Research on stress and its effects on mind and body. Covers work stress and health, mood-supporting materials, stress-response cells, and deep sleep's role.
Researchers will develop interactive game-based mental health intervention using autonomic biofeedback training to identify users' emotional states. The technology aims to provide personalized interventions for stress- and anxiety-related events in real-time.
Research from the University of Pittsburgh found that high COVID-19 stress in women is associated with changes in menstrual cycle length, period duration, and spotting. The study suggests that these changes can have economic and health consequences for women, including increased costs for feminine hygiene products.
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.
A novel screening tool has been developed to diagnose a serious heart condition in young athletes. The tool uses non-invasive ultrasound techniques to accurately identify cardiomyopathy, reducing false positives and providing better protection for the athletes of tomorrow.
A new study reveals that people with strong emotions are more interested in interacting with cats, contrary to the common perception that cat interactions are less appealing. The research found that universities can benefit from including both dogs and cats in their animal-assisted interventions to reach a broader audience.
A study of over 17,000 first-year medical residents found a strong correlation between hours worked and depression symptoms. Working long hours was associated with a larger rise in depression symptoms, pushing some residents into moderate or severe depression.
Researchers found that personal experiences with COVID-19, such as contracting the virus or losing loved ones, were strong predictors of mental health symptoms. Exposure to pandemic-related media also played a significant role in psychological distress. The study suggests targeted interventions to prevent loss of life and curbing the s...
Cyberbullying experienced by US youth increased during the pandemic, especially among Asian American teens. In 2021, 23% of all youth were targeted online, compared to 17% in 2016 and 2019, with Asian Americans making up 19% of victims, mostly because of their race.
A new study found that traumatic experiences are associated with lower concentrations of estrogens estrone and estradiol in postmenopausal women. The relationship between trauma and hormones depends on sleep duration, with women experiencing low levels of estrogens who get less than 6 hours of sleep per night
The study found anxiety, insomnia, and depression were prevalent mental health issues among quarantined individuals. Around 70% of mental health issues resolved with brief counseling sessions, highlighting the need for targeted support in disaster responses.
A new study by the University of Surrey found that nearly half of junior doctors reported symptoms of extremely severe depression, anxiety, or stress. The research highlights the need to address and improve working conditions in the NHS to retain healthcare professionals.
A major new study found that 24% of farmers reported mobility problems, while 31% experienced anxiety and depression. The research, published in BMC Public Health, highlights the need to tackle physical and mental health issues in the agricultural industry.
A study by University of Missouri researchers found that storytelling can help college students make sense of the pandemic and reduce stress. The study involved first-year college students who used stories to express personal growth during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting less stress and more confidence in their schoo...
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that individuals with type 2 diabetes who exhibit psychological resilience experience fewer hospitalizations, better physical functioning, and a lower likelihood of becoming frail. Psychological resilience also appears to mitigate aging-related concerns.
Researchers found that machine learning models outperformed traditional risk prediction models in predicting suicide-related outcomes. These models can identify patterns associated with suicide risk and have been shown to correctly predict 66% of people who would experience a suicide outcome.
A Finnish study of 1,064 teachers found that those with persistent turnover intentions are more likely to experience burnout, cynicism, and poor work environment fit. Positive experiences and autonomy in the workplace can mitigate these risks.
A new study found that dogs can differentiate between breath and sweat samples from people before and after a stress-inducing task with an accuracy of 93.75%. The researchers believe that dogs are able to detect changes in volatile organic compounds produced by humans in response to stress.
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 UCLA study has found that anxiety specific to pregnancy and childbirth is associated with shorter gestation times and earlier births. Screening for depression in pregnancy and postpartum is now common, but adding an evaluation for anxiety could identify women who need interventions for healthier pregnancies and babies.
A UK study found that adults struggling with debt management had higher rates of anxiety, depression, and mental health treatment. The research highlights the importance of addressing debt as a threat to mental health, regardless of income level.
Researchers found that children prenatally exposed to Superstorm Sandy had substantially increased risks for depression, anxiety, and attention deficit disorders. Male children had elevated risks for attention deficit and disruptive behavioral disorders, while female children had elevated risks for anxiety disorders.
A study of 1,970 Flint residents found over one-fifth met criteria for depression and nearly one-quarter for posttraumatic stress disorder five years after the water crisis. Only 34.8% received mental health services, but most who did utilize them.
A study by researchers from University of Bonn found that a multi-component training programme can improve mental speed, concentration, perception of competence, self-efficacy, and stress management in employees aged 50-plus. The program showed statistically significant improvements after completion and six months.
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.
Researchers surveyed FAU residents on perceptions, coping strategies, and mental health during the pandemic. Residents reported effective coping mechanisms like acceptance, self-distraction, and emotional support, but found depression and anxiety levels in normal ranges.
Researchers found that standard scoring tools missed cases of depression in teenagers with Type 1 diabetes, leading to lower sensitivity. They recommend adjusting cut-off scores to detect depressive symptoms more accurately.
A recent study by Binghamton University researchers found that women's mental health is more affected by physical exercise frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic. High exercise frequency often resulted in high levels of mental distress in women, contrasting with men, where frequent exercise was advantageous. The study suggests that wom...
A study from UC San Diego finds increased depression, anxiety, and perceived stress in Latina mothers, particularly those in border cities, due to reduced coping resources. The researchers attribute these findings to the increasing hostility of the political climate towards Latinx Americans.
Researchers found that individuals with symptoms of depression, anxiety and loneliness before contracting COVID-19 were more likely to develop post-infection complications. The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, highlights the importance of mental health support for those affected by COVID-19.
Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that psychological distress before COVID-19 infection was associated with a 32%-46% increased risk of developing long COVID and 15%–51% greater daily life impairment due to long COVID.
A study by the Max Planck Institute for Human Development found that a one-hour walk in nature decreases stress-related brain activity, particularly in the amygdala region. This suggests that nature has a positive impact on brain regions involved in stress processing, potentially leading to improved mental health and well-being.
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 meta-analysis of 64 longitudinal studies found that mental health problems remained elevated globally during the pandemic, with North Americans suffering from increased anxiety and depression. In contrast, Latin America and Europe experienced higher rates of insomnia.
A recent study found that poor management is the biggest risk factor for workplace bullying, with a new evidence-based screening tool developed to address the problem. The tool identifies nine major risk areas in day-to-day practices, highlighting the need for organisations to proactively assess and mitigate underlying risk factors.
People with news addiction experience stress, anxiety, and physical ill health due to constant exposure. A new study reveals a significant link between problematic news consumption and poor mental and physical wellbeing.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are evaluating the potential of AI to improve health outcomes and doctor well-being. Chenyang Lu's team has developed novel methods using deep learning to predict physician burnout and surgical outcomes, transforming clinical data into accurate predictions.
Researchers found widespread temporal disintegration, with COVID-19-related stresses predicting distortions in perceived time. The study aimed to identify risk factors and potential interventions for early support.
Researchers mapped young chickens' play development from hatching, finding 14 types of play that increased in intensity around 6-7 weeks old. Domestication didn't change play behavior, but tame chickens played more than their ancestors. Early stress surprisingly increased playful behavior.
Researchers found that smells can enhance or hinder our ability to recognize emotions in others' faces. The study used a spectrum of emotions, from extreme joy to neutral, and measured participants' response times.
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...
A Rutgers study found that nonbinary and female college students, as well as those in their second year, are most affected by academic stress, leading to poor mental well-being. The researchers recommend colleges provide tailored mental health resources, stress-management strategies, and peer support groups to help build resilience.
Rose Faghih and her team have developed a novel inference engine to monitor brain activity in real-time using wearable devices, offering high scalability and accuracy. The algorithm can track mental states with high reliability, providing insights into autonomic nervous system activation.
New research reveals that only 1 in 5 Syrian children living in refugee camps exhibit resilience to mental health problems. The study found that factors such as the child's environment, caregiver interactions, and access to resources significantly impact their ability to recover from war trauma.
A new study reveals that air pollution and maternal stress during pregnancy can lead to altered brain development and social behavior in male mice, exhibiting autism-like traits. In contrast, female mice are not affected by these environmental factors.
A study by the OPik group found that job insecurity is significantly associated with poor mental health in both men and women. The study's findings suggest that wage level and vulnerability are key factors in this relationship.
A new study from Northwestern University finds that exposure to food stamp work requirements significantly increases mental health care use for depression and anxiety. The policy's negative effects are more pronounced among women, who experience a 26% increase in depression visits and a 12% increase in anxiety visits.
Low to moderate stress levels may enhance cognitive functioning and reduce the risk of developing mental health disorders. Participants who experienced low to moderate stress demonstrated better coping mechanisms and improved neurocognitive abilities.
A new study found that female and financially stretched students are most likely to be affected by Covid-19 stress. The research identified chronic illness, monetary concerns, and higher psychological distress as risk factors for poorer mental health outcomes.
Researchers say stereotypes and stigma surrounding mental illness can lead to poor workplace behavior. Employees with mental illnesses may face fear of discrimination, which drives inauthenticity and counterproductive work behaviors.
A new study from Arizona State University found that childhood loneliness is strongly linked to increased stress levels and problem drinking in young adults. The research suggests that mitigating childhood loneliness could be a key strategy for reducing the risk of alcohol use disorders in adulthood, particularly among women.
Researchers found associations between perceived discrimination and epigenetic aging in US middle-aged and older adults. Depressive symptoms were identified as a potential mediator in these relationships, particularly among women and White adults.
Research reveals men don't want to be alone during a breakup, using creative strategies like online resources, friends, family, and community-based groups. Many men also engage professional counseling services.
A new study found that volunteer healthcare workers who served in field hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced high levels of secondary traumatic stress, but those with higher compassion satisfaction showed milder symptoms. The researchers also found that avoidant emotional coping tactics significantly increased burnout and...
A UBC Okanagan study published in Nature-Scientific Reports found that regular small amounts of psilocybin improved mood, mental health, and psychomotor ability in participants. Microdosing was associated with reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, particularly among those over 55.
A study by University of South Australia researchers documents the benefits of fathers using kangaroo care with premature newborns. The practice mimics the marsupial model, providing a nurturing environment that reduces pain and stress for both baby and caregiver.
A new study finds that brief online art viewing can lower negative mood and anxiety while increasing subjective well-being. The effects are comparable to those of visiting physical art galleries or engaging in nature experiences.
A new study teaches teenagers to reframe their stress responses from negative to positive driving forces. The intervention improves stress-linked health outcomes, including biological responses, psychological well-being, anxiety symptoms, and academic performance in high-stress environments.
A new theory suggests that lack of perceived safety in marginalized communities can have a direct impact on physical and mental health. This concept challenges decades-old thinking that minority stress is the primary cause of health disparities in the LGBTQ community.
A study by University of Florida researchers found that gardening lowered stress, anxiety, and depression in healthy women attending twice-weekly gardening classes. The participants experienced similar improvements in mental health as those in art-making sessions, with gardeners reporting slightly less anxiety.
A study found that patients and their caregivers agreed on the severity of physical symptoms like pain and functionality, but disagreed on psychological symptoms like depression and anxiety. The researchers also noted that caregivers who were under stress overreported their patient's symptoms.