Articles tagged with Social Relationships
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.
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.
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 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.
Male mice displayed increased aggression when the instigator was a novel individual or one with whom they had no established dominance relationship. In contrast, aggression was not observed when the instigator was a familiar opponent with a known hierarchical relationship.
College students who delay bedtimes for social activities have shorter sleep duration and stronger desire for belonging. The need to belong is a key driver of social bedtime procrastination and short sleep, according to a new study presented at the SLEEP 2025 annual meeting.
A study conducted in collaboration with researchers from SWPS University found that practicing niceness can increase the propensity to cooperate by strengthening social bonds. The researchers conducted two studies, one measuring everyday niceness and its association with social connectedness and attitudes towards cooperation, and anoth...
A new study at Ohio State University found that young consumers who shop online and experience fear of missing out (FOMO) tend to feel lower levels of social, psychological, and financial well-being. However, having a stronger attachment to a social media influencer is linked to improved feelings of well-being in those areas. The study...
A national study by Florida Atlantic University reveals that cyberbullying, including exclusion and rejection, can lead to significant trauma in youth. The study found that almost 9 in 10 students experienced at least one form of victimization, highlighting the increasing ubiquity of digital aggression.
A new study found that providing hearing aids and advice on their use can help preserve social connections in older adults, reducing loneliness. The study showed that those treated for hearing loss retained one additional social connection over a three-year period compared to those who received no treatment.
A study found that satisfying intimate relationships and general social support can reduce cognitive problems experienced by breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The research suggests that couples therapy could be a helpful option for partnered patients, while oxytocin levels decreased significantly during treatment.
A novel research project found that greener areas have fewer fatal police shootings, particularly in socially and economically disadvantaged communities. The study suggests that higher levels of greenness can reduce violence through mechanisms such as reduced crime, improved mental health, and increased civic engagement.
A new international study reveals that cultural and family influences shape body image differently across societies. Middle-Eastern women reported stronger body appreciation compared to their Western counterparts, potentially reflecting cultural values and close relationships that promote self-acceptance.
A study found that dog owners rate their bond as the most satisfying, with dogs scoring high in nurturing and relationship security. However, there is a power imbalance towards the owner, with full control over the dog's decisions.
A study of 50-90 year olds across 29 countries found that middle-aged Americans experience high levels of loneliness, unlike other countries. The reasons for this vary by country, but factors like unemployment, depression, and poor health contribute to the problem.
A study explored how GALs form relationships with youth and the role of training in this process. Findings highlight the critical role of trust and suggest that enhanced training programs, including trauma-informed care and advanced communication skills, can empower GALs to build meaningful connections.
A study from the University of California, Riverside, found that a smartphone app can subtly reshape a person's self-image at work. The app, called MindTAPP, uses associative conditioning to pair users with positive affirmations, leading to more favorable views of their workplace abilities and a heightened sense of self-efficacy.
A study from Reichman University's School of Communications found that a robotic dog can influence leadership dynamics between humans by displaying clear preferences for team members. This can lead to spontaneous emergence of leadership, with the favored participant taking charge without explicit guidance.
A comprehensive meta-analysis of 35 studies involving 24,489 people across the U.S. and Europe found no significant differences in relationship or sexual satisfaction levels between individuals in monogamous and non-monogamous relationships. Non-monogamy is often viewed as inferior to monogamy due to stereotypes and media narratives.
Research suggests that dog ownership is connected to declining birth rates, as people turn to dogs for emotional support and companionship. The theory proposes that the popularity of dogs is rooted in biological evolutionary causes, but has culturally escalated as human relationships are often damaged or absent.
Researchers found that relationship satisfaction declines over time, leading to a terminal phase with a rapid deterioration in satisfaction. The transition point marks the beginning of this phase, which lasts 7-28 months and is characterized by accelerated decline.
Canada ranks highest in the G7 for happiness due to its strong social safety nets and pro-social behavior. The World Happiness Report also highlights the importance of assuming the best of others, as people underestimate the kindness of others and their own well-being is impacted by what they expect from others.
A new study reveals that dance can facilitate emotional expression and foster social bonds, creating a powerful buffer against stress. By incorporating dance into weekly routines, individuals can enhance their resilience and improve overall wellbeing.
Research highlights how social media expectations and visual content contribute to digital stress and friendships conflicts. Disappointment from unmet expectations is a stronger predictor of conflict than constant availability pressure. Setting boundaries and managing notifications can help reduce misunderstandings.
A new study of over 1,500 individuals in the US and Europe found that those prone to nostalgia have more close friends and work harder to maintain their relationships. Nostalgia is associated with a greater number of strong social ties and better overall health and wellbeing.
A new NIH study funded by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program found that teens with strong, high-quality friendships tend to have better mental health. The study suggests that emphasizing ways to bolster the quality of their social relationships could help address the current youth mental health crisis.
Researchers at University College London found that the brain uses specific patterns of activity, or 'building blocks,' to understand social interactions. These fundamental patterns are thought to represent common interaction patterns across various situations, allowing brains to simplify complex information and make decisions quickly.
A new study published in Child Maltreatment found that adults who experienced childhood physical and sexual abuse had double the odds of developing health and mental health conditions. The presence of a protective adult in the home was associated with better long-term health outcomes among children who experienced abuse.
New research finds that individuals are more likely to believe and endorse conspiracy theories if their psychological needs are not met. The study suggests that satisfying these needs through informative communication and community empowerment can mitigate the spread of conspiracy theories.
A recent study comparing the sexual behavior of bonobos and chimpanzees during stressful periods has provided insights into humans' own behavioral origins. Both species utilized sex to manage social tension, with bonobos engaging in 'make-up sex' after conflicts and chimpanzees using sex in various ways to ease tensions.
New research by psychologists from Staffordshire University and the University of Birmingham identifies spite as a key factor that underlies conspiracy theory belief. Higher levels of spite are associated with a stronger belief in conspiracy theories, and it mediates the relationship between conspiracy theory belief and established pre...
A study found that social influence and trust play key roles in older adults' adoption of demand-responsive transportation. The research, conducted in Senboku New Town, Osaka, revealed significant relationships between behavioral intention and performance expectancy among older people.
A comprehensive analysis of Bluesky reveals its structure, polarization, and political leanings. The platform's users, particularly those from X (formerly Twitter), exhibit left-leaning tendencies, as evident in the majority of shared links and content. The study also highlights how Bluesky diverges on the Israel-Palestine conflict topic.
Researchers studied wild female Japanese macaques to understand their internal states. The study found that the absence of close proximity with group members during resting periods increases stress levels, while co-feeding with a related female during foraging leads to increased stress due to competition.