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A new study published in the Journal of Psychological Medicine looked at how a single session of online training can reduce intolerance of uncertainty and improve mental health in emerging adults. “The study investigated whether we can train older adolescents and emerging adults to have the ability to cope with uncertainty,” study author Susanne Schweizer told us. “To make them more tolerant of uncertainty.” [More]

A new study published in the Journal of Child Development looked at implications for Chinese youth academic and social adjustment. “Our study examined how Chinese middle schoolers’ general beliefs about the teen years might influence their academic performance and their relationships with their parents,” study author Dr. Beiming Yang told us. “In many Western cultures, there’s a negative stereotype that teens are moody and rebellious. But in other cultures, like in China, the teen years are often seen more positively, for example, as a time for learning to be responsible and contribute to the family.” [More]

A recently published study looked at a biosensor able to non-invasively detect the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in human saliva. “The ultralow levels of BDNF in saliva is directly associated with major depressive disorder (MDD), also known as depression,” study author Paulo A. Raymundo-Pereira told us. “I didn't expect to discover anything. I simply used my expertise in chemistry and biotechnology and we worked hard to optimize the disposable device to selectively detect ultra-low concentrations of BDNF in saliva without interference.” [More]

A new study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology looked at coexperienced positive emotions and cortisol secretion in the daily lives of older couples. Previous research has shown that positive emotions, such as happiness, joy, love, and excitement, are good for health. They’ve even been linked to longer lives. However, most of this research considers people’s emotions as if they happen in isolation. “In real life, though,” study author Tomiko Yoneda explained to us, “our most powerful positive emotions often happen when we’re connecting with someone else." [More]

People with anxiety disorders have lower levels of choline in their brains. Researchers from the UC Davis School of Medicine found that people with anxiety had 8% lower levels of the essential nutrient in their brains compared with those who do not have anxiety. [More]

Loneliness and societal division is negatively impacting large numbers of American adults. Results from the latest Stress in America survey found that 54% felt isolated, 50% lacked companionship and 50% felt left out. [More]

A new study published in BMC Psychology looked at enhanced work engagement in Japanese employees following a 12-day online gratitude journal intervention. “Our study explored whether focusing on gratitude through a short journaling practice could really change how people feel about their work,” study author Noriko Yamagishi of Ritsumeikan University told us. "We asked employees to spend a few minutes each day, over a two-week period, writing about things they felt grateful for.” [More]

A new study published in the Journal of Youth aimed to examine the ways chronic stress and discrimination shape mental health and substance use among young sexual minority men living in New York City. “The aim was to tease apart how everyday experiences such as stigma connect with issues like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use,” Kristen D. Krause told us. Krouse is the Deputy Director of the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior and Prevention Studies where the research was housed. “Ultimately, the study hoped to capture just how these stressors impact well-being day to day, not just as abstract risks but as lived realities.​" [More]

A new study published in the Frontiers of Health Services looked at leveraging generative AI to simulate mental healthcare access and utilization. “This study is about adapting AI to improve efficiency and effectiveness of mental health services,” study author Cortney VanHook told us. VanHook is an assistant professor of social work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “I set about testing if AI software could generate a robust and culturally sound assessment and treatment plan for a fictitious client.” [More]

A recently published study looked at integrated behavioral health services and psychosocial symptoms in children. “Our study was about TEAM UP, which is a model of integrated behavioral healthcare that partners behavioral health clinicians and community health workers with pediatricians to provide team-based care,” study author, Chris Sheldrick, PhD, research and evaluation co-director of TEAM UP at Boston Medical Center told us. [More]