Monitor on Psychology - June 2012 - (Page 14)

Brief IN Snapshots of some of the latest peer-reviewed research within psychology and related fields. Thinkstock group. (International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, online March 11) n Today’s young adults appear to be less interested in politics and saving the environment than the youth of previous generations, suggest the results of a study led by San Diego State University psychologists. The researchers analyzed data from two nationwide surveys of more than 9 million young adults over the last 40 years. They found that only 51 percent of Millennials (born between 1982 and 2000) said they made an effort to cut down on electricity use to save energy, compared with 68 percent of baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1961). Likewise, interest in politics among youth decreased, from 50 percent for boomers to 39 percent for Generation Xers (born between 1962 and 1981) and 35 percent for Millennials. (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, online March 5) n Personality, gender and emotion regulation may influence how people remember life events, finds a study by scientists at the University of Illinois and the University of Alberta. The researchers used questionnaires and verbal cues to assess personality and to elicit more than 100 autobiographical memories in 71 adults. They found that extroverted men and women tended to remember more positive life events than negative ones. Men who were high in neuroticism recalled more negative memories than men low in neuroticism. Women who were high in neuroticism tended to ruminate on the same negative memories — a habit often associated with depression. (Emotion, January) Caregivers who did yoga and meditation had better mental health after eight weeks. n Meditation and yoga may enhance coping and quality of life for dementia caregivers, finds a study out of the University of California, Los Angeles. Researchers split 49 caregivers into two groups — a meditation group, who performed a 12-minute yoga practice that included an ancient chanting meditation every day, and 14 a control group, who relaxed quietly with their eyes closed while listening to soothing music for 12 minutes a day. After eight weeks, the researchers found that caregivers in the yoga and meditation group showed a 50 percent improvement on a mental health score, compared with a 19 percent mental health improvement for the relaxation MONITOR ON PSYCHOLOGY • JUNE 2012 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/gps.3790/abstract http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/gps.3790/abstract http://psycnet.apa.org/?&fa=main.doiLanding&doi=10.1037/a0026809

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Monitor on Psychology - June 2012

Monitor on Psychology - June 2012
Letters
President’s column
Contents
From the CEO
Give an Hour founder is one of Time magazine’s ‘most influential’
APA treatment guidelines panels are being formed
APA supports ‘Speak Up For Kids’
In Brief
Time Capsule
Random Sample
Judicial Notebook
Questionaire
APA honors Howell
Science Watch
Science Directions
What you should know about online education
Speaking of Education
Psychologist Profile
Redefining masculinity
Miscarriage and loss
Something for everyone
Candidates weigh in
Division Spotlight
American Psychological Foundation
Personalities

Monitor on Psychology - June 2012