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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 08:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **

TITLE: How are ideological rigidity and political conservatism connected to death anxiety?

URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-are-ideological-rigidity-and-political-conservatism-connected-to-death-anxiety/

A recent study published in Psychological Reports examined how individuals’ ideological rigidity and political conservatism influence their reactions to people with differing beliefs and their fears about death. The study found that people who hold rigid ideological beliefs tend to have more negative reactions toward others with different viewpoints, while political conservatism was associated with less death anxiety. However, the researchers did not find consistent evidence that ideological rigidity is linked to death anxiety.

The researchers aimed to explore a question central to Terror Management Theory (TMT). This psychological theory suggests that humans, aware of their inevitable mortality, adopt cultural belief systems to alleviate fears about death. These beliefs, whether religious or secular, give people a sense of purpose and hope for some form of immortality, either through an afterlife or through leaving a legacy.

However, these belief systems also require validation from others. When individuals encounter people with different worldviews, it threatens the validity of their own beliefs, often leading to negative reactions, including hostility and aggression. Terror Management Theory posits that the more rigid a person’s belief system, the more it protects them from death anxiety. However, this rigidity could make them less tolerant of others with differing opinions.

The researchers also wanted to test an additional hypothesis regarding political conservatism. There is debate over whether conservative ideologies, with their emphasis on tradition and order, are more effective at reducing death anxiety. Some previous research suggested that political conservatives may experience more fear of death due to their focus on threats and danger. Others, however, argue that conservatism offers more certainty and stability, potentially reducing existential fears.

The researchers recruited participants from two groups: students from a small state university in the southeastern United States and a sample of people from an online platform called Prolific. In total, the student sample consisted of 134 participants, mostly aged between 18 and 22, while the online sample included 199 participants aged 19 to 79.

Participants completed several questionnaires designed to measure different aspects of their personality, beliefs, and attitudes. The researchers assessed the participants’ political conservatism, dogmatism (or their tendency to hold rigid beliefs), and personal need for structure, which reflects a preference for clear rules and routines. They also measured participants’ reactions to people with different beliefs and their levels of death anxiety. To capture death anxiety, participants answered questions related to fears about death, such as fears of being forgotten or the loss of life’s pleasures. They also assessed specific fears about punishment in the afterlife.

Participants were asked to rate their agreement with statements on a variety of topics, including their beliefs about knowledge (whether they thought knowledge was fixed or open to change), their political views on social and economic issues, and their tolerance of people with different perspectives. The researchers then analyzed the data to determine how these factors related to each other.

As expected, the researchers found that ideological rigidity was linked to more negative reactions toward people with different beliefs. Participants who scored high in dogmatism or who believed that knowledge was certain and unchangeable tended to be less tolerant and more hostile toward those with differing viewpoints. This supports the idea that people with rigid worldviews are more likely to view differing beliefs as threats to their own.

In terms of death anxiety, the researchers found that political conservatism, particularly on social issues, was associated with less fear of death. This relationship was stronger in the online sample from Prolific than in the student sample. This finding aligns with the idea that conservative worldviews, which often provide a sense of order and stability, may help individuals cope with fears about mortality.

“One possibility is that conservative worldviews offer greater hope of immortality and therefore better ameliorate concerns that death will mean the extinction of the self,” the researchers wrote. “In American politics, religiosity is typically associated with conservative stances on social issues like gay marriage and abortion. Consequently, the negative relation between social conservatism and death anxiety observed in the current study might be an artifact of religiosity, as religious people would tend to hold conservative positions on social issues and have less fears of extinction due to more confidence in literal immorality.”

However, the study did not find consistent evidence that ideological rigidity, as measured by dogmatism or a personal need for structure, were associated with reduced death anxiety. In fact, in the student sample, a higher need for structure was associated with more death anxiety, suggesting that the desire for order might not always offer protection from existential fears.

“It seems possible that a highly structured worldview might only offer protection from death concerns in circumstances where one encounters events and perspectives that are consistent with their established expectations and beliefs,” the researchers explained. “When people high in a desire for structure encounter experiences that do not conform to their expectations or when they are exposed to opinions and perspectives that undermine beliefs, their terror management systems may be disrupted.”

An additional, unexpected finding was that in the Prolific sample, political conservatism was associated with more fear of punishment in the afterlife. This suggests that while conservative ideologies might reduce fears about death as extinction, they could increase concerns about moral transgressions and divine punishment.

According to the researchers, “the failure to observe a consistent relationship between ideological rigidity and death anxiety in the present study suggests that increased dogmatism may not be the only type of cultural worldview defense capable of warding off existential concerns. Although the majority of work in TMT has focused on worldview defense in the forms of derogation and hostility towards outgroups, recent theoretical innovations have begun to explore more positive forms of terror management defenses, in which reminders of death can encourage pro-social values, enhance open-mindedness and tolerance, and promote intrinsic values and growth orientation (Horner et al., 2023). Additional research is needed to further elucidate the moderating circumstances in which more positive or negative defenses are elicited and to establish their relative anxiety buffering properties.”

The study, “Ideological Rigidity and Political Conservatism in Relation to Death Anxiety and Reactions to Those With Different Beliefs,” was authored by Jonathan F. Bassett, Emily Ineson, Dasia Rhodes, Kristin Thomas, and Jeremiah Rosenbrook.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-are-ideological-rigidity-and-political-conservatism-connected-to-death-anxiety/

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 06:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

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TITLE: Lack of sleep appears to have a troubling impact on kids’ brain development

URL: https://www.psypost.org/lack-of-sleep-appears-to-have-a-troubling-impact-on-kids-brain-development/

Shorter sleep and later bedtimes are linked to potentially harmful functional changes to parts of the brain important for coping with stress and controlling negative emotions, our recently published research found. And children in families with low economic resources are particularly at risk.

We are neuroscientists who are passionate about reducing socioeconomic disparities in child development. To better understand how socioeconomic disadvantage affects sleep health and brain development in children, we recruited 94 5- to 9-year-old children from socioeconomically diverse families living in New York. About 30% of the participating families had incomes below the U.S. poverty threshold.

We asked parents to report on their child’s sleep environment, the consistency of their family routines, and their child’s bedtime and wake-up time. We also had children complete a magnetic resonance imaging scan of their brains to analyze the size of a brain region called the amygdala and the strength of its connections with other regions of the brain. The amygdala plays a critical role in processing emotions and the amount of negative emotion a person experiences. Adversity experienced early in life can affect how the amygdala works.

We found that children in families with low economic resources were getting less sleep at night and going to sleep later compared with children in families with higher economic resources. In turn, shorter sleep and going to sleep later were associated with reduced amygdala size and weaker connections between the amygdala and other emotion-processing brain regions. This link between socioeconomic disadvantage, sleep duration and timing, and amygdala size and connectivity was found in children as young as 5.

Our results suggest that both amount and timing of sleep matter for the functioning of these brain regions involved in emotion processing.

Why it matters

Not getting enough sleep increases the risk of developing mental health problems and interferes with academic achievement. Reduced sleep may make it harder for children to cope with stress and manage their emotions. Children from families or neighborhoods with low socioeconomic resources may be at increased risk for stress-related mental health problems due in part to the negative effects of their environment on sleep health.

During childhood, the brain develops at a fast pace. Because of this, childhood experiences can have effects on brain function that last a lifetime. Problems from childhood can continue throughout life.

