Happiness

Viewing cat videos or photos boosts feelings of energy and positive emotions (hope, happiness, contentment) and decreases negative emotions (anxiety, annoyance, sadness, guilt). However, viewing more cat videos was also associated with less emotional stability.

Computers in Human Behavior

People that avoid attachment in relationships benefit from touch when experiencing it, despite their negative attitudes toward it.

Having a competent supervisor was more predictive of job satisfaction among workers than worker education, tenure, industry, or earnings.

Higher numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths and increased exposure to COVID-related media were associated with higher self-reported acute stress and more depressive symptoms in the United States.

Science Advances

In Austria and Germany, calls to mental health hotlines increased during severe COVID-19 governmental restrictions.

Social Science & Medicine

People who received more Instagram “likes” than expected reported less loneliness but more negative feelings such as being upset, hostile, ashamed, nervous, and afraid. These feelings may trigger more like-seeking to reduce dissatisfaction.

Personality and Individual Differences

Using a transgender youth's chosen name rather than their birth name can help affirm their gender identity and reduce the risk of depression and suicidal behaviors.

Journal of Adolescent Health

Children with pet dogs had fewer behavioral problems, got along better with their peers, and engaged more in prosocial behaviors such as sharing, helping, and comforting than children whose families didn't own dogs.

Procrastinating studying for exams by going on Facebook made anxiety worse for undergraduate students.

Children who felt more connected to nature were more likely to perform sustainable behaviors such as reducing waste, helping someone in need, and treating all people equally, which in turn increased happiness.