March 2009 - Research led by UCLA to be published in Psychosomatic Medicine has found that stress in adolescence may have a negative impact on health in adulthood. Healthy teenagers reporting interpersonal conflicts had increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) an inflammatory marker associated with later development of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Andrew J. Fuligni, professor of psychiatry, said:
"Although most research on stress and inflammation has focused upon adulthood, these results show that such links can occur as early as the teenage years, even among a healthy sample of young men and women. That suggests that alterations in the biological substrates that initiate CVD begin before adulthood."
The researchers explain that common stressors, such as arguing with family or friends, are among the most powerful predictors of psychological distress. The current study investigated the potential physiological impact in 69 individuals with an average age of 17 years from Latin American and European backgrounds. Participants completed a check-list on 14 consecutive nights, reporting any negative interpersonal interactions with family, peers or school personnel (including disagreements, harassment or punishments). The study allowed for variables as socioeconomic status, major stressful life events and over-sensitivity to rejection. Researchers found that daily interpersonal stress was associated with elevated levels of inflammation, as measured by higher levels of CRP in blood samples assayed an average of eight months later.
Andrew Fuligni commented:
"Our findings are consistent with the emerging body of evidence that points to the link between stress and increased inflammation, which places individuals at risk for the later development of cardiovascular disease."
The study also found that this association was unrelated to the individual's psychological appraisal of stressful experiences or level of sensitivity to social rejection. Researchers comment that this highlights the importance of focusing on actual daily stressful experiences in adolescence when assessing the role of psychological and social factors in development of risk for CVD.
Andrew Fuligni concluded:
"Although the frequency of some of these experiences may be low, they could have a significant impact upon long-term physical health during adulthood."
Source:http://www.psyarticles.com/stress/teen-stress.htm
Showing posts with label Psychological Articles. Show all posts
Women Feel More Guilt
March 2010 - Research from the University of the Basque Country published in the Spanish Journal of Psychology found that despite changing attitudes towards interpersonal relationships, women feel significantly more guilt than men. This did not simply reflect higher levels of this emotion in women but a lack of it in men.
Lead author Itziar Etxebarria explained:
"Our initial hypothesis was that feelings of guilt are more intense among females, not only among adolescents but also among young and adult women, and they also show the highest scores for interpersonal sensitivity."
The study was based on data from an equal number of male and female subjects across the age range: 156 teenagers, 96 young people and 108 adults.
Participants were asked to identify situations in which they felt most guilt. They also completed interpersonal sensitivity tests - the Davis Empathetic Concern Scale, and a questionnaire on Interpersonal Guilt, developed specifically for this research.
Researchers found that intensity of habitual guilt was significantly higher for women in all three age groups but particularly in those between 40-50 years. They also identified gender differences in interpersonal sensitivity, although the disparity was less marked in that age group. Generally, levels of interpersonal sensitivity in men (especially those aged between 25-33) was found to be "comparatively low". Researchers suggest this could have detrimental effects on relationships and social functioning, for example inability to feel empathy for others and failure to take responsibility.
In a previous study, researchers analysed two manifestations of guilt, empathy and anxiety-aggression. They found the latter type more prevalent in subjects who were governed by strict expectations of behaviour as a consequence of their upbringing.
Itziar Etxebarria said:
"It seems obvious that this component will be more intense among women, and especially in older women."
The researchers conclude that this may explain the significant differences in intensity of habitual guilt in women aged 40-50 despite convergence with male interpersonal sensitivity scores.
Itziar Etxebarria concluded:
"Educational practices and a whole range of socialising agents must be used to reduce the trend towards anxious-aggressive guilt among women and to strengthen interpersonal sensitivity among men."
Source: http://www.psyarticles.com/values/guilt.htm
Lead author Itziar Etxebarria explained:
"Our initial hypothesis was that feelings of guilt are more intense among females, not only among adolescents but also among young and adult women, and they also show the highest scores for interpersonal sensitivity."