Our findings reinforce the importance of ensuring all families have sufficient economic resources to provide for their children. Research suggests that income supplements for families in need can help support children’s brain function, along with their mental health and academic outcomes.

What still isn’t known

Why do socioeconomically disadvantaged environments make it hard for children to sleep?

Our research suggests that parents who were struggling to make ends meet had a harder time maintaining consistent family routines, possibly leading to less consistent bedtime routines, which may have contributed to children getting less sleep.

However, there are likely multiple factors connecting socioeconomic disadvantage and poor sleep quality, such as not being able to afford a comfortable bed, overcrowding, neighborhood noise, excessive light and heat.

What’s next

Most sleep research has focused on teens, who are especially at risk for poor sleep. However, our results suggest that environmental effects on sleep patterns and habits start a lot earlier.

Interventions to improve sleep may need to start earlier than adolescence to be optimally effective. Bolstering economic resources for families in need may also be key to supporting children’s sleep health, brain development and emotional well-being.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/lack-of-sleep-appears-to-have-a-troubling-impact-on-kids-brain-development/

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 03:59PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Variety is the spice of learning, memory study suggests

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240910155915.htm

Researchers found that older adults learned a memory task best after practicing multiple related tasks, suggesting that diverse cognitive training supports mental sharpness as we age.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240910155915.htm

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 03:59PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Games, puzzles and reading can slow cognitive decline in the elderly -- even in those with mild cognitive impairment

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240910155904.htm

Findings from a new study suggest that older people with mild cognitive impairment who engage in high levels of activities such as word games and hobbies have better memory, working memory, attention and processing speed than those who do not.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240910155904.htm

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 12:10PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Gene therapy effective in hereditary blindness

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240910121029.htm

Bothnia dystrophy is a form of hereditary blindness, prevalent in the region Vasterbotten in Sweden. A new study shows that gene therapy can improve vision in patients with the disease.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240910121029.htm

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 12:10PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Conscientiousness, not willpower, is a reliable predictor of success

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240910121026.htm

According to two psychologists, the field of psychological science has a problem with the concept of self-control. It has named self-control both a 'trait' -- a key facet of personality involving attributes like conscientiousness, grit and the ability to tolerate delayed gratification -- and a 'state,' a fleeting condition that can best be described as willpower. These two concepts are at odds with one another and are often confused, the authors report.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240910121026.htm

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 03:25AM
SOURCE: SOCIALPSYCHOLOGY.ORG

TITLE: Framing Climate Action As Patriotic Draws Support from Conservatives

URL: http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=182315&url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909160337.htm

Source: Science Daily - Top Society

Political conservatives and liberals may differ in their views on environmental issues, but a new psychology study shows that framing the need to address climate change as patriotic and as necessary to preserve the American "way of life" can increase belief in climate change and support for pro-environmental policies among both groups. The study, based on 50,000 people in 60 countries, was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of...

URL: http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=182315&url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909160337.htm

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 03:25AM
SOURCE: SOCIALPSYCHOLOGY.ORG

TITLE: Menopause Can Cause Drop in Libido, But Therapy Might Help

URL: http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=182328&url=https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2024/09/10/menopause-libido-drop-therapy-help/2111725973198/

Source: United Press International - Health News

A form of psychotherapy can help women whose libidos have suffered as they go through menopause, a new study finds. After four sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy, study participants experienced significant improvement in multiple areas of sexual function, body image, and sexual satisfaction, researchers reported. The women also had a significant decrease in menopause symptoms, depression, anxiety, and overall health, results showed.

URL: http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=182328&url=https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2024/09/10/menopause-libido-drop-therapy-help/2111725973198/

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 02:25PM
SOURCE: PSYCHIATRIC TIMES

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 02:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **

TITLE: Does conforming to feminine norms affect college women’s mental health?

URL: https://www.psypost.org/does-conforming-to-feminine-norms-affect-college-womens-mental-health/

Conforming to certain feminine norms, such as modesty, thinness, and appearance, is associated with increased psychological distress among college women, according to research published in Current Psychology.

College women face unique stressors, including adapting to a new environment, developing new social networks, and managing academic pressures, which can increase their vulnerability to psychological distress. Previous studies have highlighted the role of gender norms—expectations of behavior for men and women—as a critical factor that can exacerbate mental health issues in this population. To better understand these associations, Derek Kenji Iwamoto and colleagues examined the impact of conformity to feminine norms on psychological distress among college women.

While much of the previous research has predominantly focused on White women, the present study fills a gap by exploring how these norms affect a diverse group of college women, including a large sample of Asian American participants. The researchers were motivated by findings that gender norms are not monolithic but multidimensional, with different norms potentially exerting varying effects on psychological well-being.

The study recruited 1,700 female undergraduate students from a large public university in Southern California, with an average age of ~20 years. The sample was predominantly Asian American (76.8%), with the remaining participants identifying as White (23.2%).

Participants completed two key measures: the Conformity to Feminine Norms Inventory-45 (CFNI-45) and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). The CFNI-45 is a 45-item questionnaire designed to assess adherence to nine distinct feminine norms, including Sweet and Nice, Relationship, Thinness, Modesty, Domestic, Care for Children, Romantic Relationship, Sexual Fidelity, and Invest in Appearance.

Participants indicated their level of agreement with statements related to these norms on a 4-point scale. The K10 is a 10-item scale that measures psychological distress by assessing symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness experienced over the past month. Participants rated the frequency of these symptoms on a scale from “none of the time” to “all of the time.”

The researchers found that women who felt compelled to maintain a modest demeanor, strive for a thin physique, and focus on their physical appearance (i.e., conformity to Modesty, Thinness, and Invest in Appearance), reported experiencing more psychological distress. Conversely, women who endorsed norms that emphasize the importance of building relationships and caring for others (i.e., Relationship and Care for Children) tended to report lower levels of psychological distress.

Other feminine norms, such as Domestic, Romantic Relationship, Sexual Fidelity, and Sweet and Nice, did not show a significant relationship with psychological distress. This suggests that not all feminine norms have a direct impact on mental health outcomes. Additionally, older students tended to report less psychological distress than their younger counterparts, which may reflect the possibility that older students have developed more effective coping strategies or have adapted better to the college environment.

Overall, the results of this study underscore the importance of understanding the multifaceted nature of feminine norms and their distinct roles in shaping psychological distress among college women. It appears that while some norms may contribute to increased distress, others may serve as protective factors.

Notably, this study was conducted at a single university with a unique demographic composition, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations or educational contexts.

