Research on psychological wellbeing and how to protect it. Covers depression and anxiety, stress, cognitive-behavioral programs, screening, and the effects of exercise.
The California Study on Violence Experiences across the Lifespan reveals that more than one in six Californians experienced physical or sexual violence in the past year. Demographic disparities highlight potential contributing factors exacerbated by the pandemic, including socioeconomic vulnerabilities and gendered nature of violence.
A review of evidence found that 2-3% of monkeypox patients experienced severe complications such as seizure or encephalitis. Mood disorders like depression and anxiety were also common among infected individuals.
Researchers used data from over 400,000 individuals to model genetic and environmental factors influencing common neuropsychiatric disorders. Gene-environment interactions accounted for a significant proportion of variability in some disorders, while others showed more substantial contributions.
A new study published in Information, Communication and Society journal found a strong link between economic inequality and problematic social media use among adolescents. The research, involving over 179,000 schoolchildren from 40 countries, suggests that new strategies are needed to reduce the impact of deprivation on social media use.
A new web app, Healthy-Day-App, links daily schedules with health outcomes for children, revealing associations between screen time, physical activity, and body fat percentage. The app allows users to customize the impact of time allocations on health measures.
A new study has found that extreme temperatures are fueling online hate speech, with hate tweets increasing by up to 12% for colder temperatures and 22% for hotter temperatures. The researchers analyzed over 4 billion tweets from the US between 2014 and 2020, finding a 'feel-good window' of 15-18°C where hate tweets were at their lowest.
A new study found that premenstrual mood symptoms are incredibly common worldwide, affecting over 64% of women. The most common symptoms reported were food cravings, mood swings or anxiety, and fatigue. The researchers hope to increase awareness and improve treatment options for women with premenstrual symptoms.
A recent study found that nearly 1 in 3 mental health prescriber visits to Medicare patients were provided by PMHNPs, a significant rise from 2011-2019. The growth of PMHNPs helped offset the decline of psychiatrists treating Medicare patients, resulting in a 12% decrease in mental health specialist visits instead of a 30% drop.
The September issues of American Psychiatric Association journals focus on combining molecular and neuroimaging measures to understand psychopathology and inform new treatment development. Featured research includes studies on early childhood psychotic experiences and schizophrenia imaging signatures.
A UBC Okanagan study found that commercial weight management programs are more effective than DIY approaches in helping people lose weight. Participants who used a commercially available program lost over twice as much weight and had better success rates, including improved blood pressure and waist circumference.
A recent study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that physically active adults experienced worsened mental health during the pandemic, with increased anxiety symptoms in men and depression symptoms across both sexes. Those who reduced physical activity had fewer depression symptoms.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that combining blue and green spaces at former industrial canals improves mental well-being. The research, which utilized ecological momentary assessment, revealed the benefits of these environments on boosting mood and promoting relaxation.
A study using child-sized humanoid robots found that they can assess mental wellbeing in children more effectively than parent-reported or self-reported testing. The robots were able to encourage children to share their thoughts and feelings, leading to more accurate assessments of their mental health.
A study by King's College London found that visiting canals and rivers has a positive association with mental wellbeing, feeling happy, and social inclusion. The combination of blue and green space with wildlife is believed to contribute to these benefits.
A study of 641 participants found that midlife and older Hispanic/Latinx adults were more likely to experience prolonged loneliness, with 16% persistently lonely. The researchers suggest that culturally important familism was disrupted by social distancing, and reduced access to transportation and community activities may contribute to...
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that youth engaged in digital self-harm are 5-7 times more likely to have considered suicide and 9-15 times more likely to attempt it. The research highlights the importance of screening for digital self-harm to address underlying mental health issues.
A study found that inactivating a specific protein complex, PRC2, leads to impaired gene silencing and loss of neurotransmitter production in nerve cells. This is linked to Parkinson's disease-like symptoms and mental health problems.
A long-term study found that older homeless people are at a high risk of dying, with a median age of death of 64.6 years old. The study also found that people who first became homeless at age 50 or later were about 60 percent more likely to die than those who had become homeless earlier in life.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst psychologist is using a $428,000 NIH grant to develop a home-based system that tracks preschoolers' tantrums and predicts mental illness risk. The system uses wearable devices and machine learning algorithms to identify high-risk children and provide critical information to parents.
