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(https://www.psypost.org/low-calorie-high-protein-diet-might-help-reduce-depression-and-anxiety-symptoms-in-obese-individuals/) Low-calorie, high-protein diet might help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in obese individuals
Dec 12th 2024, 08:00

A randomized clinical trial in Iran exploring the effects of a low-calorie, high-protein diet on obese individuals found that 15 days on this diet resulted in decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression. After 30 and 60 days, participants adhering to this diet also reported lower stress scores. The research was published in (https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2023.2261680) Nutritional Neuroscience.
Obesity is a medical condition characterized by excessive body fat accumulation that may impair health. It is typically measured using the body mass index (BMI), where individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher are classified as obese. BMI is calculated as one’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters. Obesity increases the risk of numerous health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and joint problems.
While people often attribute the development of obesity to poor dietary choices, scientific studies suggest a more complex picture. Obesity appears to result from a combination of lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors, leading to a dysregulation of the brain’s food intake regulation system. This makes it difficult for obese individuals to reduce their food intake or regulate it effectively to prevent weight gain. For instance, studies have shown that, unlike individuals of normal weight, the brains of obese individuals expend extra energy when resisting food cravings. Additionally, chronic consumption of foods rich in easily digestible fats and sugars disrupts the brain’s food intake regulation mechanisms, contributing to obesity. Diets high in these components are often referred to as obesogenic diets.
Over the past several decades, obesity has become a global epidemic, with many countries and regions reporting that a majority of their populations are overweight or obese. This has spurred scientists to intensively search for ways to reverse obesity or alleviate its adverse consequences.
Study author Fatemeh Sadat Hashemi Javaheria and her colleagues sought to explore the effects of a low-calorie, high-protein diet on depression in obese individuals. Previous research has reported that low-calorie diets can mitigate depression in obese individuals, while high-calorie diets are associated with an increased risk of depression. Additionally, high protein intake has been shown to improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which may also contribute to reducing depression.
The study included 60 obese individuals with no other health issues. Their average age was 33 years, and 31 participants were women. The participants’ average weight was 99 kilograms.
Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. Those in the intervention group followed a low-calorie diet with increased protein content for 60 days. In contrast, participants in the control group followed a diet with standard protein levels for the same period.
Since all participants were obese, the diets for both groups included a daily caloric deficit of 750 kcal to facilitate weight loss. In the intervention group, 30% of the diet consisted of protein, compared to 12% in the control group.
Participants’ mental health was evaluated using the DASS-21 scale, which assesses symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression, at several points throughout the study. Researchers also recorded participants’ body measurements.
The results showed that after 15 days of intervention, participants in the high-protein group reported lower symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to the control group. After 30 days, they also reported lower stress levels.
“The results of this study showed that when controlling for the effect of confounding variables such as physical activity, low-calorie diets with a high-protein percentage can significantly improve psychometric variables in obese individuals,” the study authors concluded.
The study contributes to the scientific understanding of the potential effects of low-calorie, high-protein diets on mental health symptoms in obese individuals. However, the reported DASS-21 scores indicate that, on average, participants did not exhibit elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress at the start of the study.
Additionally, as this was an open-label study, participants were aware of their assigned groups, which may have influenced their behavior or responses. This awareness raises the possibility of the Hawthorne effect, where individuals modify their behavior or self-reported outcomes simply because they know they are being observed. Combined with the transparency of the DASS-21, a self-report measure where it is evident which responses indicate more favorable outcomes, there is potential for reporting bias or the Hawthorne effect to impact the results.
The paper, “(https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2023.2261680) The effect of a low-calorie, high-protein diet on psychometric variables in obese individuals: a Randomized Clinical Trial,” was authored by Fatemeh Sadat Hashemi Javaheria , Alireza Ostadrahimi, Mohsen Nematy, Seyyed Mostafa Arabi, Kazem Rahmani, and Mahnaz Amini.

