Articles tagged with Psychological Stress
Early life stress may affect mental health through epigenetic changes in both stress-related and sensory networks. This new hypothesis proposes that glucocorticoids prime the epigenetic machinery while neural activation coordinates programming mechanisms.
A study analyzing TV ad data from same-sex marriage referendums found increased stress among LGBTQ individuals with increased exposure, but also reported happiness in response to positive ads. The findings suggest that voter referendums can have both negative and positive effects on marginalized groups.
Researchers surveyed 246 students before and after therapy dog sessions, finding significant reductions in stress and increased happiness. The benefits were equally distributed across both genders and lasted for at least 10 hours.
Research found that African American mothers' parenting stress is associated with epigenetic differences in DNA methylation, particularly in genes related to stress signaling. This discovery has implications for understanding health disparities among African American women and their children.
A new study by Georgia State University found that social stress causes changes in gut bacteria in Syrian hamsters, regardless of who wins or loses. The researchers discovered that even a single exposure to social stress leads to changes in the gut microbiota, similar to what is seen following other physical stressors.
A study found that stressed individuals performed equally well as relaxed individuals in a categorization task, but their brains showed increased activity and used additional brain regions. The researchers believe this compensation mechanism allows for good performance despite stress.
Researchers at the University of Calgary discovered that stress transmitted from others can change the brain in mice, altering CRH neurons that control the brain's response to stress. In females, these effects are reversed after a social interaction, while males do not exhibit this reversal.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that smiles meant to convey dominance are associated with a spike in stress hormones, while reward smiles appear to physically buffer recipients against stress. This suggests that subtle differences in facial expressions can fundamentally change our experience and physiological response.
New research finds that high workloads and targets lead to psychological stress, demotivation, and reduced initiative among healthcare staff. This exposes healthcare services to major risk of staff shortage and inoperability during disasters.
A recent study found that learning stress-reducing techniques can significantly reduce the frequency of seizures in people with difficult-to-treat epilepsy. Participants who learned progressive muscle relaxation and breathing techniques experienced a 29% decrease in seizures, while those in the control group had a 25% reduction.
Researchers found that prenatal stress can promote developmental plasticity in babies, making them more likely to benefit from good parenting. However, this effect only manifests when they are reared in supportive environments.
A recent study by MLU psychologists found that nearly a third of residents near wind farms experience little to no annoyance from the noise, while one in ten suffer from stress symptoms. The researchers recommend proactive addressing residents' concerns during planning phases and providing early information campaigns.
A new study by researchers at the University of Arizona found that people with high levels of biospheric concern are more likely to experience stress and depression due to climate change. Those who show concern for the environment, animals, and plants tend to have a planetary outlook and think about bigger picture issues.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that third-graders who spend a class session in a natural outdoor setting are more engaged and less distracted in their regular classroom afterward. The effect was large and occurred week after week, regardless of teacher expectations.
A study of 47 GPs found that dysfunctional working relationships, unsupportive colleagues, and fear of complaints are significant stressors. GPs who felt isolated and unsupported reported burnout, depression, or anxiety.
A new study published in Cancer Cell suggests that stress accelerates the development of pancreatic cancer by triggering the release of 'fight-or-flight' hormones. Beta-blockers, commonly used medications that inhibit these hormones, were found to increase survival in a mouse model of the disease.
A recent study published in Journal of Leukocyte Biology found that stress receptors can control immune cells' defense mechanisms, leading to allergic diseases. Mice with disabled stress receptors showed reduced disease symptoms and were protected against stress-related illnesses.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that survivors of the 2011 Joplin tornado experienced a range of mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress. However, they also discovered that these individuals had the potential to experience positive changes or growth in addition to stress.
Women who smelled their partner's shirt felt less stressed before and after a stress test. The study found that women who correctly identified the scent also had lower cortisol levels, suggesting the benefits are strongest when women know what they're smelling.
Research suggests that women with heart disease are more vulnerable to the effects of mental stress, particularly in terms of constricted peripheral vessels leading to reduced blood supply. This increased risk is associated with a higher likelihood of heart-related events and death.