A recent study found that nearly 72% of primary care, dental, and behavioral health clinicians in US safety net clinics reported experiencing moral distress during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The distress was mainly caused by limitations on patient care, witnessing patients' struggles, and challenges in their work situations.
Researchers found that mothers' higher depressive symptoms did not predict increases in children's behavior problems, including those with autism. The study suggests that maternal depression may have a complex impact on caregiving families.
Researchers discovered a significant difference in saliva bacteria between college students who reported recent suicidal thoughts and those without. Students with recent suicidal ideation had higher levels of bacteria associated with inflammatory health conditions and lower levels of Alloprevotella rava, which promotes brain health.
Researchers found a strong association between ultra-processed food consumption and adverse mental health symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and mentally unhealthy days. The study suggests that the high sugar, salt, and saturated fat content of ultra-processed foods may contribute to these negative effects.
A multinational study found that caregivers who consume digital media for relaxation are more likely to engage in negative parenting practices. The researchers also discovered that maintaining social connections through digital channels is related to lower levels of anxiety and depression.
A new study found that psilocybin, combined with psychotherapy, significantly reduced heavy drinking among participants with alcohol dependence. Eight months after treatment, nearly half of those who received psilocybin stopped drinking altogether.
A study by DTU and SSI found that COVID-19 caused a significant loss of healthy life in Denmark, with an estimated 30,000 years lost. The majority of deaths occurred among elderly men, while younger populations were largely unaffected.
A new Australian study reveals that despite growing interest in nature-based learning, teachers need professional development to effectively integrate it into their teaching practices. The research found that seven out of ten teachers felt limited by their knowledge and confidence in using nature play areas to support curriculum goals.
A nationwide study in Spain found that eating breakfast at home is linked with fewer behavioral problems in young people. The study suggests that skipping breakfast or eating away from home can lead to increased likelihood of psychosocial behavioral problems.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are evaluating the potential of AI to improve health outcomes and doctor well-being. Chenyang Lu's team has developed novel methods using deep learning to predict physician burnout and surgical outcomes, transforming clinical data into accurate predictions.
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that brain regions responding to touch also respond to specific sounds associated with touching objects. This connection may help process sensory information more efficiently and has implications for mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, autism, or anxiety.
Researchers found that certain hepatitis C medications, such as glecaprevir and pibrentasvir, improved PTSD symptoms in a national cohort of VA patients. The study suggests these medications could fill the gap in FDA-approved treatments for PTSD, offering new hope for US adults affected by this condition.
The program helped stem labor shortages in respiratory therapy and telehealth services, maintaining non-COVID-related health infrastructure. Researchers found that temporary workers engaged in a range of activities, including COVID-19 care, mental health support, and non-COVID care.
A study by UCSF found that routine depression screening in primary care increased rates from 40.5% to 88.8%, capturing previously undertreated groups. Screening disparities virtually disappeared for older patients, Black/African Americans, and non-English speakers.
A new study estimates that over 5.5 million U.S. adults used hallucinogens in the past year, with a significant increase in LSD use between 2002 and 2019. The study found that PCP use decreased during this period, while Ecstasy use also declined since 2015.
A new study found that over half of participants engaged in at least one 'cheat meal' per year, associated with binge-eating, compulsive exercise, and fasting behaviors among men. Women's engagement was linked to all seven types of eating disorder behaviors.
A randomized controlled trial found that virtual museum visits significantly improved the health of seniors stuck at home, reducing social isolation and improving well-being, quality of life, and frailty. The study recruited 106 participants aged 65 and older who attended guided tours online once a week for three months.
A new study from the University of Missouri-Columbia found that American military veterans are less willing to seek treatment for sleep and alcohol use problems compared to physical health issues. Discrimination experiences also play a significant role in reducing treatment-seeking among veterans of color.
Researchers found a strong association between atrial cardiopathy and dementia in a study of over 15,000 participants. The study revealed that even those without atrial fibrillation or stroke were at higher risk for dementia, highlighting the need to better understand the mechanisms behind this link.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that racial and ethnic minorities bore a disproportionate mental health burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. After controlling for various factors, Black participants were 1.16 times more likely to screen positive for depression, while Hispanic participants were 1.23 times more likely to do so.
