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.
Researchers found that college students who used religious coping mechanisms reported less frequent and heavy drinking. Parents' stress-coping habits also played a role in shaping their children's coping practices. The study surveyed 129 college students and their parents, with results published in the Journal of Religion and Health.
A pilot study found six compounds in the breath that increase following stressful mental arithmetic exercises, which may lead to a rapid stress detector. The study's findings are promising but need to be scaled-up with more people and settings before concrete conclusions can be made.
The Cohen Veterans Center will conduct biomarker research to accurately diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), with potential treatments including targeted medications and therapies. The $17 million gift is believed to be the largest private donation to PTSD research.
A six-session program addressing cognitive, physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being significantly improved patients' quality-of-life measures. Despite the benefits for cancer patients, caregivers showed no improvement in quality-of-life measures during treatment.
Low-income adults with poor mental health are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as binge drinking and smoking. The study found that symptoms of depression and anxiety, rather than unhealthy behaviors, predict later levels of these health-compromising actions.
Researchers found that providing tangible assistance to others significantly reduced mortality rates among the helpers, buffering the negative effects of stress. The study's findings contradict previous research, which failed to establish similar benefits for recipients of social support.
A study by Isabelle Ouellet-Morin found that bullying by peers alters the structure surrounding a gene involved in mood regulation, making victims more vulnerable to mental health problems. The research suggests that victimization experiences in childhood can change not only stress response but also gene functioning related to mood.
A recent study published in Psychological Medicine found that individuals with chronic anxiety are more vulnerable to developing PTSD. The research analyzed data from over 1,000 participants and found that those who scored higher on neuroticism as the study began were more likely to develop PTSD.
Researchers found postpartum women exhibit reduced stress response to images unrelated to their babies compared to childless women. Oxytocin nasal spray administration showed similar brain activity and reduced subjective stress in childless women, suggesting its role in these changes.
A systematic review found that children and teenagers diagnosed with PTSD showed signs of improvement up to three months following treatment. Psychological therapies, particularly cognitive behavioural therapy, have been shown to be effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder in children, reducing anxiety and depression symptoms.
Researchers found that individuals with better decision-making skills have lower cortisol levels in saliva during stressful situations. The study used virtual reality technology to induce stress in healthy women and measured cortisol levels in saliva.
A Norwegian study of 963 children aged 14 and 15 found that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were seen in roughly 33% of respondents who said they had been victims of bullying. The research also showed that girls are more likely to display PTSD symptoms than boys.
Only three percent of patients receive stress management counselling, highlighting the need for restructuring primary care delivery to include this crucial service as prevention. Stress management counseling is associated with longer office visits, underscoring the importance of providing this support earlier in the disease process.
A UCSF study suggests an association between attentional state and length of telomeres, finding that those who report more mind wandering have shorter telomeres, while those who are more present in the moment have longer telomeres. Mindful meditation interventions may promote health by increasing activity of telomerase.
Research from the University of Warwick suggests that stressed mothers during pregnancy can affect their baby's developing brain, making them more susceptible to bullying. The study of over 8,000 children found a link between prenatal stress and increased risk of childhood bullying.
A study of 57 children and their families found that early life stress may sensitize girls' brains for later anxiety, with higher cortisol levels and reduced communication between brain areas associated with emotion regulation. The findings suggest a developmental pathway through which early stress may drive these changes.
A new study by pediatric researchers found that parents with higher stress levels are more likely to have obese children who eat fast food frequently and engage in less physical activity. The study suggests that interventions targeting parental stress and teaching coping skills may help address childhood obesity.
Researchers found that pregnant men experience increased stress levels during conflict discussions, depending on the level of hostility expressed by their partner. Women, on the other hand, show varying responses to relationship conflict, with some experiencing prolonged stress and others finding discussing difficult topics reassuring.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that maternal stroking can reverse the negative effects of prenatal stress, increasing gene activity related to stress response. The researchers followed first-time mothers and their children for seven months, discovering a link between maternal touch and infant emotions.
