Tag: Mental health

Graph showing global estimated deaths by major risk factor or cause; from 2019 study.

Pollution, contamination, and disease, mental health, and death: problems getting worse

Intersections

Background: “Pollution— ie, unwanted waste of human origin released to air, land, water, and the ocean without regard for cost or consequence—is an existential threat to human health and planetary health, and jeopardises the sustainability of modern societies. Pollution includes contamination of air by fine particulate matter (PM2·5); ozone; oxides of sulphur and nitrogen; freshwater pollution; contamination of the ocean by mercury, nitrogen, phosphorus, plastic,…

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How do people respond to political stress?

Intersections

How do people respond–positively and negatively–to political stress? Background: There is no denying that tens of millions of people in the United States–and many millions worldwide–face turmoil, dread, anxiety and real physical and psychological symptoms from the political divisions created by some politicians, their backers, and corporations often motivated primarily by power, greed, and wealth through corrupt means. Instead of public service, these politicians and…

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Striped cat lying curled in a wooden bowl

Cats as pets and companions: are there mental and physical health benefits for humans?

Quick bibliographies

Background: Pet ownership/pet companionship has been shown to bring both mental health and physical health benefits to humans. But that is often most associated with dogs. But what about cats? Opinion has been more divided there. What does the research say? Sources: *Dinis, F. A. B. D. S. G., & Martins, T. L. F. (2016). Does cat attachment have an effect on human health? A…

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Chronic stress contributes to cognitive decline and dementia risk – 2 healthy-aging experts explain what you can do about it

Intersections

Jennifer E. Graham-Engeland, Penn State and Martin J. Sliwinski, Penn State (from The Conversation) The probability of any American having dementia in their lifetime may be far greater than previously thought. For instance, a 2025 study that tracked a large sample of American adults across more than three decades found that their average likelihood of developing dementia between ages 55 to 95 was 42%, and…

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Negative impacts of smartphone and social media use on adolescent mental health

Featured Article

*Capraro, V., Globig, L., Rausch, Z., Rathje, S., Wormley, A. S., Olson, J., … Van Bavel, J. J. (2025, May 15). A consensus statement on potential negative impacts of smartphone and social media use on adolescent mental health. PsyArXiv. [PDF] [Cited by] “The impact of smartphones and social media use on adolescent mental health remains widely debated. To clarify expert opinion, we convened over 120…

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Cartoon illustration of phubbing

Phubbing: psychology, harms, and more — more fallout from technology addiction

Intersections

Background: “Phubbing refers to the act of ignoring one’s immediate social interactions in favor of engaging with a smartphone” (from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phubbing). The word is a combination of “phone” and “snubbing.” Since the word was coined and the phenomenon became common from the early 2010’s, significant research on phubbing has taken place. Like many facets of our digital world where large for-profit corporations and governments work…

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Binge drinking is a growing public health crisis − a neurobiologist explains how research on alcohol use disorder has shifted

Intersections

Nikki Crowley, Penn State (from The Conversation) With the Amy Winehouse biopic “Back to Black” in U.S. theaters as of May 2024, the late singer’s relationship with alcohol and drugs is under scrutiny again. In July 2011, Winehouse was found dead in her flat in north London from “death by misadventure” at the age of 27. That’s the official British term used for accidental death…

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Loneliness can kill, and new research shows middle-aged Americans are particularly vulnerable

Intersections

Frank J. Infurna, Arizona State University from The Conversation. Middle-aged Americans are lonelier than their European counterparts. That’s the key finding of my team’s recent study, published in American Psychologist. Our study identified a trend that has been evolving for multiple generations, and affects both baby boomers and Gen Xers. Middle-aged adults in England and Mediterranean Europe are not that far behind the U.S. In…

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Effect of exercise on depression

Intersections

“Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of disability worldwide and has been found to lower life satisfaction more than debt, divorce, and diabetes and to exacerbate comorbidities, including heart disease, anxiety, and cancer. Although people with major depressive disorder often respond well to drug treatments and psychotherapy, many are resistant to treatment. In addition, access to treatment for many people with depression is limited, with only 51% treatment coverage for high…

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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): What is it? What are its risks?

Understanding Science

“Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions), and behaviors that drive them to do something over and over (compulsions). Often the person carries out the behaviors to get rid of the obsessive thoughts. But this only provides short-term relief. Not doing the obsessive rituals can cause great anxiety and distress. Health care providers…

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