Articles tagged with Psychological Stress
Researchers found that longer train trips lead to increased physiological and psychological stress, as well as impaired task completion. Commuter stress affects human health and well-being, with over 100 million Americans experiencing daily stress due to their commute.
A new study finds that women who work long hours are more prone to eating high-fat, high-sugar snacks, exercising less, and consuming more caffeine. Meanwhile, men tend to experience no negative effects from working longer hours on their exercise habits, caffeine intake, or smoking.
A study found that cognitive behavioural therapy can restore ovulation in infertile women by reducing cortisol levels and improving the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. The therapy was effective in reversing stress-induced ovulation, offering a cost-effective and safe alternative to hormonal treatments.
A study found that greater religious involvement is associated with a lower mortality risk, particularly among those with church-based social relationships. The research suggests that giving emotional support to others in the congregation can decrease stress and mortality rates, but not the other way around.
A recent study by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that lower-income individuals and those with lower levels of education tend to have higher levels of stress hormones in their bodies. This association was independent of other factors such as race, age, or body mass index.
Researchers found that following a healthy lifestyle plan, including memory exercises, physical activity, and balanced diet, significantly improved brain metabolism and cognitive function in just 14 days. The study suggests that simple lifestyle changes can have a lasting impact on mental health and overall well-being.
Research finds that moderate stress during pregnancy may be associated with children being more advanced in mental and motor development at age 2. However, this effect is not seen in the children's ability to regulate their emotions or behavior.
A recent study published in Child Development found that moderate maternal stress during pregnancy is associated with improved early childhood development. The research followed 137 women and their children, revealing that prenatal stress did not hinder temperaments or behavior regulation.
A randomized controlled trial found collaborative care management significantly reduced behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in patients with Alzheimer disease. Caregiver stress also improved after the intervention.
Scientists studying social stress in Syrian hamsters found that subordinates eat more and gain weight after being defeated by a dominant hamster. This model can help researchers understand human stress-induced obesity.
A recent USC study found that Chinese teens who perceive themselves as overweight, even if they are normal or underweight, are at a higher risk for depression and school-related stress. Girls in the study reported lower grade point averages when they felt overweight, while boys exhibited more aggressive behavior.
A study found that mental stress can reduce heart blood flow in patients with coronary artery disease, even those without symptoms of ischemia during physical stress tests. Six out of 29 patients showed signs of ischemia on images produced after a mentally stressful role-playing scenario.
Researchers found that a third of patients without signs of reduced blood flow during exercise testing had temporary changes in heart rhythm or restricted blood flow when role-playing stressful situations. This phenomenon may indicate more severe coronary artery disease in these patients.
Community surveys overestimate depression due to flawed methodologies that fail to account for normal life stress reactions. Experts call for contextual criteria to accurately diagnose mental disorders.
A new study suggests that persistent fatigue is a better indicator of postpartum depression than stress or family history. Women who experienced prolonged fatigue were more likely to develop symptoms of postpartum depression, highlighting the importance of early screening and intervention.
Women who implemented intensive lifestyle changes and lost 5-7% of their weight had fewer episodes of weekly incontinence compared to those in the metformin or placebo groups. Weight loss was particularly effective in reducing stress incontinence, which is linked to obesity and diabetes.
A study found that nurse pay cuts led to increased insomnia, but trained supervisors reduced symptoms. Trained supervisors offered emotional support and full information to affected employees.
A new study published in Psychophysiology found that mental stress increases blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease. The research used fMRI to correlate changes in brain activity with blood pressure during stress, providing new insights into the physiological effects of mental stress.
Researchers found that mothers with high stress levels perceived their babies as more challenging, affecting parenting behaviors and infant development. Cocaine-exposed infants showed lower socioeconomic status, increased reactivity to stimuli, and higher maternal stress.
A new initiative aims to track the experiences of Hurricane Katrina survivors, gathering data on their recovery process, mental health, and access to healthcare. Quarterly reports will be posted online to inform policy decisions.
A recent Ohio State University study found that exercise significantly speeds up wound healing in older adults, with wounds healing an average of 10 days faster in the exercising group. The study suggests that exercise may play a role in regulating cortisol levels, which could be a key biological pathway for enhanced wound healing.
