#Mentalhealth

A recent study published in The Journal of Social Psychology has revealed a provocative link between national narcissism and emotional impairments, echoing global worries about rising divisiveness and prejudice. Individuals exhibiting high national narcissism—an extreme form of national pride characterized by a hunger for recognition and hypersensitivity to criticism—show diminished ability to understand both their own and others’ emotions. The research also connects these emotional deficits to increased tendencies toward dehumanization, affecting perceptions of both outsiders and fellow citizens within their own nation (PsyPost).

The impact of relentless, negative news cycles on mental health has come under fresh scrutiny following new research and expert commentary, highlighting a growing need for healthier ways to stay informed without becoming overwhelmed. Recent analysis published by researchers from Monash University and Flinders University, as reported in ScienceAlert, suggests that while exposure to distressing news is almost unavoidable in contemporary society, engaging with news mindfully may help protect mental health and resilience for individuals in Thailand and worldwide (sciencealert.com).

Adopted teenagers navigate the world of romance and relationships in much the same way as their non-adopted peers, according to new research published recently. The study, highlighted by PsyPost, challenges longstanding assumptions about adoption and adolescent adjustment, offering reassurance to families and educators in Thailand and around the world.

This finding is of particular significance in Thailand, where societal attitudes towards adoption have slowly shifted but misconceptions persist. Parents and educators often worry that adopted youths may struggle emotionally or socially in ways that their non-adopted counterparts do not—especially in areas as complex as teenage love, dating, and intimacy.

A recent study has revealed a compelling link between positive attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) and a greater susceptibility to problematic social media use, raising important questions for Thai society as digital technologies increasingly permeate daily life. This new research could reshape how educators, parents, and policymakers approach digital literacy and mental health in Thailand, especially as the nation rapidly adopts AI-driven platforms and social networks.

As Thailand continues to embrace digital transformation, both in private life and public policy, the question of how technology shapes human behavior is becoming more pressing. According to the study reported in PsyPost, researchers found that individuals with a more favorable view of AI technologies are more likely to develop patterns of social media use that may border on problematic or even addictive. This finding holds significance for a country like Thailand, noted for its high exposure to social media—recent surveys indicate that over 52 million Thais use social platforms, with many spending upwards of three hours per day online (DataReportal Thailand Report).

Meditation, long celebrated as a path to tranquility, stress relief, and self-understanding, is now central to millions of lives globally and increasingly recommended by clinicians for anxiety and depression. Yet, recent research from Harvard Medical School’s Meditation Research Program uncovers a more complicated reality: for a significant number of practitioners, meditation can generate unsettling or even distressing experiences, sparking crucial new conversations in the mental health and wellness fields (Harvard Gazette).

A fresh wave of psychological research is offering valuable insights into why high-profile figures such as former US president Donald Trump—and other leaders with pronounced narcissistic traits—react so defensively, or even aggressively, when confronted with evidence of their own mistakes. Drawing on interviews, recent peer-reviewed studies, and organizational psychology, experts say these reactions are not just personality quirks, but reflect deeper dynamics in workplaces and governments worldwide—raising profound questions about power, accountability, and the future of leadership, including in Thailand’s evolving corporate, political, and academic environments.

An eye-opening new investigation is unraveling the hidden layers of the ultra-wealthy’s personal lives, revealing that vast fortunes do not necessarily insulate individuals from emotional challenges or problematic behaviors. Friends, aides, and associates of billionaires and multimillionaires have disclosed a tapestry of secrets, painting a picture of high drama, emotional volatility, and even compulsive hoarding behind closed doors—offering a rare look at the underbelly of luxury living.

This research, highlighted in a recent Daily Mail report, compiles anecdotes from those intimately familiar with the ultra-rich. Among the revelations: explosive tantrums triggered by minor inconveniences, elaborate rituals of control over staff, and shocking hoarding episodes where designer goods and prized objects accumulate in chaotic, unsanitary piles. Such accounts fundamentally challenge the public’s common perception of wealthy lifestyles as effortless, orderly, or immune to everyday anxieties.

A new wave of psychological research suggests that, contrary to long-held beliefs about the dangers of anger, engaging with feelings of rage—specifically in the form of revenge fantasies—can play a pivotal role in the emotional processing and recovery of trauma survivors. According to a recent article by a leading trauma therapist published in Psychology Today, such fantasies may help restore feelings of empowerment and catalyse deeper healing, provided they are approached safely and under professional guidance (psychologytoday.com).