Mothers with personality disorder symptoms have a higher likelihood of insecure attachment with their adolescents, who are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and substance use problems. Maternal recalled experiences with caregivers also play a mediating role in this relationship.
A new study found that COVID-19 lockdowns significantly increased suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among patients with serious mental illness in Serbia. The study also highlighted the need for protections to mitigate mental health consequences during future lockdowns.
A study by West Virginia University found that over 7% of junior high and high school students in rural Appalachia identified as gender-diverse, including nonbinary or transgender identities. This exceeds previous estimates and highlights the need for support services in these areas.
A Rutgers University study found that simultaneously focusing on kids, caregivers, and community members produces better outcomes than interventions targeting children in isolation. The study suggests that multilevel programs can strengthen mental and behavioral health of children affected by extreme adversity.
A study found that LGBTQ+ youth in both highly supportive and less supportive communities experience high rates of depressive symptoms and stigma. The research suggests that systemic changes are needed to address the negative impact of broader social stigma on mental health.
A systematic review of 301 academic articles identified 227 unique linkages between cultural ecosystem services and human well-being, including 16 distinct underlying mechanisms. The study found that positive interactions through nature, such as recreation and aesthetic value, contribute to improved mental and physical health.
Research by Swansea University found that an optional wellbeing science module significantly improved university students' feelings of wellbeing. The study demonstrated the beneficial impact of strategically designed modules on student wellbeing during challenging times, including the Covid pandemic.
New research reveals that only 1 in 5 Syrian children living in refugee camps exhibit resilience to mental health problems. The study found that factors such as the child's environment, caregiver interactions, and access to resources significantly impact their ability to recover from war trauma.
Analysis of 2015-2018 data reveals that 23.3% of hospital admissions of detained immigrants in Louisiana and Texas relate to infectious diseases, while 16.6% arise through psychiatric illness. The study found a significant correlation between immigration detention and increased healthcare utilization.
A new study published in the European Journal of Ageing found that having a partner had a greater impact on reducing loneliness among older adults during the pandemic's first wave. Not having a partner was the most significant factor, with those without a partner experiencing a higher risk of moving into loneliness.
The August issues of American Psychiatric Association journals focus on neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative illnesses. Featured research includes reports on mental health services for people with serious mental illness.
Children with rare genetic disorders are more likely to be diagnosed with developmental, behavioural and mental health problems. A study of 2,800 young people found that those with intellectual disabilities were almost 30 times as likely to be autistic and over 13 times more likely to have ADHD.
A new study by CU Anschutz researchers found that over 70% of breast cancer patients experience changes in their sexual health during and after treatment. Patients desire early education and counseling from medical teams to address these issues, which are often overlooked.
The article highlights six strategies for addressing climate-related health inequities, including adopting standards for sociopolitical constructs and centering marginalized community voices. Researchers emphasize the importance of dismantling structural racism, environmental justice efforts, and effective communication strategies.
A new study at the University of Missouri found that prenatal opioid exposure can trigger long-term neurological or behavioral effects in children. The research suggests that opioids impact the developing fetus' gut microbiome, leading to changes in metabolic pathways and potentially affecting overall health and wellness.
A study found that exposure to urban greenness has unequal effects on men's and women's mental health, with women benefiting from walking and leisure activities but facing safety concerns. Researchers call for gendered equity in park planning to address these disparities.
A study found that pandemic restrictions negatively affected mental wellbeing, with workplace closures being the only positive effect. Women and young people were disproportionately impacted, highlighting disparities in mental health outcomes between social groups.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science found that short PPG signals can be used to estimate dynamical properties like determinism, predictability, and complexity with good accuracy. However, shorter signals may not be sufficient for estimating divergence.
A synthetic control analysis of California's millionaire tax found that additional funding could improve mental health outcomes. The study suggests that investing in mental health programs may have prevented up to 5,500 suicides over a 14-year period.
A new analysis of service dog-veteran pairs found that lower dog excitability and closer relationships between veterans and their dogs are associated with reduced PTSD symptoms. Better mental health outcomes were also linked to perceptions of easy care for the dog and more frequent interactions initiated by the veteran.
A large-scale survey of 62,000 participants found a significant association between everyday discrimination and moderate to severe depressive symptoms during the pandemic. Participants from Hispanic or Latino and non-Hispanic Asian backgrounds who experienced racism were at higher risk for these conditions.