New research found that middle aged US adults are experiencing rising feelings of despair, indicated by increases in depression, suicidal ideation, drug and alcohol abuse. A drop in US life expectancy was seen in 2016 and explained by an increase in deaths among middle-aged white individuals in rural areas due to the above indicators of despair. This research team, however, came to a different conclusion when they analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (ADD Health). They found that all middle-aged Americans—not just rural whites—are experiencing heightened feelings and indicators of despair. The team says that public health efforts need to be directed at all middle-aged Americans, as opposed to specific subgroups. Quick Summary A new study “The Depths of Despair Among US Adults Entering Midlife” from researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill says that Americans are experiencing rising feelings of despair as they reach middle age. Depression, suicidal ideation, drug use, and alcohol abuse—primary indicators of despair—are increasing among these individuals. Goals The research team sought to better understand why life expectancy in the US dropped in 2016 for the first time in nearly 25 years. Previously, researchers speculated that this drop came from an increase in deaths from drug overdose, alcohol abuse, and suicide among a specific demographic: middle-aged white individuals with minimal education or in rural regions. These researchers, though, wanted to see if these indicators of despair were also seen in other groups of people. Investigation Researchers looked at the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (ADD Health), which tracked physical and mental health of thousands of people. These individuals were born between 1974 and 1983 and were observed from youth through their late 30s and early 40s in 2016-2018. Results The team saw greater levels of despair across the board when these individuals were in their 30s, regardless of race, ethnicity, education, or geographical region. Now, the specific indicators did differ among subgroups with age. For example, Hispanics and African Americans were more likely to report depression symptoms at any age, while whites were more likely to binge-drink in teenhood. However, all subgroups had a difficult time in adolescence, felt better in their twenties, and then experienced a big dip again in their late 30s—as levels of depression, suicidal ideation, drug use, and alcohol abuse increased. Implications The researchers say these findings are alarming, as their study shows that Americans in midlife, or the Generation X currently, are unhappy, experiencing troubling thoughts and feelings, and engaging in problematic behaviors. The team says public health efforts need to target all middle-aged individuals—not just middle-aged whites in rural areas—as these patterns are observed across the entirety of the middle-aged population. Source: Gaydosh, L., Hummer, R. A., Hargrove, T. W., et al (2019, April 10). The Depths of Despair Among US Adults Entering Midlife. American Journal of Public Health. Retrieved from https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/full/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305002
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2 min read New Serotonin Study Suggests Psychedelics May Effectively Treat Mental Illness Taylor Bennett 2 min read Study reveals the desire to drink alcohol at night is due to our brain’s immune system Taylor Bennett 3 min read Jane Elliot’s famous classroom experiment: How eye color helped her students to understand the effects of discrimination Taylor Bennett 3 min read Why are we so scared of snakes and spiders? According to researchers, this fear is ingrained in our brains Taylor Bennett 3 min read Study Says Playing Video Games for Just One Hour Can Improve Concentration Taylor Bennett 3 min read Study Says We Find Comfort in Listening to the Same Song Repeatedly Taylor Bennett 2 min read A new study finds that levels of oxytocin, “the love hormone,” are significantly lower in adults who were children when their parents divorced Taylor Bennett 3 min read Study Finds Link Between Video Games and High Levels of Intelligence Taylor Bennett 3 min read New research says your favorite superhero can inspire you to become a better person and act heroically, too Taylor Bennett 4 min read US adults in counseling are feeling stressed, fearful, depressed, and hopeless about the presidential election, according to survey of mental health professionals Taylor Bennett 3 min read Researchers say if parents want to successfully cut back on their child’s screen-time, they must first cut back on screen-time themselves Taylor Bennett No comments yet Disclaimer The information on this page is not intended to replace assistance, diagnosis, or treatment from a clinical or medical professional. Readers are urged to seek professional help if they are struggling with a mental health condition or another health concern. If you’re in a crisis, do not use this site. Please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use these resources to get immediate help. Find a provider ... Award-winning online & in-person therapy, covered by insurance. Call us to book Our team is happy to help you schedule your first session. Call (833) 966-4233 Book online Find the right provider for you. Book your session online yourself in just a few easy steps. Find a provider
