Research on psychological wellbeing and how to protect it. Covers depression and anxiety, stress, cognitive-behavioral programs, screening, and the effects of exercise.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted access to addiction treatment for adolescents and young adults, particularly those with private health insurance. Prescription claims data shows a significant decline in buprenorphine prescriptions among this age group, especially among those with commercial insurance coverage.
New research from King's College London found that members of the British Armed Forces who were physically injured while fighting in Afghanistan are more likely to experience poor mental health, including depression and PTSD. The study also suggests that the type of injury sustained can influence the overall outcome.
Youth substance use declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, as teens had limited access to peers and substances due to stay-at-home orders. This reduced risk of substance use is attributed to increased social isolation from peers, which may have a negative impact on mental health.
Climate-related events and air pollution disproportionately affect socially and economically disadvantaged children, exacerbating health issues such as preterm birth, respiratory illness, and malnutrition. The authors emphasize the need for simultaneous adaptation and mitigation strategies to protect children's health.
A new analysis published in JAMA Psychiatry shows that brief suicide prevention interventions delivered in healthcare settings drastically underreport the strategies needed for successful implementation. On average, about 85% of these strategies were missing from published reports.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that dog-assisted interventions can significantly reduce stress levels in elementary school children, both with and without special needs. The research used salivary cortisol levels to track the effects of dog interactions on stress levels, revealing a decrease in cortisol levels after dog sessions.
A new study found that 64% of adults who had contact with the child welfare system as children achieve excellent mental health, highlighting resilience and factors associated with flourishing. Chronic pain, major depression, and social isolation hinder optimal mental health.
A new study found a close link between ageism and poor physical and mental health in older adults. Those with more health concerns experienced higher rates of everyday ageism, including internalized and interpersonal forms.
A new study suggests that losing a grandmother may have a significant impact on adolescent boys, leading to a 50% increase in depressive symptoms. The researchers also found that the loss of a grandparent can be a risk factor for teen depression and other negative outcomes.
Despite widespread concern, most research on Covid-19 and its impact on mental health found no significant increase in suicide rates globally. In low- and middle-income countries, some studies even reported a decrease in rates of suicide and self-harm following the pandemic.
The study found that uterine transplantation is an effective method to remedy infertility, with a clinical pregnancy rate of 33% and cumulative live birth rate exceeding expectations. The procedure also showed positive health outcomes, including improved quality of life and low rates of anxiety and depression.
A U-shaped pattern of sleep duration across life stages was found, with age 40 being the lowest point and efficiency stabilizing from ages 30 to 60. Study participants wore accelerometers for seven consecutive days, providing an objective measure of sleep time.
Researchers analyzed data from 599 patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder and found that 34% have attempted suicide, with high rates of suicidal ideation, planning, and self-injury among women. The study highlights the need for accurate diagnosis and screening of suicidal ideation in patients with PMDD.
A UC Davis Health study found that patients on stable but higher-dose opioid therapy who had their doses tapered by at least 15% had significantly higher rates of overdose and mental health crisis in the second year after tapering compared to their pre-tapering period. The risks were greatest in patients with the highest baseline doses.
Children who excel at playing well with others in pre-school tend to enjoy better mental health as adults. Research analyzing data from over 1,700 children found a clear link between peer play ability and reduced signs of poor mental health.
Women with self-injury behaviour show a more effective pain-modulation system, displaying more connections between pain perception and modulation brain areas. This finding suggests that effective pain modulation is a risk factor for self-injury behaviour, providing valuable insights for improving treatment and support.
Researchers from the University of Bath and Lancaster found that popular scales measuring technology use are related and poorly defined, failing to confirm 'addictive' behaviors. This calls into question current measures of digital technology use and its links to mental health and wellbeing.
A study by researchers from the University of Basel found that probiotics can improve depressive symptoms in patients taking antidepressants. The probiotic group showed a greater improvement in symptoms than the placebo group, with changes in intestinal flora composition and brain activity when viewing emotional stimuli.
A workplace mental health program significantly reduced employees' symptoms of depression and anxiety, allowing them to stay in the workforce. Employers also saw a positive financial return on investment from the program.
A recent OSU study found people with rare diseases often wait years for diagnosis, experience anxiety, depression and stigma due to inaccessible care. Education of medical professionals is crucial to address these challenges.
