All posts tagged: psychological

How marital dynamics shape psychological well-being

How marital dynamics shape psychological well-being

Published by José

[ad_1] A recent study published in the journal Personal Relationships investigated the long-term dynamics of self-esteem, subjective happiness, and marital conflict in South Korean married couples. The study found that self-esteem and happiness were interconnected for both partners individually, while wives played a greater role in influencing their husbands’ self-esteem and marital conflict than vice versa. “Marital relationships are among the most significant bonds where mutual influence is experienced by most individuals over their lifetime. However, there is still insufficient research on the psychological and marital functioning for couples over time, particularly with data collected from both marital partners,” said study author Jeong Jin Yu, a professor in educational studies at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. “Despite women’s increased participation in the workforce, it remains unclear whether and how wives’ employment predicts marital and psychological functioning in married couples over time. This study aimed to address these underexplored issues.” For his study, Yu analyzed longitudinal data from the Panel Study on Korean Children (PSKC), focusing on a subset of data collected from 2014 to 2016. This approach …

New study sheds light what really influences nightmares and their psychological impact

New study sheds light what really influences nightmares and their psychological impact

Published by José

[ad_1] Recent research published in the journal Dreaming has provided new insights into what influences nightmares and the distress they cause. The study found that an individual’s long-standing personality traits, rather than their momentary emotional state, play a more critical role in both the occurrence of nightmares and the distress experienced from them. Nightmares affect between 2.4% and 12% of adults, and their impact extends beyond unpleasant dreams. They have been linked to heightened emotional distress, symptoms of post-traumatic stress, paranoia, and even an increased risk of suicide. While previous research explored both nightmare frequency (how often they occur) and nightmare distress (how bothersome they are), there has been an ongoing debate about the roles of personality traits (long-term characteristics) versus states (temporary experiences). The new study aimed to clarify how these factors interact and to investigate recently identified traits such as ego strength and emotional regulation. “I’ve always been interested in understanding why we dream, especially why we have bad dreams or nightmares. The reasons seem both complex and elusive. Since I like a …

New insights into the psychological enigma of sad music

New insights into the psychological enigma of sad music

Published by José

[ad_1] Why does music that evokes feelings of sorrow and melancholy continue to attract listeners worldwide? This enigma forms the basis of a recent scientific study published in the journal PLOS ONE, which suggests that the sadness itself, contrary to previous beliefs, might be a source of enjoyment for listeners. The research challenges the long-held view that the pleasure derived from sad music is only due to indirect effects. The allure of sad music has long been a puzzle in both psychological and musicological research. “The topic is interesting because enjoyment of negative emotion seems so psychologically contradictory: Why would you like something that you know will make you sad?” said study author Emery Schubert, a professor at UNSW Sydney and co-founder of the Empirical Musicology Laboratory. The traditional consensus had been that the pleasure derived from such music was indirect — a byproduct of other, more complex emotional or cognitive processes. This view aligns with philosophical and psychological theories stretching back to Aristotle’s concept of catharsis, which posits that exposure to art-induced emotions helps …

The hidden psychological risk of outsourcing decisions to AI

The hidden psychological risk of outsourcing decisions to AI

Published by José

[ad_1] As artificial intelligence creeps further into people’s daily lives, so do worries about it. At the most alarmist are concerns about AI going rogue and terminating its human masters. But behind the calls for a pause on the development of AI is a suite of more tangible social ills. Among them are the risks AI poses to people’s privacy and dignity and the inevitable fact that, because the algorithms under AI’s hood are programmed by humans, it is just as biased and discriminatory as many of us. Throw in the lack of transparency about how AI is designed, and by whom, and it’s easy to understand why so much time these days is devoted to debating its risks as much as its potential. But my own research as a psychologist who studies how people make decisions leads me to believe that all these risks are overshadowed by an even more corrupting, though largely invisible, threat. That is, AI is mere keystrokes away from making people even less disciplined and skilled when it comes to …

Therapists report significant psychological risks in psilocybin-assisted treatments

Therapists report significant psychological risks in psilocybin-assisted treatments

