Articles tagged with Social Relationships
A new study found that couples who receive emotional support from their partners experience reduced stress spillover from financial worries. Emotional support was a key factor in managing financial stress, while problem-solving alone was less effective. The study suggests that a supportive partner can act as a buffer against financial ...
Scientists tracked brain activity of schooling glassfish to uncover how animals detect social partners' actions, allowing groups to escape danger. The study found that social behavior is crucial for coordinated escape, with groups responding more effectively to threats than individual fish.
A Texas A&M University study found that employees who consumed more negatively perceived political information experienced higher anxiety and lower work engagement. Conversely, consuming positive political information was associated with greater hope, stronger engagement, and higher helping behavior towards co-workers.
Researchers found that Black Americans' perceptions of their Black identity are related to their code switching, but not their American identity. Participants who felt a stronger desire for belonging and those with assimilationist or nationalist ideologies were more likely to report code switching.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego used computational models and virtual reality to study the social interaction rules of schooling fish. They found that individual fish 'copy' the movement direction of a randomly-chosen nearby neighbor, leading to highly dynamic behavior in groups.
Researchers at Kobe University found that allowing observers to update the recipient's reputation helps people's evaluations become more aligned, making cooperation easier to sustain. They also discovered that a social norm called 'recipient image scoring' was particularly effective in supporting cooperation.
A new book argues that adult children are cutting ties with their families of origin in favor of creating a chosen family environment. Research by Ohio State University professor Rin Reczek found that adult children who go 'no contact' with one or both parents elect estrangement as a last resort. The data shows that estrangement is dri...
A meta-analysis of 204 studies reveals that verbal and nonverbal communication styles have a stronger impact on first impressions than resume content. People form an overall positive or negative impression, influencing later interpretations of individual traits.
A new UCLA study found that teenage girls who experienced the highest levels of childhood trauma showed the largest gains in social connectedness after participating in a breathwork course combined with social-emotional learning. The program, developed by the International Association for Human Values, increased social connectedness by...
A substantial global study finds strong social connections are associated with better perceptions of overall mental and physical health. Childhood relationships also play a role in adult well-being, but adult friendships may be more influential.
A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that potential harms co-exist with opportunities for crisis support on social media platforms. Researchers are calling for more control over content and safe spaces for connection and support, with a focus on empowering young people to make informed online choices.
New research in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin suggests that single people can find personal growth through solitude and non-romantic relationships. Up to 82% of singles leverage close relationships to engage in self-expanding experiences, while 18% do so alone.
A University of Toronto study explores the experiences of 42 older Hungarian and Vietnamese refugees, finding that strong social connections, supportive communities, and opportunities for belonging played a crucial role in their success. The research highlights the importance of policies that strengthen community connections and suppor...
Teaching children emotional regulation and healthy friendships can provide a crucial buffer against social media's risks to mental health and self-worth. Strong childhood friendships are better equipped to navigate digital spaces, reducing the likelihood of online validation-based identity and self-worth issues.
The e-BOCCHI program, developed to address adolescent loneliness, showed statistically significant reductions in depressive symptoms. Participants demonstrated improvements in help-seeking skills compared to baseline, but modest improvements in loneliness and self-esteem scores.
A new study published in JMIR Serious Games suggests that playing open-world adventure games can lower loneliness levels and increase stoicism in adults. The research found that specific types of games, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Yoshi's Crafted World, provide a 'digital diet' for emotional well-being.
A new study found that horse owners' psychological characteristics, including attachment styles and personality traits, shape how frequently they ride, train, and spend quality time with their horses. Owners who spent more time with their horses tended to be more emotionally connected, while those with higher avoidant attachment styles...
A new Canadian study reveals that social anxiety disorder now affects nearly 1 in 7 adults, up from 8% in 2002. Young people are most at risk, and early life experiences, such as childhood trauma, and lack of social support play a significant role.
A new study by University of Cologne researchers found that political orientation significantly impacts romantic interests, with young Americans showing reluctance towards dating across party lines. The study suggests that people use politics as a filter to determine compatibility and social circle approval.
Researchers found that humans are extremely selective when choosing friends and partners, evaluating all identity characteristics positively before entering a relationship. The study used data from high school friendships and marriages to validate its findings, revealing that factors like grade level, ethnic background, and age play a ...
