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Social Sciences - Psychology - 15.11.2021

New study makes sense of sensory processing in autistic children
A child plays with sensory-based objects during a day camp in January 2020, held by the Sensory Perception Research lab at Western University. (Maggie MacLellan/Western Communications) By Maggie MacLellan, Special to Western News November 15, 2021 Results of a recent study on sensory abilities in autistic children may have positive consequences to the way supports are provided to them, helping increase their quality of life.

Psychology - 08.11.2021

Despite understanding the concept of mindfulness, people are applying it incorrectly
People are confusing the practice mindfulness with passive acceptance of problems Mindful awareness is about both accepting and engaging with life's challenges, and that's what popularized concepts of mindfulness tend to miss, new research has found. Studying popular concepts of mindfulness, the researchers found most laypeople are confusing the practice with passive acceptance of problems-a misconception scientists say ignores the important work of engaging with them.

Health - Psychology - 07.10.2021

New study explores transgender youth experiences in Canada
Western has published a new, first-of-its-kind study that followed and examined the experiences of transgender youth in Canada. Trans Youth CAN! explored the medical, social and family contexts of trans youth under the age of 16 seeking gender-affirming care in Canada. The study followed youth and their families over a two-year period from their first clinic visit, and includes youth referred to ten Canadian clinical sites for medical care that can put a hold on puberty.

Psychology - Social Sciences - 04.10.2021

Suicide and drug addiction in young people: two interconnected phenomena
A meta-analysis conducted at CHU Sainte-Justine and UdeM reveals that suicidal tendencies can often precede substance-use disorders, not just cause them. The idea that alcohol, cannabis, and other drug abuse and dependence disorders lead to suicidal tendencies in adolescents and young adults is being challenged by the results of a new study in PLOS ONE conducted at Université de Montréal and CHU Sainte-Justine children's hospital.

Health - Psychology - 28.09.2021

At-home exercise reduced depression levels significantly during COVID-19 lockdowns
At-home, app-based workouts were very effective at reducing people's depression levels during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, finds a new UBC research trial whose findings were released today in the British Journal of Sports Medicine . "We found that regardless of the type of movement that people did in a week – whether it was high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or yoga – their mental health improved," said Dr. Eli Puterman, an associate professor at UBC's school of kinesiology and the Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity and Health.

Psychology - Social Sciences - 27.09.2021

Play ball! (It’s good for you)
A new study UdeM study suggests that young boys who do sports tend to be have better mental health when they reach middle childhood and be more active in early adolescence. Boys who participate in sports in early childhood are less likely to experience later depressive and anxiety symptoms - known as emotional distress - in middle childhood, a new study led by Université de Montréal psychoeducator Marie-Josée Harbec.

Psychology - Life Sciences - 31.08.2021

Do you hate seeing people fidget? New UBC research says you’re not alone
Do you get anxious, annoyed or frustrated when you see someone fidgeting? If so, you may suffer from misokinesia-or the "hatred of movements." According to new UBC research , approximately one-third of the population suffer from the psychological phenomenon, which is defined by a strong negative emotional response to the sight of someone else's small and repetitive movements.