Author: dispatchtimes news

A massive genetic analysis has identified hundreds of specific DNA variations tied to human personality. The findings suggest that the genetic basis of personality is highly consistent across different populations and is not heavily skewed by a person’s family environment. The research was published in Nature. Massive GWAS links hundreds of genetic variants to personality Personality is typically understood through the Big Five framework: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience. These traits are relatively stable over a person’s life and shape important outcomes such as health, career success and well-being. Scientists know genetics play a role in shaping…

A new study suggests that a child’s genetic propensity for attention‑deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be linked to an increased risk of their parents dissolving their partnership. Led by researchers from Purdue University and the University of Oslo, the team analysed how a child’s polygenic index for ADHD relates to parental outcomes such as marriage, additional children and separation. The work used data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study, examining about 40,000 genotyped family trios – mother, father and child – with genetic information collected during pregnancy and at birth. The researchers then matched these genetic profiles…

China’s universal two-child policy appears to have coincided with an unexpected rise in depressive symptoms among many married women of reproductive age, a new analysis suggests. The study found that women exposed to the policy faced a higher risk of moderate to severe depression, particularly when confronted with conflicting family pressures or financial constraints, and it was published in Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences. The period between ages 20 and 40 is a time of heightened vulnerability to mental health challenges for women, the researchers note. Biological changes, career development and shifting social identities intersect to shape psychological well-being, making fertility…

A new study has found that a measurement of body fat distribution known as the body roundness index may help identify depression risk in older adults experiencing cognitive decline, particularly among those with dementia. The research shows that dementia patients in the highest quarter of the body roundness index were more than three times as likely to experience depression compared with those in the lowest quarter, with the finding published in the Journal of Health Psychology. Dementia is a major global health concern marked by objective cognitive deficits and functional impairment. The study notes that about 45 per cent of…

A new study suggests that dark personality traits may be linked to real-world creative achievement through a field-independent thinking style, a highly analytical way of processing information. The research, published in Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, identifies field independence as a cognitive bridge between the Dark Triad traits and concrete creative accomplishments. The Dark Triad comprises Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism. Machiavellian individuals are described as manipulative and strategic, while psychopathy involves impulsivity and a lack of empathy, and narcissism centres on an inflated sense of self-importance and a craving for attention. Although these traits are viewed negatively, they…

A new study suggests that couples who are on the same page about physical affection report higher relationship well-being, with the effect strongest when they are in private spaces. The research analysed responses from more than 1,800 individuals in romantic relationships and examined both average comfort with touch and perceived differences between partners. Physical touch between romantic partners is linked to a range of physiological and psychological benefits. Activities such as holding hands, hugging and kissing can reduce stress, support immune function and foster a sense of security. Touch is known to improve cardiovascular functioning and trigger the release of…

A small pilot trial in the United States has found that combining a brief form of couples therapy with MDMA can produce substantial improvements in both PTSD symptoms and relationship satisfaction among veterans and their partners. The study delivered two day-long MDMA dosing sessions to the diagnosed veteran, while the partner attended all sessions but did not receive the drug. PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by traumatic experiences, with symptoms including flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety. When PTSD afflicts a veteran, the resulting strain can extend into the intimate relationship, undermining communication and a sense of safety between…

A study into adolescent narcissism and popularity, conducted in a tightly run residential setting for at‑risk youths, has found that grandiose narcissism can briefly boost peer-perceived status, but this does not translate into being liked by classmates. The work, led by Christopher Barry of Washington State University, examined how two forms of narcissism relate to two forms of social status within a controlled environment. Adolescence is a period marked by shifting social dynamics and a heightened focus on peer relationships. During this phase, traits such as egocentrism and narcissism can arise as teenagers form identities and assert independence from parents.…

A new study suggests that spontaneous mind wandering—an unintentional drift of attention away from a task—predicts distinct aspects of ADHD symptoms in adults, indicating two separate mechanisms by which off-task thoughts may influence attention. The research, published in the Journal of Attention Disorders, identifies both a general tendency to experience spontaneous mind wandering in daily life and a momentary drop in performance during such episodes as linked to higher ADHD traits. The team is led by Takehiro Minamoto, an associate professor of psychology at Shimane University, with Takuma Hayashi and Md Abdullah Al-Mamun among the co-authors. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental…