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 national study found that excessive screen time, especially video gaming and watching videos, is linked to an increased risk of developing OCD in US preteens. The study, led by UCSF researchers, suggests that intrusive thoughts about video game content can develop into obsessions or compulsions.
A new study found that suicidal ideation increased by nearly five times during the pandemic, particularly among people living in low-income households and those struggling with loneliness. The study highlights the need for policies and programs providing financial and social support to vulnerable populations.
A study found that those who had COVID-19 in early 2020 were more likely to experience clinically meaningful levels of anxiety after 13 months. The researchers also identified possible reasons for the increased risk, including pre-existing mental health conditions and lifestyle factors.
Research by the American Psychological Association reveals that gig workers relying on tips, commissions, and performance bonuses experience worse physical health symptoms, including poor sleep quality and headaches. Businesses and lawmakers are advised to consider implementing more stable forms of compensation to protect workers' health.
A new study by University of Toronto researchers found that a strong majority of those diagnosed with COPD were in excellent mental health. 87% of older Canadians with COPD had no mental illness, highlighting the importance of social support and interventions to promote well-being.
A large-scale study has found a clear relationship between the composition of the microbiome and depression. A diverse microbiome was associated with lower rates of depression, while an underrepresented microbiome was linked to increased depressive symptoms. This association is as strong as established risk factors for depression.
A recent study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society found that a tailored activity program (TAP) significantly improved behavioral symptoms in Black families compared to white families. The program, which provides activities tailored to interests and abilities, also reduced caregiver distress.
A new study presents early data from an online prevention strategy aimed at reducing the risk of firearm injury and death in rural areas. The effort tailors messages about safe firearm storage and teen firearm suicide to a rural audience, with strong engagement reported by 86% of parents.
A new app uses customized playlists to console, relax, and uplift users, aiming to improve emotional states. The app's creators found that relaxing and uplifting methods can significantly move listeners from negative to more positive emotional states.
Research by University of East Anglia reveals care home nurses were unprepared for the pandemic, impacting their mental health and wellbeing. The study suggests implementing a mental health and wellbeing strategy is crucial to promote recovery from trauma and moral distress.
Researchers found that women experiencing prolonged mental health issues after childbirth had genetic evidence of higher immune system defense mechanism activation. The study also identified reduced antiviral immune response genes, which may offer protection from pathogens.
A new ISGlobal study found that full adherence to the 3-30-300 green space rule was associated with improved mental health and fewer visits to a psychologist. However, only 4.7% of respondents met all three criteria, highlighting a need for more green spaces in urban areas.
Younger adults who engage in proactive coping behaviors, such as concentrating on goals and preparing for challenges, experience fewer negative physical health symptoms. Proactive coping is crucial for building resilience and helping young people manage stress effectively, particularly between the ages of 18-36.
A study found that up to 78% of walkers would choose a more challenging route with obstacles, suggesting 'Active Landscape' routes could improve health outcomes and tackle the 'inactivity pandemic'. The researchers identified design characteristics, such as handrails and signage, that influence participants' choices.
Exposure to traffic-related air pollution linked to an increased risk of having two or more physical and mental health conditions. Participants exposed to higher concentrations of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide had a greater risk of developing multiple long-term health conditions.
The American Psychiatric Association's December journal issues explore new therapeutic approaches involving psychopharmacology, digital technology, and fMRI neurofeedback. The APA also highlights its vision to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.
A recent study published in Geriatrics found that age, education, social network, pain, and depression are significant predictors of physical activity in older adults. The findings suggest that modifying these factors through targeted interventions can increase physical activity levels.
A new study reveals that children who survive firearm injuries are more likely to develop mental health diagnoses, particularly stress-related conditions and substance misuse issues. The research found that 35% of firearm-injured kids received a new mental health diagnosis in the year after the incident.
A new EU-funded research project aims to improve understanding of mental health by combining biological and social factors, focusing on four critical life stages: early life, puberty, peripartum, and old age. The project seeks to develop personalized preventive and therapeutic measures and reduce stigma associated with mental illness.
Research highlights the need for high-quality studies on tropical cyclones in low- and middle-income countries to understand long-term consequences. The public health impact extends beyond injuries and cardiovascular diseases, affecting neuropsychiatric conditions and infectious diseases.