The research, “Why conform?: The implications of conformity to feminine norms on psychological distress among college women,” was authored by Derek Kenji Iwamoto, Thomas P. Le, Lauren Clinton, Margaux Grivel, and Elena Lucaine.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/does-conforming-to-feminine-norms-affect-college-womens-mental-health/

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 12:09PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY PSYCHOLOGY FEED

TITLE: Delayed feedback enhances learning performance in individuals with traumatic brain injury, study indicates

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240910120954.htm

Researchers have published a novel study exploring the effects of delayed feedback on learning in individuals with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of delayed vs. immediate performance feedback on learning in individuals with TBI and to examine the associated brain networks.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240910120954.htm

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 12:09PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Delayed feedback enhances learning performance in individuals with traumatic brain injury, study indicates

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240910120954.htm

Researchers have published a novel study exploring the effects of delayed feedback on learning in individuals with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of delayed vs. immediate performance feedback on learning in individuals with TBI and to examine the associated brain networks.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240910120954.htm

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 12:10PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Early exposure to diverse faces helps babies overcome prejudices later in life

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240910121015.htm

Babies who have more diverse social contacts in the first years of their life can get over their prejudices more easily by the age of 17, according to new research.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240910121015.htm

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 12:09PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Girls may start puberty early due to chemical exposure

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240910120957.htm

Girls exposed to certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may be more likely to start puberty early, according to new research. EDCs mimic, block or interfere with hormones in the body's endocrine system.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240910120957.htm

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 04:03PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Sickle cell patients who receive Lactated Ringer's solution for painful episodes experienced significant improvements

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909160321.htm

Sickle cell disease is a common genetic disorder characterized by periodic occurrences of pain which happen repeatedly through life. These episodes, referred to as a vaso-occlusive episodes, happen when sickled cells obstruct blood vessels. The degree of pain may range from a mild discomfort to a severe disabling pain where the person needs treatment in hospital. A new study has found that hospital-admitted patients who received the fluid Lactated Ringer's, a solution used to replace water and electrolyte loss in patients with low blood volume or low blood pressure, rather than normal saline, had shorter hospital lengths of stay, fewer readmissions to the hospital, and fewer days of intravenous opioid medications for pain control.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909160321.htm

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 04:02PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: New gene therapy offers promise for treating glaucoma -- as well as AMD

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909160257.htm

Scientists developed a highly promising gene therapy to treat glaucoma -- a debilitating eye condition that can lead to complete vision loss, and which affects around 80 million people worldwide. The team previously showed their therapy offered promise in treating dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909160257.htm

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 12:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **

TITLE: New psychology research untangles the links between valuing happiness and well-being

URL: https://www.psypost.org/new-psychology-research-untangles-the-links-between-valuing-happiness-and-well-being/

A recent study published in Psychological Science explored the relationship between how much people value happiness and their overall well-being. The research found that those who placed a high value on happiness generally experienced greater well-being, as reflected in higher life satisfaction and more positive emotions. However, increases in prioritizing happiness over time did not lead to further improvements in life satisfaction.

Happiness has become a major life goal for many people, and public interest in the topic has surged over the past few decades. As the pursuit of happiness gains momentum, researchers have been keen to explore whether striving for happiness actually improves well-being. The intuitive assumption is that people who focus on being happy will naturally experience more happiness in their lives.

However, previous studies suggest this might not always be the case. Some research has found that placing too much emphasis on happiness can backfire, leading to greater disappointment when people fail to achieve their desired emotional state. This phenomenon may even reduce well-being.

Earlier studies on the relationship between valuing happiness and well-being have produced conflicting results, often using small samples or one-time surveys that make it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. In his new study, Kuan-Ju Huang aimed to address these limitations by using data from a large, population-based sample that followed participants over several years.

“We have witnessed substantial growth in the public discourse around happiness and well-being. As noted in the paper, there is mixed cross-sectional evidence on the association between valuing happiness and well-being. So I believe it is important to provide causal evidence of this effect,” explained Huang, a PhD candidate in social and cultural psychology at Kyoto University.

To investigate how valuing happiness affects well-being over time, Huang analyzed data from the Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences (LISS) panel, a longitudinal survey of 8,331 adults in the Netherlands. The survey ran from 2019 to 2023, gathering information on how much participants valued happiness as well as several indicators of well-being, including life satisfaction, positive emotions, and negative emotions.

Participants were asked to rate the importance of happiness “as a guiding principle” in their lives. They also completed standardized measures that assessed their life satisfaction and emotional experiences. Life satisfaction was measured using questions such as “I am satisfied with my life,” while positive and negative emotions were assessed using scales that asked participants to rate how often they felt emotions like pride, excitement, distress, or nervousness.

The results showed that people who valued happiness more highly tended to have better overall well-being. Specifically, participants who placed a greater emphasis on happiness reported higher life satisfaction, more frequent positive emotions, and fewer negative emotions. This finding aligns with the idea that setting happiness as a life goal can help people feel more content and experience more joy in their day-to-day lives.

However, the study also found that increasing one’s focus on happiness over time did not lead to corresponding increases in life satisfaction. In other words, while people who valued happiness were generally more satisfied with their lives, becoming more focused on happiness over the course of the study did not result in a significant boost to life satisfaction a year later.

The emotional effects of valuing happiness were more complex. While valuing happiness did lead to increases in positive emotions, such as excitement and pride, it also resulted in higher levels of negative emotions like distress and nervousness. This suggests that the pursuit of happiness may have a bittersweet quality: while it can help people experience more joy, it may also heighten their sensitivity to negative emotions, especially when they fall short of their happiness goals.

“My takeaway is that constantly thinking about happiness may not be beneficial,” Huang told PsyPost. “Happiness should be the end goal, not the means. If you want to live a happier life, focus on positive activities that have been proven to be beneficial, such as spending time with loved ones or friends, exercising, or engaging with nature.”

Huang also examined whether personality traits or demographic factors, such as gender or age, moderated the relationship between valuing happiness and well-being. Interestingly, they found little evidence that these factors influenced the overall pattern of results.

“It is interesting that the effects were robust across the Big Five personality traits,” Huang explained. “I expected that people who were more extroverted, more agreeable, and less neurotic would benefit more from valuing happiness, but this was not supported by the data. A possible explanation could be that it’s more about how, rather than who, tries to achieve happiness.”

While the findings are illuminating, the study also has some limitations. One limitation relates to the cultural context of the study. The research was conducted in the Netherlands, and while the findings may apply to many Western societies, they may not generalize to other cultures.

“We relied on high-quality longitudinal data from the Netherlands to make causal inferences,” Huang noted. “However, previous studies have shown divergent cross-sectional correlations between valuing happiness and well-being across cultures (Ford et al., 2015). So, the findings may not be generalizable to other cultural contexts, such as in East Asia, where happiness may be pursued more through achieving balance and harmony rather than through hedonism.”

Additionally, the study’s findings raise important questions about the strategies people use to pursue happiness. It’s possible that not all happiness goals are created equal. Prior research suggests that people who seek happiness through social engagement, for instance, may fare better than those who chase happiness through solitary or material pursuits. Future research could investigate how different approaches to seeking happiness affect well-being and whether certain strategies are more likely to succeed in the long run.

“This study reported an overall causal effect, but the pursuit of happiness is a complicated process that may succeed in some situations but fail in others,” Huang said. “I think the next step is to clarify how people think about and pursue happiness differently, and to unravel the complexity of pursuing happiness goals.”

The study, “Does Valuing Happiness Lead to Well-Being?“, was published online on August 20, 2024.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/new-psychology-research-untangles-the-links-between-valuing-happiness-and-well-being/

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 10:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

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TITLE: Excessive mind wandering mediates link between ADHD and depression/anxiety, study finds

URL: https://www.psypost.org/excessive-mind-wandering-mediates-link-between-adhd-and-depression-anxiety-study-finds/

A study of adults diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) suggests that excessive mind wandering, rumination, and decreased mindfulness may mediate the link between ADHD symptoms and depression/anxiety. ADHD may predispose individuals to excessive mind wandering, rumination, and reduced mindfulness, which in turn can lead to more severe symptoms of depression and anxiety. The paper was published in Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning. People with ADHD often struggle to focus, follow through on tasks, or stay organized. They may act impulsively and have difficulty sitting still. Although ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood, symptoms can persist into adulthood, albeit with a tendency to lessen over time.

