Articles tagged with Psychological Stress
Researchers identify three key findings: toxic stress disrupts brain architecture, major risk factors include poverty and abuse, and relieving this stress can improve individual well-being and societal health. The report proposes promising applications in health policy and clinical practice to address these disparities.
New research published by King's College London reveals that experiencing 'cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment' (CIDT) is associated with higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than physical torture. Survivors reported an average of 21 stressor events during detention or captivity, highlighting the severity of CIDT.
Research suggests that childhood physical and mental stress may have long-lasting negative impacts on adult health. Effective strategies for reducing chronic morbidity and premature death are needed.
Integrative body-mind training (IBMT) alters blood flow and electrical activity in the brain, breathing quality, and even skin conductance, allowing for a state of relaxation, calmness, and reduced stress. IBMT improves connection between central nervous system structures and promotes integration of brain and body.
Research by Kansas State University psychologists found that 45% of workers reporting hostility had no definite plans to leave their current job, while 59% indicated they either liked or disliked it. This contradicts the common assumption that hostile work environments lead to employee turnover.
A new study by University of Rochester researchers shows that striving for materialistic goals like wealth and fame can actually decrease happiness. In contrast, focusing on personal growth, relationships, and community involvement leads to greater well-being.
Researchers found that increased stress levels in adolescents are associated with a greater likelihood of being overweight or obese. The study also highlights the importance of reducing stress and food insecurity in households to prevent childhood obesity.
Researchers investigate how work-related stress affects family life, assessing stress levels through saliva samples and daily diaries. The study aims to improve the physical and psychological well-being of managers, employees, and their families.
Researchers found that men with highest increase in heart rate during mild mental stress had twice the risk of dying from a heart attack. The study suggests cheap and easy ways to predict who might be at risk, using pulse measurement as a prognostic marker.
A study led by the University of Bath found that children with Asperger Syndrome do not experience a surge in cortisol levels after waking, which may contribute to their struggles with minor changes. The researchers believe this could help explain why individuals with AS have difficulties adapting to routine or environmental changes.
A study published in Psychological Science found that acute stress impairs rational thinking, causing individuals to become more conservative in financial decisions but riskier when losses are involved. This can have significant implications for personal finance and decision-making under stress.
A new web-based therapy programme, eTIPS, is being tested to help people with psoriasis manage their condition better. The programme uses cognitive behaviour therapy to address the psychological discomfort caused by the visible nature of the condition.
Research finds that light-to-moderate drinking with high social support reduces the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and total cardiovascular disease. Men with higher social support have a more pronounced benefit from moderate alcohol consumption.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that work stress among urban police officers is significantly associated with adverse mental and physical health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and intimate partner abuse. The study identified five major categories of stressors, including exposure to criti...
A study by UCLA researchers found that teenage stress is associated with higher levels of inflammation, a potential indicator for cardiovascular disease. Daily interpersonal stress experienced during high school years was linked to elevated CRP levels even among healthy teens.
A study by UCLA researchers found that teenage stress is associated with higher levels of inflammation, which can lead to cardiovascular disease. Daily interpersonal stress experienced during high school years was linked to elevated CRP levels in healthy teens.
A new study by the University of Toronto found that believers show less activity in the anterior cingulate cortex when making errors, resulting in fewer mistakes. This suggests that religious belief has a calming effect on anxiety and stress, allowing individuals to perform better in tasks requiring cognitive control.
A study by the University of Exeter found that social support from friends and family significantly improves sports performance, particularly under stress. The researchers discovered that athletes with high levels of support maintained good performance even when experiencing personal problems or playing under pressure.
A new report suggests that teenagers' increased internet use has transformed it into a social networking tool, fostering closer relationships and reducing superficial connections. The study also highlights the positive effects of online communication on mental health, including reduced inhibition and higher quality friendships.
A study of 1060 vets in north Germany found that psychosocial stress increased with working hours, leading to demoralization and substance abuse. The research suggests a complex relationship between stress, tobacco consumption, problem drinking, and drug use.
A new study found that Transcendental Meditation practice buffers college students against intense stresses, improving Brain Integration Scale scores, electrodermal habituation, and sleepiness. Students who practiced TM showed increased frontal coherence, reduced sympathetic reactivity, and improved emotional balance.
