#Familywellbeing

A new JAMA study is reshaping how parents and educators view digital use among Thailand’s youth. The research emphasizes screen addiction—patterns of compulsive, uncontrolled technology use—over total hours spent online. It finds that addictive behaviors correlate more strongly with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts than simply counting screen minutes.

As Thai children increasingly engage with social media, smartphones, and online games, the takeaway for families and schools is clear: ask why and how they use devices, not just how long. Research indicates that the quality and function of use matter more for mental wellbeing than quantity alone. This perspective aligns with broader concerns in Thailand where digital platforms are deeply embedded in daily life.

A groundbreaking new study published in JAMA has sparked a timely debate among parents and experts worldwide, including Thailand, about the real impact of screens on young people’s mental health. The findings point away from the traditional focus on daily screen time limits and instead urge caregivers to pay close attention to signs of screen addiction—compulsive, dependent behaviors associated with technology use—as these are much more strongly linked to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among children and adolescents.

A recent study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that meaning in life grows when couples share a deep, aligned view of the world and how they feel about it. Researchers found that this “shared reality” reduces uncertainty and strengthens purpose, particularly in the face of life’s challenges.

For Thai readers navigating fast-changing social pressures, the finding underscores something many already sense: emotional alignment with a partner can be a powerful anchor. When partners validate each other’s reactions and feelings, uncertainty about the outside world diminishes and a stronger sense of meaning emerges.

A groundbreaking new study is shining light on a question that strikes at the heart of human existence: How do people find true meaning in their lives? Turns out, the answer may lie closer to home than many realize. Recent research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology finds that sharing a “shared reality” with one’s romantic partner—meaning a deep alignment in how both partners view and emotionally respond to the world—significantly increases the sense of meaning in life by reducing uncertainty about life’s challenges and upheavals (studyfinds.org).

A leading developmental psychologist is cautioning parents and grandparents worldwide—including in Thailand—against giving young children overly stimulating electronic toys, warning that such items may hamper creativity, emotional regulation, and healthy cognitive growth. The expert’s advice, which recently gained renewed attention in a widely discussed article published on Parade, spotlights growing concerns about the long-term effects of high-tech toys on early development, and encourages a return to more traditional, open-ended forms of play (Yahoo/Parade article).

A recent study has turned prevailing assumptions about parenting on their head, revealing that fathers are experiencing higher levels of loneliness, overwhelming pressures, and emotional stress compared to mothers—a trend that challenges longstanding social narratives and has critical implications for families in Thailand and globally. According to new research summarised in El Adelantado de Segovia, comprehensive nationwide surveys conducted in the United States highlight that American fathers are struggling with deeper feelings of isolation and heavier emotional strain than their female counterparts, shining a light on a frequently overlooked aspect of the modern parenting experience.

A growing body of psychological research shows that a father’s unchecked anger can leave lasting emotional marks on children, shaping their self-worth, trust, and mental health well into adulthood. A recent feature in Times of India Lifestyle illustrated how paternal anger can become a “silent wound,” influencing a child’s development long after conflicts end.

In Thai families, where respect for elders and filial duty are deeply valued, the emotional footprint of anger or emotional distance can go unnoticed. Experts emphasize that these wounds often surpass physical scars in shaping how a child views themselves and relates to others. This is particularly relevant as Thai households navigate traditional expectations amid modern pressures.

A landmark study challenges long-held beliefs about parenting by showing that fathers report higher levels of loneliness, pressure, and emotional strain than mothers. The findings have important implications for families in Thailand and around the world, highlighting a need to support all parents in today’s evolving family dynamics.

Data from recent US surveys, summarized by El Adelantado de Segovia, reveal that American fathers are often more isolated and emotionally taxed than their partners. These insights bring attention to an aspect of parenting that has been overlooked and underaddressed in both policy and community life.

A leading developmental psychologist warns that highly stimulating electronic toys can hinder creativity, emotional regulation, and early cognitive growth. The message, which gained renewed attention in a recent Parade feature, resonates for Thai families navigating a growing market of high-tech toys at home and in schools.

