Research on psychological wellbeing and how to protect it. Covers depression and anxiety, stress, cognitive-behavioral programs, screening, and the effects of exercise.
A new study by King's College London and University of Sussex found that content moderators engage in five main practices to manage distressing material, including emotion management and empathy. The research calls for regulators and platform providers to reduce the toll of this highly skilled emotional work.
A study using AI language models analyzed sentiments and emotions expressed by almost 400 pediatric patients on social media, finding that 94% of comments were negative, with sadness and fear prevalent. The study highlights the need for integrated care approaches to support vulnerable young patients managing complex medical conditions.
A sweeping national study by ICAMH at Hebrew University found substantial increases in substance use, behavioral addictions, and mental health disorders in Israel since the October 7, 2023 attacks. Younger, secular populations were most at risk, with sociodemographic disparities evident across repeated samples.
A randomized clinical trial found that SMART training improved cognitive gains in active-duty service members with mTBI, with significant benefits seen after just one-third of the training time compared to traditional SCORE protocols. The study suggests that SMART brain training can contribute to faster return to mission readiness and ...
Research in Health Economics found that introducing school grades at younger ages may negatively impact children's mental health. Girls exposed to earlier grading were more likely to be diagnosed with depression and anxiety by the end of compulsory school, particularly those with low to moderate academic achievement.
A study by University of South Australia researchers found that regularly attending in-person events leads to greater positive emotions, joy, contentment, and excitement. In contrast, virtual events have no impact on other dimensions of wellbeing.
A new study found that 4 in 5 adults in the US report some level of loneliness, strongly correlated with poor mental health days and physical health days. Women and Black individuals experienced higher rates of depression and poor mental health days than men and White individuals, respectively.
A new study published in JCPP Advances found that watching a ten-minute video can shift how teenagers view themselves by promoting mental well-being. The intervention appeared to have little immediate effect on symptoms of anxiety or depression, but may work best as part of a broader toolkit of services.
Dr. Mirko Manchia's groundbreaking research identifies genetic markers predicting treatment response in bipolar patients, enabling precision medicine approaches to transform psychiatric care. He envisions a future where genetic testing becomes routine in psychiatric care.
Dr. Randy J. Nelson's research reveals that artificial light exposure disrupts immune function, causes neuroinflammation, and influences mood regulation. His work has significant implications for understanding depression and anxiety disorders, as well as the obesity epidemic.
A recent study published in the Association for Computing Machinery Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency found that AI chatbots are not safe replacements for therapists. The researchers evaluated these chatbots against clinical standards for therapists and concluded that they don
A study of police organisations in Australia, New Zealand, England and Wales reveals rising levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related mental health challenges. The research identifies key trends and insights into how policing organisations can enhance support systems to balance job demands with adequate resources.
A new study found that people's intuitive perception of biodiversity through visual and audio cues is remarkably accurate, aligning closely with scientific measures. Participants sorted images and audio recordings of forests based on perceived biodiversity, noticing vegetation density and light conditions visually, while acoustically d...
A new book by UC Merced Professor Christopher Ojeda examines the emotional toll of politics on citizens, highlighting the dangers of disenfranchisement and its impact on mental health. The author offers practical advice for creating space for healthy engagement in democracy.
Studies reveal that people in western and northeastern states, as well as Democrats, are more likely to use the 988 lifeline. Over 10% of calls came from veterans, highlighting a key demographic for targeted communication campaigns.
A new study found that the expanded child tax credit reduced anxiety and improved food security and housing stability among young children. However, it excluded many eligible low-income and immigrant families due to minimum income requirements.
A five-week creative play programme has significantly improved new parents' and carers' mental health by reducing postnatal depression symptoms. The programme, Let's Play, encourages social connections between parents and boosts confidence.
A study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya found that theatre-based interventions improve the emotional well-being of patients with Parkinson's, reducing depression and anxiety. Group activities foster emotional connections, increase empathy, and provide social support.
Dr. Danielle Beckman's research uses animal models to understand how viruses like COVID-19 trigger neurological damage and accelerate Alzheimer's disease. Her work has established critical connections between viral infections and neurodegenerative processes.
A randomized clinical trial found that SMART training significantly improved cognitive gains in active-duty service members with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The top-down approach of SMART brain training showed faster cognitive gains compared to a bottom-up approach.
