Articles tagged with Psychological Stress
Researchers found that psilocybin restored the pleasure response in mice with depression, even when the psychedelic effects were blocked. The study suggests that a version of the drug without or with less psychedelic effects could be developed to make therapy more accessible and cost-effective.
Women with bulimia nervosa performed worse on a task requiring self-control when stressed, but not those with anorexia nervosa. Brain activity differences were observed between the two groups when stressed, with women with bulimia showing impaired pre-emptive slowing down.
Research by Penn State found that parents reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems in their children after the pandemic, with some experiencing 'clinically significant' symptoms. The study highlights the importance of a positive coparenting relationship for family well-being during times of stress.
A new study by UMass Amherst researchers found that couples where one partner is responsive and supportive can maintain better relationship quality despite the other's depression or external stress. The study involved over 200 newlywed couples and found that responsiveness was associated with improved relationship outcomes.
A national survey of US veterans found that those with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced positive psychological changes, including personal growth and appreciation for life, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study suggests a complex relationship between PTSD symptoms and posttraumatic psychological growth.
A recent study found that unhealthy eating behaviors at night can negatively impact workplace performance and well-being. Participants who engaged in late-night snacking reported physical problems, emotional strains, and declines in helpful behavior the next day.
A new study from Aarhus University shows that eight weeks of training in compassion can significantly improve the well-being of relatives. The training helps them deal with difficult emotions and life events, reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.
A study of 558 college students reveals that higher ADHD symptoms are associated with increased stress levels. The researchers found that strengthening protective factors like social skills, social support, and goal efficacy can help alleviate these effects.
Research by the University of Granada found that women experiencing stress before conception are almost twice as likely to give birth to a girl. Higher cortisol levels in hair were also detected in mothers who gave birth to girls, suggesting a possible biological mechanism.
Research found that drinking flavanol-rich cocoa can improve blood vessel function during mental stress and reduce temporary impairments in endothelial function. Flavanols, commonly found in fruit and vegetables, have been shown to have a positive effect on cardiovascular health during periods of acute vascular vulnerability.
A new study from the University of Notre Dame finds that formal educational attainment has almost no relationship with job satisfaction. Better-educated individuals may enjoy greater resources, but also experience increased stress and demands, offsetting any positive gains.
A study published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences suggests a link between corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and increased expression of mast cells in the nasal cavity, exacerbating allergic reactions. The research offers promising therapeutic potential with CRHR1 inhibitors and SCF neutralizing antibodies.
A recent study published in Global Advances in Health and Medicine found that online mindfulness interventions can improve psychological health during times of uncertainty. The study showed significant reductions in momentary stress, anxiety, and COVID-19 concern among participants.
Research by Ruhr-University Bochum finds that performance-based remuneration schemes can lead to emotional exhaustion, fatigue, depression, and burnout in employees. Workers with specific skills or experience tend to cope better with pressure.
Researchers found that listening to natural sounds in national parks reduces pain and stress while improving mood and cognitive performance. The sounds of water were most effective at enhancing positive emotions and health outcomes.
A study of over 150,000 respondents found that COVID-19 denial depends on people's trust in social institutions, particularly healthcare systems. EU countries demonstrate varying levels of stress and trust in governments, with some showing high levels of stress and others trusting their governments more than other institutions.
An international study published in Affective Science found that Western countries are the most affected by parental burnout, with individualism playing a predominant role. The study suggests that collectivist cultures, like those in Africa, may protect against parental burnout due to their emphasis on community and mutual aid.
Researchers found that prenatal stress leads to significant inflammation in the fetal brain, but surprisingly, the mother's placenta and uterus remain unactivated. Instead, stress reduces gut microbial strains and functions, especially those linked to inflammation.
A new study by University of Arizona researcher Mary-Frances O'Connor found that people with persistent sleep challenges before losing someone are at higher risk for developing complicated grief. Complicated grief is characterized by an intense and persistent yearning for the lost loved one, disrupting daily functioning.
Feeling psychologically powerful can make leaders feel their job is more demanding, yet this can also be beneficial for goal pursuit and meaningful work. However, it can cause pain and discomfort, particularly in those high in neuroticism.