(https://www.psypost.org/internet-use-linked-to-better-mental-health-for-older-adults/) Internet use linked to better mental health for older adults
Dec 12th 2024, 06:00

Older adults who use the internet regularly report better mental health outcomes, including fewer depressive symptoms, greater life satisfaction, and improved self-reported health, according to new research published in (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-024-02048-7) Nature Human Behaviour. Conducted across 23 countries, the study suggests that internet use can serve as a vital tool for mental well-being in adults aged 50 and older, particularly in middle-income countries where mental health services may be limited.
Mental health among older adults is a growing concern globally. Around 14% of adults aged 55 and older experience mental health issues, such as depression, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. With the rapid aging of populations and the lasting effects of challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers are increasingly seeking innovative, accessible solutions to address the mental health needs of older individuals.
The internet, with its potential to reduce social isolation, provide access to health information, and offer entertainment, has emerged as a promising avenue. However, most previous studies examining the relationship between internet use and mental health have been conducted in single countries, overlooking cross-national and cultural differences. Additionally, little is known about how sociodemographic and genetic factors influence this relationship. The new study sought to fill these gaps.
“Mental health problems have become a public health concern worldwide in older populations,” said study author Qingpeng Zhang, a professor at the University of Hong Kong and HKU Musketeers Foundation Institute of Data Science.
“Internet use has shown the potential as a cost-effective strategy for mental health promotion, since it’s shaping how people connect, learn, and access services, especially during the pandemic. However, research on the impact of internet use on the mental health of older individuals has reported mixed results. Our goal was to investigate this association across countries to determine whether and how the internet might support mental well-being among older adults.”
The researchers analyzed data from six large, aging-focused cohort studies: the Health and Retirement Study (United States), the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (England), the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (28 European countries and Israel), the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (China), the Mexican Health and Aging Study (Mexico), and the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (Brazil). These studies collectively included over 87,000 participants aged 50 or older, with data collected over several years.
Participants were asked about their internet usage—whether they used the internet regularly and, in some cases, how frequently. The researchers examined mental health outcomes such as depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, and self-reported health, while also considering sociodemographic factors like age, gender, income, education, and physical health. A subset of participants in the United States and England had genetic data available, allowing the researchers to explore how genetic risk factors for depression interacted with internet use.
Across the 23 countries, older adults who used the internet regularly reported fewer depressive symptoms, higher life satisfaction, and better self-rated health. For example, participants who used the internet had, on average, a 0.09-point lower score on depressive symptoms, a 0.07-point higher score on life satisfaction, and a 0.15-point higher score on self-reported health compared to non-users. While these effect sizes are modest, they represent meaningful differences at the population level, given the large number of people who could benefit from improved mental health.
“While previous studies have found the adverse impact of internet use on teenagers’ mental health, our research revealed a consistent positive association between internet use and mental health among older adults across diverse countries,” Zhang told PsyPost. “This was unexpected, as it suggests that internet use may serve as a valuable tool for enhancing well-being later in life, providing benefits such as reduced loneliness, increased social support, and better access to resources and information. It also opens new avenues for exploring how the internet can be leveraged to support aging populations globally.”
These associations were observed globally, but the strength of the relationship varied. Middle-income countries like China showed particularly pronounced benefits, possibly because internet use offered access to services and connections not otherwise available in regions with limited mental health resources.
Zhang and his colleagues also found that some groups benefited more from internet use than others. For instance, older adults who were less socially active, physically inactive, or had disabilities reported stronger positive effects. Those with higher education levels also appeared to gain more, potentially due to greater digital literacy.
The benefits of internet use were stronger for those who used it daily or for longer cumulative periods. However, in some countries, such as England, more frequent internet use was not always associated with higher life satisfaction, highlighting potential cultural or contextual differences.
Importantly, even among individuals with a higher genetic risk for depression, the researchers found that internet use was linked to improved mental health outcomes. This suggests that internet use could help mitigate genetic vulnerabilities to some extent.
“Our study highlights that internet use is linked to better mental health in older adults, reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing life satisfaction across different countries,” Zhang told PsyPost. “This suggests that promoting digital inclusion and supporting older adults in using the internet safely and effectively can significantly improve their well-being.”
While the study offers robust evidence linking internet use to better mental health in older adults, several limitations should be noted. First, the observational design cannot establish causality; it is possible that healthier individuals are more likely to use the internet rather than internet use directly improving health. The study also did not account for specific internet activities, which could have different impacts on mental health.
“Our study did not differentiate between the types of devices used (e.g., smartphones, tablets, or computers) or the specific purposes of internet use (e.g., socializing, entertainment, or learning), which could influence the outcomes,” Zhang said. “Additionally, we did not account for the potential risks associated with internet use, such as overuse, exposure to negative content, or susceptibility to online scams, which may offset some of the benefits. Future research should address these aspects to provide a more nuanced understanding and inform tailored interventions.”
“Our long-term goals are to deepen our understanding of how digital technology can support mental health and well-being among older adults. We aim to explore specific patterns of internet use—such as frequency, purpose, and duration—and their effects on mental health outcomes in the future. Ultimately, we hope to develop evidence-based, personalized digital interventions that can improve mental health for older populations globally, while also addressing disparities in digital access and skills. This research aligns with our vision of creating inclusive, sustainable strategies to support healthy aging in a rapidly digitalizing world.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-02048-7) Positive association between Internet use and mental health among adults aged ≥50 years in 23 countries,” was authored by Yan Luo, Paul Siu Fai Yip, and Qingpeng Zhang.