Published by José

[ad_1] In recent years, interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy has grown due to its potential to treat various psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, a new study published in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies raises important concerns. It suggests that while there may be benefits, there are also significant risks. The study focuses on the negative effects reported by therapists who facilitate such treatments, highlighting that the impacts of psilocybin are not universally beneficial and can vary widely from one individual to another. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound produced by over 200 species of mushrooms, commonly known as “magic mushrooms.” When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which primarily affects the serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to altered perceptions, emotions, and thoughts. This can result in profound changes in consciousness, often described as spiritual or transcendental experiences. Psilocybin-assisted therapy combines the controlled use of psilocybin with psychotherapy sessions. The typical protocol involves a preparatory session where therapists establish rapport with clients and set intentions for the treatment. This …

New research reveals the psychological impact of nostalgia on ritual engagement and meaning in life

New research reveals the psychological impact of nostalgia on ritual engagement and meaning in life

Published by José

[ad_1] Rituals, ranging from daily meditations to annual family dinners, play a crucial role in shaping our psychological and social lives. Recent research has identified nostalgia as a powerful motivator for engaging in these rituals. This engagement, in turn, enhances the meaning people ascribe to their lives. Specifically, the studies demonstrate that nostalgia can actively increase participation in rituals, which then contribute to an individual’s sense of having a meaningful life. The research has been published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. Rituals have been recognized for their psychological benefits, including reducing grief and enhancing joy and group cohesion. However, what drives people to participate in rituals, and how these actions influence their lives, has been less understood. Prior research has often focused on how negative emotions, like anxiety, can lead to ritualistic behaviors that help manage these feelings. Unlike these studies, the current research explores how positive feelings like nostalgia can also trigger ritual engagement. “I am interested in the dynamics of human rituals, perhaps stemming from my early readings and a deep …

The enduring psychological toll of the Las Vegas mass shooting

The enduring psychological toll of the Las Vegas mass shooting

Published by José

[ad_1] On October 1, 2017, a devastating mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas left 60 people dead and 867 injured. A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has revealed that even four years after this tragic event, a significant number of the survivors and witnesses continue to suffer from severe mental health issues. Specifically, nearly half of the concertgoers surveyed reported experiencing major depressive episodes in the past year, while over 63% faced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mass violence incidents, like the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, often leave deep psychological scars. Prior research has established that survivors and witnesses of such tragedies can experience long-lasting mental health problems, including depression and PTSD. However, the specific long-term impacts on those affected by the Las Vegas event had not been thoroughly investigated until now. The study included adults who were either physically present at the 2017 Route 91 Harvest Music Festival during the shooting or were closely connected to someone who was harmed or killed during the event. …

4 Psychological Signs You’re On The Right Path

4 Psychological Signs You’re On The Right Path

Published by skeptic

[ad_1] As you progress through your healing journey, you may have questioned whether you’re on the right path. Are you truly healing, and how can you tell? If these questions are on your mind, you’re not alone. Thankfully, licensed therapist and certified trauma professional Logan Cohen shares the four psychological signs that you’re moving in the right direction. 4 Psychological Signs You’re On The Right Path 1. Even through the ups and downs, you feel a sense of peace. A big sign you’re moving in the right direction is when you start feeling at peace. That peace is being content with life, even when things get hard, says Cohen. The CPTSD Foundation adds, “Peace to me far outweighs striving for happiness or love or anything else.” No, true peace is found both within and around you. And when we find true peace we acknowledge that bad things are bound to happen to us. We accept that life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Even so, we find ways to be okay with the tough …

The Psychological Power of an Eclipse

The Psychological Power of an Eclipse

Published by skeptic

[ad_1] “Hey, what’s the deal with this eclipse?” my patient Ricardo wondered. “What’s the pull? My grandparents, who are ill and in their 80s, are making a huge trip, almost a pilgrimage, to see it. My sister, who has a new baby and a toddler, is travelling for hours to watch. It seems like people want to see it before the world comes to an end.” He asked me, “What do you think?” It was an interesting question. I agreed with Richardo that there seemed to be more intensity around this eclipse than eclipses past. I set about to do some research to reflect on the psychological and spiritual resonance. Mass tourism, of course, is a relatively new development. Maria Mitchell, America’s first female astronomer, commented on a surge of tourism for the eclipse of 1869 and noted that it was marketed as popular entertainment for the layperson, not just the scientific community. Virginia Woolf’s remarkable description of the 1927 eclipse brings together both the exterior event and interior psychological impact it was having on …