A study by Wake Forest University found that Latino men experiencing family-related ambivalence during migration are more likely to suffer from anxiety. The researchers suggest enhancing communication between migrants and their families could help address mental health needs.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that parents of children with cancer often suffer from post-traumatic stress symptoms, including intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, and heightened arousal. The studies suggest that these symptoms can be just as severe as those experienced by patients themselves.
A 14-day study found that combining memory exercises, stress reduction, healthy diet, and physical fitness improved memory in older adults. Participants showed a 5% decrease in brain metabolism and better performance on cognitive tasks.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that stress and hostility can significantly slow the healing process, taking up to two days longer for wounds to heal. Cytokine levels also increased in highly stressed couples, leading to chronic inflammation and age-related illnesses.
A study published in Health Psychology found that individuals who experience larger increases in cholesterol levels due to stress are more likely to have high 'bad' cholesterol later on. The researchers identified a significant association between acute lipid stress responses and fasting lipid levels three years later.
Research suggests that longer periods of childcare can help mitigate the negative effects of a mother's low job satisfaction on her child's stress levels. Cortisol levels, a key indicator of stress, were found to be significantly higher in children whose mothers experienced emotional exhaustion or lower job satisfaction.
Research reveals a likely connection between early-life stress and teenage mental health problems, including behavioral and emotional disorders. Monkeys studied showed similar responses to early-life stresses as human children, providing a clearer developmental picture.
Researchers found that watching violent scenes can impair cognitive flexibility, while a beta-blocker medication can promote flexible thinking under stress. The study used propranolol to block the brain's normal response to stress and improve performance on word association tasks.
A German study of 37 men and 18 women found that some riders experienced increased heart rates that could lead to arrhythmias, especially in those with high blood pressure or previous heart attacks. Researchers suggest operators have external defibrillators on hand for safety.
Researchers found that consuming sugar snacks reduces glucocorticoid levels in rats, which can help alleviate physical and psychological stress. The study suggests that sweets made from natural sugar may be a healthy 'self-medication' option for managing stress.
Researchers found that traumatic stress can occur in children and their parents after a crash, even if no child was injured. Clinicians are recommended to screen all children involved in crashes and their parents for acute stress symptoms.
Studies on laboratory rats reveal that mixing stress, deprivation, and tempting foods leads to overeating. The brain's opioid system plays a key role in regulating food intake, especially when food is highly palatable. This knowledge may help non-stressed individuals avoid overeating and improve their health.
The ASU Resilience Solutions Group is studying how factors of risk and resilience contribute to health and well-being among baby boomers. The project will identify biopsychosocial factors that sustain well-being and protect against disability, aiming to maximize wellness and health.
A Carnegie Mellon study found that individuals displaying anger and disgust in response to stressors had lower biological responses to stress than those who displayed fear. This challenges the assumption that all negative emotions provoke the same psychological and biological reactions.
A new study by UCI researchers found that early life emotional stress can lead to deficits in brain-cell communication for learning and memory function, even in adulthood. Infants subjected to limiting nesting material in cages exhibited behavioral changes later in life, including difficulties with memory and recognition.
Researchers found that marital problems can lead to elevated blood pressure readings and increased stress levels, affecting both men and women. A study of 105 middle-age civil service workers in the London area found a strong link between poor marital relationships and serious health problems.
A study by Gavan McNally and colleagues found that opiate users are more susceptible to stress-induced anxiety. The researchers tested rats with morphine or saline solution, then subjected them to restraint stress. The results showed that opiate-treated rats experienced greater anxiety responses, including reduced social interaction, a...
A new study by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology found no correlation between psychological stress and IVF success rates. The research, based on extensive questionnaires, showed that patients' well-being prior to treatment had no impact on their chances of conceiving.
A study found that psychological stress delays wound healing by up to 45% due to impaired cell differentiation and reduced oxygen levels. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy eliminated this delay, as it restored nitric oxide levels necessary for healing.
