Articles tagged with Psychological Stress
Researchers found an immune system cell called interleukin-6 (IL-6) triggers inflammation in times of stress, worsening health problems such as diabetes and autoimmune disease. Blocking IL-6 production protects stressed mice from inflammation and alleviates symptoms of depression.
Researchers found that negative stereotype exposure leads to altered brain activity in the nucleus accumbens, affecting anticipation of rewards and punishments. This study sheds light on the psychological fatigue and stress associated with stigmatization, which can contribute to depression and other mental health issues.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that workers who have greater control over their work and personal lives can create a buffer to manage after-hours work stress. This includes using technological boundary tactics such as turning off work email alerts on smartphones.
A new study from the University of Turku found that prenatal stress is associated with changes in infant gut microbiota composition, specifically with increased abundances of Proteobacteria and decreased abundances of Akkermansia. The study also discovered a link between low cortisol concentrations and increased Lactobacillus bacteria ...
Healthcare workers experienced high levels of acute stress, anxiety, and depression due to prolonged patient contact. Nurses were particularly affected by the environment's psychological toll, with many exhibiting symptoms of insomnia and loneliness.
A Baylor University study found that combining mindfulness with hypnotherapy significantly reduced stress levels and increased mindfulness in participants. The intervention, called mindful hypnotherapy, was well-received by participants, who practiced almost daily and reported high satisfaction.
A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that competitive esports athletes cope with stress similarly to high-performing sports athletes. Esports players with higher ranks tend to have higher levels of mental toughness, which can be beneficial for optimal performance.
A Rutgers University study found that Mexican immigrants are at increased risk for obesity after arriving in the US, mainly due to stress and limited access to healthy foods. Researchers discovered that fear of deportation discourages adults from leaving their homes or seeking help, leading to reliance on cheap, high-sugar foods.
A national survey of 4,149 adults found that the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting people's mental health, with most reporting increased stress, anxiety, and depression. The survey also revealed that essential workers are facing worse mental and physical health problems, while romantic relationships are experiencing mixed effects.
A study found that satisfied breast cancer survivors have lower psychological stress and inflammation, which can promote overall health. The research suggests that fostering healthy relationships is crucial for breast cancer patients' well-being during a stressful time.
A UConn study found that most Americans are experiencing stress related to COVID-19, but also adhering to social distancing guidelines. The survey showed high stress exposure and vulnerable demographic groups, with younger adults and men showing potentially worrisome lack of adherence to CDC guidelines.
A UTEP study found that active coping, denial, emotional support, humor, and religion are effective coping strategies for individuals with chronic conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research aimed to understand how these individuals perceive the pandemic and how their coping mechanisms relate to their well-being.
Yale researchers have identified a neural home of the feeling of stress in the brain, revealing a network of connections from the hippocampus to the dorsal lateral frontal cortex. This discovery may help develop targeted therapies for anxiety and other mental health disorders.
IntelliCare, a free mobile app, significantly reduces anxiety and depression in individuals struggling with the pandemic. The app offers targeted content, exercises, and strategies to help users manage stress and improve mental health.
Researchers will study how COVID-19 affects college students' stress levels and ability to learn remotely, using computer vision algorithms and physiological signals. The project aims to shed light on the short- and long-term effects of the pandemic on students' academic outcomes and emotional well-being.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that experiencing acute stress can dampen amplification of risk perception, while feeling stressed may contribute to overestimating risks. This has significant implications for public health efforts during global crises.
A study by University of Houston found that constant email interruptions can create sadness and fear among office workers, negatively impacting work environment. The researchers suggest email batching as a solution to mitigate these effects.
Research suggests that COVID-19 has added stress on mothers during pregnancy, affecting their mental health, and potentially impacting their child's future well-being. Four factors of prenatal maternal stress were identified: anxiety/depression, somatic, general affective symptoms, and pregnancy-specific worries.
A new study found that middle-aged adults reported more daily stress and lower well-being in the 2010s compared to the 1990s. The researchers attribute this increase to the added responsibilities of childcare, eldercare, and work, as well as the pace of technological advances.
A study by Rutgers professor and medical student found that combining meditation with aerobic exercise reduces stress and rumination while enhancing the quality of life for medical students. The intervention, MAP Train My Brain, was developed by Shors and has shown positive outcomes in reducing stress and improving overall health.
