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(https://www.psypost.org/prenatal-cannabis-exposure-linked-to-early-childhood-behavioral-and-cognitive-challenges/) Prenatal cannabis exposure linked to early childhood behavioral and cognitive challenges
Jan 6th 2025, 08:00

Cannabis use during pregnancy is on the rise, often viewed as a natural remedy for pregnancy-related symptoms. However, a study published in (https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.4352) JAMA Pediatrics reveals potential developmental risks. Children exposed to cannabis in utero scored lower on attention and planning tasks and showed increased aggression during observational assessments, suggesting prenatal exposure may disrupt critical areas of cognitive and behavioral development.
Cannabis use among pregnant individuals in the United States has doubled over the past two decades, rising from 3.4% in 2002 to 7.2% in 2021. This increase is partly fueled by perceptions of cannabis as a safe, natural remedy for pregnancy-related issues like nausea and mood disorders. Despite recommendations from major medical organizations to avoid cannabis during pregnancy, many clinicians struggle to provide consistent guidance due to limited evidence on long-term effects.
Previous studies have linked prenatal cannabis exposure to deficits in executive function—critical cognitive processes such as attention, memory, and problem-solving—as well as behavioral challenges like aggression. However, much of the existing research relies on data from cohorts studied decades ago or uses caregiver-reported outcomes that may be subjective.
Additionally, advances in technology have recently enabled more precise, computerized assessments of early executive function, creating an opportunity for more nuanced investigations. The new study aimed to address these gaps by employing rigorous methods to examine the relationship between prenatal cannabis exposure and specific behavioral and cognitive outcomes in preschool-aged children.
“We noticed the legal environment related to cannabis use was changing rapidly, but the research to understand the potential effects of use during pregnancy had not been updated to keep pace. We thought that it was important that pregnant people and health care providers that work with them should have more recent evidence,” explained Sarah A. Keim, an associate professor at The Ohio State University and principal investigator in the Center for Biobehavioral Health at The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
The researchers conducted the study using data from the Lifestyle and Early Achievement in Families (LEAF) cohort, a group derived from the Ohio Perinatal Research Network. This repository included data from pregnant individuals who received care at a medical center in Ohio between 2010 and 2016. Participants provided detailed information about their health, substance use, and environmental factors during pregnancy and consented to follow-up studies involving their children.
For this analysis, 250 children aged five participated in behavioral assessments at a research facility. Eighty children had been exposed to cannabis during pregnancy, as determined through maternal self-reports, clinical records, and urine tests detecting a metabolite of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabis’s psychoactive component.
The study assessed executive function through various laboratory-based tasks, including computerized tests measuring attention, inhibitory control, and planning ability. For instance, one test involved the “Tower of Hanoi” puzzle, which evaluates planning skills. Aggression was measured through observational methods, such as the Bobo Doll task, where children’s physical interactions with a doll were recorded. Caregivers also completed questionnaires about their children’s behaviors and cognitive abilities. To control for confounding factors, the researchers used statistical techniques that accounted for maternal education, household income, and other variables.
The researchers found significant differences between children who were exposed to cannabis prenatally and those who were not. On laboratory-based tests, cannabis-exposed children scored lower on attention and inhibitory control, key components of executive function. They also demonstrated poorer planning ability. Observational assessments revealed that cannabis-exposed children displayed more aggressive behaviors, such as hitting a doll’s face with a closed fist during the Bobo Doll task.
“We found prenatal cannabis exposure was associated in early childhood with poorer thinking skills and behaviors such as impulse control, paying attention, planning ability, and more aggressive behavior, all of which play a vital role in how children perform in school and interact with others,” Keim told PsyPost.
Interestingly, these patterns did not appear in caregiver-reported measures of children’s behavior. Caregivers of cannabis-exposed and non-exposed children rated their children similarly on attention, planning, and aggression. This discrepancy highlights the value of using multiple methods to assess developmental outcomes, as caregiver perceptions may not fully capture behavioral differences observed in structured settings.