A new study from Duke University finds that people's natural level of anxiety can influence how they regulate their emotions in the lab, contradicting previous research. The study suggests that anxiety, not self-reported regulation strategies, predicts how participants are regulating their emotions.
A study at The Mount Sinai Hospital found that a specific epigenetic modification, H3K79me2, mediates the lasting effects of early-life stress on adult stress vulnerability. A small-molecule inhibitor of this enzyme reversed increased susceptibility to lifelong stress in animal models.
A mindfulness program called Be REAL, which teaches coping techniques to manage stress and emotions, has improved students' psychological well-being. The program, offered in residence halls and classes, showed significant improvements in mindfulness, self-compassion, resilience, and reduced stress among participants.
A study suggests that maternal stress and social isolation during the pandemic can have toxic inflammatory effects on mothers and infants. The research highlights the need for immediate action to understand the impact of the pandemic on this vulnerable population.
A new study published in Frontiers in Education found that Transcendental Meditation significantly improves emotional exhaustion, resilience, perceived stress, fatigue, and depression in teachers. This meditation-based teacher development program demonstrates the benefits of meditation for strengthening mental and physical health.
A new review from Chapman University offers actionable strategies for instructors to alleviate student stress and anxiety in the classroom. The approaches include learning and preparing to act, connecting with students, building an empowering classroom culture, reducing testing anxiety, and promoting effective academic skills. By imple...
Researchers found that COVID-19-related financial stress and increased social isolation contribute to intimate partner violence. The study suggests a need for more communication resources and public awareness of available support services.
A study by University of Granada researchers reveals that psychological variables contributed to increased anxiety and depression among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women who gave birth during the pandemic reported greater stress in delivery processes and lower quality of care received.
A meta-analysis of 31 studies found that certain brain regions, including the insula and inferior frontal gyrus, are consistently activated during stress regardless of the test method used. This suggests a common neural basis for stress perception across different stimuli.
A new study from University of Alberta researchers shows that childhood traumatic or stressful events can lead to tiny changes in key brain structures decades later. These changes may increase the risk of developing mental health disorders as adults during times of stress.
A new University of Georgia study reveals that Black Americans face additional stresses due to perceived COVID-19 threats and racism in medical settings. Higher levels of perceived threat and belief in racial discrimination lead to increased psychological distress.
New research from the University at Buffalo suggests that satisficers, who make minimal decisions, may feel incapable of managing their choices due to stress. This approach is often misunderstood as being less particular or careless, but rather a defense mechanism against overwhelming decision-making stress.
A recent study using Cereset's HIRREM technology found significant effects on brain network connectivity in military personnel with traumatic stress. The results support the bihemispheric autonomic management model and suggest that regulated connections between hemispheres are associated with improved health and wellbeing.
Research from the Center for BrainHealth reveals that a shortened training protocol can lead to lasting improvements in first responders' brain health. The Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Tactics (SMART) training improved cognitive function, particularly in integrated reasoning abilities among military personnel.
Psychologists are monitoring pregnant women and their children until age 4 for early markers of psychopathology. Preliminary findings suggest associations between prenatal stress timing and maternal mental health and infant outcomes.
A global study found that over 13% of participants developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related symptoms in response to the pandemic. The research highlights the need for comprehensive documentation of COVID-19-related traumatic stress reactions to help healthcare professionals support those affected.
A new study found differences in PTSD prevalence among rescue workers, with emergency department staff and psychiatric nurses most affected. The researchers highlighted the need for bespoke training and counseling services to help staff cope with trauma and improve their quality of life.
A study from the University of Tsukuba found that taking regular walks in forests and greenspaces may help workers cope with stress. The researchers analyzed data from over 6,000 Japanese workers and discovered a significant correlation between forest and greenspace walking habits and strong stress-coping abilities.
Researchers reviewed 49 studies linking stress, depression, and poor health behaviors to impaired immune response to vaccination. Improving these factors can enhance the body's response to the COVID-19 vaccine.
A systematic review of 136 randomised controlled trials found that mindfulness reduces anxiety, depression and stress in most community settings, but with no significant benefit in over one in 20 trials. The findings suggest that individual results may vary depending on factors such as implementation, setting and target group.
