Psychology Today: When and How We Talk with People

Posted: October 30, 2019

If you heard someone say that it’s good for our emotional health to talk with other people, I’m betting you’d agree. But what aspect of talking and being sociable is important? Is it how often we communicate with people? What about how we converse with others? A recent study examined these questions.

So just how does your communication link up with your emotional wellness? Read the full article here! 

APA Statement on House Passage of Dignity in Aging Act

Posted: October 28, 2019

WASHINGTON — The American Psychological Association applauded the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage today of the Dignity in Aging Act, H.R. 4334, which would reauthorize and amend programs under the Older Americans Act.

“The programs and services authorized under the Older Americans Act provide important social, nutrition and other community services, as well as support to area agencies on aging and services research,” said APA President Rosie Phillips Davis, PhD. “APA is working closely with House and Senate offices in support of provisions to better meet older Americans’ mental health needs, and we applaud the House for including provisions on suicide prevention, ending social isolation and addressing cultural sensitivities with caregiving. APA will continue to advocate for mental health provisions as the bill moves to the Senate.”

APA: Psychology's Power to Create Healthier Workplaces

Posted: October 22, 2019

APA is expanding its work to help employees and employers meet today’s challenges and prepare for the future. Earlier this year, APA established a new Office of Applied Psychology as part of our larger commitment to elevate our focus on applied psychology—the branch of our field that uses psychological research, theory and methods to address real-world issues. One of those real-world issues is the changing nature of work. Nearly one in six Americans now works remotely at least part of the time. This month’s cover story explores how psychologists are helping companies to understand and make the most of this shift.

That work represents just one of the many ways psychological science can foster healthier workers and workplaces. Next month, more of that science will be on display at the biennial Work, Stress and Health conference, Nov. 6–9, in Philadelphia. Attendees will discuss such critical topics as how automation is transforming work and how workplace programs can help combat substance use.

How We Elicit What Happens to Us

Posted: October 21, 2019

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines resilience as "the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or even significant sources of stress.” Resilience can be examined from psychological, biological, economical, sociological, and other perspectives (Southwick, Bonanno, Masten, Panter-Brick, & Yehuda, 2014). Two core concepts of psychological resilience consist of adversity (e.g., stressors, ranging from daily hassles, bullying, harassing, to major life traumas) and healthy adaptation (mental coping and thriving despite disadvantage and adversity; Fletcher, & Sarkar, 2013).

A bit of common advice reiterated for enhancing psychological resilience involves the popular statement that, “It is not what happens to you, but how you think about (or react to) it.” Although this assertion is beneficial as a cognitive coping strategy in helping people focus on their reactions to the experienced adverse events for the purpose of alleviating depression, anxiety, and other maladaptation, this advice appears to only view the individuals as a receiver of negativities, but not as the persons who also bear certain responsibility for their unfavorable experiences.

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