Researchers investigated mental health outcomes after stroke and spinal cord injury, exploring the effects of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) and sensory evaluation tools. The study found that patients with depression struggled with low expectations of recovery and finding it difficult to accept losses.
Golfers who cope well under stress maintain a positive mindset, use self-talk, and focus on the next shot. Ineffective coping involves trying too hard, speeding up, or changing routines. Golfers at all levels need to practice mental skills to improve performance.
Researchers Adam Duhachek analyzed two studies on consumer stress, creating a multidimensional scale to measure coping mechanisms. He found that consumers employ various strategies to cope with stress, including avoiding purchases, seeking social support, and using relaxation techniques.
The University of Rochester Medical Center's RCMBR pilot studies explore how mind drives or prevents disease, including depression following heart failure and psoriasis. Researchers aim to develop tailored treatments by understanding the impact of stress, personality traits, and mental health on physical diseases.
Infants of mothers with posttraumatic stress syndrome disorder (PTSD) symptoms after 9/11 have significantly lower cortisol levels compared to those born to mothers without the condition. This effect is observed both in utero and after birth, suggesting a potential biological risk factor for PTSD.
Research investigates how an Atkins-type high meat, low carbohydrate diet in late pregnancy affects offspring's response to mental stress tests. The study, focusing on the 'Motherwell babies,' explores the long-term effects of maternal nutrition during pregnancy on adulthood health outcomes.
A randomized trial found that exercise and stress management training improved physiological markers of cardiovascular health, including blood flow to the heart and vascular endothelial function. These non-pharmaceutical approaches also showed promise in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, and improving baroreflex sensitivity.
George Slavich's research finds that severe life events affect depressed individuals' heart rates, blood pressure, and finger temperature. The study sheds light on a potential pathway through which life stress can cause depression.
A review of studies published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that physically fit people have a reduced risk of heart attacks, while inactive cardiac patients who engage in vigorous activity are at higher risk. Strong emotions and stress can also trigger heart attacks in vulnerable individuals.
Researchers found that curious female rats with spontaneous breast or pituitary tumors lived an average of six months longer than cautious ones. The study suggests that personality traits may have a significant impact on health and resilience to disease, consistent with earlier findings in human studies.
A study found that laughter increased beneficial blood vessel relaxation by 22%, while mental stress caused a 35% decrease. Laughter offsets the negative impact of mental stress on the endothelium, which regulates blood flow and cardiovascular health.
A study found that living in socially deprived areas increases psychological distress, leading to higher rates of depression and injection drug use. Needle exchange programs and employment assistance can improve neighborhood quality and reduce stressors.
Researchers discovered a link between brain activity and abnormal heart rhythms during stressful events, particularly in people with pre-existing heart disease. The study suggests that uneven brain signals can disrupt heart function, leading to potentially fatal arrhythmias.
A study by Penn State researchers reveals that repeated abuse can have a significant impact on bystanders, causing moderate to severe psychological and physiological repercussions. The study found that bystanders experience elevated emotional arousal when recalling past episodes of abuse, similar to victims.
Aging can erode memory control while preserving learned behavior. New research finds that past habits become stronger in memory than new intentions, explaining why older adults struggle to learn and maintain new behaviors.
A four-year study found grandmothers caring for children experienced greater stress and depressive symptoms compared to non-caregivers. Adequate emotional and physical support can make a significant difference in their health and ability to provide care.
Dr. Pearlin is recognized for his significant contributions to articulating the role of a social perspective in understanding health and aging. His early research established social research into stress and health, particularly mental health.
A longitudinal study on workplace stress found that women who experienced sexual harassment, abuse, or powerlessness in their jobs were more likely to suffer mental health consequences after the 9/11 attacks. Women reported increased anxiety and escapist motives for drinking alcohol, while men did not experience similar health effects.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that family therapy significantly reduced post-traumatic stress symptoms in adolescent cancer survivors. The treatment combined cognitive-behavioral therapy with family therapy and showed strongest effects on adolescents and their fathers.
Researchers tracked infant monkeys separated from mothers at different stages of infancy to find varying behavioral impacts on social skills and adult behaviors. Timing of separation significantly influenced the development of social comfort, dominance, and playfulness in adulthood.