Shocking new study from UC-Davis offers potential hope for a cure for autism. Treatment at the earliest age when autism spectrum disorder is detectable — in infants as young as 6 months old — significantly reduces symptoms so that by age 3 most who received the therapy had neither autism nor delay, a research study has found. Early identification crucial Children diagnosed with autism typically receive early intervention beginning at 3 to 4 years, six to eight times later than... Read more
New research adds to the body of evidence showing that adolescents who embrace their faith have a much lower risk of (1) drug and alcohol abuse, (2) promiscuity, and (3) narcissism and an increased degree of (4) “prosocial” (i.e., friendly, socially conscious) behavior when compared to their non-practicing peers. Study findings, which support a growing body of research, suggest that young people who connect to a “higher power” may feel a greater sense of purpose and are less likely to... Read more
A post at Catholic Exchange by my associate at the Pastoral Solutions Institute, Dave McClow. So how does a diocese get 12,000 to consecrate themselves to Mary to deepen their friendship with Christ? Certainly the answer is through the Holy Spirit! But he always works through people. It was our spiritual father that led, but in a theologically appropriate “detail,” the diocesan-wide consecration was suggested by a woman! So it all starts with a woman in the diocese named Ida... Read more
Simply telling people that hard work is more important than genetics causes positive changes in the brain and may make them willing to try harder, a study shows. “Giving people messages that encourage learning and motivation may promote more efficient performance,” said the lead investigator. “In contrast, telling people that intelligence is genetically fixed may inadvertently hamper learning.” Telling people…that hard work trumps genes causes instant changes in the brain and may make them more willing to strive for success,... Read more
It’s the feast of my Patron Saint, Pope St. Gregory the Great, Doctor of the Church Read more
Everyone knows that having healthy relationships promote well being, but how, exactly do they do that? A new study looks at how, exactly, relationships promote well-being. Yesterday I posted the 5 factors that researchers say constitute thriving; that is, living a deeply satisfying, meaningful, healthy and abundant life. This latest research finds that relationships promote thriving in two important ways. According to the study… The first important function of relationships is to support thriving through adversity, not only by... Read more
Your Psychology Humor for the day. Read more
Cyberbullying was associated with mental health and substance use problems in adolescents but family dinners may help protect teens from the consequences of cyberbullying and also be beneficial for their mental health. About 1 in 5 adolescents has experienced recent online bullying and cyberbullying, like traditional bullying, can increase the risk of mental health problems in teens as well as the misuse of drugs and alcohol. It is important to understand whether cyberbullying contributes uniquely to mental health and substance... Read more
You bet it has. Read more
Self-help books (including a couple of my own–see here and here) often talk about thriving versus merely surviving but have you ever wondered what it takes to really thrive? Jesus said, “I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly” and I would argue that he was referring to both eternal life and life in the present. Secular psychologists use the term “thriving” for what Christians might call an “abundant life”–at least this side of Heaven. ... Read more
Faith on the Couch
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