The study was based on data from an equal number of male and female subjects across the age range: 156 teenagers, 96 young people and 108 adults.
Participants were asked to identify situations in which they felt most guilt. They also completed interpersonal sensitivity tests - the Davis Empathetic Concern Scale, and a questionnaire on Interpersonal Guilt, developed specifically for this research.
Researchers found that intensity of habitual guilt was significantly higher for women in all three age groups but particularly in those between 40-50 years. They also identified gender differences in interpersonal sensitivity, although the disparity was less marked in that age group. Generally, levels of interpersonal sensitivity in men (especially those aged between 25-33) was found to be "comparatively low". Researchers suggest this could have detrimental effects on relationships and social functioning, for example inability to feel empathy for others and failure to take responsibility.
In a previous study, researchers analysed two manifestations of guilt, empathy and anxiety-aggression. They found the latter type more prevalent in subjects who were governed by strict expectations of behaviour as a consequence of their upbringing.
Itziar Etxebarria said:
"It seems obvious that this component will be more intense among women, and especially in older women."
The researchers conclude that this may explain the significant differences in intensity of habitual guilt in women aged 40-50 despite convergence with male interpersonal sensitivity scores.
Itziar Etxebarria concluded:
"Educational practices and a whole range of socialising agents must be used to reduce the trend towards anxious-aggressive guilt among women and to strengthen interpersonal sensitivity among men."
Source: http://www.psyarticles.com/values/guilt.htm
Keep Busy, Keep Happy
August 2010 - Individuals who keep busy, even with relatively pointless activity, tend to be happier than those who do not, according to research from the University of Chicago and Shanghai Jiaotong University published in Psychological Science.
Researchers conclude that the desire to avoid the boredom and depression associated with idleness is a significant motivator after factors such as the need to earn a living or help others are taken into account.
Co-author Christopher K. Hsee explained:
"The general phenomenon I'm interested in is why people are so busy doing what they are doing in modern society. People are running around, working hard, way beyond the basic level."
Volunteers were asked to complete a survey and then wait 15 minutes until the next survey was ready. They were given the choice of returning the completed survey at a nearby location and do nothing until the 15 minutes had elapsed or use a more distant point, walking to which would use up the time. Both choices were rewarded with a candy when the survey was delivered. Participants who avoided idleness by going to the more distant location were found to be happier than those who did not.
The study also found that if the same candy was offered at both locations, participants were more likely to choose the nearer option. However, if the candies were different, participants were more likely to choose the more distant location. Researchers suggest this was because they were able to identify a reason for the trip. They conclude that using the principle that people like being busy and being able to justify it could have wider application.
Christopher K. Hsee said:
"If we can devise a mechanism for idle people to engage in activity that is at least not harmful, I think it is better than destructive busyness."
Sources: http://www.psyarticles.com/emotion/busy-happy.htm
Researchers conclude that the desire to avoid the boredom and depression associated with idleness is a significant motivator after factors such as the need to earn a living or help others are taken into account.
Co-author Christopher K. Hsee explained:
"The general phenomenon I'm interested in is why people are so busy doing what they are doing in modern society. People are running around, working hard, way beyond the basic level."
Volunteers were asked to complete a survey and then wait 15 minutes until the next survey was ready. They were given the choice of returning the completed survey at a nearby location and do nothing until the 15 minutes had elapsed or use a more distant point, walking to which would use up the time. Both choices were rewarded with a candy when the survey was delivered. Participants who avoided idleness by going to the more distant location were found to be happier than those who did not.
The study also found that if the same candy was offered at both locations, participants were more likely to choose the nearer option. However, if the candies were different, participants were more likely to choose the more distant location. Researchers suggest this was because they were able to identify a reason for the trip. They conclude that using the principle that people like being busy and being able to justify it could have wider application.
Christopher K. Hsee said:
"If we can devise a mechanism for idle people to engage in activity that is at least not harmful, I think it is better than destructive busyness."
