Articles tagged with Psychological Assessment
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 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 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 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.
Researchers found that early-onset cocaine users exhibited pronounced differences in sustained attention, working memory, and declarative memory compared to late-onset users. The study also revealed higher frequencies of cannabis and alcohol use among early-onset individuals.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that male scientists are more likely to share their research than female scientists. The researchers discovered a significant gender gap in scientific collaboration, with males being over 15% more likely to respond positively to requests for shared work.
Research shows that people confuse faces with different expressions, even when they are clearly from the same person. Facial recognition is hindered by expressive faces until familiarity increases.
A new study by Florida Atlantic University and Cleveland State University reveals that US workers without paid sick leave suffer from increased psychological distress. Workers without access to paid sick leave are more likely to report symptoms interfering with daily life, activities, and overall well-being.
Experts debate the value of an online screening test for depression, with some arguing it could prompt informed conversations with clinical professionals and provide potentially helpful resources. However, others express concerns about inadequate treatment resources and misuse of data, warning that unregulated screening may cause harm.
The study aims to identify variables that predict why certain individuals are better at making tough decisions, as well as understand how people arrive at difficult choices. By training soldiers, first-responders, and civilians, the research hopes to produce better outcomes in life-threatening situations.
Researchers at TU Graz have developed a new brain-computer interface application called Brain Composer, which allows users to compose and play music solely through their thoughts. The study involved 18 test subjects who were able to create and play back melodies using the BCI system after a short training session.
Researchers developed a new diagnostic system, HiTOP, which predicts 68% of psychological and social functioning issues related to eating disorders. In contrast, the traditional DSM-5 approach predicts only slightly less than 10%. The study used a hierarchical taxonomy of psychopathology, combining symptoms into dimensions and sub-fact...
The Syncphonia app breaks down complex musical pieces into individual parts, allowing students to play in time with the rest of the orchestra without distractions. This approach increases motivation and enjoyment among children, leading to better learning outcomes and a more positive experience for all.
Researchers have designed a new assay that uses gold nanoparticles to improve the accuracy of medical screening, reducing false positives and wait times. The technology has been shown to be up to clinical standards, allowing patients to receive results in about an hour.
Researchers found that self-distancing language, such as using third-person pronouns, can lead to greater challenge and confidence in stressful situations. This approach was shown to promote a more confident and challenging mindset, rather than reducing anxiety or effort.
The Trauma Medical Home model provides comprehensive care for injured individuals over 50, addressing physical, psychological, and cognitive recovery. By monitoring patient progress and coordinating with primary care physicians, the model aims to significantly decrease healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers found no difference between men and women in facial recognition abilities, challenging conventional wisdom that women excel in this area. Facial recognition is a crucial skill for social interactions and decision-making.
Research by Sue Westwood found that parents who gave their children five pieces of praise daily improved their wellbeing, reducing hyperactivity and inattention. The study showed a significant impact of regular parental praise on child behavior over just four weeks.
Researchers found that machine learning programs can acquire cultural biases from online language patterns, affecting tasks like image categorization and automated translations. This study highlights the importance of identifying and addressing bias in AI systems to promote fairness and equality.
A recent study by Michelle Nario-Redmond reveals that disability simulations often result in feelings of fear, apprehension, and pity towards individuals with disabilities. The study found that short-term experiences can lead to misinformed perceptions about the capabilities of people with disabilities.
A team of psychologists developed new tests to capture automatic moral and empathetic judgments. The studies found that certain situations trigger instant moral assessments, even when participants are instructed to counteract those feelings. These measures could help criminologists and psychologists understand pathological behavior.
Researchers identified three core groupings of emotion regulation strategies, including avoidance, rumination, and problem-solving. These findings can help clinicians understand and treat anxiety, substance abuse, and other disorders by providing a more streamlined approach to assessment and therapy.
A longitudinal study of over 60,000 Australians found that eating 3-4 daily servings of vegetables lowers stress risk by 12% and eating 5-7 daily servings of fruit and vegetables reduces stress risk by 14%. Women who eat more veggies have a lower stress risk compared to men.
A clinical trial of 100 patients with ALS found that an eight-week mindfulness-based meditation program improved quality of life and reduced anxiety and depression. The results remained stable over a 12-month follow-up, suggesting a potential tool for increasing well-being in ALS patients.
A study published in the journal Emotion found that husbands and wives who practiced compassionate acts reported higher emotional well-being, with benefits significantly stronger for the donors than recipients. The researchers discovered that recognition by the recipient is not necessary for the donor's benefit.
A Harvard study found that minority workers perform worse under biased managers, with a 53rd percentile performance rate compared to the 79th percentile under unbiased managers. This disparity is due to biased managers interacting less with minorities, leading to reduced productivity and lower pay for minority workers.
A new mobile Critical Care Recovery Program aims to bring post-ICU care to patients in their homes, improving brain health and reducing rehospitalization rates. The 12-month program will be followed by a multi-disciplinary team to develop personalized recovery plans.
A recent study by the American College of Physicians found that physicians spend significantly more time on computer activities than direct patient interaction, taking up about half their workday. This has led to concerns over physician satisfaction, patient education, and increased malpractice risks.
A new study found that patients given psychological support before heart surgery scored lower on disability tests, had better mental quality-of-life, and reported more physical activity. Personalized support appeared to have the greatest benefit, and a short-term intervention can be easily implemented in cardiac surgery units.
Research found that 2.7% of US medical school students have disabilities, including ADHD, learning disabilities, and psychological disabilities, requiring accommodations.
