Articles tagged with Psychological Stress
Women who participated in a 5-week cognitive behavioral training program showed significant improvements in mood, emotional well-being, and stress management skills. The Relaxation Training group also reported reduced disruptions in social activities and increased confidence in using relaxation techniques.
Research reveals that people tend to choose tasks with more physical effort to get them done faster, despite it being less efficient. This preference is driven by the desire to relieve stress and lighten their mental load.
Researchers found that even brief observations of stressed individuals can increase cortisol levels in observers, particularly when social closeness is involved. This phenomenon, known as empathic stress, has significant implications for the healthcare system and our understanding of stress transmission.
Researchers investigated four trained therapy dogs and found no stress during group therapy. The study established that freedom relaxes the dogs, reducing cortisol levels, and symptoms of stressed dogs include hair loss and anxiety-like behaviors. Regular supervision is recommended for therapy dogs to ensure their well-being.
Research from Washington State University found that children who participate in horse-riding programs have lower stress hormone levels. The study, which measured cortisol levels in saliva samples, suggests a potential prevention strategy for young adolescents at risk of developing physical and mental health problems.
Residents of poorer Chicago neighborhoods face more life-changing negative events and experience a range of serious health issues due to the complex interplay between traumatic events and lack of resources. The study's findings highlight the need for addressing poverty and providing support for vulnerable populations.
A study published by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that DNA modifications in the blood of stressed mice correlate with changes in brain tissue, providing a valid comparison between the two. The research linked epigenetic changes to altered gene function, shedding light on the relationship between stress and psychiatric diseases.
Saint Louis University's medical school curriculum changes have reduced depression rates from 27% to 11% and anxiety from 55% to 31% among first-year students. The new curriculum focuses on stress reduction, resilience training, and mindfulness.
Researchers found that women with high levels of stress biomarkers are more than twice as likely to meet the clinical definition of infertility compared to those with low levels. The study also suggests that managing stress using techniques like yoga and meditation may help women conceive, although it's not the only factor involved.
A mobile gaming app based on attention-bias modification training (ABMT) has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress in stressed individuals. Playing the game for 25 minutes can have potent effects on anxiety, suggesting a potential 'cognitive vaccine' against anxiety and stress.
A study by Giorgia Silani found that stress undermines empathic abilities in men, while increasing them in women. In the experiment, stressed men performed worse in tasks requiring empathy and social skills compared to unstressed men.
Researchers found that emotional stressors like anger can cause changes in the nervous system controlling heart rate, triggering microvascular coronary dysfunction more often in women than men. This condition can lead to heart attacks and other cardiac issues despite clear arteries.
A Concordia University study found that maintaining or improving self-esteem can help prevent health problems in seniors. The research team measured cortisol levels, self-esteem, stress, and symptoms of depression in 147 adults aged 60 and over, revealing a strong association between declining self-esteem and increased cortisol levels.
Researchers at the University of Montreal found that increased psychological distress and depression symptoms are associated with high cortisol levels, while severe burnout is linked to low cortisol concentrations. This study aims to develop more accurate screening tools for mental health professionals.
A new national interdisciplinary effort examines how biology and social factors interact within marriage to affect cardiovascular health. The study aims to identify risk factors for heart disease and elucidate the mechanisms underlying this relationship.
A multi-site US-Canada study found that antidepressant citalopram significantly relieved symptoms of agitation in Alzheimer's patients and reduced caregivers' stress levels. The study involved 186 patients with Alzheimer's disease who showed no relief from non-medication therapies or antipsychotic drugs.
A small pilot study of 22 mothers found that an 'Resourcefulness' intervention, teaching coping skills, bolsters moms' mental health and improves family dynamics. The intervention reduced negative emotions and depressive cognitions in mothers caring for children on life-sustaining devices.
Research by John Cacioppo reveals loneliness significantly impacts physical and mental health in older adults, increasing mortality risk. Staying connected with loved ones through social engagement can mitigate these effects.
A study of 26 studies found that quitting smoking is associated with improvements in depression, anxiety, stress, and psychological quality of life. The findings suggest that smokers can be reassured that stopping smoking has mental health benefits.