2 min read Study reveals the desire to drink alcohol at night is due to our brain’s immune system Taylor Bennett 3 min read Jane Elliot’s famous classroom experiment: How eye color helped her students to understand the effects of discrimination Taylor Bennett 3 min read Why are we so scared of snakes and spiders? According to researchers, this fear is ingrained in our brains Taylor Bennett 3 min read Study Says Playing Video Games for Just One Hour Can Improve Concentration Taylor Bennett 3 min read Study Says We Find Comfort in Listening to the Same Song Repeatedly Taylor Bennett 2 min read A new study finds that levels of oxytocin, “the love hormone,” are significantly lower in adults who were children when their parents divorced Taylor Bennett 3 min read Study Finds Link Between Video Games and High Levels of Intelligence Taylor Bennett 3 min read New research says your favorite superhero can inspire you to become a better person and act heroically, too Taylor Bennett 4 min read US adults in counseling are feeling stressed, fearful, depressed, and hopeless about the presidential election, according to survey of mental health professionals Taylor Bennett 3 min read Researchers say if parents want to successfully cut back on their child’s screen-time, they must first cut back on screen-time themselves Taylor Bennett No comments yet Disclaimer The information on this page is not intended to replace assistance, diagnosis, or treatment from a clinical or medical professional. Readers are urged to seek professional help if they are struggling with a mental health condition or another health concern. If you’re in a crisis, do not use this site. Please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use these resources to get immediate help. Find a provider ... Award-winning online & in-person therapy, covered by insurance. Call us to book Our team is happy to help you schedule your first session. Call (833) 966-4233 Book online Find the right provider for you. Book your session online yourself in just a few easy steps. Find a provider
3 min read Jane Elliot’s famous classroom experiment: How eye color helped her students to understand the effects of discrimination Taylor Bennett 3 min read Why are we so scared of snakes and spiders? According to researchers, this fear is ingrained in our brains Taylor Bennett 3 min read Study Says Playing Video Games for Just One Hour Can Improve Concentration Taylor Bennett 3 min read Study Says We Find Comfort in Listening to the Same Song Repeatedly Taylor Bennett 2 min read A new study finds that levels of oxytocin, “the love hormone,” are significantly lower in adults who were children when their parents divorced Taylor Bennett 3 min read Study Finds Link Between Video Games and High Levels of Intelligence Taylor Bennett 3 min read New research says your favorite superhero can inspire you to become a better person and act heroically, too Taylor Bennett 4 min read US adults in counseling are feeling stressed, fearful, depressed, and hopeless about the presidential election, according to survey of mental health professionals Taylor Bennett 3 min read Researchers say if parents want to successfully cut back on their child’s screen-time, they must first cut back on screen-time themselves Taylor Bennett No comments yet Disclaimer The information on this page is not intended to replace assistance, diagnosis, or treatment from a clinical or medical professional. Readers are urged to seek professional help if they are struggling with a mental health condition or another health concern. If you’re in a crisis, do not use this site. Please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use these resources to get immediate help. Find a provider ... Award-winning online & in-person therapy, covered by insurance. Call us to book Our team is happy to help you schedule your first session. Call (833) 966-4233 Book online Find the right provider for you. Book your session online yourself in just a few easy steps. Find a provider
3 min read Why are we so scared of snakes and spiders? According to researchers, this fear is ingrained in our brains Taylor Bennett 3 min read Study Says Playing Video Games for Just One Hour Can Improve Concentration Taylor Bennett 3 min read Study Says We Find Comfort in Listening to the Same Song Repeatedly Taylor Bennett 2 min read A new study finds that levels of oxytocin, “the love hormone,” are significantly lower in adults who were children when their parents divorced Taylor Bennett 3 min read Study Finds Link Between Video Games and High Levels of Intelligence Taylor Bennett 3 min read New research says your favorite superhero can inspire you to become a better person and act heroically, too Taylor Bennett 4 min read US adults in counseling are feeling stressed, fearful, depressed, and hopeless about the presidential election, according to survey of mental health professionals Taylor Bennett 3 min read Researchers say if parents want to successfully cut back on their child’s screen-time, they must first cut back on screen-time themselves Taylor Bennett No comments yet Disclaimer The information on this page is not intended to replace assistance, diagnosis, or treatment from a clinical or medical professional. Readers are urged to seek professional help if they are struggling with a mental health condition or another health concern. If you’re in a crisis, do not use this site. Please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use these resources to get immediate help. Find a provider ... Award-winning online & in-person therapy, covered by insurance. Call us to book Our team is happy to help you schedule your first session. Call (833) 966-4233 Book online Find the right provider for you. Book your session online yourself in just a few easy steps. Find a provider
