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Cognitive shift explains children’s growing understanding of emotions

Why do young children often miss the emotions behind adult expressions? A pioneering study led by researcher Xie Wanze from Peking University's School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, in collaboration with professor Seth Pollak from the University of Wisconsin, reveals that the answer lies in a cognitive shift.

4 Aug 2025

Ultrasound descriptions may shape how parents view their unborn children

Most parents can think back to the first ultrasound image they saw of their unborn child, and may even be able to remember what impression that image had on them.

22 Jul 2025

New reviews highlight urgent need for GI cancer screening in younger adults

Early-onset gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are rising at alarming rates worldwide and, in the U.S., are increasing faster than any other type of early-onset cancer, including breast cancer, according to two recent literature reviews from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

17 Jul 2025

Study reveals key social factors that support preterm children's mental health

Around 8% of all births in England are preterm. Despite improvements in neonatal care and survival, preterm children still have more difficulties in later life than their peers, including a higher risk of mental health problems, which have not improved in recent decades.

16 Jul 2025

Maternal depression found to disrupt key parenting behaviors

Mothers experiencing depression have considerable challenges across multiple parenting domains, according to a global systematic review published in the July issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry, part of the Lippincott portfolio from Wolters Kluwer.

11 Jul 2025

Early therapy for preschool depression shows long lasting benefits

Depression affects 1%-2% of children younger than 13 in the U.S. and can arise as early as age 3, but a specialized therapeutic intervention can help preschool-aged children find relief from this condition - with benefits lasting at least four years, according to a new study led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

27 Jun 2025

Study shows the correlation between stressed parents and self-harming in adolescents

One in ten Norwegian adolescents has engaged in deliberate self-harm without intending to commit suicide.

26 Jun 2025

Sensory sensitivity and partner support shape perinatal depression trajectories

Persistent sadness, fatigue, changes in sleep and appetite, or loss of interest are common symptoms in mothers suffering from perinatal depression.

18 Jun 2025

Hidden pressures behind Instagrams family meal trends

The study analyzes Instagram's family meal content, highlighting its role in shaping unrealistic expectations and perpetuating gender norms in parenting.

17 Jun 2025

Rising homelessness among pregnant and parenting people in Canada

Homelessness is increasing in pregnant and parenting people in Canada, posing health risks to children. Authors of a commentary in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.241623 argue it is a health crisis that needs urgent attention.

16 Jun 2025

Study: Parents are investing more in youth sports than ever before

Parents, it is not just your imagination – you are spending more time, money and resources on your kids' sports activities than moms and dads from previous generations.

13 Jun 2025

Unpredictable caregiving rewires the brain’s threat response

Research shows unpredictable caregiving alters brain responses to threats, highlighting the need for stable environments in childhood for healthy development.

12 Jun 2025

What’s really at stake when your child spends hours on screens?

A comprehensive meta-analysis of 132 longitudinal studies found that increased screen use in children—especially gaming—is linked to a higher risk of later socioemotional problems. These effects are small but significant, with risks accumulating over time and varying by age, gender, and type of screen activity.

12 Jun 2025

Emotional and behavioral problems linked to excessive screen use create a vicious cycle in kids

Spending too much time on screens may cause emotional and behavioral problems in children – and those problems can lead to even more screen use, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

9 Jun 2025

Teens who smoke or vape are more likely to use cannabis, study finds

German adolescents who use cigarettes or e-cigarettes are at higher risk for cannabis use, underscoring the need for effective school-based prevention programs.

5 Jun 2025

UK study shows 'takeaway night' more than just fast food for families

A UK study found that nearly all families occasionally eat takeaway food together, with most using it as a convenient, social treat. However, frequent takeaway consumption is more common in both high- and low-income families, revealing complex socio-economic patterns.

4 Jun 2025

Early brain wiring holds clues to infant emotional development

In a comprehensive Genomic Press research article, scientists have uncovered remarkable insights into how the earliest brain connections shape infant emotional development, potentially offering new ways to identify children at risk for future behavioral and emotional challenges.

3 Jun 2025