Articles tagged with Mental Health
A recent study found that academic burnout is associated with increased internet gaming and depression in Chinese adolescents. The study highlights the importance of targeted prevention strategies, including mental health check-ups, counseling sessions, stress management programs, and attentional bias modification training.
The report highlights a critical implementation gap in digital mental health tools, which struggle to reach the masses due to inadequate infrastructure. The industry has excelled in creating evidence-based tools and AI systems, but fails to deliver them at population scale without proper systems in place.
Social media use has been linked to psychological distress and impaired functioning in some people, but the impact varies widely depending on how and why it's used. Researchers are debating how to measure social media addiction and need more rigorous studies to determine whether it should be classified as a clinical disorder.
A notable minority of US youth and young adults, particularly those facing structural disadvantages and mental health distress, engage in intentional online searches for gun-related harm. Public health strategies combining digital interventions with structural reforms offer promise to reduce gun-related harm among vulnerable populations.
Research by Arizona State University professor Frank Infurna reveals a decline in middle-aged Americans' mental and cognitive health, with increasing loneliness, depression, and memory problems. Financial vulnerabilities, including income inequality and limited safety nets, contribute to these issues.
A major European study found that loneliness affects the memory of older adults, but does not speed up mental decline over time. Participants who reported high levels of loneliness performed worse on initial memory tests, but their ability to recall information declined at a similar rate as those with lower loneliness levels.
A Finnish study found that adolescents and young adults who underwent gender identity assessments had higher rates of severe mental health problems, with a fourfold increase compared to controls. Medical gender reassignment interventions were particularly associated with worsening mental health outcomes.
A study of 1,001 people in England found that calorie labels on restaurant menus can be helpful for those with binge eating disorders, particularly those who feel a sense of control over their eating. In contrast, individuals with restrictive eating disorders viewed them negatively.
The study brings clarity to the field by agreeing on 19 dimensions of mental wellbeing, including six essential factors that define positive mental health. Positive mental health is separate from mental illness and involves emotional wellbeing, psychological functioning, and social connection.
A new study uses an AI model to predict type 2 diabetes risk based on behavioral and psychosocial information. The digital twin model found that loneliness, insomnia, and poor mental health substantially raise a person's future risk of developing the disease.
Researchers developed DARC-NESS, a model that explains why nightmares persist in children and how to break the cycle through tailored therapy. By focusing on nightmare efficacy and child response mechanisms, clinicians can create effective treatment plans to empower kids to master their dreams.
A study of 52 female nurses found a two-fold increase in salivary cortisol levels at midnight for those working double shifts compared to single shift workers. This suggests that extended shift schedules are associated with alterations in the circadian pattern of cortisol, reflecting increased physiological strain.
A recent study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that individuals with higher optimism have a lower risk of developing dementia. After analyzing data from the Health and Retirement Study, researchers discovered a 15% lower risk associated with a one-standard-deviation increase in optimism.
Researchers found that maternal anxiety about radiation exposure during the Fukushima nuclear accident was linked to increased rates of preterm births, lower birth weights, and severe birth outcomes. Socioeconomic factors, such as education level and income, played a role in mitigating these effects.
A new study found that male, married Canadians with social support, healthy habits, and excellent health are more likely to experience high levels of emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Social support was a key factor associated with flourishing mental health among older adults.
A national Canadian study found that older adults who are socially connected, physically healthy, and spiritually engaged are significantly more likely to experience complete mental health. Social support emerged as one of the strongest predictors, doubling the odds of achieving complete mental health.
The Global Flourishing Study dataset, spanning two waves and 200,000 participants across 22 countries, is now publicly available. Researchers can access the data without pre-registration, expanding the study's impact on understanding human flourishing.
A study of 3,959 healthy Japanese workers found that longer working hours, including unpaid care and domestic work, are associated with a higher risk of nonrestorative sleep and poor mental health in women. The researchers call for policy changes to address time poverty and promote gender equality.
Research suggests that mental time travel activates the brain's reward system, reinforcing behavior and making it easier to plan for the future. However, excessive mental time travel can also lead to negative emotions and maladaptive behavior, such as catastrophizing projections.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed the first evidence-based guidelines for traumatic brain injury recognition and management in first responders. The guidelines aim to improve care and support for law enforcement officers, firefighters, and others who risk head injuries on the job.
