Articles tagged with Psychological Assessment
A Regenstrief Institute research scientist is testing a novel mobile app designed to improve care for people with Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to determine if the Brain CareNotes app can manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, leading to improved quality of life for patients and caregivers.
A recent study has concluded that the Micro-Expressions Training Tool (METT), used to train airport personnel, fails to improve lie detection rates. METT-trained individuals performed no better than those who received bogus or no training, and even worse than chance, suggesting that its effectiveness is limited.
Research finds that resilient pregnant women experience fewer pregnancy-related concerns, greater psychological wellbeing, and lower cortisol hormone levels. This protective role of resilience suggests a potential benefit for both the mother and baby.
A study of 69,744 women and 1,429 men found higher optimism associated with increased odds of exceptional longevity. More optimistic individuals demonstrated 11-15% longer lifespan than less optimistic ones.
A new study reveals that dogs communicate distress more effectively than cats, and pet ownership is associated with increased emotional sensitivity to negative animal vocalizations. Dog whines are rated as sad as human baby cries, while cat meows sound sadder only to cat owners.
A meta-analysis of 70 studies and 55,000 offenders found that specialized psychological programmes significantly reduce reoffending rates. Consistent input from a qualified psychologist is key to programme effectiveness.
This observational study found that exposure to more tree canopy was associated with a lower likelihood of psychological distress and better self-rated general health. However, no green space indicator was consistently linked to depression or anxiety, and low-lying vegetation had mixed results.
A study by North Carolina State University found that drivers tend to overlook low-salience targets when high-salience hazards are present in traffic images, with low-salience targets being up to 40% less likely to be detected in two-hazard scenes.
A new special report by The Hastings Center examines the psychosocial impacts of genetic information, highlighting both potential harms and limitations. Studies suggest that genetic testing can have negative effects on individuals and families, particularly in contexts where stigmatization or anxiety is heightened.
Research by Jena University's sport psychology team reveals that loud grunting noises in tennis can lead to a biased perception of the ball's trajectory, causing players to overestimate its distance. Despite this, the sound of grunting does not hinder opponents' ability to predict the ball's flight.
A UNIGE study found that the number of immigrants Switzerland welcomes greatly affects citizens' opinions, with figures in the media playing a significant role. The researchers discovered that anchoring bias influences public opinion, with high or low initial numbers leading to differing responses.
Psychologists have found that facial expressions can influence emotional feelings, with smiling making people feel happier and scowling making them feel angrier. The study combined data from nearly 50 years of research involving over 11,000 participants.
A new study found that millennials' worry about college is mitigated by parents' supportive relationships meeting their basic needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. However, over-involvement in parenting predicts lower need satisfaction, higher worry, and poor psychological well-being.
A study on chronically indebted individuals in Singapore found that debt relief reduces anxiety and improves financial decisions. Paying off total debt was more effective than reducing partial debts.
A recent study found that Transcendental Meditation (TM) significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in South African college students. After 3.5 months of practice, most students went below clinical thresholds and experienced relief from depression. In contrast, a comparison group showed no change in symptoms.
A study of over 970 participants found that perceiving personal goals as attainable is crucial for later cognitive and affective well-being. Life goals also hold predictive power for specific domains, such as social relationships and health.
New research from Purdue University finds that commitment readiness is a key predictor of relationship success. Couples who feel more committed but not necessarily ready for the next level tend to act in ways to support their relationships.
Dr. Bethany Bynum has made extraordinary contributions in education, credentialing, industry, and military testing and selection. Her work improving Army Personnel Selection & Classifications systems positively affects many thousands of applicants annually.
Researchers analyzed data from third-graders to find that religion positively correlates with social psychological development but negatively affects academic performance in math and science. The study suggests that religion is a mixed blessing for children's development.
A UBC researcher has developed a method to analyze behaviour change counselling sessions, enabling counsellors to identify what makes interventions work. By examining minute details of interactions between clients and practitioners, the new approach helps counsellors promote positive changes in their patients.
