#Relationships

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.

Dating culture is evolving quickly, and a troubling trend called cookie jarring has sparked strong reactions among experts and young people. Many describe the behavior as distasteful and harmful to emotional well-being. Cookie jarring involves dating multiple people at once while keeping others as backups, undermining trust and self-esteem.

Digital dating makes connection easier, but cookie jarring uses a secondary option while a primary relationship might falter. Research and commentary note that this can create confusion and emotional turmoil for those kept in reserve. The practice contributes to a sense of instability in contemporary romance, especially among younger dating-app users.

Humor weaves through Thai life—from family meals and bustling markets to Songkran celebrations. New research shows humor can either strengthen bonds or quietly undermine them. Not every joke is harmless; some may erode trust, self-esteem, and emotional safety over time.

A seasoned psychologist distinguishes between benign humor—playful teasing, warmth, and self-enhancing jokes—and injurious humor such as sarcasm, ridicule, or passive contempt. The latter can hide power dynamics as light-hearted fun and weaken closeness. For Thai readers, where kreng-jai (face-saving) and harmony are central, distinguishing playful banter from harm is especially important for couples, friends, and families navigating conflict.

In Thai society, laughter is often celebrated as the glue that brings people closer together—whether amongst friends over dinner, couples strolling the markets, or families gathered during festivities like Songkran. Yet, emerging research cautions that not all laughter is created equal, especially in romantic relationships. A new wave of scientific findings reveals that humor can, at times, function less as a tool of intimacy than a weapon of subtle contempt—leaving lasting marks on trust, self-esteem, and emotional safety.

A new study highlights a connection between intense romantic obsession, heavy social media use, and everyday cognitive challenges such as memory lapses and reduced attention. Involving 600 adults, the research explores how emotional dependence in relationships interacts with online behaviors, offering insights relevant to Thailand as dating norms and digital life continue to evolve.

Romantic obsession refers to a compulsive pattern of thoughts and behaviors focused on a partner. It can include urges to preserve the relationship, mood swings, distress when apart, and persistent rumination. The study deepens this understanding by examining how such attachment influences cognitive functioning in daily life. In Thailand, where relationship expectations and online presence are deeply woven into social norms, these findings resonate with local experiences of digital dating and boundary testing in public spaces.

A recent study published in Behavioural Brain Research has revealed a significant connection between symptoms of love addiction and persistent problems with memory, attention, and cognitive performance in everyday life. The research, conducted with 600 adult participants, paints a complex picture of how intense emotional dependence in romantic relationships—along with heavy social media use—may harm mental clarity and well-being, with important implications for Thai readers as digital habits and relationship expectations evolve (PsyPost).

A new wave of psychological research reveals that while money may not buy happiness, using it to reclaim time for your loved ones might be the closest thing to a shortcut. A series of recent studies suggest that for busy couples, investments in services that free up precious hours—like food delivery or hiring cleaners—can be transformed into deeper relationship satisfaction, especially when that time is spent together in meaningful ways. This insight offers a powerful cultural lesson for urban Thai families struggling to maintain intimacy amidst ever-rising work and life demands.

A new study suggests money can’t buy happiness, but spending to reclaim time with loved ones can boost relationship satisfaction. This insight resonates with Thai couples who juggle work, commutes, and family duties in fast-paced cities.

In Thai culture, family and partnership are highly valued. The findings encourage a practical shift: invest resources to unlock quality moments with loved ones rather than pursuing financial success alone. The result could be deeper bonds and greater fulfillment.

A strong family bond remains central for many Thai households as children grow into adults. Parents seek visits that feel genuine and warm, not merely a reminder of duty. By blending international research with Thai values, families can foster visits grounded in love, respect, and shared joy.

Thai culture values closeness, reflected in rituals like Songkran’s Rod Nam Dam Hua, which symbolize respect and affection. Yet modern life often keeps adult children away. Strengthening ties requires deliberate effort, open communication, and adaptability to changing circumstances.

