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Children who blame themselves for their mothers being unhappy are more likely to experience depression and anxiety. [More]

A new study published in the BMJ looked at infant sleep and child mental health. “We wanted to find out if infants with very persistent sleep difficulties had increased odds of experiencing mental health difficulties during childhood,” study author Falin Cook told us. “We wanted to know if there were specific types of mental disorders that they were more likely to experience.” [More]

A study from the University of Arizona examining the habits of teenage girls who take selfies found that taking and distributing selfies on social media isn’t associated with poor body confidence. But selfies can become a problem if teenage girls spend a lot of time debating what photo of themselves to share, or heavily editing photos before sharing. [More]

Adolescents who spend too much time sitting still and engaging in sedentary behaviour are at an increased risk of depressive symptoms. [More]

A new study published in the Journal of Family Systems and Health looked at whether Parenting Journey, a 12-week parenting program based on the principles of family systems theory, helps parents manage stress and improve family strengths. This is the first study of the impact of Parenting Journey on parent-reported outcomes. While there are many parent training programs, researchers say there is still a need for effective supports that can be delivered in the community to parents of different races and backgrounds. [More]

A recent study examined whether extreme adversity early in life can have a long-lasting impact on brain development. Previous research shows that early childhood adversity is linked to a higher risk for a wide range of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric problems later in life. This study examined whether early adversity is also linked to changes in brain structure and whether these brain changes can partly explain why some individuals develop persisting neurodevelopmental problems, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), following adversity while others do not [More]

If you’re wondering what new year’s resolutions to make, you might want to consider adding another spouse or two. According to a recent study of 2000 participants over two decades living in Tanzania, multiple husbands can be advantageous to women and children when times are difficult. While this scenario might not exactly play well in most relationships today, it seems that in that remote village in East Africa where the study took place, having an extra spouse can be a buffer in economic and social crises and help children live longer. [More]

As married couples get older and develop more chronic conditions the demands placed on them can lead to worsening mental health. [More]

After Ivana Poku became a mom, she was astonished and shocked by the reality of motherhood. “It was nothing like I had expected,” Poku told us. “I remember I could not wait to meet my twin boys and experience this immediate rush of love people were talking about. However, when that moment came, I felt nothing. I was glad they were ok. I was glad to have them, but there was no rush of love, no pure happiness, no fireworks. Immediately, I felt like a complete failure. And it didn’t get better from there.” [More]

A mother picks up her baby and shows her a stuffed giraffe toy. She tells her baby that giraffes have long necks and spots. The child feels her mother’s arms around her, hears her voice, and looks at the giraffe. The mother has provided tactile, auditory, and visual input, otherwise known as sensory signals. A new study has shown that when infants or young children experience unpredictable sensory signals from their parents, their brains, in particular their executive functioning, doesn’t develop properly and can contribute to mental health problems as they grow. [More]