#Mentalhealth

The rise of ghosting and gaslighting in digital-age relationships is causing significant psychological harm, especially among young adults, a new study reveals. Researchers from the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra have found strong links between these increasingly common relationship behaviors and symptoms of depression and paranoia, raising fresh concerns about the dangers lurking within online dating culture (The Independent).

For Thai readers living in an era dominated by social media and dating apps, these findings underscore a growing mental health risk that may hit close to home. As relationship customs shift, digital rejection and manipulation techniques—once limited by physical proximity—now cross geographical borders with the tap of a screen. Whether someone has been abruptly ignored by a romantic prospect (ghosting) or repeatedly manipulated to question their own memory and reality (gaslighting), the psychological damage can be profound.

A growing body of research challenges the hard-edged “tiger parenting” approach—an intensely disciplined, achievement-focused style popularized by Amy Chua’s book. Once linked to academic prowess and long-term success, recent findings suggest such strict methods can harm children’s mental health and emotional development. The discussion resonates in Thailand, where parental sacrifices for exam success are a familiar part of the culture.

Tiger parenting emphasizes high standards, rigid rules, and minimal freedom for children to pursue personal interests. It often means controlling study time, extracurriculars, and even social life, potentially sidelining hobbies, friendships, and rest. The spotlight on this approach intensified after Chua’s publication, which described strict routines and no allowances for ordinary childhood experiences.

A friendly smile, eye contact, and a quick chat with a stranger on the BTS may seem small, but new research shows these acts of psychological generosity can transform individuals and Thai communities. A recent piece by Professor Linda R. Tropp argues that tiny social gestures do more than ease daily interactions. They support mental well-being, strengthen local ties, and help counter loneliness—an issue rising in Thailand’s bustling cities as well as in the West.

A wave, a smile, or even a brief exchange of small talk with a stranger on the BTS might seem trivial, but new research underscores how such acts of “psychological generosity” can be transformative—both for ourselves and for Thai society. According to a new article by Professor Linda R. Tropp, published recently in The Conversation (theconversation.com), these tiny social behaviors—like making eye contact or greeting strangers—do much more than oil the wheels of polite society. They offer profound benefits to our psychological well-being, strengthen community ties, and help combat the creeping epidemic of loneliness, an issue not only facing the West but increasingly relevant here in Thailand’s bustling urban centres.

As Thailand enters peak travel season, research and professional guidance offer a path to calmer journeys. From Bangkok’s airports to regional bus terminals, the stress of getting home or chasing a break is part of the holiday experience. Yet science-based strategies can help. A recent overview from travel and mental health professionals emphasizes practical steps to protect peace of mind and physical wellbeing during busy travels.

For many Thais, holidays mean reunions with family or participation in festivals. The logistics—crowded trains, long lines, delays—often trigger anxiety. Experts provide actionable advice to ease both stress and health concerns during peak travel periods.

Storytelling goes beyond entertainment. It is a central mechanism through which people seek meaning, pass values, and preserve memories. This concept aligns with current psychology research and holds relevance for Thai communities as well. The discussion revisits Viktor E. Frankl’s will to meaning and memory pioneer Hermann Ebbinghaus, emphasizing how the stories we share—in families, classrooms, and the media—shape identity, purpose, and well-being. As digital platforms broaden how stories travel, scholars question the social quality of today’s narratives and their impact on individual and collective meaning.

A mounting body of research is challenging the conventional wisdom around the so-called “tiger parenting” style—a highly disciplined, achievement-oriented approach made famous by the global bestseller “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother.” While traditionally viewed as a pathway to academic excellence and long-term success, recent findings reveal that such strict parenting may inflict more harm than good, particularly in the realm of children’s mental health and emotional development. This conversation is especially salient for Thai families, where parental sacrifice for academic prosperity is often celebrated, echoing trends seen more widely across Asia.

A quiet health challenge is taking root among Thai youths: bigorexia, or muscle dysmorphia. Health professionals warn that this disorder goes beyond vanity and can threaten both mental and physical wellbeing. As Western beauty ideals and online comparisons flood Thai media, parents and teachers are urged to rethink conversations about bodies, exercise, and social media.

Muscle dysmorphia is a form of body dysmorphic disorder centered on the belief that one is not muscular enough, even when the physique is healthy or fit. Those affected may spend excessive hours training, follow restrictive diets, or turn to risky supplements or steroids. Adolescent boys are increasingly showing patterns of disordered eating and extreme exercise focused on muscularity, signaling a shift in how eating disorders are understood and diagnosed among males.