The University of Houston is strengthening its behavioral health programs with a $1.6 million gift from IntraCare North Hospital, supporting social work and nursing scholarships. This investment addresses Texas' critical shortage of mental health professionals, enabling the next generation of experts to serve communities in need.
A large study funded by the National Institutes of Health's ECHO Program found that prenatal smoking is associated with behavioral and mental health challenges in children. The study examined thousands of children across the U.S., identifying periods when exposure may be most impactful.
University of Utah researchers develop framework for assessing varying levels of automation in psychotherapy, highlighting the importance of weighing risks and benefits. They explore how automation can support therapists without replacing them, using large language models to capture core components of treatment and provide feedback.
The latest issues of APA journals publish new research on cannabis use disorder, stigma reduction interventions, and co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders. Highlights include studies on depression-related stigma among Black and Latinx youths and the impact of text engagement in a brief technology-enhanced intervention.
A new study found that female post-9/11 veterans experienced a more significant decline in overall well-being compared to their male counterparts after the COVID-19 pandemic. They reported lower work satisfaction, higher underemployment, and less emotional support, with the sharpest difference appearing in work strain.
A randomized trial tested HabitWorks, a smartphone app offering personalized exercises to target interpretation bias. Participants reported significant improvements in interpretation bias, functioning, and overall mental health symptom severity.
A study published in BMC Public Health found an association between antibiotic use and maternal mental health during pregnancy. Researchers analyzed data from over 94,000 pregnant women and discovered a stepwise pattern of psychological distress linked to increasing antibiotic exposure. The findings suggest that avoiding unnecessary an...
A study published in Brain Medicine suggests autonomic dysfunction, particularly parasympathetic and sympathetic imbalances, contributes to depressive symptoms in patients unresponsive to conventional antidepressants. Low-dose medications targeting these imbalances may offer a new approach to treatment.
A study on mice suggests that adolescence stress causes permanent changes in the prefrontal cortex, increasing vulnerability to schizophrenia and depression. The researchers found that traumatic experiences during this stage of life disrupts communication between brain cells, compromising neural control.
A binational study found most psychotherapists lack adequate knowledge and confidence treating eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia in boys and men. Clinicians identified a need for specialized training on assessing unique risk factors, tailoring treatment to male-specific experiences, and addressing stigma.
Older adults use humor as a coping mechanism to deal with the challenges of aging, including bereavement and declining well-being. The study found that women are more likely to use humor in emotionally sensitive situations, while men emphasize its role in social bonding.
A recent study published in Gait & Posture found that analyzing a person's walk and getting up from a chair can identify elevated depression and anxiety symptoms. The researchers used machine-learning models trained on data from participants' movements combined with information about their mental state, achieving high accuracy rates.
Researchers found a direct line of communication between the brain's stress centers and decision-making regions, which is disrupted by alcohol. This disruption can lead to unhealthy habits and relapse during recovery from alcohol use disorder.
Researchers from Zhejiang University found that inhaling citrus essential oils promotes relaxation-related autonomic activity, enhances brain rhythms associated with positive emotions, and reduces stress and tension. The study identified four key mood-enhancing molecules: d-limonene, linalool, α-terpineol, and geranial.
A study estimated income losses from individual perspectives in Denmark from 2000 to 2023 after hospital diagnoses of depression, alcohol use disorder, stroke, and breast cancer. The researchers found that income losses were largest for mental disorders, with average losses growing over time, particularly among younger individuals.
A new study finds caregivers of Alzheimer's patients face significant unmet needs, including limited knowledge about the disease, high psychological stress, and lack of community support. Caregivers need practical skills training and mental health support to improve resilience.
A systematic review of experimental studies found exergames to be associated with better mood outcomes, including reductions in tension and depressive symptoms. The evidence base remains small and heterogeneous, but the study calls for longer-term interventions and larger samples to determine the durability of benefits.
A new book by Swansea University researchers argues that attention impairments, rather than memory dysfunction, are a key aspect of dementia. The authors suggest that recognizing these changes could lead to earlier identification, improved diagnosis, and better care for those affected.
A systematic review highlights the biological mechanisms linking chronic stress to cancer course, including HPA axis activation and immune suppression. Chronic stress affects tumor growth, treatment resistance, and patient outcomes differently across various cancers.
A comprehensive scoping review of 37 studies found that Ukrainian children exposed to a decade of war face high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidality, and self-harm. Children who had been forcibly displaced, exposed to violence, or separated from parents faced higher risks of mental health problems.