Research indicates that individuals with ADHD frequently exhibit symptoms of depression and anxiety. While studying this link, researchers became interested in another symptom associated with ADHD—excessive mind wandering. Mind wandering refers to spontaneous thoughts that are unrelated to the task at hand and can divert attention, acting as a distraction.

Although mind wandering is a normal cognitive process, studies show that ADHD is associated with excessive mind wandering, which is characterized by rapid, frequent shifts in thought. This phenomenon is distracting and leads to mental restlessness and constant overactivity of the mind.

Study author Ali Kandeger and her colleagues sought to explore whether excessive mind wandering, combined with decreased mindfulness, might mediate the relationship between ADHD and anxiety/depression symptoms. Mindfulness is a mental state characterized by non-judgmental awareness of one’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences in the present moment. Some people naturally tend to be more mindful, a trait known as trait mindfulness.

The study included 159 adults with ADHD who were admitted to the Adult Neurodevelopmental Disorder Clinic at Selçuk University, 57% of whom were women. Of the participants, 21% had a history of substance use.

They completed assessments of ADHD symptom severity (using the Adult ADHD Severity Rating Scale), anxiety and depression (using the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale), proneness to excessive mind wandering (measured by the Mind Excessively Wandering Scale), rumination (using the Ruminative Response Scale), and mindfulness (assessed by the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory). Rumination is the repetitive and passive focus on negative thoughts or distressing situations, often resulting in prolonged emotional distress and difficulty moving forward.

The results showed that individuals with more severe ADHD symptoms also tended to have more severe symptoms of depression and anxiety, a greater tendency toward excessive mind wandering, a higher propensity for rumination, and lower trait mindfulness.

The researchers tested a statistical model proposing that ADHD symptoms lead to more excessive mind wandering, rumination, and lower mindfulness, which in turn exacerbate depression and anxiety symptoms. Their findings indicated that this pattern of relationships is plausible and that these characteristics may fully explain the link between ADHD and depression/anxiety.

“Our study unveiled a positive association between ADHD symptoms and anxiety/depression severity mediated by increased EMW [excessive mind wandering], rumination, and decreased trait mindfulness in adults with ADHD. Our findings highlight promising specific targets (e.g., EMW, rumination) in the treatment of comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression as well as the importance of treatment of core symptoms in adults with ADHD.”, study authors concluded.

The study contributes to the scientific understanding of the links between ADHD and anxiety/depression. However, it should be noted that the design of the study does not allow any definitive cause-and-effect inferences to be derived from the results.

The paper, “Excessive mind wandering, rumination, and mindfulness mediate the relationship between ADHD symptoms and anxiety and depression in adults with ADHD,” was authored by Ali Kandeger, Şerife Odabas Ünal, Muhammed Tugrul Ergün, and Emine Yavuz Ataslar.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/excessive-mind-wandering-mediates-link-between-adhd-and-depression-anxiety-study-finds/

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 09:01AM
SOURCE: PSYCHIATRIC TIMES

Direct article link at end of text block below.

At the first-ever Operation H.E.R: Strong Minds, Strong Girls Mental Health Summit, hundreds of girls gathered to discuss their mental health challenges and access important resources. https://t.co/bGrIrPwnuK

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 08:02AM
SOURCE: PSYCHIATRIC TIMES

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The risk of antidepressants inducing a switch to mania in patients with bipolar depression was found to be "negligible", in a 1-year nationwide target trial emulation. https://t.co/3BPSeTDb2j

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DATE: September 10, 2024 at 05:02AM
SOURCE:
NEW YORK TIMES PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGISTS FEED

TITLE: Why Can’t I Get This Song Out of My Head?

URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/10/well/mind/songs-earworm-causes.html

Here’s why earworms are never gonna give you up.

URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/10/well/mind/songs-earworm-causes.html

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 08:57PM
SOURCE: AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

TITLE: White House announces rule that would cut insurance red tape over mental health and substance use disorder care

URL: https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/09/health/mental-health-parity-rule/index.html

A new rule says mental health and substance use disorder care on private insurance plans should be covered at the same level as physical health benefits.

URL: https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/09/health/mental-health-parity-rule/index.html

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DATE: September 05, 2024 at 09:01PM
SOURCE: AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

TITLE: Parents nationwide wrestle with fear of school shootings

URL: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2024/09/05/georgia-school-shooting-parents/75084695007/

How to cope with feelings of anxiety, fear, and helplessness, is something every parent approaches differently.

URL: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2024/09/05/georgia-school-shooting-parents/75084695007/

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DATE: September 03, 2024 at 09:01PM
SOURCE: AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

TITLE: 'Next-level helicopter parents' are tracking college students, stunting their development, say experts

URL: https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/next-level-helicopter-parents-tracking-college-students-stunting-development-experts

Parents who are 'helicoptering' over their college-age kids are doing them a 'disservice.'

URL: https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/next-level-helicopter-parents-tracking-college-students-stunting-development-experts

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DATE: September 05, 2024 at 09:00PM
SOURCE: AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

TITLE: Feeling hot and sweaty can disrupt your sleep

URL: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/feeling-hot-and-sweaty-can-disrupt-your-sleep-why-a-cooling-blanket-could-help-you-actually-rest-190328304.html

There are benefits to sleeping with a cooling blanket.

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 05:52PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY PSYCHOLOGY FEED

TITLE: New AI can ID brain patterns related to specific behavior

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909175239.htm

Scientists have developed a new AI algorithm that can separate brain patterns related to a particular behavior. This work promises to improve brain-computer interfaces and aid with the discovery of new brain patterns.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909175239.htm

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DATE: September 04, 2024 at 06:45PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY PSYCHOLOGY FEED

TITLE: Signals in your brain that tell you when It's time to move

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240904184543.htm

A new study examines how the brain initiates spontaneous actions. In addition to demonstrating how spontaneous action emerges without environmental input, this study has implications for the origins of slow ramping of neural activity before movement onset--a commonly-observed but poorly understood phenomenon.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240904184543.htm

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 05:52PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: New AI can ID brain patterns related to specific behavior

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909175239.htm

Scientists have developed a new AI algorithm that can separate brain patterns related to a particular behavior. This work promises to improve brain-computer interfaces and aid with the discovery of new brain patterns.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909175239.htm

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DATE: September 04, 2024 at 06:45PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Signals in your brain that tell you when It's time to move

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240904184543.htm

A new study examines how the brain initiates spontaneous actions. In addition to demonstrating how spontaneous action emerges without environmental input, this study has implications for the origins of slow ramping of neural activity before movement onset--a commonly-observed but poorly understood phenomenon.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240904184543.htm

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 04:03PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: How the scars of demolished brain tumors seed relapse

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909160310.htm

A study has discovered that recurrent tumors of the aggressive brain cancer glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) grow out of the fibrous scars of malignant predecessors destroyed by interventions such as radiotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909160310.htm

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 06:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **

TITLE: Violent pornography viewers show higher rates of sexual aggression, sexism, and psychopathy

URL: https://www.psypost.org/violent-pornography-viewers-show-higher-rates-of-sexual-aggression-sexism-and-psychopathy/

A recent study published in Psychology of Violence has shed light on the connection between pornography consumption and sexual aggression among men in the United States. The researchers identified three distinct patterns of pornography use, with one group—those who viewed violent pornography—showing higher rates of sexual aggression, acceptance of harmful myths about rape, hostility toward women, casual sex, psychopathy, and emotional regulation difficulties. The findings help clarify the relationship between different types of pornography and sexual aggression, a topic that has sparked debate in recent years.

