Behavioral Health | Penn Today

Why ‘I’ll just suck it up’ doesn’t work

Angela Duckworth of the School of Arts & Sciences shares the benefit of having a sustained commitment to a goal and endurance in your effort.

Philly ‘eliminated’ veteran homelessness in 2015. Why are there still vets on the street?

David Oslin of the Perelman School of Medicine explains why mental health perils for veterans are higher due to their service.

Smiling person kneels with dog along riverbank

Forging healthy bonds with canine companions

School of Veterinary Medicine postdoc Lauren Powell’s research illuminates how the personalities of both dogs and their owners influence the pairs’ ability to overcome behavioral challenges.

Cash for shots? Studies suggest payouts improve vaccination rates

Dena Gromet of the Wharton School said vaccine incentives like lotteries may be effective, “but we are likely going to have to rely on a multiprong approach to be able to really make a dent in vaccination going forward.”

A simple text has the power to increase COVID vaccinations

David Asch of the Wharton School weighed in on a study that found text message reminders boosted vaccination rates in California. “I’m still sometimes amazed at how subtle changes and wording can make a difference,” he said.

A black-and-white drawing of a head with lines signifying the person is speaking.

The intonation Black/biracial men use to speak about race

In a study of college-educated biracial men, ages 18 to 32, sociolinguist Nicole Holliday found that, when asked about race, this group frequently brought up law enforcement unprompted and discussed the subject using vocal tone more generally associated with white speakers.

How to motivate your teen to be a safer driver

M. Kit Delgado of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about ways to motivate teen drivers to avoid phone-related distractions, suggesting people enable an automatic “do not disturb while driving” mode, set up any navigation or music apps before taking off, and install an eye-level phone mount.

Sprinkle donuts falling from sky over a vial of vaccine and a needle.

Vaccine lotteries and beyond: What motivates healthy behaviors

As COVID-19 vaccines have become available to the general public and vaccination rates began to slow, there has been a boom in incentives for receiving the vaccine across the United States. CHIBE’s Kevin Volpp investigates the trend.

A person outside leaning over on a black railing, with leaves and trees blurry in the foreground.

How gender norms and job loss affect relationship status

Research from Penn sociologist Pilar Gonalons-Pons shows that, in cultures that value men as breadwinners, their unemployment can affect the long-term success of a romantic relationship.

Person sitting at a table with blurry people in front and a screen hanging on the wall behind, which reads, "Experiential effects on brain development."

Scientists say active early learning shapes the adult brain

Through the Abecedarian Project, an early education, randomized controlled trial that has followed children since 1971, Penn and Virginia Tech researchers reveal new discoveries about brain structure decades later.

Filters