Articles tagged with Mental Health
A new study reveals that social isolation and loneliness can increase cardiovascular disease risk by 8% and 5% respectively. Women who experience high levels of both social isolation and loneliness have a 13-27% increased risk of heart disease, compared to those with low levels.
A recent study found an increase in intentional drug overdose deaths among young people aged 15-24, older adults aged 75-84, and non-Hispanic Black women. Despite a downward trend in overall deaths, these subgroups saw a rise in intentional overdose death rates, with women ages 45 to 64 having the highest rates.
A new study found that rural patients rely on primary care physicians and nurses more often, leading to higher copays and out-of-pocket costs for mental health care. The usage gap narrowed over time, but quality and cost of care remained inequitable.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia used deep learning to analyze whole genome sequencing data from African American patients with mental disorders. The model demonstrated over 70% accuracy in distinguishing between disorders and identifying multiple disorders.
Researchers found that fuel poverty leads to higher levels of inflammation, affecting physical health, and lower life satisfaction, impacting wellbeing outcomes. The study's findings highlight the need for policies to support low-income households struggling with fuel poverty.
A new study found that daily physical activity increases executive function performance in people aged 50-74, while decreased activity leads to lower cognitive performance. The correlation held even after adjusting for various co-morbidities.
Research by Aerika Loyd and her team found that microaggressions against Black adolescents are more subtle, but still impactful, and can lead to poor mental health and academic problems. Positive thinking is a helpful coping mechanism for both girls and women, reducing externalized symptoms and mental health impacts.
A study by the University of Essex found a significant spike in depression rates (30%) and anxiety rates (37%) among expecting mothers. Social support played a crucial role in protecting mental health.
The study examines changes in mental health care and telemedicine use among over 650,000 Medicare patients with severe mental illness during the pandemic. The findings highlight significant disruptions in care, leading to reduced access to essential services.
A Yale study found that child masking in child care programs reduced closure rates by 13-14%. Child masking was associated with a lower risk of COVID-19-related closures, keeping children in safe learning environments and allowing parents to remain employed. Masking rates were higher for staff members than children.
A national survey of over 2,000 adults aged 50-80 found that most support steps to reduce firearm injury risk, including safety counseling and background checks. The study highlights opportunities to help older adults recognize and address risks in their homes, particularly for those living with children or experiencing cognitive decline.
A new UBC study confirms that men are at increased risk of mental illness, including anxiety and depression, when they transition out of relationships. The study found that men often downplay issues in their relationships, leading to further conflict, and may turn to substances to cope with feelings such as anger and regret.
A virtual reality 'Shopping Task' has been developed to measure cognition and assess age-related decline. The study found that the immersive environment engaged key brain structures, including the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex.
A national survey reveals that over 85% of primary care practices struggle to access pediatric medication advice and evidence-based psychotherapy. Policy changes may be necessary to address these barriers and improve child behavioral health treatment.
Researchers have identified 15 biological markers that can predict severe depression in pregnant women with 83% accuracy. This finding has the potential to improve prenatal care and reduce depressive symptoms in mothers.
Technology-facilitated abuse is common among young men in the US, with 38% reporting experiences in the last year. Primary care doctors are urged to adapt intimate partner violence screening tools for male patients, including technology-facilitated abuse assessment.
Researchers analyzed over 60 million GitHub posts to find that developers who don't use emojis are three times more likely to drop off the platform. Emoji usage patterns varied among developers, but were associated with factors like work type and time management.
The University of West Virginia leads a global initiative to integrate behavioral and social sciences into oral health promotion, aiming to reduce dental disparities and inequities. The effort involves innovative technologies like apps and smartphones to increase access to dental care.
A recent study tracked shifting mental health signals across eight Australian cities using machine learning and spatial mapping. Researchers found a shift from pessimism early on to increased optimism in the middle phase, before returning to pessimism in the later phase.
A national study by Boston Children's Hospital found that primary care practices caring for children reported significant difficulties in obtaining behavioral health services. The study, published in Annals of Family Medicine, highlights the pressing need for mental health support in children and adolescents.
