Postpartum Depression More of a Risk in Bigger Cities

by Kristi Caporoso

Recent studies have shown that women who give birth and spend their postpartum period in highly urban areas are more at risk for postpartum depression than those who live in rural areas. There are several reasons why this could be. To start, some of the risk factors for postpartum depression are social isolation and immigrant status. In urban areas, many women are more likely to be socially isolated than they would be in a suburban or rural setting. Also, cities have a greater population of immigrants, who are more at risk. Because of this and other unknown reasons, cities have been found to have more women with postpartum depression than rural towns.

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/08/07/big-cities-tied-to-higher-risk-of-postpartum-depression/58142.html

Facebook Use Can Adversely Affect Romantic Relationships, Recent Studies Show

By Sierra Shumate

 For many, social networking sites are used daily, aiding in communication with both our friends and our romantic partners.  However, a new study finds that Facebook use could actually damage users’ romantic relationships.
University of Missouri's recent findings have shown that the higher levels of Facebook involvement correlate positively with higher levels of relationship stress and conflict.
These conflicts can then cause or may lead to emotional or physical cheating, in some cases.
In the study performed, Russel Clayton and colleagues researched and surveyed a population of Facebook users ages 18-82 years of age, in which participants were asked questions regarding the frequency of their Facebook use as well as any conflicts that may resulted as part of their Facebook use.
The study found that high levels of Facebook use positively correlated with conflict in couples, which then corresponded with future negative affect in relationships as well as possible negative outcomes such as breakups, separations, or cheating.
“Previous research has shown that the more a person in a romantic relationship uses Facebook, the more likely they are to monitor their partner’s Facebook activity more stringently, which can lead to feelings of jealousy,” Clayton said. This type of 'facebook-induced jealousy' as it has been called, can sometimes lead to arguments regarding past partners or relationships.
 Facebook-induced jealousy may lead to arguments concerning past partners, as partners may reconnect with past relationships, rekindling flames that may have otherwise been left alone. These types of interactions may lead to the types of negative outcomes that were previously mentioned, such as emotional cheating.
These types of trends were particularly obvious in new relationships, where the trust may not be as solid as in a longer relationship, more fully matured relationship, which usually occurs around three years. Therefore, this research seems to show that increased Facebook use may only affect or threaten new relationships of less than three years in length. Clayton recommends that in order to prevent the "Facebook threat," that new couples may want to limit their own Facebook use for the betterment of the relationship. Although Facebook is a great tool to learn about other people in great detail, this may be best done in person, particularly in romantic relationships, Clayton suggests.

Source: Psychology Today

Is Your Messy Desk Actually Helping You?

by Kristi Caporoso

 

All of us have been told by someone--our mom, our boss, our significant other--to keep ourselves organized. While being organized is certainly important, new studies are showing that there are benefits of having both a neat and a messy desk area at work. The two are beneficial in the workplace in different ways. Having a neat and orderly desk encourages positive behaviors like healthy eating and generosity. On the other hand, having a slightly unkempt or messy desk promotes creativity and new ideas. Several studies were done during which people who sat in a neat, organized desk area chose an apple for a snack over chocolate; and people who sat in messy desk areas came up with newer, creative ideas. More studies are being done to investigate whether or not this carries over into the virtual world--do tidy-looking websites encourage the same type of behavior as tidy desk areas? The preliminary studies indicate this, but only time will tell. In the meantime, keep in mind that depending on where you work, you may not need to keep your desk so neat and tidy.

 

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/08/07/does-a-spotless-or-messy-desk-influence-behavior/58136.html

Interacting with parents on social media sites may have positive effects

By Irada Yunusova

Once the initial fear of seeing parents on Facebook subsides, more positive feelings may arise. A recent study has shown that social networking with parents may strengthen the parent-child bond, positively impacting teens. Although excessive internet use can be harmful, it's opportunity for increased parent-child interaction can help teens.

Dr. Sarah Coyne of the School of Family Life and other researchers studied 491 adolescents and their parents. The study's participants responded to questions about social networking use, feelings of connection, and behavioral effects. Half of the teens in the study engaged with their parents on social networking sites. They found that kids who engaged with their parents through social media felt more connected, had higher prosocial behavior, and lower incidence of aggression and depression.

