#Psychology

As Thailand’s healthcare system modernises and more children with complex health needs survive and thrive, a crucial question is gaining prominence: are we truly supporting the parents who shoulder the day-to-day care of sick or disabled children—or could we be unintentionally making their burden heavier? Echoing concerns raised in a recent commentary by The Guardian, leading-edge research highlights that while the journey of parenting often appears communal, families dealing with illness or disability travel a far lonelier, more taxing road that requires nuanced support from society, healthcare providers, and government systems (The Guardian).

A new wave of scientific research is shedding light on the psychological and neurobiological roots of ideological extremism, revealing that certain mental traits may make people more susceptible to radical beliefs. According to recent findings discussed in Big Think, renowned researcher Dr. Leor Zmigrod, author of the book “The Ideological Brain,” has identified four principal psychological markers that correlate closely with extremist ideologies: cognitive rigidity, emotional volatility, differences in the amygdala, and structural traits within the prefrontal cortex.

Reparenting, a therapeutic approach that focuses on healing childhood emotional wounds, is gaining traction in Thailand’s mental wellness scene. This trend reflects a broader shift toward self-compassion, emotional regulation, and personal growth among Thai readers and practitioners alike.

The core idea centers on the “inner child”—the part of us shaped by early experiences. When basic needs were unmet, reparenting invites individuals to nurture that inner child with the care and affirmation a loving adult would provide. Advocates say this can improve relationships, reduce reactivity, and build resilience.

Recent research and renewed public interest have brought “reparenting”—a therapeutic approach for healing emotional wounds from childhood—into the spotlight in Western psychological circles and increasingly in Thailand’s mental wellness community. As outlined in a recent article in The New York Times, reparenting has found a dedicated following on social media platforms, bookshelves, and in private counseling offices. This interest marks a significant shift in how both individuals and mental health professionals approach unresolved issues from early life, emphasizing stronger self-compassion and personal growth (The New York Times).

A growing question in Thailand’s evolving health system is how to best support parents who care for children with chronic illness or disability. International studies echo a troubling finding: caregiving can take a heavy psychological toll on families, often leaving parents feeling isolated and overwhelmed.

For many Thai families, parenting a child with significant health needs means stepping off the traditional path. While new parents often rely on support networks, caregivers of chronically ill children frequently struggle to find empathy and practical help from family and friends.

In Thailand, many people wrestle with the feeling of being “too much” or “not enough.” Too sensitive, too quiet, not accomplished enough, not funny enough. Recent research and expert commentary show this emotional limbo is common and can be understood and addressed. This revised piece offers reassurance and practical steps tailored for Thai readers navigating cultural norms around harmony and social acceptance.

Thai society prizes social harmony, respect, and balancing personal expression with community expectations. The tension between wanting to stand out and fearing invisibility is a familiar struggle. The inner critic—labels like “too loud” or “not reserved enough”—often draws power from societal expectations and early experiences. In a culture that values collective well‑being and deference to authority, these internal standards can intensify self-doubt and shape behavior.

Many people find themselves trapped in a cycle of wondering whether they are “too much” or “not enough”—too sensitive, too quiet, not accomplished enough, not funny enough. Recent research and expert commentary indicate that this persistent sense of emotional limbo is both common and rooted in psychological mechanisms that can be understood and addressed. A recent article published by VegOut Mag captures the inner struggle: after an event or conversation, many people replay their words and actions, second-guessing themselves or feeling like outsiders who can never quite fit in. For Thai readers, who often face strong cultural norms around harmony and social acceptance, these findings have particularly powerful resonance.

A new study shows that adopted teenagers approach romance and relationships about the same as non-adopted youths. The findings challenge old assumptions about adoption and adolescent adjustment and offer reassurance to families and educators in Thailand and beyond.

In Thailand, attitudes toward adoption are evolving, yet misconceptions linger. Some parents and teachers worry that adopted youths may face emotional or social challenges in dating and intimacy. The latest evidence suggests these fears may be overstated.

A new study in The Journal of Social Psychology links national narcissism to emotional impairment, showing that people with inflated pride in their country struggle to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of others. This emotional gap is connected to a greater tendency to dehumanize others, including fellow citizens and outsiders.

The findings resonate beyond academia. In Thailand, where social harmony and peaceful coexistence are valued, understanding the emotional roots of nationalist attitudes can guide educators, policymakers, and communities. As debates over identity and global migration continue, these insights support efforts to nurture emotionally intelligent and cohesive societies.

