Psychology

Recent research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science has shed new light on the emotional rewards of parenthood, revealing that moments of pride and awe experienced by parents can significantly enhance psychological well-being. The findings suggest that these intense yet positive parental emotions may make the everyday challenges of raising children more fulfilling, offering valuable insights for Thai families seeking mental balance and parental satisfaction (PsyPost).

While much existing research highlights the stress, fatigue, and burden often associated with caregiving, this new study stands out by focusing on the uplifting side of parenting—specifically, the personal impact of feeling proud or awestruck by one’s child. The research addresses a long-standing question: If daily parenting demands are so high, why do people almost universally continue to choose parenthood? In Thai society, where strong family bonds and respect for generational contributions are culturally embedded, this question resonates deeply.

New research in Social Psychological and Personality Science explores the emotional rewards of parenting. It finds that moments of pride and awe parents feel toward their children can boost psychological well-being. The study suggests these positive emotions help parents cope with daily challenges and find greater fulfillment in family life, a finding that resonates with Thai families focused on balance, harmony, and family values.

In many studies, caregiving is linked to stress and fatigue. This new work shifts the focus to the uplifting side of parenting. It asks why people choose parenthood despite demanding daily routines, a question particularly meaningful in Thailand where strong family ties and respect for elders are deeply embedded in culture.

A study published in a leading psychology journal argues that time-honored Indigenous healing practices—centered on rituals, storytelling, and ancestral wisdom—offer powerful alternatives to Western psychiatric models. The international research team calls for a decolonial turn in psychology, urging mental health systems to embrace Indigenous cosmologies, ceremonies, and community knowledge as vital resources rather than curiosities.

For Thai readers, the findings resonate with the Kingdom’s own traditions of healing, spirituality, and communal care. Thailand sits at the crossroads of tradition and modern health care, where village rituals, Buddhist meditation, and temple-based mindfulness already play a role in mental well-being. As psychological distress rises globally and in Thailand, the study prompts urgent conversations about whether Western models alone are enough—or appropriate—for Thai communities.

A groundbreaking new study published in American Psychologist is challenging established conceptions of mental health care, arguing that time-honored Indigenous healing practices—centered on rituals, storytelling, and ancestral wisdom—offer powerful alternatives to the predominantly Western psychiatric model. The transnational team behind the study calls for a radical “decolonial turn” in psychology, urging global mental health systems to embrace Indigenous cosmologies, ceremonies, and community knowledge as vital resources, not mere curiosities (madinamerica.com).

Recent research is reshaping how Thai health leaders view social isolation. Leading experts say prolonged social isolation can harm health as much as smoking a pack a day, turning loneliness into a global public health priority. The idea, once shocking, is now supported by a growing body of evidence and prompting calls for urgent action to address an epidemic affecting millions.

As social life evolves in the digital era, Thailand’s urbanization and changing household patterns amplify the implications. Thai culture traditionally values family and community, but migration for work, urban living, and the aftershocks of the Covid-19 pandemic mean more people are disconnected from meaningful social contact. This disconnection is now considered a risk factor with potential to shorten life expectancy and reduce well-being, comparable to smoking-related harm.

A wave of recent research is transforming how the world—and Thailand—views the dangers of social isolation. According to leading experts and new studies, living in prolonged social isolation can be as detrimental to human health as smoking a pack of cigarettes each day, elevating the threat to a global public health priority. This comparison, once surprising, is now backed by a growing body of research and calls for urgent public action to address an emerging epidemic affecting millions.

In an age when every slot on our calendars seems to be filled—and often double-booked—many people feel overwhelmed by their own schedules, constantly regretting the commitments they’ve made. New psychological research is pointing to four “hidden drivers” that push us into cycles of compulsive busyness, as well as offering four concrete ways to break free from the trap of over-commitment (“Why We Overbook Ourselves—and Constantly Regret It,” published in Psychology Today on May 16, 2025) (Psychology Today).

Overwhelmed by calendar clutter? Many people feel trapped in cycles of busyness, accepting more commitments than they can handle. New psychology research identifies four hidden drivers behind chronic overbooking and offers practical steps to regain control. The insights come from a broad look at modern behavior and are relevant to Thai readers navigating fast-paced work, school, and social life.