A new study found that college students reported a higher incidence of unacceptable thoughts and fear of contamination during the pandemic. The study also revealed consistent OCD symptoms across genders, adding to the growing research on mental illness among college students.
The Flinders-designed QOL-ACC tool assesses six key quality of life dimensions and has been implemented with over 1000 older Australians, delivering improved standards and transparency in aged care. The results show that the tool performed strongly in a pilot trial, with lower scores for those with poorer self-reported health status.
A recent Oregon State University study found that a mindfulness-based intervention delivered via videoconference was a feasible treatment option for survivors of breast and gynecologic cancers. The pilot study showed that participants learned mindfulness exercises, gained insight into sexual interest, and appreciated the group's suppor...
A survey of 866 clinicians revealed that their beliefs about telehealth quality and ease of use significantly impacted the proportion of care delivered remotely. Clinicians with more favorable views on telehealth were more likely to adopt it for various types of care.
A recent study by the University of Tsukuba found that healthcare workers in home care settings experience varying levels of fear, anxiety, and depression related to contracting COVID-19. Non-physicians were more likely to be fearful and depressed than physicians, highlighting the need for tailored mental health support.
A large international study found that 31.4% of adolescents in 13 European and Asian countries reported feeling unsafe at school. The study highlighted the need for strategies to provide educational environments where all students can feel protected, regardless of their background.
A new study has found that people who believe in COVID-19 conspiracy theories are more likely to experience severe anxiety and depression. The research, published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, used a scale to measure belief in conspiracy theories and found a significant correlation with increased symptoms of anxiety and depression.
A new study shows that hospice patients with dementia receive excellent care and have their anxiety and sadness managed more often than those without dementia. However, the Medicare hospice model's limitations can lead to gaps in care, leaving patients with dementia at risk of disenrollment.
A recent Oregon State University study found that COVID-19 patients had a 25% increased risk of developing a psychiatric disorder in the four months following their infection. The study matched 46,610 COVID-19 positive individuals with control patients and found a significant increase in anxiety disorders but no change in mood disorders.
The study found increases in screen time, alcohol use, and poor sleep among Australian girls during the pandemic. However, overall sleep improved, and some dietary choices improved during lockdown.
A customized WeightWatchers program has been shown to effectively manage Type 2 diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels and promoting significant weight loss. Participants in the six-month clinical trial experienced improved glycemic control and overall well-being, with clinically meaningful and statistically significant results.
From 2004 to 2020, there was a notable increase in actions taken against physician licenses due to substance use and psychological or physical impairment. The study found that these issues were affecting the medical community, emphasizing the need for improved support systems and policies.
A RAND Corporation survey found that fewer than half of public health officials expressed confidence in their jurisdiction's preparedness for the 988 mental health hotline. The survey revealed gaps in strategic planning, financing, infrastructure, and service coordination.
A meta-analysis by Dr. Maggi Price and colleagues found that Black youth living in communities with high levels of anti-Black racism are less likely to benefit from psychotherapy. The study suggests that addressing stigma and incorporating advocacy into treatment is crucial for improving mental health outcomes. Training programs must e...
A new study from Trinity College Dublin suggests that teenagers who spend a 'goldilocks amount' of time online may have better mental wellbeing. The research found that low engagement with digital media is also associated with poor mental health outcomes for adolescents, while high engagement predicts worse mental health outcomes.
A large-scale study found that team sport participation is associated with lower mental health difficulties in children and adolescents. In contrast, exclusive individual sport participation may lead to greater mental health issues. The study analyzed data from over 11,000 US kids and adolescents.
A new Cornell-led study reveals that more than 99% of veterinarians have encountered useless or non-beneficial veterinary care, leading to moral distress and difficulties in advocating for euthanasia. The study found that 89% of veterinarians administer futile care, with 42% experiencing frequent instances.
The number of US children suspected to have attempted suicide by poisoning increased by 26.7% between 2015 and 2020, according to researchers at the University of Virginia Health System. The majority of these cases involved girls, and the age group with the largest increase was children aged 10-12.
A review of scientific evidence concludes that diet has little impact on the progression of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While a healthy diet brings other health benefits, the impact on these diseases is small and not clinically meaningful.
Researchers found that anticipating future stress related to elections can affect people's emotional well-being before anything has happened. Education was shown to help protect individuals against these stresses, even for those actively engaged in the political process.