(https://www.psypost.org/women-report-greater-satisfaction-with-singlehood-than-men-study-finds/) Women report greater satisfaction with singlehood than men, study finds
Dec 11th 2024, 14:00

A recent study published in (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/19485506241287960) Social Psychological and Personality Science sheds light on gender differences in psychological well-being among single adults. Researchers found that single women reported higher satisfaction with their relationship status, overall life, and sexual experiences while also expressing less desire for a romantic partner compared to single men. These findings challenge societal stereotypes about single women as unhappy and highlight their comparatively positive experiences in singlehood.
The new study was motivated by the growing recognition of singlehood as an important relationship status that has been underrepresented in research. Much of relationship science has focused on the experiences of partnered individuals, leaving gaps in understanding the well-being of singles. Additionally, while gender differences in well-being have been widely documented, little is known about how these differences manifest among single individuals.
Existing societal narratives often paint single women as lonely or unfulfilled while portraying single men as desirable and content. These stereotypes persist despite evidence suggesting that women may generally report higher well-being than men. The researchers aimed to provide a comprehensive examination of gender differences across several well-being indicators.
“There exists many different gendered stereotypes about singlehood, such as the lonely spinster or ‘cat lady’ to describe single women and the ‘eligible bachelor’ stereotype to describe single men,” said study author (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=gyQNaDAAAAAJ&hl=en) Elaine Hoan, a PhD student at the University of Toronto and member of the (https://www.macdonaldlab.ca/) MacDonald Social Psychology Research Lab.
“These stereotypes suggest that single women are having a harder time in singlehood, but it was unclear based on the existing research whether these stereotypes actually hold up when you put it to the test. So, we sought to directly examine how single men and women differed in their happiness in singlehood, if at all.”
To investigate these differences, the researchers pooled data from 10 existing studies conducted between 2020 and 2023. These studies collectively included 5,941 participants who were not in romantic relationships at the time of data collection. The sample was evenly split between men and women, with participants ranging in age from 18 to 75 and an average age of 31.7 years.
Participants completed questionnaires assessing their satisfaction with their current relationship status, overall life satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and their desire for a romantic partner. These measures were harmonized across the studies to ensure consistency, and the data were analyzed using statistical models that accounted for potential differences across the samples.
The researchers found that single women reported higher satisfaction with their relationship status than single men, suggesting that women, on average, are more content with being single. Women also reported slightly higher overall life satisfaction, aligning with broader research showing that women often report greater well-being than men. Additionally, single men expressed a stronger desire for a romantic partner than single women, indicating that men may feel more motivated to seek out relationships.
“Overall, we found that single women were happier than single men,” Hoan told PsyPost. “This was true across all of our measures, including how satisfied they were with their lives and their singlehood status. We also found that single women reported a lower desire to have a romantic partner.”
When it came to sexual satisfaction, single women again reported greater satisfaction compared to their male counterparts. This contrasts with findings from romantic relationship research, where men often report higher sexual satisfaction.
“The finding that surprised me was that single women reported greater sexual satisfaction than single men,” Hoan said. “Certain theories have argued that women often receive the shorter end of the stick when it comes to sex, as their sexual needs are often deprioritized in bed, but here we actually find that women who are single are enjoying better sex lives.”
The results challenge traditional stereotypes about single women being unhappy or unfulfilled and highlight the nuanced differences in how men and women experience singlehood. The study’s findings suggest that single women may derive more fulfillment from nonromantic sources, such as friendships and social support, and may view singlehood as a rewarding life stage. On the other hand, single men’s stronger desire for a partner may reflect a greater reliance on romantic relationships for well-being.
Future research could investigate the mechanisms underlying these gender differences, such as the role of social support networks or cultural expectations. “I hope to understand exactly why we might be seeing these differences in well-being across men and women to create an ‘ingredient list’ of how to build a better single life for everyone,” Hoan said.
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506241287960) ‘Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves’: Gender Differences in Singles’ Well-Being,” was authored by Elaine Hoan and Geoff MacDonald.

