Research using surveys to study people and society. Covers consumer studies, dietary change, social-media and mood links, and public opinion.
A survey study assessed psychological distress among U.S. adults during four different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, finding significant increases in symptoms during lockdowns and reopening phases. The study suggests that ongoing mental health support is essential to mitigate these effects.
A longitudinal survey of over 3,000 adolescents aged 11-14 found that supportive relationships with family and friends, physical activity, and better sleep helped shield against the pandemic's negative impact on mental health. Girls were more likely than boys to experience psychological distress during the pandemic.
A Rutgers study found COVID-19 vaccination rates among people living with HIV are lower among younger and Black individuals, highlighting the need for tailored public health messaging to address vaccine hesitancy
Researchers from Germany and UK found that civic engagement has little impact on well-being, despite common assumptions. Non-political engagement in old age showed a small positive effect on life satisfaction, but other benefits were limited.
A recent study found that 84% of adults with asthma experience discomfort while wearing a mask, and 75% report trouble breathing or shortness of breath. The study also discovered an association between poorer asthma control and higher symptoms while wearing a mask.
Rates of cervical cancer screening have dropped in the US, with significant disparities found across sociodemographic groups. The study highlights the need for targeted campaigns to address lack of knowledge as the primary reason for not receiving timely screenings.
Surveys involving 100,000 participants in 26 countries found a correlation between belief in conspiracies and identification as far-left or far-right. The research suggests that conspiracy theories are more pronounced among those who feel disenfranchised and lack political control.
Research from University of Nebraska–Lincoln found that 40% of Americans blame politics for causing stress and an estimated 50-85 million people experience fatigue, anger, and compulsive behaviors due to politics. The results remained mostly stable after nearly four years, suggesting a potential health crisis.
A new study found that people experiencing increased stress, anxiety, and depression during the pandemic were more likely to contract Covid-19 and experience severe symptoms. The research, led by Professor Kavita Vedhara, suggests that psychological distress may be a significant factor in increasing susceptibility to viral respiratory ...
A new study found that nature exposure removes negative body image triggers and strengthens coping mechanisms, promoting healthy thought processes and realistic appraisals of body image threats.
A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo found that public trust in AI varies greatly depending on the application and demographic factors. They developed an octagonal visual metric to quantify these attitudes and hope it can lead to a universal scale for measuring ethical issues around AI.
A recent study found that consuming traditional forms of media, such as books and music, has negligible effect on anxiety and happiness levels in adults. However, engaging with newer types of media, like social media and video games, was linked to lower happiness and higher anxiety levels.
Research among 2,783 Western Europeans found that mosque attendance and country of origin impact attitudes on homosexuality. Second-generation migrants adopt more local values, while first-generation migrants are shaped by their origins.
A survey study found links between problematic smartphone use and low sense of control, fear of missing out (FOMO), and repetitive negative thinking during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study suggests that physical activity and mindfulness practices may help reduce such use.
Researchers found that Americans were less likely to respond to an email survey from a person believed to be Black than from a person believed to be white. The study, which analyzed responses from over 250,000 people, suggests that racial bias can influence everyday communication behaviors.
A new study suggests that women and older adults with college degrees are more likely to report feeling socially isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research highlights the need for culturally sensitive initiatives to mitigate social isolation in vulnerable populations, including Hispanic and African American communities.
A new study has revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on urban, racial, and ethnic minority children aged five to 11 years old. The research found increased rates of depression and anxiety problems among these children compared to before the pandemic, with rates rising from 5 percent to 18 percent.
A study by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona found that spending revenues on climate projects increases social acceptability of carbon taxes. The research also revealed that providing information on carbon taxes can increase acceptability, while the perception of fairness is a stronger factor in acceptability than effectiveness.
A new report from Portland State University aims to improve mobility and quality of life for older adults by developing forms of assistance and educational strategies. The study found that low-income older adults faced significant barriers to transportation, including fear of public transit during the pandemic lockdowns.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that only half of Americans surveyed believe sports teach love of country, while men, heterosexuals, Christians and Republicans were more likely to agree. Surprisingly, some lower-status groups were also more likely to recognize these messages.
