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 glial cells in the gastrointestinal tract respond to stress signals from the central nervous system, leading to inflammation and exacerbating IBD symptoms. Chronic stress can impair treatment efficiency for IBD patients using steroids.
A new study found that federal and state lockdowns and health mandates implemented during the pandemic exacerbated mental health issues in people living in four US geographic regions. The research showed a significant increase in feelings of anxiety and depression, particularly in Southern states with Republican governments.
A new study explores life-stress impacts on essential workers of color during COVID-19, revealing high rates of stress, substance use, and anxiety. The study highlights distinct patterns of life-stress impacts among Native American/Alaskan Native participants.
A new study found that sixty percent of Canadians maintained or improved their lifestyle habits during the pandemic, while forty percent adopted less healthy behaviors. Researchers identified certain groups, including those with body image issues and stress, as more likely to adopt unhealthy habits.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that teen girls who experience greater interpersonal stress and have difficulty solving interpersonal problems are at a higher risk of suicidal behavior. The research suggests that problem-solving deficits under distress may contribute to this link.
New research from Ohio State University suggests that cognitive dissonance can lead to added pressure on the neck and low back during lifting and lowering tasks. The study found that participants who experienced higher levels of cognitive dissonance had increased spine loading, particularly in the neck region.
A Michigan Medicine-led study reveals that life stressors across the lifespan, including childhood trauma and adult abuse, contribute significantly to worsening health and functional outcomes for people with multiple sclerosis. The findings highlight the importance of analyzing the impact of life stressors on MS patients.
A recent study found that young people engaging in online anti-social behavior do so for recreation, reward, and to seek social approval. The researchers also discovered that those who exhibit such behavior tend to have lower cognitive empathy scores.
A study by WVU researchers highlights the need for improved mental health programs for first responders, citing increased stress and stigma. The study recommends linking responders with culturally competent clinicians, establishing centralized organizations, and expanding research efforts to address these issues.
Survivors of firearm injury experience chronic PTSD symptoms and poor health-related quality of life, emphasizing the need for comprehensive care. Screening for chronic kidney disease could be cost-effective for US adults starting at age 35.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that college students were less consistent in their decision making during the 2020 fall semester compared to previous years. Students were more likely to cycle between relying on gut instincts and thoroughly evaluating information depending on how scenarios were described.
A new Dartmouth study reveals high rates of childbirth fear in US pregnant people, associated with factors such as racism, low income, and pre-existing conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these fears, leading to increased stress and anxiety during labor.
A new study from the University of Illinois explores how romantic relationships, neighborhood quality, and mental health intersect among Black Americans. The research reveals significant effects of neighborhood quality on mental wellbeing, with a notable interaction between relationship functioning and neighborhood quality for Black men.
A Cochrane review found that individual-level stress management interventions, such as cognitive behavioral training and exercise, can reduce stress in healthcare workers for up to a year. The long-term effects of these interventions remain unknown, highlighting the need for further research.
A pilot study found that short-term therapy sessions with parents and their children in homeless shelters reduce parental stress and children's post-traumatic stress symptoms. Mothers reported improved parenting skills and reduced stress symptoms after participating in evidence-based parenting interventions.
A study by University of California, Riverside found that older adults are less likely to ignore distractors in their surroundings while engaging in a cognitive task and an effortful physical task. This decline is greater when simultaneously performing a physical task, such as driving or carrying grocery bags.
KNT-127 exhibits anti-stressing and anti-depressant effects in mice, improving social interaction and reducing stress-induced hormone levels. The agent suppresses neuronal inflammation and newborn death without affecting neurogenesis.
A recent study found that online art breaks can significantly improve mood and reduce anxiety in participants. The research team discovered that individuals with high levels of aesthetic responsiveness benefit more from interactive art experiences, suggesting a personalized approach to online art interventions for well-being.
A virtual yoga program led by Sean Mullen reduced stress and anxiety in full-time working adults, improving short-term memory. The study used moderate-intensity yoga sequences to investigate its benefits for executive functioning and adherence to exercise programs.
A recent study published in Cell Metabolism found that biological age increases with stress from surgery, pregnancy, and severe COVID-19, but can be reversed upon recovery. The study used 'biological clocks' to measure the health of cells and tissue, revealing a dynamic relationship between stress and biological aging.