The findings align with prior research suggesting that cannabis exposure during pregnancy may affect the development of the frontal lobe, a brain region critical for executive function. The study also adds to a growing body of evidence indicating that behavioral challenges linked to prenatal cannabis exposure can emerge as early as preschool, a critical period for cognitive and social development.
“Our findings were not surprising – they actually confirm and expand on longstanding evidence from previous research from several decades ago,” Keim said. “With our more contemporary and diverse sample of women and children, and with much higher potency of cannabis now than in past decades, this study validates previous research and supports existing clinical recommendations for patients.”
However, the study did not account for the timing or dosage of cannabis use, which may influence outcomes. As cannabis becomes increasingly potent and widely available, understanding its impact on child development remains a critical area for ongoing research.
Future research could address these limitations by incorporating more precise measures of cannabis exposure, such as biomarkers that track cumulative exposure, and by exploring how factors like dose and timing impact outcomes. Longitudinal studies that follow children into later childhood and adolescence could provide a clearer picture of the long-term effects of prenatal cannabis exposure.
“We are currently studying outcomes among these children at age 7 to see how they develop,” Keim said. “We found in qualitative research that we conducted that some women believe that because cannabis comes from a plant that it must be safe, or safer than many pharmaceuticals. This is simply not true. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists both caution against cannabis use during pregnancy because of possible health risks to mothers and children.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.4352) Prenatal Cannabis Exposure and Executive Function and Aggressive Behavior at Age 5 Years,” was authored by Sarah A. Keim, Peter Fried, Keith Owen Yeates, Kelly M. Boone, Daphne M. Vrantsidis, Abigail Dean, Aaron W. Murnan, Joseph Rausch, and Mark A. Klebanoff.

(https://www.psypost.org/a-simple-psychological-disposition-might-have-profound-impacts-on-your-love-life-heres-how/) A simple psychological disposition might have profound impacts on your love life — here’s how
Jan 6th 2025, 06:00

Perceiving the world as a fundamentally good or enticing place is associated with positive outcomes in romantic relationships, according to a new study published in the (https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672241296326) Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. The study found that individuals who believe the world is generally good or full of enticing opportunities tend to report higher relationship satisfaction, greater responsiveness to their partners, and inspire similar feelings in their partners. These positive beliefs appear to motivate individuals to pursue rewarding relationship goals, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of relationship satisfaction and responsiveness.
The new study is rooted in the concept of primal world beliefs, which are individuals’ fundamental perceptions of the world’s nature—whether it is good or bad, safe or dangerous, or interesting and worth exploring. These beliefs serve as a lens through which people interpret their experiences and guide their actions and goals.
Previous research has linked positive world beliefs to better interpersonal relationships, higher trust, and lower loneliness, suggesting that such beliefs may influence well-being. However, the specific role of these beliefs in romantic relationships, which are crucial for emotional and psychological health, remained underexplored.
The researchers were particularly interested in how world beliefs might shape key aspects of romantic relationships, such as relationship satisfaction and mutual responsiveness. Responsiveness—the ability to understand, validate, and care for a partner—is a cornerstone of successful relationships. They hypothesized that individuals with positive world beliefs might view their relationships as rewarding and worthwhile, motivating them to pursue goals that deepen intimacy and connection.
“I am interested in the factors that impact how people relate to others, and whether or not they maintain social connections that promote their well-being. Many of those factors involve beliefs, including beliefs about oneself, other people, and relationships,” said study author Edward Lemay, a professor and director of (https://irlumd.weebly.com/) the Interpersonal Relationships Lab at the University of Maryland.
“However, little is known regarding the role of world beliefs, despite the fact that some theories suggest that world beliefs are important for motivation and behavior generally and for intimate relationships specifically. After Jeremy Clifton and colleagues published their research on primal world beliefs, I became excited about the idea of applying this research to close relationships and testing whether these beliefs impact the quality of romantic relationships.”
