#Mentalhealth

A new study finds that the strict, high-expectation “tiger mom” parenting style can sharpen adolescents’ cognitive abilities, though it may take a toll on their emotional health. The research, published in a peer-reviewed journal, highlights the trade-offs faced by families who prioritize academic success through rigorous routines.

For Thai parents and educators, the findings arrive at a time of growing concern about youth mental health amid intense competition in education. The tiger mom approach—often linked to relentless study schedules and high parental pressure—has both admirers and critics in Bangkok’s and provincial Thailand’s urban families. As students face national exams and international benchmarks, understanding this parenting style’s effects is increasingly relevant.

A growing body of research and expert insight warns that while resilience is widely celebrated as the ability to overcome adversity, there is a darker side known as “toxic resilience”—when the drive to push through hardships becomes harmful, leading to deeper exhaustion and burnout. As Thai society embraces values of perseverance and adaptability, understanding the difference between healthy and toxic resilience is especially relevant for those juggling the demands of work, education, and family life.

For many, the phrase “obsessive-compulsive disorder” (OCD) conjures up images of endless hand-washing, relentless checking of locked doors, or carefully lining up items in perfect order. But fresh research and expert voices now highlight unexpected symptoms often overlooked—not just by the public, but even by those who struggle with the disorder themselves. As understanding of OCD advances, mental health professionals urge a shift away from stereotypes, offering new hope for more accurate diagnosis and effective support, especially for Thai people whose experiences may take unique cultural forms (NYT).

A growing body of psychology highlights a silent crisis in performance-driven societies: burnout among high achievers. A recent Forbes article published May 20, 2025, identifies three clear signs that relentless striving can turn self-worth into a burden, offering timely guidance for Thailand’s competitive workplaces, classrooms, and homes.

The piece describes a familiar pattern: bursts of intense productivity followed by deep fatigue, dwindling motivation, and an identity crisis as achievement eclipses well-being. With pressure rising across Thai offices, universities, and households to meet ever-higher standards, the message resonates in a society where success milestones often define personal worth.

New scientific research is turning the standard narrative about happiness on its head, revealing that joy may often arise not from seeking pleasure or avoiding discomfort, but from embracing life’s tougher moments, engaging deeply in challenging activities, and even by letting go of obsessively tracking our emotional state. These insights, synthesizing the latest studies published in 2024 and 2025, have profound implications not just globally but also for the millions of Thais seeking greater well-being in an increasingly turbulent world.

A surge of new psychological research is challenging long-held beliefs about talent and ability, suggesting that key qualities like mindset, agility, and creativity are not fixed traits but skills that anyone can develop over time—and that cultivating these skills may be crucial for thriving in the unpredictable modern world. As daily life in Thailand and globally becomes increasingly shaped by technology, uncertainty, and rapid change, researchers and educators alike are recognizing that collective success depends less on rote memorization and more on the adaptability of our minds (Psychology Today).

A surge in dating app use among younger generations is taking a significant mental and emotional toll, with psychologists warning of a growing epidemic called “dating burnout.” According to a 2024 Forbes Health/OnePoll survey, almost 80% of Gen Z and Millennials report feeling exhausted by the experience — a figure echoed by global and local research into the widespread effects of digital dating fatigue. For Thailand’s young urbanites, increasingly turning to apps to expand their social circles or seek relationships, the findings raise crucial questions about the impact of online matchmaking on wellbeing and how to approach romantic connections in the digital era Forbes.

Millennial parents are facing parenting pressures and challenges more complex—if not downright unimaginable—than those experienced by earlier generations, according to new research and real-life accounts. From the insistence of “always-on” work culture to soaring living costs, a childhood defined by digital immersion, and a barrage of social expectations, the millennial parenting experience is rewriting what it means to raise children in the 21st century. The implications are profound—not just for families, but also for schools, community institutions, and Thai society navigating rapidly shifting social norms.

A new wave of relationship advice is making headlines for its simplicity and profound impact: the “30-second rule,” a guideline promoted by renowned couples therapist Terrence Real, is emerging as a game-changer in how we communicate and manage conflict in everyday conversations. According to recent interviews—and a viral article by Upworthy—the rule’s basic premise is that positive, attentive engagement for just half a minute can help anyone, even those who feel awkward or anxious, “win” conversations by creating greater understanding and connection (Upworthy).

New neuroscience insights shed light on how anticipation and disappointment shape daily life, with clear relevance for Thai work, study, and family dynamics. A recent analysis from Psychology Today explains that our minds constantly forecast outcomes, and these predictions can influence our experiences and well-being. By reframing how we expect results, we can improve mental health and resilience.

The brain’s reward system lights up when we anticipate positive results—like good exam scores, a long-awaited family gathering, or a successful project. When reality doesn’t meet these hopes, dopamine activity drops, triggering disappointment and frustration. This cycle is universal, yet cultural context matters. In Thailand, traditional notions such as jai yen (cool heart) and plong (letting go) echo the science: releasing attachment to a single outcome can lower stress and support emotional balance.

A new study from the RIKEN Center for Brain Science in Tokyo reveals how the brain builds complex emotional memories, moving beyond the idea that only the amygdala drives fear. The research shows that the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) plays a crucial role in linking seemingly unrelated experiences through emotion. These insights could inform therapies for anxiety, trauma, and related disorders, offering fresh directions for Thai mental health practice.

In the study, researchers used rats to model human-like emotional learning. One group learned a visual image paired with a sound, while another group experienced them separately. After a mild shock was introduced when the image appeared, only the paired rats showed fear when they later heard the sound. This demonstrated that inferred emotional links can transfer fear from one cue to another, a process previously thought to be rare outside simple fear learning.

A major new study from Oxford University has uncovered compelling evidence that loneliness inflicts a much harsher toll on mental and physical health among people living in poverty compared to their more affluent peers—even when both groups report similar levels of social interaction. This landmark research, surveying more than 24,500 people across 20 European countries, shines a spotlight on the intertwined effects of financial hardship, social isolation, and health, with urgent implications for communities in Thailand and globally.

A comprehensive study by Oxford University reveals that loneliness harms mental and physical health more among people living in poverty than among richer individuals, even when both groups report similar social interaction. The research surveyed over 24,500 people across 20 European countries and highlights how financial hardship, isolation, and health are interconnected. The findings carry clear implications for communities in Thailand and around the world.

Poverty is not only a lack of income but a form of social exclusion that compounds health risks. The study, published in Public Health, shows a sharp gap: 49% of those in the lowest income group felt lonely in the prior week, compared with 15% in the highest income group. This gap persists despite similar amounts of time spent socializing across income groups. The message is clear: loneliness compounds the health toll of poverty, beyond what social contact alone can address. Research by Oxford emphasizes that the problem stems from a defensive response to scarcity—pain, fatigue, and low mood that reinforce one another—and is stronger among the poor who feel socially isolated.

A new study points to mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as a practical, affordable option for people whose depression persists after standard care. This finding has important implications for strengthening Thailand’s mental health services and support networks. The research highlights how MBCT can fill the “missing middle”—patients who are not well enough for intensive specialist care but still need more than basic treatment.

Depression remains a heavy burden for many individuals and their families in Thailand. About 30% continue to experience daily symptoms such as low mood, fatigue, and hopelessness despite therapy and medication. The impact extends to workplaces, communities, and the broader economy, where lost productivity and higher health costs are felt nationwide. Data from Thailand’s public health landscape show that depression is a leading contributor to disability and socioeconomic strain in the country.

A promising new study has shed light on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as an effective, affordable treatment for people whose depression persists despite standard care, with implications for improving support strategies in Thailand’s mental health services. The research, recently highlighted by The Conversation, found that MBCT could fill a crucial gap for the so-called “missing middle”—patients left behind after common therapy and medication fail to fully relieve their symptoms.

Around 30% of people living with depression face an unyielding daily struggle: even after therapy and medication, the fog of low mood, fatigue, and hopelessness lingers. This phenomenon not only takes a toll on individuals, but also affects Thai families, workplaces, and the broader economy, echoing trends observed globally. Depression, already a leading cause of disability in Thailand, imposes significant direct and indirect costs on society, including lost productivity and higher health care expenditures (WHO Thailand).

A new wave of psychology research shows a clear link between narcissism and addiction to social networking sites. As Thai society embraces digital life, these findings offer timely insights for program designers, educators, and families working to safeguard mental well-being.

Experts say the study helps explain why some people become dependent on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The research, summarized by a reputable science outlet, builds on the idea that social media functions as a stage for self-promotion and constant validation. In Thailand, where smartphone ownership and internet access are among the highest in Southeast Asia, the implications are especially relevant.

Millennial parents face pressures that often feel overwhelming by design. A blend of nonstop work culture, rising living costs, and a child-rearing landscape shaped by digital immersion is redefining what it means to raise children in the 21st century. The shift affects families, schools, and Thai communities as social norms evolve at a rapid pace.