A neural circuit in deep brain areas drives physical responses to emotional stress, including increased blood pressure and heart rate. Blocking this circuit may help reduce stress symptoms in rats, suggesting a potential target for treating stress-related disorders like panic disorder and PTSD.
Researchers drew on studies of the 9/11 attacks to develop coping techniques for COVID-19 stress, emphasizing control, coherence, and connectedness. These strategies include acceptance-based coping, mindfulness, and lovingkindness meditation to promote resilience and recovery.
Research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that people with work-related stress were 1.4 times as likely to have a record of peripheral artery disease in hospitalization registers. Work-related stress, or job strain, refers to psychological and social stress at work.
Research from Stanford University finds that stress hinders development of informed plans by preventing the use of memory to project oneself forward. Stress can rob individuals of the ability to draw on cognitive systems underlying memory and goal-directed behavior, leading to reduced planning efficiency.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that validating a person's feelings can be more effective in supporting friends and family than critical or diminished emotional messages. The study used six different supportive messages, with highly person-centered messages producing the most emotional improvement.
A recent study from North Carolina State University found that people who balance living in the moment with planning for the future are better equipped to handle daily stress. The researchers discovered that a combination of proactive coping and high mindfulness significantly reduces the impact of daily stressors on negative moods.
Research presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session found that mental stress may be a stronger predictor of a repeat heart attack or dying from heart disease. Among over 300 young and middle-aged individuals, those who endured myocardial ischemia with mental stress had a two-fold higher likelihood of ha...
A recent study funded by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology found a potential link between partner bereavement and skin cancer. Researchers discovered that individuals who experienced the loss of a partner had a decreased risk of being diagnosed with melanoma, but an increased risk of dying after diagnosis.
The study found that prefrontal corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurons regulate behavioral style selection during stress. Activating these neurons promotes stress-resistant behaviors, while inhibiting them increases immobility and social avoidance.
Research from Cornell University found that spending as little as 10 minutes in a natural setting can improve mood and lessen physical and mental stress in college students. The study suggests that 10-50 minutes of time spent outside is most effective in improving focus, physiological markers, and overall well-being.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that reduced stress is associated with changes in the plasma lipid profile, including lower levels of certain lysophosphatidylcholines and higher levels of plasmalogens. This suggests a potential molecular mechanism linking psychological well-being to metabolic health.
Researchers at IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca found that transcendental meditation reduces anxiety and stress levels. The study used fMRI to measure brain activity and connectivity in healthy young volunteers who practiced TM for three months.
Two pilot studies reveal changes in brain connectivity related to stress and problem-solving ability, suggesting a biomarker for stress-induced cognitive impairment. The findings, published in Brain Imaging and Behavior and NeuroImage, could ultimately inform treatment strategies for patients suffering from stress-related illnesses.
A study published in Endocrine Connections found that mindfulness-based therapy can lead to greater weight loss and reduced stress in obese children compared to a calorie-restricted diet alone. The therapy was found to counteract the negative effects of anxiety on weight loss.
A new study found that caregivers' self-care strategies are crucial in managing stress and improving family needs for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Caregivers who report greater confidence in their ability to use self-care also experience reduced parental distress and higher parenting satisfaction.
A study found that UK military personnel drink to cope with anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms, increasing the risk of alcohol misuse. Personnel who drink alone or at home are more likely to meet the criteria for alcohol misuse and binge drinking.
A magnetoencephalography study found that acute stress suppresses appetite by altering neural activity in the frontal pole, which is involved in thinking and planning. The findings suggest that expectations of future actions can interfere with appetite regulation, leading to increased sympathetic nerve activity and decreased alpha band...
Research found that highly stressed pregnant women experience similar brain development alterations as those with prenatal detected heart defects, regardless of their socioeconomic status. The study suggests high maternal stress and depression levels can affect fetal brain structure and function.
A NIU psychology professor is studying the links between exercise and brain health in prairie voles. The researcher hopes to find how exercise can promote brain health and resilience to social stress that results in anxiety, depression and cardiovascular disease.
The survey found that UK doctors working in emergency medicine and general practice are most at risk of exhaustion, stress, and compassion fatigue. Doctors scored lower than average for resilience, with 31.5% experiencing high levels of burnout.
