#Psychology

Recent research and mental health insights highlight a compelling reason for the common phenomenon of procrastination: a close interplay with anxiety that renders many people “stuck” in a cycle of avoidance, overwhelm, and guilt. Rather than chalking it up to poor time management or laziness, new findings suggest that procrastination may be a nervous system response to stress, with perfectionism fueling the cycle—an understanding that carries significant implications for Thai readers facing mounting work, family, or study obligations. This news draws on the latest commentary from licensed therapists and psychiatrists, offering practical, research-backed steps for breaking free from the pattern.

Recent research published by the American Psychological Association has uncovered a surprising factor shaping who we trust: a person’s childhood financial background. People are far more likely to trust individuals raised in modest circumstances than those perceived to have grown up wealthy, suggesting that our perceptions of trustworthiness are deeply influenced by subtle social cues rooted in class and upbringing. The findings, featured in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, offer new insight into what drives trust in relationships, work settings, and broader society (Deseret News).

A new wave of psychology emphasizes that becoming more positive isn’t about faking happiness. Instead, small, practical mindset shifts can boost wellbeing in daily life. Experts describe actionable techniques that anyone can try, avoiding toxic positivity while helping Thais build resilience amid uncertainty.

Many Thai readers know the pressure to stay upbeat can feel inauthentic. A psychology professor notes that humans have a built-in negativity bias: our brains evolved to spotlight threats. In modern life, this can lead to persistent worry and a diminished ability to notice positive moments, even when situations are good. Recognizing this bias is the first step toward balanced optimism.

A growing body of relationship research shows that small, hidden behaviors often erode trust and closeness more than dramatic arguments or betrayals. These subtle toxic patterns can creep into daily interactions, slowly weakening connection before couples notice. Understanding and reframing these habits may lead to healthier, more resilient partnerships.

Thai families and couples value harmony and interdependence, and the topic resonates deeply in Thai culture. As mental health awareness expands in Thailand, recognizing these invisible stressors becomes essential for sustaining both romantic and family bonds. Recent expert insights highlight a range of behaviors that, if left unchecked, quietly undermine even strong relationships.

As life in Thailand grows busier, many people seek practical ways to feel more positive without pretending everything is perfect. A new article in Self Magazine distills research-backed habits that help build genuine positivity without forced affirmations or denying real challenges. The focus is on small cognitive shifts that make a meaningful difference.

Why positivity matters for Thais today? In a society where mental health awareness is rising but stigma persists, finding realistic mindset strategies is crucial. Stress, anxiety, and burnout have increased in urban areas and among students, driven by work pressures, social media, and daily responsibilities. Thailand’s Department of Mental Health notes rising reports of stress and depression over the past decade, underscoring the need for accessible, culturally relevant tools. Mindfulness apps and wellness trends are popular, yet many people seek approaches that fit Thai daily life and values.

A new research study unveiled by a leading psychologist highlights the five most significant threats undermining modern romantic relationships. Drawing from the latest findings published in the American Journal of Psychology, the research sheds light on why so many couples today find love and commitment increasingly challenging—and what can be done to safeguard intimacy in Thailand’s rapidly evolving society (Forbes).

As Thailand’s urban centers mirror global trends in digital connectivity, long work hours, and shifting cultural values, the study’s outcomes resonate deeply with the local context. The research offers an urgent wake-up call for couples and families alike, signaling that proactive adaptation is essential for relationship health in the face of contemporary stressors.

In a world dominated by round-the-clock digital connectivity and polished self-care routines, many Thais may find their energy mysteriously evaporating before the day is through. Fresh research, distilled by a prominent psychologist and summarized in a widely read Forbes article, reveals that it isn’t only overt stress and long hours that lead to exhaustion, but rather a collection of subtle, everyday behaviors that most people pass off as harmless. Understanding and addressing these quiet saboteurs could prove vital for many in Thailand’s rapidly urbanizing, tech-saturated society, where exhaustion is often worn as a badge of honour and productivity is prized above all else (Forbes).

