Distress in Context

How society shapes our moods.

by David Russell, Ph.D.

Learning from Others How to Manage Masculinity

Throughout their lives, men are expected to show or hide certain emotions based on societal norms for masculinity. Masculinity embodies all of the personality attributes that are traditionally associated with men. Read More

The Social Side of Anger

Nearly all people experience occasional feelings of anger in response to situations encountered in the social environment, whether it is a traffic deadlock or an insensitive remark made by a co-worker. For most people, these negative thoughts and feelings are transient, quickly arousing and then dissipating into neutral or positive emotions. Read More

Can Facebook Be Used to Maintain Meaningful Social Relationships?

Social networking websites are heralded as a more efficient way of keeping in touch with friends and family, enabling people to communicate more frequently or openly than they otherwise would away from the computer. The most popular of these websites, Facebook, has more than 800 million active users worldwide. Read More

The Relationship Between 'Who You Know' and 'How You Feel'

Our social networks are made up of ties to family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and other people with whom we exchange ideas and experiences. The meaning and depth of these connections can vary quite a bit-ranging from casual friends and acquaintances to close family members. Read More

Three Things You Might Not Know About the Relationship Between Income and Happiness

Higher income is linked with more frequent feelings of happiness, life-satisfaction, and overall well-being. Consistent with this statement, results from a large national survey found that 44% of people in a high income group reported feeling very happy compared to only 16% in a low income group. Read More

Social Experiences that Make You Feel Older

Many people feel younger or older than their actual age. Age identity captures the subjective side of aging: the age that someone feels they are. An example might be a person who is 35 years old but feels that they are more like 25 years old. Read More

Work that Promotes Psychological Well-Being

Adults spend a significant portion of their lives at work. As a society, we invest heavily in our careers and often frame parts of our social identity around our jobs. Work has a profound influence on the way we feel and can potentially improve the quality of our lives. Read More

The Psychological Toll of Recession

Volatility in the financial markets and discouraging economic news over the past several months has stoked fears that the American economy is heading towards a second "double-dip" recession. Financial analysts interviewed by the New York Times pegged the odds of a new recession at 40 percent. Read More

Does Living Alone Have a Negative Influence on Psychological Well-Being?

A growing share of the adult population in the United States lives alone. In some cities, such as New York, nearly 5 out of every 10 households are occupied by a single person. Some have suggested that the increasing number of people living alone signals a broader change in American society, whereby individuals are less socially connected and engaged with others in the community. Read More

David Russell, Ph.D., is an Evaluation Scientist at the Center for Home Care Policy & Research, Visiting Nurse Service of New York.

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About Distress in Context

In what ways does the social context in which we live—our homes, neighborhoods, and communities—affect our psychological well-being? This blog explores current research and evidence linking characteristics of the social environment to individual feelings of anxiety, anger, depression, and loneliness.