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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
Researchers found that individuals tend to default to positive habits, such as eating a healthy breakfast or going to the gym, even when stressed. This suggests that the underlying routine is more important than self-control in meeting goals.
A study found that 6 weeks of escitalopram treatment reduced the occurrence of mental stress-induced cardiac ischemia (MSIMI) in patients with stable coronary heart disease. The treatment also improved psychological functioning and hemodynamic responses to stress.
Researchers found that escitalopram reduced mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia by 2.62 times, improving cardiovascular function and reducing platelet serotonin receptor transporters. The study suggests that SSRIs or similar treatments could play a role in managing coronary heart disease.
Researchers found that job stress is associated with an altered lipid profile, leading to higher rates of 'bad' cholesterol and lower levels of 'good' cholesterol. This can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study analyzed data from over 90,000 workers and found a significant link between job stress and dyslipidemia.
A 3.5-year-long study found that employees with high social support at work have a 22% lower chance of developing type 2 diabetes, while those with low social support are 18% more likely to develop the disease. The study highlights the importance of finding the right balance in terms of workload and providing necessary social support.
A Boston University School of Medicine study found that a mind-body class elective increased self-regulation and self-compassion among medical students, while decreasing perceived stress. The course, which combined mindfulness meditation and yoga, helped students better manage stress and feel more empowered to connect with patients.
A CU-Boulder study found that rats forced to exercise by mechanized wheels showed reduced anxiety levels compared to sedentary rats. Humans who feel forced to exercise may also benefit from the mental health benefits of physical activity.
Despite identifying effective treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), most mental health professionals fail to use them, leaving patients without access to crucial care. Prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy have been proven highly effective in addressing PTSD symptoms, yet they are not widely adopted.
A randomized study found that Transcendental Meditation (TM) significantly reduces posttraumatic stress symptoms in African refugees, with dramatic reductions observed after 30 days of practice. PCL scores improved dramatically, with the TM group reaching a non-symptomatic level and remaining low at 135 days.
A new study found that encouraging people to reframe their natural bodily signals as helpful during stressful speaking tasks can improve performance. The study used the Trier Social Stress Test and found that participants who were prepped about the benefits of stress weathered the trial better, with increased blood flow and fewer physi...
Researchers found that a specific gene's function during adolescent trauma exposure is crucial for developing PTSD. The study suggests targeting the CCKR-2 gene as a potential therapy strategy to prevent or cure PTSD.
A new study from UC Irvine found that daily emotional responses to stresses can predict long-term mental health outcomes. The research suggests maintaining emotional balance is crucial for avoiding severe mental health problems.
Research from the Shamatha Project at UC Davis suggests that mindfulness training can lower cortisol levels, a hormone associated with physical and emotional stress. The study found a correlation between high scores in mindfulness and low cortisol levels before and after an intensive meditation retreat.
A study found that babies respond to angry tone of voice, even when asleep, and exhibit greater brain activity in stress-related areas. This suggests that exposure to parental conflicts may impact the way infants process emotions and stress.
Children at risk of schizophrenia have brains that function differently than those not at risk, with a neural circuitry that is hyperactivated or stressed by tasks. This finding suggests early warning signs or vulnerability markers for schizophrenia and may help identify individuals who can be intervened to minimize risk.
A new study of 150,000 people in 142 countries found that positive emotions have a stronger link to health in low-income countries. In contrast, the association between positive emotions and health is weaker in industrialized nations.
A recent study found that sedentary children experience stress hormone surges when exposed to everyday stressors, while the most active children had little or no increase in cortisol levels. The study suggests physical activity plays a role in mental health by buffering children from daily stressors.
A UC Irvine study of 150,000 people in 142 countries found that the link between positive emotions and health is stronger in developing nations. People in Malawi showed a more robust connection between positive emotions and health than residents of the U.S., highlighting the importance of emotional well-being worldwide.
A new study from the University of Utah reveals that individuals with higher mindfulness traits experience greater emotional stability, better self-control, and lower physiological activation before bedtime. This finding suggests that mindfulness may contribute to improved emotional and physical well-being by enhancing self-regulation ...