Concerns about the potential link between pornography and sexual aggression have been a longstanding issue. The rise of internet pornography has given users easy access to violent and degrading content, which some fear may influence harmful behaviors. Previous studies have produced inconsistent results regarding the connection between pornography exposure and sexual aggression, with some research finding strong correlations and others finding only weak or no associations.

The inconsistency may be due to the fact that most research has examined pornography use as a single, general category, rather than distinguishing between types of content. For example, some studies have found that violent pornography is more strongly linked to sexual aggression than nonviolent pornography. To resolve these discrepancies, the present study aimed to use a more nuanced approach. The researchers sought to examine patterns of pornography consumption across different types of content and determine how those patterns were related to sexual aggression and its risk factors.

The study was conducted among 491 men in the United States, who were recruited through an online platform. The average age of the participants was 30 years, and most identified as White or European American, though the sample also included men of African American, Hispanic, and Asian American backgrounds. To participate, individuals needed to be 18 years or older and report being male.

Participants completed an online questionnaire that asked them about their pornography viewing habits. Specifically, they were asked how often they watched pornography, how long they typically spent watching it, and what types of content they viewed. The content was categorized into several types, including nonviolent images or films, degrading films, and violent films. Participants who did not view pornography were given a score of zero on all content-related questions.

In addition to questions about pornography, participants were asked about their experiences with sexual aggression. This was assessed using a survey that asked participants to report how often they had engaged in different forms of sexual aggression, such as coercing a partner into sex or using physical force. The survey also measured attitudes toward rape myths—false beliefs that justify or minimize sexual violence, such as blaming victims for their own assault.

Other variables included hostile masculinity, which reflects distrust and hostility toward women, and casual sex, or attitudes toward impersonal sexual relationships. Finally, the researchers assessed levels of psychopathy and difficulties in regulating emotions, which are known to be associated with higher rates of aggression.

The researchers used a statistical technique called latent profile analysis to identify distinct patterns of pornography use. This technique allows researchers to group individuals based on similarities in their responses, identifying patterns that might not be apparent when looking at individual variables alone.

The study revealed three distinct profiles of pornography use among the participants: infrequent pornography viewers, average pornography viewers, and violent pornography viewers.

• Infrequent pornography viewers (23% of the sample) reported low levels of all types of pornography consumption. This group watched pornography rarely, if at all.
•

• Average pornography viewers (62% of the sample) reported moderate levels of pornography use. This group tended to view nonviolent pornography regularly, with some exposure to degrading content but little exposure to violent pornography.
•

• Violent pornography viewers (15% of the sample) stood out due to their high levels of exposure to degrading and violent pornography. They also spent the most time watching pornography overall.
•

When the researchers examined the links between these profiles and sexual aggression, they found stark differences. The group of violent pornography viewers had significantly higher levels of sexual aggression compared to both the average and infrequent viewers. They were also more likely to accept rape myths, display hostile attitudes toward women, endorse casual sex, exhibit psychopathic traits, and struggle with emotional regulation.

Interestingly, the frequency of pornography use alone was not a reliable predictor of sexual aggression. Although violent pornography viewers did tend to watch more pornography overall, it was the type of content—especially exposure to violent and degrading material—that seemed to be the critical factor associated with sexual aggression and related behaviors.

This suggests that simply asking how often someone watches pornography may not provide a complete picture of the risks involved. The content of what they are watching matters just as much, if not more.

But the study, like all research, has some limitations. For instance, the sample consisted largely of White or European American men living in the United States. This limits the generalizability of the findings to other racial or ethnic groups, as well as men from different cultural contexts or countries. Future research should aim to replicate the study with more diverse populations to see whether the findings hold true across different groups.

Another limitation is that the study was cross-sectional, meaning that it only measured pornography use and sexual aggression at a single point in time. As a result, it cannot determine whether pornography use causes sexual aggression, or if men who are already predisposed to aggression are more likely to seek out violent pornography.

Longitudinal studies, which follow participants over time, are needed to address this question. These studies could help clarify the direction of the relationship between pornography and aggression, and identify any potential causal pathways.

The study, “Pornography Exposure Profiles Differentiate Sexual Aggression and Its Risk Factors: A Person-Centered Approach,” was authored by Wenqi Zheng, Travis N. Ray, and Michele R. Parkhill.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/violent-pornography-viewers-show-higher-rates-of-sexual-aggression-sexism-and-psychopathy/

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 04:02PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY PSYCHOLOGY FEED

TITLE: COVID-19 lockdowns prematurely aged teenage brains, study shows

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909160232.htm

New research has found that lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unusually accelerated brain maturation in adolescents. This maturation was more pronounced in females.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909160232.htm

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 04:03PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Belief in academic ability key factor in academic success for low-income students

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909160313.htm

A strong belief in their own academic ability can help children from low-income families defy the odds and achieve academic success, according to new research.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909160313.htm

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 04:03PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Framing climate action as patriotic and status-quo friendly increases liberals' and conservatives' belief in climate change

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909160337.htm

A new psychology study shows that framing the need to address climate change as patriotic and as necessary to preserve the American 'way of life' can increase belief in climate change and support for pro-environmental policies among both groups.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909160337.htm

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 04:02PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: COVID-19 lockdowns prematurely aged teenage brains, study shows

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909160232.htm

New research has found that lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unusually accelerated brain maturation in adolescents. This maturation was more pronounced in females.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909160232.htm

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 05:26AM
SOURCE: SOCIALPSYCHOLOGY.ORG

TITLE: German Police Methods Foster Racial Profiling and Bias, Report Concludes

URL: http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=182302&url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2024-09-09/german-police-methods-foster-bias-racial-profiling-finds-study

Source: U.S. News and World Report

German police practices foster systemic discrimination, with officers routinely engaging in racial profiling and relying on ethnic stereotypes, according to a study published Monday by Mediendienst Integration. The findings suggest that officers often rely on racial markers rather than behavior when conducting patrols, and people seen as "Black Africans" or "Albanians" are often associated with drug crimes, leading to heightened police attention.

URL: http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=182302&url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2024-09-09/german-police-methods-foster-bias-racial-profiling-finds-study

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 05:27AM
SOURCE: SOCIALPSYCHOLOGY.ORG

TITLE: Biden Administration Finalizes Rule to Strengthen Mental Health Parity Law

URL: http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=182298&url=https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2024-09-09/biden-administration-finalizes-rule-to-strengthen-mental-health-parity-law

Source: U.S. News and World Report

The Biden Administration on Monday said it had finalized regulation to help ensure the 175 million Americans with private health insurance have access to affordable mental health services. Even though mental health care services are already supposed to be on par with other medical services, in practice that is often not the case. Less than half of U.S. adults with mental illness were able to access care in 2020, according to studies cited by the...

