Articles tagged with Psychological Assessment
Research at Nagoya University suggests that individuals with higher autistic traits use labeling as a way to cope with uncertainty, reducing emotional stress. The study found a link between autistic traits and lower anxiety levels when people are able to put their feelings into words.
Dr. Dilek Colak's journey began with a childhood observation of a boy with mental illness, which inspired her to pursue a career in neuroscience. Her current work focuses on understanding autism and schizophrenia through the study of human brain organoids.
A study by Kelsie Forbush and colleagues used Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology to better understand how psychological conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder are connected. The findings suggest that HiTOP's symptom dimensions may support more precise, personalized mental health care.
New Flinders University research highlights the struggles faced by incarcerated veterans in Australia, citing a lifelong pattern of hardship, trauma, and missed support. The studies recommend steps for governments to take immediately to address these gaps and reduce re-offending.
A study published in Brain Medicine suggests autonomic dysfunction, particularly parasympathetic and sympathetic imbalances, contributes to depressive symptoms in patients unresponsive to conventional antidepressants. Low-dose medications targeting these imbalances may offer a new approach to treatment.
New research from the University of East London suggests that machine learning can improve the accuracy and nuance of personality tests like DISC assessment. Using over 1,000 participants, researchers achieved accuracy rates of over 93% in predicting personality types and identified four clear clusters with subtle overlaps.
A systematic review of social media platforms reveals that TikTok contains a substantial proportion of misleading information about mental health and neurodivergence, with higher rates of misinformation than other platforms. The study emphasizes the importance of credible sources and evidence-based content to combat spreading false ide...
Researchers found that patients with both conditions exhibited different neuropsychiatric symptoms, which could inform diagnosis and treatment plans. The study's findings may help clinicians better understand the complex disease course of patients with multiple disorders, including Alzheimer's and frontotemporal lobar degeneration.
Research presented at EAU26 confirms that prostate cancer screening leads to a reduction in mortality, but also detects cancers that would otherwise remain undetected. The study's findings suggest that using MRI in prostate cancer screening can reduce overdiagnosis and unnecessary biopsies.
The study found that wildfire exposure and its socioeconomic consequences were associated with increased psychological distress beyond the burn zone. Integrating mental health care, housing stability, and economic recovery are crucial for disaster response and climate resilience strategies.
Emerging research across conceptual frameworks, biomarker science, digital phenotyping, and artificial intelligence synthesizes a translational pathway toward a more biologically grounded and clinically useful approach to psychiatric diagnosis. The current system falls short due to standardized clinical language and lack of biological ...
A new study published in the Journal of Adolescence suggests that autonomy is not a single entity, but rather two distinct psychological experiences: autonomy satisfaction and autonomy frustration. These experiences steer adolescents toward markedly different academic and emotional outcomes. The research highlights the importance of re...
Researchers found that implanted cuff electrodes can trigger unintended nerve stimulation during MRI, causing discomfort or pain. The study recommends more refined guidelines and careful safety considerations to mitigate this risk.
A new study by Bournemouth University calls for faster autism diagnosis and tailored mental health support to reduce autistic people's suicidal thoughts and attempts. The research identified key priorities, including improving autism diagnostic services, tackling societal inequalities, and providing autism-specific support in crisis.
Dr. Ronald C. Kessler's decades-long research transformed international understanding of psychiatric disorders and suicide prevention. His work exposes the global scope of mental health challenges and highlights key factors in prevention.
Dissociation is a complex survival mechanism in response to overwhelming trauma, affecting memory, identity, and perception. Research confirms its prevalence among individuals who have experienced trauma, and effective dissociation-specific treatment options are needed.
UVA experts Bruce Greyson and Marieta Pehlivanova argue that the NEPTUNE model leaves many unanswered questions about near-death experiences. Despite its sophistication, the model selectively ignores scientific evidence and fails to address key aspects of NDEs.
Researchers at the University of Houston found that admitting intellectual errors can increase public trust in science. In a classroom setting, professors who admit mistakes were rated higher by students for warmth, competence, and teacher effectiveness. This study highlights the importance of intellectual humility in building respect.
New study finds psychosis delusions emerge from emotional experiences, bodily reactions, and linguistic fabric. Participants described intense emotional embodiment and disembodiment, with some experiencing positive feelings of awe and love.
