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InPsych 2021 | Vol 43

February/March | Issue 1

InPsych 2021 | Vol 43

Education and research : Research snapshot

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Climate change education

Educational and developmental psychologists have an important role to play in the climate crisis.

In an editorial, Allen discusses the role of educational and developmental psychologists in the climate crisis. They can help teach resiliency and coping skills for managing responses to natural disasters, important given the increase in frequency and intensity of natural disasters. They can help young people to cope with their concerns and fears about the changing climate. This includes helping them to explore and develop different forms of constructive coping strategies which can help them initiate climate action and manage their fears. Educational and developmental psychologists have already been playing an important role in the teaching of climate change. Some examples are provided in the editorial. Allen makes a call to action for educational and developmental psychologists to continue their work in climate change literacy, supporting youth, conducting research and driving change.

https://doi.org/10.1017/edp.2020.6

Learning experiences around drinking

First drinking experiences alter the course of outcome expectancies around alcohol.

Outcome expectancies are formed by observing other people and then modified by direct experiences. In an American study, 1023 middle-school students completed biannual longitudinal surveys over three years measuring positive and negative expectancies before and after three alcohol-related milestones (first sip, first full drink, first heavy drinking experience). Results indicated that positive expectancies increased over time, and that the influence of direct experience on learning tended to be stronger when milestones were met at an earlier age. Conversely, negative expectancies tended to remain stable or decrease slightly over time and tended to be stronger when the first-drink milestone was reached at a later age.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797620959006

Menopause and depression

Sexual symptoms of menopause may indicate greater risk of depressive symptoms.

The relationships between menopausal and depressive symptoms were examined in a sample of 384 multi-ethnic women self-reporting as menopausal. The experience of sexual symptoms (change in sexual desire, vaginal dryness, avoiding intimacy) related to menopause was associated with a greater degree of depressive symptoms. Racial or ethnic background had no impact on this relationship. There was no impact of hot flushes or psychosocial symptoms of menopause on depressive symptoms. The authors recommended that menopausal women who report sexual symptoms may warrant a more thorough screen for depression.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2020.09.009

The lonely brain

Loneliness is a health risk, but our brains compensate in unexpected ways.

The health risks associated with loneliness suggest it places specific burdens on the brain. This study sought to investigate the neural signature of ‘trait loneliness’ – a long-term perception of social isolation. Data from three assays of brain structure and function were taken from a large UK cohort (N= 38,701) and assessed alongside a binary classification measure (“Do you often feel lonely?”). The neurobiological profiles were suggestive of a ‘default network’ showing more consistent associations in grey matter volume than other cortical brain networks. Lonely individuals were showed stronger functional communication in this network and greater microstructural integrity. The researchers suggested that these neural circuits support mentalising, reminiscence and imagination to fill the social void.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20039-w

References

Disclaimer: Published in InPsych on March 2021. The APS aims to ensure that information published in InPsych is current and accurate at the time of publication. Changes after publication may affect the accuracy of this information. Readers are responsible for ascertaining the currency and completeness of information they rely on, which is particularly important for government initiatives, legislation or best-practice principles which are open to amendment. The information provided in InPsych does not replace obtaining appropriate professional and/or legal advice.

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