URL: http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=182298&url=https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2024-09-09/biden-administration-finalizes-rule-to-strengthen-mental-health-parity-law

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 11:31AM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: How the brain's inner chamber governs our state of consciousness

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909113102.htm

Investigators studying the nature of consciousness have successfully used a drug to identify the intricate brain geometry behind the unconscious state, offering an unprecedented look at brain structures that have traditionally been difficult to study.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909113102.htm

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 11:31AM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY PSYCHOLOGY FEED

TITLE: How the brain's inner chamber governs our state of consciousness

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909113102.htm

Investigators studying the nature of consciousness have successfully used a drug to identify the intricate brain geometry behind the unconscious state, offering an unprecedented look at brain structures that have traditionally been difficult to study.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909113102.htm

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 04:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **

TITLE: Polarized America: The role of nationalist rhetoric in Trump and Biden’s 2020 campaigns

URL: https://www.psypost.org/polarized-america-the-role-of-nationalist-rhetoric-in-trump-and-bidens-2020-campaigns/

The 2020 U.S. presidential election was a battleground not just for policy differences but for the very meaning of what it means to be American. A recent study published in Political Communication examined how then-President Donald Trump and then-candidate Joe Biden used nationalist rhetoric to portray competing visions of America’s identity.

Trump and Biden made explicit references to national identity throughout the 2020 campaign. Trump frequently spoke about protecting American history and culture, while Biden called his campaign a “battle for the soul of the nation.” Given the prominence of these themes, the researchers sought to analyze how each candidate defined and contested the meaning of American identity during this critical election.

To understand the nationalist themes in the 2020 campaign, the researchers focused on the candidates’ Twitter activity, a key platform for political communication. They collected over 4,300 tweets from Trump and Biden between June 20 and November 3, 2020, the final months leading up to the election.

The researchers employed a qualitative content analysis to systematically categorize the nationalist themes embedded in the tweets. They developed a framework based on two major traditions of nationalism: civic nationalism and ethnic nationalism.

Civic nationalism was coded when tweets emphasized inclusive liberal values, such as equality, diversity, and the rule of law, often referencing symbols like the Constitution and the Statue of Liberty. In contrast, ethnic nationalism was coded when tweets implied that American identity was tied to white, Christian heritage, often using coded language or references to Christian roots, or the defense of American borders and traditional values. This framework allowed them to trace how each candidate’s messaging drew from these distinct forms of nationalism.

In addition to identifying references to civic and ethnic nationalism, the researchers also coded the tweets for sentiment (positive, negative, or neutral) and other policy themes such as public health, immigration, law and order, and racial justice. This enabled them to analyze not only how often Trump and Biden referred to nationalist themes, but also how these references were used to frame other political issues.

The analysis revealed a significant use of nationalist rhetoric by both candidates, but in starkly different ways. Biden’s tweets leaned heavily on civic nationalism, with 90 percent of his nationalist-themed tweets invoking this tradition. He frequently portrayed his campaign as a fight to restore America’s core democratic values, such as equality, inclusion, and justice for all.

Biden’s messaging painted a picture of a diverse and inclusive America, where anyone who believes in these liberal ideals can belong. His tweets often referenced historical documents like the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, positioning himself as the defender of the country’s founding principles. He also connected this civic vision to contemporary issues, framing racial justice and the fight against systemic racism as part of America’s progress toward realizing its true identity.

Trump’s tweets, on the other hand, were deeply rooted in ethnic nationalism. About 88 percent of his nationalist rhetoric referred to this tradition. His messaging framed the election as a battle to protect America’s heritage, culture, and greatness from a range of perceived threats. Trump frequently invoked the idea of a “silent majority” of Americans—implicitly white and Christian—who felt under siege by internal and external forces such as immigrants, racial justice activists, and foreign powers like China.

Trump’s use of coded language, often referred to as “dog whistles,” was a key finding in the study. While he rarely mentioned race explicitly, his references to threats against suburban communities, radical leftists, and low-income housing implicitly played into anxieties about racial and cultural changes in the U.S.

The researchers also found that while Biden predominantly used positive sentiment in his nationalist rhetoric—emphasizing hope, unity, and the potential for the nation to heal—Trump’s nationalist tweets were more likely to express negative sentiment. He portrayed the election as a do-or-die moment for America’s survival, warning of chaos, destruction, and decline if Biden were to win. This contrast in sentiment highlights the different emotional appeals each candidate made to their base: Biden appealed to a hopeful vision of America’s future, while Trump used fear and anger to mobilize his supporters.

Both candidates also used nationalist rhetoric to portray their opponent as an existential threat to the country’s identity. Biden framed Trump as an anti-American force threatening to destroy the nation’s liberal foundations. In contrast, Trump depicted Biden as a puppet of radical leftists and globalists who would dismantle traditional American values and leave the country vulnerable to foreign adversaries and internal decay. This mutual framing of each other as un-American was a central theme in their campaigns and contributed to what the researchers termed “nationalist polarization,” where political opponents are cast as fundamentally outside the national community.

“The overt embrace of the competing visions of national identity is a worrying development in the context of increasing political polarization and debates over democratic backsliding in America,” the researchers said. Unlike policy debates that can be addressed through reason and cost-benefit analysis, national identity is tied to culture and emotions, making it difficult to resolve through rational discourse.

The framing of political opponents as a danger to the nation “has potentially serious consequences for American democracy,” the researchers added, as it suggests that a victory for the other side threatens the country’s fundamental identity. “In short, there first needs to be a shared definition of the ‘people’ in order to have ‘rule by the people’… It is this shared and widely accepted idea that democratic institutions are controlled by, and represent, the people qua nation that grants them legitimacy. If elections cleave over the very definition of who ‘we’ are, then there is a risk that the losing side will not recognize the winning candidate’s legitimacy.”

The events of January 6, 2020, and the challenges to Biden’s legitimacy reflect the dangerous consequences of such nationalist polarization, the researchers said.

The study, “The Battle for the Soul of the Nation: Nationalist Polarization in the 2020 American Presidential Election and the Threat to Democracy,” was authored by Eric Taylor Woods, Alexandre Fortier-Chouinard, Marcus Closen, Catherine Ouellet, and Robert Schertzer.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/polarized-america-the-role-of-nationalist-rhetoric-in-trump-and-bidens-2020-campaigns/

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 11:30AM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Researchers develop analytical pipeline to identify unexploited genes that hold research value

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909113045.htm

A research team has developed an analysis pipeline to identify unexploited genes for a given disease against five databases that provide gene-disease associations. They used their pipeline to study oxidative stress and its related disease, Parkinson's disease, as a case study.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909113045.htm

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 02:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **

TITLE: Squats on unstable surfaces push your brain as well as your body, study finds

URL: https://www.psypost.org/squats-on-unstable-surfaces-push-your-brain-as-well-as-your-body-study-finds/

A study in Germany found that individuals need to pay more attention to their actions when performing squats on an unstable surface compared to doing the same exercises on a stable surface. Performing squats on a stable surface reduced participants’ performance on a simultaneous cognitive task by 9%, while doing them on an unstable surface resulted in a 14% decrease in cognitive task performance. The study was published in the Journal of Cognitive Enhancement.

Resistance exercises are physical activities designed to improve muscle strength and endurance by working against a force or weight. Common forms of resistance include free weights, resistance bands, or body weight, such as in push-ups or squats. These exercises target specific muscle groups by creating tension that the muscles must overcome, leading to increased muscle mass and strength over time. Resistance exercises can also enhance bone density and boost metabolism.