A recent study reveals widespread exposure to harm among US teens using AI chatbots, with entertainment being the most common motivation. The study found that nearly half of teens experienced at least one risk, including exposure to unsafe content and encouraging risky behavior.
A new study finds that immigrants struggle to translate their knowledge and skills in the host market, leading to underemployment and overqualification. The researchers developed machine learning models to identify key factors, including lack of degree recognition and unfamiliarity with employment norms.
A long-term study finds that children in infant care institutions had a 48% higher risk of mortality and shorter life expectancy than those raised at home. The research highlights the importance of affection and stimulation in early childhood, revealing lifelong consequences for those who experienced institutional care.
A web tool called Living Memory Home for Dementia Care Pairs facilitates collaborative reminiscence therapy, reducing feelings of pre-death grief and improving relationship quality. The app promotes well-being and connection between dementia patients and caregivers, leading to better care outcomes.
A recent study found that strengthening one's sense of belonging to natural environments has a protective effect against loneliness. The study investigated the impact of outdoor activities on loneliness and discovered that noticing details in nature, such as sounds and patterns, can be beneficial for mental well-being.
A major European study found that loneliness affects the memory of older adults, but does not speed up mental decline over time. Participants who reported high levels of loneliness performed worse on initial memory tests, but their ability to recall information declined at a similar rate as those with lower loneliness levels.
A new study analyzed thousands of textual descriptions of two-person social interactions using generative AI, resulting in a comprehensive taxonomy of categories. The findings provide a data-driven framework for understanding the structure of social situations, including associations with conflict, power, and duty.
The Global Flourishing Study dataset, spanning two waves and 200,000 participants across 22 countries, is now publicly available. Researchers can access the data without pre-registration, expanding the study's impact on understanding human flourishing.
A new study by the University of Ottawa found that emojis can negatively affect perceptions of competence and appropriateness in professional settings. The researchers discovered that using positive emojis with negative messages can create a sense of dishonesty, while negative emojis can lower overall competence perception.
A recent FAU study found that individuals with prior criminal behavior, low self-control, and favorable attitudes toward deviance are more likely to access the dark web. The research highlights the importance of understanding who accesses this platform and why, particularly for those intending to engage in illicit activities.
A groundbreaking longitudinal study reveals that peer influence is specialized, with best friends primarily shaping internal emotional states and academic behaviors, while popular peers set the standard for public image and social media engagement. The findings suggest that adolescents use different mental calculations to navigate thei...
Researchers warn that AI's friction removal could eliminate desirable difficulties, weakening learning and motivation. Effortful engagement strengthens learning and memory, while loneliness serves as a signal to form human connections.
A new poll finds that pets contribute to healthy aging benefits for older adults, including increased sense of purpose and reduced stress. However, 31% of pet owners aged 50+ report that owning a pet strains their budget, mainly due to financial costs.
The study found that students with physical disabilities reported higher overall quality of life scores compared to those with visual and hearing impairments. The research team recommends expanding inclusive sports programs and social activities tailored to sensory impairments.
A new study finds that U.S. middle-aged adults experience higher loneliness, depressive symptoms, and poorer memory and physical strength compared to peers in Nordic Europe. This decline is largely attributed to the lack of comprehensive family policies, inadequate healthcare access, and rising income inequality.
A Bar-Ilan University study reveals that individuals with social anxiety may feel better when they believe others' opinions are fixed rather than changeable. Adopting a fixed mindset reduced stress and improved performance in social interactions.
Researchers found that smiling faces are associated with higher trustworthiness, confidence, and attractiveness. Facial expressions play a crucial role in social judgments, with emotional mimicry influencing character trait evaluations.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland explores how Afghan refugee youth living in Iran make sense of their experiences. The research found that young people combine personal stories, social interactions, and cultural knowledge to reconstruct meaning from their lives.
A new study examines the role of social approval in intercultural relationships, finding that supportive friends are a powerful protective factor. The research highlights the unique challenges faced by these couples and emphasizes the importance of building strong social networks to understand and respect their relationship.
A new study reveals that young adults' feelings of disconnection can coexist with rich social lives. Ongoing life changes and delayed intimacy contribute to social ambivalence among college-educated women. However, most young people have supportive friendships and strong social networks.