Researchers wondered what the cause and effect interaction between healthy parent-child relationships and social media entails. Parents who are more connected to their children in general are more likely to interact with them on social media. Social media also allows parents and children to interact and foster more positive, supportive relationships. Researchers concluded that the relationship is bi-directional, where positive relationships increase social media interaction, which in turn promotes positive relationships.

Although individuals are often warned about the dangers of internet use, the results of this study clearly depict positive aspects of social media. Excessive internet use, where adolescents access social networking for over 8 hours per day, can be dangerous and may lead to feelings of alienation, aggression, and depression. However, engaging with parents through social networking sites may strengthen the parent-child relationship, and may help boost prosocial behavior and positive mood.

Reference: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263429.php

Chocolate is in the air, and apparently boosting book sales

By Irada Yunusova

Walking into a bookstore, you can usually expect to see a coffee shop. From the perspective of the store's owners, this seems like a worthwhile investment to boost sales. However, investing in a chocolate shop may also be useful.

A recent study by researchers from Belgium's Hasselt University suggests that chocolate aromas may boost book sales. Over a period of 10 days, researchers monitored customers' behavior in a Belgian bookstore. For a portion of each day, a subtle chocolate scent was released into the air. Researchers found that customers were 40 percent more likely to buy romance novels and cookbooks, and 22 percent more likely to buy books in other genres. It was also noted that customers spent more time browsing.

Pleasant smells are known to trigger spending. In addition to providing an enjoyable environment, chocolate scents can help stores profit from a sales boost.

Reference: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/08/01/207805012/book-news-the-smell-of-chocolate-boosts-book-sales-study-says

Cross-cultural understanding of non-speech emotional cues

By Irada Yunusova

People consider love to be universal. But what else is? A smile? A laugh? A recent study suggests that certain positive and negative emotional non-speech cues are understood by multiple cultures. It is possible to infer another person's emotional state of mind from his expressed non-speech sounds, such as crying, hums, laughter, and sighs.

A recent international study by Petri Laukka analyzed the recognition of listeners from various cultures of emotional non-speech vocalizations. The Swedish subjects in this study were able to accurately identify various emotional sounds produced by individuals from other countries, including India, Kenya, Singapore, and USA. The highest recognition ratings for positive emotions were noted for relief, sexual lust, interest, serenity, and positive surprise. For negative emotions, subjects exceled at identifying anger, disgust, fear, sadness, and negative surprise.

Regardless of if an emotion is negative or positive, it is possible for an individual to recognize it in a person from a different country. In addition to facial expressions, emotional information provided by voices can help foster cross-cultural understanding.

References: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/264191.php

Can Asperger's be classified on the Autism Spectrum?

By Irada Yunusova

Recent debate over classifying Asperger's as an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has brought about many complications. Individuals with Asperger's syndrome have social difficulties and display restricted and repetitive behavioral patterns and interests. Asperger's Syndrome and disorders from the Autism Spectrum share certain symptoms. Researchers continue to study the differences between individuals with Asperger's and those with Autism. Are the two disorders too different to be combined or are they really one and the same?

In the past, Asperger's Syndrome was classified as a separate disorder from Autism.  However, this past year, the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) grouped Asperger's in the Autism Spectrum Disorders. This way, Asperger's is no longer a condition of its own, having widespread effects on all afflicted individuals.

In a recent study at Boston's Children Hospital, researchers examined electrical recordings from the scalp of children with Asperger's Syndrome and children with ASD. They found that although the disorders were closely related, the two groups had differing electroencephalography (EEG) patterns. The neurophysiological differences indicate that the two disorders can be distinguished by electrical activity in the brain.

Researchers, doctors, and families of afflicted individuals continue to question the decision to group Asperger's and ASD. Some believe that it is effective to define Asperger's as a distinct entity within the higher functioning end of the autism distribution curve. Regardless of differing views on this issue, most people agree that the outcome of this debate will effect individuals on a clinical, educational, and emotional level.

References: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130730235642.htm