In Thailand’s cities, the habit of staying constantly connected—through chat groups, Line notifications, and weekend events—has amplified the culture of “super busy” lives. Excessive planning affects mental health, relationships, and productivity across age groups, professions, and communities. The research reframes overbooking as a coping pattern rather than mere ambition or poor time management.

A recently published European study has uncovered a deeply troubling trend in the world of late-life divorce: when wives in middle-aged marriages fall ill, the risk of divorce significantly increases, while the same does not hold true if it is the husband who becomes unwell. This discovery, revealed in February 2025 research appearing in the Journal of Marriage and Family and spotlighted in a widely-discussed article in Psychology Today, points to a persistent imbalance in marital roles and expectations that continue to shape the intimate lives of older adults across the globe—including in Thailand.

A communications expert says the biggest pitfall in casual conversation is talking about oneself too much. A practical technique—asking thoughtful, open-ended questions—could strengthen connections at home, in schools, and at work across Thailand.

As Thailand resumes face-to-face interactions after the pandemic, mastering small talk is increasingly important. Yet many conversations still stall because speakers default to their own experiences or opinions. The remedy is to embrace curious inquiry: invite the other person to share more about themselves rather than waiting for a turn to speak.

A new study shows the brain can learn fear not only from direct experiences but also by making inferences. This challenges how we understand emotional learning and could influence future treatments for anxiety and trauma disorders. Published in Nature on May 14, the research from the RIKEN Center for Brain Science in Japan demonstrates how higher-order emotional learning occurs in the brain, offering insights for neuroscience and mental health care worldwide.

A new study on out-of-body experiences (OBEs) rekindles the debate over whether consciousness resides solely in the brain or could extend beyond the body. Published in Frontiers in Psychology in April 2025, the research draws from in-depth interviews with ten individuals who describe awareness drifting outside their bodies, challenging conventional brain-centered views. Descriptive references point to the study’s nuanced accounts and their implications for neuroscience and philosophy.

The findings matter beyond theory. For Thai readers, OBEs intersect with Buddhist and local spiritual traditions that speak of consciousness, spirit, or subtle states beyond ordinary perception. In Thailand, conversations about วิญญาณ (spirit or consciousness) often blend cultural beliefs with scientific inquiry, creating a unique arena for discussing how mind and body connect.

A communications specialist has revealed the biggest mistake people make during small talk and offered an actionable technique that could reshape how Thais nurture relationships, whether in social circles, educational contexts, or the workplace. As post-pandemic life in Thailand rekindles face-to-face interactions, mastering small talk is more important than ever—but it turns out many of us are making the same subtle social error that undermines genuine connection.

The core insight, as shared by a leading motivational speaker and communications expert on social media, is that the number one mistake in small talk is—ironically—focusing too much on ourselves rather than genuinely engaging with the other person. According to the expert, most people unintentionally steer conversations toward their own experiences or opinions, either out of habit or nervousness. This tendency, while natural, can stifle the dynamic energy of an interaction and leave both parties feeling unfulfilled. The fix, the expert says, lies in adopting a mindset of curious inquiry: instead of waiting for a turn to speak or relate everything to one’s own story, we should actively invite the other person to share more about themselves.

A European study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family finds a troubling pattern in late-life divorce: when wives in middle-aged marriages fall ill, the risk of separation rises sharply, while husbands’ illness does not trigger the same effect. The research, conducted from 2004 to 2022 with over 25,000 couples ages 50 to 64, highlights how gender expectations shape marital stability in later years. The findings were summarized in Psychology Today and are resonating with readers worldwide, including Thai audiences concerned about aging families and changing norms.

A new international study sheds light on why some Thai teens respond with heightened fear in everyday, safe situations. Researchers show that early-life adversity—such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction—can impair fear learning. This makes it harder for adolescents to distinguish safety from threat, triggering stronger emotional and physical reactions in daily life. The findings offer important context for Thailand’s ongoing focus on youth mental health and stress the need for culturally sensitive interventions in schools and communities.

What really makes men happy in the 21st century? A viral article from Upworthy has captured global attention by distilling the twelve simplest, most relatable factors that contribute to men’s happiness, sparking discussion not only online but also among psychologists, relationship counselors, and everyday readers searching for joyful living. Behind the list, experts indicate, are timeless psychological concepts and cultural undercurrents that resonate strongly in Thailand and worldwide, highlighting both modern pressures and enduring truths about wellbeing.

