Articles tagged with Psychological Assessment
A study of 578 mental health apps found that most offered basic features like psychoeducation and goal tracking, but fewer innovative features like biofeedback or specialized therapies. Privacy concerns remained a significant issue, with app popularity metrics providing little help in identifying more private apps.
A new study finds that discrimination influences the central and enteric nervous systems, altering the bidirectional signaling between the brain and gut microbiome. This leads to changes in systemic inflammation, emotional arousal, and psychological symptoms across different racial and ethnic groups.
A new study by City of Hope found that neuroendocrine cancer patients value overcoming pain, fatigue, or lack of function over prolonging life. Only half of the time do patients and doctors agree on treatment goals.
Scientists who engage in public outreach experience positive effects on their work, including increased motivation and competence. Interacting with non-expert audiences broadens specialized views and promotes communication between disciplines. The study highlights the benefits of science communication for researchers of all career stages.
A study led by Kyoto University researchers found that AI-generated haiku poems, created without human intervention, were often indistinguishable from those penned by humans. In contrast, human-AI collaboration produced more creative works.
A new Hikikomori Questionnaire has been developed to identify individuals with pathological social withdrawal at an earlier stage. The questionnaire evaluates socialization, isolation, and emotional support on a scale of 0-4, providing a tool for early detection and treatment of hikikomori.
Researchers found that eye movements reflect task engagement and goal pursuit, suggesting that gaze can be an indicator of attention state. The study used eye movement analysis to understand complex task processing, including the distinction between ambient and focal modes.
A meta-analysis of over 600,000 patients found that psychological distress assessed with brief questionnaires was associated with nearly a 30% greater risk of cardiovascular disease. The screening process can be easy and efficient for healthcare providers without significant psychology training.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science found that chronic social defeat stress (cSDS) induced mice showed higher intestinal transit ratio and visceral pain-related behaviors, similar to IBS. The study suggests that prolonged psychological stress can cause IBS-like symptoms in mice without intestinal lesions.
Researchers developed NETfacts to address severe trauma in communities, combining individual treatment with collective process. The results show that both NET and NETfacts significantly reduced posttraumatic stress disorder and depression, as well as stigma and violence.
Researchers tracked participants for almost 30 years and found a link between past exposure to intimate partner violence and future cardiovascular health. The study suggests that intimate partner violence is associated with a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure hospitalizations.
A new study found that psychological factors such as coping abilities play a significant role in individuals' risk or resilience to mental health disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Brain connectivity within specific brain networks also predicted individual vulnerability to anxiety and depression symptoms.
Research found that therapists with high warmth and competence can shape patients' expectations by inspiring more positive beliefs about the effectiveness of therapy. This study suggests that practitioners' characteristics, such as warmth and competence, can influence clinical outcomes.
A new study found that timely treatment of depression can reduce the risk of dementia by about 30% in certain patient groups. The study, published in Biological Psychiatry, analyzed data from over 350,000 participants and found that depression elevated the risk of dementia by 51%, but treatment reduced this risk. Those with increasing ...
A new study by UCL researchers found that talking therapies on the NHS can improve the mental health of people with dementia, with 63% experiencing a reduction in symptoms. The therapy proved clinically beneficial, even though response rates were lower than those without dementia.
Clinical psychologists need new ways to understand and confront the fear of losing control, which is an understudied construct. Adam Radomsky's research suggests that a deeper understanding of what leads to a client's choices can help therapists make better ones in the future.
A new study found an association between college student FoMO and maladaptive behaviors such as academic misconduct, drug and alcohol use, and breaking the law. Brief FoMO assessments may be valuable risk prediction tools for counselors assisting students in transition to college.
A study by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences found that babies with lower birth weights are more likely to experience mental health problems in childhood and adolescence. The research used data from the Growing Up in Ireland study, following the same children repeatedly throughout their childhood and adolescence.
A new study suggests that pretending to be a successful female scientist can increase young girls' persistence in science. Four- to seven-year-old girls who assumed the role of Marie Curie or another gender-matched scientist played longer and rated themselves higher than those in control groups.
A recent study published in Acta Oncologica found that young women who have had cancer are at a higher risk of experiencing sexual problems, including loss of libido and intimacy issues. The study, which surveyed nearly 700 women, suggests that the type and intensity of cancer treatment can influence a patient's sex life.
