#Caregiving

A new study suggests that people who show stronger “stress resonance”—physiological and emotional mirroring of others’ distress—tend to report more severe PTSD symptoms. The research, conducted with Arabic-speaking refugees and migrants in Germany, found that when observers watched someone under stress, their own heart rate, heart rate variability, and subjective stress levels tended to align with the stressed person’s responses. Importantly, this heightened resonance appeared to be related to PTSD symptoms themselves, rather than serving as a pre-existing vulnerability caused by trauma exposure alone.

Fatherhood in the United States has evolved dramatically, moving from a strict breadwinner model to a more nurturing, involvement-focused role. This shift, driven by economic, social, and cultural forces, resonates with changes already underway in Thailand’s parenting landscape.

Historically, American fathers were seen as the moral backbone and direct disciplinarians of the family. In rural communities, men taught practical skills for survival, while society often blamed the father for a child’s missteps. As industrialization drew men into urban work, the father’s role increasingly became financial provider, separating the home from the workplace and narrowing direct parental involvement. This shift helped shape a long-standing association between male breadwinners and female caregivers, a dynamic still discussed in cultural histories.

Vintage photographs and recent research reveal a remarkable evolution in fatherhood across the United States, shedding light on the changing roles of men in the family over centuries. This shift, deeply influenced by economic, social, and cultural forces, mirrors trends emerging in Thailand, where the landscape of parenting is also undergoing significant change.

For most of American history, fathers were the moral backbone of the family, directly responsible for raising children both through discipline and skills training. Before US industrialization, and tracing back to colonial times, historical analysis by social science experts shows that if children went astray, society often placed the blame squarely on the father’s shoulders. In rural communities, this accountability extended to teaching children practical skills—farming, hunting, and roles essential to communal survival (source).

A new wave of research is challenging long-held beliefs about marriage vows, especially the pledge to stay together “in sickness and in health.” Findings published in the Journal of Marriage and Family and summarized by Psychology Today in May 2025 reveal a troubling pattern: women who fall ill in their 50s and early 60s face a significantly higher risk of divorce than men. For Thailand—with its rapidly aging population and evolving social norms—these insights touch at the heart of family resilience and gender equity.

A wave of new research is challenging long-held beliefs about the vows that bind couples—especially the promise to remain united “in sickness and in health.” Recent findings, published in the Journal of Marriage and Family and reported by Psychology Today in May 2025, reveal a surprising and deeply concerning trend: women who fall ill in their 50s and early 60s face a far greater risk of divorce than their male counterparts (psychologytoday.com). For Thailand—a country with a rapidly aging population and shifting social values—this revelation strikes at the heart of family resilience and gender equity.

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 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.

Burnout is not just a trend; it’s a growing health and productivity crisis that affects people across Thailand as modernization and work demands rise. New research and expert insights from a recent Miami conference emphasize practical steps for individuals, families, and communities to manage chronic stress and build resilience.

Thai society is particularly affected by burnout. With rising living costs, shifting family roles, and intense workplace pressures, many adults feel overwhelmed. The World Health Organization classifies burnout as a problem stemming from chronic workplace stress, marked by exhaustion, detachment from work, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness. While it is not a medical disorder, its impact on health and workplace culture is substantial. As Thailand ages and urbanizes, the risk of social isolation among older adults grows, underscoring the need for community and family support.

Burnout is more than just a buzzword—it’s an escalating crisis impacting health, happiness, and productivity worldwide, including in Thailand. Recent research and expert testimony from a high-profile conference in Miami highlight the seriousness of burnout and provide actionable strategies for individuals, families, and communities to address chronic stress. As the phenomenon becomes more widely recognized, mental health professionals urge everyone—from senior caregivers to students and the general workforce—to take burnout prevention seriously and adopt routine habits that foster resilience and joy.