The study included 236 romantic couples who participated in a combination of surveys, daily diary entries, and follow-up assessments over one year. Participants were recruited through various channels, such as online advertisements, local postings, and emails. The sample included couples in diverse relationship stages—dating, engaged, or married—and varied in age, with an average relationship length of nine years.
Both partners in each couple completed an initial survey, which measured their primal world beliefs using a detailed questionnaire that assessed dimensions like whether they perceived the world as good, safe, or enticing. The survey also included measures of relationship satisfaction, communal motivation (the desire to care for their partner’s needs), and responsiveness.
To capture everyday relationship experiences, participants completed daily diary entries for two weeks. These entries included questions about their relationship satisfaction, responsiveness to their partner, and perceptions of their partner’s responsiveness. The researchers averaged these daily reports to assess general trends. Additionally, participants nominated friends who knew both members of the couple to provide external assessments of responsiveness, adding a third-party perspective.
A follow-up survey was conducted one year later to assess changes in relationship satisfaction, communal motivation, and responsiveness. This longitudinal approach allowed the researchers to explore the stability of primal world beliefs and their potential long-term associations with relationship outcomes.
The researchers found strong associations between positive world beliefs and various indicators of relationship quality. Individuals who viewed the world as good or enticing tended to report higher daily relationship satisfaction and greater responsiveness to their partners. Their partners also reported feeling more satisfied and perceived them as more responsive. These findings were corroborated by friends’ assessments, adding external validation to the self-reported data.
One of the key insights was the role of approach and avoidance goals in mediating these associations. People with positive world beliefs were more likely to adopt approach goals in their relationships. These approach goals were strongly linked to higher satisfaction and mutual responsiveness for both partners. In contrast, avoidance goals—focused on preventing conflict or avoiding rejection—were less common among those with positive world beliefs and were associated with lower satisfaction and responsiveness.
“A key takeaway is that positive world beliefs (specifically, seeing the world as generally good and seeing the world as enticing) promote mutually caring and satisfying romantic relationships,” Lemay told PsyPost. “These beliefs have this effect because they shape the goals people pursue in their relationships. When people see the world as good and enticing, they adopt ‘approach goals,’ which are goals to obtain positive outcomes in the relationship, such as having fun with one’s partner, having meaningful experiences with one’s partner, and improving the bonding and intimacy in the relationship.”
“When people pursue these approach goals, it promotes more caring and satisfying relationships for themselves and their partners. In other words, when people see the world as a good place, or as a place that is interesting and worth exploring, it may cause them to see more opportunities for improving their relationships, and to see improving their relationships as worthwhile.”
The one-year follow-up provided additional insights. Participants with positive world beliefs reported greater communal motivation—a willingness to prioritize their partner’s needs—and higher relationship satisfaction over time. Their partners also perceived them as more responsive a year later, suggesting that these associations were not merely short-term effects but reflected enduring patterns in their relationships.
Moreover, the study highlighted the stability of primal world beliefs. Positive beliefs about the world’s goodness and enticing nature were consistent over the year, likely reinforced by the individuals’ satisfying and mutually responsive relationships. This suggests that such beliefs and relationship dynamics may create a feedback loop, where positive beliefs encourage behaviors that enhance relationships, which in turn validate and sustain those beliefs.
Interestingly, the belief that the world is safe or dangerous did not significantly predict relationship outcomes. This was surprising, as the researchers had hypothesized that feeling safe would reduce avoidance goals and promote better relationship quality. They speculated that individuals who view the world as dangerous might either disengage from avoidance strategies or acclimate to negative experiences, diluting the impact of this belief on their relationship dynamics.
The study also revealed mixed effects for the belief that the world is alive—perceived as interactive and dependent on one’s actions. While this belief was associated with both approach and avoidance goals, the opposing effects appeared to cancel each other out, resulting in no clear overall impact on relationship satisfaction or responsiveness.
“The Clifton et al. (2019) measure of primal world beliefs breaks up world beliefs into three distinct beliefs – safe (versus dangerous), enticing (versus dull), and alive (versus mechanistic),” Lemay explained. “We found that enticing world beliefs (i.e., beliefs that the world is interesting, fascinating, and worth exploring) predicted relationship quality. To our surprise, we did not find that seeing the world as safe predicted relationship quality.
“A number of theoretical frameworks suggest that feeling safe and secure in one’s relationship (i.e., trusting one’s partner) is important for relationship quality, whereas being hypervigilant for threats tends to diminish relationship quality because it makes people trust their partners less. So we had expected that safe world belief would be an important contributor to relationship quality.”
“In hindsight, it might be the case that safe world beliefs do not strongly predict relationship quality because there is both a ‘push’ and a ‘pull’ with regard to how these beliefs impact relationships,” Lemay continued. “On the one hand, when people see the world as safe, this might cause them to have more trust in their partners, which can improve relationship quality. On the other hand, when people see the world as safe, they may be less dependent on their partners for safety and protection from a subjectively dangerous world (compared to people who see the world as dangerous), which could reduce closeness.”
The findings underscore the potential of primal world beliefs to shape romantic relationships. But as with all research, there are limitations. The sample primarily consisted of individuals from the United States, a culture characterized by high relational mobility and a tendency toward approach motivations. The findings may differ in cultures with lower relational mobility or greater emphasis on avoidance motivations. Additionally, the study cannot establish causation.
“We used daily surveys and longitudinal methods over a year to test our hypotheses,” Lemay noted. “These methods have important strengths, such as high ecological validity (i.e., the methods capture people’s experiences in their day-to-day lives) and examining change over a relatively long period of time. However, an important limitation is that they do not tell us anything about causation. Researchers are working on developing experimental manipulations of world beliefs, which would permit testing causal effects of world beliefs on interpersonal relationships.”
Future research could address these gaps by exploring the effects of primal world beliefs in diverse cultural settings, among same-sex couples, and in relationships with differing dynamics. Additionally, the researchers are interested in the reciprocal relationship between world beliefs and interpersonal relationships—how these two facets influence each other over time, potentially forming a self-reinforcing cycle of well-being.
“Over the long term, I would like to develop an understanding of how our experiences in the broader world impact our interpersonal relationships and vice-versa, how our interpersonal relationships impact our experiences of the broader world,” Lemay said. “People’s general world beliefs are one piece of that picture.”
“You can take the Primals World Belief survey at Jeremy Clifton’s website. The site will generate a report explaining how you compare to others who have taken the scale. Here is the address: (https://myprimals.com/discover-your-primals/) https://myprimals.com/discover-your-primals/.”
The study, “(https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/01461672241296326) World Beliefs Predict the Maintenance of Satisfying Communal Relationships: The Role of Approach and Avoidance Goals,” was authored by Edward P. Lemay Jr., Jennifer N. Cutri, Ronald Or, and Alexander Davis.

(https://www.psypost.org/new-study-challenges-assumptions-about-social-medias-harm-to-mental-health/) New study challenges assumptions about social media’s harm to mental health
Jan 5th 2025, 14:00

A new study published in (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117400) Social Science & Medicine challenges widespread beliefs about the effects of heavy social media use on mental health. Contrary to popular opinion, the researchers found that the amount of time spent on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook has little to no significant impact on mental health indicators such as depression, anxiety, or stress. In some cases, the effect of social media use may even be neutral or positive, suggesting that the relationship between these platforms and mental health is more complex than previously thought.
Social media has become a central part of daily life for billions of people worldwide, sparking debate about its psychological consequences. Some researchers have raised alarms about potential harms, linking excessive use to issues like depression, anxiety, and stress. Others have highlighted its benefits, such as fostering connections and providing entertainment.
