ScienceDaily: Child Psychology News

Hormone levels may provide key to understanding psychological disorders in women

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:17:17 EDT

Women at a particular stage in their monthly menstrual cycle may be more vulnerable to some of the psychological side-effects associated with stressful experiences, according to a study from UCL.

Cause of infantile amnesia revealed: New neuron formation could increase capacity for new learning, at expense of old memories

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:46:46 EDT

New research presented today shows that formation of new neurons in the hippocampus -- a brain region known for its importance in learning and remembering -- could cause forgetting of old memories by causing a reorganization of existing brain circuits. Researchers argue this reorganization could have the positive effect of clearing old memories, reducing interference and thereby increasing capacity for new learning.

More than one in five parents believe they have little influence in preventing teens from using illicit substances

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:35:35 EDT

A new report indicates that more than one in five parents of teens aged 12 to 17 (22.3 percent) think what they say has little influence on whether or not their child uses illicit substances, tobacco, or alcohol. This report by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also shows one in ten parents said they did not talk to their teens about the dangers of using tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs -- even though 67.6 percent of these parents who had not spoken to their children thought they would influence whether their child uses drugs if they spoke to them.

Consumers largely underestimating calorie content of fast food

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:38:38 EDT

People eating at fast food restaurants largely underestimate the calorie content of meals, especially large ones, according to a new article.

New screening approach uncovers potential alternative drug therapies for neuroblastoma

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:33:33 EDT

Nearly two-thirds of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma -- a common tumor that forms in the nerve cells of children -- cannot be cured using tumor-killing cancer drugs. A new study reveals a new genomic approach to screen for compounds that inhibit tumor growth by causing cancer cells to differentiate. Using this screening method, the researchers identified a compound that causes neuroblastoma cells to differentiate, uncovering promising new treatment strategies.

First successful treatment of pediatric cerebral palsy with autologous cord blood: Awoken from a persistent vegetative state

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:18:18 EDT

Medics have succeeded in treating cerebral palsy with autologous cord blood. Following a cardiac arrest with severe brain damage, a two-and-a-half year old boy had been in a persistent vegetative state -- with minimal chances of survival. Just two months after treatment with the cord blood containing stem cells, the symptoms improved significantly; over the following months, the child learned to speak simple sentences and to move.

'Boys will be boys' in U.S., but not in Asia

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:03:03 EDT

A new study shows there is a gender gap when it comes to behavior and self-control in American young children -- one that does not appear to exist in children in Asia.

Brain can be trained in compassion, study shows

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:03:03 EDT

A new study shows that adults can be trained to be more compassionate. The report investigates whether training adults in compassion can result in greater altruistic behavior and related changes in neural systems underlying compassion.

Good marriage can buffer effects of dad's depression on young children

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:05:05 EDT

What effect does a father's depression have on his young son or daughter? When fathers report a high level of emotional intimacy in their marriage, their children benefit, said a new study.

Children of married parents less likely to be obese

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:20:20 EDT

Children living in households where the parents are married are less likely to be obese, according to new research.

Overeating learned in infancy, study suggests

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:12:12 EDT

Research shows that clinical obesity at 24 months of age strongly traces back to infant feeding patterns.

Empathy plays a key role in moral judgments

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:54:54 EDT

Utilitarian judgment may arise not simply from enhanced cognitive control but also from diminished emotional processing and reduced empathy, according to new research.

Phthalates -- chemicals widely found in plastics and processed food -- linked to elevated blood pressure in children and teens

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:50:50 EDT

Plastic additives known as phthalates are odorless, colorless and just about everywhere: They turn up in flooring, plastic cups, beach balls, plastic wrap, intravenous tubing and the bodies of most Americans. Once perceived as harmless, phthalates have come under increasing scrutiny. A growing collection of evidence suggests dietary exposure to phthalates (which can leech from packaging and mix with food) may cause significant metabolic and hormonal abnormalities, especially during early development. Now, new research suggests that certain types of phthalates could pose another risk to children: compromised heart health.

Aggressive behavior linked specifically to secondhand smoke exposure in childhood

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:21:21 EDT

Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke in early childhood are more likely to grow up to physically aggressive and antisocial, regardless of whether they were exposed during pregnancy or their parents have a history of being antisocial.