A new study by Binghamton University reveals that individuals with narcissistic, psychopathic, and Machiavellian personality traits exploit touch as a means of control in romantic relationships. They tend to have short-term, tumultuous relationships, often accompanied by violence.
A global study by the University of Jyväskylä found that our most emotionally resonant music comes from our teenage years, peaking around age 17. This 'reminiscence bump' helps explain why songs from adolescence remain meaningful even decades later.
A new national study found nearly one in four older adults who started off in poor health and lower well-being can fully recover within three years. Strong psychological and emotional wellness, maintaining a healthy body weight, regular physical activity, and social engagement were key factors associated with recovery.
A study by Mireka Caselius found that children who moved abroad as kids develop unique skills such as social adaptability and tolerance for stress, making them highly sought-after employees in the global job market. These young adults often pursue careers with an international dimension, reflecting their adaptable nature.
A study by Dr. Esther Sternberg highlights the importance of social engagement, intellectual stimulation, purposeful activity, humor, and spiritual exploration in achieving exceptional cognitive and social functioning in advanced age. Dr. Reichlin's example challenges conventional assumptions about aging trajectories.
The study highlights the importance of support networks during adolescence, including family connectedness and school and peer relationships. Stronger connections are associated with better mental health outcomes, lower rates of depression and suicidal ideation, and increased resilience.
A study found that adolescents become highly motivated to seek rewards after just a few hours of social isolation, which can be beneficial in driving them towards social interaction. However, limited opportunities for connection may lead to pursuing less healthy rewards.
Researchers found that people with emotional insecurities react strongly to their partner's phone use, reporting lower self-esteem and greater resentment. Simple steps like creating phone-free zones can help protect relationships.
A new MSU-led study analyzed 38 million US obituaries to examine values people are most remembered for, cultural events' impact on memory, and legacy reflections. Researchers found that tradition and benevolence are the most prevalent personal values in obituaries.
Researchers found that siblings, friends, and extended family play crucial roles in helping parents keep their children safe on online gaming platforms like Roblox and Minecraft. Online safety risks include scams, anti-social behavior, and adult roleplays.
A study of 1,100 professionals reveals that AI tools can make managers' emails more professional but also undermine trust when used for routine communication tasks. Employees perceive AI-generated content as less sincere and question their leadership abilities.
A new study by the Beery lab at UC Berkeley suggests that oxytocin is essential for the formation of friendships and selective peer relationships. Oxytocin signaling delays the formation of relationships and creates deficits in long-term peer relationships, leading to a lack of social rewards and selectivity.
A study by UC Merced sociology Professor Daisy Verduzco Reyes found that providing for parents is a defining goal for many first-generation Mexican American college graduates. The 'Latinx mobility bargain' or 'immigrant bargain' emphasizes the importance of fulfilling financial and emotional labor roles in families of origin.
Researchers found that repeated tickling increases oxytocin receptor expression in a rat brain region, mediating social bond formation across species. Pleasant tactile stimulation drives affinity-like behavior, indicating the formation of social bonds.
A global study of over 100,000 young people found that owning a smartphone before age 13 is associated with poor mind health and wellbeing in early adulthood. The study found correlations between early smartphone ownership and symptoms such as suicidal thoughts, aggression, detachment from reality, and low self-worth.
Researchers found that friends tend to perceive products similarly and exhibit synchronized brain activity when viewed together, even predicting each other's purchasing intentions. As friendships deepen, this similarity strengthens.
A recent study of over 5,500 widowed individuals found that emotional loneliness increases significantly after a spouse's death and continues for years. Despite stronger parent-child relationships, particularly among mothers who act as kin-keepers, social and emotional loneliness persists.
A new University of Toronto study reveals that over one-third of boys and men know someone who uses steroids, increasing their own intention to use them. The research highlights the importance of targeted prevention efforts considering social environments and identity factors.
Researchers from The University of Osaka found that Japanese macaques remain close to and care for their dying companions, displaying human-like reactions. The study reveals strong social bonds can affect behavior even after death, suggesting emotional capacities in non-human primates.
A new survey by the Kinsey Institute and DatingNews found that 1 in 4 LGBTQ+ singles are changing their dating habits due to the political climate. Gen Z ages 18-25 are particularly affected, with older generations appearing more resilient to its effects.