Articles tagged with Psychological Stress
A new Michigan State University study found that refugees diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have an overactive gene associated with mental health that disrupts their stress defense system. This causes the body to overreact to stress, leading to increased symptoms of PTSD.
A study of 2,000 people found that women report higher stress levels than men for various life events, including death of a loved one, illness, and Brexit. This increased stress can lead to long-term physiological problems, such as ulcers or an increased risk of heart attack.
A team of engineers and doctors is developing a tool to identify poor posture and correct awkward positions in the operating room. Early results show that the tool is effective at spotting pain-inducing positions, which could lead to improved surgical safety for surgeons.
Researchers found that soldiers who exhibited less change in both testosterone and cortisol levels in response to stress were more likely to later show PTSD symptoms. The study suggests future research could investigate preventative interventions targeting those with at-risk hormone profiles.
Researchers assessed the connection between stress and progressive vision loss from AMD using the Perceived Stress Scale. The study found that stress-reduction approaches may improve outcomes in AMD patients, and future studies could investigate the relationship between perceived stress levels and disease progression.
A study by Norwegian researchers has found that young children in childcare exhibit increased stress hormone cortisol levels on childcare days, compared to days at home. The study also revealed a correlation between the length of childcare days and cortisol levels, with longer days linked to higher cortisol levels.
Research by academics at the University of Exeter found that people living in neighborhoods with more birds, shrubs, and trees are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress. The study also found benefits for mental health when observing birds in the afternoon.
Research found that patients with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other psychiatric disorders have an increased risk of stroke, especially in the immediate post-diagnosis period. The study's lead researcher suggests that psychological distress may contribute to increased blood pressure and inflammation, leading to a higher stroke risk.
A recent Carnegie Mellon University study found that married individuals have lower cortisol levels than those who are single, divorced, or widowed. This biological evidence supports the notion that unmarried people face more psychological stress than their married counterparts.
A University of Alberta study found that supporting a partner with depression can lead to improved future mental health. Researcher Matthew Johnson recommends offering 'invisible support' and helping with daily tasks to alleviate stress.
A UBC study found that students with higher levels of self-compassion felt more energetic and optimistic during their first semester. Self-compassion interventions can help mitigate psychological stress by enhancing autonomy, competence, and relatedness, leading to improved well-being.
Prolonged exposure to work-related stress has been linked to an increased likelihood of lung, colon, rectal, and stomach cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in men. Researchers found a significant link between work-related stress and cancer in men who held stressful jobs for 15-30 years or more.
A new randomized controlled study published in The Permanente Journal found that Transcendental Meditation significantly reduces trauma symptoms in female prisoner inmates. Practicing the technique for four months showed a natural reduction in intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal, and overall trauma symptoms.
A new study by the British Psychological Society finds that people with different personality preferences experience varying degrees of stress when using email. Those with a big picture focus tend to check emails outside work hours, leading to increased stress levels.
Researchers found that female rats prefer dominant males who have experienced stress in adolescence, but reject submissive males with a history of stress. This study provides insight into the effects of environmental stress on reproduction and may lead to a better understanding of human reproductive capacity.
Researchers found a relationship between increased cortisol response to stress and gastrointestinal symptoms in children with autism. Individuals with autism who experienced frequent constipation and abdominal pain had greater cortisol levels in response to stress.
Researchers found that observing trauma can change brain information flow, making individuals more vulnerable to mental disorders like PTSD. The study suggests witnessing fear can physically redistribute brain signals, potentially enabling new communications and shedding light on the disorder's causes.
A new study from Tufts University found that learning through practice testing can protect memory against the negative effects of stress. Participants who used retrieval practice showed no impairment in memory after experiencing acute stress, while those who used traditional study practice remembered fewer items overall.
A new study reveals a high prevalence of military sexual trauma (MST) among transgender veterans, with nearly one in five transgender men and one in seven women screened positive. MST was associated with an increased likelihood of mental health conditions such as posttraumatic stress, personality disorders, and depression.
A recent study published in Psychological Bulletin found that traditional risk factors, such as depression and substance abuse, are not effective predictors of suicide. The researcher hopes to improve accuracy using artificial intelligence and machine-learning methods.