A proposed working group would study and monitor poorly regulated products, addressing potential health risks and efficacy concerns. The group aims to provide guidance and back up or refute claims made by companies, ultimately protecting consumers from harm.
Children with dyslexia struggle with integrating auditory and visual information due to lack of coordinated processing in the brain's reading network. The study suggests that tests can be developed to identify dyslexia before children fall behind their peers by focusing on audiovisual integration.
A new study from the University of Chichester has identified three distinct classes of psychological flexibility: high, moderate, and low. The research found that those with high levels of psychological flexibility reported lower levels of psychological distress, while those with low levels reported higher levels.
A psycho-educational team was found to have a positive impact on early breast cancer patients' coping strategies, particularly in reducing depression. The study evaluated the effects of group action on women's anxiety and body image.
A new study by University of Houston professor Clayton Neighbors examines the unexpected link between physical activity and drinking among college students, finding that exercising more is associated with higher drinking rates. The research aims to identify the underlying psychological factors driving this association.
A study by researchers at the National Research University Higher School of Economics found that people tend to attribute their happiness to internal factors such as personality traits and control over their lives. However, when they are unhappy, they often blame external factors outside of their control.
Researchers found that traditional personality traits, like the Big Five, may not be universal across cultures. To improve psychological science, experts recommend considering socioecological theory and diversifying study samples from non-Western populations.
A study by University of East Anglia researchers found that the length of time between product consumption and posting affects review quality, with early reviews being more negative and later ones more positive. The study also discovered that geographical and cultural distances influence how reviewers rate experiences.
Couples who handle laughter and being laughed at similarly tend to be more content in their relationship. However, being afraid of being laughed at can have negative effects on relationship satisfaction and trust. Researchers found that those who enjoy laughing about others but not being laughed at often argue more frequently.
Research by American Psychological Association reveals that girls exhibit better reading and writing ability than boys as early as the fourth grade. The achievement gap widens further with age, particularly for writing tasks. Experts attribute this to factors such as peer pressure, learning disabilities, and differences in brain function.
A study of 2,400 participants found that exposure to opposing political views in social networks can improve accuracy and eliminate partisan bias in climate data interpretation. However, displaying political symbols hindered this learning process.
A study by Arizona State University researchers found that most adults experience a decline in psychological functioning after major life events but later recover. The research challenges previous findings suggesting uninterrupted stability in adult responses to adversity.
A world-first study by QUT researchers concludes that men can experience Postcoital Dysphoria (PCD), leading to feelings of sadness and irritability following sex. The study found that 41% of participants reported experiencing PCD in their lifetime, with 20% reporting it in the previous four weeks.
A newly developed questionnaire measures two aspects of patient experience: alliance and confusion, offering a more nuanced understanding of doctor-patient relationships. The study supports the validity of the new instrument, which allows for better assessment of patient experiences beyond just identifying dissatisfied patients.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that people make more efficient decisions when they consider the long-term consequences and maximize overall value for the group. By creating psychological distance from a decision, individuals can see beyond immediate considerations and allocate resources effectively.
New research found that natural car vibrations cause sleepiness in drivers within 15 minutes, impacting cognitive performance. The study suggests incorporating features to disrupt vibration-induced drowsiness in future car seat designs.
A series of experiments by David Levari et al. shows that people perceive threatening stimuli as abundant even when they are decreasing in reality. This perception bias affects important decisions, such as those made by police officers or research ethics board members.
Researchers found that children in the 2000s waited an average of two minutes longer to receive a larger treat than those tested in the 1960s and 1980s. The study attributes this change to increased access to digital technology, preschool education, and parenting practices.
A new study replicating the famous marshmallow test finds that delaying gratification at a young age has a small and limited association with later cognitive and behavioral outcomes. The ability to resist temptation does predict adolescent math and reading skills, but not later behaviors or personality traits.
Research at the University of Exeter and Edith Cowan University found that goal conflict and ambivalence are associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. The study involved over 200 young adults aged 18-35, who reported experiencing psychological distress due to conflicting goals.