However, many studies rely on self-reported data, which can be prone to bias and misrepresentation. The new study sought to address these gaps by using objective data on social media usage to provide a clearer picture of its relationship with mental health.
“We were interested in this topic because there has been a growing narrative, both in popular media and policy, about the negative impact of social media on mental health,” said study author Chloe N. Jones, a PhD candidate at Curtin University.
“However, much of the research supporting these claims relies on self-reported estimates of social media use, which can be inaccurate. We wanted to take a more objective approach to measure social media use and its relationship with psychological distress and cognitive functions like attentional control.”
The research involved 401 participants, primarily undergraduate psychology students and community members, aged 17 to 53. The sample was predominantly female, with an average age of 22. Participants’ social media use was measured objectively over one week using smartphone screen time tracking tools. The researchers focused on five popular platforms: Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, and Twitter (now X).
In addition to tracking social media usage, participants completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), a well-established questionnaire used to assess psychological distress. This measure evaluated symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress to gauge participants’ mental health. To assess attentional control—a cognitive ability linked to focus and inhibition—participants performed an antisaccade task. This task required them to direct their attention away from a distracting stimulus and focus on a target, providing a measure of their ability to manage competing visual inputs.
The data collection occurred over several years, allowing for a robust sample size and a variety of testing environments. Participants were guided through the procedures either in person or online, ensuring consistency in how the measures were administered.
The researchers found that overall time spent on social media had little to no impact on mental health indicators such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Contrary to many previous findings, the researchers observed no significant relationship between total social media use and psychological distress.
While there was a very small positive association between social media use and anxiety, this accounted for less than 1.5% of the shared variance, suggesting it was not a meaningful factor. There were no associations between social media use and symptoms of depression or stress.
Interestingly, the study did not support the idea that heavy social media use impairs attentional control. In fact, the researchers observed a small positive association between social media use and attentional control, particularly among TikTok users.
“One surprising finding was that the relationship between social media use and attentional control, though small, was positive, challenging the common assumption that social media negatively impacts attentional control,” Jones told PsyPost.
The researchers also tested whether attentional control moderated the relationship between social media use and psychological distress. Contrary to some earlier findings, attentional control did not influence the association between social media use and mental health outcomes. This suggests that individuals’ ability to manage their attention does not significantly change how social media use impacts their psychological well-being.
Overall, the results indicate that the link between social media use and mental health is weaker than many assume. The small associations observed were platform-specific and unlikely to represent significant risks or benefits for most users.
“The main takeaway is that social media use does not have the strong negative relationship with mental health or attentional control that is often assumed,” Jones said. “Our study suggests that, when objectively measured, the relationship between social media use and mental health indicators like depression, anxiety, and stress is minimal, and the link to attentional control is slightly positive. This could help reduce unwarranted fears about social media and encourage people to consider its role in a more balanced way.”
While the study provides valuable insights, it is not without limitations. For instance, the research focused exclusively on mobile phone usage, which may not capture social media activity on other devices like computers. Additionally, the attentional control task used in the study measured only one specific aspect of this cognitive ability. Future research could explore other dimensions, such as sustained attention or memory, to build a more comprehensive understanding.
The study also did not differentiate between active and passive use of social media. Active engagement, such as posting or direct messaging, may have different psychological impacts compared to passive scrolling. Investigating these nuances could reveal more about how various types of social media use influence mental health.
“It is important to note that these findings are based on objective measures of time spent using social media,” Jones noted. “There could still be other factors, like content type, user characteristics, and/or individual differences in how people use social media, that may potentially influence mental health in ways our study did not capture.”
Another avenue for future research is examining platform-specific effects in greater detail. Each platform offers unique features and user experiences, which may contribute to distinct mental health outcomes. Understanding these differences could help individuals make more informed choices about their social media habits.