A British clinical psychologist has sparked international debate by suggesting that what sounds like encouragement from a friend can conceal a toxic dynamic. This insight offers valuable lessons for Thai audiences navigating friendship boundaries in a social-media era.

In Thai culture, friendship is central to emotional wellbeing and is often seen as a lifelong bond built on respect and mutual support. With face and social reputation playing important roles, it is crucial to distinguish genuine encouragement from covert hostility, especially as interactions increasingly move online where sarcasm can be subtle.

A new study led by a senior psychologist identifies five major threats to contemporary romantic relationships. Building on research published in the American Journal of Psychology, the findings explore why couples today often struggle with commitment and how to protect intimacy in Thailand’s fast-changing society. The study’s insights are especially relevant as urban Thailand grapples with digital life, longer work hours, and evolving cultural norms.

In Thailand’s busy cities, where digital connectivity and demanding careers are the norm, the study’s implications resonate locally. The research serves as a timely reminder for couples and families to adapt proactively to keep relationships healthy amid modern stressors.

A recent study published in Dreaming reveals a strong link between childhood emotional abuse or neglect and more frequent nightmares among young adults. Research suggests that early emotional maltreatment can imprint lasting psychological scars, with rumination and social support shaping how severely dreams are affected. For Thai audiences, these findings highlight the need for broader awareness of emotional health within families, schools, and communities.

Nightmares are not just distressing bedtime stories; they can signal ongoing trauma. In Thailand, where family harmony and social harmony are valued, openly addressing emotional health remains challenging. This study underscores how subtle forms of maltreatment—without visible bruises—can influence mental health well into adulthood.

A groundbreaking study recently published in the journal Dreaming finds that young adults who experienced emotional abuse and neglect during childhood are significantly more likely to suffer frequent nightmares and bad dreams. This research sheds new light on the hidden long-term mental health scars left by emotional maltreatment, and offers important insights for families, educators, and mental health professionals in Thailand and beyond (psypost.org, psycnet.apa.org).

Nightmares and disturbing dreams aren’t just childhood fears—they can be serious symptoms of lingering trauma. For Thai society, where family harmony and emotional well-being are vital yet discussions of emotional health can be challenging, this study underscores the urgent need for greater awareness of the subtle damages caused by emotional abuse. Unlike physical abuse, emotional maltreatment leaves no bruises, but its effects can be just as profound, affecting victims’ psychological health well into adulthood.

In Thailand’s fast-paced, digitally connected world, energy can vanish long before outlets close for the day. A respected psychologist highlights subtle daily habits that quietly sap vitality, beyond overt stress. A recent Forbes summary of this expert’s findings stresses that mindfully addressing these small drains may be essential for Thailand’s increasingly urban, tech-heavy society, where hustle is praised and energy is a precious resource.

The insights matter as Thailand navigates a cultural shift between traditional wellbeing and modern, always-on living. The country’s emphasis on “sabai” and communal balance sits alongside rising burnout in workplaces and classrooms. Understanding the hidden energy drains is thus a public health concern, not just an individual challenge.

As daily life in Thailand grows ever more hectic, the search for ways to foster inner positivity—without falling into the trap of toxic cheerfulness—has entered the national conversation. Recent research and expert commentary, highlighted in a new article from Self Magazine, shines light on evidence-backed methods that anyone can use to become a genuinely more positive person, all without resorting to forced affirmations or denying life’s real challenges. Instead of pushing an unrealistic “bright side only” approach, these strategies acknowledge the fundamental realities of the human mind and how small shifts in thinking can make a big difference.

A new perspective from a British clinical psychologist is turning conventional wisdom on its head—what sounds like praise from a friend might actually be a subtle flag of a toxic relationship. This unexpected finding has triggered wide debate internationally and holds crucial lessons for Thai readers who are navigating the intricate boundaries of friendship, particularly in today’s social media-driven culture.