A randomized controlled study found significant decreases in perceived stress, emotional exhaustion, and depressive symptoms among teachers practicing Transcendental Meditation. The four-month study included 40 teachers and support staff, with high compliance rates.
A UW study of 1,228 female twins found that caregiving's relationship with depression, anxiety, and perceived mental health is influenced by genetics and upbringing. Anxiety is the most closely linked to caregiving, while environmental factors have a greater impact on perceived stress.
A new study from the USC Marshall School of Business found that sharing feelings with someone having a similar emotional response to a threatening situation can help decrease stress. By discussing their emotions, individuals can experience reduced levels of stress-related hormones like cortisol.
A new criminal sanction is being considered to deter poor care resulting in severe harm, but critics argue it may cause distress and disruption. The proposed legislation aims to close a gap in the law and promote open culture, but its potential pitfalls remain unclear.
Research finds that US adults with private or no health insurance experience lower levels of psychological distress compared to those with public coverage. Adults with recent changes in insurance status have higher distress levels.
Researchers found that younger, less experienced runners are more prone to injuries, while stress fractures are relatively rare. Ultrarunners also showed a high incidence of asthma and allergies, which may be linked to increased outdoor exposure.
A study found that high maternal care during early post-natal periods can re-program genes controlling stress responses, reducing sensitivity to stressful events. This rewiring has implications for understanding early environment influences on stress-related disorders.
A study by St. Michael's Hospital found that parental stress is associated with weight gain in children, particularly those of Hispanic descent. Children whose parents experience high levels of stress have a higher BMI and increased rate of weight gain compared to those with low stress levels.
Researchers found that women younger than 50 with a recent heart attack experience restricted blood flow to the heart in response to psychological stress. This may explain why younger women who are hospitalized after a heart attack face a greater risk of complications and dying compared to men of the same age.
A $1.4 million project led by CWRU psychologist Julie Exline aims to understand the factors behind religious and spiritual struggles. The study will explore how spiritual conflicts arise, resolve, and impact individuals from different life stages, including college students, US adults, and military veterans.
A cognitive-behavioral intervention called problem-solving education (PSE) may help reduce parental stress and depressive symptoms immediately after a child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Mothers of children with ASD report high levels of parental stress, depressive symptoms, and social isolation.
Researchers discovered that changes in vaginal bacteria and placental levels of lactobacillus can alter the newborn's gut microbiome and affect brain development. The study also found a potential link between placental OGT protein levels and offspring neurodevelopment.
A study found that Boston-area military veterans diagnosed with PTSD experienced flashbacks and unwanted memories after the Boston Marathon Bombing in April 2013. The researchers urge healthcare systems to be prepared to treat individuals affected by such tragedies.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry reveals that offspring of stressed mothers show stress-induced changes at birth, with altered behavior and gender-related differences continuing into adulthood. The researchers identified the CRF1 gene as a key contributor to this intergenerational transmission of patterns.
A new study suggests that stress eaters show dynamic patterns of eating behavior, with 'munchers' eating more after being stressed but less when pleased, while 'skippers' do the reverse. This challenges the idea that stress eaters need to regulate their eating habits to prevent weight gain.
Studies show that medical students who receive guided relaxation and mindfulness training experience reduced stress levels and improved performance. The Wake Forest Baptist program provides a unique opportunity for medical schools to include stress-management training in their curriculums.
A study published in Psychological Science found that cognitive reappraisal can actually have negative effects on psychological health when dealing with controllable stressors. This challenges the long-held notion that reappraisal is always beneficial for emotional well-being.
A mindfulness-based professional development program, CARE for Teachers, improves teachers' well-being, efficacy, and classroom environments. The program combines emotion skills instruction, mindful awareness practices, and compassion-building activities to reduce stress and improve social-emotional learning.
A study of over 32,000 participants found that traumatic life events are the biggest cause of anxiety and depression. The research highlights the importance of a person's thinking style in determining their level of stress and anxiety.
A new study finds that stress sweat significantly impacts social judgments of one's confidence, trustworthiness, and competence in both males and females. The study, published in PLOS ONE, reveals that the odor from stress-related sweat affects how women are perceived by others.