“Our long-term goal is to further investigate the relationship between social media use, mental health, and cognitive functioning,” Jones said. “Specifically, we aim to explore various cognitive abilities such as memory and other attention-related processes, as well as psychological factors like personality and usage patterns. We also plan to conduct experimental studies to better understand the potential causal links between social media use and these outcomes.”
“While our findings suggest social media use doesn’t have the catastrophic effects often claimed, it’s important to maintain a balanced perspective,” she added. “Like any technology, social media may have both positive and negative effects depending on how it is used. Our research invites readers to question the prevailing ‘doom-and-gloom’ narrative and instead think critically about how social media fits into their lives and how it can be used in healthier ways.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117400) Investigating the links between objective social media use, attentional control, and psychological distress,” was authored by Chloe N. Jones, Daniel Rudaizky, Tamsin Mahalingham, and Patrick J.F. Clarke.

(https://www.psypost.org/dogs-and-owners-hearts-sync-during-interactions-research-finds/) Dogs’ and owners’ hearts sync during interactions, research finds
Jan 5th 2025, 12:00

Researchers have uncovered new insights into the relationship between dogs and their owners. A study published in (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-76831-x) Scientific Reports has found that a dog’s heart rate variability adapts to its owner’s heart rate variability during interaction. This physiological “co-modulation” suggests that emotional states are shared between dogs and their owners, offering new understanding of the deep bond shared between the two species.
The relationship between dogs and humans has evolved over thousands of years, creating bonds akin to those between human caregivers and children. Researchers sought to explore whether these bonds are reflected in shared physiological states, such as heart rate variability, which indicates the balance between relaxation and arousal in the autonomic nervous system.
While prior studies examined behavioral and hormonal synchronization between dogs and humans, little was known about their physiological synchrony. By investigating this co-modulation, the researchers hoped to provide a clearer picture of the emotional and physiological connections that underpin the human-dog bond.
“I have always been fascinated by human-animal relationships and the close attachment bonds we can form with non-human animals, both from personal experience and from a scientific perspective. The dog-human relationship is particularly intriguing because the domestication of dogs has resulted in their remarkable sensitivity and ability to interpret human gestures and emotions,” said study author Aija Koskela, a researcher at the University of Helsinki and University of Jyväskylä
The study included 25 dog-owner pairs, focusing on cooperative dog breeds such as retrievers and herding dogs, which are known for their sensitivity to human cues. Dogs and their owners were recruited through social media and a cognitive testing company. Exclusion criteria for participants ensured that neither dogs nor owners had health conditions or behaviors that could interfere with the study’s measures. The owners, mostly women aged 40.8 years on average, lived with their dogs as indoor pets, and most of the dogs had been trained in dog sports like agility or obedience.
In a controlled environment, researchers attached heart rate monitors to both dogs and owners to measure heart rate variability. The pairs participated in six different tasks designed to mimic natural interactions, such as playing, stroking, training, and sniffing. These activities varied in physical intensity to distinguish the effects of emotional arousal from physical activity. Heart rate variability data was collected and analyzed alongside measures of physical activity using synchronized monitors.
Owners also completed questionnaires to assess their temperament and the quality of their relationship with their dogs. These tools allowed researchers to investigate how individual differences in personality and emotional closeness influenced the physiological responses of both dogs and owners.
The researchers found that dogs’ heart rate variability and activity levels were closely linked to their owners’. During periods of rest and calm interaction, such as before and after structured tasks, dogs and owners showed significant co-modulation in heart rate variability. This suggests a shared emotional arousal, likely influenced by the strong bond between the pairs. During more physically demanding activities like playing, the correlation between the pairs’ physical activity was stronger, but heart rate variability remained influenced by the shared emotional context.
