Behavioral Health

A 2018 study by Melissa Hunt of the School of Arts & Sciences found significant reductions in loneliness and depression among undergraduate students who limited their use of Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat to 10 minutes per day.

David Mandell of the Perelman School of Medicine found that many Black and Hispanic children were historically diagnosed with ADHD, adjustment disorder, or conduct disorder before autism.

Janet Chrzan of the School of Nursing and the School of Arts & Sciences discusses people’s fear of food and the negative impact of diet culture.

An analysis by Rachel French of the Perelman School of Medicine and Karen Lasater of the School of Nursing found that more than 40% of registered nurses reported high burnout, even before the pandemic. Nursing Dean Antonia Villarruel is also quoted about nurse practitioners.

Penn alumna Alison Malmon is noted for creating Active Minds, a mental health organization for college students, after her brother’s death by suicide.

Kenneth J. Weiss of the Perelman School of Medicine says that Jaylan Walker’s death doesn’t have all the classic earmarks of suicide-by-cop, though there are some strong indicators.

A study co-authored by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine finds that the brain circuits involved in forming habits can essentially turn offline in people with eating disorders.

A 2022 study by Henry Kranzler of the Perelman School of Medicine and colleagues found that even light-to-moderate drinking levels, such as a couple of glasses of wine or beer per week, could reduce brain volume.

A study co-authored by Matthew Killingsworth of the Wharton School and PIK Professor Barbara Mellers finds that happiness increases when incomes rise above $75,000 for all but 20% of the population, the “least happy.”

Nancy A. Hodgson of the School of Nursing says that social isolation and loneliness are tied to poor health outcomes.