http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/child_psychology/ Child psychology and medical research. From how massage can help infants cry less, to the effect of chemical pollution on children, read the latest child psychology news here. en-us Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:05:01 EST Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/child_psychology/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123083654.htm In a new study, the amount of television viewed by many young children in child care settings doubles the previous estimates of early childhood screen time, with those in home-based settings watching significantly more on average than those in center-based daycares. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123083654.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091124103619.htm Involving family members of pediatric cancer and hematology patients in medical rounds benefits both the family and the medical team, according to a new study. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091124103619.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091124103615.htm Nearly half of the 3- to 6-year-old girls in a new study worry about being fat. The study surprisingly concluded that the girls did not appear to be influenced by short video clips of stereotypically beautiful, thin princesses in animated children's movies. But it's still important for parents to use "The Princess and the Frog" and other movies to start conversations with their children about weight, skin color and their perceptions of beauty. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091124103615.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123094135.htm A new study has found evidence that the amount and timing of alcohol consumption in pregnancy affects child behavior in different ways. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123094135.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123094137.htm Surgeons who are burned out or depressed are more likely to say they had recently committed a major error on the job, according to the largest study to date on physician burnout. The new findings suggest that the mental well-being of the surgeon is associated with a higher rate of self-reported medical errors, something that may undermine patient safety more than the fatigue that is often blamed for many of the medical mistakes. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123094137.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116165735.htm Magnetic resonance images of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in childhood show that pediatric onset multiple sclerosis is more aggressive, and causes more brain lesions, than MS diagnosed in adulthood, researchers have reported. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116165735.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123083652.htm Children exposed prenatally to tobacco smoke and during childhood to lead face a particularly high risk for ADHD, according to new research. The study estimates that up to 35 percent of ADHD cases in children between the ages of 8 and 15 could be reduced by eliminating both of these environmental exposures. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123083652.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091122095411.htm Researchers have determined that children who suffer physical or emotional abuse may be faced with accelerated cellular aging as adults. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091122095411.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091121093234.htm Treatment that includes medication plus a structured training program for parents reduces serious behavioral problems in children with autism and related conditions, according to a new study. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091121093234.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123125155.htm Finding a permanent home for children and youth who are in the care of welfare agencies should be a priority for all Canadians, researchers urge. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123125155.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091120084613.htm Psychological therapy could be 32 times more cost effective at making you happy than simply obtaining more money, according to a new study. The research has obvious implications for large compensation awards in law courts but also has wider implications for general public health. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091120084613.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119193626.htm Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) have a number of cognitive deficits. Mathematical ability seems particularly damaged in children with FASD. A new study supports the importance of the left parietal area for mathematical abilities in children with FASD. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119193626.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119141227.htm Heavy criticism from a parent can increase aggressive behavior in some children. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119141227.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119194122.htm Maternal depression can worsen asthma symptoms in their children, according to new research. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119194122.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119193630.htm Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has been linked to significant impairments in social skills. Researchers have found that a social- skills intervention called Children's Friendship Training can lead to a decrease in hostile attributions or perceptions of children with PAE. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119193630.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118143207.htm At birth, children with Down syndrome aren't developmentally delayed. But as they age, these kids fall behind. Memory deficits inherent in Down syndrome hinder learning, making it hard for the brain to collect experiences needed for normal cognitive development. Scientists have now demonstrated a possible new approach to slowing the inevitable progression of cognitive decline found in Down syndrome. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118143207.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118161221.htm Needle! For some people, the word -- almost as much as the sight of one sliding into skin -- is enough for people to cringe, cry, even swoon if they're standing in line waiting for one. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118161221.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118101354.htm Some children may suffer greater consequences of secondhand smoke exposure. In both toddlers and adolescents, obesity enhances the cardiovascular toxicities of secondhand smoke exposure. Toddlers had a four times greater risk of secondhand smoke exposure when compared to adolescents, despite having similar reported home exposures. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118101354.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116143623.htm Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug by adolescents, with almost 42 percent of high school seniors admitting to having experimented with it. Many studies have focused on parents as being the best avenue for preventing adolescent marijuana use; however, the strength of the relationship between monitoring and marijuana usage has been unclear. According to a meta-analysis, there is in a fact a strong, reliable link between parental monitoring and decreased marijuana usage in adolescents. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116143623.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117094931.htm Parents have long suspected that the brains of their teenagers function differently from those of adults. With the advent of magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, we have begun to appreciate how the brain continues to develop structurally through adolescence and on into adulthood. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117094931.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116131708.htm Drivers who engaged in self-harm were at increased risk of motor vehicle crashes, even after controlling for psychological distress and substance abuse, found a study of 18,871 Australian drivers. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116131708.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117143411.htm Young athletes' achievement goals can change in a healthy way over the course of a season when their coaches create a mastery motivational climate rather than an ego orientation. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117143411.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117124003.htm Daily physical exercise at school positively improves students' body composition and exercise capacity. This is especially true of students with a low socioeconomic status. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117124003.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116085040.htm A study of 145 preschool children reports, for the first time, that when the concentrations of two common phthalates in mothers' prenatal urine are elevated their sons are less likely to play with male-typical toys and games, such as trucks and play fighting. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116085040.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083257.htm Using data from the late 1970s, researchers have looked at almost 200 children ages 3 to 9 in Belize, Kenya, Nepal and American Samoa to determine whether modernization changes have had an effect on the thinking skills that are learned over the course of childhood. Results show that children in communities with more modern resources performed better in some areas of cognitive functioning and that they took part in more complex sequences of play. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083257.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083930.htm Youth development programs that tackle deprivation and help children and young people enjoy school are successful in reducing teenage pregnancy rates. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083930.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083303.htm A study of about 50 4-, 5-, and 7-year-olds identified coping strategies by having children listen to short illustrated stories in which a child came into contact with something that looked like a real or an imaginary frightening creature. In situations in which a child's fear was caused by real creatures, the researchers found, children would rather do something than think positive thoughts. The study also highlights important sex and age differences in children's coping. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083303.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109173400.htm Teenage women who are obese may be more than twice as likely to develop multiple sclerosis as adults compared to female teens who are not obese, according to a new study. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109173400.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083259.htm A study of more than 250 African-American youths from urban, low-income families examined the unique effects of racial identity and self esteem on mental health. Findings reveal that when young people's feelings of ethnic pride rose between 7th and 8th grades, their mental health also improved over that period, regardless of their self-esteem. The researchers also found that racial identity was a stronger buffer against symptoms of depression for boys than for girls. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083259.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091115123711.htm Children as young as 12 have a strong sense of their personal futures and can reflect thoughtfully on what life might hold for them, according to new research. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091115123711.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113151037.htm The mere thought of your loved one can reduce your pain, psychologists report. The study involved 25 women who had boyfriends with whom they had been in a good relationship for more than six months. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113151037.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083301.htm A study of more than 120 ethnically and socioeconomically diverse US elementary school children shows that children develop an awareness about racial stereotypes early and that those biases can be damaging. Specifically, the study illustrates that when children become aware of bias about their own racial or ethnic group, it can affect how they respond to everyday situations, ranging from interacting with others to taking tests. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083301.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083305.htm A new study has found that young people feel differently about two types of parental control, generally viewing a type of control that's thought to be better for their development more positively. In the study, researchers asked 67 American children to respond to hypothetical scenarios involving both kinds of control. Their results show that youths put a negative spin on both types of control when the parents in the scenarios exercised a lot of control. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083305.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083254.htm Two new studies explore why young children ask so many "why" questions and conclude that children are motivated by a desire for explanation. In the first study, researchers examined longitudinal transcripts of children's everyday conversations and in the second study, they looked at laboratory-based conversations. Results indicate that when preschoolers ask "why" questions, they're not merely trying to prolong conversation, they're trying to get to the bottom of things. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083254.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111200213.htm Malfunctioning circadian clock genes may be responsible for bipolar disorder in children. Researchers found four versions of the regulatory gene RORB that were associated with pediatric bipolar disorder. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111200213.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111123600.htm The vast majority of school-aged children can focus on the voice of a teacher amid the cacophony of the typical classroom thanks to a brain that automatically focuses on relevant, predictable and repeating auditory information, according to new research. But for children with developmental dyslexia, the teacher's voice may get lost in the background noise of banging lockers, whispering children, playground screams and scraping chairs, the researchers say. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111123600.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109121334.htm Teachers and parents must be vigilant in observing difficulties with language comprehension, reading and spelling in children and young people with autism, Asperger's syndrome and ADHD. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109121334.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110171630.htm Nearly 50 percent of women surveyed indicate they experience pain symptoms 2 to 3 years after breast cancer treatment, with women who were younger or who received supplemental radiation therapy more likely to have pain, according to a new study. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110171630.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110202855.htm Researchers have developed a pupil response test that is 92.5 percent accurate in separating children with autism from those with typical development. In the study, the scientists found that children with autism have slower pupil responses to light change. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110202855.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110105359.htm Virtual reality games could help children to escape victimization and bullying at school, according to researchers in the UK. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110105359.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109174256.htm Handwriting skills are crucial for success in school, communication, and building children's self-esteem. The first study to examine handwriting quality in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has uncovered a relationship between fine motor control and poor quality of handwriting in children with ASD. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109174256.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016141409.htm Alcohol and drug use are known contributors to adolescents engaging in dangerous sexual activity. Yet, research suggests that fewer than half of pediatricians report screening patients for such at-risk behaviors. A new diagnostic test allows clinicians to quickly and accurately screen teens for high risk drug and alcohol use. Now, researchers have established that the same test can also identify teens who more likely to be engaging in high risk sexual behaviors. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016141409.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109121213.htm What do you get when you cross a mouse with poor hearing and a mouse with even worse hearing? Ironically, a new strain of mice with "golden ears" -- mice that have outstanding hearing as they age. The new mouse hears much like people with "golden ears" -- people who are able to retain great hearing even as they grow older. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109121213.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091108131440.htm The loss of a gene through deletion of genetic material on chromosome 15 is associated with significant abnormalities in learning and behavior, say researchers in a new study. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091108131440.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109121129.htm Research carried out among thousands of people has shown a clear connection between depression and a loss of bone mass, leading to osteoporosis and fractures. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109121129.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102172249.htm New research provides a comprehensive comparative functional anatomy study in human and monkey brains which reveals highly similar brain networks preserved across evolution. Scientists examined patterns of connectivity to show that the precuneus, long thought to be a single structure, is actually divided into four distinct functional regions. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102172249.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105121220.htm A professor of library and information science says that comic books are just as sophisticated as other forms of literature, and children benefit from reading them at least as much as they do from reading other types of books. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105121220.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105201441.htm Parents who dress their children in inappropriate clothing could be inadvertently hampering their child's physical activity in childcare settings. The study suggests that inadequate or inappropriate clothing could restrict children's outdoor play. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105201441.htm