Child maltreatment increases risk of adult obesity

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:57:57 EDT

Children who have suffered maltreatment are 36 percent more likely to be obese in adulthood compared to non-maltreated children, according to a new study. The authors estimate that the prevention or effective treatment of seven cases of child maltreatment could avoid one case of adult obesity.

Genetic predictors of postpartum depression uncovered

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:52:52 EDT

Researchers say they have discovered specific chemical alterations in two genes that, when present during pregnancy, reliably predict whether a woman will develop postpartum depression.

Asthma symptoms impair sleep quality and school performance in children

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:52:52 EDT

The negative effects of poorly controlled asthma symptoms on sleep quality and academic performance in urban schoolchildren has been confirmed in a new study.

Early-life traffic-related air pollution exposure linked to hyperactivity

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:12:12 EDT

Early-life exposure to traffic-related air pollution was significantly associated with higher hyperactivity scores at age 7, according to new research.

Gym class reduces probability of obesity, study finds for first time

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:36:36 EDT

Little is known about the effect of physical education on child weight, but a new study finds that increasing the amount of time that elementary schoolchildren spent in gym class reduces the probability of obesity.

Premature birth interrupts vital brain development processes leading to reduced cognitive abilities in infants

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:42:42 EDT

Researchers have for the first time used a novel form of MRI to identify crucial developmental processes in the brain that are vulnerable to the effects of premature birth. This new study shows that disruption of these specific processes can have an impact on cognitive function.

Link between childhood ADHD and obesity revealed in first long-term study

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:39:39 EDT

A new study found men diagnosed as children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were twice as likely to be obese in a 33-year follow-up study compared to men who were not diagnosed with the condition.

One in 10 teens using 'study drugs,' but parents aren't paying attention

Mon, 20 May 2013 09:44:44 EDT

Just one in 100 parents believe their kids have used prescription stimulants to boost grades, according to a new poll.

Autism: Sensory-motor or environmental enrichment may be promising approach

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:33:33 EDT

In the first successful experiment with humans using a treatment known as sensory-motor or environmental enrichment, researchers documented marked improvement in young autistic boys when compared to boys treated with traditional behavioral therapies, according to new research

Depression linked to almost doubled stroke risk in middle-aged women

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:16:16 EDT

Depression among women 47-52 years old is associated with an almost doubled risk of stroke. Researchers call for greater awareness of depression as a preventable risk factor for stroke among younger middle-aged women.

Students' diet and physical activity improve with parent communications

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:56:56 EDT

College students eat more fruits and vegetables and exercise more on days when they communicate more with their parents, according to researchers.

Most math being taught in kindergarten is old news to students

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:51:51 EDT

Kindergarten teachers report spending much of their math instructional time teaching students basic counting skills and how to recognize geometric shapes -— skills the students have already mastered before ever setting foot in the kindergarten classroom, new research finds.

Trying to be happier works when listening to upbeat music

Tue, 14 May 2013 18:53:53 EDT

Recent research discovered that an individual can indeed successfully try to be happier, especially when cheery music aids the process. This research points to ways that people can actively improve their moods and corroborates earlier research.

Flu in pregnancy may quadruple child's risk for bipolar disorder

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:14:14 EDT

Flu in pregnant mothers has been linked to a nearly fourfold increased risk that their child might develop bipolar disorder in adulthood. The findings add to mounting evidence of possible shared underlying causes and illness processes with schizophrenia, which some studies have also linked to prenatal exposure to influenza.

Relationship troubles? Some sad music might help you feel better

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:14:14 EDT

Consumers experiencing relationship problems are more likely to prefer aesthetic experiences that reflect their negative mood, according to a new study.

Higher child marriage rates associated with higher maternal and infant mortality

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:40:40 EDT

Countries in which girls are commonly married before the age of 18 have significantly higher rates of maternal and infant mortality, report researchers.

Would you ‘Like’ a drink? Youth drinking cultures, social networking and alcohol marketing

Fri, 10 May 2013 07:54:54 EDT

Preventing alcohol abuse, especially among young people, has long been a focus of public-health campaigns. But despite the well-publicized social and medical consequences of drinking too much it’s clear that for many, heavy drinking has become a normal part of life.

