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Can cosmetic procedures become addictive? New study links addiction risk to social media and body image

A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that low body esteem, problematic social media use, and other factors are linked to addictive-like behavior in women who undergo repeated cosmetic treatments. Nearly 20% of surveyed women met the threshold for moderate-to-severe risk of addictive cosmetic procedure use.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of Health Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 13, 2026

Most women in STEM feel like frauds, new study shows

A new study by Binghamton University reveals that 97.5% of women in STEM graduate programs experience moderate to severe impostor feelings, which can lead to poorer mental health and increased burnout. Strategies such as shifting mindset and social support may help alleviate these feelings.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalSocial Psychology of Education·TypeSurvey·DateJul 28, 2025

Self-harm in adolescence: young people report on strategies to alleviate mental suffering in a booklet

A recent study by Luiza Cesar Riani Costa and Diene Monique Carlos has provided insights into non-suicidal self-harm among adolescents. The booklet, featuring photographs and experiences of young people, offers a low-cost therapeutic and educational tool to address mental health concerns.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNew Trends in Qualitative Research·DateJun 4, 2025

Increasing contrasts in young people's mental wellbeing

A study from the University of Gothenburg found that young teenagers in Sweden reported higher depressive symptoms over two decades, with a greater proportion of adolescents feeling extremely well. Those who are struggling report feeling significantly worse, with increased self-deprecation among young women.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders Reports·TypeSurvey·DateMar 13, 2025

Self-esteem boosts sexual well-being – and vice versa

A long-term study of over 11,000 German adults found that people with higher self-esteem tend to have more satisfying sexual relationships and that the two factors influence each other. The study showed significant correlations over time, with changes in sexual satisfaction leading to changes in self-esteem.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·TypeContent analysis·DateSep 25, 2024

Empowering Ugandan female youth with self-esteem, self-efficacy, and gratitude using Transcendental Meditation

A study found that Transcendental Meditation increases self-esteem, self-efficacy, and gratitude in Ugandan female youth while decreasing tiredness and excessive alcohol use. The technique improved their mental and physical health, as well as relationships with family and community members.

SourceMaharishi International University·JournalHealth Care For Women International·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 9, 2024

Quality over quantity for screen time - study

A study published in World Psychiatry found that the content we consume online has a greater impact on our health than the amount of time spent online. The report highlights the importance of taking an individualised approach to how the Internet affects mental health, cognition and social functioning.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalWorld Psychiatry·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 29, 2024

Take caution when mirroring one’s actions or words - social psychologists with a warning to therapists

A recent study found that mimicking participants' actions or words increased feelings of guilt, contradicting the assumption that it fosters social bonding and reduces negative emotions. The researchers suggest that therapists carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of using mimicry in therapy.

SourceThe Polish Association of Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological Bulletin·DateApr 1, 2024

Study tracks shifts in student mental health during college

A four-year study by Dartmouth researchers tracks changes in student mental health during college, identifying key populations and stressors. The study found that first-year and female students are at risk for high anxiety and low self-esteem, while sophomores experience increased social activity but higher stress levels.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies·TypeObservational study·DateMar 13, 2024

Online versus reality: social media influences perceptions

New Cornell University research examines how people form impressions about individuals from social media posts. The study found that viewers' ratings of Facebook users often differed significantly from the users' self-perceptions, particularly when updates included photos or links. Cultural norms also played a role in shaping these per...

SourceCornell University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 17, 2024

Study examines how ad strategies of the Great Depression can inform today's crisis communications

Researchers studied newspaper ads from Dust Bowl states in 1934 to understand how businesses and companies reached consumers during a dual crisis. The study found that essential services used informational approaches while nonessential services relied on sensory appeals, offering valuable lessons for current mass media during emergencies.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournalism History·TypeContent analysis·DateJan 16, 2024

Canadians’ feelings about the causes of obesity are often harmful to self-esteem, new Concordia study shows

A Concordia University study found that Canadians of all sizes hold negative attitudes towards individuals with overweight and obesity, often internalizing these feelings and blaming their own behavior. The study also showed that females are more likely to report weight bias internalization than males.