(https://www.psypost.org/forbidden-knowledge-claims-polarize-beliefs-and-critical-thinking-across-political-lines/) Forbidden knowledge claims polarize beliefs and critical thinking across political lines
Dec 11th 2024, 12:00

Research published in the (https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672241288332) Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin reveals that claims of censorship or “forbidden knowledge” polarize perceptions and critical thinking based on political ideology.
Victoria A. Parker and colleagues explored how censorship claims about controversial topics, such as COVID-19, influence public perceptions. Building on past research into the “forbidden fruit” phenomenon, which suggests that people value restricted information more, the team investigated whether such claims, particularly around politically charged issues, like vaccine risk, might heighten allure or skepticism depending on political alignment.
In Study 1a, the researchers recruited 1,000 participants via Prolific, balancing liberal and conservative self-identifications. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions. In the forbidden condition, participants read three COVID-19-related headlines framed as censored (e.g., “THE TRUTH about the possible lab origins of the COVID-19 virus is being kept from you. Here’s the information NO ONE is allowed to talk about”); the control condition featured neutral framings of the same headlines (e.g., “New reports about the possible risks of mRNA”). The topics included COVID-19’s lab origins, alternative treatments, and vaccine risks. Participants rated their attraction to, belief in, and perceptions of censorship for the headlines on 11-point scales.
Study 1b involved 390 participants, also evenly split by political ideology and recruited through Prolific. Participants were asked to imagine hypothetical censorship scenarios for the same COVID-19 topics. They then rated six questions about their interpretations of censorship, focusing on whether censorship implied the information was harmful or false (a cautionary interpretation) or valuable and suppressed by powerful entities (a reactance interpretation).
Study 2, which included 973 participants recruited from CloudResearch, extended these findings by examining the effects of forbidden knowledge framing on critical thinking. Participants read a fabricated headline about vaccine risks framed either as censored or neutral. They then read a fictitious article describing vaccine risk data, which required calculating proportions to determine that vaccination did not increase the risk of severe symptoms. Participants were asked to draw conclusions from the data. This design tested whether forbidden knowledge framing influenced participants’ ability to critically evaluate worldview-consistent claims.
Study 1a revealed meaningful differences in how liberals and conservatives responded to forbidden knowledge framing. Conservatives consistently rated the forbidden knowledge framed headlines as more censored, attractive, and believable than liberals, regardless of condition. This framing, however, amplified ideological divides: liberals reported less attraction and belief in forbidden knowledge-framed headlines compared to neutrally framed ones, while conservatives maintained high levels of attraction and belief across conditions.
Study 1b demonstrated that liberals and conservatives interpreted censorship claims differently. Liberals generally associated censorship with misinformation, assuming it signaled that the information was harmful or false. Conservatives, in contrast, viewed censorship as evidence of valuable information being suppressed by powerful entities, aligning with a reactance perspective.
Study 2 showed that forbidden knowledge framing significantly influenced conservatives’ critical thinking. Conservatives who read the forbidden knowledge-framed article about vaccine risks were more likely to incorrectly conclude that vaccination increased the risk of severe symptoms. In contrast, conservatives in the neutral condition and liberals in both conditions were more likely to correctly interpret the data, concluding that vaccines did not increase risk.
Combined, these results emphasize how forbidden knowledge framing deepens ideological divides and influences critical thinking processes, in ways that perpetuate polarization.
One limitation is that these studies focused on conservative-aligned COVID-19 claims, limiting the generalizability of findings across other topics.
The research, “(https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672241288332) Alluring or Alarming? The Polarizing Effect of Forbidden Knowledge in Political Discourse,” was authored by Victoria A. Parker, E. Kehoe, J. Lees, M. Facciani, and A. E. Wilson.