Research highlights the intersection of nutrition and mental health, with studies investigating various levels and perspectives. Nutrition's impact on inflammation and stress is a key area of focus.
Researchers found that shoppers distracted by multitasking are less successful at completing their shopping task, particularly if they're in a deliberate mindset. This study suggests retailers should reduce stress in the shopping environment to improve customer experience.
A mouse study reveals that prenatal stress can alter the microbiome, leading to anxiety and learning difficulties in offspring. Researchers found lasting changes in the gut bacteria of stressed mothers and their female offspring, which persisted into adulthood.
A multicomponent behavioral intervention delivered by lay health workers significantly reduced anxiety and depression in adults with high levels of psychological distress. The study found improvements across all dimensions, including trauma-related symptoms and functioning.
A recent study found structural differences between the sexes in one part of the insula, a brain region involved in emotion processing. This difference may help explain why girls are more likely to develop PTSD than boys after experiencing trauma. The findings suggest sex-specific treatments for traumatic stress and emotion dysregulation.
A study by Max-Planck-Gesellschaft researchers found that social support from bond partners significantly reduced stress hormone levels in wild chimpanzees during conflicts and everyday affiliations. This discovery has potential medical implications for humans, highlighting the importance of supportive relationships in regulating stress.
A new study found that people choose to visit countryside areas based on their recreational value, rather than their conservation importance. The research suggests that even sites of high conservation value do not receive more visits due to their attractiveness.
A lifelong study of almost 10,000 people found that those who participated in scouts or guides tended to have better mental health at age 50. This is particularly beneficial for children from poorer backgrounds, who are less likely to suffer from anxiety or mood disorders.
A new study found that young children can experience PTSD for years after a traumatic event, often unnoticed by their parents. Researchers discovered that parent reports of PTSD may be inadequate to identify chronic patterns in young children, and that parental mental health is linked to child PTSD.
A study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that high fitness levels moderate the relationship between stress and cardiovascular risk factors. Regular physical activity can help mitigate the negative effects of stress on health.
New research suggests that early-life stress can impair learning and memory in later life, but improving nutrition may help prevent these effects. Early micronutrient supplementation has been shown to improve cognitive function in adult offspring of stressed mice.
Prisoners show significant reductions in trauma symptoms, anxiety, depression, dissociation, and sleep disturbance after practicing Transcendental Meditation. The study found a 47% reduction in total trauma symptoms and improved physiological functioning, suggesting TM as an alternative treatment for posttraumatic stress.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found that stress can cancel out the benefits of choosing healthier fats, such as monounsaturated sunflower oil. Women who consumed a high-unsaturated-fat breakfast fared better in blood tests looking for precursors to disease than those consuming a high-saturated-fat meal, but this a...
Researchers have discovered a biological link between anxiety and metabolic disorders, revealing microRNAs as key regulators of inflammation and metabolism. This finding offers novel opportunities for innovative diagnoses and treatments, including manipulation of microRNA activity through DNA-based drugs.
Residents of high-unemployment communities showed elevated post-traumatic stress at 25-28 months after Hurricane Sandy, highlighting the need for ongoing support. Ongoing assistance is crucial for disaster-affected economically vulnerable communities years after the disaster.
French children born between 1914 and 1916 whose fathers were killed or severely injured during WWI lost approximately one year of adult life expectancy. Research suggests that negative early life experiences, including maternal psychological stress, may contribute to increased mortality in adulthood.
A Mayo Clinic study found a significant relationship between stress levels and poor quality of life in medical center employees. The researchers emphasize the importance of engaging employees into wellness programs to reduce burnout and improve overall well-being.
A study published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior found that sex in later years can have contrasting effects on cardiovascular health for men and women. For older men, frequent sex increases the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems, while moderate amounts of sex may promote health among older women.
Research suggests that women experiencing persistent childbirth pain are more likely to develop postnatal depression following birth. A study conducted in 2016 found that women with persistent pain had significantly higher scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale compared to those whose pain resolved within four weeks.
A study by Indiana University researchers found that people are more likely to undermine their performance at stressful tasks when they're operating at 'peak capacity' based on their preferred time of the day. This behavior, known as self-handicapping, was more common among morning people in the morning and night owls in the evening.