Traditionally, parents from Gen X and the Baby Boom era relied on stable routines, predictable work hours, and strong extended-family support. Today’s millennial parents juggle flexible careers, urban living, and a fierce demand for constant involvement in their children’s lives. In Thailand, urban households report similar strains, with many moms and dads balancing careers and caretaking under intense social scrutiny.

The intricate dance between anticipation, disappointment, and the transformative act of letting go is gaining new clarity thanks to cutting-edge neuroscience research, shedding light on processes that profoundly shape daily life—including in Thai culture where expectations about work, education, and family run deep. A new analysis featured in Psychology Today explores how our mental forecasts, or expectations, can alter not only our experiences but also our emotional wellbeing, with implications for health, education, and societal harmony (psychologytoday.com).

Scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough in unraveling the brain’s mechanics behind emotional connections, an advance that holds promise for understanding—and perhaps treating—conditions such as anxiety and trauma-related disorders. In a recent study published in Nature, researchers from the RIKEN Center for Brain Science in Tokyo have identified specific brain processes enabling the formation of complex emotional associations, challenging long-standing assumptions about how human and animal brains process emotionally charged experiences (Ars Technica).

A recent psychological study published in Cognition & Emotion has shed new light on how our memories of the past, particularly nostalgic ones, evolve with the passage of time—becoming less sweet and more bitter. The findings, shared by researchers led by a UK-based psychologist and his team, challenge long-held assumptions about the nature of nostalgia and its role in our emotional well-being (PsyPost).

For Thai readers, who often reflect fondly on childhood, school days, or festival seasons such as Songkran and Loy Krathong, this research offers fresh insight into the complex emotional tapestry of nostalgia. In Thai culture, looking back on the past is not only a personal affair but a collective experience frequently woven into family reunions, university alumni gatherings, and temple fairs. Understanding how nostalgia’s emotional flavor shifts is especially relevant today, as many Thais confront rapid social change, urbanization, and dislocation from their roots.

In a world where success and achievement often define individual worth, new psychological insights highlight the silent epidemic facing high-achievers: burnout. A recent article by a psychologist, published in Forbes on May 20, 2025, draws attention to three definitive signs that indicate when relentless striving for excellence turns self-destructive, offering timely lessons for professionals, students, and families in Thailand’s increasingly competitive environment (Forbes).

The article outlines a familiar cycle experienced by many: periods of intense productivity followed by exhaustion, plummeting motivation, and a crisis in personal identity as the pursuit of achievement begins to overshadow well-being. With the pressure mounting in Thai workplaces, classrooms, and even homes to meet ever-higher standards, this research resonates with a society where academic and career milestones often serve as measures of self-worth.

A groundbreaking approach to sexual wellbeing is shifting the way individuals and communities, including those in Thailand, understand and support this vital aspect of health. According to emerging research highlighted in a recent Psychology Today article, sexual wellbeing extends far beyond physical satisfaction or sexual health. Instead, it encompasses a complex interplay of emotional, psychological, and relational factors that are now being recognised as central to a fulfilling intimate life.

For Thai readers, the importance of sexual wellbeing is often overshadowed by societal taboos and cultural expectations. In classrooms, the topic is frequently reduced to clinical or biological aspects of sex, leaving critical dimensions such as communication, respect, and emotional safety unexplored. Yet, as relationships, mental health concerns, and identity issues rise in visibility across Thailand, the nuances of sexual wellbeing have never been more relevant.

A new wave of psychological research highlights a compelling connection between narcissism and social networking site addiction, raising concerns about the impact of personality traits on online behavior. As social media platforms continue to play a central role in daily life, this latest study provides critical insight not only for global users but also for Thai society, where smartphone and internet penetration are among the highest in Southeast Asia.

The significance of this finding lies in its ability to explain why certain individuals develop problematic social media habits more readily than others. According to the research, those who exhibit stronger narcissistic personality characteristics are statistically more vulnerable to becoming reliant on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The study, published in a peer-reviewed academic journal and summarized by PsyPost, builds on previous knowledge that social media can serve as both a stage for self-promotion and a source of constant validation.

A new study in Cognition & Emotion reveals that nostalgic memories grow less sweet and more bitter as time passes. Led by a UK-based psychologist and colleagues, the research challenges the idea that nostalgia always heals by strengthening social bonds and meaning.

For Thai readers, nostalgia is a familiar and treasured theme. Thai culture often centers on family reunions, school memories, and festive moments like Songkran and Loy Krathong. Understanding how nostalgia shifts emotionally is especially relevant amid rapid urbanization and social change in Thailand.