The core concern is toys that light up, produce sounds, or require minimal active engagement. Such features are common in many electronic products now popular in Thai households. The psychologist emphasizes that overly stimulating toys may undermine essential skills, a view supported by peer-reviewed research on child development and neurobehavioral outcomes.

A growing body of psychological research warns that a father’s unchecked anger can leave enduring wounds in the hearts and minds of his children, with consequences that often remain invisible well into adulthood. According to a recent article by the Times of India Lifestyle Desk, paternal anger is not simply an occasional outburst but can evolve into what experts now call a “silent wound,” shaping a child’s self-image, ability to trust, and emotional health for life (Times of India).

A new wave of research is challenging long-held assumptions about parental stress, revealing that fathers are experiencing deeper loneliness, greater overwhelm, and heavier emotional strain than mothers—a finding that carries profound significance for families in Thailand and around the world. According to two newly released nationwide surveys conducted in the United States, the emotional burdens shouldered by fathers have largely gone unnoticed, yet they are increasingly coming to the fore as societies reevaluate gender roles and family dynamics (eladelantado.com).

A new wave of science is upending assumptions about parental stress. It finds that fathers often feel lonelier, more overwhelmed, and more emotionally strained than mothers. The implications are significant for families in Thailand and beyond, as societies rethink gender roles and caregiving. Research from two national surveys in the United States highlights that many fathers carry emotional burdens that have been largely invisible, prompting calls to reframe parenting support.

A new wave of parenting research has brought to light several common mistakes made by parents, often without their realization, sparking a conversation among Thai families and educators about child development and parental awareness. The findings, summarized in a recent article by The Times of India, underscore how even the most well-intentioned caregivers can inadvertently hinder their children’s growth through everyday actions.

For Thai parents, understanding and identifying these “invisible mistakes” has become ever more urgent in a rapidly changing society where academic, emotional, and social success are highly valued. Parenting choices in Thailand are often influenced by tradition, societal expectations, and a growing exposure to global cultures, raising questions about which methods truly benefit children in the long run. The new research invites a careful reflection on where the line between caring and overparenting lies, a topic familiar to many Thai families navigating pressures of school admissions, after-school tuition, and increasingly competitive environments.

Recent parenting research highlights several common habits that can quietly hinder a child’s growth. The findings have sparked renewed attention among Thai families and educators about how everyday actions shape development. According to research summarized by major health and education outlets, even well-meaning caregivers may unknowingly impact a child’s confidence and emotional well-being through routine choices.

For Thai households, recognizing these “invisible mistakes” is especially relevant in a rapidly evolving society where schooling, emotional health, and social skills are highly valued. Thai parents often balance tradition, societal expectations, and exposure to global ideas, raising questions about which approaches truly benefit children in the long run. The discussion also touches on the pressures of school admissions, tutoring, and increasingly competitive environments.

In a striking example for families worldwide, Sweden’s latte dads—dads who carry babies, push strollers, and enjoy café culture—are reshaping norms around fatherhood. With generous government-paid parental leave, Swedish fathers spend substantial time at home in early childhood, challenging traditional gender roles and offering a global model for health and family resilience. In contrast, American parents face shorter, fragmented leave, highlighting a stark policy gap that fuels international conversations about parenting and gender equality.

In a story capturing the attention of family researchers and social commentators, a 25-year-old woman in South Carolina has found that sharing a home with her current husband and ex-husband has proved not only cost-effective but unexpectedly beneficial for their children. Published by Business Insider, the account details the journey of this family as they navigate an unconventional domestic arrangement born from both economic necessity and a commitment to shared parenting (businessinsider.com).

A South Carolina family’s living arrangement is drawing attention from researchers and commentators: a 25-year-old woman, her current husband, and her ex-husband now share a single home. The arrangement aims to reduce costs and strengthen parenting for their two children. The story, originally featured by Business Insider, highlights how economic pressures and a commitment to collaborative parenting can reshape family life.

For Thai readers, the piece resonates with broader themes: rising living costs, evolving family structures, and practical approaches to caregiving. The household first began to cohabit in the summer of 2024, prompted by financial strain and the complexities of coordinating parenting across separate households. Despite initial separation and relationship challenges, the trio found common ground by choosing to live together, distributing chores, meals, and daily routines.