A recent study by the University of Cincinnati found that tweens spent more time using media during the 2020 pandemic summer, highlighting the need to reassess notions of 'too much' screen time. The research suggests that media use can have both positive and negative effects on children's lives, with some finding connection with peers ...
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found an association between social media use and self-reported symptoms of depression in adults aged 18 and older. The research suggests that individuals who use social media more frequently may experience greater levels of depressive symptoms.
A new study demonstrates the importance of supply-side enhancements to increase clean fuel consumption in sub-Saharan Africa. Supply-side interventions such as shortening distances to retail points and improving access to multi-burner stoves are found to be crucial for accelerating growth of the clean cooking market.
Research in Japan found a link between financial knowledge, age, and gender, suggesting potential policy targets to improve financial health. While men had higher financial literacy, women reported more sound financial behaviors, indicating that policies may need to focus on supporting women's financial decision-making.
A KU study reveals that individuals' political ideologies play a crucial role in shaping their health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, conducted using two surveys and a review of existing data, found that ideology was a significant predictor of health behavior, especially when compared to other factors such as age,...
A recent Rutgers University study found that receiving a new diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias leads to decreased formal and informal social engagement. This can be particularly concerning for disadvantaged populations with limited resources. The study highlights the need for practitioners and policymakers to consi...
A national survey found that half of US vaccine hesitant individuals believe nothing will convince them to get vaccinated. Most cited concerns about vaccine safety as the reason for their unwillingness.
Researchers found a clear link between people's expectations and actual vaccine side effects, suggesting that psychological factors can predict which individuals will experience more symptoms. The study aims to help overcome lingering vaccine hesitancy by reframing the way we think about side effects.
New research highlights the importance of social support during pregnancy, finding that women with low levels of emotional or affectionate support are at increased risk of depression and anxiety. The study suggests that screening for social support and providing community-based services may help improve health outcomes.
A new study found that UK citizens experienced drastic changes in their daily routines during lockdowns, with parents of young children spending significantly more time on housework and childcare. This led to a reduction in paid work time for most people, with women with young children being particularly affected.
Researchers at Pusan National University and Columbia University reanalyzed poverty estimates in unmarried parent families using the 'Supplemental Poverty Measure' (SPM), accounting for specific criteria. The analysis revealed significant drops in poverty rates over time, particularly for single-mother families.
A Boston University researcher found that while many climate deniers are receptive to disinformation, some are also open to the science. Her study suggests that engaging with individuals most vulnerable to climate disinformation is crucial in stopping its spread.
A 51-country survey reveals that people who feel invincible to COVID-19 are less likely to get vaccinated and believe in the importance of individual actions. The study suggests that messaging emphasizing collective action is crucial in individualistic cultures.
Research reveals people's psychological strategies to cope with meat consumption and animal welfare, including triggers and restorative strategies. The study finds differences in meat consumption patterns across demographics and attitudes, with men more likely to disengage from animals.
Research finds that white Americans perceive a threat to their culture when presented with changing demographics in hypothetical neighborhoods and schools. This perception fuels fears of foreign cultural threat from racial and ethnic minorities, contributing to the persistence of segregation.
A new study found that most people maintain their pre-retirement level of social support after retirement, with women and those with high social support experiencing an improvement in mental wellbeing. The research also shows an increase in life satisfaction for couples where either the man or woman retired.
A study of cross-cultural differences in COVID-19 knowledge and attitudes found that people in Europe and the US had the lowest knowledge and adherence to safety measures. In contrast, people in the Middle East and Asia were more aware of COVID-19 and took greater precautions.
Researchers found that most anglers weren't thinking about how invasive species could affect their own lives, highlighting the need for personalized messaging. Tailoring education campaigns to an angler's values and risk perceptions can motivate action, such as decontaminating boats or attending cleanup events.
UK military veterans are nearly 11 times more likely to be problem gamblers than non-veterans, leading to higher health and social care costs. The study found that veterans incurred substantially higher healthcare costs, including hospital stays, visits to GPs, and contact with social workers.
A cross-sectional study found a correlation between rural geography and easy access to handguns, leading to higher risks of suicidality among Colorado teenagers. The findings can inform the allocation of educational firearm safety and suicide prevention resources in the state.
A study by SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities found that people become more sensitive to feelings of disgust when they perceive their lives as being in danger. As a result, they tend to avoid foreigners, which is linked to an evolutionary response known as the behavioral immune system.
A study found that older adults were more willing to donate to charities within their own country compared to international charities. They also showed greater compliance with public health guidelines, particularly for physical distancing.
A survey conducted by Michigan Medicine found that nearly two-thirds of respondents experienced difficulty with pet care during hospitalization or knew someone who did. This stress can impact a patient's decision about staying in the hospital. Researchers aim to develop better resources and formalized services to address this need.
A study by HSE researchers found that women believe corruption presents an obstacle to economic development, while men see it as a problem for customers and suppliers. The survey of over 1,200 public procurement experts revealed significant gender differences in perceptions of corruption.
A study of over 2,000 European retirees found that internet usage after retirement is associated with better cognitive scores. Specifically, female retirees who regularly surfed the internet recalled more words on a word recall test compared to their non-internet-using counterparts.
A new study from McGill University reveals that delaying school start times can help reduce stress and improve coping skills in teenagers during times of crisis. The research found that allowing teens to follow their natural sleep-wake cycle led to improved mental health outcomes.
Research from Duke University's Samuel DuBois Cook Center for Social Equity found that Black households lost more wealth than white families during the decade-long economic recovery following the Great Recession. The study also showed that Black working-class families remained in the worst overall economic position, entering the COVID-...
Researchers study social support networks and health outcomes of over 670 Hispanic and non-Hispanic lung cancer patients to understand the Hispanic Health Paradox. The study aims to identify cultural differences in social interactions that influence health outcomes.
The 2020 Monitoring the Future survey found significant increases in marijuana and hallucinogen use among college students, while daily or near-daily marijuana use rose. In contrast, vaping marijuana and nicotine levels plateaued after sharp increases between 2017 and 2019, while alcohol use declined significantly.
A new five-year research project led by Thomas Neeson aims to model the impacts of conservation incentives on farmers in the Red River basin. The study will help understand how voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs can be effectively designed to promote sustainable water use.
Researchers studied Northern California residents' responses to wildfire smoke, finding that social norms and social support significantly influence protective health actions. The study aims to promote safer behavior by understanding how people interact with information and make decisions during smoke events.
A pan-Canadian randomized controlled trial is using digital communication to target common reasons for vaccine hesitancy, including age, language, and education level. Family physicians will receive tailored information to share with patients through email and text message, aiming to improve vaccine uptake.
Researchers at Portland State University developed new survey methods to address the limitations of current household activity surveys. The study found that existing methods lack social, cultural, and linguistic applicability for marginalized groups, leading to inaccurate data. By improving data collection efforts, transportation profe...
A survey study found significant disparities in insurance coverage and access to health care among low-income families and people of color across four Southern states during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study revealed increased challenges in accessing medical care due to limited insurance coverage and other factors.
A study by Virginia Commonwealth University found that cancer patients reported lower rates of marijuana use between 2013 and 2018, with only 9% using the substance. Higher pain levels and certain demographics were linked to increased marijuana use in this population.
A recent study published in the European Journal of International Security found that men and supporters of the Conservative Party are more likely to support the use of nuclear weapons. The study analyzed data from the new UK Security Survey and found that those who voted to leave the EU and endorsed superior military power worldwide w...
A new survey study links belief in social Darwinism with dysfunctional psychological characteristics such as exploitative attitudes, hostility and low self-esteem. Social Darwinists tend to admire strength and power despite having a fragile self-image.
A study by Washington State University found that Gen Z adults are open to apparel rental services as a way to reduce waste and extend clothing lifespan. Key factors contributing to this trend include the perceived effectiveness of making a difference and a focus on usage over ownership.
Researchers found that one in four people with spinal cord injury relocated over a five-year period, often to high-poverty areas, increasing health risks. The study highlights the importance of considering residential mobility as a key social determinant of health for this population.
A recent study reveals that colleges struggle to provide adequate mental health support to Asian and Latino students due to interdependent cultural values and shame. The study suggests that culturally tailored treatment services addressing these issues can improve help-seeking behaviors.