A new psychological study suggests that the way children are parented—especially when that parenting is cold, abusive, or overly controlling—can have lasting effects on their adult lives, with certain personality traits serving as the connecting thread. Published in Psychological Reports, the research sheds light on why negative parenting is tied to later emotional, social, and occupational difficulties, and points to the key role of personality traits such as conscientiousness in explaining this link (PsyPost).

A newly published international study has confirmed what many Thais may intuitively sense—feeling good can actually help us remember more, even when the subject matter itself is boring or meaningless. In ground-breaking research led by scientists from Hangzhou Normal University and Nanjing Normal University, the team demonstrated that positive emotions during learning measurably enhance our ability to recall information, offering potential life-changing applications for students, teachers, and anyone aiming to boost brain power (Neuroscience News; MedicalXpress; News-Medical).

For decades, 10,000 steps per day has been immortalized as the gold standard of physical activity, flashed on smartphone apps, wearables, and health campaigns across the globe. But new research, bolstered by the insights of walking and movement specialists, is challenging this long-standing myth—suggesting the bar for meaningful health benefits is surprisingly lower, and more achievable for busy Thais of all ages.

Recent findings consolidate a growing body of international evidence that while movement is essential, the rigid 10,000-step target is not a magic number. According to a 2023 meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, people can reduce their risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by consistently taking between 2,500 and 4,000 steps daily—drastically lower than the benchmark many have struggled to hit. The study pooled data from more than 250,000 participants tracked over several years, lending fresh authority to the guidance of walking experts like the Vice President of Operations at Gait Happens, a doctor of physical therapy and exercise physiologist. Her advice: if you walk fewer than 2,500 steps a day, your risk for serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular events rises substantially, while walking above this minimum threshold appears to lower risk markedly (Fit & Well).

Amid an alarming surge in job cuts across the United States in 2025, a new wave of layoff anxiety is sweeping through the workforce, driving Americans to work harder but ultimately burning out faster, experts warn. A recent CNBC report highlights the unprecedented level of job insecurity: nearly 700,000 layoffs were reported in the first five months of the year—an 80% spike compared to the same period in 2024—leaving 46% of workers worried about their future employment and exposing stark psychological tolls (CNBC).

A new wave of so-called ‘neurohacking’ camps has sparked international curiosity and debate, following the latest Financial Times feature on a retreat in Washington state that claims to deliver “worldly bliss” and decades’ worth of enlightenment in just five days. While the promise of rapid cognitive transformation is enticing, the trend is raising pressing questions about the science, safety, and cultural implications—especially for health-conscious Thai readers seeking to optimize mind and spirit.

A thought-provoking new report published on July 6, 2025, by a leading behavioral expert in Psychology Today reveals that we are all born with certain innate dispositions—what the author calls “basic humanity”—and, as we grow, we learn to navigate or sometimes contradict these primal instincts. The research calls attention to the fundamental and often conflicting drives that shape us as humans and offers essential insights into how these inner tensions influence personal well-being and social behavior.

As Thailand’s youth increasingly turn to their screens for social connection and self-expression, new research reveals a troubling link between excessive smartphone and social media use and the surge in mental health problems among young people. National statistics and leading academic studies confirm that anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and even suicidality are rising at alarming rates, raising urgent questions about how Thai society can protect its next generation from what experts call a digital health emergency.

A new dating trend dubbed “cookie jarring” is drawing strong reactions from both relationship experts and young people experiencing the practice firsthand, with many labeling it “disgusting” and “gross.” This phenomenon, which involves dating multiple people at once while keeping some as backup options, is reportedly on the rise among younger generations navigating the complexities of modern romance.

In recent years, the dynamics of dating have shifted as digital technology and social media make it easier than ever to connect with potential partners. “Cookie jarring” describes a scenario where an individual, uncertain about their primary relationship, keeps a secondary person metaphorically “in the cookie jar”—available as an emotional or romantic backup should their main interest fail to pan out. According to leading relationship experts cited in a New York Post report, this trend is creating emotional turmoil and confusion for those left in the backup role, eroding trust and self-esteem for those caught in its snare.

A new study has uncovered a provocative link between “dark” personality traits and the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) among university art students, sparking debate about academic integrity and the psychological pressures facing creative students in the digital age. The research, conducted among over 500 art students at leading universities in Sichuan, China, found that those with higher levels of narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and materialism are significantly more likely to engage in both AI-assisted academic misconduct and behaviors such as plagiarism and procrastination. These patterns were also closely associated with heightened academic anxiety and frustration, suggesting a troubling cycle that may be intensified as AI technology becomes more accessible.