A recent case report documents how a patient's use of biotin supplements caused clinically misleading test results, prompting multiple consultations and unnecessary testing. The study highlights the need for caution when using biotin supplements, as they can interfere with certain lab tests.
Research by Dr Beate Krickel suggests that people can hold unconscious biases despite professing tolerant views. These biases can be detected using psychological tests, but may be masked by repression of negative emotions.
Researchers found that stereotype threat affects memory performance in older Chinese people, but culturally appropriate interventions can lessen the threat. The study, published in Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, used a memory test with and without stereotype threat to assess its impact.
A mixed methods study found that case management reduces psychological distress in patients with high healthcare usage. The intervention improved accessibility and self-management support, leading to a sense of security among patients.
Researchers propose empowering soccer coaches to make reliable assessments of player psychological characteristics, which could help teams identify talented players and enhance performance. Coaches' unique insight into player behavior during matches and training can complement standard questionnaires completed by players.
Researchers from the University of Münster found that accuracy of children's self-perception of their motor competence is a key factor in future physical activity. The study shows that excessive over- or underestimation can have negative effects on physical activity in childhood and sports later on.
A recent study found that Tai Chi improves brain metabolism and muscle energetics in older adults. The exercise showed significant increases in neuronal health markers and improved energy production in leg muscles.
A new study shows that functional connectivity MRI can detect fundamental differences in how individual brains are wired, distinguishing healthy people from those with brain diseases or disorders. The technique was found to be powerful enough to distinguish people who were extraordinarily alike.
Study finds that hospital ownership positively impacts practice work environment and burnout rates for staff. Clinicians in federally qualified health centers experience a more negative work environment, highlighting differences in perception of adaptive reserve.
A new study found that individual differences in brain connectivity are associated with variation in decision-making processes. Functional MRI and a comprehensive test of decision-making were used to investigate the link between brain networks and executive, social, and perceptual processes.
Leading expert Julian Elliott argues that current US Federal and State dyslexia laws ignore scientific evidence and prioritize expensive diagnoses over early intervention. He advocates for a focus on identifying reading difficulties in children and providing targeted support, rather than pursuing a dubious diagnosis of dyslexia.
A recent study at the University of Jyväskylä found a surprisingly high level of mental well-being among middle-aged individuals. The research examined multiple dimensions of mental well-being and identified four groups with varying levels of mental well-being. Individuals on the high-wellbeing trajectories had more satisfying relation...
A new web-based stress management program has been shown to significantly improve the quality of life and reduce distress in newly diagnosed cancer patients. The online program, developed by researchers from the University of Basel, provides patients with information, exercises, and strategies to manage their condition.
A new review of published studies suggests that levels of distress and neuroticism at cancer diagnosis are useful markers of vulnerability. However, more prospective research is needed to understand the relationship between these variables and identify psychological mechanisms maintaining distress.
A study by Dr. Roland Thomaschke and colleagues found that emotions impact our mental time-processing system, causing faster processing of positive concepts and slower processing of negative ones. This suggests that emotional states can influence human perception, potentially affecting how we respond to advertisements or online content.
A new US study examines how social identity threat affects religion and finds that highly religious individuals, particularly Christians, feel targeted and experience prejudice. The study reveals that religious minorities like Jews and Muslims also face heightened threat, likely due to prejudice and discrimination.
A University of Washington study found a direct connection between toxic air and mental health, with fine particulate matter linked to increased psychological distress. The study, which controlled for other factors, showed that even moderate levels of pollution can be detrimental to health, particularly among specific populations.
A new study reveals that spending time in rural and coastal locations has a greater positive impact on psychological well-being compared to urban green spaces. Visits to natural areas with protected status and longer durations are associated with stronger emotional connections and improved mental health.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that people with alexithymia, a condition marked by reduced emotional awareness, have altered physiological responses to smells. The researchers discovered that these individuals experience more intense emotional reactions to smells than others.
Researchers developed the Mentalized Affectivity Scale (MAS) to assess emotion regulation, breaking it into three elements: identifying, processing, and expressing. The study found that processing emotions was linked to personality and wellbeing, while identifying and expressing were not.