Nurturing Resilience

Social Life

Am I My Neighbour’s Keeper? The Psychology of Responsibility

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on May 13, 2025

Living in a collective commons means we share responsibility to keep everyone mentally and physically safe. When do individual choices compromise another's psychological health?

Living in a collective commons means we share responsibility to keep everyone mentally and physically safe. When do individual choices compromise another's psychological health?

Stress

Worrying About the Economy? It Can Affect Your Kids, Too

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on April 29, 2025

Economic uncertainty is not a stress on parents alone. It is a stress shared by the entire family, which makes the economy a factor that helps or hinders family cohesion.

Economic uncertainty is not a stress on parents alone. It is a stress shared by the entire family, which makes the economy a factor that helps or hinders family cohesion.

Stress

The Simplest Antidote for Uncertainty: Routine

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on March 28, 2025

When you're feeling overwhelmed by stressors that you can’t control, maintaining a daily routine can help you feel safer and more optimistic.

When you're feeling overwhelmed by stressors that you can’t control, maintaining a daily routine can help you feel safer and more optimistic.

Identity

Can Our Tribal Instincts Save Us?

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on February 20, 2025

With increasingly divisive politics and social media echo chambers, research suggests that we might be happier if we spent more time with people who were more like us.

With increasingly divisive politics and social media echo chambers, research suggests that we might be happier if we spent more time with people who were more like us.

Motivation

Firefighters Can Teach Us a Lot About Motivation

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on January 16, 2025

Motivation, whether intrinsic or extrinsic, brings with it plenty of ways to find personal and collective resilience.

Motivation, whether intrinsic or extrinsic, brings with it plenty of ways to find personal and collective resilience.

Law and Crime

When It Comes to Youth Crime, Perception and Reality Diverge

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on December 16, 2024

While youth crime has increased slightly in recent years, for decades, it spiraled downward largely because of early interventions and investment in programs for youth.

While youth crime has increased slightly in recent years, for decades, it spiraled downward largely because of early interventions and investment in programs for youth.

Child Development

Send the Kids Outdoors, Improve Their Mental Health

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on November 27, 2024

When children are given the opportunity to experience an outdoor classroom, no matter what the weather, there are likely benefits for some with mental health problems.

When children are given the opportunity to experience an outdoor classroom, no matter what the weather, there are likely benefits for some with mental health problems.

Aging

The Retirement Dilemma: Leaving Work Doesn’t Guarantee Happiness

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on October 29, 2024

Retirement is often thought of as something to be enjoyed, but without a positive attitude towards aging and the right amount of social activity, it can go terribly wrong.

Retirement is often thought of as something to be enjoyed, but without a positive attitude towards aging and the right amount of social activity, it can go terribly wrong.

Parenting

Is Parenting Really the Latest Public Health Crisis?

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on September 28, 2024

A Personal Perspective: When normal life challenges are labeled dangerous.

A Personal Perspective: When normal life challenges are labeled dangerous.

Education

Should Children Have Their Cellphones in the Classroom?

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on August 27, 2024

The evidence is growing that cellphones are a distraction that is threatening academic performance and increasing anxiety.

The evidence is growing that cellphones are a distraction that is threatening academic performance and increasing anxiety.

Grief

Death of a Loved One Doesn’t Always Make Children Vulnerable

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on July 26, 2024

While many children experience the death of someone close to them before age 16, most will not develop anxiety or depression as a consequence. Here's why.

While many children experience the death of someone close to them before age 16, most will not develop anxiety or depression as a consequence. Here's why.

Social Media

Screen Use by Children Is a Known Threat to Mental Health

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on June 25, 2024

The US Surgeon General recommends that social media come with a warning about its impact on children’s mental health.

The US Surgeon General recommends that social media come with a warning about its impact on children’s mental health.

Resilience

Planning for Resilience Before a Hurricane, Fire or Flood

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on May 28, 2024

Resilience after a natural disaster depends as much on the quality of our community as individual grit.

Resilience after a natural disaster depends as much on the quality of our community as individual grit.

Parenting

The Challenge of Parenting Kids in Their 20s

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on April 29, 2024

Personal Perspective: Emerging adults are navigating problems like housing shortages and fewer opportunities, with parents feeling pressure to help.

Personal Perspective: Emerging adults are navigating problems like housing shortages and fewer opportunities, with parents feeling pressure to help.

Happiness

Why Are Americans Less Happy Than People in Other Countries?

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on March 24, 2024

The 2024 World Happiness Report says rates of happiness are dropping in the United States and Canada, with young people becoming increasingly pessimistic.

The 2024 World Happiness Report says rates of happiness are dropping in the United States and Canada, with young people becoming increasingly pessimistic.

Career

Working From Home Is Not Working for Everyone

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on February 26, 2024

Working from home can bring with it risks to mental health and productivity, unless one is intrinsically motivated.

Working from home can bring with it risks to mental health and productivity, unless one is intrinsically motivated.

Workplace Dynamics

The End of Workplace Mindfulness Training?

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on January 26, 2024

Research shows that individually focused interventions in the workplace have almost no impact on well-being, but collective action does.

Research shows that individually focused interventions in the workplace have almost no impact on well-being, but collective action does.

Parenting

The Best Gift I Ever Gave Was an Empty Cardboard Box

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on December 18, 2023

When we give gifts that demonstrate emotional attunement, the gift can help improve our lives and the lives of those we love.

When we give gifts that demonstrate emotional attunement, the gift can help improve our lives and the lives of those we love.

Education

Happy Teachers Create Successful Students

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on November 1, 2023

Educators who are financially and emotionally well-supported, as well as safe from violence, are likely to be more effective in the classroom.

Educators who are financially and emotionally well-supported, as well as safe from violence, are likely to be more effective in the classroom.

Terror Management Theory

The Roots of Terrorism Start With Divided Communities

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on October 16, 2023

There are 14 questions we can use to assess a person’s likelihood of becoming a terrorist. People need socially just communities that encourage diverse and empathic relationships.

There are 14 questions we can use to assess a person’s likelihood of becoming a terrorist. People need socially just communities that encourage diverse and empathic relationships.