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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
A study by Children's National Hospital found that nearly half of parents whose children were in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experienced postpartum depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress after discharge. Parents who were the most anxious also reported the highest levels of depression.
Research found a significant association between financial stress and migraine in individuals with specific CLOCK gene variants. The study suggests that these genetic variants may impair processes that prevent migraine under stress conditions.
A recent study by Stockholm University's Demography Unit found that shared custody arrangements reduce stress levels in children. Children living with one parent are more likely to experience stress due to the lack of resources and relationships, while shared physical custody allows for regular contact with both parents, promoting stab...
Research reveals that caregivers experience improved well-being when their loved ones recognize and appreciate their help. The study suggests that specific conditions, including emotional communication and recognizing the impact of caregiving, are crucial to alleviating the burdens of spousal care.
A new study found that specific brain activity patterns can reliably predict the size of blood pressure and heart rate reactions to mental stress tests. The findings suggest that brain imaging could be a useful tool to identify people at risk for heart disease or who may benefit from stress-reducing interventions.
A study by FAU researchers found that men tend to be more aggressive than women in competitive situations, while team players exhibit less aggression. Cortisol levels also decreased in participants exhibiting aggressive behavior.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that people with supportive spouses are more likely to take on potentially rewarding challenges, leading to personal growth and happiness. Those who experienced a supportive relationship had better psychological well-being and relationship functioning months later.
Researchers found that bullying can cause significant changes in sleep patterns, including increased bouts of paradoxical sleep and flattened body temperature fluctuations. These effects persisted even after the mice were removed from the threatening environment, suggesting a long-term impact on mental health.
Researchers found that stress levels and time since an adverse event can lead to the misidentification of harmless cues as threats, exacerbating anxiety disorders. The study provides new insights into how the human mind generalizes fear and could inform better treatments for PTSD.
Research by American Psychological Association highlights the negative impact of fat shaming on patients' physical health and well-being. Studies show that overweight individuals may receive inadequate medical treatment, including under-dosing of antibiotics and chemotherapy, due to weight-based assumptions.
Researchers found chronic cannabis users showed no difference in cortisol levels during stressful situations compared to non-users, hinting at potential therapeutic benefits but also raising concerns about resilience and health. The study provides an important first step in investigating the effects of long-term cannabis use.
Research suggests that women with bulimia nervosa use food as an escape from negative thoughts and self-criticism, as indicated by decreased blood flow in the brain's self-reflection region. The study found increased stress reduction and increased food cravings after consuming high-fat/high-sugar foods.
A large nationwide study involving over 40,000 women found that fertility treatment does not increase the risk of divorce. The study, which followed couples for 16 years, revealed that the majority of couples had children with their baseline partners and around one-fifth ended up separated or divorced.
A new study from the University of California, Berkeley found that dementia patients tend to die sooner when cared for by family members with depression or anxiety. The study tracked 176 patients and their caregiver mental health over several years, revealing a strong link between patient survival and caregiver well-being.
Research published in the journal Heart found a significant association between persistent moderate to severe mental distress and increased risk of death among patients with stable coronary heart disease. Conversely, mild or occasional distress over the long term showed no such link.
A new study by Michigan State University researchers found that job stress can lead to overeating and unhealthy food choices at dinnertime. However, getting a good night's sleep can help mitigate this harmful pattern.
A new study explores ways to build resilience among refugee and immigrant women experiencing unique stress following migration. Counselors can play a crucial role in creating community-based support systems and offering culture-centered mental health services.
A Concordia study identifies conflicting demands of education and therapy in the classroom, causing emotional stress among students. The study recommends increased transparency between teachers and students, clearer policies on affective material, and discussions on ethical practices to enhance the student experience.
A new study suggests that meditation and yoga can 'reverse' the molecular reactions in our DNA caused by stress, leading to improved mental and physical health. The research found that these mind-body interventions decrease production of NF-kB and cytokines, reducing inflammation and associated diseases.