“I believe this study confirms that the emotional mechanisms underlying dog-human interactions are similar to those in human attachment relationships, where emotions are shared and transmitted between attachment figures,” Koskela told PsyPost. “From a practical standpoint, I think it’s helpful for dog owners to remember that their emotions can greatly influence their dog’s behavior. We often focus so much on the dog’s actions that we overlook the emotional state driving them, or how our own feelings influence our dog.”
“For example, trying to calm a child while feeling upset yourself often doesn’t work—whereas calming yourself first helps the child feel secure. Likewise, dogs are highly attuned to human emotions. Being mindful of your emotional state can make challenging situations easier for both you and your dog.”
Interestingly, several factors shaped these physiological connections. For example, the dog’s heart rate variability was influenced by its size, the duration of its relationship with its owner, and the level of shared activities reported by the owner. Larger dogs and those living with their owners for a longer time tended to have lower heart rate variability, suggesting greater arousal or excitement during the tasks. Owners who scored higher on measures of negative affectivity (a tendency toward experiencing negative emotions) had dogs with higher heart rate variability.
Notably, the physiological synchronization between dogs and owners occurred only within the established pairs. When researchers randomly matched dogs with non-owners, this connection disappeared, confirming that the bond between a dog and its owner uniquely facilitates this co-modulation.
“Quite a few things surprised us,” Koskela said. “First, it was fascinating to observe that the emotional connection between dogs and their owners could be detected at physiological level over a relatively short time—the study lasted just an hour. Previously, emotional synchronization between dogs and owners has been studied at hormonal level over much longer time periods. Our study shows that this emotional connection can be detected in a very short time period and I think it’s amazing.”
“Second, it was surprising that the dog’s physiological state measured as heart rate variability explained the owner’s heart rate variability more than the other factors generally affecting the heart rate variability like age or weight. Lastly, I find it interesting that dogs belonging to owners with higher levels of negative affectivity, one of the four temperament traits, were more relaxed throughout the study. This could be because such owners often form very close emotional bonds with their dogs, offering also emotional support for the dog.”
The study highlights the physiological connection between dogs and their owners, suggesting that emotional and autonomic states are interlinked during interaction. However, there are some limitations to consider.
“The current study was limited by its relatively small sample size,” Koskela noted. “However, statistical analysis confirmed the reliability of the findings. Our sample also primarily consisted of female dog owners, which is noteworthy since an owner’s gender may influence both dog behavior and physiology. Furthermore, the sample likely reflects a bias toward active and committed dog owners, as most of the participants practiced dog sports and volunteered for the study in their free time without monetary compensation. Therefore, it is plausible that dog-owner dyads with more functional relationships than average are overrepresented in this study.”
Looking forward, Koskela said that she is “interested in studying emotional synchrony between dogs and their owners in greater detail, particularly on a moment-to-moment level and the factors that modulate it (e.g., personality traits or time lived together). More broadly, I aim to identify the factors associated with functional dog-owner relationships.”
“It’s noteworthy that we studied only cooperative breeds, which are known to be especially sensitive to human behavior and emotions. It would be fascinating to study more ancient breeds to determine whether their emotional states are similarly modulated by their owners.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76831-x) Behavioral and emotional co-modulation during dog–owner interaction measured by heart rate variability and activity,” was authored by Aija Koskela, Heini Törnqvist, Sanni Somppi, Katriina Tiira, Virpi-Liisa Kykyri, Laura Hänninen, Jan Kujala, Miho Nagasawa, Takefumi Kikusui, and Miiamaaria V. Kujala.

(https://www.psypost.org/testosterone-spikes-linked-to-stronger-political-opinions-in-men/) Testosterone spikes linked to stronger political opinions in men
Jan 5th 2025, 10:00

A series of three studies on healthy men found that their political opinion changes were weakly associated with changes in testosterone levels. These changes were also somewhat associated with fluctuations in cortisol levels, though this relationship was more complex. The research was published in (https://doi.org/10.1007/s40750-024-00245-2) Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology.