A study published by the American College of Cardiology found that changes brought on by anger can predict future arrhythmias in patients with ICDs. Patients who experienced higher levels of anger-induced TWA were more likely to have arrhythmias requiring ICD termination.
Genes and psychological adversity in childhood contribute to major depression, with current treatments limited by delayed onset and adverse outcomes. Research is needed to explore how genes interact with environmental variables to influence major depressive disorder risk.
The September 11 attacks caused heightened levels of stress and anxiety, particularly among those closest to the World Trade Center. This stress impacted day-to-day behaviors like driving, leading to a significant increase in traffic fatalities in the Northeast region.
A new neuroimaging study shows that stressed humans experience impaired attention-shifting abilities, similar to rats under stress. However, the brain's resilience allows for quick recovery from stress, returning to normal function within a month.
A study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that early childhood stress can have long-lasting effects on kids' health, including impaired immune function. Adolescents who experienced physical abuse or time in an orphanage showed higher levels of antibodies against herpes simplex virus type 1.
A new research study suggests that high caffeine consumption may be linked to a greater tendency to hallucinate. People who consume more than seven cups of instant coffee per day are three times more likely to report hearing voices when there is no one around.
A study found that job strain is associated with a higher risk of stroke in Japanese men, particularly those with high job demand and low control. The relationship may be mediated by chronic diseases such as obesity and high blood pressure.
Researchers found that veterans with PTSD were more likely to have metabolic syndrome, which is composed of obesity, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance. The study suggests that stress and post-stress responses are related to long-term health outcomes and may be linked to an increased risk of disease.
A study by Seong-Hyun Park and Richard H. Mattson found that hospital patients with plants in their rooms had fewer intakes of pain medication and more positive physiological responses. Patients interacted with the plants, such as watering and pruning, indicating a therapeutic benefit.
Researchers found that people from the same racial group as participants are more sensitive to signs of anxiety, such as fidgeting and vocal tension, in interracial interactions. This 'in-group advantage' makes it difficult for those outside the same racial group to detect changes in anxiety levels.
Researchers found that most respondents reported improved mood after a good cry, but some felt worse or no improvement. Criers who received social support experienced the most significant improvements in mood. The study highlights the complexities of crying behavior and its physical and emotional effects.
Neuroscientists from the University of Washington found that stress impairs rats' ability to seek out larger rewards in a maze, lasting several days. A study using rats and muscimol to inactivate the amygdala showed that stressed rats were unable to adjust their behavior and learn from experience.
A randomized clinical trial found that breast cancer patients who participate in psychological intervention sessions experience reduced stress, improved mood, and altered health behaviors. This led to a significant decrease in cancer recurrence and death from breast cancer, as well as overall mortality.
A new study found that a psychological intervention program designed for breast cancer patients increases their chance of survival and reduces the risk of recurrence. Participants who received the program reduced their risk of dying from breast cancer by 56 percent and breast cancer recurrence by 45 percent.
A recent Indiana University study reveals that 25% of family caregivers of Alzheimer's patients visit the emergency room or are hospitalized every six months. The study emphasizes the need for a broader definition of patient to include both the individual with dementia and their caregiver.
A new study examines how stress affects decision-making in older and younger adults, revealing that stressed older adults alter their behavior more significantly. The researchers found that stressed older adults were not only more cautious but also jerkier drivers, braking almost three times as much as their calmer peers.
Research found that coronary heart disease symptoms presented in the context of stress were identified as psychogenic in origin when presented by women and organic in origin when presented by men. This study sheds light on why there is often a delay in diagnosing CHD in women, highlighting a gender bias in diagnosis and treatment.
A study found that compassion meditation reduces inflammation and emotional distress in response to stress. Regular practice was associated with stronger reductions in inflammation and emotional responses compared to those who received a health discussion control group.
Family members of ICU patients experience high rates of post-traumatic stress and complicated grief that persist over time. Symptoms of anxiety and depression in these individuals tend to diminish with time, but screening is crucial to identify those at risk.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that mothers' stress levels contribute to their children's likelihood of being overweight, even in food-secure households. The study analyzed data from over 800 children and found that young children were most affected by household stress.