For many Thais, friendships are central to emotional wellbeing and are often regarded as lifelong bonds strengthened through shared experiences, respect, and support. Given the importance of “face” (renown and social reputation) in Thai society, understanding the lines between genuine encouragement and covert hostility is critical—especially when social interactions are increasingly migrating to online spaces, where sarcasm and subtle digs can fly under the radar.

New psychological research challenges stereotypes about BDSM. The study finds that adults who practice BDSM show more secure attachment and lower neuroticism than the general population. The findings come from a large sample using established personality and attachment measures. Data indicate BDSM participants report greater trust in relationships and higher emotional stability, consistent across genders and age groups.

Researchers used standard inventories to compare BDSM practitioners with non-practitioners. The results showed higher rates of secure attachment, reflecting comfort with emotional closeness and dependable bonds. They also showed notably lower neuroticism, implying resilience and steadier emotional responses. These patterns held true regardless of how often individuals engage in BDSM or their level of involvement.

A new wave of psychological research defies stereotypes, revealing that people who practice BDSM—an umbrella term for bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism, and masochism—actually demonstrate more secure attachment styles and lower levels of neuroticism than the general population, according to a recent study reported by PsyPost. The findings challenge widespread misconceptions about BDSM participants and suggest their emotional and psychological well-being may, in certain respects, surpass that of non-practitioners.

For years, BDSM practices have often been misunderstood or pathologized, both in the media and popular culture. This new research draws from robust psychological models to examine fundamental aspects of personality, specifically focusing on attachment theory—a framework that explores how people form secure or insecure emotional bonds—and neuroticism, a personality trait associated with emotional instability, anxiety, and negative emotions. By investigating these factors in BDSM practitioners, the study seeks to clarify whether engaging in these consensual activities is linked with psychological health or distress.

Game theory, long associated with economics classrooms and high-stakes negotiations, is finding renewed relevance in the modern workplace, as recent psychology research highlights its potential to reshape how Thais can thrive in both local and global job markets. Insights featured in a new Forbes article by psychologist Mark Travers suggest that applying game theory principles thoughtfully—not rigidly—can help employees and leaders better navigate collaboration, motivation, and career advancement, even amidst complex social dynamics (Forbes).

In Thailand’s fast-changing economy, game theory can inform how professionals collaborate, stay motivated, and advance. A recent analysis suggests that applying game theory thoughtfully—without rigid rules—helps Thai employees and leaders navigate teamwork and global competition. The idea blends logic with psychology, recognizing how rewards and emotions shape effort.

Game theory studies strategic interactions where outcomes depend on others’ choices. Motivation, however, isn’t only a cold calculation. Brain science supports the “Expected Value of Control” concept: people invest effort when the potential reward matters and when they believe their actions can influence results. This aligns with core game-theory questions and underscores how mindset influences performance in Thai offices.

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.

A simple number holds surprising power for how we think, tell stories, and make choices. A recent feature in Psychology Today shows why triads recur in myths, debates, and laws, offering insights relevant to education, marketing, and Thai traditions. For Thai readers, understanding this pattern can illuminate how we learn, speak, and honor cultural rituals.

From genie wishes to the Three Wise Men and Goldilocks’ bears, triads appear across narratives. Classic literature leans on threes too, with well-known phrases and tropes framed in three parts. The enduring presence invites a basic question: why this number? Why not four or five? The answer lies in how our brains detect rhythm and structure.

From childhood fairy tales to persuasive speeches, the number three casts a long shadow over the human imagination. A recent feature in Psychology Today, “The Rule of Three: Why We’re Fascinated by Trios,” delves into this fascinating cognitive tendency, exploring why threes appear so often in our stories, beliefs, and even laws. Understanding this preference offers insights not only into communication and culture but also into education, marketing, and even Thai traditions.

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.