A new study by University of Waterloo researchers found that shelving long-term goals during the pandemic reduces anxiety and depression. Participants reported greater psychological distress with more COVID-frozen goals, highlighting the importance of disengaging from unattainable objectives.
A new study from Dartmouth College found that specific intensities of exercise over a long period are associated with different aspects of memory and mental health. Participants who exercised at moderate intensities performed better on episodic memory tasks, while those who exercised at high intensities did better on spatial memory tasks.
A survey study of 2,500 reservation-area American Indian youth found that COVID-19 affected their physical health and mental well-being. The study highlights the need for culturally sensitive interventions to address the unique challenges faced by this population during the pandemic.
A new study found that young Swiss military personnel with confirmed Covid-19 infections experienced symptoms like fatigue, reduced sense of smell, and psychological problems for up to 180 days. Long-term effects included increased BMI, high cholesterol, and lower physical stamina, suggesting a higher risk of metabolic disorders and ca...
A majority of early career scientists from underrepresented backgrounds experience psychological distress due to social unrest caused by systemic racism. However, the study found that mentoring relationships have a positive impact on their well-being.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst psychologist is using a $428,000 NIH grant to develop a home-based system that tracks preschoolers' tantrums and predicts mental illness risk. The system uses wearable devices and machine learning algorithms to identify high-risk children and provide critical information to parents.
A study found that 47% of parents meeting criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, compared to 12% of children with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. The trauma triggered by a child's heart problems can affect the entire family.
Researchers discovered that face centering, not saliency, plays a key role in guiding attention to faces in videos as people age. The findings have implications for children's television programming and the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
A study by Tel Aviv University researchers found a unique oral microbiotic signature in the saliva of veteran soldiers with PTSD, which may help diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder objectively. The study also showed that people with PTSD exhibit the same picture of bacteria in their saliva as those who have experienced combat stres...
The study suggests that COVID-19's direct mortality effects on children may be comparable to the magnitude of indirect outcomes from gun violence. The authors noted a possible increase in gun-related deaths among children due to factors like psychological and economic strain during the pandemic.
Researchers created a new scale to assess how safe patients feel, dividing it into three sub-scales: Social Engagement, Compassion, and Bodily Sensations. The Neuroception of Psychological Safety Scale (NPSS) has potential applications in tracking progress in psychological therapy or assessing hospital outcomes.
A study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older adults with high psychological resilience can walk faster and longer after hip surgery than those with low resilience. Researchers measured resilience through a questionnaire and assessed walking capacity at baseline and 16 weeks later.
Children with complex congenital heart defects are 5 times more likely to receive an anxiety diagnosis, highlighting the need for mental health assessment and treatment. For adults, 50% experience mood or anxiety disorders, underscoring the importance of integrated mental health care in CHD specialty teams.
A study found that multicolor lighting alleviated increase in anxiety and negative emotions caused by isolation and confinement. The researchers used Philips Hue Bluetooth wireless light bulbs to project colored light in an isolated room.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that people's perceptions of crime prevalence can significantly impact their legal judgments, with women and men holding different views on the frequency of certain crimes. The research emphasizes the importance of addressing these biases to ensure more informed verdicts.
Brazilian researchers surveyed 900 volunteers during the pandemic, finding that time expansion (feeling time passes slowly) was associated with loneliness and a lack of positive experiences. Time pressure (feeling time flies quickly) was also influenced by loneliness and stressful situations.
A study published in Psychological Science found that our brains treat some emotions as wrong and react as if there was an error. The research, conducted by Ben-Gurion University psychologists, used experiments to assess emotion responses and discovered similarities between counter-normative emotion reports and perceptual errors.
A comprehensive online survey of people with multiple sclerosis found that improving social integration and reducing social isolation can promote and maintain health and wellbeing. The study suggests that these social factors significantly predict health and wellbeing, even when accounting for demographic factors.
A joint UC Riverside and UC Irvine study found that people who show near transfer in brain training are more likely to experience far transfer, meaning improved focus and problem-solving skills. The research suggests that working memory training can be effective for certain individuals, but its impact on fluid intelligence remains deba...
Children who excel at playing well with others in pre-school tend to enjoy better mental health as adults. Research analyzing data from over 1,700 children found a clear link between peer play ability and reduced signs of poor mental health.