A new wave of research questions whether faster answers truly sharpen thinking. An analysis in Psychology Today argues that immediacy may erode deliberate reflection and suggests ways Thai society can reclaim thoughtful, growth-oriented thinking for individuals and communities.

Generative AI now delivers detailed responses on nearly every topic, transforming not just how we access information but how we feel, relate, and reason. Patience, vulnerability, and the slow maturation of ideas—once central to wisdom—face disruption as AI favors quick fixes and a sense of control that may mask shallow insight. Experts warn that time spent with uncertainty is being traded for instant gratification, altering a core aspect of the human experience.

A growing global trend sees young professionals leave traditional offices to work remotely from Thailand’s sun-soaked locations. A recent Business Insider feature follows a European project manager who relocates to Koh Samui, illustrating a broader shift toward digital nomadism in Thailand. This movement is supported by emerging research and evolving government policies aimed at attracting remote workers.

Thailand’s appeal goes beyond stunning scenery. For many international workers, the country offers a viable, long-term home rather than a fleeting visit. Cities like Chiang Mai and islands such as Koh Samui and Phuket have become centers for nomads, drawn by affordable living, a relaxed pace, and reliable internet. In response, Thailand has revisited its visa and residency frameworks to position the country as a regional hub for technology and remote work talent, with recent policy changes encouraging longer stays and easier entry for freelancers and entrepreneurs.

A May 2025 study in Communications Psychology sheds light on dream recall, revealing factors such as sleep patterns, daytime mind wandering, and personal traits that boost dream remembering. The findings offer timely insights for Thai readers navigating busy urban life and evolving sleep routines.

In Thailand, dreams are often viewed through a cultural lens as omens or messages. Science treats dreams as a window into brain activity during sleep. The study helps explain why some people recall more details than others and what that reveals about memory, consciousness, and mental health.

Scientific curiosity about dreams has captured the human imagination for centuries, yet neuroscientists have only recently started to unravel why some people vividly recall their dreams while others wake up with no memory at all. As reported in May 2025 in a new study published in Communications Psychology, researchers have identified multiple factors—ranging from sleep patterns to personality traits—that influence an individual’s ability to remember dreams, offering fresh insights with both global and Thai relevance (Medscape).

Manipulation can occur at work, in families, or online. In Thailand and beyond, many people have relied on restraint rather than confrontation. Now, research and expert guidance support a different approach: calm, witty comebacks that set boundaries without escalation. A well-known international guide on smart responses echoes these findings, showing that firm, measured replies can be an effective defense against manipulation.

For Thai audiences, the relevance is clear. Manipulative behaviors—gaslighting, guilt-tripping, twisting facts, or projecting negativity—can erode confidence in any setting. Recognizing these tactics matters as the country advances in education, workplaces, and digital life. Experts describe manipulation as actions intended to influence or control others for personal gain. The challenge is identifying covert coercion and responding in ways that protect well-being.

A comprehensive analysis finds that people with mental and neurodevelopmental disorders are about 50% more likely to be left-handed or mixed-handed than those without such diagnoses. The large synthesis draws on data from more than 202,000 individuals across 402 datasets and highlights a potential link between brain lateralization and mental health risk. The work is published in Psychological Bulletin and integrates findings from ten previous meta-analyses plus 33 newly released studies. Researchers tracked how handedness intersected with age, sex, diagnosis, and measurement methods to build a clearer picture of this complex relationship.

When faced with manipulative tactics at work or in personal relationships, many Thais have long relied on subtlety and restraint, wary of direct confrontation. Yet the art of the calm, clever comeback is gaining traction worldwide, with new research and expert opinion now supporting what popular guides like the Times of India’s “10 clever comebacks to expose and outsmart a manipulator” recommend: standing your ground with measured, witty responses can be among the most effective defenses against psychological manipulation (timesofindia.indiatimes.com).

Across the globe, a quiet epidemic is undermining public health—one that’s less visible than viral outbreaks yet perhaps just as deadly: loneliness, especially among men. Recent research and reports, including one from Psychology Today, highlight an alarming surge in male loneliness alongside a worrying decline in close male friendships, with direct consequences for psychological well-being and even long-term physical health (Psychology Today).

The significance of these findings resonates in Thailand, where traditional gender roles and rapid societal changes are altering the nature of male relationships. As modern work and lifestyle patterns keep people atomized, fewer men are reporting having close confidants or “best friends.” According to Psychology Today, the proportion of men in the United States with no close friends has soared fivefold in recent years—from 3% to 15%. In a society like Thailand’s, where community and family ties have long been pillars of support, this trend challenges cultural expectations and demands urgent attention.