A study on 757 children and adolescents who experienced the 2013 Ya'an earthquake in China identified three classes of symptoms: resilient, thriving, and struggling. Those transitioning from thriving to struggling were more likely to be girls with higher levels of loss and injury.
A randomised controlled trial found that mindfulness training significantly reduced psychological distress and improved wellbeing among university students. The study, published in The Lancet Public Health, suggests that mindfulness can help build resilience against stress and is a useful addition to existing interventions.
A new study by Drexel University shows that while coloring can reduce stress, it is not as potent as involving an art therapist. Art therapists report significant benefits from open studio sessions, including empowerment, creativity, and improved mood.
A stress protein found in muscle has been linked to diabetes promotion, but blocking it with inhibitors could prevent glucose intolerance. FKBP51-protein inhibitors are being developed for clinical trials to treat diabetes and metabolic diseases.
A study found that teenage survivors of a terror attack were four times more likely to have migraines and three times more likely to have frequent tension headaches than non-survivors. The study suggests that highly stressful events may lead to ongoing suffering with debilitating headaches.
After retiring from work life, people sleep approximately 20 minutes longer than before retirement and experience improved sleep quality. This is particularly true for individuals who had previously experienced sleep difficulties or were heavy alcohol users, with a notable decrease in early morning awakenings and nonrestorative sleep.
A new study by Michigan State University scholars reveals that discrimination harms not only the victim's health but also their partner's. The research found that experiencing unfair treatment has a significant impact on an individual's mental health, including depression, and can strain relationships.
Research by University of California, Riverside expert Kate Sweeny finds that mindfulness meditation can help individuals cope with waiting for potentially bad news. The study, published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, found that mindfulness reduced the stress associated with waiting, particularly when compared to other ...
Researchers at the University of Delaware and Delaware State University are studying the effects of traumatic stress in women and brain function to improve understanding of impulse control. The five-year grant will support non-invasive imaging techniques to explore brain function in living humans and laboratory animals.
A new study identified CRF1 as a master regulator of mast cell activity during stressful challenges, including psychological stress and anaphylaxis. The study showed that mice lacking CRF1 expression were protected against disease, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for treating stress-related diseases.
A Ben-Gurion University researcher has been awarded a grant to develop an empathy-based emotion-regulation mechanism for stress relief. The team aims to identify effective techniques to trigger empathy, such as imagining the mindset of others, and create a mentalizing-based emotion-regulation mechanism for stress relief.
A new study finds that prenatal stress during late gestation reduces offspring growth during dependence, resulting in a reduced body size throughout development. In contrast, early prenatal stress accelerates growth and increases size after weaning to ensure reproduction before death.
A self-help book based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been found to reduce symptoms of stress, burnout, and depression. Participants who used the book showed significant improvement in areas such as stress, burnout, and wellbeing compared to those in a waitlist group.
Research suggests mothers of teenagers with ASD experience high levels of stress and negative psychological symptoms. However, an optimistic outlook can serve as a buffer against these effects, allowing them to better cope with parenting challenges.
Researchers found that exposure to traumatic calls and lack of control over workload contribute to the psychological distress of emergency call handlers. High stress levels can lead to burnout, sickness, and increased time away from work.
Research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2017 found that traumatic lifetime events and recent negative life experiences increase a woman's likelihood of being obese. Women who experienced four or more negative events in the past five years had a 36% higher risk of obesity compared to those with no such...
Researchers found that hair cortisol levels in pregnant women who developed postpartum depression were higher throughout pregnancy than those who didn't. The study suggests that detecting these differences can help anticipate the psychological state of new mothers and prevent potential negative effects on their babies.
A Tel Aviv University study found that people often project their own experiences with stress onto colleagues, causing miscommunication and missed opportunities. The research showed that a person's individual stress mindset colors their perception of others' health, productivity, and burnout levels.
Researchers from the University of Granada found that blue lighting speeds up relaxation after an argument by accelerating physiological responses. The study used electrophysiological measurements to compare blue and white lighting on heart rate and brain activity.