3 min read Study Says Playing Video Games for Just One Hour Can Improve Concentration Taylor Bennett 3 min read Study Says We Find Comfort in Listening to the Same Song Repeatedly Taylor Bennett 2 min read A new study finds that levels of oxytocin, “the love hormone,” are significantly lower in adults who were children when their parents divorced Taylor Bennett 3 min read Study Finds Link Between Video Games and High Levels of Intelligence Taylor Bennett 3 min read New research says your favorite superhero can inspire you to become a better person and act heroically, too Taylor Bennett 4 min read US adults in counseling are feeling stressed, fearful, depressed, and hopeless about the presidential election, according to survey of mental health professionals Taylor Bennett 3 min read Researchers say if parents want to successfully cut back on their child’s screen-time, they must first cut back on screen-time themselves Taylor Bennett No comments yet Disclaimer The information on this page is not intended to replace assistance, diagnosis, or treatment from a clinical or medical professional. Readers are urged to seek professional help if they are struggling with a mental health condition or another health concern. If you’re in a crisis, do not use this site. Please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use these resources to get immediate help. Find a provider ... Award-winning online & in-person therapy, covered by insurance. Call us to book Our team is happy to help you schedule your first session. Call (833) 966-4233 Book online Find the right provider for you. Book your session online yourself in just a few easy steps. Find a provider
3 min read Study Says We Find Comfort in Listening to the Same Song Repeatedly Taylor Bennett 2 min read A new study finds that levels of oxytocin, “the love hormone,” are significantly lower in adults who were children when their parents divorced Taylor Bennett 3 min read Study Finds Link Between Video Games and High Levels of Intelligence Taylor Bennett 3 min read New research says your favorite superhero can inspire you to become a better person and act heroically, too Taylor Bennett 4 min read US adults in counseling are feeling stressed, fearful, depressed, and hopeless about the presidential election, according to survey of mental health professionals Taylor Bennett 3 min read Researchers say if parents want to successfully cut back on their child’s screen-time, they must first cut back on screen-time themselves Taylor Bennett No comments yet Disclaimer The information on this page is not intended to replace assistance, diagnosis, or treatment from a clinical or medical professional. Readers are urged to seek professional help if they are struggling with a mental health condition or another health concern. If you’re in a crisis, do not use this site. Please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use these resources to get immediate help.
2 min read A new study finds that levels of oxytocin, “the love hormone,” are significantly lower in adults who were children when their parents divorced Taylor Bennett 3 min read Study Finds Link Between Video Games and High Levels of Intelligence Taylor Bennett 3 min read New research says your favorite superhero can inspire you to become a better person and act heroically, too Taylor Bennett 4 min read US adults in counseling are feeling stressed, fearful, depressed, and hopeless about the presidential election, according to survey of mental health professionals Taylor Bennett 3 min read Researchers say if parents want to successfully cut back on their child’s screen-time, they must first cut back on screen-time themselves Taylor Bennett No comments yet Disclaimer The information on this page is not intended to replace assistance, diagnosis, or treatment from a clinical or medical professional. Readers are urged to seek professional help if they are struggling with a mental health condition or another health concern. If you’re in a crisis, do not use this site. Please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use these resources to get immediate help.
3 min read Study Finds Link Between Video Games and High Levels of Intelligence Taylor Bennett 3 min read New research says your favorite superhero can inspire you to become a better person and act heroically, too Taylor Bennett 4 min read US adults in counseling are feeling stressed, fearful, depressed, and hopeless about the presidential election, according to survey of mental health professionals Taylor Bennett 3 min read Researchers say if parents want to successfully cut back on their child’s screen-time, they must first cut back on screen-time themselves Taylor Bennett
3 min read New research says your favorite superhero can inspire you to become a better person and act heroically, too Taylor Bennett 4 min read US adults in counseling are feeling stressed, fearful, depressed, and hopeless about the presidential election, according to survey of mental health professionals Taylor Bennett 3 min read Researchers say if parents want to successfully cut back on their child’s screen-time, they must first cut back on screen-time themselves Taylor Bennett
4 min read US adults in counseling are feeling stressed, fearful, depressed, and hopeless about the presidential election, according to survey of mental health professionals Taylor Bennett 3 min read Researchers say if parents want to successfully cut back on their child’s screen-time, they must first cut back on screen-time themselves Taylor Bennett
3 min read Researchers say if parents want to successfully cut back on their child’s screen-time, they must first cut back on screen-time themselves Taylor Bennett