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Social media likes and comments linked to young men’s obsession with perfect pecs and a six-pack

A new Australian study found that social media interactions are linked to muscle dysmorphia in young men, who experience small and weak bodies despite having a good physique. The study suggests that taking less notice of social media posts may help combat this issue, along with targeted mental health initiatives.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalNew Media & Society·TypeSurvey·DateNov 6, 2024

Health, financial and social support resources can help to maintain subjective well-being from the age of fifty until very old age

A new study by University of Eastern Finland researchers shows that life satisfaction remains high until very old age, but eudaemonic quality of life declines after 70. Having sufficient personal resources, such as health, financial, and social resources, can help maintain subjective well-being from age 50 to very old age.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalWellbeing Space and Society·DateOct 30, 2024

Different types of teenage friendships critical to wellbeing as we age, scientists find

Scientists studying teenage socializing found that teenaged friendships lay essential foundations for wellbeing in later life. Perceived social acceptance in early adolescence and close friendships in late adolescence predicted adult wellbeing, with lower levels of social anxiety and romantic insecurity. Timing is critical, as self-per...

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Developmental Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateOct 11, 2024

A method of ‘look twice, forgive once’ can sustain social cooperation

Researchers from Penn and Princeton developed a method of judging behavior that sustains cooperation, called 'look twice, forgive once.' This approach looks at multiple actions and forgives some bad actions to maintain consensus, confirming the original hypothesis that public institutions are not necessary for reputation-based cooperat...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 26, 2024

Influencers promoting sustainable lifestyles on social media should be differently regulated, study says

A new study recommends that influencers promoting sustainable lifestyles on social media be differently regulated to better protect consumers. The current EU consumer protection measures are inadequate, and the proposed changes would provide more legal certainty and facilitate additional training for content creators.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Consumer Policy·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 11, 2024

How zebrafish map their environment

Researchers have found evidence for place cells in zebrafish brains, allowing them to create internal maps of their environment. The brain region, telencephalon, is also thought to be analogous to the mammalian hippocampus and plays a key role in spatial orientation, social networks, and memory.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateSep 3, 2024

In-person contact linked with lower levels of loneliness in older adults

A study by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that in-person contact is crucial for reducing loneliness in older adults, while phone and digital contact are less effective. The study revealed that even weak social ties can benefit from in-person visits, leading to lower levels of reported loneliness.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalThe Journals of Gerontology Series B·TypeObservational study·DateAug 28, 2024

Support at work does not make ‘stuck’ employees less likely to retaliate – study

A new study by The Pennsylvania State University and the University of Birmingham found that organizational support policies do not reduce retaliation intentions among 'stuck' employees. Stuck employees, who want to leave their jobs but cannot due to barriers, are more likely to retaliate against perceived organizational injustice.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalJournal of Business and Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 19, 2024

Older adults’ life satisfaction varies by immigrant status, living arrangement and social disposition

A study of 12,000 Canadian respondents aged 65+ found that socially independent older adults born in Canada are most satisfied when living solo, while socially dependent immigrants who live alone experience lower life satisfaction. Personality-based social dispositions play a key role in how older adults feel about their living arrange...

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAging and Human Development·TypeSurvey·DateAug 13, 2024

Does physical isolation increase loneliness?

A new study using COVID-19 lockdown data in Australia found that physical isolation made little difference to reported feelings of loneliness. Instead, the quality of social interactions and supportive networks were key factors in alleviating loneliness. Young people and extroverts showed increased loneliness during lockdowns.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalJournal of Economic Behavior & Organization·TypeSurvey·DateAug 8, 2024

Dance, dance revolution: New Drexel research shows dance and movement therapy can increase emotional and social intelligence in middle school students

A new Drexel University study reveals that dance and movement therapy (DMT) can foster empathy, positive peer relationships, and cultural self-efficacy among middle school students. The program, developed by Nalini Prakash, aimed to address ethnic bullying and promote cross-cultural connections.

