Research on psychological wellbeing and how to protect it. Covers depression and anxiety, stress, cognitive-behavioral programs, screening, and the effects of exercise.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine developed a shortened 7-item version of the SD-WISE-28 to assess wisdom. The Jeste-Thomas Wisdom Index has high validity and positive correlations with resilience, happiness, and mental well-being.
A meta-analysis of 17 controlled studies found Wraparound Care Coordination significantly reduces out-of-home placements, improves mental health functioning and school outcomes, and lowers overall care costs. The study also shows more positive effects for youth of color.
A new study by UCL researchers found that people's motivation to seek information falls into three categories: expected utility, emotional impact, and frequency of thought. Those who prioritize these factors tend to seek information more, with better mental health reported by those seeking info on frequently thought-about topics.
A new report from Portland State University aims to improve mobility and quality of life for older adults by developing forms of assistance and educational strategies. The study found that low-income older adults faced significant barriers to transportation, including fear of public transit during the pandemic lockdowns.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology found a significant increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among girls and young women in western Kenya, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers attribute this rise to increased stress-related changes in the vaginal microbiome.
A new study found a dramatic increase in people with co-occurring mental health needs and substance use disorders in B.C. prisons, reaching 75% of the prison population. The study calls for more treatment and efforts to address social and structural inequities.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Board approved funding for nine new comparative clinical effectiveness research studies addressing various health conditions. These studies focus on telehealth and mobile health strategies, reducing disparities in maternal health, and improving care for people with intellectual a...
A study found significant declines in daily steps and increases in clinical depression risk among college students one year into COVID-19. Physical activity levels failed to return to pre-pandemic levels, while screen time remained higher than before.
A secondary analysis found a bi-directional relationship between mother's mental health symptoms and child's mental health symptoms, with parental stress as the mediating factor. The study suggests that lowering parental stress is vital for families where mothers and children exhibit symptoms of anxiety and depression.
A large-scale genome-wide association study has identified a region on chromosome 7 containing DNA variations that increase the risk of attempting suicide. The study found overlap between the genetic basis of suicide attempts and related psychiatric disorders, as well as non-psychiatric risk factors such as smoking and sleep disturbances.
A new conceptual model, the Burnout Dyad, recognizes that patients can also experience burnout, affecting clinical relationships and care quality. The model identifies patient factors as playing a role in provider burnout and proposes a collaborative approach to managing both patient and provider burnout.
A third of first-year university students experience moderate to severe depression or anxiety. Socializing and getting involved in student clubs is associated with a lower risk of developing symptoms and improving recovery rates. In contrast, increasing drug use heightens the risk of mental health issues.
A randomized controlled trial found that assistance dogs significantly improved wellbeing, mental health and independence for people with severe or profound hearing loss. Participants reported better mental well-being, fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression, and reduced social isolation.
A UK study found that children exposed to persistent poverty and poor parental mental health are at increased risk of socioemotional behavioral problems, cognitive disability, drug experimentation, and obesity. The analysis also identified six trajectories of poverty and family adversity, highlighting the need for interventions address...
The SAFER Families/Friends project aims to equip families and friends of 100 first responders with the skills they need to recognize stress signs and provide basic intervention. The project, led by RCSI, will explore how family members can best support their first responder's mental health while prioritizing self-care.
Researchers found that participants with moderate dementia performed better in cluttered environments, while those with mild and severe dementia showed no significant difference. The study suggests that adapting physical environments to suit individual needs may be more effective than de-cluttering in supporting people with dementia.
A new study found that Pediatric Mental Health Care Access (PMHCA) programs increased referrals from primary care providers to these programs, particularly for patients with mood and anxiety symptoms. PMHCA programs provide training, consultation, and resource-referral support to PCPs, increasing children's access to mental health care.
Scientists at Kobe University have successfully generated testosterone-producing Leydig cells from human iPS cells, a significant step towards developing a regenerative medicine treatment for late-onset hypogonadism. The induced cells expressed genes specific to Leydig cells and produced functional testosterone.
The study found that 43% of adults aged 50 or older experienced moderate or high levels of depressive symptoms at the beginning of the pandemic, which increased over time. Loneliness was the most significant predictor of worsening depressive symptoms.