For many Thai parents, the hope for a close-knit family does not end when children become adults and move out. The desire to be visited—not just remembered or dutifully acknowledged—remains strong, especially as the years pass. A recent article published by VegOut Magazine unpacks eight key habits that parents should rethink if they want to foster visits driven by love rather than obligation as they age (VegOut Magazine, 2025). These insights offer a timely reminder as Thailand faces shifting familial dynamics under urbanisation and generational change.

A sweeping new review of nearly 340 studies has cast doubt on the widely held belief that similarities between long-term romantic partners are the key to relationship satisfaction and longevity. While the idea that “birds of a feather flock together” dominates Western thinking, the research finds that actual similarity in personality, interests, and background may play a much smaller role in relationship success than previously assumed. Instead, it appears the feeling of being similar to one’s partner—rather than measurable overlap—could matter most for lasting happiness together (PsyPost).

A comprehensive review of nearly 340 studies challenges the idea that matching traits predict long-term relationship success. The research suggests that actual similarity in personality, backgrounds, and interests plays only a modest role. Instead, feeling similar to a partner—perceived similarity—has a stronger link to lasting happiness and relationship stability.

For Thai readers navigating traditional values and modern dating, the findings are especially relevant. Thailand’s social landscape blends age-old beliefs about partnership with global dating culture, raising questions about what truly sustains a satisfying relationship.

A growing body of research and media coverage is challenging the long-held silence around men’s emotional struggles in romantic relationships, revealing that the pain of heartbreak, ghosting, and emotional strain has a far deeper impact on men’s mental health than previously acknowledged. This timely conversation, highlighted in a recent feature from KHOU 11+ (“I’m not OK: Why love hurts more than we admit” KHOU), offers Thai readers urgent insights into the hidden battles men face in love—and why understanding these challenges is crucial to advancing mental wellness for everyone.

A recent study explores how early-life trauma and attachment anxiety shape emotional responses during romantic conflicts over sex. Researchers find that people with higher attachment anxiety tend to experience more intense negative emotions during sexual disagreements, with childhood trauma helping explain why.

The research underscores a growing interest in how childhood experiences influence adult relationships. In Thai society, where family expectations and cultural norms around intimacy are strong, these findings are particularly relevant. Attachment theory, developed by psychologist John Bowlby, posits that early caregiver interactions set patterns for later relationships. Trauma such as neglect, abuse, or caregiver loss can disrupt secure attachment, leading to ongoing worries about abandonment or feelings of unworthiness in adulthood.

A wave of research and thoughtful coverage is lifting the veil on men’s emotional struggles in love. The pain of heartbreak, ghosting, and relationship stress can affect men’s mental health far more than many realize. This conversation is timely for Thai readers as well, highlighting why supporting men’s emotional well-being matters for families, workplaces, and communities.

In many cultures, including Thailand, men are often expected to stay stoic and self-reliant. Such “toughness” ideas can make heartbreak feel taboo. When men suppress sadness or anxiety, the consequences may surface as physical symptoms, risky behaviors, or strained relationships. Experts say openness about emotions is essential to preventing longer-term harm.

A recent study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences offers new insights into how people end romantic relationships, pinpointing three major breakup strategies that most individuals tend to use. While breakups are a universal and often painful experience, the study’s findings shed light on the underlying approaches people take—and why understanding these patterns matters for societies worldwide, including Thailand.

Breakups are common enough to be considered a near-universal life event. The emotional fallout, social consequences, and psychological scars from relationship endings are felt by millions, influencing personal well-being, work performance, and even community cohesion. In Thailand, where family harmony and social reputation are deeply valued, understanding the nuanced ways people dissolve romantic partnerships can help families, educators, mental health professionals, and couples themselves navigate these challenging moments with greater empathy and effectiveness. The new study’s findings provide a scientific foundation for supporting healthier relationship transitions in Thai society.

A new study published in Personality and Individual Differences identifies three primary ways people end romantic relationships. The research highlights how most individuals tend to handle breakups, offering insights that can help Thai families, educators, and mental health professionals support healthier transitions.