Future hospitalization and increased health service use may be linked to insomnia

Fri, 10 May 2013 07:53:53 EDT

New study finds insomnia may be an important indicator of future hospitalization among middle-aged and older adults.

Why we love it or hate it: Key to brand affinity and brand aversion for brands like Apple and Manchester United

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:36:36 EDT

Why do brands such as Manchester United and Apple capture hearts and minds? How do marketers make consumers develop a strong attachment for a product or service? According to a recent study it is achieved by appealing to people's aesthetic needs (enticing/annoying to the self), functional needs (enabling/disabling for the self) and spiritual needs (whether something is enriching/impoverishing).

Parental addictions linked to adult children's depression

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:33:33 EDT

The offspring of parents who were addicted to drugs or alcohol are more likely to be depressed in adulthood, according to a new study. Investigators have examined the association between parental addictions and adult depression in a representative sample of 6,268 adults, drawn from the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey.

Methylphenidate 'normalizes' activation in key brain areas in kids with ADHD, study suggests

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:33:33 EDT

The stimulant drug methylphenidate "normalizes" activation of several brain areas in young patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a new review.

Enhanced motion perception in autism may point to an underlying cause of the disorder

Wed, 08 May 2013 13:18:18 EDT

Children with autism see simple movement twice as quickly as other children their age, and this hypersensitivity to motion may provide clues to a fundamental cause of the developmental disorder, according to a new study.

Early math and reading ability linked to job and income in adulthood

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:31:31 EDT

Math and reading ability at age 7 may be linked with socioeconomic status several decades later, according to new research. The childhood abilities predict socioeconomic status in adulthood over and above associations with intelligence, education, and socioeconomic status in childhood.

Geneticists find causes for severe childhood epilepsies

Wed, 08 May 2013 09:30:30 EDT

Using a DNA sequencing technique capable of deciphering all human genes at the same time, researchers have discovered genetic mutations underlying seizure disorders in previously undiagnosed children.

Why family conflict affects some children more than others

Wed, 08 May 2013 09:28:28 EDT

New research reveals why some children are badly affected by negative family conflicts while other children survive without significant problems. Researchers found that the way in which children understood the conflicts between their parents had different effects on their emotional and behavioral problems. Where children blamed themselves for the conflicts between their parents, they were more likely to have behavioral problems, such as anti-social behavior. But if their parents' fighting or arguing led to a child feeling threatened, or fearful that the family would split up, the child was more likely to experience emotional problems, such as depression.

Father and teenagers: Desire for children affects relationship

Wed, 08 May 2013 09:28:28 EDT

The relationships of fathers to their teenaged children are apparently influenced by the nature of their previous desire for children. The more acute that this feeling is, the more closely fathers engage with their children at an everyday level.

Look! Something shiny! How some textbook visuals can hurt learning

Wed, 08 May 2013 09:24:24 EDT

Adding captivating visuals to a textbook lesson to attract children’s interest may sometimes make it harder for them to learn, a new study suggests.

Link between intimate partner violence and depression

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:56:56 EDT

Not only are women who have experienced violence from their partner (intimate partner violence) at higher risk of becoming depressed, but women who are depressed may also be at increased risk of experiencing intimate partner violence, according to a new study.

Children's 'healthy' foods marketed at children are higher in fat, sugar and salt

Tue, 07 May 2013 13:44:44 EDT

Foods being marketed to children in UK supermarkets are less healthy than those marketed to the general population according to researchers who question whether more guidelines may be needed in regulating food marketed to children.

Nerve stimulation for severe depression changes brain function

Tue, 07 May 2013 13:44:44 EDT

For nearly a decade, doctors have used implanted electronic stimulators to treat severe depression in people who don't respond to standard antidepressant treatments. Now, preliminary brain scan studies are revealing that vagus nerve stimulation brings about changes in brain metabolism weeks or even months before patients begin to feel better.

Live and learn: Most GenXers continue their education

Tue, 07 May 2013 06:11:11 EDT

More than one in every 10 members of Generation X are enrolled in classes to continue their formal educations, according to a new study. In addition, 48 percent of GenXers take continuing education courses, in-service training, and workshops required for professional licenses and certifications.