Researchers found that the brain's gestalt cortex helps people make sense of ambiguous information and dismiss alternative interpretations. This phenomenon, called naive realism, leads to irrational confidence in one's own understanding of the world.
Researchers found a clear tendency for people to assign idealized attributes to their online avatars, particularly regarding psychological traits. This phenomenon suggests that internet users often present an idealized version of themselves, with significant differences between actual and ideal self-representations.
Babies born to mothers infected with COVID-19 show differences in motor function and relaxation, especially when held. Preliminary analysis suggests increased risk of neurodevelopmental changes compared to uninfected babies.
From 2004 to 2020, there was a notable increase in actions taken against physician licenses due to substance use and psychological or physical impairment. The study found that these issues were affecting the medical community, emphasizing the need for improved support systems and policies.
A peer-led, family-centered preventive intervention is being tested to reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among Bhutanese immigrants. The program, developed by Kalpana Poudel-Tandukar, uses problem management plus (PMP) and addresses multiple stressors, resulting in improved coping skills and social networking.
Researchers developed a time-efficient single item measure to assess self-control, confirming its interchangeability with 'will-power' and 'self-discipline'. People with lower self-control also report boredom and lower socioeconomic status.
A new study by the University of South Australia found that up to a quarter of people aged over 50 with undiagnosed visual problems like cataracts or AMD are misdiagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. Cognitive tests relying on vision-dependent tasks can skew results.
A University of Essex-led study found that athletes who fixate on their mistakes and strive for perfection are at risk of psychological difficulty. The research suggests that perfectionistic concerns can lead to athlete burnout, causing them to view achievements as inadequate and create a self-fulfilling performance prophecy.
A new study by Ben-Gurion University researchers suggests that maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is a distinct mental disorder that can co-occur with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study found that MD was associated with higher rates of depression, loneliness, and lowered self-esteem in individuals with ADHD.
Researchers developed EMOPRINT, a five-week behavioral intervention improving facial affect recognition skills in individuals with MS. The study showed significant improvement in facial affect recognition in the MS group compared to placebo controls.
A recent study of 280 mother-infant pairs found that prenatal exposure to social disadvantage and psychosocial stress was associated with reduced infant brain volumes at birth. The researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the brain volumes of the infants at birth.
People with positive past attitudes and long-term planning skills are less depressed, sleep better, and handle isolation more easily. Those who focus on short-term plans and have negative past attitudes show signs of depression, poor sleep quality, and mental disorders.
A new study suggests that people with type 1 diabetes who have high levels of psychological resilience are more likely to manage their condition successfully. The research found that those with low resilience also had poorer blood sugar control after two years.
A rehabilitation psychologist's role is to guide patients through the process of rehab and recovery, addressing cognitive, behavioral, and emotional barriers that hinder progress. These experts can help individuals adjust to a new diagnosis, stay motivated during recovery, and deal with the emotional aftermath of hospitalization.
A large cohort study found that babies born to men who took metformin during sperm development were at increased risk for genital defects in boys. Diabetes control affects sperm quality, so men should discuss alternative treatments with their doctors before conception. The findings suggest a need for further study on treatment of prosp...
A Rutgers study of New Jersey nurses reveals that the combined effect of COVID-19 fears and workplace racism has a devastating impact on nonwhite workers. The research found that nurses of color experience higher levels of emotional distress due to these factors.
A new systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies involving 46,158 participants shows a sharp rise in depression and anxiety levels following the UK's first COVID-19 lockdown. The prevalence of diagnosed depression increased from 4% to 32%, while anxiety diagnoses rose from 5% to 31%. Experts are calling for greater evidence-base...
Researchers from UNH and UNO found a significant gender pay gap in executive severance compensation, with male executives receiving up to $500k more than female counterparts. The study highlights the impact of bias on severance agreements and suggests that this can discourage women from seeking executive roles.
An analysis of over 11,000 older Japanese adults found that current dog owners were approximately half as likely to have a disability. Regular exercise among dog owners further reduced the risk. In contrast, cat ownership showed no association with increased or decreased disability risk.
Research suggests stress plays a bidirectional role in AFib, both increasing episodes and contributing to mental health issues. Stress reduction strategies, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction and anxiolytic therapy, may improve AFib symptoms and quality of life.