The Consequences of Skipping Breakfast

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In a new study authors found that adults who skip breakfast are likely to miss out on important nutrients that are mostly found in breakfast foods.

The analysis looked at thirty-thousand Americans and found that skipping breakfast means they miss out on calcium, vitamin C, fiber and the vitamins and minerals found in fortified cereals. And that they are likely to be low on those for the entire day because of this skipped meal.

The US Department of Agriculture’s dietary guidelines now state that a lack of calcium, potassium, fiber and vitamin D are a “public health concern” for the general population of the US. Shortages of these nutrients are linked to health problems.

Most of the missed-breakfast research has been on the performance of school children in which missed breakfast can cause behavioral problems and difficulty focusing.

Most research related to breakfast has focused on the effects of the missed morning meal on children in school, which includes difficulty focusing and behavioral problems.

However, for adults, the problem with missed breakfast may be longer-term health concerns from lack of nutrients most present in breakfast foods.

Meta-Analysis Finds Correlation Between Narcissism and Aggression

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In a recent study, researchers did a meta-analysis of 437 other studies on narcissism and aggression. The meta-analysis looked at data from over 123,000 participants and found that narcissism is related to a 21% increase in aggressive behavior and an 18% increase in violent behavior.

Narcissism, simply defined is “entitled self-importance.”

Researchers stated that those who are highly narcissistic are especially aggressive when provoked but also aggressive otherwise. Participants with high levels of narcissism also demonstrated high levels of physical and verbal aggression, spreading gossip, bullying and even displacing aggression against innocents or strangers. They were seen to attack both in a hotblooded and coldblooded manner. Narcissism correlated with aggression in both males and females and in both Western and Eastern countries.

Researchers stated that people who think they are superior to others seem to have fewer qualms about attacking those they view as inferior. Research demonstrates that everyone is a little narcissistic but there are those with a much higher level of narcissism and that relates to their level of aggression. They also tend to be bad relationship partners, discriminate against others and are low in empathy.

Other studies have looked at a rise in narcissism. Some experts believe social media may be a factor. One study saw that people who posted a large number of selfies increased narcissistic traits by 25% in just four months. Another study found 85% of people are taking far more pictures of themselves than every before.

 

Preventing Suicide in a “Hidden Population”

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A new research project suggests that African American families who liv in public housing are a so-called hidden population to national suicide prevention efforts.

The new study found 11% of Black teens or young adults living in a mid-Atlantic public housing project reported that in the past 12 months they had considered a plan to die by suicide.

These findings replicate what previous research has demonstrated; that Black youth are the fastest growing demographic engaging in suicidal behavior and dying by suicide. They also have the highest suicide death rate increase among any other racial or ethnic minority group. The numbers jump 2.55 in 100,000 to 4.82 in 100,000 (2017).

Males were more likely than females to have invented a suicide plan. Additionally, family dynamics like an incarcerated mother or alcoholic father increased the risk.

Researchers believe the findings demonstrate a need for differing the locations national suicide prevention programs target. They believe culturally tailored programs should be offered in public housing communities themselves and not just in schools or hospitals.

 

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Slasher Films Give Voice to the Experience of Real Trauma Victims

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If you’ve seen a slasher film you’ve almost certainly witnessed the “final girl trope.” In a film using the trope there is always a closing scene where a young, white suburban girl has triumphed over a monster or killer and lived to tell about it.

Whether or not there is a sequel, the final girl’s story doesn’t end there. There is a whole new life ahead of her but it is dominated by trauma.

We see this literally play out in Jamie Lee Curtis’ portrayal of the adult Laurie Strode in the 2018 film Halloween. It takes place 40 years after her friends were killed by Michael Myers on Halloween. In the original film Strode survives by wielding a knitting needle, a coat hanger and Myer’s own favorite weapon, a chef knife.

In the 2018 film the adult Strode lives alone and isolated in a “fortress” in the woods always concerned about Myer’s return. Viewers learn that earlier in life her daughter was taken from her as authorities believed her paranoia over Myer’s made her an unfit mother.

Researchers note that the way the original 1978 and the 2018 sequel depict Strode’s struggle, the way she is vilified or dismissed but ultimately proven right gives a space on-screen for trauma survivors to see a little of themselves.

Researchers noted that these depictions are a way into the conversation about how we treat and discuss trauma survivors and their life long struggle in real life.

How Our Minds Warp Our Perception of Time on Vacation

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We’ve all heard the colloquialism “time flies when you are having fun,” but a new study has found that anticipation of a fun event also makes it feel like it is over too soon.

The researchers found that people view future positive events as both further away and shorter in duration when compared to negative or neutral events.

The study authors stated that these two elements have an unusual effect when people think about a positive event like a vacation. The interminable waiting compiled with the feeling that the event will be done too quickly makes them view the beginning and the end of the event as similarly far from the present.

Simply stated, in our minds the vacation has no duration, it is over instantaneously. Another affect this all has on the mind is it makes the mind believe the endpoints of positive and negative events are both distant from the present. Anticipating a negative event, like a work trip we don’t want to go on, reserves the effect, people feel like the negative event will happen immediately and last forever.

The Journal of Consumer Psychology will publish the paper online.