New study reveals differences in how cocaine affects mother rats' brains compared to non-mother rats, with implications for human addiction treatment
Researchers found that bad news articles increase women's sensitivity to stressful situations and their ability to recall information. However, the study did not find a similar effect on men. The findings suggest evolutionary factors may be at play, making women more susceptible to indirect threats.
A study published in European Neuropsychopharmacology found that voting in national elections triggers measurable hormonal changes and emotional reactions. The cortisol levels of participants were nearly three times higher just before voting compared to the control group, indicating significant stress and arousal.
Researchers found that women who read negative news had higher cortisol levels after a psychological stress test compared to men. Women also showed stronger emotional responses to the negative news they had viewed previously, suggesting a gender difference in how we react to negative news in the media.
A new study identified the PAR1 receptor's role in regulating the brain's response to trauma, providing a potential mechanism for preventing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The research found that stressed events reprogram these receptors, which then determine how the brain reacts to subsequent traumatic events.
A study published in Human Reproduction found that fear of treatment is a significant contributor to psychological stress in women undergoing fertility therapy. Women often experience anxiety, depression, anger, and low self-esteem due to infertility, which can negatively impact relationships with their partners.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that stress breaks the neural loops that store and retrieve short-term information, leading to distractions and decreased performance. This discovery sheds light on how stress impairs working memory and may inform new treatment approaches for prefrontal cortex dysfunction.
Adult men from divorced families are three times more likely to suffer a stroke than those from intact families, according to a new University of Toronto study. Researchers found that parental divorce was still associated with a tripled risk of stroke even after adjusting for other risk factors.
A study found that prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart defect can cause significant stress, but healthy relationships and positive coping mechanisms can reduce this stress. Lower partner satisfaction and income were associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety.
A new study finds that prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) is associated with increased maternal stress, depression, and anxiety. Healthy coping mechanisms and partner support are crucial for pregnant women to deal with the emotional impact.
A UC Irvine study found that watching extensive TV coverage of traumatic events led to increased physical and psychological ailments in US adults. Repeated exposure to graphic media images may have long-lasting mental and physical health consequences.
A research team found that infants' cortisol levels rise after waking up, with shorter pregnancies linked to lower cortisol rises. This new method could lead to diagnosing illnesses in hormone-producing organs and understanding the stress system's development in humans.
A University of Miami study reveals that children experiencing both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are more likely to face longer-term adverse reactions after a disaster. Helping children cope with stressors after the event can improve their psychological functioning.
A study by Dr Denise Fischer found that renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) reduces local and whole-body sympathetic activity and blood pressure. Patients experienced improvements in physical state, mental state, quality of life, anxiety and depression scores after RDN.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that increased stress in men is associated with a preference for female body sizes ranging from normal to overweight. The researchers discovered that stressed men rated normal weight and overweight figures more highly than non-stressed men.
A new study suggests that choline supplementation during pregnancy can alter epigenetic expression of genes involved in cortisol production, leading to lower cortisol levels in babies. This can potentially reduce the risk of stress-related diseases throughout a child's life.
Research published in the FASEB Journal reveals a link between maternal stress and abdominal obesity in mice offspring. The study found that manipulating the neuropeptide Y system in visceral fat may prevent stress-induced obesity, offering potential insight into how to counteract the negative effects of stress.
Researchers studied how different types of smiling affect stress recovery, finding that Duchenne smiles had the greatest impact on reducing heart rates and improving mood. Smiling may be a simple yet effective way to cope with stressful situations.
A landmark study reveals that police officers are at significantly higher risk for chronic disease, obesity, and suicide compared to the general population. The study found that shift work, stress, and lack of access to healthcare contribute to these risks.
Researchers will test the Incredible Years Teacher Classroom Management course on 80 primary school teachers in Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay. The study aims to improve pupil socio-emotional well-being, academic attainment, and teacher emotional well-being, with potential cost-savings for educational support and mental health services.
A study by University of Granada researchers found that immigrant women in Spain experience great stress during childbirth, with disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder and depression common among them. The study also revealed differences in healthcare access and utilization between immigrant and Spanish women.
