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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.

More Social Media, More Depression: Study Links Cause and Effect

A new study has found that as preteens increase their social media use, depressive symptoms also rise—but not the other way around. Researchers tracked nearly 12,000 youth over three years and discovered that increased screen time predicted later depression, while depressive symptoms did not predict more social media use.

Parental Mental Illness Raises Risk of Childhood Psychopathology

A new long-term study confirms that children of parents with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder face a higher risk of developing mental health issues compared to peers without parental psychiatric diagnoses. Over four years, researchers tracked 238 children and found distinct patterns of symptoms depending on whether a parent had schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

Potassium Channel Drug Offers New Hope for Treating Depression

Two new studies reveal that ezogabine, a drug originally approved for epilepsy, may alleviate depression symptoms by targeting potassium channels in the brain. Researchers found that the drug improves function in reward-related brain regions like the ventral tegmental area (VTA), which is key to motivation and pleasure.

Long COVID Is Fueling a Mental Health Crisis in Children

A new study reveals that nearly 40% of children with long COVID are experiencing significant symptoms of anxiety or depression, many for the first time. Using validated mental health screening tools, researchers found that 1 in 4 children had new anxiety symptoms and 1 in 7 had new depressive symptoms, despite no prior mental health history.

Why Loneliness Hurts More When You’re Poor

A new study across 20 European countries shows that people in the lowest income brackets are significantly more likely to feel lonely than those with higher incomes, even though they socialize just as often. Loneliness was closely tied to a cluster of defensive symptoms—pain, fatigue, and low mood—which were especially severe among the poor.

Peer Pressure, Perceived Norms Drive Risky Drinking

A new study highlights how peer pressure and misperceptions about campus drinking norms can lead college students to drink more heavily than they intend. Many students believe their peers consume more alcohol than they actually do, which can increase risky behavior and negative outcomes.

This shows sister moms and their babies.

Postpartum Psychosis May Run in Families

Women are over 10 times more likely to develop postpartum psychosis if their sister has experienced the condition, according to a major study of more than 1.6 million women. This rare but severe disorder, marked by hallucinations, paranoia, and disorganized thinking after childbirth, can have life-threatening consequences if not treated.

Depression May Signal Chronic Pain Years Before It Starts

Middle-aged and older adults who experience chronic pain often show worsening symptoms of depression up to eight years before the pain begins. A large-scale study found that depressive symptoms and loneliness increased long before pain onset, suggesting mental health may play a causal role in later physical discomfort.

Body’s Own Cannabinoids May Help Control Trauma-Linked Fear

A new study reveals that a natural cannabinoid in the body, 2-AG, plays a crucial role in regulating fear responses, particularly in individuals with PTSD and anxiety. Researchers found that lower levels of 2-AG in both mice and humans were linked to exaggerated or overgeneralized fear reactions to non-threatening stimuli. This suggests that 2-AG helps the brain distinguish real threats from harmless cues, acting as a natural filter for fear.

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Rethinking Propaganda in the Digital Age

Propaganda is often seen as a manipulative force, but it may be a necessary tool for active participation in a digital society. Rather than eliminate it, people should learn to understand and ethically use propaganda to counter disinformation and promote social good.

This shows the outline of a person and neurons.

Inflammation Triggers Repetitive Behaviors in ASD and OCD

New research reveals that chronic brain inflammation can directly lead to repetitive behaviors, often seen in conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In mice with a mutated NLRP3 gene, inflammation activated microglia to release IL-1β, overstimulating NMDA glutamate receptors responsible for excitatory brain signals.

Insomnia Isn’t Just About Sleep, Your Personality Plays a Role

Certain personality traits significantly influence the risk of developing insomnia. People with high levels of neuroticism—a trait linked to emotional instability—were much more likely to experience sleep disturbances.