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Psychology News

These research articles involve many aspects of psychology such as cognitive psychology, depression studies, mental health, stress, happiness and neuropsychology, Scroll below for more specific categories.

Immune Cell Enzyme Links Stress to Depression

Researchers identified a novel 'body-mind mechanism' that links chronic stress to depression. They discovered that stress increases the enzyme matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in blood, which then impacts brain neurons, leading to social withdrawal behaviors in mice—a symptom observed in depression.

Parental Traits May Influence Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Researchers revealed that evaluating parental traits for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders offers a more precise prediction for these conditions in children than genetic testing alone. The study found that children's risk of disorders such as autism and schizophrenia increases when both parents exhibit related traits, including depression and anxiety.

AI Predicts Antidepressant Success in a Week

Researchers developed an AI algorithm that, by analyzing brain scans and clinical information, can predict within a week whether an antidepressant will work for patients with major depression disorder. This method could potentially avoid unnecessary prescriptions of sertraline, a commonly used antidepressant, by identifying non-responders early, thus offering better patient care and reducing side effects.

Cannabis Use Linked to Higher Anxiety Disorder Risk

A comprehensive study found a significant association between emergency department visits for cannabis use and the development of new anxiety disorders. Analyzing health data from over 12 million Ontarians, the research revealed that individuals who sought emergency care for cannabis use exhibited a nearly fourfold increase in the risk of being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder within three years, compared to the general population.

ADHD as an Asset in Entrepreneurship

Individuals with ADHD possess unique cognitive abilities that can make them successful entrepreneurs. The study suggests that people with ADHD excel at collecting and utilizing diverse stimuli from their environment, turning these into valuable resources for entrepreneurial ventures.

PCOS Linked to Higher Suicide Risk

A comprehensive study involving over 18,000 women has uncovered a startling correlation between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and an increased risk of suicide attempts, with PCOS patients being 8 times more likely to attempt suicide than those without the condition. The study draws from the Taiwanese nationwide database, spanning from 1997 to 2012, to highlight the urgent need for mental health and suicide risk assessment in women diagnosed with PCOS.

City Life’s Influence on Unconscious Racial Bias

A new study links the structure of urban environments to the development of unconscious racial biases among its residents. By analyzing data from the Implicit Association Test (IAT) and U.S. Census demographics, researchers have created a model showing that cities with larger, more diverse, and less segregated social networks tend to have lower levels of implicit racial bias.

Can’t Buy Me Happiness: Joy Beyond Wealth

Many Indigenous and local communities report high levels of life satisfaction despite low monetary incomes, challenging the widely held belief that economic growth is essential for happiness. Surveying 2,966 individuals across 19 globally diverse sites, researchers found life satisfaction scores in these communities comparable to those in affluent countries, with some even surpassing the happiness indices of wealthy Scandinavian nations.

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Violence Spreads Like Contagion in Certain Groups

A recent study highlights how violence among members of the Italian mafia spreads contagiously, with those committing violent acts in groups more likely to continue such behavior in the future. Analyzing the criminal careers of 9,819 individuals convicted of organized crime, researchers found that prior violent co-offending significantly increases the likelihood of future violent acts, more so than solo offenses.

Brains of Bullied Teens Show Chemical Shifts Linked to Psychosis

A new study revealed a significant link between bullying in adolescents and the early stages of psychosis, associated with lower levels of the neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain's anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a region critical for emotion regulation. This finding underscores the potential of targeting glutamate levels for pharmaceutical interventions to mitigate the risk of developing psychotic disorders.

Depression Linked to Higher Body Temperatures

A new study suggests a novel link between depression and higher body temperatures, analyzing data from over 20,000 participants worldwide. While the causal relationship remains unclear, findings indicate that body temperature increases with the severity of depression symptoms, offering a potential new avenue for treatment.

Debunking Love Myths: A New Look at Romance and Science

A new study challenges popular romance myths, debunking the Five Love Languages with evidence-based research. The work, proposes a 'balanced diet' metaphor for expressing love, emphasizing the need for diverse and evolving expressions of affection in relationships.