A major new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has revealed a sharp and troubling decline in mental health among mothers in the United States over the past decade, a trend that experts say has wide-ranging implications for families, communities, and even international health policy—including in Thailand. The percentage of US mothers self-reporting “excellent” mental health plummeted from 38.4% in 2016 to just 25.8% in 2023, while the proportion rating their mental health as “fair” or “poor” soared by more than 60% during the same period. These findings, based on a nationally representative survey of nearly 200,000 mothers, shine an urgent spotlight on the challenges facing parents and the cascading consequences for child and societal well-being.

A new meta-analysis is challenging popular perceptions about the roots of narcissism, suggesting that early childhood attachments may play a significant role—particularly in the development of vulnerable narcissism. The findings, synthesized from more than 10,000 participants across 33 studies, shed new light on how varying attachment styles developed in childhood correlate with adult narcissistic traits, a topic with deep resonance for families and mental health professionals in Thailand and globally (Firstpost).

A recent meta-analysis challenges common beliefs about the roots of narcissism, suggesting that early attachment patterns in childhood may influence the development of vulnerable narcissism in adulthood. The study synthesizes data from more than 10,000 participants across 33 studies, highlighting how insecure attachments in childhood relate to adult narcissistic traits. This has clear relevance for families and mental health professionals in Thailand and beyond, as researchers emphasize careful interpretation rather than labeling individuals.

A major study published in JAMA Internal Medicine shows a sharp decline in mental health among US mothers over the past decade. The findings highlight how societal pressures, economic stress, and gaps in care affect families and could inform policy in Thailand as it strengthens its own maternal support systems. In the United States, self-reported “excellent” mental health among mothers fell from 38.4% in 2016 to 25.8% in 2023. The share rating their mental health as “fair” or “poor” rose by more than 60% in the same period, based on a nationally representative survey of nearly 200,000 mothers. The results emphasize the broad impact on child development, family stability, and community health.

A recent large-scale study has revealed a significant decline in mothers’ mental health across socioeconomic groups between 2016 and 2023, raising urgent questions about the impact of intensive parenting practices on psychological well-being. Health and education experts in Thailand, where family and achievement hold central roles in society, are watching these findings closely for clues about parenting’s evolving pressures and how best to support families through them (Boston Globe).

In a groundbreaking analysis involving almost 200,000 mothers and data from the National Survey of Children’s Health, researchers observed the percentage of mothers reporting “excellent” mental health drop from 38.4% in 2016 to just 25.8% in 2023. Meanwhile, the prevalence of those rating their mental health as “fair” or “poor” rose from 5.5% to 8.5%. This decline cuts across mothers with children of all ages, from newborns to teenagers, and extends through varied economic backgrounds.

A new, large-scale study reveals a notable drop in mothers’ mental health from 2016 to 2023 across socioeconomic groups. As Thailand places high value on family harmony and achievement, Thai health and education experts are keen to understand how intensive parenting practices might be contributing to rising stress among mothers and families.

The study tracked nearly 200,000 mothers, using data from the National Survey of Children’s Health. It found that the share reporting “excellent” mental health fell from 38.4% in 2016 to 25.8% in 2023. Those rating their mental health as “fair” or “poor” rose from 5.5% to 8.5%. The decline spans ages from newborns to teenagers and crosses economic backgrounds.

A newly published study tracking nearly 200,000 mothers has found a significant decline in moms’ mental health across the United States from 2016 to 2023. According to research utilizing data from the National Survey of Children’s Health, the percentage of mothers reporting “excellent” mental health plummeted from 38.4% to just 25.8%, while reports of “fair” or “poor” mental health climbed from 5.5% to 8.5% in that period. While external factors such as the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic stressors are well documented, researchers and mental health experts are now probing the role of “overparenting”—the growing tendency for parents to become overly involved in their children’s emotional and practical lives—as a potentially underrecognized source of chronic stress and burnout among mothers (Boston Globe).