A study found that chewing gum helped relieve anxiety, improve alertness, and reduce stress among participants in a laboratory setting. The use of chewing gum was associated with higher alertness, reduced anxiety and stress, and improvement in overall performance on multi-tasking activities.
Researchers have developed a computer program that will help astronauts manage psychosocial challenges, including depression and interpersonal conflicts. The Virtual Space Station is being tested with veteran astronauts, providing private access to treatments even when they're far from Earth.
Researchers are investigating the effectiveness of dietary changes and complementary medicine to control inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) flare-ups. The studies aim to find alternative treatments with fewer side effects, targeting stress reduction and gut bacteria balance.
A new study by the University of Washington found that natural scenes can reduce heart rate and decrease stress faster than technological representations. When participants spent more time looking at a natural scene through a window, their heart rates decreased faster, whereas this effect was not observed when watching a similar scene ...
A randomized controlled trial found that exposure therapy was more effective than cognitive restructuring in preventing PTSD in individuals with acute stress disorder. Exposure therapy reduced distress ratings and promoted full remission, suggesting its potential as an early intervention for high-risk patients.
A new University of Melbourne study found that nearly one in five working women and one in eight working men experience preventable depression caused by job stress. The study estimates that more than 21,000 cases of preventable depression are caused by job stress each year.
Researchers found socially subordinate females consume calorie-rich foods at a higher level, leading to accelerated weight gain and increased fat-derived hormones. Dr. Wilson believes this may be linked to changes in metabolism and cortisol levels.
A new study finds nearly one-third of children in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) experience hallucinations or delusions, which are associated with higher risk of post-traumatic stress symptoms. The study suggests that sedation and physical environment may play a role in reducing these symptoms.
A University of Michigan study finds that work hassles, such as psychological strain and conflicts with coworkers, are more likely to interfere with sleep than long hours or job insecurity. Respondents who experienced these stressors were more than 1.7 times as likely to develop sleep problems.
A new study by Rochester Institute of Technology found that sign language interpreting causes more physical stress to the extremities than high-risk industrial tasks, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.
Researchers identify gene variation associated with mental stress-induced ischemia, a condition that increases the risk of heart attack and sudden death. About two-thirds of patients with coronary artery disease experience detectable mental stress-induced reductions in blood flow to the heart.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found no statistically significant increase in calls with periods of increased alert among New Jersey law enforcement officers. Researchers analyzed call data from a crisis hotline and did not detect a pattern of increased calls corresponding to an elevation in the alert level.
A study by sport psychologists at the University of Washington found that providing parent workshops alongside coach training decreases performance anxiety and stress in young athletes. The research demonstrated the effectiveness of this combined approach in improving the youth sports experience.
Research suggests that workplace bullying has more severe consequences on employees' well-being and job satisfaction compared to sexual harassment. Employees who experienced bullying reported higher levels of stress, anger, and anxiety.
A study by University of Illinois Chicago researchers found that Sept. 11 terrorism-related thoughts and fears are associated with increased psychological distress and alcohol abuse in Americans. The study measured the effect of macro-level sociological stressors on mental health, four years after the attacks.
A study on monkeys found that moderate prenatal exposure to alcohol and stress can lead to touch sensitivity in offspring. Researchers suggest that reducing sensory sensitivities at an early age may help prevent behavioral problems associated with fetal alcohol-related issues.
Researchers found a 53% increase in cardiovascular ailments after Sept 11 stress, with high anxiety levels three times more likely to report heart problems. The study, published in Archives of General Psychiatry, suggests that even indirect exposure to extreme stress can lead to long-term health consequences.
A new study published by Temple University found that adding a brisk walking routine can reduce psychological symptoms like anxiety, stress and depression in postmenopausal women. The research suggests moderate-paced exercise can help maintain mental health throughout the menopausal transition.
A landmark public health study has found that people who had a low birth weight are more likely to experience depression and anxiety later in life. The study, which analyzed data from over 4,600 people born in Great Britain in 1946, suggests a dose-response relationship between birth weight and mental health outcomes.