A low-cost prenatal intervention benefits mothers’ mental health up to eight years later. The eight-week class intervention supported healthier stress responses in their children, and cut their short-term risk of depression and diabetes.
New research reveals that men who successfully transition post-breakup are those who seek to understand their experiences and change negative behaviors. These men focus on gaining positive personal transformations in the aftermath of the breakup, rather than blaming themselves or others.
A new Hikikomori Questionnaire has been developed to identify individuals with pathological social withdrawal at an earlier stage. The questionnaire evaluates socialization, isolation, and emotional support on a scale of 0-4, providing a tool for early detection and treatment of hikikomori.
A Japanese research group found that people with psychiatric disorders tend to hold negative self-schemas, which can renew themselves through feedback and cognitive reactivity. This self-perpetuation process can lead to the development of mental illnesses even in good environments.
A 10-year study found diagnoses of suicidal ideation surged by over 700% among Black pregnant women, while depression diagnoses increased by 66% during the same period. This disparity suggests that many women may be going undiagnosed and untreated until their mental health becomes a crisis.
A new study from Trinity College Dublin and WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management found that brief positive interventions, such as watching a funny video, can help employees overcome daily challenges like annoying emails or unloved tasks. This leads to increased effectiveness at work, including better engagement, creativity, and beh...
Research suggests that people with depression are less likely to have children, particularly men. The study, which examined over 1.4 million participants in Finland, found a significant association between diagnosed depression and the likelihood of having children, as well as the number of children born.
A recent study by Rutgers University researchers found that adolescent girls typically engage in unnoticed dieting for up to six months before their formal diagnosis of anorexia is made. This behavior often begins around age 14 and can be a precursor to more severe restrictive eating habits.
A comprehensive study on the mental health of children and young people during COVID-19 found mixed results, with some deterioration in mental health symptoms across various domains. However, overall, the findings suggest a large enough impact to result in an increased demand for services.
A Swansea University study found that people's fear of COVID-19 has a long-lasting impact on psychological wellbeing, affecting anxiety, depression and sleep difficulties. The study also found that older participants and those from minority ethnic groups were most likely to experience COVID-19 fear.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that watching just 17 minutes of YouTubers discussing their mental health struggles can decrease prejudice. The study, which involved 333 participants, showed a significant drop in explicit prejudice and intergroup anxiety levels.
Research on over 11,000 UK students reveals a sharp decline in well-being and self-esteem between ages 11 and 14, linked to the transition to secondary school. Students with higher self-esteem at age 11 experienced less significant drops in well-being.
Researchers from UCSF and the San Francisco VA Health Care System found that veterans with PTSD had an 8% increased risk of death and a 9% increased risk of hospitalization compared to those without psychiatric diagnoses. Patients with psychosis had a 58% increased risk of death and a 66% increased risk of hospitalization.
A Michigan Medicine-led study reveals that transgender youth are 5.4 times more likely to experience insomnia and three times more likely to suffer from sleep apnea compared to cisgender youth. Gender-affirming therapies may offer a protective effect against worsening sleep health, according to the researchers.
A recent study of 5,034 youth ages 5 to 19 who died by suicide from 2015 to 2016 found a significant association between county-level mental health professional shortages and increased suicide rates. The findings suggest that addressing workforce shortages may be crucial for preventing youth suicides.
A new study by researchers at the University of Michigan finds that patients with documented housing instability were more likely to receive diagnoses for mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental conditions, and had longer hospital stays. The study used data from 2017-2019 and found that caring for hospitalized people with housing is...
US adults with mental health and substance use disorders saw significant reductions in smoking, while those without MH/SUD did not experience comparable changes. The study attributed these disparities to increased health insurance coverage under the ACA.
A new study by Indiana University researchers found that nearly half of non-psychiatric ER patients have mental health and substance use problems. The study used a digital screening tool to identify these issues, which could help reduce future visits and improve patient care.
A new study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that 70% of ayahuasca users experienced physical health adverse effects, while 55% reported mental health concerns. Most adverse events were reported as mild and temporary, with only 2.3% requiring medical attention.
A study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health found that hospitalised young people with a gender dysphoria diagnosis were four to five times more likely to experience self-harm or suicide attempts compared to those without the condition. This highlights the need for improved support and care for this vulnerable group.
