Research on psychological wellbeing and how to protect it. Covers depression and anxiety, stress, cognitive-behavioral programs, screening, and the effects of exercise.
Researchers find that a high-fat diet during pregnancy alters brain and endocrine system development in offspring, leading to anxiety and depression. A control group showed no such effects.
A study of preoperative patients for rhinoplasty found that poor mental well-being and low self-esteem are associated with poorer perceptions of nasal function. Patients with good mental health reported better nasal function, regardless of body dysmorphic concerns.
A University of Guelph-Humber funded study found that a strong ethno-cultural identity and connection to the land are significant factors in positive mental health outcomes. The Cree community showed lower rates of depression, suicide, and mental illness despite shared history of trauma.
Research by American Psychological Association finds that people who think they're less active than peers have a greater chance of dying younger. The study controlled for actual activity levels and found a significant correlation between perceived physical activity and mortality.
A new study by Harvard University suggests that reducing insurance coverage for mental health treatment leads to increased costs for the most severely ill, as they turn to acute and involuntary care. The reform also resulted in a decrease in regular mental health care usage, but with a significant increase in acute care usage among tho...
A new study found that arts-based group participation boosts positive emotions in both healthy adults and those with mental health conditions. This effect is short-lived, while improved emotional regulation lasts throughout the day.
The Gulf Research Program and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awarded $10.8 million to support four projects enhancing community resilience in Louisiana and Alabama. The projects will increase understanding of community attributes influencing resilience and develop tools for strengthening community capacity.
A new study found that women working in 'breastaurants' are more likely to experience anxiety and disordered eating due to the revealing uniforms. The study also revealed that female servers felt they had less power and control at work.
A study of 224 Australian children aged between 5 and 11 found their psychosocial development, mental health, and well-being were comparable to those in the general Australian population. The study also revealed that mothers' physical and mental health appeared better than average.
A recent study published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health found that face-to-face bullying is considerably more common than cyberbullying among English teenagers. Nearly 30% of all teenagers reported experiencing some form of regular bullying, with girls being more likely to experience traditional bullying.
A recent study found that care farming significantly improved veterans' mental well-being by increasing life satisfaction in three participants and optimism about future life satisfaction in two. The program also reduced perceived loneliness in two participants.
The university is developing a technology-based parent-training program with a goal of addressing young children's challenging behaviors. The project aims to create a system that can be accessed in healthcare settings and online, facilitating the creation and evaluation of a wider-reaching training program.
A survey of newly covered Michigan residents reveals that expanded Medicaid improved their job performance, allowing them to better do their jobs or seek new opportunities. The coverage also had a positive impact on physical and mental health, with nearly half of participants reporting an improvement in health.
A recent study from the University of Michigan and Dartmouth found that over half of opioid prescriptions are written for adults with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. The research highlights the concerning trend of vulnerable patients with mental illness being prescribed opioids.
The guidelines, endorsed by Canadian medical and public health organizations, offer concrete recommendations to mitigate the risks of cannabis use. They address key areas such as abstaining from cannabis, mitigating risks for young Canadians, and harm reduction strategies.
A University of Alberta pilot program taught important lessons in maintaining good mental health to over 6,000 youth in Red Deer schools. The EMPATHY program significantly lessened cases of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
A new RAND Corporation report finds that quantifying cost savings from California's Proposition 47 is challenging due to lack of infrastructure and data tracking. Researchers recommend establishing better performance metrics to examine the impact of reforms on workloads and services.
A recent study published in The Lancet Psychiatry reveals a significant drop in physical assaults following the introduction of a smoke-free policy at a psychiatric hospital. The researchers found that smoking within hospitals often leads to worsening mental health and increased violence, but their findings challenge this assumption.
The Child Mind Institute has released a comprehensive open dataset from the Healthy Brain Network study, featuring behavioral and cognitive assessments, brain imaging, genetics, and more. This dataset will enable researchers to identify biomarkers for childhood mental health disorders and develop new diagnostic tools.
A new study found that 17 physical health conditions are associated with an increased risk of suicide, with traumatic brain injury and sleep disorders representing a greater than twofold increase. Targeted interventions in primary care and specialty care may be key to preventing suicides.
