Behavioral Health | Penn Today

A young person wearing a mask and polka dot t-shirt leaning against a faux wooden wall.

A mental health checkup for children and adolescents, a year into COVID

As a whole, this group experienced a significant short-term psychological toll. Though the long-term consequences aren’t yet known, particularly given how the year disproportionately exacerbated adverse childhood experiences, Penn experts remain cautiously optimistic.

The science behind vaccine incentives

Katy Milkman of the Wharton School was interviewed about using incentives to motivate people to get vaccinated. “The focus is not on the adamant folks who are absolutely against it; it's rather on everyone else,” she said.

Gamification increases physical activity in T2DM patients

Research led by Mitesh Patel of the Perelman School of Medicine tested the effectiveness of gamification on weight loss and physical activity for adults with type 2 diabetes. While physical activity did increase among participants, there were not significant changes to weight loss or diabetes management when compared to the control group.

A group of four people leaning against a wall. The one farthest on the left is wearing a bag diagonal across the chest and holding papers. The second from left has on a purse. The second from right has on a backpack and is holding a blue spiral notebook. The person all the way on the right is pointing to the others and holds a folded piece of white paper and a writing utensil.

Morality isn’t fixed but changes around close relationships

Research from MindCORE postdoc Daniel Yudkin found that the importance people place on certain moral values shifts depending on who is around in a given moment.

Melissa G. Hunt is the associate director of clinical training in the Department of Psychology in the School of Arts & Sciences. She is also author of the book “Reclaim Your Life from IBS: A Scientifically Proven Plan for Relief without Restrictive Diets.”

A more effective at-home treatment for IBS

In a randomized control trial, researchers found that after eight weeks, participants with irritable bowel syndrome who used an app focused on cognitive behavioral therapy experienced better health-related quality of life, fewer GI symptoms, and less anxiety.

Wharton professor Katy Milkman (Image: Peter Murphy)

Katy Milkman on the science of change

The Wharton professor and co-director of the Behavior Change for Good Initiative discusses her new book aimed at helping individuals and managers inspire meaningful, lasting shifts in behavior.

A person standing in the front of a classroom holding a pointer, smiling. Blurry water bottles appear in the foreground.

Behavior Change for Good unveils effective strategies to boost vaccination rates

Texts with “reserved for you” messaging boosted flu vaccine rates by up to 11%.

Close-up of a smiling person in a black V-neck shirt, standing outside near marble pillars.

When the message matters, use science to craft it

An interdisciplinary initiative called the Message Effects Lab aims to understand, tap into, and develop communication around what motivates specific behaviors for specific populations. Its first projects center around COVID-19 testing and vaccines.

Outline of a human brain made up of healthy, nutritious food.

Dietary adherence and the fight against obesity

While eating less and moving more are the basics of weight control and obesity treatment, finding ways to help people adhere to a weight-loss regimen is more complicated.

Young person sitting at a table, leaning chin on crossed arms, wearing a mask. There are books, colored pencils, an abacus, a notepad and more scattered around.

Children, the pandemic, and long-term mental health consequences

New work from Penn Nursing and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia describes the importance of recognizing COVID-19’s psychological effects on young people and the pivotal role pediatric nurses in all settings can play.

Filters