Breakups are a common life event with emotional, social, and psychological effects. In Thai communities, where family harmony and social reputation are highly valued, understanding breakup approaches can help reduce harm and preserve dignity for everyone involved. The study provides a scientific foundation for guiding couples through difficult moments with empathy and practical steps.

A UK-based psychotherapist has captured over 2.7 million viewers on TikTok by distilling the subtle and often confusing signs that may indicate someone in your life is a narcissist—a topic increasingly resonant in an era of social media-fueled misunderstanding about mental health. The therapist, who runs a therapy service and leverages digital platforms for mental health education, lists 10 critical signals that point to narcissism beyond everyday selfishness, sparking both public interest and debate about the actual meaning of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and its real-world impact.

A UK-based psychotherapist has garnered millions of views on TikTok by breaking down the subtle signs of narcissism in everyday life. The goal is to help viewers distinguish between ordinary selfishness and a deeper pattern that may affect relationships. The video’s insights are now discussed in Thai contexts where social media habits shape how people understand mental health, personality disorders, and their real-world impact.

In Thailand, conversations about mental health are increasingly shape-shifting from clinical texts to popular hashtags. Terms like narcissism, gaslighting, and ghosting circulate online, sometimes losing accuracy. The American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 defines narcissistic personality disorder as a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. Yet in daily life, signs can be nuanced and overlap with other behaviors. Research highlights the danger of oversimplified labels and the importance of professional evaluation.

A new study from McGill University shows that couples who share a common worldview experience less uncertainty and greater life satisfaction than those who do not. The research suggests that seeing the world through a similar lens helps build stronger, more resilient relationships beyond love or support alone.

For Thai readers, where family and close relationships are central, these findings reinforce enduring values while offering fresh guidance for long-term happiness in a fast-changing society. The study, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, analyzed data from nearly 1,300 adults in North America. Across five studies using lab tasks, online surveys, and controlled experiments, researchers found that couples who align in their interpretation of events report lower environmental uncertainty and a deeper sense of meaning in work and life.

A recent study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that meaning in life grows when couples share a deep, aligned view of the world and how they feel about it. Researchers found that this “shared reality” reduces uncertainty and strengthens purpose, particularly in the face of life’s challenges.

For Thai readers navigating fast-changing social pressures, the finding underscores something many already sense: emotional alignment with a partner can be a powerful anchor. When partners validate each other’s reactions and feelings, uncertainty about the outside world diminishes and a stronger sense of meaning emerges.

A groundbreaking new study is shining light on a question that strikes at the heart of human existence: How do people find true meaning in their lives? Turns out, the answer may lie closer to home than many realize. Recent research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology finds that sharing a “shared reality” with one’s romantic partner—meaning a deep alignment in how both partners view and emotionally respond to the world—significantly increases the sense of meaning in life by reducing uncertainty about life’s challenges and upheavals (studyfinds.org).

A new study identifies subtle behaviors quietly undermining healthy, meaningful relationships. Drawing on the latest psychology research, the analysis highlights five invisible patterns and offers evidence-based strategies to reverse their damage. As questions about emotional wellbeing rise in Thailand, these findings provide practical tools to nurture closer and more resilient bonds.

Thai culture has long valued harmony and family cohesion, often prioritizing consideration for others’ feelings through kreng jai. Yet relationship science suggests that silent patterns—ranging from quiet scorekeeping to harmful comparisons—can erode trust and joy even as couples strive to stay connected. With modern stressors increasing, psychologists warn that recurring, unnoticed behaviors can affect mental and physical health. Data from reputable sources shows how personal relationships influence well-being.

A timely new report is shedding light on the subtle behaviors silently working against our hopes for healthier, more fulfilling relationships. Drawing insights from the latest expert research and psychology findings, the study—featured in VegOut Magazine—details five invisible patterns that undermine connection and offers evidence-based strategies to reverse their corrosive effects. As questions surrounding emotional wellbeing and relationship satisfaction rise in Thai society, these revelations offer practical tools for nurturing closer and more resilient bonds.