FSU researchers found that viewing plus-size models improves women's psychological health by reducing social comparisons and increasing body satisfaction. Women paid more attention, remembered more, and reported higher levels of satisfaction when exposed to average and plus-size models compared to thin models.
The Gerontological Society of America and New America Media have selected 18 journalists to participate in the Journalists in Aging Fellows Program. The fellows will focus on producing in-depth stories on aging issues such as disparities in hospice access, mental health treatment for African Americans, and isolation of older adults in ...
A large research study reveals that older people are not being referred for mental health support nearly as frequently as their younger counterparts. Despite this, studies have shown that older people may benefit the most from 'talk therapies', with over three-quarters of people around the age of 64 experiencing significant clinical im...
ECHO Autism program trains primary care providers to diagnose and manage autism spectrum disorders, improving confidence and access to care for children with autism in rural areas. The program's expansion aims to bridge gaps in healthcare for underserved communities worldwide.
A University of Waterloo study of 1170 adults aged mid-40s to mid-70s found that those closer to their chronological age reported lower quality sex lives. Feeling younger at heart was associated with increased interest in sex, particularly for middle-aged and older individuals.
Living in a city significantly increases young people's vulnerability to psychotic experiences, with British adolescents raised in major cities being over 40% more likely to report such experiences. Adverse neighbourhood conditions, crime, and social factors were key contributing factors.
The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute has awarded grant funding to 14 Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire providers to improve care delivery and reduce costs. The grants focus on innovative practices in substance use management, medication adherence, and behavioral health integration.
Researchers found a strong link between loneliness and poor sleep quality in a study of over 2,000 British young adults. Lonelier individuals were more likely to experience daytime dysfunction and disrupted sleep.
A large international study of over 3.2 million people with severe mental illness found a substantially increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease compared to the general population. People with SMI have a 53% higher risk and an 85% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
Research by University of Sussex links chronic physical illnesses in childhood to depression and anxiety in adulthood. The study found that individuals with childhood chronic conditions were at increased risk of developing mental health issues later in life.
A study found that UK care workers' understanding of their role and job control are significant workplace hazards. Despite this, zero-hours contracts did not significantly influence employee wellbeing, but employees with these contracts had greater levels of engagement in their jobs.
A new interactive website, Balance Retraining, has been developed to help people with dizziness carry out vestibular rehabilitation exercises via the web. The site provides personalized feedback and advice, and has shown promising results in reducing dizziness symptoms amongst adults aged 50 and above.
A recent meta-analysis found that suicidal thoughts and attempts among transgender adults were significantly higher than in the general public. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to support these at-risk populations. The analysis included data from 42 studies published over 19 years.
A new study from Duke University found that adolescents already at risk for mental health issues face increased attention, behavior, and self-regulation problems when using technology. However, excessive digital device use was also linked to fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety.
A new study found that 53% of NHS patients who recovered from depression and anxiety experienced relapses within a year after treatment. Patients with residual depression symptoms were twice as likely to relapse, highlighting the need for long-term monitoring and support.
A new study develops a tool to catalog police and law enforcement interactions with black men, finding that discrimination is associated with depression symptoms. The Police and Law Enforcement Scale can help document bias and provide greater insight into how institutionalized racism shapes the health of people in black communities.
Research from the University of Liverpool found that female fashion mannequin body sizes are representative of severely underweight women, promoting unrealistic body ideals. The study suggests that altering mannequin size can help reduce emphasis on extreme thinness and challenge unhealthy beauty standards.
A new study by BYU social work professor Kevin Shafer finds that a father's depression can have a direct effect on both internalized and externalized behavioral problems in adolescents. In contrast to maternal depression, which affects children more subtly, a dad's depression impacts kids with heightened anger and aggression.
A new study reveals a significant increase in telemedicine visits for mental health disorders in rural areas, with an average 45% jump per year between 2004 and 2014. However, the distribution of these services is uneven across states, with some having no visits in 2014.
Researchers developed ERPonline to help people with bipolar disorder recognize and respond to early warning signs of relapse. Accessing the online tool was associated with improved beliefs about mood and increased monitoring of early warning signs compared to non-users.
A national survey by Michigan State University found that less than half of Americans can recognize anxiety, and nearly 8 in 10 do not recognize prescription drug abuse as a treatable problem. The survey aims to educate health officials and policymakers on where to target prevention efforts for major societal issues.