A study published by Chapman University researchers found that higher psychological well-being is associated with greater levels of physical activity in older adults. The study, which followed 9,986 English adults over 11 years, suggests that boosting mental health may encourage physical activity and improve overall well-being.
A new study by Renée Baillargeon and colleagues found that 2.5-year-old children can answer questions about people acting on false beliefs, a skill previously thought to develop until age 4. The researchers developed a modified version of the Sally-Anne test, which gave children a chance to prepare for the question and reduced processi...
Researchers at Vanderbilt University found that men are better at identifying faces on toy Transformers than women. The study, which surveyed people's childhood play experiences with Barbie and Transformers, suggests that the type of face individuals encounter as children affects their adult facial recognition abilities.
A recent BYU study reveals that the amount of time between sunrise and sunset is the key factor in determining emotional distress. The research suggests that sunshine has a positive impact on mental health, while extreme temperatures, air pollution, and rain do not have a significant effect.
A coordinated replication effort across 17 labs failed to replicate the 1988 study suggesting that facial expressions can trigger emotional reactions. The multilab study used a standardized protocol with over 1,900 participants but found no evidence that inducing particular facial expressions affected their emotional state.
A new study reveals a wide range of unexpected authors contributing to psychology research, including politicians, celebrities, and historical figures. Notable examples include Ben Carson, Tim Duncan, and the Dalai Lama.
Researchers found that framing spatial tests as social tasks eliminated the gender gap in performance, with women performing just as well as men. The study suggests that traditional measures of spatial ability may be underestimating women's abilities and limiting their accessibility to STEM fields.
A study by Duke University and Max Planck Institute reveals that chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans can understand when others have mistaken beliefs, mirroring skills seen in human infants. The apes' ability suggests a key step towards fully understanding the thoughts of others.
A UA psychologist has developed a tabletop version of an interactive game that tests memory, which was later translated into an Android touchscreen-based battery of tests. The tool aims to measure memory in younger children and those with intellectual disabilities, addressing the lack of standardized tests in these populations.
A new study from the University at Buffalo suggests that expressing core values and beliefs can lead to a positive psychological experience, even when faced with unanimous disagreement. Participants' cardiovascular responses indicated feelings of invigoration when standing up for their individuality, rather than anxiety when conforming...
A new study by University of Connecticut sociologists found that as men take on more financial responsibility in their marriages, their psychological well-being and health decline. In contrast, women's psychological well-being improves as they make greater economic contributions.
Research suggests that using Tinder leads to lower levels of self-worth and increased negative perception of body image among both male and female users. The study, conducted by the American Psychological Association, involved 1,044 women and 273 men who reported less satisfaction with their bodies and looks compared to non-users.
Researchers found that 3D films inspire stronger feelings of being drawn into the story than 2D films, but also cause more nausea. The study showed no detectable differences between real and algorithmically converted 3D films.
A Cornell University study found that run-down schools contribute significantly to low test scores and poor academic achievement, accounting for 70% of the issue. Students attending such schools are more likely to miss classes and exhibit high absenteeism, hindering their ability to learn.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that using self-talk and imagery techniques can improve performance in competitive tasks. Participants who used these motivational methods outperformed the control group in various aspects of the task.
A new study found that military members with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression can experience significant improvements in symptoms after enrolling in a treatment program that includes specially trained care managers and telephone therapy options. The approach resulted in better outcomes and improved access to high-qu...
A study found that more than half of those making decisions for critically ill patients have significantly different estimates of survival rates than their doctors. The research team hopes to train physicians to better communicate with these decision-makers, improving treatment outcomes and alleviating suffering.
Researchers investigate how expectations influence pain perception, with results showing men's pain tolerance altered by sex-based expectations. The study highlights the importance of considering non-explicit expectation processes in psychology and therapy.
A Cochrane Review evaluated the evidence for psychosocial interventions in adults who self-harm. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was found to be effective in reducing self-harm behaviors and improving emotional well-being. The review included 55 trials with a total of 17,699 participants.
A new study in Sierra Leone found that short reconciliation ceremonies helped communities recover from civil war, increasing trust and public goods contribution. However, the process also had negative effects on individuals' anxiety and depression, suggesting policymakers need to restructure such processes to reduce psychological costs...
Researchers are conducting a groundbreaking study to understand how children cope with traumatic life events from ages 3-5. The five-year project will track hundreds of Kansas City children and their families, providing real-time assessment and interaction data to identify key factors influencing outcomes.
Experts say pre-participation screening should be abandoned due to the lack of evidence confirming it saves lives. The harms of overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and false positives far outweigh any potential benefits in preventing sudden cardiac arrest among young athletes.
Researchers found that male batterers show greater activation in anterior cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex, and smaller reaction in superior prefrontal cortex in response to intimate partner violence images. This study may have important implications for understanding violence against women and recidivism in batterers.
A new study finds that natural resilience may not be as common as thought, and when confronted with a major life-altering event, many people can struggle considerably. The study's findings go against previous claims that resilience is the typical response to major life stressors.
Researchers at the University of Zurich developed a revised Sense of Coherence Scale to improve mental resilience assessments. The new questionnaire yields more accurate and objective results, revealing that individuals with greater resilience suffer less from depression and bereavement pain.
A cross-sectional survey found that detailed clinician communication can alleviate patient distress associated with incidental pulmonary nodules. Patients who received accurate information about their nodule size and diagnosis had a more reassuring experience, reducing anxiety and improving overall well-being.
A study by UCSB psychologists found that challenging a person's belief in free will corrupts intuitive cooperation and leads to impulsive selfishness, but allows for recovery with time. Participants who were asked about their agreement with the statement 'I have free will' showed significant differences in their level of cooperation.