Researchers found that a resort vacation immediately impacts molecular networks associated with stress and immune pathways. Meditation retreats were associated with antiviral activity, while long-term meditators had distinct molecular signatures.
Researchers study how parents cope with NICU stress using secular and spiritual strategies, finding that negative religious coping can lead to lower levels of connection with family. Effective coping fosters bonding with the baby, while spiritual support provides a sense of meaning and connection.
A new study finds that older adults consistently improve their psychological well-being over time, with lower levels of stress and depression compared to younger adults. The researchers attribute this to increased wisdom with age, better coping mechanisms, and fewer negative emotions.
Research suggests that younger women with coronary heart disease are vulnerable to the damaging effects of psychological stress on their heart. The study found that stress-induced, reduced blood flow occurred more frequently in younger women than men, especially among those under 50 years old.
A mindfulness-based intervention reduced depressive symptoms and stress among African-American women with lower socio-economic status. Participants learned yoga, breathing techniques, and body scans to manage daily stresses and gain control over their emotions.
Exposure to nature videos reduces aggressive behavior among inmates, with a 26% decrease in violent infractions. Inmates who viewed the videos also showed reduced negative emotions and behaviors.
A new study by Northwestern University finds that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is associated with improved subjective memory in breast cancer survivors. Higher levels of physical activity are linked to lower distress, less fatigue, and higher self-confidence, which in turn aids memory.
A new study from King's College London examined Freud's theory on Hysteria, a disorder resulting in severe neurological symptoms. The research found that stressors around the time of onset might be relevant for some patients with Conversion Disorder (CD), challenging the sole cause of trauma assumption. However, the study also highligh...
A UBC study suggests that teacher burnout and student stress are linked, with elevated cortisol levels found in students in classrooms where teachers experience more emotional exhaustion. This connection highlights the need for adequate resources and support for teachers to prevent a cyclical problem of stress contagion in classrooms.
A new study by the University of East Anglia examines the relationship between emotional intelligence, stress, burnout, and social work practice. The researchers found that emotional intelligence was a key predictor of stress and burnout, while realistic workloads and administrative support were essential for effective social work.
A UT Austin study suggests teaching teens that socially relevant traits are malleable can help them cope with social challenges. The research found that teens who learned this lesson reported feeling less threatened, exhibited higher cardiac efficiency, and performed better academically.
A new study by Drexel University found that making art can significantly reduce stress-related hormones in the body, with 75% of participants experiencing a decrease. The study also found no correlation between past art experience and cortisol levels, suggesting that anyone can benefit from creative expression.
A team of researchers, led by Prof. Dr. Sonja Entringer, is studying the effects of maternal stress during pregnancy on newborn cell biology and cellular aging. The study aims to understand how prenatal exposure to stress affects the unborn child's development and future health.
Researchers have observed a link between stress exposure during pregnancy and the development of autism in children. Mothers carrying a specific variant of a stress-sensitive gene reported higher levels of stress, particularly during the second and third trimesters.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that chronic fatigue syndrome patients are more likely to suppress their emotions due to a heightened fight-or-flight response. This suppression is associated with increased anxiety and distress, which can worsen fatigue symptoms.
A sharp increase in teen poisonings has been reported in the UK over the past 20 years, particularly among girls. Socioeconomic deprivation is strongly linked to this trend, with those from the most deprived areas two to three times more likely to poison themselves.
Researchers found that email-based exercises showed sustained improvements in psychological health over two years, with significant effects on stress, confidence, and gratitude. The study suggests that internet-based interventions can be an effective tool for promoting mental health.
Research suggests that prenatal stress can lead to epigenetic adaptations in newborns, activating the oxytocin receptor gene and facilitating social behavior. This mechanism could indicate that babies develop more resilience to cope with future adversities.
A study in male mice exposed to early life stress shows that the hippocampus matures faster, but with reduced neural growth, supporting an evolution-based hypothesis. This accelerated maturation may be an adaptation to prepare for short-term survival priorities.
A University of Missouri study found that children physically react to stress from their social networks, with cortisol levels and salivary alpha-amylase indicating stress responses. The quality and size of childhood social relationships may have long-term physiological consequences for youth's physical and mental health.