A new study reveals that girls' mental wellbeing increased by 28% during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic years, while boys showed no significant change. Gender differences were observed among all income groups, with more pronounced effects in lower-income families.
A study by University of Alberta researchers found that language related to depression on social media did not increase in response to COVID-19 waves, but rather decreased as people adapted. Instead, they found spikes in language related to the Black Lives Matter movement and other global events.
Researchers investigate how COVID-19 pandemic policies impacted access to life-saving treatment for opioid use disorder in minority groups. They aim to understand structural mechanisms of disparities and encourage the healthcare system to review and change social policies.
Researchers found that care coordinators identifying illnesses early and providing timely care allowed most residents to 'age in place,' reducing need for nursing home care. Exercise and socialization opportunities also improved physical and mental health outcomes.
A large retrospective study examines the impact of pandemic-related school closures on children's mental health, finding that adolescent females were disproportionately affected. The study reveals a substantial rise in hospitalizations for suicide, psychosis, and eating disorders after statewide school closure orders.
The study found that the adapted version of the Re-Engineered Discharge (RED) Program, RED for Depression (RED-D), reduced hospital readmissions among patients with depressive symptoms by 48% and 70% at 30- and 90-day marks. The program included post-discharge depression treatment and transition support.
A new study by the University of Birmingham found that dopamine levels can affect emotion recognition in people with neurological disorders. Those with low baseline dopamine levels improved their ability to recognize emotions after receiving a dopamine boost, while those with higher baseline levels became worse at emotion recognition.
A study by researchers at Keck School of Medicine of USC found that interpersonal problems, such as loneliness and relationship dissatisfaction, predict vulnerability to financial exploitation in older adults. Social connectedness is shown to be a key protector against financial abuse.
A review of 38 randomized controlled trials found that counseling patients about contraceptive use and providing contraceptives increases use without increasing STI risk or reducing condom use. The interventions also decrease unintended pregnancy in trials designed to evaluate this outcome.
The June special issue highlights the impact of structural racism on mental health and proposes community-wide interventions to address disparities. Research prioritization is also discussed to advance mental health inequity research.
People with severe mental illnesses face significant oral health challenges due to inadequate integration of healthcare services and lack of tailored support. The study calls for training and collaborative efforts between mental and dental health care staff to address these inequalities.
A new study published in PLOS Genetics explores how genetics influenced an individual's quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research found that some people's genetic tendencies toward better wellbeing became more influential as the pandemic progressed, particularly due to social isolation.
A new study found that childhood circumstances and personality traits are significantly associated with loneliness in older age, accounting for 10.42% and 7.50% of the variance respectively. Life experiences during childhood, such as having few friends or a poor relationship with parents, can increase the risk of loneliness later in life.
A new study finds that Kaiser Permanente's Presence of Mind initiative can effectively deliver mental health information to young adults, reducing stigma and improving attitudes toward treatment. The program, launched in 2020, includes live streams, online training sessions, and creator-led content.
A study found that women who received a brief romantic partner embrace prior to a stressful experience had lower cortisol levels than those without an embrace. In contrast, embracing had no effect on men's cortisol responses to stress. The findings suggest that romantic touch may have a unique impact on women's stress biology.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a devastating rise in adolescent mental health crises, with 60% of admitted patients exhibiting suicidal ideation or attempting suicide. Mental health admissions increased for depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and substance-related disorders, particularly among girls.
A new national poll reveals that most people over 50 feel their health is as good or better than before 2020, but a sizable minority say their health has declined. Key findings highlight the importance of social connections, hobbies, and getting outdoors in helping older adults age well.
A new screening tool has been developed to identify pregnant women at risk of eating disorders, allowing for early intervention and treatment. The Prenatal Eating Behaviors Screening (PEBS) tool, created by WVU researchers, uses a 12-question screener to assess symptoms and emotions associated with eating disorders.
Exercise strengthens bones, reduces fracture risk, and improves posture in people with osteoporosis. A consensus statement recommends a balanced routine of muscle strengthening exercises on 2-3 days and moderate impact activities on most days.
A Rutgers study found that individuals with opioid-use disorder who used non-prescribed buprenorphine before entering treatment were twice as likely to remain in care. Those who used the medication also had significantly lower rates of opioid use during the first six months in treatment.