban children exhibit behavioral symptoms. The findings highlight the need for region-specific interventions to address unique challenges.
The EVApeCognition Dataset is the largest and most comprehensive collection of experimental studies of great apes' cognition and behavior available globally. Researchers compiled over 262 experimental datasets from 150 publications, enabling unprecedented examination of how great apes think, learn, and understand their environment.
A new study by the University of Sydney found that toddlers' pretend play ability is significantly associated with fewer emotional and behavioral difficulties at primary school. The researchers analyzed data from over 1400 Australian children and found that stronger pretend play ability among two- to three-year-olds was linked to bette...