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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.

Rejecting Invites: Less Impact on Relationships Than Feared

People often overestimate the negative consequences of declining social invitations. The study involved over 2,000 participants across five experiments. It showed that while individuals who declined invitations feared damaging their relationships, the inviters typically felt less upset than expected.

Maternal Inflammation Linked to Child Behavioral Dysregulation

Maternal inflammation risk factors may be associated with dysregulation in children, encompassing attention, anxiety, depression, and aggression. Researchers observed that children born to mothers with prenatal infections, or who were overweight, less educated, or smoked during pregnancy, had a higher likelihood of dysregulation.

Balancing Act: The Mixed Blessings of Solitude on Mental Health

A new study examines the nuanced impact of solitude on mental health among adults aged 35 and older in the UK and US. Tracking 178 participants over 21 days, the research found no definitive optimal balance between solitude and social interaction.

Brain Stimulation Enhances Memory in Schizophrenia Patients

A new study suggests that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve aspects of prospective memory in individuals with schizophrenia. The trial compared 50 schizophrenia patients, split between active and sham rTMS treatments, with 18 healthy controls.

Childhood Stress Linked to Adult Depression

A new study reveals a connection between negative life events (NLE) in childhood and a higher likelihood of developing depression in young adulthood. This research, involving 321 participants, showed that a thicker orbitofrontal cortex at age 14, followed by rapid thinning during adolescence, is predictive of depressive symptoms later in life.

This shows a stressed looking woman eating chips.

Stress and Snacks: How Fatty Foods Hinder Recovery

Consuming fatty foods during stressful times can hinder the body's recovery from stress effects. Researchers found that high-fat meals, like butter croissants, consumed before a stressful event, reduced vascular function and brain oxygenation, and negatively affected mood.

One-off Poverty’s Impact on Child Development

Even a single experience of poverty can adversely affect a child's development. Analyzing data from over 7,000 children in Ireland between 2008 and 2017, the study found that one-off poverty events, particularly around age three, can lead to cognitive and behavioral difficulties.

Optimism Linked to Poor Decision-Making and Lower Cognitive Skills

While optimism is often celebrated, a new study reveals that excessive optimism can lead to poor decision-making, particularly in financial matters. The research shows that individuals with high cognitive ability tend to be more realistic and pessimistic in their future expectations, while those with lower cognitive ability lean towards excessive optimism.

Rising Cannabis Use Among Older Americans During the Pandemic

A new study reveals an increase in cannabis use among older Americans, with 12% reporting THC-containing substance consumption in the past year, a rise from pre-pandemic levels. The study highlights a connection between high-risk alcohol consumption and increased cannabis use in this age group.

Link Between Childhood Adversity and Muscle Dysmorphia in Youth

A new study reveals a significant association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and symptoms of muscle dysmorphia in adolescents and young adults. The research highlights how ACEs, such as domestic violence and emotional abuse, can lead to the pathological pursuit of muscularity as a coping mechanism.

How Imagination Fuels Empathy and Prosocial Behavior

A new study highlights the significant role of imagination in evoking empathy and driving prosocial behavior. While empathy is multifaceted, this research focuses on two aspects: personal distress and compassionate concern. The study reveals that vividly imagining someone else's problems increases personal distress, motivating individuals to offer help.

This shows a man and empty drinking glasses.

Peptide PACAP’s Key Role in Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol, the world's most common addictive substance, leads to $249 billion in annual costs and 88,000 deaths in the U.S. Alcohol use disorder affects millions but is under-treated. Researchers discovered a key player in alcohol addiction: pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP).