Research on psychological wellbeing and how to protect it. Covers depression and anxiety, stress, cognitive-behavioral programs, screening, and the effects of exercise.
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.
A systematic review of youth helplines found that while they appear to be beneficial, there is limited evidence on their effectiveness, particularly for lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The study highlights the need for further research and tailored services to address systemic barriers to help-seeking.
Research reveals brief DBS exposure triggers significant brain state changes and sustained antidepressant response. A decrease in beta power is identified as a novel biomarker for DBS treatment optimization.
Researchers found that emotional, social, and psychological well-being in Ghanaian youth are closely tied to having healthy relationships with friends, family, and community. The study's findings suggest that programs promoting Positive Youth Development (PYD) principles could be effective in promoting positive mental health.
A new study published in Annals of Human Biology found that over two-thirds of university students experience poor sleep quality, which is linked to increased risk of depression and high stress levels. Women are more likely to suffer from inadequate sleep habits and excessive daytime sleepiness.
A new study found that around 1 in 4 medical doctors experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression during the pandemic, with female doctors and younger doctors more likely to be affected. The study also found a correlation between perceptions of workplace safety and mental health.
A nationwide US population-level study found that prior poor mental health at the county level had a positive and significant association with COVID-19 infection rates. Areas with greater vulnerability in poor mental health prior to the pandemic had a greater burden of COVID-19. The study used aggregated survey data from 2,839 US count...
A study of over 2000 participants found that time spent alone during the pandemic led to improved well-being scores, with 43% describing activities as a source of competence. Adults experienced disrupted well-being and negative mood less frequently than teenagers, highlighting the importance of solitude for mental health.
A new study found that adolescents in the US doubled their non-school related screen time to 7.7 hours a day during the pandemic, leading to increased depression and anxiety. The study also revealed that children of color and those from lower-income families spent more time on screens than their white, wealthier peers.
A review of current literature found irregular brain responses to challenging tasks and mistakes may be key to understanding links between abnormal behaviors in mental illness and cognitive disorders. Studies suggest that people with conditions like anxiety, OCD, and ADHD have different brain waves following mistakes compared to health...
A large-scale review of 65 studies found that mental health symptoms were comparable to pre-pandemic levels by mid-2020, with larger rises for depressive symptoms. Researchers suggest an acute response to the pandemic followed by psychological adaptation and resilience.
Researchers found that 44.3% of the Mbendjele BaYaka population had hazardous alcohol consumption, associated with mental and physical health harms like high blood pressure and increased diarrhoea rates. The study emphasizes the need for community involvement and socioeconomic changes to address the underlying drivers of poor health.
A new study based on data from SWAN found a significant longitudinal association between mild and moderate to severe vision impairment and subsequent depressive symptoms in midlife women. Early identification and correction of vision problems are crucial for preserving mental and physical health.
A new study suggests that genetic liability to various mental health conditions may affect an individual's choice of residence. The research found higher genetic risks for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in those who moved from rural to urban areas, while lower genetic risk was seen for ADHD in those who remained in rural areas.
A new study published in Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine found that playing high school football is not associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation or depression in young adulthood. In contrast, mental health difficulties in adolescence were strongly related to suicidality in young adulthood.
A new study by Kennedy Krieger Institute found that children with autism spectrum disorder are twice as likely to report suicidal thoughts during routine medical screenings. The study highlights the importance of implementing suicide risk screenings for all children, especially those with neurodevelopmental disorders.
A study of 750 UK women veterans found that a high proportion had experienced military adversity, including sexual harassment (22.5%), emotional bullying (22.7%), and physical assault (3.3%). These experiences were linked to various mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.
A new study found that COVID-19 can trigger severe psychiatric symptoms in adolescents, with anti-neural antibodies playing a potential role. Two patients with mild/asymptomatic COVID developed suicidal thoughts and paranoid fears, while another patient without prior psychiatric history recovered fully after treatment.
A new study found that most incarcerated individuals' in-prison experiences lessen their perceptions of procedural justice and fairness, regardless of the length of time served. The research used a nationally representative sample of over 31,000 adults and examined various in-prison experiences on inmates' perceptions of staff members'...