Testosterone and cortisol are two important hormones produced and used by the body. Testosterone is a steroid hormone primarily produced in the testes in men and the ovaries in women. It plays a key role in developing male characteristics, muscle mass, and libido. Testosterone also influences psychological traits such as aggression, confidence, and competitiveness. Elevated testosterone can support risk-taking and assertiveness, but excessive levels may impair emotional regulation.
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It is released in response to stress to help regulate metabolism, blood sugar, and the immune system. Cortisol helps the body manage stress, but prolonged elevated levels can lead to negative effects like anxiety, fatigue, and immune suppression. Chronic high cortisol can negatively affect memory, concentration, and mood, contributing to feelings of burnout and depression.
Study author Benjamin G. Serpell and his colleagues noted that levels of these hormones fluctuate throughout the day, as does the strength of opinions a person holds. They wondered whether the strength of opinions might be associated with hormone levels. To explore this, they conducted a series of studies examining the association between opinions on political topics such as the United States–Mexico barrier and the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union (referred to as the “Wall” and “Brexit”).
The first study aimed to describe changes in cortisol, testosterone, and opinions over the course of a day. Following this, the researchers conducted an experiment in which they used physical exercise to alter hormone levels. In the final experiment, they used a psychological stimulus—viewing a sad video—to achieve similar changes.
The participants included 30 healthy men recruited from the general community. Fifteen were younger, with an average age of 24 to 25 years, while the other 15 were older, with an average age of 55 years. All participants reported being physically active and were broadly aware of both the “Brexit” and “Wall” politics. However, none said that these issues particularly affected them personally.
In the first study, participants provided saliva samples at three time points during the day (9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 3:00 PM) over three separate days. For the second study, 25 of these men performed a short bout of intense exercise on a cycle ergometer, an activity expected to elevate testosterone levels. Saliva samples were collected five minutes before the exercise and 15 minutes after, and participants rated their political opinions on the two topics at each time point.
In the third study, 20 participants watched a one-minute video of a sad, crying girl accompanied by audible sobbing. This video was expected to lower testosterone levels. Saliva samples were taken before and 15 minutes after viewing the video, and participants rated their opinions as in the earlier studies.
Participants expressed their political opinions by rating their agreement on a scale from 1 (strongly oppose) to 7 (strongly support) in response to two questions: (1) What do you think about Donald Trump’s immigration policy in terms of building a wall on the Mexican border (i.e., Wall)? and (2) Do you support Britain’s decision to leave the European Union (i.e., Brexit)?
The first study showed that both hormone levels and the strength of political opinions fluctuated throughout the day. Both hormone levels and opinions were stronger at 9:00 AM than at 12:00 PM or 3:00 PM. Younger men also had higher testosterone levels than older participants.
The exercise conducted in the second study increased both hormone levels and the strength of opinions, with one exception: cortisol levels in older men at 9:00 AM remained unchanged. In contrast, viewing the sad video in the third study decreased testosterone levels and weakened the two political opinions. In both the exercise and sad-video interventions, cortisol levels increased.
“This work identifies that opinion stability, in men, varies in a manner potentially linked to relatively small physiological fluctuations in testosterone concentration and, to a lesser extent, cortisol. These links also appear to be strongly individual in nature,” the study authors concluded.
The study makes a valuable contribution to the scientific understanding of the links between hormone levels and political opinions. However, it is important to note that the observed associations were relatively weak overall and less clear in the case of cortisol. Additionally, the study design does not allow for definitive causal conclusions about the relationships between hormone levels and political opinions.
The paper, “(https://doi.org/10.1007/s40750-024-00245-2) Fluctuations in Cortisol and Testosterone Map to Fluctuations in Opinion Strength in Healthy Men,” was authored by Benjamin G. Serpell, Blair T. Crewther, Phillip J. Fourie, and Christian J. Cook.

Forwarded by:
Michael Reeder LCPC
Baltimore, MD

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