A new study by Georgia State University reveals that COVID-19 traumatic stress may predict post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, especially in individuals with a history of past trauma. The findings showed a positive association between COVID-19 traumatic stress and PTSD symptoms across racial groups, except for Asian Americans.
A new Penn State study found that Black youth with high BMIs reported fewer weight concerns when they had a strong sense of racial identity. Fathers also played a role in shaping their daughters' body image, particularly when involved in teaching about Black culture. The findings suggest that services promoting youth racial identity an...
A large multi-year study found that 21.8% of US children have one or more common mental, emotional, and behavioral health conditions. Relational and social risks were associated with a fourfold range in rates of mental health problems among US children.
A randomized controlled trial of combinatorial pharmacogenetics testing found no significant improvement in depressive symptoms among adolescents with depression. However, the study suggests that testing results may influence physician decision-making and could be useful in specific cases where individual gene-drug pairs impact clinica...
Researchers at Virginia Tech found that people with 'slow' life-history strategies, focusing on future rewards, exhibited positive behaviors and were more likely to be in remission. In contrast, those with 'fast' life-history strategies, prioritizing immediate rewards, faced greater challenges during recovery.
A new study by the Mental Health and Climate Change Alliance found that climate change weather events, such as last summer's Western North American heat dome, significantly increased anxiety levels among British Columbians. The researchers used a validated measurement tool to explore the impacts of extreme heat on mental health in Canada.
A study of 3,733 veterans found that most aspects of their health and broader well-being worsened over the first three years after leaving military service. Women veterans particularly faced declines in health and well-being, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support services.
Analytical and intelligence professionals in police forces reported feeling anxious and exhausted while working with traumatic material during the pandemic. Additional support is needed to manage working from home or commuting into work, according to new research.
A new 16-question self-report form, F-SIM16, assesses someone's level of social inclusion and can lead to more targeted and personalized care. The measure has been recognized for its strong theoretical foundation and input from people with lived experience of mental ill-health.
A team of NTU Singapore scientists has developed a predictive computer programme using wearable technology data to detect depression risk. The programme, Ycogni model, achieves an accuracy of 80% in detecting individuals at high or low risk of depression.
Researchers from Germany and UK found that civic engagement has little impact on well-being, despite common assumptions. Non-political engagement in old age showed a small positive effect on life satisfaction, but other benefits were limited.
A study by Rutgers University found that people with moderate or greater depressive symptoms are more likely to believe false statements about COVID-19 vaccines, with 29.3% of those affected supporting misinformation compared to 15.1% of unaffected individuals.
The study found a significant increase in mental health visits among Ontario physicians, with female physicians having higher rates than male physicians. The expansion of virtual care options may have contributed to this trend, as it reduced barriers to seeking care.
Physician health care visits for mental health and substance use skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Ontario-based doctors reporting a significant association between the outbreak and these changes.
Researchers found that people who were in a sad mood improved more quickly when they used a mood-improving method that they were told was their strongest skill. This approach helped participants regain confidence and persistence, leading to better results.
A new study found that resilience is linked to improved sexual health and overall well-being in menopausal women. Women with higher resilience scores had better quality of life during the menopause transition.
A landmark VA study found that prolonged exposure was statistically more effective than cognitive processing therapy in easing PTSD symptoms, with most Veterans showing meaningful improvement from both treatments. The researchers recommended shared decision-making between clinicians and patients to select their preferred treatment.
British households that normally buy more alcohol saw a 17-fold increase in purchases, while those in socially disadvantaged locations also boosted their buys. Overall alcohol purchases didn't change after COVID-19 lockdowns, but sales data suggest an rise in alcohol-related problems.
A recent study from Texas A&M University found that repeated exposure to major disasters can lead to reduced mental health scores, with cumulative impacts being more significant. The study highlights the need for public health interventions targeting individuals and communities affected by hazards.
Researchers found that women who experienced childhood sexual abuse developed blunted cortisol profiles, associated with health problems like depression and anxiety. Epigenetic age acceleration also contributed to these effects. The study aims to understand resilience to trauma and develop interventions for those affected.