A national survey of over 7,000 US nurses found that they experience suicidal ideation at a rate nearly 1% higher than the general workforce, with 40% screening positive for depression and 33% exhibiting burnout symptoms. The findings highlight the need for urgent attention and system-based interventions to address nurse well-being
A study by a researcher at American University found that Massachusetts gun-control legislation had no immediate impact on reducing four types of violent crime, including murder, aggravated assault, and robbery. The study suggests that lawmakers should revisit their legislation to ensure it is being implemented as intended.
A new IU study finds that adults with substance use disorders who smoke cigarettes have nearly twice the rate of serious psychological distress compared to those without substance use disorder. The research emphasizes the importance of treating smoking, substance use, and mental health problems consistently.
Researchers investigated whether continued magnetic seizure therapy (MST) could effectively prevent the relapse of treatment-resistant depression. The study found that MST was associated with a lower relapse rate compared to earlier research assessing one-time, acute MST.
Research found that individuals with higher anxiety levels have altered perceptions of their breathing, reduced sensitivity to changes, and altered brain activity. This can lead to a negative cycle of emotions, creating even more anxiety. The study aims to improve treatment strategies by understanding how body perception affects anxiety.
A study of cross-cultural differences in COVID-19 knowledge and attitudes found that people in Europe and the US had the lowest knowledge and adherence to safety measures. In contrast, people in the Middle East and Asia were more aware of COVID-19 and took greater precautions.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that students who felt their university failed them during the pandemic were more likely to experience trauma symptoms. The authors analyzed data from a large group of undergraduate students and discovered a significant association between institutional betrayal and trauma symptoms.
A study published in Psycho-Oncology found that breast cancer patients with low resilience are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and poor health-related quality of life during chemotherapy. Patients with high resilience, on the other hand, were less likely to develop depression and reported better health outcomes.
Research by the American Psychological Association found that looking at memes about COVID-19 can help people cope with stress and anxiety. The study, published in Psychology of Popular Media, suggests that viewing just three memes can increase positive emotions and decrease stress levels.
UK military veterans are nearly 11 times more likely to be problem gamblers than non-veterans, leading to higher health and social care costs. The study found that veterans incurred substantially higher healthcare costs, including hospital stays, visits to GPs, and contact with social workers.
Researchers used machine learning on UK Biobank data to create proxy measures for brain age, intelligence, and neuroticism traits. These indirect measurements strongly correlate with specific diseases or outcomes, offering a potential solution for mental health diagnoses.
A new study by researchers at the University of Cambridge and the University of Sussex suggests that children who increased their connection to nature during the pandemic had lower levels of behavioural and emotional problems. The study found that nearly two-thirds of parents reported a change in their child's connection to nature, wit...
Researchers found four distinct brain activity profiles in trauma survivors that correlated with symptoms of anxiety and PTSD six months later. High reward reactivity was linked to increased symptoms of both conditions.
The CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy has received a nearly $2 million NIH grant to develop a multisectoral coalition to implement a community-wide collaborative care model to address mental health and socio-economic risks in Harlem. The initiative aims to close the mental health treatment gap for ethnic minoritie...
A recent study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that pandemic-related grief and depressive symptoms are associated with lower levels of mother-infant bonding. Higher self-efficacy and social support were also linked to better bonding outcomes, while anxiety symptoms were not a significant factor.
New research highlights the potential of telehealth to increase patient engagement through improved access and convenience. However, studies found limited evidence that telehealth results in better retention or outcomes compared to in-person treatment. Researchers emphasize the need for more empirical work to confirm its benefits.
Researchers found associations between 10 sleep measures and lifetime psychiatric diagnoses, with sleep efficiency most affected. The study used wrist accelerometer data from 89,205 individuals, providing detailed, objective sleep measurements at scale.
A study published in Annals of Surgery found that gender-affirming mastectomies significantly improved mental health measures, body image, and self-confidence in transmasculine patients. The procedures also led to increased satisfaction with appearance and social functioning.
A new study reveals that childhood adversity is a major contributor to early and preventable causes of mortality and long-term physical and mental health issues. Childhood adversity was found to be associated with elevated risk for chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer.