Studies suggest that physical exercise may also improve cognitive and executive functioning. This could be particularly beneficial to older adults, potentially even offering some protection against age-related cognitive decline. However, for this effect to occur, it is likely that the exercises need to be cognitively stimulating—requiring mental effort in addition to physical exertion. Researchers are therefore interested in developing exercise regimens that impose cognitive demands as well as physical ones. Studies have shown that “mindless” aerobic and resistance exercises, which put little demand on cognition, may offer limited benefits to executive and cognitive functioning.

Study authors Lisa Claußen and Claudia Braun wanted to investigate whether performing squats on unstable surfaces increases the attention required to perform them compared to doing squats on stable surfaces. Their hypothesis was that more attention would be required to perform squats on an unstable surface than on a stable one.

Squats are a compound exercise that involves bending the knees and lowering the hips from a standing position, then returning to standing. This exercise trains lower-body muscles such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. Squats can be performed without carrying additional weight, or by using weights such as dumbbells held in the hands or placed on other parts of the body.

The study included 57 older adults and 17 younger adults. In the older group, there were 26 females, and in the younger group, 7 females. Older participants were in their 60s and 70s, while younger participants were in their 20s.

Before starting the study, participants completed several screening assessments to ensure that performing physical exercises did not pose a health risk and to verify that they were free from neurological and psychological disorders. These assessments included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the Fall Efficacy Scale-International, and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Fourteen older adults were excluded from the study because dumbbell squats were too challenging for them.

During their first visit to the lab, participants underwent pretesting to familiarize themselves with the tasks they would perform—dumbbell squats and the Stroop task. The Stroop task is a cognitive test where individuals must name the color of a word’s font while ignoring the word itself. This creates a conflict when the word spells a different color (e.g., the word “red” printed in blue ink), requiring increased attention to provide the correct response. It is used to assess attention, or the participants’ ability to focus on relevant information while ignoring distractions.

During this initial visit, the researchers also adjusted the weights of the dumbbells each participant would use in the main testing session, based on participants’ physical strength. Participants performed squats either on an even surface (stable condition) or on the flat side of a Bosu® Balance Trainer (unstable surface).

Two days later, participants returned to the lab for the main testing session. They first completed a session in which they performed squats and the Stroop task separately. This was followed by a dual-task session where participants performed the Stroop task and squats at the same time, both on stable and unstable surfaces. Afterward, they again performed the two tasks separately. Each task lasted 30 seconds, with at least two minutes of rest between tasks and five minutes of rest between the single-task and dual-task sessions.

During analysis, the researchers excluded data from an additional 26 participants, whose data were deemed invalid due to improper squats or large response errors. This left a final sample of 13 young adults and 17 older adults.

The results showed that reaction times in the Stroop task increased significantly when participants performed it while doing squats compared to when they did the Stroop task alone. This indicates that performing squats consumes a considerable amount of a person’s attentional resources. Performing squats on an unstable surface further reduced Stroop task performance, with a 9% decrease in performance on a stable surface and a 14% decrease on an unstable surface.

“Our study found attentional resources while squatting exercises to be increased by surface instability. This finding is considered to emerge from increased perceptual load for both young and older adults. Therefore, unstable devices and free weights could provide a means to raise cognitive demands during resistance training,” the study authors concluded.

The study highlights the increased attention required when performing squats on an unstable surface. However, the researchers found no differences between older and younger participants in the attention required for this exercise (i.e., the performance decrease on the Stroop task during squats), which was unexpected. A likely explanation is that the group of older adults was highly selected, as many of the already preselected older participants were excluded from the analysis due to performance challenges.

The paper, “Challenge Not Only to the Muscles—Surface Instability Shifts Attentional Demands in Young and Older Adults While Performing Resistance Exercise,” was authored by Lisa Claußen and Claudia Braun.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/squats-on-unstable-surfaces-push-your-brain-as-well-as-your-body-study-finds/

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 11:30AM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: 'Out-of-body' research could lead to new ways to promote social harmony

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909113039.htm

Out-of-body experiences, such as near-death experiences, can have a 'transformative' effect on people's ability to experience empathy and connect with others, new research explains.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909113039.htm

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 12:55PM
SOURCE: PSYCHIATRIC TIMES

Direct article link at end of text block below.

The Biden Administration has announced a final rule meant to expand access and lower costs for care for mental health and substance use disorders. https://t.co/18BIpnkigf

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https://t.co/18BIpnkigf

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 12:16PM
SOURCE: PSYCHIATRIC TIMES

Direct article link at end of text block below.

Will this help a patient's sleep and mood? Researchers investigated the effects of noninvasive neurostimulation on sleep quality and depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder in a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. https://t.co/fDWnRTI2LD

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 12:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **

TITLE: This communication pattern is linked to relationship dissatisfaction and sexual distress

URL: https://www.psypost.org/this-communication-pattern-is-linked-to-relationship-dissatisfaction-and-sexual-distress/

A recent study published in The Journal of Sex Research has found that couples who exhibit a communication pattern known as demand-withdrawal during discussions about sexual conflicts experience lower levels of relationship and sexual satisfaction. The study also found that these couples tend to report higher sexual distress and a decline in their relationship satisfaction over time.

The researchers were interested in exploring how couples communicate during sexual conflicts, a topic that has been studied less thoroughly compared to other types of relationship conflicts. Communication about sexual problems is often more anxiety-inducing than discussions about other issues, and it can be particularly challenging for couples to navigate.

Sexual conflicts tend to evoke stronger negative emotions, such as shame, anger, or fear, making it harder for partners to openly discuss and resolve issues. Poor sexual communication is linked to lower levels of intimacy, relationship satisfaction, and overall psychological well-being.

While sexual communication has been studied in various ways—such as the frequency and quality of discussions—specific communication patterns during sexual conflicts, like demand-withdrawal, have not received as much attention. Demand-withdrawal communication occurs when one partner pushes to discuss a problem, while the other avoids or disengages from the conversation.

Previous studies have shown that demand-withdrawal communication negatively affects relationship intimacy and satisfaction. However, no prior research has specifically looked at how this communication pattern impacts couples when the conflict is sexual in nature. The researchers conducted their new study to fill that gap.

“I know from my clinical experience that conversations about sex can be fraught with more intense emotions compared to other relationship topics, making effective communication especially challenging. I was interested in how this common pattern of ‘demand’ and ‘withdrawal’ when discussing sexual problems might relate to couples’ sexual and relationship satisfaction,” said study author Natalie O. Rosen, a registered psychologist and professor at Dalhousie University.

The researchers recruited 151 couples from two Canadian cities using online advertisements, posters, and word-of-mouth referrals. The participants were screened for eligibility, which required them to be at least 18 years old, fluent in either English or French, cohabiting with their partner for at least 12 months, and sexually active within the past year. Couples were excluded if one partner was pregnant, breastfeeding, or experiencing serious psychiatric or physical illness.

First, each participant completed an online survey to measure relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and sexual distress. One week later, the couples participated in a laboratory session where they engaged in four discussion tasks. The key discussion in this study focused on a sexual conflict—each couple had to talk about a significant sexual issue in their relationship. This topic was selected based on a questionnaire where participants ranked the sexual problems they considered most problematic. The researchers observed the couples during these discussions, recording their interactions to assess demand-withdrawal communication patterns.