A new study found that food insecurity is associated with poorer mental health and specific psychosocial stressors across global regions. Nearly one in three individuals experience common mental disorders, which may be exacerbated by food insecurity's impact on nutrition and social norms.
A Canadian survey reveals that street racers are five times more likely to have crashed their vehicle within a year. The study found that street racers are more likely to be single, young men who drive after using alcohol or marijuana. This correlation remains true even when adjusting for other variables such as age and driving distance.
A new study by SDSU researchers found that providing brief behavioral therapy in pediatric primary care settings can significantly improve anxiety and depression symptoms among young people. Latino youth saw the most significant improvement, with over three-quarters showing improvement.
Pacific Islanders face significant mental health disparities due to cultural taboos, stigma, and lack of information about resources. A new two-year study led by UC Riverside's Andrew Subica aims to develop culturally attuned interventions to promote engagement in mental health services.
Personalized Medicine in Psychiatry aims to increase treatment efficacy and reduce adverse effects by considering individual patient characteristics. The journal will publish research on endophenotypes, pharmacologic approaches, and education, with the goal of identifying predictors of response and tailoring treatments.
A new study published in the journal Addiction suggests that cannabis use is associated with a lower risk of psychosis than previously believed. For patients with schizophrenia, cannabis exacerbates symptoms. Regulation of cannabis markets could help reduce health risks, particularly when combined with tobacco use.
A study by NYU Langone Health found that 3.4% of US adults suffer from serious psychological distress, with 9.5% lacking health insurance and 10.5% experiencing delays in getting professional help. The research suggests a worsening mental health crisis despite increased access to care since the ACA.
A study of California Medicaid recipients with severe mental illness found low cervical cancer screening rates, with only 20.2% screened compared to 42.3% in the general population. Younger women and those from minority groups had higher screening rates, but there was still a significant disparity in cervical cancer development risk.
A study identified 26 new genes linked to intellectual disability, significantly affecting patients' health and lifespan. The research adds to the growing knowledge of brain development and functioning, potentially leading to personalized treatments for affected individuals.
A Duke University study found that individuals with multiple forms of mental illness exhibit differences in the cerebellum and pons brain regions. These findings suggest that targeting common mechanisms or risk factors could lead to better treatment outcomes.
The study will examine how healthcare services are delivered to people on probation and identify ways to improve health outcomes and reduce recidivism. By analyzing existing data and conducting surveys, the researchers aim to develop evidence-based guidelines for better healthcare commissioning in this vulnerable population.
A new study demonstrates that gender dysphoria in individuals with coexisting psychotic disorders can be adequately diagnosed and safely treated with gender affirming therapies. The research offers recommendations for overcoming challenges in diagnosis and treatment of this patient population.
A balance test that stimulates part of the brain with cold water has shown promising results in improving insight into illness in people with schizophrenia. The study found that cold water in one ear increased patients' awareness and insight into their condition, while cold water in the other ear worsened it.
A new study by James McIntosh suggests that early marijuana use can lead to negative impacts on physical and mental health, including cognitive impairment, memory loss, and increased risk of respiratory diseases. Young users who start using marijuana before the age of 15 are more likely to experience these effects.
The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) proposes a new classification system for mental disorders based on scientific evidence and illness symptoms. This approach addresses limitations of the DSM-5, such as unstable diagnoses and co-occurring disorders, by categorizing mental illnesses on a spectrum.
A nationwide study found that people bereaved by spousal suicide had a higher risk of developing mental health disorders, physical disorders, and suicidal behaviors compared to those bereaved by other manners of death. This study highlights the need for proactive outreach and support mechanisms for individuals bereaved by spousal suicide.
A new study finds that veterans with substance use disorders, especially those who also have mental health conditions, are at a higher risk of suicide. Women veterans with opioid misuses have a particularly high rate of suicide, more than five times that of their peers.
Research by the University of Warwick found that improving sleep quality leads to optimal physical and mental wellbeing, with positive changes linked to improved scores on psychological wellbeing tests. The study suggests that working on better sleep could be an effective public health strategy.
A study published in The Lancet Public Health found that DACA-eligible individuals were 50% less likely to report symptoms consistent with major depression. This suggests that increased access to the US labor market and improved economic prospects contributed to reduced levels of depression among these individuals.