A systematic review of social media research identified 46 harmful effects, ranging from psychological harms like jealousy and loneliness to security and privacy issues. The study highlights the need for user moderation and software development strategies to mitigate these negative effects.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that people with mental illnesses have poorer sleep quality compared to the general population. The study analyzed data from 89,205 participants and discovered significant differences in sleep patterns, including increased waking frequency and duration.
A simple form of talking therapy, delivered by trained support workers over the telephone, reduced loneliness in older people left isolated during the pandemic. The intervention was found to improve mental health and reduce rates of loneliness substantially in the first three months.
New research from Rice University finds that working single mothers who feel in control of their schedules are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors during their downtime. A present-focused mindset also helps them maintain a sense of control as demands on their time increase.
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a stark increase in major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders worldwide, affecting 246 million cases globally in 2020. Women were disproportionately impacted, accounting for over 35 million additional cases, while younger people were also more severely affected.
The study found that deaths from COVID-19 among people with learning disabilities were nine times higher than the general population, while those with eating disorders saw a five-fold increase. The research highlighted the need to prioritize vaccination and physical health care for vulnerable groups during the pandemic.
A study of 104 transgender and non-binary youth found a 60% decrease in moderate and severe depression and a 73% decrease in suicidality after receiving puberty blockers or gender-affirming hormones. The study suggests that access to gender-affirming medical care is critical for ensuring the well-being of young people.
A study of 307 college students found that nearly 80% reported trouble concentrating, with 57.6% citing responsibilities at home as a barrier. Mental health issues were also prevalent, with 46.3% of respondents experiencing them.
A recent study published in British Journal of Psychiatry found that adolescents diagnosed with mental health disorders are more likely to be excluded from education and labor market for at least five years. The results highlight the importance of timely treatment and rehabilitation to prevent social exclusion.
A new study found that outdoor nature-based activities are effective for improving mental health in adults, including those with pre-existing mental health problems. Activities lasting 20-90 minutes sustained over 8-12 weeks led to improved mood and reduced anxiety.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that Black students are more likely to be suspended for minor infractions, harming their academic success. This bias in school discipline can damage students' perceptions of their school and lower their grades years later.
A new study found that healthcare workers, especially those under age 50 and women, experienced exceptionally high levels of stress during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers analyzed data from an international questionnaire and discovered that paramedical staff had even higher stress levels than medical doctors.
A new study surveyed 205 US college counselors, finding that institutional support and training time predict attitudes toward evidence-based practice. The study suggests that university counseling centers should facilitate a climate encouraging the use of EBPs to standardize care.
The NIH BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network has published an atlas of cell types and neuronal wiring diagram for the mammalian primary motor cortex, derived from detailed studies of mice, monkeys, and humans. This comprehensive resource provides a foundation for further study of cell types in the rest of the brain.
Researchers found a correlation between allergic diseases and mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, but cautioned that the link may not be causal. Future studies aim to explore potential treatments for both conditions.
Researchers investigated whether allergic diseases cause mental health conditions, finding little evidence of a causal relationship. The study used Mendelian Randomisation to identify genetic variants linked to allergies and mental health, but found no associations between the two.
A public health researcher at Georgia State University has received a federal grant to develop a mental health awareness training program for adults who interact with youth. The program aims to increase community capacity to identify mental health concerns and improve access to services.
The Rutgers-NYU Center for Asian Health Promotion and Equity aims to address significant disparities in the Asian community's relationship with heart health and mental health. The center will focus on cardiometabolic disease and mental health research to inform practice and policy at local, regional, and national levels.
A VUB researcher's study found that loneliness can be temporary and even provide opportunities for self-development, challenging the common view of loneliness as solely negative. The study also highlights the importance of addressing loneliness throughout one's life.
A new study found that depression rates among US adults tripled during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with those experiencing multiple stressors and lower incomes being disproportionately affected. The study used data from over 5,000 respondents to track changes in depression prevalence before and during the pandemic.
Researchers created a customized device that targets unique brain circuits associated with depression, providing immediate relief. The approach uses neural biomarkers to personalize therapy and has shown long-term efficacy in treatment-resistant patients.