Introduction: The Overlooked Pillars of Support Imagine sacrificing your own dreams, aspirations, and personal comforts for the well-being of a loved one, all while battling societal judgments and systemic inadequacies. This scenario is not uncommon for family caregivers, especially those tending to relatives with severe mental illnesses (SMI) in the Middle East. While the experiences […]
Category: Research and analysis methods

Navigating Pain with the Mind: The Mysterious Link Between Emotions and Physical Sensations
Introduction Imagine a world where a simple shift in perception could dull the sharp bite of pain or fortify you against discomfort. Such an intriguing prospect lies at the heart of emotion regulation strategies, an area gaining increasing attention within psychological research. Often, when we hurt physically, the pain seems entirely separate from our mind […]

Navigating College from Home During the Pandemic: Insights from a Mixed-Methods Study**
Introduction: The Unexpected Classroom Imagine waking up, rolling out of bed, and attending your college lectures not from the hallowed halls of academia, but from your kitchen table. This was the reality for millions of college students globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we grappled with the unprecedented challenge of a global health crisis, students […]

Beyond the Threshold: Navigating Distress with Skills That Transform
Introduction Imagine walking on a tightrope. Every gust of wind feels like an emotional turmoil threatening to send you spiraling. For patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), navigating through daily life can feel much like a precarious balancing act. BPD is often characterized by intense emotions, unstable relationships, and impulsive behaviors, leaving individuals in a […]

Understanding Self-Criticism and Self-Reassurance: What a New Scale Tells Us
— Introduction: The Dual Faces of Our Inner Dialogue Imagine having a conversation with yourself about a recent mistake. Do you berate yourself, or do you offer words of comfort and encouragement? This self-talk is not just idle chatter; it profoundly influences our mental well-being. That’s where the Short-Form of the Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking & […]

Peering into Primate Social Worlds: Screening Social Behavior in Juvenile Macaques
Introduction Imagine a world where understanding atypical social behaviors could enhance early diagnoses of conditions like autism. Picture insights cultivated not from human trials, but rooted in the animal kingdom — specifically, juvenile macaques. If this sounds like a sci-fi movie plot, it might interest you to know it’s actually cutting-edge research found in a […]

Navigating the Mind: How Mindfulness Can Tame Methamphetamine Cravings**
Introduction: A Journey into the Mind’s Intricacies Imagine trying to navigate through life with a constant urge gnawing at you—a craving so intense that it dictates your decisions and ultimately controls your life. This is a familiar reality for many methamphetamine users who find themselves trapped in a cycle that can feel nearly impossible to […]

The Time-Traveling Mind: How Immediate Experience Influences Future Choices
Introduction: Making Decisions in the Blink of an Eye Picture this: You’re at a bustling café, staring at the dessert menu. There’s the luscious chocolate cake you can enjoy now, or a slice of fruit pie you love that’ll only be available next week. What do you choose? This moment perfectly illustrates something psychologists call […]

Unveiling the Mental Health Landscape of Sub-Saharan Adolescents
Introduction: A Journey into the Unseen Struggles Imagine growing up in a vibrant tapestry of diverse cultures and landscapes, yet facing daunting challenges that your peers in other parts of the world might never experience. For many adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa, this is the reality. While adolescence is often seen as a carefree time of […]

Growing Mindful Minds: How Early Experiences Shape Young Adolescents
Introduction Imagine sitting quietly and feeling every breath as it flows in and out, your mind uncluttered by past regrets or future worries. This is the essence of mindfulness, a state of acute awareness and presence. But how does this trait take root in young minds, especially during the turbulent years of early adolescence? The […]