Sources: http://www.psyarticles.com/emotion/busy-happy.htm
Attractive Women Can Be Disadvantaged
August 2010 - Attractive women may experience discrimination when applying for jobs traditionally considered "masculine" and where appearance is not considered important, according to research led by the University of Colorado Denver Business School published in the Journal of Social Psychology. This includes positions like manager of research and development, director of finance, mechanical engineer and construction supervisor. No such discrimination was experienced by attractive men.
Lead author Stefanie Johnson, assistant professor of management, said:
"In these professions being attractive was highly detrimental to women. In every other kind of job, attractive women were preferred.
This wasn't the case with men which shows that there is still a double standard when it comes to gender."
The researchers reviewed numerous studies that conclude physically attractive individuals enjoy considerable advantages such as:
* higher salaries
* better performance evaluations
* higher levels of college admissions
* better responses from voters when running for public office
* more favorable trial outcomes
They cite a Newsweek survey of 202 hiring managers and 964 members of the public that concluded that looks are important in all aspects of the workplace, especially for women employees. Looks ranked third out of nine 'character' attributes above education and sense of humor.
Researchers identified two studies that found that being attractive made applicants for most jobs seem more suitable irrespective of gender. However, women experienced greater benefit when applying for feminine sex-typed jobs compared to less traditional roles.
In one experiment, volunteers were asked to assign photographs of 55 male and 55 female applicants according to their suitability for a variety of jobs. Appearance was considered unimportant for jobs like director of security, hardware salesperson, prison guard and tow truck driver. Attractive women tended to be overlooked in these categories, but were linked with positions like receptionist or secretary.
Researchers caution against allowing stereotypes about physical appearance to influence hiring decisions at the expense of the overall characteristics of the applicant.
Stefanie Johnson commented:
"One could argue that, under certain conditions, physical appearance may be a legitimate basis for hiring. In jobs involving face-to-face client contact, such as sales, more physically attractive applicants could conceivably perform better than those who are less attractive. However it is important that physical attractiveness is weighed equally for men and women to avoid discrimination against women."
Source: http://www.psyarticles.com/inter-personal/appearance-disadvantage.htm
Lead author Stefanie Johnson, assistant professor of management, said:
"In these professions being attractive was highly detrimental to women. In every other kind of job, attractive women were preferred.
This wasn't the case with men which shows that there is still a double standard when it comes to gender."
The researchers reviewed numerous studies that conclude physically attractive individuals enjoy considerable advantages such as:
* higher salaries
* better performance evaluations
* higher levels of college admissions
* better responses from voters when running for public office
* more favorable trial outcomes
They cite a Newsweek survey of 202 hiring managers and 964 members of the public that concluded that looks are important in all aspects of the workplace, especially for women employees. Looks ranked third out of nine 'character' attributes above education and sense of humor.
Researchers identified two studies that found that being attractive made applicants for most jobs seem more suitable irrespective of gender. However, women experienced greater benefit when applying for feminine sex-typed jobs compared to less traditional roles.
In one experiment, volunteers were asked to assign photographs of 55 male and 55 female applicants according to their suitability for a variety of jobs. Appearance was considered unimportant for jobs like director of security, hardware salesperson, prison guard and tow truck driver. Attractive women tended to be overlooked in these categories, but were linked with positions like receptionist or secretary.
Researchers caution against allowing stereotypes about physical appearance to influence hiring decisions at the expense of the overall characteristics of the applicant.
Stefanie Johnson commented:
"One could argue that, under certain conditions, physical appearance may be a legitimate basis for hiring. In jobs involving face-to-face client contact, such as sales, more physically attractive applicants could conceivably perform better than those who are less attractive. However it is important that physical attractiveness is weighed equally for men and women to avoid discrimination against women."
Source: http://www.psyarticles.com/inter-personal/appearance-disadvantage.htm
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