Researchers at the University of Plymouth have successfully used transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) to change the function of a deep region of the human brain, specifically the nucleus accumbens. This tiny element is triggered by enjoyable experiences and helps us learn behaviours that lead to rewards.
A new study shows that AI-assisted interviews can diagnose mental illnesses with higher accuracy than traditional rating scales. The AI assistant Alba was able to differentiate between diagnoses that often overlap and received positive feedback from participants for its empathic and supportive user experience.
New University of Virginia research explores the most common and effective types of counseling and support for people who have had a near-death experience. The study found that acceptance and validation, as well as support from groups or online sources knowledgeable about NDEs, are key to successful support.
A new study reveals that autistic individuals identify loneliness, hopelessness, and feelings of worthlessness as key factors contributing to their suicidal thoughts. The research highlights the need for improved access to support services and reduced stigma within society.
Professor Gregor Hasler's pioneering research reveals how psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA enhance neuroplasticity, allowing the brain to rewire itself and break free from depression, PTSD, and addiction. His discoveries have the potential to fundamentally alter international approaches to mental health treatment.
Researchers envision AI-powered systems that identify patients at risk of mental health struggles, provide continuous psychological monitoring and tailor interventions. AI can also overcome barriers to mental health care by delivering support exactly where and when it's needed, including rural areas.
Victims of enforced disappearances experience prolonged uncertainty and ambiguous loss, leading to chronic depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Mental health professionals lack clear guidance on treating these cases, highlighting a need for evidence-based treatments and policy changes.
Research shows that the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires resulted in an estimated 440 excess deaths, while the 2023 Maui wildfires led to immediate increases in suicide and overdose deaths. Higher social support was linked to improved mental health outcomes but did not buffer physiological effects.
A cohort study reveals preterm individuals face increased mental health disorders and cardiometabolic issues compared to full-term peers. At age 35, these risks persist despite strong evidence linking preterm birth to long-term health consequences.
A study using AI language models analyzed sentiments and emotions expressed by almost 400 pediatric patients on social media, finding that 94% of comments were negative, with sadness and fear prevalent. The study highlights the need for integrated care approaches to support vulnerable young patients managing complex medical conditions.
A study of police organisations in Australia, New Zealand, England and Wales reveals rising levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related mental health challenges. The research identifies key trends and insights into how policing organisations can enhance support systems to balance job demands with adequate resources.
Researchers found that smartphone sensors can detect major forms of psychopathology. The study's results may lead to the development of symptom monitoring tools to fill gaps in current practice.
A comprehensive review reveals that early ECT sessions show substantial improvement, but subsequent sessions may lead to diminishing returns and cognitive side effects. The researchers propose a response-guided sequential treatment strategy, categorizing patients into three groups based on their response patterns.
Researchers found that specific combinations of personality traits can predict bipolar disorder outcomes, with certain styles raising and others lowering the risk of depression. The study used data from over 2,500 people with bipolar disorder and suggests a personalized approach to treatment planning.
A cross-sectional study found common experiences of gaslighting and substantial distress among patients with vulvovaginal disorders. The study emphasizes the need for education supporting a biopsychosocial approach to vulvovaginal pain, as well as the development of validated instruments to quantify patient experiences.
A new precision treatment approach for depression gives patients personalized recommendations based on multiple characteristics such as age and gender. The study, published in PLOS One, examined the outcomes of clinical trials involving over 10,000 patients to develop a clinical decision support tool.
A single dose of a psychedelic compound can enhance cognitive flexibility for weeks after administration, according to a groundbreaking study. Mice treated with the compound showed improved performance in reversal learning tasks compared to control groups when tested weeks later.
Researchers found that most people are open to their friends asking to join plans, but hesitate to self-invite due to concerns about offending others. The study's findings suggest that people tend to underestimate the likelihood of getting invited and overestimate how much others consider them.
A study from the University of California, Riverside, found that a smartphone app can subtly reshape a person's self-image at work. The app, called MindTAPP, uses associative conditioning to pair users with positive affirmations, leading to more favorable views of their workplace abilities and a heightened sense of self-efficacy.