In a recent analysis published by Forbes, a psychologist has shed new light on the two dramatic extremes in the spectrum of romantic relationships—intensely obsessive love, known as love mania, and a debilitating fear of love itself, described as philophobia. These findings are shaping contemporary understanding of how individuals relate to intimacy, with wide-ranging implications for mental health professionals and everyday people alike (Forbes.com).

For Thai readers, where cultural ideals often emphasise harmonious relationships and filial piety, this research is a timely reminder that the psychological underpinnings of love can be as complex as they are universal. In a society that values family cohesion and long-term commitment, understanding the extremes of emotional attachment—and detachment—may offer important insights for navigating everything from romantic partnerships to friendship and kinship.

A new psychological study has found that feelings of loneliness lead to a significant rise in television viewing among older women, but not among their male counterparts — a finding that may help clarify gender differences in coping mechanisms during aging. The insight, most recently highlighted and discussed by PsyPost, resonates particularly as Thailand faces the challenges of a rapidly aging population and shifting family structures PsyPost Report.

As Thai society transitions to an “aging society”, with the proportion of people aged 60 and above set to comprise 30% of the population by 2035 according to the National Statistical Office of Thailand, understanding the differing ways in which older adults manage loneliness is crucial. The latest research puts a spotlight on the unique vulnerabilities experienced by older women, who are more likely to live alone due to greater life expectancies and often face reduced social support, especially in urban environments where extended family living arrangements are declining National Statistical Office and Bangkok Post coverage.

As social media makes it ever easier to bridge years of separation with a single click, more Thais find themselves weighing whether to reconnect with old friends online. A recent report in The Washington Post spotlights emerging scientific evidence and expert advice on this modern dilemma, urging readers to reflect on their motivations and the risks before reaching out to long-lost acquaintances (Washington Post).

The significance of these findings is particularly salient in Thailand, where social harmony and close-knit communities are deeply embedded in culture, yet where digital transformation has expanded networks beyond traditional boundaries. Whether prompted by curiosity, nostalgia, or a desire to heal old wounds, rekindling a friendship from the past raises not only possibilities for renewal but also challenges that may go unconsidered.

Every graduation season, schools across the world celebrate student achievement with a flurry of awards—most of which continue to focus narrowly on academic excellence. But a tide of new research and calls from child psychology experts is putting pressure on education systems to expand their definition of success, warning that the traditional model may be doing students more harm than good (CTV News, CP24). As Thailand seeks to boost learning outcomes and student wellbeing, these insights offer timely lessons for Thai educators, policymakers, and parents.

A recent study has found a notable association between skipping breakfast and elevated depressive symptoms among young people—a relationship that sheds new light on how daily routines may influence mental health. The research, conducted with over 3,000 Hong Kong youths and published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, points to subtle yet measurable links between breakfast habits, impulsivity, and mental wellbeing, especially among those aged 15 to 24 (psypost.org).

Dieticians and mental health experts have long emphasized the importance of breakfast, but this study is one of the largest to specifically connect meal-skipping with psychological symptoms in Asian youth. For Thai readers, whose breakfast culture ranges from modest rice porridge to noodle soups and fried treats, these findings highlight the intersection between traditional eating habits and mental health—a subject growing in relevance as lifestyles become busier across Thailand.

In recent years, neurohacking camps have promised participants transformative breakthroughs—offering “worldly bliss in five days” by employing a blend of meditation, brain training, nootropics, and high-tech interventions designed to “hack” the brain for better focus, emotional balance, and life satisfaction. While the concept, explored in the recent Financial Times feature “Inside the ‘neurohacking’ camp that promises worldly bliss in five days”, has captured global attention, it also raises profound questions about the effectiveness, ethics, and safety of such programs, especially as they attract participants from across Asia, including an increasing number of Thais curious about self-optimization.

A growing body of research is shining a spotlight on a deeply personal yet widely shared experience among new mothers—postpartum loneliness. While the joys and challenges of infancy are often discussed openly, the profound sense of isolation that can affect new mothers remains largely unspoken, despite its significant impact on mothers, families, and society as a whole.

For years, the narrative surrounding new motherhood has focused on physical recovery, infant care, and the balance between work and family. However, emerging studies and first-person accounts, such as the insights from a recent feature by Kara Kennedy in the Daily Mail, are revealing that loneliness is an underappreciated but critical factor affecting the wellbeing of new mothers. This isolation—often heightened by lifestyle changes, disrupted sleep, and societal expectations—can contribute to mental health challenges, including postpartum depression and anxiety, as emphasized by several recent studies (source).