A growing body of research shows how leaders with narcissistic traits respond when confronted with errors. High-profile figures, including former political leaders, often react defensively or aggressively. Findings suggest these patterns reflect broader dynamics in workplaces and governments worldwide, with clear implications for Thailand’s evolving business, public sector, and academic communities.

Narcissistic leaders tend to deny mistakes, blame others, gaslight critics, minimize issues, erupt in anger, withdraw, or cast themselves as victims when errors surface. These responses reflect fragile self-esteem that cannot tolerate personal fault. Understanding these dynamics helps Thai organizations manage risk, preserve trust, and sustain learning as the country modernizes its institutions.

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).

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 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.

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).

Recent psychology insights suggest that, when guided by professionals, rage and revenge fantasies can aid emotional processing for trauma survivors. A trauma therapist notes that such fantasies may restore a sense of empowerment and support healing, rather than being merely destructive.

Anger is often framed as something to suppress. Yet the discussed case describes a survivor who endured a mass shooting and acknowledged intense revenge fantasies in therapy. Rather than judging these feelings, the therapist guided her to explore them in a confidential, clinical setting. The goal was to understand what the fantasies signified about safety and personal agency.

A new look at attraction suggests that women notice three facial features first when judging a man’s appearance: the lips, jawline, and cheekbones. Decades of social psychology research underpin this finding, which has been covered in modern media that translate science for general audiences.

For Thai readers, these findings offer a lens on how beauty ideas travel across cultures. Thai notions of attractiveness traditionally emphasize facial harmony and clear skin, while contemporary trends often celebrate sharp jawlines and defined cheekbones in public figures and everyday style icons. The research connects global science with local conversations about what is valued in appearance and impression management.

In a fascinating turn for relationship sciences, new research has shed light on the specific facial features women notice first when evaluating a man’s attractiveness. Contrary to the prevailing idea that broad general impressions or stereotypically “obvious” features dominate initial attraction, evidence now points overwhelmingly to three key facial characteristics: the lips, jawline, and cheekbones. This revelation comes from a 2009 study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology and has been widely discussed in contemporary media, including recent analysis by YourTango and ScienceDaily (YourTango; ScienceDaily).

A new analysis released on July 6, 2025, from a respected behavioral expert highlights that humans are born with core dispositions—what the author calls “basic humanity.” As we grow, we navigate these primal instincts and often contradict them. The study explores how inner drives shape well-being and social interaction, with clear relevance for Thai families, schools, and communities.

Thai culture has long valued harmony, interdependence, and emotional restraint. At the same time, modernization pushes toward individual autonomy. The findings help explain Thai family dynamics, classroom relationships, and workplace culture, tying into current discussions on mental health in Thailand and beyond. Data from local health and education authorities show growing interest in how innate drives influence daily life and social well‑being.

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.

Time often seems to sprint as we age, a feeling echoed by Thai families across the country. New research summarized in the European Review sheds light on why our brains mark time differently as we grow older and offers practical steps to savor daily life, tailored for Thai readers.

The core idea is simple: time perception shifts with life stages. Children experience many firsts—new classrooms, skills, and activities—that flood the brain with distinct memories. Adults tend to follow routines, creating fewer novel moments. When daily life becomes predictable, days and months blur, and time feels faster.

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 analysis examines two dramatic ends of romantic attachment: obsessive love, or mania, and philophobia, a deep fear of intimacy. The discussion, highlighted in Forbes, suggests these extremes shape how people experience closeness and how professionals support healthier connections.

For Thai readers, where family cohesion and filial duties are highly valued, the study offers timely insight into how universal the psychology of love can be. In a culture that prizes long-term commitments and respectful partnerships, understanding both intense attachment and avoidance helps navigate romance, friendships, and family ties with greater empathy and balance.

Talking to pets as if they are people may do more than entertain our furry friends — it could reflect and even strengthen vital emotional skills for their human companions, according to emerging research and expert analysis. As pet ownership grows steadily in Thailand and worldwide, scientists and psychologists are delving deeper into the social and psychological benefits of treating pets as conversational partners, with recent studies suggesting that these interactions are closely linked to seven distinct emotional strengths.

A new report spotlighting “time vampires”—those small but persistent inefficiencies that waste our daily hours—has revealed why so many Thais feel perennially busy despite advances in productivity tools and digital conveniences. The Psychology Today article “5 Time Vampires Everyone Should Watch Out For” written by a clinical psychologist, offers practical insights into how seemingly minor habits add up to a significant drain on our lives, a finding with deep resonance in Thai society where busyness is often equated with virtue.