A new study found that nature exposure removes negative body image triggers and strengthens coping mechanisms, promoting healthy thought processes and realistic appraisals of body image threats.
A study found that the first day of quitting smoking is harder for women than men, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Women also have more difficulty maintaining long-term abstinence, with larger health warning labels on cigarette packs associated with reduced odds of one-day relapse among them.
A recent study found that consuming traditional forms of media, such as books and music, has negligible effect on anxiety and happiness levels in adults. However, engaging with newer types of media, like social media and video games, was linked to lower happiness and higher anxiety levels.
A study published in Developmental Psychology found that short Taekwondo courses improved primary school children's self-regulation and reduced symptoms of conduct disorders. The classes were well-received by pupils and led to higher levels of value placed on self-control, according to the researchers.
Researchers found that psilocybin doses of 10mg or 25mg administered simultaneously to up to six participants had no adverse effects. The study also showed promise for treating treatment-resistant depression and PTSD.
A new study by National Jewish Health finds that adjusting school start times can benefit parents' sleep, particularly those with children in middle and high school. Parents reported improved sleep duration and reduced daytime fatigue after the start time adjustments.
The January issues of American Psychiatric Association journals feature new research on the factors underlying alcohol and cannabis use, as well as their interactions with other psychiatric illnesses. The journals also address disparities in coercive treatment for psychosis and provide insights into mental health services delivery.
A Kaiser Permanente study shows that well-designed depression screening programs can effectively identify patients in need of behavioral health care and increase referrals. The program was successfully integrated into the patient care workflow of medical oncology teams, leading to improved mental health care for breast cancer patients.
A new interdisciplinary treatment method has shown significant improvements in reducing overeating episodes and emotional issues among individuals with morbid obesity. The treatment combined mental health care with somatics, resulting in a nearly 30% reduction in overeating episodes and improved emotional well-being.
Researchers link wu-wei, a practice of non-doing or non-striving, to improved focus and flow states in athletes. By adopting wu-wei, athletes can achieve extraordinary performance without feeling like they're exerting effort.
Research found marked decreases in orphanhood, especially double orphanhood, among adolescents in Rakai, Uganda, corresponding with the rise of antiretroviral therapy and male medical circumcision. The study suggests that HIV combination prevention reduces mortality among adults and orphanhood among their adolescent children.
A recent study by Xuedi Li and colleagues found that excessive screen time was associated with increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research suggests that parents should monitor their child's screen use to mitigate potential mental health effects.
A study found that schools account for only 2.4% of variation in social-emotional-behavioral difficulties, depressive symptoms, and well-being among 11-14 year olds. School climate was associated with mental health, despite its small impact.
A recent study of 5,000 older adults in England found that levels of depression, loneliness, and poor quality of life increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study suggests that the pandemic's impact on mental health continues to worsen over time.
A survey study found links between problematic smartphone use and low sense of control, fear of missing out (FOMO), and repetitive negative thinking during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study suggests that physical activity and mindfulness practices may help reduce such use.
Scientists have discovered recently evolved regions in the 'dark genome' that code for proteins associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These protein biomarkers could help distinguish between the two conditions and identify patients at risk of psychosis or suicide.
A global survey of 10,000 children and young people found that nearly half report feeling anxious and distressed due to government inaction on climate change. The study concludes that governments must take collective action to protect the mental health of young people by addressing climate change.
A US study found that stigma surrounding depression decreased significantly over two decades, while stigmas towards other mental health disorders remained stagnant or even increased. The research suggests that anti-stigma efforts can lead to more progressive attitudes and improved support for those with mental illness.
A new study found that children and adolescents with persistent high levels of anxiety are more likely to develop psychosis in their early 20s. Treating early anxiety by targeting stress hormones and non-resolving inflammation during childhood and teenage years could help prevent young adults from developing psychosis.
Research by University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio scientists found that mice missing one copy of the Tbx1 gene exhibit slower cognitive processing. The gene's deletion led to diminished myelin insulation around nerves, impacting signal conduction between brain regions.