PsyPost – Psychology News

People who watch adult media for emotional escape or thrill-seeking tend to hold extreme beliefs about gender roles. New research shows this connection grows even stronger when viewers believe the videos accurately reflect real life.

A nationwide survey reveals that eating meals at irregular times is tied to a higher likelihood of depression. Dietary diversity can cushion this effect, while regularly skipping breakfast amplifies the connection between sporadic eating schedules and low mood.

Brain imaging reveals that young women who self-harm possess a distinct neurological vulnerability online. Unlike healthy peers, their brain's reward centers become highly engaged by negative comments, a trait that correlates with problematic social media use.

People with a conspiratorial mindset don't always spin elaborate plots when faced with ambiguity. Instead, a new study suggests their worldview leaks out through specific, suspicious word choices and complex sentence structures.

What makes a successful college student? Researchers analyzing data from over 35,000 graduates found that general cognitive ability and a strong work ethic predict college grades better than any specialized academic skills.

Pretend play is often seen as just for fun, but new research links early imaginative skills to better long-term mental health. The findings suggest that encouraging creative play in toddlers reduces behavioral difficulties years later.

Despite appearances of growing diversity, a 25-year study reveals the industry's beauty standard is entirely unchanged. The typical model remains exceptionally thin, and new research shows fashion's "plus-size" models are still smaller than the average American woman.

A small clinical trial found that a single low-dose infusion of ketamine reduced exhaustion in patients with various chronic illnesses. The findings suggest fast-acting medications could eventually offer relief for people struggling with debilitating and persistent tiredness.

Can you recreate the mental benefits of a forest walk simply by diffusing tree essential oils indoors? A new study suggests the answer is no, finding no cognitive or mood improvements from smelling fir or cypress oils.

A longitudinal study of aging adults reveals that severe childhood adversity substantially raises the risk of developing simultaneous physical and mental illnesses in later life. Early-onset depression often acts as a bridge to these overlapping health struggles.

A new study reveals that preteens living in areas with high air pollution show slower brain and cognitive development compared to their peers. These findings highlight the potential physical and mental impact of neighborhood air quality.

A recent study found a strong association between specific “Dark Triad” traits and moral leniency. College students scoring higher in psychopathy or Machiavellianism were more open to excusing dishonest, rule-breaking, and controversial behaviors.

A new study suggests conservative Americans experienced worse health outcomes and higher mortality rates than liberals over the last decade. Researchers attribute this widening gap to demographic shifts and a growing distrust in doctors among right-leaning individuals.

A comprehensive review of global survey data shows that single parents consistently report lower life satisfaction than partnered parents. However, employment, social support, and time act as powerful buffers that help solo caregivers thrive.

People often use restrained language to express deep pain. A recent PLOS One study suggests this gap is a deliberate strategy. Humans use subtle expressive styles that artificial intelligence currently struggles to replicate.

When you view a photograph of someone holding another photograph, you subconsciously judge the person in the nested image as possessing less of a mind. A recent study reveals just how remarkably stubborn this visual bias really is.

As robots become more advanced, people feel a loss of personal control. A new study reveals this technological anxiety drives individuals to seek comfort in strict social hierarchies, potentially exacerbating workplace inequality.

A cross-cultural study reveals that children often believe people are less willing and happy to help others when instructed to do so. However, the strength of this belief varies across different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

A recent study found that young adults experiencing mild psychotic-like symptoms also report higher rates of hypersexuality and problematic porn use. Experts suggest these sexual behavioral issues could act as early markers for severe mental health challenges.

New research reveals that physical changes in the brain during adolescence, such as the expansion of the hippocampus, are closely linked to whether a child's ADHD symptoms will fade away, persist, or worsen over time.