SourceConcordia University·JournalBMC Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 22, 2023

How to protect self-esteem when a career goal dies

A new study found that people who viewed career goal failures as a steppingstone to new opportunities never lost self-esteem, while those who thought their failures left them worse off showed a drop-off in self-esteem. The study suggests that people should approach failure in a way that can help them learn and grow.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Adult Development·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 5, 2023

Article: Doctors treating patients with Parkinson’s disease must focus on stigma and emotional impacts as well as motor symptoms

Doctors treating Parkinson's patients need to focus on the emotional and social impacts of stigma, in addition to motor symptoms. Stigma can lead to feelings of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and isolation, which significantly affect quality of life.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalParkinsonism & Related Disorders·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 11, 2023

#BodyPositivity: More diversity in body shapes

Exposure to body-positive content on social media broadens women's concept of ideal body weight, increasing the number of body shapes considered ideal. Body-positive content also leads to increased sense of well-being in one's body and reduces weight perception.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2023

Self-esteem of kids with short stature tied to social supports, not height

A new study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that the quality of life and self-esteem of children with short stature are associated with coping skills and social supports, rather than their height. The researchers suggest that addressing short stature through a broader, psychosocial approach might have a more positive impac...

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateJun 12, 2023

What your likes, posts really say about you

A new study from Washington University in St. Louis offers a fine-grained scale to understand how people use social media, revealing four categories: belief-based, consumption-based, image-based and comparison-based. Each category is associated with unique personality traits and behavioral characteristics.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalAssessment·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2023

The science of self-esteem: Past experience can predict teenage girls' self-worth, sense of belonging

A study led by Haley Skymba and Karen Rudolph found that teenage girls' past experiences with peer adversity directly impact how they perceive their own self-worth and belonging. The researchers designed a study to observe trends in a cohort of 89 girls, averaging 16 years old, and discovered patterns that demonstrate the connection be...

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Research on Adolescence·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 9, 2023

Theatre provides body image boost for children

Theatre productions have been shown to promote positive body image in young children by improving body appreciation scores and increasing unique qualities perception. The study evaluated the impact of a body-positive production on 99 children aged 5-9, finding significant improvements in both boys' and girls' body image attitudes.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalBody Image·TypeSurvey·DateJun 30, 2022

Black girls commonly have negative experiences related to their natural hair

A recent study published in the journal Body Image found that young Black girls experience high levels of verbal teasing and unwanted hair touching due to their natural hair. The research highlights the need for greater awareness and understanding of these issues to promote positive body image and self-acceptance among young Black girls.

SourceArizona State University·JournalBody Image·TypeObservational study·DateJun 3, 2022

Maladaptive daydreaming may be a better diagnosis for some than ADHD

A new study by Ben-Gurion University researchers suggests that maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is a distinct mental disorder that can co-occur with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study found that MD was associated with higher rates of depression, loneliness, and lowered self-esteem in individuals with ADHD.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateApr 12, 2022

Middle-aged men see weight gain as inevitable

A new study reveals that middle-aged men perceive weight gain as an inevitable consequence of family and career commitments. The research found that these men experience low self-worth and despondency, despite awareness of health risks, due to a lack of education on nutrition and lifestyle factors.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 16, 2022

Pregnancy stretch marks cause stress and emotional burden, study finds

Researchers found that nearly 75% of pregnant women with stretch marks reported moderate to prominent embarrassment, which impacted their social activities, self-esteem, and clothing choices. The study highlights the need for open discussions about stretch marks to normalize them and identify potential mental health issues.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalInternational Journal of Women’s Dermatology·TypeSurvey·DateNov 9, 2021

The dark side of social media networks

A systematic review of social media research identified 46 harmful effects, ranging from psychological harms like jealousy and loneliness to security and privacy issues. The study highlights the need for user moderation and software development strategies to mitigate these negative effects.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalJournal of Global Information Management·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 12, 2021

Using AI to predict suicidal behaviours in students

A study from McGill University and France uses AI to identify factors predicting suicidal behavior in students, finding self-esteem as a major predictor. Approximately 17% of students exhibited suicidal behaviors, highlighting the need for large-scale screening tools.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 28, 2021