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Sometimes it helps to take a step back

A study found that family caregivers who write immediately after a stressful event or while with the care recipient tend to focus on emotional expression, whereas those who wait or change their environment exhibit more objective reflection and problem-solving. The researchers hope their findings will encourage caregivers to recognize t...

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2026

Fit for life: childhood fitness linked to lower risk of adult depression

A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that children and teenagers with better cardiorespiratory fitness had a lower risk of developing depression as adults. The research, which spanned over 30 years, examined the fitness of Australian children aged 7-15 and found that cardiorespiratory fitness was the strong...

SourceAdelaide University·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·TypeCase study·DateSep 30, 2026

Financial stress bleeds into our relationships. But partners who provide emotional support can help.

A new study found that couples who receive emotional support from their partners experience reduced stress spillover from financial worries. Emotional support was a key factor in managing financial stress, while problem-solving alone was less effective. The study suggests that a supportive partner can act as a buffer against financial ...

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalPersonal Relationships·TypeSurvey·DateSep 28, 2026

Randomized trial finds Transcendental Meditation improves happiness, resilience and self-efficacy in rural Lebanese women

A randomized controlled trial found that three months of Transcendental Meditation practice significantly increased happiness, resilience, and self-efficacy among rural Lebanese women while reducing perceived stress. The study showed that Transcendental Meditation may offer women an additional way to cope with daily life pressures.

SourceMaharishi International University·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 25, 2026

Chronic stress linked to differences in cognitive decline across certain demographic groups, study finds

A new study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that chronic stress and social support levels are associated with changes in cognitive abilities across different demographic groups. Higher social support was linked to less decline in attention over time, while women and Hispanic participants with higher chronic stress ...

Postpartum pain, depression hinder women’s recovery after childbirth

A recent study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that postpartum pain and depression can significantly impact women's ability to care for themselves and their infants. The study highlights the need for better support services and comprehensive monitoring to address these challenges.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalCanadian Journal of Nursing Research·TypeSurvey·DateSep 21, 2026

How new moms cope with stressful news may matter more than the news itself, study finds

Expectant mothers in the Philippines used creative coping strategies to manage sociopolitical stressors, including reframing difficult circumstances and maintaining a positive outlook. The study suggests that how new moms cope with stressful news may be more important than the news itself, with 67% of participants citing financial stre...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateSep 4, 2026

Mental health conditions after trauma linked to higher cardiovascular risk

Research suggests that mental health conditions, including PTSD, substance abuse, and depression, can increase the risk of future cardiovascular risks such as heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death. Alcohol abuse was found to be the top psychiatric predictor of serious heart and brain conditions for both men and women.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateSep 2, 2026

Teen girls facing the most adversity showed the biggest gains in social connection after breathwork course

A new UCLA study found that teenage girls who experienced the highest levels of childhood trauma showed the largest gains in social connectedness after participating in a breathwork course combined with social-emotional learning. The program, developed by the International Association for Human Values, increased social connectedness by...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Research on Adolescence·DateAug 18, 2026

Increased social media use linked to anxiety, suicidal ideation among young adults, UTHealth Houston researchers find

Researchers at UTHealth Houston found that teenagers spending six or more hours a day on social media were twice as likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and three times as likely to report suicidal ideation. The study, published in Pediatrics Open Science, suggests that excessive social media use can contribute to poor mental health.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalPediatrics Open Science·DateJul 24, 2026

The digital therapy helping dementia carers

A digital therapy platform, iACT4CARERS, has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression in dementia carers after three and six months. The study, which involved almost 500 volunteers, found that carers using the platform had lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to those receiving usual care alone.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 11, 2026

As the US recovers from its latest heatwave, a new study warns of an increase in hospitalizations for mental health issues

A new multi-country study found that sustained exposure to extreme heat is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for mental and behavioural disorders. The study highlighted the vulnerability of older adults and residents in low-population-density areas, emphasizing the need for targeted preparedness during severe heatwaves.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Health·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 10, 2026

Study explores how anxiety turns into deeper stress for dementia caregivers

A new Virginia Tech study finds that patterns of repetitive negative thinking can carry anxiety into deeper distress among dementia caregivers, but also suggests that mindfulness training may help identify and interrupt this progression. Researchers also found that introducing mindfulness early on can aid in managing stress before it d...

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalThe Gerontologist·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 6, 2026

CBT can help after a broken heart

A new study by Uppsala University researchers shows that internet-based CBT can significantly reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety in women with broken-heart syndrome, a condition often triggered by extreme stress. The treatment also helps patients better cope with emotions related to their illness.

SourceUppsala University·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 15, 2026

Women with HIV are more likely to die from trauma than the virus

A new study by UC San Francisco found that women with HIV are more likely to die from preventable trauma-related conditions like substance use and mental illness. The researchers say these causes are largely missing from official death records, highlighting the need for broader goals in HIV care beyond just controlling the virus.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes & Human Retrovirology·DateJun 12, 2026

Girls are biggest consumers of anxiolytic and sedative drugs among adolescents in most European countries

A recent study published by the University of the Basque Country found that girls are the biggest consumers of psychotropic drugs among adolescents in most European countries. The research team analyzed data from 32 European countries and discovered a significant link between consumption rates, gender equality, and economic level.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalEuropean Journal of Public Health·DateJun 10, 2026

Screens are rewriting childhood: a new framework says the developing brain integrates experience until age 25, with profound stakes for mental illness

A new framework, criticome, integrates experience until age 25, reframing autism, schizophrenia, depression, and trauma as developmental disorders. The study suggests that screen-saturated childhoods may produce adult dysfunction, highlighting the importance of early experience in brain development.

SourceGenomic Press·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 2, 2026

Therapy at your fingertips: new Reichman University study led by Prof. Anat Shoshani of the Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology finds AI could transform mental health care

A new study from Reichman University found that an AI-based conversational support platform can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. The platform, called Kai, was able to form a meaningful therapeutic alliance with users, providing round-the-clock emotional support.

SourceReichman University·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 18, 2026

Student wellbeing drops after move to high school

A study of over 20,000 South Australian students found that wellbeing declined across every measured domain, including happiness and life satisfaction, after transitioning to secondary school. The decline was independent of developmental changes associated with adolescence.

SourceAdelaide University·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·TypeSurvey·DateMay 17, 2026

Digital environments generate moderate levels of psychological overload among university students

A scoping review of 7 international studies with 3,744 students found that psychological discomfort is currently at low or moderate levels, but student satisfaction with digital tools directly relates to better mental health. Risk factors include 'false' omnipresence, digital fatigue, and social isolation.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalCogent Education·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 14, 2026

Refugees reveal hidden trauma of life in the UK

A new study by the University of East Anglia reveals that refugees who entered the UK as unaccompanied minors experience relentless cycles of intrusive memories, loneliness, and physical pain. Social connection emerges as a powerful buffer against distress, with many participants finding comfort in activities like cricket or prayer.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalTranscultural Psychiatry·TypeSurvey·DateMay 13, 2026

Scientists finally see inside the ‘black box’ of depression treatment

Researchers at UCLA Health have discovered that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) selectively targets specific brain cells to restore communication channels in the brains of stressed mice. The study found that TMS repairs damaged dendritic spines, leading to enhanced activity and rapid improvements in stress-related behaviors.

Physics can be hard. Mindfulness may help.

A new study from the University of Pittsburgh found that mindfulness training can help students build resilience in the face of emotional threats, leading to increased engagement in college physics. After five days of training, students reported feeling less threatened and more motivated to learn.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 27, 2026