Psychologists Abigail Fisher, Naomi Fisher, and Eliza Fricker argue that pushing children into school is not always the healthiest approach. They suggest creating psychologically healthy schools with holistic wellbeing-focused environments and utilising interventions that prioritize interest-based projects.
A new study by Reichman University explores the emotional consequences of using artificial intelligence, finding a U-shaped relationship between anxiety and AI usage. The research highlights the psychological motivations and barriers associated with adopting smart technologies.
A study by University of Cologne found that virtual reality videos increased feelings of being intensely involved in the narrative, leading to a stronger positive emotional affect and greater willingness to donate. This immersive experience was found to have a significant impact on personal attitudes and behavioral intentions.
A study in Japan found significant differences among hikikomori groups defined by the Japanese Cabinet Office and psychiatric criteria. The research highlights the need for caution when interpreting survey results and understanding the characteristics of the hikikomori population.
A study of top 100 ADHD TikToks found that fewer than half of claims about ADHD symptoms aligned with clinical standards. Young adults' perceptions of the informational value of these videos differed from those of psychologists, leading to a potential spread of misinformation.
A new study by University of B.C. researchers found that ADHD-related content on TikTok often misrepresents the disorder and can lead to misunderstandings. The study highlights the need for mental health professionals to engage with social media platforms like TikTok to provide accurate information.
A new analysis by UCLA Health finds that psychological prehabilitation can significantly enhance recovery after surgery, reducing hospital stays and pain. The study also found that psychotherapy-based interventions can lower anxiety and depression levels after surgery.
Dr. Nicholas Fabiano's research reveals exercise reduces suicide attempts but shows no connection to thoughts of suicide or deaths by suicide. His work proposes a paradigm shift in mental health treatment, suggesting exercise as a first-line treatment for depression.
Veterans with access to firearms, suicidal thinking, and history of mental health inpatient stays had highest risk of dying by suicide after receiving a CSRE assessment. The study found that even after going through the CSRE process, these veterans were more likely to die by suicide.
A Japanese version of the Esophageal Hypervigilance and Anxiety Scale has been developed and validated for clinical use in Japan. The scale, which evaluates symptom-specific hypervigilance and anxiety for esophageal symptoms, showed validity comparable to standardized mental and physical health surveys.
A new study published in Brain Medicine reveals that over 26.7% of schizophrenia patients experience distinct manic symptoms, which can be predicted by the severity of positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
People with musical anhedonia still derive pleasure from groovy tunes, and the urge to move appears to drive their experience of pleasure. Research found no differences in either pleasure or urge to move in anhedonics compared to controls, suggesting that the urge to move may itself generate pleasure.
A pilot study will explore whether a ketogenic diet helps stabilize mood symptoms in teens and young adults with bipolar disorder. Preliminary research suggests improvements in mood and executive function among older adults.
A groundbreaking study by University of Missouri researchers shows that embedded counseling services in veterinary programs lead to significant reductions in psychological distress among veterinary trainees. The study also highlights the critical role of mental health support in high-stress professional education, with implications for...
Research suggests that people with OCD have similar delay discounting and risk tolerance as neurotypical individuals, challenging previous theories about the condition's impact on decision-making. The study's findings may lead to more individualized interventions for OCD treatment.
A new study found that AI-generated empathetic responses were preferred over those from humans and expert crisis responders. The researchers suggest that AI can supplement human empathy, but should not replace it entirely due to potential biases and ethical concerns.
The USPSTF concludes that screening for osteoporosis can help prevent fractures in older women. However, the effectiveness of screening for men is unclear due to insufficient evidence.
Researchers found that participants who received early therapeutic interventions were significantly less likely to develop clinical depression within the first year. The interventions, which typically lasted six to twelve sessions, reduced symptoms and lowered the risk of depression by 42% in the first six months.
Emory University MD candidate Fayzan Rab's research investigates the economic and public health implications of psychedelic therapy implementation. His work emphasizes making these innovative treatments accessible to traditionally underserved communities.
A new study from the University of Waterloo found that people's preference for simple explanations mirrors their desire for efficient actions. The study discovered that individuals are more attracted to explanations involving common and reliable causes.
A recent study suggests that iconic animal characters can influence children's theory of mind skills, with younger children performing better on tests featuring animal characters. The research also highlights the importance of adapting educational activities to incorporate both human and non-human characters for optimal development.