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.

Researchers are investigating how cannabis affects ADHD symptoms, focusing on its interactions with the body's endocannabinoid system. Evidence suggests cannabis influences attention, hyperactivity, and anxiety, but the findings are limited due to legal restrictions and the complexity of ADHD presentations.
A recent study highlights alcohol as the strongest predictor of cannabis vaping initiation and experimentation among youth and young adults, regardless of demographic factors. Conducted over three years, the research found that alcohol consumption increased the likelihood of transitioning from non-use to cannabis vaping.
Parents are 50% less likely to intervene in their young children’s tasks, such as getting dressed, when these activities are framed as learning opportunities. A new study demonstrated that emphasizing the educational value of everyday tasks promotes children’s independence and resilience by reducing overparenting.
People's preference for simple explanations stems from their desire for efficiency in both understanding situations and achieving goals. Researchers found that participants consistently favored explanations involving common, reliable causes over complex or rare ones.
Animal characters in children's books can significantly boost their theory of mind skills, which are essential for understanding social cues. The research showed that children exposed to animal characters performed better in theory of mind tests than those with human characters, with younger children scoring similarly to older peers.
Preschool children who struggle to regulate their emotions are more likely to show symptoms of ADHD and mental health challenges by age seven. A study of over 19,000 children found that slower emotional development was significantly linked to behavioral issues, internalizing symptoms like sadness, and conduct problems. These findings suggest that monitoring emotional regulation in early childhood could help identify children at risk for mental health issues.
Adolescents who snore frequently are more likely to show behavioral issues such as inattention, rule-breaking, and aggression, but their cognitive abilities, including memory and language skills, remain unaffected, a new study reveals. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 12,000 children in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, the largest U.S. brain development project. They found snoring rates naturally declined as children aged, even without treatment, but persistent snorers showed behavioral difficulties that might be mistaken for ADHD.
A new study reveals that individuals with low confidence in their performance are more likely to seek corrective feedback, which significantly enhances their learning. By analyzing participants' decisions during a memory task tied to monetary rewards, researchers found that the desire for feedback was driven by uncertainty, not emotional factors like stress.
A new study identifies previously hidden brain network patterns in schizophrenia by focusing on nonlinear connectivity, offering potential biomarkers for early diagnosis. Traditional imaging methods often overlook these patterns, but researchers developed advanced statistical tools to uncover this new dimension of brain organization.
Researchers have uncovered a link between the immune gene regulator STAT1 and hyperactive behaviors in mice, offering new insights into neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD. STAT1, vital for infection response, also influences brain cell activity, particularly dopamine neurons involved in motivation and learning. In mice with prolonged STAT1 signaling, hyperactivity and reduced neural activity in key brain regions were observed. The study opens the door to targeting STAT1 for potential therapies to address neurobehavioral disorders.
Young adults at risk of psychosis show reduced synaptic density, a critical brain connectivity deficit that cannabis use appears to exacerbate, according to new research. The study revealed lower synaptic density linked to social withdrawal and motivational deficits, symptoms poorly addressed by current medications.