Researchers found that pupils with mental and neurodevelopmental disorders or who self-harm are more likely to miss school, indicating potential indicators of current or future poor mental health. The study highlights the importance of integrated school-based and healthcare strategies to support young people's engagement with education.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs using psychedelics to treat mental illnesses such as addiction, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Studies have found that these substances can induce profound effects on perception, behavior, and gene expression, with long-lasting epigenomic changes detected in mice.
Forced family separation on the US-Mexico border led to a high incidence of PTSD, depressive, and anxiety disorders in asylum-seeking children and parents. Reunification did not alleviate these symptoms, highlighting the need for continued support and intervention.
A study of 2,800 Italian healthcare workers found a significant decrease in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 14 months after the COVID-19 pandemic began. The study suggests that healthcare workers have begun to recover from the emotional toll of working during the pandemic.
A large-scale study of over 3,100 ECT sessions found no cases of permanent impairment, only three life-threatening events that were resolved with medical interventions. The researchers argue that ECT should be used in controlled settings by experienced teams to benefit more patients.
A study of 2.5 million people found lower COVID-19 infection rates among those with schizophrenia and mood disorders, but higher death rates. The analysis suggests that underlying mental health conditions may impact COVID-19 outcomes.
A new index ranks US states based on their support for successful aging across five domains: productivity, security, equity, cohesion, and well-being. The study found that no single domain drives the results, and state policies play a significant role in adapting to an aging population.
A UBCO study found that psychedelic microdosing significantly reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults. The study, which followed over 8,500 participants from 75 countries, suggests that microdosing can be a valuable tool for mental health treatment.
A new study found that 20.2% of participants reported avoiding healthcare during the pandemic, with those who are most likely to be affected being older individuals and those with low perceived health. The study calls for targeted public education to urge vulnerable citizens to seek medical attention.
A new study from the University of South Australia is investigating the benefits of a unique sport called RaceRunning for children with cerebral palsy. The research aims to assess the impact on physical, social, and mental health, finding improvements in muscle strength, mobility, and participation in sporting activities.
Research found that people who rated their sleep as poor also felt older and had a more negative perception of their ageing. This study suggests that addressing sleep difficulties could promote a better perception of ageing and have other health benefits.
A new UNLV research study found that remote work technology exacerbated stress and mental health issues among working mothers with children. The study suggests that asynchronous communication methods like email may be more effective in alleviating stress, while synchronous forms like video chats and texting can hinder multitasking.
A new study at UMass Amherst found that different psychotherapists use common treatment processes to varying benefits for patients. Personalizing clinical training to therapists' unique strengths and weaknesses may enhance training outcomes.
A new study found that employee engagement with health and wellbeing programmes is associated with better co-worker relationships, reduced bullying, and improved job satisfaction. The research suggests that even senior managers' commitment to these initiatives has a positive impact on employees' social relationships.
A new study led by scientists at Mount Sinai highlights the role of rare genomic differences in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) risk. The research found that about 10% of the risk for OCD is attributed to rare genomic variations, which were not seen in previous studies.
A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that adults with ADHD are four times more likely to experience generalized anxiety disorder. Factors associated with GAD among those with ADHD include being female, having a lower income, and a history of major depressive disorder.
A study of 8-12 year olds reveals that media multitasking is associated with worse mental health outcomes, while videogaming shows a positive correlation. The research highlights the importance of balancing screen time with other activities for children's overall well-being.
Children of depressed parents are more likely to develop depression and poor academic performance, according to a new study published in PLOS ONE. The study found that both maternal and paternal depression have significant effects on children's mental health and educational outcomes.
A new study found that children with persistent, distressing PLEs show impaired cognition, higher levels of psychopathology, and delayed developmental milestone achievement compared to those without these experiences. The researchers highlight the need for early intervention and support for youth who report these experiences.
A new study found that stable routines including exercise, hobbies, and face-to-face contact helped maintain a good mood during the pandemic. However, excessive screen time and social media usage had negative effects on participants' moods.
A Rutgers study found that maternal depression in the year following childbirth is associated with increased risk of short-term and long-term household economic insecurity. Women who experienced depression were more likely to be unemployed and experience financial hardship up to 15 years later.
A fully remote randomized controlled trial found that a smartphone app called CORE reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and improved recovery in people with serious mental illness. The app provided daily game-like exercises to help users reassess their beliefs and adopt healthier thought patterns.