A new study by the University of Basel found that lockdowns affect mental health variably across countries, with factors like social support and financial stability playing a crucial role. The research suggests that public health initiatives should target those without social support and those whose finances worsen during lockdowns.
A post-mortem analysis of brain tissue from people with PTSD reveals distinct differences in gene expression patterns between those with and without the disorder. These changes affect two cell types - interneurons and microglia - which may contribute to impaired stress response, particularly in women.
Research finds that goal striving stress is linked to progressive kidney disease in African Americans, with higher levels of stress increasing the risk. The study, published in the Journal of Investigative Medicine, suggests that traditional risk factors only partially explain this disparity.
A recent study found that feeling appreciated by subordinates boosts the energy and optimism of supervisors, leading to higher levels of psychological well-being and positive behaviors at work. The research suggests that external validation can be particularly powerful for supervisors who lack internal validation.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison introduce a new framework for emotional well-being, focusing on specific skills that can be learned. The framework emphasizes four pillars: awareness, connection, insight, and purpose, which have been studied in the lab and shown to improve well-being.
A large long-term study found that women with PTSD and depression have an almost fourfold greater risk of early death from various causes than women without trauma exposure or depression. The study suggests that other factors, such as stress hormones, may account for the higher risk.
A multicentre study found a strong correlation between thyroid function and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a condition triggered by extreme emotional stress. The research identified two distinct mechanisms: an overactive thyroid gland promoting heart disease risk and an elevated target value of thyroid regulation related to the stress event.
Two UCLA studies reveal that maternal stress prior to conception and during the third trimester can lead to shorter telomeres in children, which is associated with faster aging and increased risk of diseases. The study also found that high maternal stress before pregnancy was linked to shorter pregnancies.
A new University of Rochester meta-analysis suggests that being psychologically flexible is a critical factor in maintaining happy family and romantic relationships. Higher levels of flexibility are linked to adaptive parenting strategies, lower child distress, and greater relationship satisfaction.
A study by University of Edinburgh researchers found that maternal stress levels during pregnancy affect the baby's brain development, particularly the amygdala. The findings highlight the need for pregnant women to receive mental and physical health support to promote healthy brain development in their babies.
A study found that Latinx, African American, and African international students experienced elevated stress arousal in response to perceived racism. Rumination on racism was associated with increased negative emotions across all groups.
Researchers at Yale University found that prazosin significantly reduced withdrawal symptoms in patients with severe alcohol use disorder. The study showed that patients who received prazosin had fewer heavy drinking episodes and days of drinking compared to those who received a placebo.
Researchers have developed a virtual-reality method that measures susceptibility to psychogenic stressors by analyzing heart rate variability and locomotion data. The study's findings offer a standardized tool for measuring vulnerability to stressors based on objective markers, paving the way for early interventions.
A new theory suggests that societies can only be either cohesive or fragmented, with the number of social contacts being the tipping point. As people seek to minimize social stress, they increasingly avoid disagreements and form filter bubbles, leading to a breakdown in constructive communication and potentially threatening democracy.
A Baylor University study finds that cynical hostility may prevent a healthy response to stress over time, leading to increased cardiovascular strain. This type of hostility is characterized by negative beliefs and attitudes towards others' motives and trustworthiness.
A new study from the University at Buffalo found that mindfulness may not effectively manage stress as it's happening, contrary to popular culture assertions. While mindful participants reported positive experiences afterward, their cardiovascular responses didn't demonstrate the expected benefits of mindfulness.
A new study finds that burnout has a greater impact on work stress than vice versa, leading to a downward spiral of exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced performance. Providing adequate support and promoting employee control are key to preventing this cycle.
The study found almost a third of participants experienced mental distress during the lockdown, but many also reported positive outcomes. Notably, younger adults were more likely to experience significant psychological distress, while older people may have felt safer in New Zealand.
Residents in states with a Hillary Clinton majority experienced increased stress and depression following the 2016 general election, according to a UCSF-Duke study. The study found that Clinton's margin of victory was predictive of mental health change.
Girls living in single-parent households before age two are at higher risk of starting puberty earlier than their peers. The study, published in BMC Pediatrics, found that infant attachment insecurity and socioeconomic status may contribute to this association.