Adolescence is a key period in development. Among other things because it is very likely that, during this stage, most adolescents have to make decisions about the consumption of alcohol, tobacco or cannabis while sharing leisure time with their friends. If we look at the most recent data on the prevalence of substance use in Spain, we find […] … learn more→

Students who took out loans to pay for college rated their overall health and mental health as being worse than those who didn’t take out student loans. They also reported more major medical problems and were more likely to report delaying medical, dental and mental health care and using less medication than the amount prescribed […] … learn more→

Everyone knows that sleep is essential for children’s growth as well as their mental and physical health. Good sleeping habits help children consolidate their memory and learn better. Lack of sleep contributes to childhood depression, anxiety, and even suicide risk, as well as physical problems like risk of injury. The challenge is therefore to ensure that children can benefit from these precious moments of […] … learn more→

If anxiety or depression does have an impact on how people learn in unpredictable situations, it is likely subtle and not easily detectable, according to new research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. The findings suggest that the relationship between mental health conditions and learning in volatile environments is not clear-cut. Previous work had suggested […] … learn more→

The importance of protecting our society’s health and well-being became starkly apparent during the pandemic. People’s physical and mental health were severely impacted by the sudden changes forced by the emergent global crisis. Although nations reacted quickly at the onset, coming back from the pandemic has been difficult. Overlapping crises including the renewed urgency of the Black Lives Matter movement […] … learn more→

When I submitted my thesis, I was hit by post-submission blues, which I was already aware of. What I didn’t expect was that the cloud didn’t lift with completion and graduation. I pretended otherwise, but the moments of genuine excitement and happiness were fleeting. I felt confused and ashamed, compounding my emotions. Wondering if anyone […] … learn more→

U.S. employees are increasingly struggling with mental health challenges tied to their jobs, such as depression, anxiety and burnout. We’re professors who research how employees interact and workplace well-being. After noticing that research on mental health and work had not kept up with the increasing prevalence of mental health challenges, we reviewed existing findings on mental health and work to see […] … learn more→

Can a single individual change the opinion, or influence the emotions of a group of people? What is the impact of a social group on our behavior? Social influence is the power of interaction with other individuals to influence our positions, beliefs, and values. It is key when we analyze violent behavior. People experience an innate need to be accepted and approved, […] … learn more→

Anxiety rates have been rising in recent years among children and young people, with the situation partially exacerbated by the pandemic. Occasional feelings of anxiety are normal, even in childhood – for example, a child may feel anxious about an approaching test at school. But if the anxiety is severe, long-lasting and interferes with a child’s daily life, it is called […] … learn more→

In a major speech today, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said vaping has become “the number one behavioural issue in high schools”. The government today proposed a suite of reforms aimed at reducing vaping. But what does the evidence show about the prevalence of vaping in schools and the kind of behavioural issues associated with it? My colleagues and […] … learn more→