A new study examines how healthcare providers respond to emotional, sexual, and physical violence experienced by female US veterans at the hands of their intimate partners. The research highlights the need for routine screening and direct inquiry to disclose experiences of intimate partner violence.
Researchers have identified a novel biomarker, nerve growth factor (sNGF), linked to the body's response to stress and resilience. Higher sNGF levels during stress are associated with lower negative emotions and lower problem behaviors, suggesting its potential as a protective marker.
A 40-year study of Swedish women found that experiencing multiple stressful life events in mid-life increases the risk of developing dementia in late life. The research, published in BMJ Open, suggests that stress management and behavioral therapy may help mitigate this risk.
Highly materialistic individuals exhibit higher levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms and impulsive buying when faced with mortal threats, according to an international study. Materialism also fuels anxiety about mortality, leading to compulsive spending as a coping mechanism.
A study conducted on Chicago trains found that individuals with a sense of purpose in life are less affected by negative moods triggered by diversity. Those who had written about their life aims or had a strong sense of purpose did not experience worsened mood, unlike those without a clear direction.
A study led by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Waisman Center found that mindfulness training reduced teacher stress and burnout, while improving classroom organization and increasing self-compassion. The study used a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course adapted for elementary school teachers.
NYU researchers discovered that even mild stress can hinder therapeutic techniques for controlling emotions, including cognitive restructuring. The study found that stress undermines the effectiveness of these techniques, making it challenging to reduce fear and anxiety in real-life situations.
Terence M. Keane, a renowned expert on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has received the Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Clinical Psychology Award from the American Psychological Association. His work focuses on developing new therapies and treatments for PTSD, which affects approximately 7.7 million adults in the US.
Dr. Kim Huhman's research may lead to improved strategies for treating mental health problems associated with social stress. The study, supported by a federal grant, investigates how exposure to social stress causes changes in brain and behavior.
Researchers found that keeping a secret can change the way people interact with others, leading to more deceptive behavior among friends and superficial positivity towards acquaintances. Additionally, high neuroticism and low conscientiousness are consistently associated with increased risk of obesity across various samples. Confrontin...
A study by Concordia University researchers found that optimists tend to have more stable cortisol levels, indicating better regulation of stress. In contrast, pessimists struggle to control their stress response, especially during high-stress situations.
During stressful periods, people tend to default to unhealthy snacks due to ingrained habits rather than cravings. The study's findings have significant implications for the development of new food products, highlighting the importance of disrupting existing consumer habits.
Researchers found that women with more severe past trauma improved the most in an HIV/trauma intervention, suggesting a tailored approach may be necessary. The study suggests focusing on the most severely traumatized individuals can lead to greater psychological improvement.
A study of 7268 participants found that individuals who reported stress affecting their health were twice as likely to have or die from a heart attack. The researchers suggest that patients' perceptions of stress impact on their health can be an accurate predictor of coronary disease.
Researchers found that people who believe stress affects their health have double the risk of a heart attack. After adjusting for factors, they still had a 50% greater risk compared to those who didn't perceive stress as affecting their health.
A mindfulness-based approach has been shown to reduce symptoms of stress and depression, and promote wellbeing among school children. The study found that 80% of young people continued using the practices after completing the nine-week program.
A new web-based intervention, Family-Health Information Management System (Family-HIMS), aims to enhance caregiving management for dementia patients and their Hispanic caregivers. The system will be designed and tested with English- and Spanish-speaking family caregivers to address unique needs and stressors.
Rich Wener's research has significantly furthered the ability to build humane, just, and functional correctional facilities. He was recognized by the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) with a Career Award for his contributions to environmental design research.
A study by Oxford University psychologists found that stress or anxiety increases a 'belief in science' in non-religious people, which may help them cope with adversity. The researchers suggest that this belief can offer comfort and reassurance, similar to the benefits of religious faith.
A study of 1,500 middle-aged women found that one in five experienced constant or frequent stress, leading to 40% reporting psychosomatic symptoms like muscle aches and joint pain. Single women and smokers were particularly vulnerable to stress, highlighting the need for preventive measures from society.
Researchers found that children who appear to succeed socially may be failing biologically due to chronic stress. Those with high self-esteem and academic success show elevated levels of stress hormones, blood pressure, and BMI, increasing risk for chronic diseases.