A recent psychological study has found that adolescents who experienced adversity in childhood are more likely to respond with unwarranted fear to safe situations, revealing key insights into the long-term mental health risks faced by vulnerable Thai youths. Researchers discovered that teens exposed to early stressors such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction show greater difficulty distinguishing between safe and threatening cues, leading to heightened physiological and emotional reactions in everyday life. These findings, published in the prestigious Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, may help to explain the rising rates of anxiety and depression among Thai adolescents and underscore the urgent need for culturally sensitive mental health interventions (PsyPost.org, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry).

A groundbreaking new study has revealed that the brain is capable of learning fear not just through direct experiences, but also by making inferences—a discovery that could shift our understanding of how humans develop complex emotional responses and may help unravel the roots of anxiety and trauma disorders. The research, published in the prestigious journal Nature on May 14 by a team at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science in Japan, demonstrates for the first time how higher-order emotional learning occurs in the brain, with profound implications for both neuroscience and mental health treatment worldwide (Neuroscience News).

A new theory is reshaping how we understand psychedelics and the brain. It proposes that substances like psilocybin and LSD may temporarily empower the right hemisphere. The model, called HEALS (Hemispheric Annealing and Lateralization Under Psychedelics), suggests this shift could heighten empathy, creativity, and emotional intelligence. This could advance therapeutic use of psychedelics, according to researchers and clinical observers.

For Thailand and much of Asia, where mental health stigma and treatment gaps persist, these findings carry meaningful implications. Thai authorities are already exploring innovative approaches to mental wellness, including careful consideration of traditional therapies. Global advances on neuroplasticity and mindful healing are increasingly relevant to Thai care providers and patients.

A groundbreaking new theory is reshaping scientific understanding of how psychedelics affect the human brain, proposing that substances like psilocybin, LSD, and others may temporarily grant dominance to the right hemisphere. According to a recently published model—known as HEALS (Hemispheric Annealing and Lateralization Under Psychedelics)—this shift could fuel increases in empathy, creativity, and emotional intelligence, marking a significant step forward in the quest to harness psychedelics for therapeutic purposes (Neuroscience News).

A new scientific study detailing the enigmatic phenomenon of out-of-body experiences (OBEs) is sparking fresh debate on a long-standing question: Does consciousness reside entirely inside the brain, or could it exist somewhere beyond our physical bodies? Published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology in April 2025, the research offers a rare look into the lived accounts of individuals who claim to have experienced their awareness drifting outside their bodies, challenging conventional, brain-centric views of human consciousness (yahoo.com).

A leading psychologist has issued a stark warning to couples, highlighting a seemingly common but deeply destructive phrase that can deeply corrode romantic relationships: “Why can’t you be more like [insert other person’s name]?” This message, often delivered in moments of frustration or conflict, is flagged as one of the most toxic forms of communication, known in the psychological community as the “death-by-comparison” effect. Experts say this phrase, and the mindset behind it, can undermine trust, erode self-esteem, and ultimately destroy the intimate bond between partners, according to recent reports and expert commentary published by the Daily Mail (dailymail.co.uk).

A leading psychologist warns that a simple, often spoken line—“Why can’t you be more like [someone else]?”—can quietly wreck romantic relationships. This tirade, delivered in moments of frustration, is identified in mental health circles as a form of toxic communication known as the “death-by-comparison” effect. Experts say such phrases undermine trust, lower self-esteem, and erode the emotional bond couples share.

The message comes at a time when couples in Thailand and worldwide face mounting social pressures. In the digital era, social media often presents curated images of others’ relationships, amplifying cravings for perfection. For Thai couples navigating traditional expectations and modern relationship dynamics, understanding the impact of harmful comparisons is increasingly important to maintain family harmony and emotional security.

A widely shared Upworthy piece identifies twelve simple habits that many men report as central to happiness. The list reflects enduring psychological truths about connection, appreciation, and personal meaning. For Thai readers, these ideas resonate with local values around family, community, and mindful living.

In Thailand’s fast-changing social landscape, men face new pressures—from urban workloads to shifting family roles. Mental health awareness is rising, yet candid conversations can still be challenging. The article’s core message—that happiness grows from everyday moments, trusted relationships, and personal choices—offers practical guidance that complements Thailand’s cultural emphasis on harmony, respect, and jai yen (cool heart).