Traumatized moms avoid tough talks with kids

Mon, 06 May 2013 18:17:17 EDT

Mothers who have experienced childhood abuse, neglect or other traumatic experiences show an unwillingness to talk with their children about the child's emotional experiences, a new study shows.

Cognitive impairment in families with exceptional longevity studied

Mon, 06 May 2013 18:13:13 EDT

Researchers examines the relationship between families with exceptional longevity and cognitive impairment consistent with Alzheimer disease.

So-called cougars, sugar daddies more myth than reality

Mon, 06 May 2013 11:40:40 EDT

Despite the popular image of the rich older man or woman supporting an attractive younger spouse, a new study shows those married to younger or older mates have on average lower earnings, lower cognitive abilities, are less educated and less attractive than couples of similar ages.

Nearly 20 percent of suicidal youths have guns in their home

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:54:54 EDT

Nearly one in five children and teens found to be at risk for suicide report that there are guns in their homes, and 15 percent of those at risk for suicide with guns in the home know how to access both the guns and the bullets, according to a new study.

Many parents multi-task while driving kids

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:54:54 EDT

Many parents are putting their precious cargo at risk while driving, according to survey results.

High school athletes say concussions won't sideline them

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:54:54 EDT

Many high school football players say it's OK to play with a concussion even though they know they are at risk of serious injury, according to a new study.

Children living near toxic waste sites in developing countries may experience higher blood lead levels resulting in lower IQ

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:48:48 EDT

Researcher estimates that lead exposure could cause mental retardation in 6 in 1,000 children living near toxic waste sites.

Cyberbullying rampant among high school students: Nearly one-third of youths also report playing video/computer games for more than 3 hours a day

Sun, 05 May 2013 07:37:37 EDT

Step into a class of 30 high school students and look around. Five of them have been victims of electronic bullying in the past year. What's more, 10 of those students spend three or more hours on an average school day playing video games or using a computer for something other than school work, according to a new study.

Childhood disability rate jumps 16 percent over past decade

Sun, 05 May 2013 07:37:37 EDT

More children today have a disability than a decade ago, and the greatest increase is among kids in higher-income families, according to a new study.

90 percent of pediatric specialists not following clinical guidelines when treating preschoolers with ADHD

Sat, 04 May 2013 16:33:33 EDT

A recent study by pediatricians examined to what extent pediatric physicians adhere to American Academy of Pediatrics clinical guidelines regarding pharmacotherapy in treating young patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The results showed that more than 90 percent of medical specialists who diagnose and manage ADHD in preschoolers do not follow treatment guidelines recently published by the AAP.

Don't txt n drive: Teens not getting msg: 43 percent of youths admit to texting while driving

Sat, 04 May 2013 16:33:33 EDT

Teens can get hundreds of text messages a day, but one message they aren't getting is that they shouldn't text and drive. Nearly 43 percent of high school students of driving age who were surveyed in 2011 reported texting while driving at least once in the past 30 days, according to a new study.

Experts to focus on the science of gun safety

Sat, 04 May 2013 16:32:32 EDT

Pediatric leaders and researchers tackled the complex and often politically charged subject of gun violence.

Teens with high blood pressure have less distress, better quality of life than teens with normal blood pressure, study suggests

Fri, 03 May 2013 10:50:50 EDT

Teenagers with high blood pressure appear to have better psychological adjustment and enjoy higher quality of life than those with normal blood pressure, suggests a new study.

Violent video games have lower effects on highly-exposed teens

Fri, 03 May 2013 10:50:50 EDT

Teenagers who are highly exposed to violent video games —- three or more hours per day -— show blunted physical and psychological responses to playing a violent game, reports a new study.

Kids with conduct problems may have brains that under-react to painful images: May increase risk of adult psychopathy

Thu, 02 May 2013 13:18:18 EDT

When children with conduct problems see images of others in pain, key parts of their brains don't react in the way they do in most people. This pattern of reduced brain activity upon witnessing pain may serve as a neurobiological risk factor for later adult psychopathy, say researchers.