SourceDrexel University·JournalSocial Sciences & Humanities Open·DateAug 5, 2024

Friendships in America may be in less peril than previously thought

A study published in PLOS ONE found that American adults have an average of four to five friends, similar to numbers from the 1970s to 2015. Many participants expressed a desire for closer friendships and more time spent with friends, despite being generally satisfied with their current relationships.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateJul 30, 2024

Study examines the impact of social connections and professional networks of NAPCRG members in driving scientific success

The study used social network analysis to examine the impact of social connections among NAPCRG members on their scientific success. The research found that strong professional networks are crucial for driving scientific advancements, emphasizing the need for continued support and development of these connections.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 22, 2024

Why are board games so popular among many people with autism? New research explains

A new study reveals that people with autism are overrepresented in board gaming compared to the general population, and playing modern board games provides a social outlet in a structured space. The research also shows that board games take pressure off meeting and interacting with others, offering a form of escapism.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·TypeObservational study·DateJul 12, 2024

The new paradigm in volunteering -- and how organizations can adapt to "neither-growing-nor-fading" brand relationships

New volunteers seek flexibility and opportunity, often showing a weaker sense of affiliation with organizations. Organizations can effectively cultivate these relationships by establishing physical infrastructure, providing training and competence-building activities, and communicating a compelling narrative.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateJul 9, 2024

New study shows meaningful social interactions boost well-being, but context matters

A new study found that engaging in meaningful social interactions with peers is associated with lower loneliness and greater affective well-being. The research also highlights the importance of context in these interactions, suggesting that online or offline settings have a positive impact on well-being during lockdowns.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 28, 2024

Social media use is associated with more frequent vaccination

Researchers found a consistent positive relation between social media use and vaccination across all major political parties. For Democrats, social media exposure predicted greater vaccine uptake due to increased information about new pathogens. For Republicans, believing others were vaccinated was the key factor.

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateJun 24, 2024

Biological underpinnings of romantic attraction and bonding

A new study reveals that physiological synchrony significantly enhances perceived romantic attraction. Super Synchronizers, who naturally synchronize well in social and nonsocial contexts, are perceived as more romantically appealing. This study integrates experimental and observational methods to investigate the mechanisms of romantic...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalCommunications Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 19, 2024

When the TV show Neighbours ended, surveyed fans experienced strong grief, loss, and sometimes a lack of closure - implying that strong "parasocial" relationships link TV viewers and favorite shows

Surveyed Neighbours fans exhibited intense emotional responses, including grief and loss, indicating a deep parasocial connection with the show. The study suggests that these strong relationships can lead to feelings of abandonment or uncertainty when the series concludes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 12, 2024

Swiss study of Portuguese immigrants looks into the impact of citizenship on identity

A Swiss research team surveyed 400 Portuguese immigrants to understand how their desire for citizenship influences their attachment to home and host cultures. The findings suggest that acquiring citizenship can lead to a decrease in attachment to the immigrant's original group, while increasing identification with the host culture.

SourceThe Polish Association of Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological Bulletin·DateMay 31, 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

Bluetooth tracking devices provide new look into care home quality

A new study using wearable Bluetooth devices found that staff members dominated social interactions in four UK care homes, with residents having limited social contact. The findings suggest that wearable technology can be used to improve quality of care by reducing isolation and increasing interaction between staff and residents.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMay 15, 2024

Grandmothers could be the answer to adolescent angst

New research found that maternal grandmothers' investment in grandchildren who experienced adverse early life experiences can significantly reduce emotional and behavioral problems. The study suggests that supportive caregiving from grandparents can protect children from negative effects of early adversity-induced behavioral issues.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 7, 2024

The popular kids in school may be sleeping less

Researchers found that popular teens sleep less than their peers, with popular girls experiencing more insomnia symptoms. This study suggests that social context and emotional investment may contribute to sleep difficulties in popular teenagers.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Sleep·TypeSurvey·DateMay 1, 2024

Loneliness grows as we age

A new study found that loneliness grows as people age, with a U-shaped pattern of higher levels in younger and older adulthood. Factors associated with persistent loneliness include social isolation, lower education, income, and functional limitations, as well as being divorced or widowed, a smoker, or having poorer health.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 30, 2024