A new study by the American Psychological Association found that gay and bisexual men who move from high-stigma to low-stigma countries experience a significantly lower risk of depression and suicidal thoughts. The research analyzed data from over 123,000 participants across 48 countries.
A retrospective cohort analysis found that an algorithm-based automated text messaging system saved lives and reduced mortality rates by 68% among patients with COVID-19. The system, called COVID Watch, used text messages to monitor symptoms and escalate patients to healthcare providers for further care.
Research suggests that using mirrors can decrease anxiety and body dissatisfaction in individuals with obesity. This mirror-based intervention aims to promote self-assessment and reflection, leading to behavioral changes.
A new study by Intermountain Healthcare finds that nearly 40% of patients reported new or continuing symptoms of depression during the pandemic. This increase in depression was associated with higher emergency department visits for anxiety and chest pain, highlighting the negative impact of the pandemic on physical and mental well-being.
Researchers analyzed a statewide survey in Pennsylvania to identify experiences of autistic individuals and their caregivers across interactions with the criminal justice system. Positive and negative experiences were reported, highlighting an increased risk for male autistic individuals with co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses.
A Kaiser Permanente study of over 20,000 participants found that people who exercised regularly and spent time outdoors during the pandemic reported lower levels of anxiety and depression. The study suggests that public health officials should encourage outdoor physical activity to maintain mental health during emergencies.
Researchers found a significant rise in Instagram posts with hashtags related to self-injury, with nearly 110,000 posts in December compared to 58,000 at the start of 2018. The study also showed a connection between self-injury and depression, as well as suicide, highlighting the need for effective coping strategies and online monitoring.
A study published in Journal for Healthcare Quality found that good performance on quality measures doesn't necessarily lead to improved symptoms and patient self-reported outcomes. The researchers suggest adding direct measures of patient improvement, such as symptom assessments, to enhance the current quality assessment framework.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that over half of surveyed healthcare workers reported PTSD symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of previous SARS experience. Healthcare workers with prior SARS experience showed lower scores of PTSD and depression, but this effect disappeared after correcting for other factors.
The MC3 program provides a lifeline for primary care providers in Michigan, connecting them with psychiatrists and behavioral specialists for consultation and training. This has led to improved diagnosis and care for young people with mental health concerns, including those who express suicidal thoughts or have harmed themselves.
A NIH study found that sexual identity intersects with gender, age, and race/ethnicity to compound suicide risk for some lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Rates of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts were higher among LGB adults compared to heterosexual adults across all demographic groups.
A UCLA study found that young adults experiencing discrimination are at a higher risk for short- and long-term behavioral and mental health problems. The study suggests that the effects of discrimination are connected to disparities in care and institutional discrimination, leading to inequities in diagnoses, treatment, and outcomes.
High air pollution exposure worsens COPD patients' quality of life, while living far from green spaces also reports negative effects. Access to blue and green spaces improves mental and physical health through increased physical activity.
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that individuals focused on their appearance are more prone to social physique anxiety, which leads to fear of negative evaluations and social distress in dating contexts. The research involved 501 young adults and discovered associations between body image attitudes and dating anxiety.
Low-risk gamblers in Massachusetts reported the majority of gambling harms, confirming the 'prevention paradox' phenomenon. The study suggests targeting public health efforts towards primary prevention to reduce community harm.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry reveals that older psychiatric patients are more likely to be restrained in non-emergency situations than younger adults. The research examined over 226,000 Ontario inpatient records and found a significant association between age, risk of falls, physical disability, and psychiatric symptoms...
A new machine learning-based algorithm has been developed to identify adolescents who have experienced suicidal thoughts and behavior. The algorithm, applied to a large dataset of survey responses from over 179,000 high school students in Utah, shows high accuracy in predicting individual adolescents at risk.
Researchers developed a method to image lithium in living cells, finding that neurons from bipolar disorder patients accumulate higher levels of lithium than healthy controls. This new tool could help optimize lithium dosage and improve treatment outcomes for patients with bipolar disorder.
A recent study published in Behavioral Sleep Medicine found that people who wake up, smoke, and return to sleep are more likely driven by stress than nicotine addiction. To help these smokers quit, researchers recommend addressing their psychological distress and developing treatments that go beyond nicotine dependence.