(https://www.psypost.org/the-hidden-pitfalls-of-diversity-training-lessons-from-recent-research/) The hidden pitfalls of diversity training: Lessons from recent research
Dec 11th 2024, 10:00

Despite recent efforts to restrict them, diversity training programs have become as (https://hbr.org/2019/07/does-diversity-training-work-the-way-its-supposed-to) ubiquitous in American offices as the water cooler. They’re everywhere.
But our recent update on (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352250X24001209) the state of diversity training research confirms that these programs have different levels of effectiveness and widely varying results.
In (https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000067) our prior work, published in 2016, we found that diversity training programs strive to foster understanding and appreciation of differences among people. This message, however, was often misunderstood or overlooked in American workplaces.
Alarmed by growing polarization and unequal treatment that have become serious public and social concerns in America and abroad, we updated our prior findings to see what has changed.
We did so because these divisions contribute to (https://theconversation.com/toxic-work-cultures-start-with-incivility-and-mediocre-leadership-what-can-you-do-about-it-204198) toxic relationships, (https://theconversation.com/toxic-workplaces-are-feeding-the-impostor-phenomenon-heres-why-103892) dysfunctional organizations and fragmented societies — the same things diversity training is supposed to address.
Some of the research we studied found that diversity training had a limited positive impact on (https://theconversation.com/diversity-in-the-workplace-isnt-enough-businesses-need-to-work-toward-inclusion-194136) workplace demographics. And in some cases, these programs also (https://theconversation.com/the-backlash-against-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-business-is-in-full-force-but-myths-obscure-the-real-value-of-dei-227038) created resistance and backlash.
Often, underperforming programs focus exclusively on a specific marginalized group — African Americans or the LGBTQ+ community, for example — rather than educating people about the value of our differences.
Effective programs, in this sense, are measured by participants’ cognitive learning and affective learning, or how they perceive others. Behavioral learning — how well participants interact with different people — represents another standard of success.
In our study, other underachieving programs struggled to get participants to change how they judge people who are different. Most of these programs were online or conducted over a brief period of time.
On the other hand, diversity training programs that had better results often implemented skills training and role-playing. These include role-playing simulations of business negotiations. They also featured conflict management courses where participants interact with diverse counterparts.
Some of these programs also emphasize training earlier in grade school, before people enter the workforce. These programs include, for example, activities like playing soccer with kids from varying ethnic backgrounds.
Successful programs were also more effective when they formed part of a broader, ongoing company effort against intolerance. Positive examples include retention and (https://theconversation.com/will-ai-decide-if-you-get-your-next-job-without-legal-regulation-you-may-never-even-know-196282) recruitment efforts, affinity clubs and mentorship programs.
The research on some of these successful programs showed that diversity training led to better productivity and organizational commitment. They also resulted in less harassment.
 
This article is republished from (https://theconversation.com) The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the (https://theconversation.com/workplace-diversity-training-programs-are-everywhere-but-their-effectiveness-varies-widely-242526) original article.

Forwarded by:
Michael Reeder LCPC
Baltimore, MD

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