Current reporting, research and professional developments across Family & Relationships, curated for psychologists and behavioral-health professionals.
Your daily rhythm may matter more for brain health than previously thought. Older adults with weaker, more disrupted activity patterns were far more likely to develop dementia than those with steady routines. A later…
Attention depends on the brain’s ability to filter out distractions, but new research suggests this works best when background brain activity is quieter. Scientists found that lowering certain versions of the Homer1 gene…
When a new year approaches, the gathering of both local and federal lawmakers isn’t far away. Deseret News asked a variety of ...
Categorizing a year through the lens of relationship tropes is more than a creative framing device. It provides a structured ...
Social media has a name for a transformation many people believe they have observed. A man, often non-Black, enters a long-term ...
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Dr. Lance B. Eliot is a world-renowned AI scientist and ...
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on some of the dating trends we saw this past year. We’re also discussing what these trends might mean for the dating landscape in 2026. The data we’re diving into is from the…
A major international review has upended long-held ideas about how top performers are made. By analyzing nearly 35,000 elite achievers across science, music, chess, and sports, researchers found that early stars rarely…
Let’s be honest, almost everyone has found themselves scrambling for a last-minute holiday gift at some point. If you’re still searching for a memorable gift for your partner this year, why not think a little differently…
More than 20% of young adults say they use cannabis or alcohol to fall asleep, with cannabis leading by a wide margin. Researchers warn this strategy can backfire, disrupting sleep quality and increasing the risk of…
A Virginia Tech study shows that ultra-processed foods may influence adolescents differently from slightly older young adults. Participants aged 18 to 21 ate more at a buffet and snacked even when not hungry after two…
** Note: This post is sponsored by Firmtech. ** Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common sexual health issues experienced by men. [1] It becomes increasingly prevalent as men age, and is typically defined as…
Kids with an anxious attachment can be clingy, sensitive, and have low-esteem. Anxious attachment requires healing—parents ...
Researchers discovered that unusually high temperatures can hinder early childhood development. Children living in hotter conditions were less likely to reach key learning milestones, especially in reading and basic math…
As this year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on all of the incredible books we’ve covered on the podcast and blog in 2025. We have learned a ton about sexuality, bodies, pleasure, and empowerment this year! In this…
Researchers studying people with major psychiatric disorders found that drinking up to four cups of coffee a day is associated with longer telomeres. This suggests a potential slowing of biological aging by about five…
A large study of brain scans shows that our neural wiring evolves through five major stages from birth to late old age. These phases are separated by sudden turning points that mark big shifts in how the brain is…
A massive veteran study found a strong connection between untreated sleep apnea and a higher chance of Parkinson’s. CPAP users had much lower odds of developing the condition. Researchers believe that repeated dips in…
Recently, we covered a new study assessing how trends in masturbation have changed over time. This research found that, across gender, the number of people who report having masturbated before has increased, although men…
Test your knowledge of signs that a relationship is on shaky ground. Being in a relationship is exciting. Often so much so that ...
If you’re a dedicated reader or listener of Sex and Psychology, you probably already know that we love talking about masturbation, including its history, its common misconceptions, and its many health benefits. We know…
People are more likely to believe lies when there’s the possibility of a reward. Neuroimaging shows that the brain shifts into reward or risk mode depending on whether the context involves a gain or a loss. Friends show…
Close family relationships afford a person better health and well-being, as well as lower rates of depression and disease ...
We are excited to announce that our study abroad program with Sexual Health Alliance is back for 2026! We will be returning to Amsterdam once again, but we’re also offering a brand new course in Paris! Be sure to book…
As daylight hours shorten and the weather turns colder, it’s possible that you may have noticed a shift in your overall mood, or that you feel more tired, unmotivated, and depressed than usual. For some, this shift may…
In both my personal and professional lives, I’m continually struck by just how much parents judge themselves. Harshly.
Prenatal exposure to the insecticide chlorpyrifos causes widespread brain abnormalities and poorer motor skills in children. Even after a residential ban, ongoing agricultural use continues to endanger developing brains.
Scientists have discovered a surprising benefit of the acne drug doxycycline: it may lower the risk of schizophrenia. Teens prescribed the antibiotic were about one-third less likely to develop the condition as adults…
Disrupted sleep patterns in Alzheimer’s disease may be more than a symptom—they could be a driving force. Researchers at Washington University found that the brain’s circadian rhythms are thrown off in key cell types…
Despite the fact that nearly half of the population worldwide will experience menstruation at least once in their lives, we know surprisingly little about what the effects of menstruation actually are. Even if we are…
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