A recent study found concerning levels of anxiety among female farmers in England and Wales, with factors including financial pressures, workload, and isolation contributing to moderate to severe anxiety. The research also highlights the need for greater support and social connections to improve mental health in this group.
Researchers found that psilocybin facilitates fear extinction in mice by promoting hippocampal neuroplasticity. The study's results improve our understanding of the restorative effects of psilocybin on the brain and may lead to alternative treatments for PTSD.
A study by Chiba University researchers found that nature sounds significantly reduced stress levels and improved mood in participants with pathological gambling. Exposure to digital nature sounds of insects lowered oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the prefrontal cortex, indicating physiological relaxation.
A study by Flinders University and experts highlights the need for family support to encourage veterans to seek help for mental health concerns. Families play a critical role in recognizing early indicators of distress and providing emotional support.
A new analysis suggests that US dog and cat owners experienced greater reductions in stress and loneliness during the reopening period, while cat owners showed more stress and loneliness. The study also found that pet ownership was linked to less loneliness related to romantic relationships.
A recent study found that nearly 80% of maternal and neonatal healthcare workers experienced a heavy workload during the pandemic, with 18% exceeding the clinical threshold for burnout. Women and young staff were particularly vulnerable to stress and exhaustion.
A study from Lund University found Swedish obstetricians and gynecologists have a significantly higher emotional stability and conscientiousness compared to the general population. This difference affects their decision-making styles in acute childbirth situations.
The study found associations between prenatal maternal stress life events and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. DNA methylation likely plays a role in these associations. The research provides new insights into how the fetal environment influences neurodevelopment, metabolism and immunologic functions.
A Brazilian study found that pediatric ICU workers experienced high levels of burnout, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite high job satisfaction, organizational support can help mitigate psychological distress.
A study found that young adults who experienced gunshot, stab, or assault wounds as children have significantly higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the general population. Ten respondents screened positive for probable PTSD, and nearly 17% reported persistent symptoms related to their injury.
A new study led by University of Nebraska-Lincoln researcher Kevin Smith explores the impact of polarized politics on mental and physical health. The research found that Americans' political anxiety increased before a major election, but decreased after, with specific groups experiencing lower levels of anxiety.
Researchers found that people whose depression symptoms improved after psychological treatment had a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease over three years. The association was strongest in younger adults and suggested that accessing psychological therapy could have long-term physical health benefits.
A pilot study found that peer-support groups for emergency department physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced symptoms of distress, depression, and burnout. The study's results suggest that this low-cost intervention could be beneficial for healthcare workers in stressful situations.
A University of Maryland study found that LGBTQ+ teens experience more suicidal thoughts and self-harm ideation on days when they face high levels of minority stress, including microaggressions and internalized stigma. The study suggests that daily interventions are crucial to reducing these risks.
A 30-year follow-up study by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare found that eating as a means of stress management is correlated with higher body weight, while alcohol consumption is associated with higher weight in middle age. Stress-induced eating is more common among women due to cultural pressures to reduce weight.
A study of 308 adults found that people displayed more active and healthy behaviors during a three-day holiday, with increased physical activity and decreased sedentary behavior. The extra time off also led to improved sleep patterns, with participants gaining an average of 21 minutes of sleep per day.
A pilot study at the University of Eastern Finland found metabolites related to oxidative stress and transsulfuration to be associated with a history of sexual or physical abuse in depressed adolescent outpatients. The study's findings suggest that further research into the biological mechanisms underlying trauma is needed.
A team of scientists at MUSC identified a key gene that plays a role in the link between long-term stress and a common type of depressive behavior in mice. The study suggests that there may not be one central mechanism by which stress causes depression, but rather multiple pathways connecting stress with different symptoms.
Psychiatrists at Indiana University School of Medicine found deaths by suicide increased during the week of a full moon, especially in people over age 55. They also identified 3-4 p.m. and September as peak times for suicides.
A new study finds that Latinx students experienced higher rates of depression and anxiety during the Covid-19 pandemic, with a risk of 1.5 to 2 times more likely than their peers. The study highlights the need for practical and efficacious programs to address the mental health needs of adolescents in school settings.