A new study published in Critical Care found that women are more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress after leaving an ICU, but a follow-up scheme has been shown to significantly reduce their symptoms. The study suggests that early intervention is crucial for women at high risk of PTSD.
Research suggests that maternal stress during the first trimester of pregnancy can lead to lower iron levels in newborns, which may result in physical and mental delays. The study found a significant correlation between mothers' stress levels and their babies' cord-blood ferritin concentrations.
A new study found that children who experienced violence in their young lives have shorter telomeres, a sign of accelerated aging. This can increase the risk of chronic diseases and poor survival rates. The research suggests a link between cumulative childhood stress and telomere maintenance.
Researchers found that women's hearts showed no increase in blood flow during mental stress, unlike men, who experienced an increase. This difference could predispose women to heart problems under stress.
Researchers have created a new instrument, the Bergen Work Addiction Scale, to measure work addiction. The scale assesses seven core elements of addiction and can differentiate between workaholics and non-workaholics.
Research suggests stress can cause cognitive decline in women with breast cancer, regardless of treatment status. Women with passive coping strategies and high stress levels experience impaired memory and attention. Effective coping strategies are essential to maintaining cognitive function.
A UC Berkeley psychologist has found that even automated text messages can provide emotional support and comfort to depressed patients. The study's results show that patients who received regular text messages felt more connected and cared for, with improved moods and reduced stress.
Chronic psychological stress is associated with a loss of ability to regulate inflammatory response, promoting disease development. Inflammation plays a key role in various diseases like cardiovascular and autoimmune disorders.
A study of nearly 1,000 patients with cardiovascular disease found a direct correlation between lifetime traumatic stress exposure and elevated levels of inflammatory markers. The researchers also discovered that this relationship remained even after adjusting for psychiatric diagnoses, suggesting a long-term negative impact on health.
A new study finds that emergency dispatchers experience high levels of peritraumatic distress and symptoms of PTSD after handling potentially traumatic calls. The research highlights the need for prevention and intervention support for these workers.
A new study by Mary Pulido finds that mental health clinicians experienced high levels of secondary traumatic stress due to their work with 9/11 victims. The lack of support and supervision is a significant concern, but peer support was helpful in mitigating the effects.
A new study from the University at Buffalo Research Institute on Addictions found that supervisors play a crucial role in reducing employee substance use and intoxication. The study suggests that supervisor training is essential to improve employee productivity and reduce stress.
Researchers found that intensive community-based lifestyle interventions tailored to individual needs can significantly reduce multiple risk factors for heart disease. The study highlights the importance of addressing psychological factors alongside traditional cardiovascular risk factors to achieve synergistic effects.
Children growing up in poverty are more likely to develop chronic diseases due to stress. However, research suggests that positive role models and teaching children stress-coping strategies like 'shift-and-persist' may improve their health outcomes.
Scientists investigate stress hormones during pregnancy and their impact on brain aging and disease risk. Exposure to stress hormones, such as glucocorticoids, has been linked to increased stress sensitivity and early aging.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine find that yoga may be effective in treating patients with stress-related psychological and medical conditions. Yoga is hypothesized to work by relieving symptoms in many common disorders through a theory based on neurophysiology and neuroanatomy.
A study led by University of Rochester Medical Center researcher Kathi L. Heffner found that poor sleepers react to stress with significantly larger increases in a marker of inflammation, which may increase risk for mental and physical health problems. This association could not be explained by other factors linked to immune impairment.
Research shows that stress changes how people weigh risk and reward, leading to a greater emphasis on the upside of possible outcomes. This can impact decision-making in various areas, including job choices and addiction. Additionally, stress affects how men and women perceive risk differently.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg found that adopting an optimistic mindset and using humour can significantly improve a patient's experience during dental treatment. These strategies can reduce stress, increase well-being, and create a pleasant atmosphere.
A new study from the University of Haifa found that emotional and instrumental support from a supervisor can significantly reduce employee absenteeism and increase productivity. The study also highlights the importance of co-worker support in mitigating the effects of stress at work, leading to improved overall well-being.