Researchers found that 94% of middle school teachers experience high stress, with varying coping mechanisms. The study suggests reducing teaching burden is critical for improving student outcomes academically and behaviorally. School districts can provide initiatives and programs to promote mental health and reduce teacher stress.
Research highlights negative health effects of climate change on children's health outcomes, including increased mortality, morbidity, and psychological trauma. The crisis can begin while a child is still in utero, due to maternal stress, poor nutrition, and exposure to air pollution.
Researchers found that combined exposure to air pollution and early life stress affects attention and thought problems in school-age children. The study, published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, suggests a 'double hit' on shared biological pathways connected to these issues.
A study of over 650 women who experienced early-stage pregnancy loss found that nearly a third suffer post-traumatic stress, while one in four experience moderate to severe anxiety and depression. The research calls for improved care following an early-stage pregnancy loss.
A community-delivered curriculum, Parenting Journey, reduced perceived parenting stress and improved outcomes in low-income diverse populations. The program increased resilience, self-care, and social networks among participants.
A study found that pregnant women with congenital heart disease (CHD) are more likely to test positive for stress, anxiety, and depression, which can impair fetal brain development. The study suggests that routine screening for psychological distress is crucial during prenatal care.
A new study finds that 80% of medical students experience a low sense of personal achievement, while 17% report high levels of depersonalization. The study's lead author attributes this to the unique stresses and pressures of each year of medical school.
A study published in the American Society for Horticultural Science journal HortTechnology found that simply gazing at an indoor plant can reduce psychological stress in office workers. The researchers discovered that even passive involvement with plants, such as having a plant on their desk, contributed to significant anxiety reduction.
Racism-specific support from spouses significantly benefits African American husbands' and wives' physical and mental well-being. Despite this, Black women often bear the burden of supporting their male partners, highlighting a need for targeted resources and support networks.
A study by University of Illinois researchers reveals that mothers' coaching styles can impact adolescent peer adjustment. Low reactive youth benefited from active, engaged coping strategies, whereas high reactive kids fared better with self-reliant suggestions. This suggests a personalized approach to parenting is necessary to address...
A Rutgers University-Camden study reveals that formerly incarcerated individuals with multiple barriers to reintegration experience poor physical and mental health. The study found that greater reintegration barriers decrease self-rated health and increase symptoms of depression over time.
A study by Politecnico di Milano used smartphone accelerometers to detect heart rate and stress levels with high accuracy. The research involved placing the phone on the abdomen for short periods, allowing it to capture signals associated with mechanical cardiac activity.
A new study from the University of Bath found that husbands are most stressed when their wives earn more than 40% of household income, and that this can lead to increased psychological distress and decreased mental health. The study also showed that traditional gender norms about male breadwinning can be harmful to men's mental health.
A study by University of Arizona researcher Ashley LeBaron found that religious involvement can both relieve and worsen financial stress. On one hand, religion can reduce materialism, bring monetary blessings, and foster a positive outlook on financial struggles. On the other hand, it can also impose increased financial obligations, re...
A study by Carnegie Mellon University found that age affects the well-being of newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes patients. Younger individuals experience higher diabetes-related and psychological stress. Older adults tend to have less psychological stress and better self-care, blood sugar control, and medication adherence.
Researchers found that participants who demonstrated a game face showed improved performance in cognitive tasks, such as completing a black-and-white mandala puzzle, with an average gain of 20 percent. Additionally, the study found that game face may aid in better recovery from stress after physical challenges.
A Baylor University study found that strong same-sex friendships among male firefighters can help reduce job stress, but loving relationships with their wives may increase anxiety. The 'marriage effect' was a surprise, as married men have better health and lower mortality risk compared to single or divorced men.
Researchers found that esports players faced 51 different stress factors, including communication problems and concerns with live audiences, mirroring the mental conditions experienced by pro athletes. The investigation recommended psychological training for top players to develop effective coping strategies.
Researchers found that women with stable heart disease experienced a higher risk of major cardiovascular events after a stressful activity, compared to men. The study measured inflammatory biomarkers in response to stress and tracked participants for three years.
A study found that puberty can reverse the effects of early institutional care on stress reactivity. Cortisol levels rose with increasing pubertal stage in postinstitutionalized participants, similar to those without institutional care.