A recent study by Washington State University found that rural public schools are less likely to provide mental health services compared to urban schools, with only 38.3% offering treatment. Rural schools also reported lower funding and lack of access to qualified professionals as barriers to providing these services.
A survey of over 1,000 cancer patients and 150 oncologists found that nearly two-thirds of patients want to know about complementary therapies before starting conventional treatment. Integrative oncology can help manage side effects and improve overall well-being, with 50% of patients and 60% of oncologists strongly agreeing.
The DocMapper.ca platform provides an interactive map listing physicians' names, contact info, and language skills in the Ottawa and Renfrew County area. Available in English and French, it lists over 50 languages, addressing a significant language barrier for patients seeking family care.
New research from King's College London found increasing CBD content in cannabis does not significantly change the effects of THC on cognitive performance or psychotic symptoms. The study suggests that choosing cannabis with higher CBD:THC ratios may be safer due to lower THC levels, but CBD has no impact on intoxication quality.
A systematic review found significant effects on anxiety, depression, fatigue, physical activity, quality of life, and social impairment in cancer patients who combined behavioural graded activity with psychological therapies. The effects remained significant after a period of one to three months.
Researchers found that higher levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in pregnant women were associated with increased anxiety scores in their children at age 12. The study suggests that exposure to flame retardants during early brain development may be a risk factor for developing anxiety symptoms in early adolescence.
Research from the University of Kansas found that financial capability can predict positive health outcomes, with higher levels associated with better health measurements. The study highlights the importance of considering both individual financial skills and access to resources in improving population health.
A study from University of Cambridge found that young people who feel poorer than their friends have lower self-esteem and are more likely to be bullied. Feeling economically equal among peers had the best outcomes for mental health and social behavior.
A recent study by University of Cambridge researchers found that lack of computer access led to poorer mental health among young people during the COVID-19 lockdowns. The team's analysis of data from 1,387 10–15-year-olds revealed that those without access to a computer experienced a more significant increase in Total Difficulties scores.
A new UK study of over 3,000 adults found that childhood financial circumstances significantly impact wellbeing in middle age (41-65). Financial hardship in childhood is also a concern for mental health, particularly as child poverty levels increase.
A 5-year follow-up study found patients who received a patient activation training had more primary care use and fewer substance-related emergency department visits. The intervention taught patients to connect with their primary care team, manage their health holistically, and overcome stigma associated with addiction treatment.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found significant long-term morbidity in children, adolescents, and adults after COVID-19 infection. Children and adolescents are at risk of post-COVID-19 syndrome, with rates of malaise, cough, and headache increased compared to controls.
A study of nearly 20,000 sub-Saharan adolescents found that loneliness, hunger, anxiety, and substance use were associated with suicidal ideation. In contrast, those with peer and parental support had a decreased likelihood of suicidal thoughts.
A new study found that childhood traumas have significant impacts on adult health risks, with physical illnesses like obesity and chronic pain being affected. Mental disorders show the most significant association, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, substance abuse, and depression.
Researchers believe that changes in the brain's orexin system promote drug-seeking behavior and that existing insomnia treatments could reduce or eliminate cravings. Studies have shown that blocking this system reverses addiction in animals and reduces opioid cravings in human subjects.
A new study led by Linda Pagani found that watching violent TV during the preschool years can lead to later risks of psychological and academic impairment. Exposure to typical violent screen content at a critical time in brain development can predict later psychological distress and academic risks.
A study found that higher levels of glutathione in the nucleus accumbens correlate with better performance in motivation tasks. Nutritional interventions targeting GSH levels may improve motivation by modifying behavior and facilitating effortful endurance.
The studies will provide evidence for a new global approach to valuing natural habitats and evaluate biodiversity in marine and urban areas. They aim to deliver on the recommendations from the Government's Dasgupta Review and support nature recovery and halt biodiversity loss.
A customized mindfulness program that incorporates skills like attention control and self-awareness has been shown to lead to lower systolic blood pressure measures in participants. The intervention, which also focuses on health behavior change, is promising as a novel way to improve blood pressure control.
A new study from the University of Ottawa reveals that morning types tend to have superior verbal ability, contrary to previous research suggesting that evening types have an advantage. The study found that accounting for factors like bedtime and age, morning individuals outperformed their evening counterparts in verbal intelligence.