A Finnish registry study found that severe infections, such as cystitis and bacterial disease, are associated with an increased risk of dementia. The study examined nationwide health registry data and identified 29 diseases linked to dementia risk, including mental disorders, Parkinson's disease, and alcohol-related mental disorders.
A new study published in The Lancet Public Health found that community-based parenting programmes like Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities can improve family wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. Parents who participated reported higher levels of mental wellbeing and improved relationships with their children.
A large-scale study of over 421,000 individuals found no link between psychosocial factors and cancer incidence. However, some psychosocial factors were associated with a higher risk of lung cancer, which decreased after adjusting for known risk factors.
The study identified six sleep health dimensions in young adolescents: irregularity, timing, duration, social jetlag, weekend oversleep, and continuity. Greater irregularity was associated with higher concurrent transdiagnostic mental health symptoms, while shorter duration was linked to increased symptoms at follow-up.
A statewide cohort study found childhood mortality is significantly higher among children bereaved by parental drug overdose, homicide, and suicide. Parental homicide was associated with the highest risk of mortality in children, highlighting the need for research into potential explanations such as family restructuring and mental health.
A study found that inflammation markers may signal depression in women with type 2 diabetes, but vary based on depression symptoms and measures. The research suggests a path toward precision mental health by identifying specific inflammatory biomarkers linked to different dimensions of mental health.
A systematic review of social media platforms reveals that TikTok contains a substantial proportion of misleading information about mental health and neurodivergence, with higher rates of misinformation than other platforms. The study emphasizes the importance of credible sources and evidence-based content to combat spreading false ide...
Researchers from SWPS University develop Post-Game Depression Scale (P-GDS) to capture players' experiences after finishing video games. The study reveals RPG fans are most at risk of intense P-GD, associated with stronger depressive symptoms and lower well-being.
Research suggests that persistent pain drives progressive changes in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in emotional regulation. This can shape whether people develop depression or remain emotionally resilient. The study's findings challenge the idea that depression is an inevitable consequence of long-term pain.
A new Northwestern University study has discovered a novel biomarker of schizophrenia that could also serve as a new drug candidate to treat the cognitive symptoms of the disorder. The study found that levels of the protein Cacna2d1 signal are reduced in patients with schizophrenia, resulting in overactive brain circuits.
Dr. Phillips's laboratory identifies abnormalities in prefrontal-striatal-limbic circuitry as biomarkers for bipolar disorder before symptoms appear. Her team tracks neural network development from infancy through young adulthood.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that brief interventions after a suicide attempt can significantly reduce re-attempts. Participants who received these interventions were 28% less likely to attempt suicide again than those receiving usual medical care.
A concerning rise in adolescent obesity has been found, with overall rates climbing to 15.9% in 2023. Obesity patterns also reveal a decline in weight-loss attempts, with females more likely to attempt weight loss but fewer adolescents reporting efforts in 2023.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded $1 million to 10 senior scientists conducting innovative research in neurobiological and behavioral science. The grants will support studies focused on critical mental health challenges such as depression, autism spectrum disorder, PTSD, and schizophrenia.
A new study by the University of Technology Sydney found that regular Group Clinical Supervision can meaningfully reduce burnout among midwives. The program provided a confidential setting for small groups to reflect on their experiences and develop strategies for managing emotional demands.
A new pediatric mental health care model, P2C3, combines primary care and psychiatry to improve access and training for future pediatricians. The model, which has completed over 1,500 visits and cared for over 400 patients, has shown durable and scalable results, reducing fragmentation and providing timely access to mental health care.
A new study finds that widowed men experience poorer physical and mental health, while widowed women show resilience and improved well-being after losing their spouse. The study highlights the need for gender-specific strategies to support recovery after spousal loss.
A new study found that legalizing online sports betting in the US has led to a significant rise in binge drinking frequency among young men, particularly those who already report binge drinking. The study's findings highlight the need for policymakers to consider the broader behavioral impacts of gambling liberalization.
A UK study found that a 12-week ketogenic metabolic therapy program led to significant reductions in depression and anxiety scores. The program, delivered remotely, showed a 62% reduction in depression symptoms and a 46% reduction in anxiety, with 100% of participants completing the program.
The study found that wildfire exposure and its socioeconomic consequences were associated with increased psychological distress beyond the burn zone. Integrating mental health care, housing stability, and economic recovery are crucial for disaster response and climate resilience strategies.