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14 papers
This paper introduces the idea of the "true self" — the part of a person people see as who they really are deep down — and shows that people treat this true self as different from the rest of the self. The authors review studies that find people usually picture…
Researchers surveyed 680 people who followed health-food accounts online. They measured eating behaviour and orthorexia nervosa symptoms with the ORTO-15 questionnaire. Higher Instagram use was linked to more orthorexia symptoms, while other social media did not show this effect (Twitter showed a small link in exploratory tests). About 49% of…
This paper says midlife (roughly ages 40–60) is an important, understudied life stage with both new opportunities and new challenges. The authors review evidence that some common ideas—like a widespread "midlife crisis"—are misleading, and they show that middle age often involves balancing many roles, linking younger and older generations, and…
This meta-analysis combined 48 experimental studies with 7,679 people to test how seeing “upward” comparison targets on social media (people who seem better off) affects users’ feelings about themselves. Overall, exposure to upward comparisons produced a small but statistically significant negative effect on self-evaluations and emotions (g = −0.24, p…
Infidelity can destroy relationships, but there is long-standing debate in the field about how best to define the construct. A clear definition of infidelity is important theoretically, empirically, and therapeutically; however, research on the topic is limited. This study explores how seven experienced couple counselors define infidelity on the basis…
This study used survey data from workers in many different jobs to compare how men and women manage emotions at work. It found that women report showing anger less often and showing happiness more often than men on the job. The difference in anger expression was explained by job and…
This study followed 4,285 U.S. children from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study to look at patterns of addictive use of social media, mobile phones, and video games from about ages 11 to 15. The researchers found that high or steadily increasing patterns of addictive use were common. Those high…
This randomized trial tested whether cutting daily smartphone screen time to 2 hours or less for three weeks changed mental health in healthy students. 111 students (mean age 22.7 years, mean screen time 276 minutes/day) were assigned to the 3-week limit (n=58) or to continue usual use (n=53). After the…
This systematic review and meta-analysis looked at studies from 2013–2023 that tested 'digital detox' interventions and their effects on mental health. The authors screened 2,578 records and included 10 studies. Pooled results showed a small but statistically significant reduction in depressive symptoms (SMD = -0.29; 95% CI -0.51 to -0.07;…
This Italian study interviewed 40 nonbinary people aged 19–36 about how public and gendered places affect them. Participants described many outside stresses (like bullying, misgendering, and being controlled or intruded upon) and inner stresses (like shame, hiding their identity, and expecting rejection). The researchers found that repeated non-affirmation and social…
This review combined 23 studies with 924,376 people to see if vaping during pregnancy was linked to problems for mothers and babies. The pooled results found that prenatal vaping was associated with higher odds of both adverse maternal outcomes and adverse neonatal outcomes (each OR 1.53). Specific links included lower…
The article explains that movement and the brain are closely connected. It reviews research showing movement can help thinking, mood, and stress response, and that being very sedentary is linked with worse cognitive ability and more mental health problems. The piece also notes ongoing studies of brain activity behind movement…