A comprehensive review of decades of dating research asks whether playing hard-to-get still works in today’s connected world. The discussion, highlighted by Psychology Today, weighs the appeal of mystery against rising values of openness and direct communication in relationships.

For Thai readers balancing tradition with contemporary dating, the topic resonates. In Thai culture, subtlety and restraint are common in early courtship, making it important to see what science says about these instincts in the modern era.

A new synthesis of multiple studies shows that people with narcissistic traits are more prone to developing an addiction to social networking sites. The finding adds to growing concerns about how digital life affects mental health in Thailand and around the world.

Social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) have reshaped how people connect, share, and present themselves. In Thailand, social media use remains high, with millions of users representing a large portion of the population. While this connectivity offers benefits, it also coincides with rising concerns about problematic or compulsive use, a behavior sometimes labeled as social media addiction. Research from international sources indicates a clear link between higher narcissism scores and greater engagement in compulsive online activity.

Recent scientific research has revealed that individuals with narcissistic personality traits are more susceptible to developing an addiction to social networking sites, highlighting concerns about mental health in the digital age. This study, which synthesises findings from multiple prior investigations, offers important insights for Thai parents, teachers, and mental health professionals as social media use continues to surge across the kingdom.

The rise of social networking platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) has dramatically changed the way people interact, share information, and cultivate their identities. According to recent statistics, Thailand is among the world’s most active countries on social media, with over 52 million users as of 2024, accounting for more than 74% of the population (DataReportal). This trend has facilitated both increased social connectedness and, unfortunately, a growing prevalence of problematic or compulsive usage, sometimes classified as social networking site addiction (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

A growing body of psychological research reveals that quiet, everyday behaviors in adulthood often hint at experiences of financial instability during childhood, according to a recent analysis published by YourTango citing studies from the Journal of Family and Economic Issues and additional expert commentary. The article, released on 24 May 2025, underscores how formative years marked by poverty or economic uncertainty leave lasting imprints—not just in spending habits but across one’s relationships, mental health, and view of stability.

A revealing new study conducted by academic teams at the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra has spotlighted the profound psychological impacts that ghosting and gaslighting can have—especially among young adults negotiating today’s digitally-driven relationship landscape. The findings forge important connections between the surge of online communication and risks to mental health, and they carry sobering implications for individuals across Thailand navigating similar social terrains.

According to the research, which surveyed 544 adults aged 18 to 40 in the UK, both ghosting—the act of abruptly ending all communication without explanation—and gaslighting—a psychological manipulation tactic that leads individuals to doubt their reality—were shown to trigger mental health symptoms such as depression and paranoid thinking. The study’s methodology accounted for variables like age, income, and personality traits, including sensitivity to rejection and uncertainty, which are themselves recognized as risk factors for mental distress.

Loneliness among men is emerging as a quiet public health issue with real consequences. Recent observations and research highlight a rise in male loneliness and a decline in close male friendships, affecting psychological well-being and long-term health. In the Thai context, rapid social change, urban living, and evolving gender norms are reshaping how men form and sustain friendships.

The issue matters because social isolation is more than a feeling—it is a health risk. Analyses show loneliness can raise the risk of early death by up to 26%, comparable to smoking or obesity. For men, stigma around vulnerability and a culture of self-reliance often hinder forming strong emotional ties, intensifying the erosion of essential social support networks. Data from reputable research indicates men are less likely to reach out to friends as they age, widening the gap in meaningful connections.

A new wave of research is challenging the idea that living without many friends automatically equals loneliness. In a world obsessed with constant “connection,” a study in the Canadian Review of Sociology shows a more nuanced reality: some people with few or no close friends are content, even thriving in solitude. This perspective, highlighted by Psychology Today and discussed across media and academia, invites Thai readers to rethink personal and cultural beliefs about friendship and fulfillment.

A provocative new wave of research is challenging a long-standing assumption: that living without friends is synonymous with loneliness and emotional distress. In a world shaped by social media, “connection” is celebrated as vital for human happiness, yet a recent study published in the Canadian Review of Sociology reveals a far more nuanced reality—some people with few or no friends are, in fact, content, even thriving in their solitude. This finding, highlighted by Psychology Today and echoed in multiple news reports and scholarly discussions, encourages Thai readers to critically reconsider both personal and cultural beliefs about friendship and fulfillment (Psychology Today; Wiley; CTV News Atlantic).