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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.

Study Maps Genetic Risk of Schizophrenia to Specific Brain Cells

A new study uncovers the intricate molecular mechanisms behind schizophrenia by mapping genetic risk factors to specific brain cells. Researchers used comprehensive genetic and cellular analyses to identify how these genes affect different cell types in the prefrontal cortex.

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Teen Social Networks Influence Mental Health Disorder Spread

Researchers found that mental disorders can spread within school social networks. By analyzing data from over 700,000 Finnish ninth-graders, they discovered that having classmates with mental disorders increased the risk of being diagnosed with similar conditions later in life.

School Readiness at 4 Predicts Teen Outcomes

A new study finds that children not deemed "school ready" at age 4 are significantly more likely to be unemployed or out of education by 16. This early disadvantage also predicts lower GCSE achievement. Researchers used data from over 8,000 Bradford young people to identify this link. This highlights the need for early intervention in schools to reduce later disadvantage.

Strong Link Between Teen Cannabis Use and Psychosis Risk

A new study finds a strong association between teen cannabis use and a significantly increased risk of developing psychotic disorders. This risk appears to be age-dependent, with adolescents being particularly vulnerable to the effects of cannabis on their developing brains. While further research is needed, these findings raise concerns about early cannabis use and highlight the importance of prevention strategies.

Ancient Viruses Linked to Mental Illness

A new study reveals that ancient viral DNA sequences, once thought to be "junk DNA," are active in the human brain and contribute to the risk of psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. This discovery sheds light on the complex genetic factors influencing mental health.

Parental Distraction Negatively Impacts Child-Parent Interactions

A new study finds that any form of parental distraction, whether from screens or non-digital activities, negatively impacts parent-child interaction. Both digital and non-digital distractions led to reduced parental sensitivity and child engagement. This suggests that it's not the screens themselves, but rather the divided attention, that hinders parent-child communication.

Beta Oscillations Key to Understanding Depression in the Brain

A new study in rhesus macaques reveals how the brain regulates depression-like states. Researchers found that a specific brain circuit connecting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and the cingulo-striatal network plays a crucial role in emotional regulation.

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Social Media Nightmares: A New Phenomenon

A new study finds a link between increased social media use and the likelihood of experiencing social media-related nightmares. These nightmares, often involving themes of cyberbullying, online hate, or excessive social media use, are associated with negative mental health outcomes like anxiety and depression. The research introduces the Social Media Nightmare-Related Scale (SMNS) to quantify this phenomenon and calls for further investigation into the impact of social media on dreams.

Exercise Aids Memory Erasure in PTSD

Increased neuron formation in the hippocampus, stimulated by exercise or genetic manipulation, helps mice forget traumatic or drug-associated memories. This process involves rewiring neural circuits, disrupting the recall of fear memories. These findings offer potential new approaches for treating mental health conditions like PTSD and drug addiction.

Decoding Empathy: Brain Circuit for Recognizing Emotions Identified

Researchers identified a brain circuit involved in recognizing emotions in both animals and humans. This circuit connects the prefrontal cortex and the retrosplenial cortex, and its activity correlates with the ability to perceive emotions in others.

Pre-Pandemic Brain Wiring Predicted Teen Mental Health During COVID

A large study using pre-pandemic brain scans of adolescents reveals that brain wiring before COVID-19 predicted mental health outcomes during the pandemic. Adolescents with stronger connections within the brain's "salience network," responsible for emotion and reward processing, demonstrated greater resilience to stress and negative emotions.

Love Hormone Oxytocin Eases Loneliness

A new study finds that oxytocin, the "cuddle hormone," can reduce acute feelings of loneliness and enhance bonding in group therapy settings for individuals experiencing chronic loneliness. While not a cure-all, oxytocin shows promise as a supportive tool during therapy, potentially helping patients better navigate the initial challenges of addressing their loneliness.