The Center will develop accessible educational tools to reduce stress, improve social support, and promote family well-being. Led by Dr. Catherine Monk, the TtP Center will assemble services, accelerate research, and support interventions promoting optimal outcomes for parents-to-be and their developing children.
A Barcelona Institute for Global Health study suggests that increasing green space in the city may help alleviate mental health issues. By 2025, the expansion of Green Axes (Eixos Verds) could lead to a 14% decrease in cases of poor mental health and prevent 13% of antidepressant use, resulting in annual savings of €45 million.
Research suggests that early life stress may increase pro-inflammatory processes during pregnancy, which can have long-term effects on maternal and child health. The study found that mothers who experienced higher levels of early life stress had increased pro-inflammatory factors but decreased immune cell development.
Participation in campus recreational sports before the pandemic was linked to lower stress and higher competence during lockdowns. The study found that students developed key skills such as adaptability through sport, which helped them manage pandemic-related setbacks.
A new national study finds that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth are twice as likely to report trouble falling or staying asleep than their straight peers. This is attributed to greater depression, stress, and family conflict among LGB youth, which can make it harder for them to get a good night's sleep.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison study found that regular mindfulness activities can improve engineering graduate student emotional well-being and resilience. Students who participated in a mindfulness training program reported significant improvements in emotional well-being, stress management, and focus.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that anticipating stress related to political elections can cause adverse physical health effects. However, engaging in problem analysis can help preserve health by mentally engaging with anticipated problems.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that dedicated hyperbaric oxygen therapy is more effective in reducing pain and healing patients with fibromyalgia caused by traumatic brain injury. The treatment resulted in significant improvements in 2 out of 5 patients, including improved pain threshold tests and quality of life indicators.
Research from the University of Waterloo found that employees often feel pressure to continue working despite wanting a break due to fear of falling behind. The study suggests that promoting employee well-being by addressing unpleasant work conditions can help reduce the need for breaks.
Researchers found that Matcha tea powder reduces depression in mice by activating dopaminergic neural circuits and improving mood. The study's results suggest that Matcha's antidepressant-like effects depend on the animal's prior mental state, with stress-susceptible mice showing a significant response.
A world-first study from the University of South Australia is providing valuable insights into how young people understand chronic pain, potentially helping thousands of sufferers to better manage their symptoms and long-term wellbeing. Researchers found that young people tend to make sense of chronic pain by explaining it as a softwar...
A study published in PLOS ONE found that an online resilience programme, SPARK Resilience, reduced stress and improved well-being in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme, which combines training and group interaction, was effective in increasing resilience and psychological stability.
A study of 318 mothers found significant associations between antenatal COVID-19-related stress and poor postpartum maternal mental health outcomes. Infants also showed increased negative affectivity, highlighting the need for public health prioritization of pregnant individuals during pandemics.
A study by the University of Bonn found that women who view childbirth as a natural process are less likely to need pain medication or a caesarean section. The mindset can also impact postpartum depression and mother-child bonding. The research highlights the importance of psychological factors in childbirth.
Researchers found that those perceiving an oral exam as a challenge tend to perform better and have lower cortisol levels. Experts advise examiners to create a supportive atmosphere to reduce stress. This study highlights the importance of self-efficacy in presentation performance.
A pooled data analysis of 16 studies found that most family outcomes were similar between sexual minority and different sex parent families, with some advantages in child psychological adjustment and child-parent relationships. However, risk factors such as stigma and discrimination can negatively impact family outcomes.
A new review reveals that environments beyond greenspaces and bluespaces, such as caves, deserts, and glaciers, have potential health benefits. Short-term exposure to solid-state water landscapes showed little evidence of benefits, while longer-term exposure led to improved emotional states, medical treatments for allergies, and physic...
A Boston University-led study found that Black women who reported experiencing interpersonal racism in employment, housing, and police interactions had a 26% higher risk of coronary heart disease. Racism has a real impact on the heart health of Black women, increasing blood pressure and inflammation.
A new study found that social workers experienced high rates of depression, PTSD, and anxiety during the pandemic, with 40% reporting depression - a rate 4 times higher than the general population. The study highlights the need for trauma-informed approaches and strong mental health supports for staff to sustain the profession.
Research shows that parental social support and psychological control significantly impact LGBTQ youth's depressive symptoms. High psychological control, however, was linked with more depressive symptoms in those whose parents did not know their identities.