A recent Norwegian University of Science and Technology study found that children born late in the year are more frequently diagnosed with mental health disorders, including ADHD. The researchers identified an increase in incidence of 20-80% for the youngest class members, regardless of birth weight or premature birth status.
Climate anxiety is growing, especially amongst young people, due to the polarized debate around climate change. Professor Beattie's book offers psychological tips on how to handle climate anxiety, including writing personal narratives about difficult emotional experiences. Strategies focus on improving mental well-being and empowering ...
The University of Oregon is launching a national center for children's mental health, combining evidence-based programs to support middle-school students. The center aims to identify and address mental health issues early on and prevent crises, with a focus on coordination across faculty and community partners.
Research reveals that equine-assisted interventions can transform a child's emotional world, promoting trust, emotional safety, and healing through horse interactions and natural settings
A Rutgers analysis of medical records reveals that Medicaid and Medicare patients with opioid addiction tend to receive behavioral health care services less often than those with other types of funding. Patients with public insurance alone were less likely to utilize treatment services compared to those with multiple funding sources.
A 4-year-old intervention program has been shown to effectively treat depression in young children, with a majority of participants achieving remission. The treatment, called PCIT-ED, helps parents interact with their children differently in the emotional domain, leading to improved mental health outcomes.
A new study from the University of South Australia found that structured exercise programs improve symptoms of depression and anxiety in children. The study, involving 38,000 young people across 375 clinical trials, suggests benefits can emerge quickly, even for short periods of time.
A year-long intervention program in Japan has shown promising results in reducing depressive symptoms among high school students. The Mastery of Interpersonal Relationships and Emotional Skills (MIRaES) program addresses practical constraints to provide a feasible universal prevention approach for school settings.
A new study from Mass General Brigham found that greater access to mental health staff in schools can help lower risk of mental health conditions among students growing up in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Higher school mental health staffing ratios counteracted the effects of neighborhood deprivation on anxiety and depressive symptoms, ...
Research synthesizes evidence from dozens of studies on polygenic scores and their clinical implications, revealing consistent patterns that could contribute to personalized psychiatric care. Higher genetic risk for depression correlates with poorer treatment outcomes, including nonresponse to antidepressants and mood stabilizers.
Researchers have identified a specific brain circuit, including vasopressin-producing neurons in the paraventricular nucleus, as critical drivers of depressive-like symptoms. Silencing these cells improves mood measures, while activating them exacerbates depressive-like behaviors.
A large UK study found a significant association between autoimmune diseases and persistent mental health issues, with higher risks in women. Chronic exposure to systemic inflammation may explain the associations, researchers suggest.
A recent study found that nearly 400 former Australian Defence Force members experienced negative discharge experiences, with many feeling disrespected, mistreated, or abused. The research highlights the need for reform to prevent long-term psychological harm and provides preliminary evidence suggesting that transition-related identity...
A study of nearly 400 former Australian Defence Force members found widespread dissatisfaction with their discharge experience. Many veterans felt disrespected, mistreated or abused during their discharge from the ADF, leading to long-term psychological consequences.
A new study reveals that US Muslims show moderate openness to psychedelics in mental health therapy, with higher education correlating with favorable attitudes. Providing education about psychedelic therapies may help lower barriers to considering this treatment.
A new study from Queen Mary University of London found that women with ADHD are significantly more likely to suffer from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Women with high levels of ADHD symptoms and impairment were over four times more likely to have PMDD, emphasizing the need for screening in females with ADHD. The findings high...
A study from the University of Edinburgh found that young children with difficulty managing intense emotions are more likely to experience mental health issues like depression and anxiety as teenagers. The research suggests that helping children develop emotion regulation skills early on could reduce these issues in adolescence.
A new study by the University of Missouri researchers demonstrates that hope is a powerful emotional force that gives life meaning. The team found that only hope consistently predicted a stronger sense of meaning, which is linked to various positive outcomes, including happiness, quality relationships, and better physical health.
A cross-sectional study of 23,000 adolescents found significant racial and ethnic disparities in mental health service use among minority groups. Adolescents from minority groups were less likely to receive mental health visits or psychotropic medications, underscoring the importance of improving access for these populations.
A new study has found that addictive use of social media, but not total screen time, is associated with worse mental health among preteens. The study analyzed data from nearly 4,300 children and found that high or increasingly addictive screen use was linked to increased risk of anxiety, depression, aggression, and suicidal behaviors.