A study of 21,103 children found no significant differences in emotional and mental health difficulties between those with lesbian or gay parents and those with heterosexual parents. However, children of bisexual parents experienced greater difficulties, which disappeared after accounting for minority stress among bisexual parents.
A new study from Rice University reveals that nearly 80% of undocumented Mexican immigrants living near the California-Mexico border have a lifetime history of traumatic events. Clinically significant psychological distress affects around 50% of these individuals, with many reporting domestic violence, poverty, and material deprivation.
A new study from the University of Arizona finds that people with poor social skills are at greater risk for mental and physical health issues due to increased stress and loneliness. Social skills training has shown to be effective in improving these skills.
A five-year study by UC Davis researchers assesses stress hormones and emotions in up to 250 Mexican-origin families in Sacramento. The study aims to understand how daily stresses affect parent-child interactions, physical and mental health, and school readiness.
A new USC-led study suggests that estrogen treatment after menopause can mitigate the negative effects of stress on working memory. Women taking estrogen-only therapy had lower cortisol levels and better performed on tests following exposure to stress compared to those receiving a placebo.
A study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that group exercise significantly improved mental, physical, and emotional quality of life, with a 26% reduction in stress levels. In contrast, individual workouts had no significant impact on stress levels or quality of life.
African-American men report an average of eight depressive symptoms per month, with family support, mastery, self-esteem, chronic stressors, and discrimination as significant factors. The study found that public health policies should account for neighborhood conditions to address poor mental health among African-Americans.
Researchers found that 66% of family members lacked knowledge about their loved ones' required medical services, leading to emotional distress and poor communication. The study suggests that establishing optimal channels of communication can improve the quality of transitions of care in intensive care settings.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University found that a mindfulness meditation mobile app with an acceptance training component reduces cortisol and systolic blood pressure in response to stress. The app was shown to lower blood pressure responses by approximately 20% and cortisol responses by more than 50%.
Patients with a history of heart attack are more likely to use emotion-focused coping strategies, while those without a history of heart disease use problem-focused approaches. These inefficient coping methods can exacerbate stress and impact quality of life.
During a crisis, people are exposed to conflicting information and stress. Those relying on social media report greater rumor generation and distress. UCI-led research found that communications vacuums can lead to rumor transmission and increased community-level negative emotion.
A BYU study with mice reveals stress can alter gut microbiota to resemble a high-fat diet, potentially contributing to gender-specific health disparities. Researchers found distinct changes in female mice's digestive microorganisms upon exposure to stress.
A study published in Frontiers in Robotics and AI found that virtual interviewers combined anonymity with social rapport to help troops open up about mental health. Virtual interviews revealed significantly more PTSD symptoms compared to surveys, suggesting a new approach to diagnose and treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
A new study found that watching hockey games live or on TV can cause a substantial effect on the cardiovascular system, with average heart rate increases of 75% and 110%, respectively. The emotional stress response triggered by high-stakes moments in the game can trigger adverse cardiovascular events.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute found that mental training changes brain structure and reduces social stress. The study used three 3-month training modules focusing on different competencies, including socio-affective and socio-cognitive abilities.
Researchers found that a set of validated, self-reported questions can predict mental health problems like depression and PTSD after return from deployment. The questions assess 14 psychological attributes and can be used to identify high-risk individuals.
Research analyzed medical records of 110 male and 102 female athletes with first-time concussion diagnoses, revealing a median duration of symptoms was 28 days for girls compared to 11 days for boys. Symptoms resolved within three weeks for 75% of boys but only 42% of girls.
Researchers found that stress reduces our capacity to detect new threats by impairing how well we track and update predictions of potentially dangerous circumstances. Stress also impairs flexibility in decision making, resulting in a slower rate of learning.
A new study from the University of California, Davis, suggests that blocking oxytocin in the brain may be a better option for relieving stress and enhancing social life. Researchers found that oxytocin amplifies both positive and negative social interactions, but its effects vary depending on the brain region it acts upon.
A study by Kent State University researcher Mary Beth Spitznagel found that pet owners experiencing chronic or terminal illness in their pets suffer from caregiver burden, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and poor quality of life. The study aimed to fill a gap in research on this topic and provide insights for pet caregivers.
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.