The demand-withdrawal pattern was rated by independent coders who watched the video recordings of the couples’ discussions. These coders evaluated the extent to which one partner demanded engagement (such as pressuring the other to talk) and the other withdrew (such as becoming silent or avoiding the issue). The coders rated the presence of demand-withdrawal behavior on a five-point scale. Each couple’s overall demand-withdrawal score was calculated by averaging the individual scores of both partners.

The couples were followed up 12 months later, at which point they completed another survey to assess changes in their relationship and sexual well-being.

The researchers found that couples who displayed higher levels of demand-withdrawal during their sexual conflict discussions reported lower levels of relationship and sexual satisfaction at the time of the discussion (known as Time 1) and 12 months later (Time 2). These couples also reported higher levels of sexual distress at the time of the discussion, though the effect on sexual distress did not persist 12 months later.

“Couples who engage in a pattern of demand (one person exerts pressure to talk about a problem) and withdrawal (the other person becomes silent or acquiesces) when talking about sexual problems in their relationship also report lower sexual satisfaction, higher sexual distress, and lower relationship satisfaction,” Rosen told PsyPost. “If couples find themselves falling into this pattern of communication when faced with sexual problems, they might benefit from sex and couple therapy aimed at helping them work together in a more constructive way.”

Interestingly, the researchers found that higher levels of demand-withdrawal communication were associated with reduced relationship satisfaction over time. Couples who engaged in more demand-withdrawal behavior during their sexual conflict discussion experienced a decline in their relationship satisfaction over the following year. However, this communication pattern did not predict long-term changes in sexual satisfaction or distress.

“It was interesting that the demand-withdrawal pattern predicted a decrease in relationship satisfaction 12 months later, but not our sexual outcomes,” Rosen said. “It could be that this communication style is more important for shaping future relationship outcomes, but its influence on sexual outcomes is more proximal (i.e., more immediate rather than long-term).”

The results were consistent across men and women, indicating that the negative effects of demand-withdrawal communication were similar regardless of gender. The study did not find any significant gender differences in how this communication pattern affected relationship or sexual outcomes, though the researchers acknowledged that their sample size may have been too small to detect differences for individuals with gender identities other than men and women.

“We did not find any gender differences in our results, suggesting that the presence of demand-withdrawal was linked to relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and sexual distress, for all our participants in a similar manner,” Rosen explained. “However, we only examined gender effects for men and women due to sample size restrictions. It is possible that there are additional gender identities, expressions, and roles that might influence the generalizability of the findings.”

One limitation is the study’s sample, which consisted mostly of long-term, cohabiting, heterosexual couples who were not seeking treatment for relationship issues. “Our findings may not generalize to treatment-seeking individuals in newer relationships, additional cultures, and to those who do not identify as heterosexual,” Rosen noted.

Future research could build on these findings by exploring the emotional dynamics that arise during demand-withdrawal discussions about sexual conflicts. Understanding how couples regulate their emotions during these conversations could help identify ways to intervene and improve communication. Additionally, studies could investigate whether certain factors, such as personality traits, attachment styles, or relationship length, moderate the effects of demand-withdrawal on relationship and sexual outcomes.

The study, “Do Demand-Withdrawal Communication Patterns During Sexual Conflict Predict Couples’ Relationship Satisfaction, Sexual Satisfaction, and Sexual Distress? An Observational and Prospective Study,” was authored by Natalie O. Rosen, Justin P. Dubé, Myriam Bosisio, and Sophie Bergeron.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/this-communication-pattern-is-linked-to-relationship-dissatisfaction-and-sexual-distress/

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DATE: September 09, 2024
SOURCE: SOCIALWORKER.COM

TITLE: Supporting Families With Sickle Cell Disease: A Guide for School Social Workers

URL: https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/practice/supporting-families-sickle-cell-disease-guide-school-social-workers/

Supporting students with sickle cell disease (SCD) requires a comprehensive approach that addresses their academic, emotional, and social needs. School social workers can implement strategies to build a nurturing environment for students.

URL: https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/practice/supporting-families-sickle-cell-disease-guide-school-social-workers/

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DATE: September 09, 2024 at 10:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **

TITLE: Prolonged sun exposure associated with potential brain health risks, study finds

URL: https://www.psypost.org/prolonged-sun-exposure-associated-with-potential-brain-health-risks-study-finds/

Researchers have found a potential link between prolonged exposure to natural sunlight and negative effects on brain health. Their study, published in Scientific Reports, indicates that spending more than two hours in the sun each day could be linked to decreased brain volume and increases in brain structural markers associated with disease, particularly in individuals under 60 years old and men.

Sunlight is often celebrated for its benefits, such as boosting mood and facilitating vitamin D production, which is essential for maintaining healthy bones and immune function. Previous studies have suggested that the brain can be affected by sunlight too, with increased brain temperature leading to a reduction in blood flow as the body tries to cool the brain. This may increase the risk of brain damage.

The researchers were motivated to explore this topic due to the limited understanding of how sunlight exposure affects brain structure. To address this gap, Huihui Li and colleagues from Qingdao University in China analyzed data from the UK Biobank, a population-based, large-scale study.

In total, 27,474 participants were analyzed, with an average age of 55 years. These participants had undergone brain scans and reported their average daily natural sunlight exposure. The researchers categorized participants based on their reported sunlight exposure, distinguishing between those who received less than 1.5 hours, 1.5 to 3 hours, and more than 3 hours of sunlight each day. Using statistical methods, they compared differences in brain structural markers across these groups. Factors such as age, sex, physical activity, average sleep duration, skin color, and history of disease were also accounted for.

The findings revealed a concerning trend: participants who reported longer sunlight exposure tended to have smaller brain volumes and increased white matter hyperintensities, which are considered markers of brain aging and can be linked to cognitive decline. Specifically, those in the highest exposure group (more than 3 hours) showed significant reductions in total brain volume, white matter, and gray matter compared to those with shorter exposure times. This effect was particularly pronounced in men and individuals under the age of 60.

“The mechanisms by which prolonged sunlight induces damage to brain structure are not fully understood,” Li and colleagues explained. They proposed that, “[sun]light may…penetrate the skin and heat tissues, increasing brain temperature. Elevated brain temperature can alter [signal] transmission, leading to changes in brain function,” and also “the UV radiation in natural sunlight can damage immune cells in the body, triggering inflammatory responses that can lead to damage.”

Interestingly, the study also identified a nonlinear relationship between sunlight exposure and brain health. While exposure up to two hours was associated with positive outcomes, exceeding this duration led to negative associations with brain volume. The researchers noted that these effects were more significant during the summer months, indicating that seasonal variations may play a role in how sunlight impacts brain structure.

The authors hypothesized a mechanism for this finding: “most of the vitamin D in the body is synthesized from sunlight exposure to the skin, and moderate sunlight exposure can maintain adequate levels of vitamin D which participates in maintaining brain function.” Li and colleagues also suggested that, “exposure to sunlight can regulate the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin in the brain, contributing to brain health.”

But the study has limitations. As an observational study, it cannot definitively establish causation between sunlight exposure and changes in brain structure. Additionally, sunlight exposure time was self-reported by the participants, which may be subject to bias.

The study, “The impact of sunlight exposure on brain structural markers in the UK Biobank,” was authored by Huihui Li, Fusheng Cui, Tong Wang, Weijing Wang, and Dongfeng Zhang.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/prolonged-sun-exposure-associated-with-potential-brain-health-risks-study-finds/

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