A recent study published in Child Development found that early social-emotional learning curriculum led to improved teen behavior and mental health. The intervention, which focused on developing friendship skills and emotional knowledge, had a positive effect on students' social adjustment and parent involvement.
A study identified distinct trajectories of addictive social media, mobile phone, and video game use in US youths, finding links to increased suicidal ideation and worse mental health outcomes. The research suggests that high or increasing addictive screen use may warrant further clinical evaluation and intervention design.
A study found that children whose mothers experienced Superstorm Sandy during pregnancy showed distinct brain differences that could affect their emotional development. Prenatal exposure to extreme heat and climate events rewrote critical emotion regulation centers in the developing brain.
Sara Poletti's research reveals how childhood trauma triggers persistent neuroinflammation pathways and alters brain structure, creating lifelong vulnerability to psychiatric disorders. Her work identifies biological markers of trauma and explores prevention strategies to reduce mental illness odds.
A new study by Flinders University highlights the importance of a 'whole-club' approach to youth mental health promotion in sporting clubs. The research found that initiatives often focus on coaches alone, but must be embedded in club culture and routines to create lasting change.
A new study found that people with COVID-like symptoms took up to nine months post-infection to regain mental well-being, but physical well-being returned after three months. Up to 20% of patients continued experiencing suboptimal overall health-related quality of life one year after infection.
A week-long web-based wellbeing intervention boosted participants' happiness through daily micro-acts, including sharing inspiring moments and performing kind acts. The Big Joy Project tested the effectiveness of a simple yet impactful approach to improving well-being.
Dr. John Oldham's contributions have fundamentally reshaped personality disorder classification, moving from rigid categories to a more nuanced dimensional system. His Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD) has marked the most significant epistemological shift in psychiatric diagnosis for decades.
A new study by researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem finds that people with higher levels of depressive symptoms are more susceptible to the emotional influence of negative surrounding images. This effect was not mitigated by positive imagery, highlighting an asymmetry in how depression affects emotional processing.
Researchers discovered that stress activates neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, leading to impaired sleep and memory. Inhibiting these neurons reduced stress-related memory issues while slightly improving sleep.
Research found that approximately 50% of participants with late-life depression and bipolar disorder showed tau accumulation in their brains, compared to only about 15% of healthy controls. The study suggests that neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, can initially manifest as psychiatric symptoms.
A cross-sectional study found significant differences in poor mental health among US workers by sociodemographic categories and industry/occupation groups. The findings suggest that work-related factors may contribute to mental health outcomes, underscoring the need for targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
A new study published in Neuron has identified a brain region, the fusiform gyrus, as key to distinguishing between real and imagined experiences. The region's strength of activity can predict whether someone judges an experience as real or imagined.
A new study found that obesity can lead to feelings of judgment, isolation, and stigma in older adults when seeking social care. The research highlights the need for a more inclusive approach to address unmet needs and increase awareness among healthcare professionals.
New research shows that weight stigma and not weight itself have the biggest impact on mental health and healthy behaviors in patients after weight-loss surgery. This reduction in weight stigma is linked to improvements in both mental and physical health, including lower levels of anxiety and depression.
A new study by UCL researchers found that stroke survivors who attend talking therapy sessions are more likely to recover from their psychological symptoms. The study analyzed data from 1.9 million patients, including 7,597 stroke survivors, and showed that 71% experienced reliable improvement in depression and anxiety.
A recent study by Luiza Cesar Riani Costa and Diene Monique Carlos has provided insights into non-suicidal self-harm among adolescents. The booklet, featuring photographs and experiences of young people, offers a low-cost therapeutic and educational tool to address mental health concerns.
A study published in the Milbank Quarterly found that evidence supporting state policies regulating teen social media use is limited. The authors analyzed 69 state social media legislative initiatives and concluded that while there is some association between social media use and adverse adolescent outcomes, the causal effects of harm ...
A new study reveals that bedtime procrastination is associated with specific personality traits, including neuroticism and low conscientiousness. This finding suggests that emotional health may be a potential target for interventions to address bedtime procrastination.
State policies on adolescent social media use have significant limitations, according to research published in The Milbank Quarterly. While there is evidence of negative outcomes from excessive social media use, particularly among vulnerable youth, the current research cannot definitively establish causal effects.