Add BrightSurf on Google Email

New therapy reduces reoffending in male offenders with antisocial personality disorder

A new psychological therapy, MBT-ASPD, has been found to reduce rates of violence and aggression among male offenders with antisocial personality disorder. The treatment showed a significant decrease in symptoms and reoffending rates, offering a promising new approach for treating this challenging condition.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2025

Children with ARFID face increased risk of disease

A new study found that children with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) are at a higher risk of developing intellectual disability, autism, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, epilepsy, and chronic lung diseases. They also experience more medical diagnoses and require longer hospital stays than other children.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 17, 2025

Feeling supported and listened to by our partner improves physical and emotional health, according to a study by the University of Granada

A study by the University of Granada found that feeling supported and listened to by one's partner has a significant impact on general health and well-being. The Perceived Responsiveness and Insensitivity Scale (PRIS-SA) tool, adapted from an English scale, measures this aspect of relationships.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 13, 2025

When politics becomes a risk factor – how the political climate influences the health of migrant trainees

A new study by the Cluster of Excellence 'The Politics of Inequality' at the University of Konstanz examines how right-wing populist election results impact migrant trainees' perceptions of discrimination and mental health. The research, conducted with around 1,000 trainees, reveals that regions with high levels of support for far-righ...

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateFeb 13, 2025

ChatGPT has the potential to improve psychotherapeutic processes

A study published in PLOS Mental Health found that ChatGPT's responses were generally rated higher than those written by therapists, particularly in terms of core psychotherapy guiding principles. The AI model was also found to contextualize more extensively, leading respondents to rate its responses higher on common therapy components.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Mental Health·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2025

Older people in England are happier now than before the COVID pandemic, new national study suggests

A new national study suggests that depression rates among older people in England remain slightly higher than pre-COVID, while overall happiness and life satisfaction have improved significantly since the pandemic. This finding highlights the need for policies addressing immediate and lingering effects of the pandemic on mental health.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalAging & Mental Health·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 11, 2025

The link between finances and loneliness in older adults

A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that older adults who couldn't cover unexpected expenses through credit cards were more likely to report high levels of loneliness. The study suggests that financial stress can lead to social isolation in this demographic, highlighting the need for financial and credit counseling.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPLOS One·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 10, 2025

Scientists find that a playful approach to life activates ‘lemonading’, which helps people cope with adversity

Researchers discovered that highly playful individuals are more resilient in the present and optimistic about the future. They were more motivated to seek fun, less inhibited, and took creative steps to cope with challenging situations. Playfulness was found to be a vital resource for maintaining wellbeing during difficult times.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 10, 2025

Social media's double-edged sword: New study links both active and passive use to rising loneliness

A Baylor University study investigates how social media impacts loneliness over time, finding that both active and passive use contribute to increased feelings of loneliness. The research suggests that the quality of digital interactions may not fulfill social needs met in face-to-face communication.

SourceBaylor University·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·TypeContent analysis·DateFeb 7, 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

Only seven out of 100 people worldwide receive effective treatment for their mental health or substance-use disorders

Researchers found that a person's lack of recognition is the biggest barrier to effective treatment, while patients who contact healthcare often do not receive it. The study highlights gaps in service needs and outcomes for nine common disorders, identifying areas for targeted investments.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 5, 2025

College commuters: Link between students’ mental health, vehicle crashes

A study at Florida Atlantic University reveals a correlation between commuter students' mental health status and increased risk of being involved in a crash while driving. Researchers found that students with anxiety or depression may be more likely to be distracted or exhausted, impairing their ability to focus on the road.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Transport & Health·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 5, 2025

New CAMH-developed drug shows promise in reversing memory loss for early Alzheimer's patients

A new drug developed by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has shown significant promise in reversing memory loss in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The drug, GL-II-73, selectively targets GABA receptors to restore brain function and repair damaged neural connections.

SourceCentre for Addiction and Mental Health·JournalNeurobiology of Aging·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 4, 2025

Listening for multiple mental health disorders

Researchers developed a machine learning tool that screens for comorbid depression and anxiety disorders using acoustic voice signals. The study confirmed that a one-minute verbal fluency test can reliably identify subjects with comorbid AD/MDD, who tend to use simpler words and exhibit reduced variability in phonemic word length.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJASA Express Letters·DateFeb 4, 2025

New research reveals that meditation induces changes in deep brain areas associated with memory and emotional regulation

Researchers used intracranial EEG recordings to find that meditation led to changes in the amygdala and hippocampus, key regions involved in emotional regulation and memory. Loving kindness meditation was specifically found to be associated with changes in brain wave activity.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 4, 2025

Alcohol-related deaths up 18% during pandemic

New research reveals a 18% increase in alcohol-related deaths in Canada during the pandemic, with higher increases in 2020 and 2021. The study also found increased hospitalizations related to alcohol use, particularly among younger adults and females, suggesting potential early warning signs for future liver-related disease.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 3, 2025

Groundbreaking studies reveal lasting impact of PTSD on Vietnam veterans, linking combat to CVD and chronic health issues; psychosocial conditions more than 50 years later

New studies reveal lasting impact of PTSD on Vietnam veterans, linking combat to cardiovascular disease and chronic health issues. Veterans with PTSD or sub-threshold conditions face significant psychological and physical health challenges, including heart disease, arthritis, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·DateFeb 3, 2025

Common treatment for binge eating disorder shows mixed results

Researchers found that while lisdexamfetamine reduced binge episodes and improved appetite control in some patients, others experienced significant side effects and inconsistent efficacy. The study highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of the drug's effects on patients with binge eating disorder.

SourceRutgers University·JournalPsychiatry Research Communications·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 3, 2025

A familiar face at childbirth makes a difference

A Dartmouth-led study reveals that pregnant individuals with no emotional support during childbirth experience higher levels of perceived stress, comparable to a C-section delivery. The research highlights the importance of access to emotional support in reducing stress and improving maternal and child outcomes.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalEvolution Medicine and Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 3, 2025

Childhood trauma strongly linked to mental health problems in Brazilian adolescents, new study finds

A new study found that 81% of Brazilian adolescents had experienced some form of childhood trauma by age 18, with the more types of trauma experienced increasing the risk of mental health problems. The study highlights the need for early interventions to reduce trauma exposure and mitigate its long-term consequences on mental health.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateJan 29, 2025

Standardizing provider assessments reveals important information about gun and opioid access for veterans at risk of suicide

Researchers found that fewer veterans reported having access to firearms than expected, with only 5% included in discussions. The study also revealed that most veterans with opioid access did not accept overdose-reversing medication, highlighting the need for improved suicide safety planning.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 28, 2025

Move more, age well: Prescribing physical activity for older adults as a recipe for healthy aging

A review article discusses the importance of physical activity in preventing disease and improving functional independence among older adults. Higher levels of physical activity are associated with improved cognition, mental health, and quality of life, and can potentially add years to an individual's life.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 27, 2025

Colorado’s parental notification law can impede adolescent access to abortion, study says

A new study found that Colorado's parental notification law imposes emotional, physical hurdles on adolescents seeking abortion care, delaying access and increasing stress. The law disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including those with unstable family relationships or histories of trauma.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateJan 27, 2025