On This Page:ToggleMethodologyMethodological ConsiderationsDealing With BiasEthical Issues On This Page:Toggle On This Page: Cross-cultural research allows you to identify important similarities and differences across cultures. This research approach involves comparing two or more cultural groups on psychological variables of interest to understand the links between culture and psychology better. As Matsumoto and van de Vijver (2021) explain, cross-cultural comparisons test the boundaries of knowledge in psychology. Findings from these studies promote international cooperation and contribute to theories accommodating both cultural and individual variation....

Doctors and psychiatrists have been prescribing depression medication for decades — taking antidepressants is often the first-line treatment formajor depressive disorder(MDD), which affects anestimated 21 million adultsin the United States every year. Yet, whilecountless studiesconfirm the efficacy of antidepressant medication, it’s still natural to wonder: do antidepressants work?Hesitation is natural — it can stem from worrying about antidepressant drug side effects or wanting to use holistic andnatural remedies to treat depression....

Mindfulness is the practice of purposefully bringing one’s attention to the present moment without judgment. It involves paying attention to thoughts, feelings, and sensations in a curious and open way, allowing them to come and go without getting caught up in them. The goal is increased awareness and acceptance of the present. Key Points Rationale Mindfulness interventionsaim to teach non-judgmental acceptance and observation of moment-to-moment experiences, including difficult emotions, sensations, and beliefs....

Dyadic coping refers to how two closely connected people (a dyad) interact and mutually support each other when dealing with a stressful situation that impacts them both. It is a dynamic, transactional process that involves coping behaviors, thought processes, communication styles, and other mechanisms that unfold within a dyadic framework. One partner takes over responsibilities from the stressed partner to ease their load.For example, if one partner is stressed from overwork, the other may take on more household and childcare duties proactively....

Ending a friendship can feel like a betrayal, a painful severing of shared memories and experiences. However, just like romantic relationships, friendships grow and evolve. Not all friendships are meant to last a lifetime, and holding onto what no longer nourishes can leave us feeling drained. The importance of setting boundaries andparting ways in romantic connectionshas become widely recognized. In the same way, it is equally necessary to do the same in friendships, as not every bond withstands the test of time....

Intergenerational continuity refers to the degree to which experiences, behaviors, and outcomes repeat or are transmitted across generations within a family. It captures the extent to which the lives of parents and their offspring are “linked” such that parents who experience a given circumstance tend to have children who experience similar circumstances.Atherton, O. E., Graham, E. K., Dorame, A. N., Horgan, D., Luo, J., Nevarez, M. D., Ferrie, J. P., Spiro, A....

Emotion judgments are people’s valenced thoughts and feelings in response to their emotions. People can make both positive and negative judgments about their emotions. Positive judgments involve seeing emotions as good, helpful, appropriate, or useful. Negative judgments involve seeing emotions as bad, inappropriate, or harmful. These judgments are important parts of people’s emotional reactions. Emotion judgments may powerfully shape overall emotion experiences and well-being. Key Points Rationale Emotion regulation research has focused extensively on people’s initial emotional responses, but less is known about how people subsequently evaluate and judge their initial emotions (Leger et al....

Phonological working memory involves temporarily storing and manipulating speech-based information. It underlies critical abilities like following instructions and sound-to-meaning mappingin reading. Key Points Rationale Past research has reliably demonstrated phonological working memory deficits in children with ADHD, with meta-analyses showing moderate-to-large magnitude between-group effects (Kasper et al., 2012; Martinussen et al., 2005). Performance accuracy serves as the predominant metric, simply quantifying the percentage of correct trials. This approach reliably indexes general working memory ability but lacks specificity regarding underlying neurocognitive processes contributing to impairment (Roberts et al....

Key Points Rationale Prior research has established robust links between attachment insecurity and PTSD symptoms following trauma (Woodhouse et al., 2015). This study provides proof of concept for a recently proposed trauma and attachment model (Marshall & Frazier, 2019). This model argues that those high inattachment anxietyengage in hyperactivating strategies designed to intensify distress and draw attention/comfort from others. Those high inattachment avoidanceengage in deactivating strategies designed to suppress distressing emotions and maintain independence....

Updated 8/29/2024 While depression medication efficacy is proven — and can be further enhanced when combined with therapy and other forms of depression treatment — many people seek alternatives to antidepressants. They might do so because they’re concerned about the common side effects of antidepressant drugs, their medication doesn’t work the way they want it to, or they simply want to take a more holistic approach to treating their mental health condition....

Grief is something everyone will experience at some point in life. It’s a universal reaction to loss that’s unavoidable. Yet, while it’s a journey everyone must eventually take, the path to healing from grief is unique. No two people’s experiences with grief are the same, which makes the grief journey even more lonely, painful, and difficult to navigate. The good thing is, grief counseling can help. There are several benefits to grief support therapy....

Updated 8/29/2024Anxiety is a common but highly treatable condition.Research showsit impacts the lives of 40 million American adults each year, making it themost commonmental health condition in the country. However, despite the efficacy of anxiety treatment options,less than 40%of people seek help.Anxiety can manifest with emotional and physical symptoms that affect your day-to-day. Recognizing possible signs you need anxiety medication is crucial if you hope to prevent it from wreaking further havoc on your life....

Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently struggle with organizational skills like planning tasks, using organizational strategies, and managing materials. These difficulties are hypothesized to arise partly from problems withexecutive functioning.Executive functions are higher-order cognitive processes that regulate decision-making and goal-directed behaviors. Core executive functions that develop in childhood includeworking memory, which allows temporarily manipulating information, and inhibitory control, or resistingimpulsive behaviors. Deficits in these self-regulation capacities are thought interfere with effectively applying organizational knowledge and routines....

On This Page:ToggleCharacteristicsData CollectionData AnalysisPreventing BiasEstablishing TrustworthinessAdvantagesLimitations On This Page:Toggle On This Page: Qualitative research is a type ofresearch methodologythat focuses on gathering and analyzing non-numerical data to gain a deeper understanding of human behavior, experiences, and perspectives. Unlike quantitative research, which focuses on gathering and analyzing numerical data for statistical analysis, qualitative research involves researchers interpreting data to identify themes, patterns, and meanings. Examples of qualitative research questions include: Characteristics Naturalistic setting Individuals are studied in their natural setting to gain a deeper understanding of how people experience the world....

Emotion regulationdifficulties refer to problems effectively modulating emotional experiences and expressions. This can involve heightened emotional reactivity, suddenmood swings, and poor control overimpulsive behaviorswhen upset. People with ADHD often exhibit such emotion dysregulation alongside attention deficits and hyperactive symptoms, indicating shared underlying brain dysfunction. Difficulties controlling cognitive processes also lead to issues managing internal emotional states. Key Points Rationale Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)involves problems with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity....