Beauty Sick

Embarrassment

Body Shame Is a Powerful Predictor of Poor Mental Health

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on May 17, 2023

A new study finds that body shame is a better predictor of anxiety, depression, and eating disorders than a more general measure of shame.

A new study finds that body shame is a better predictor of anxiety, depression, and eating disorders than a more general measure of shame.

Body Image

93-Country Survey Reveals Who Spends the Most Time on Beauty

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on March 29, 2023

A survey of individuals from 93 different countries reveals who spends the most, and least, time trying to look attractive.

A survey of individuals from 93 different countries reveals who spends the most, and least, time trying to look attractive.

Parenting

Why So Many Boys Sexually Harass Girls

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on March 21, 2023

The messages children learn about how boys and girls differ can open the door to sexual harassment.

The messages children learn about how boys and girls differ can open the door to sexual harassment.

Depression

Alcohol and Zoom: A Recipe for Depression?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on March 12, 2023

New research shows that focusing on your own face during video calls worsens your mood, and drinking while Zooming makes you even more likely to focus on yourself.

New research shows that focusing on your own face during video calls worsens your mood, and drinking while Zooming makes you even more likely to focus on yourself.

Trauma

Most People Ignore Instagram’s Sensitive Content Warnings

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on December 14, 2022

A new set of studies shows that most social media users choose to uncover sensitive content, even if doing so might be disturbing.

A new set of studies shows that most social media users choose to uncover sensitive content, even if doing so might be disturbing.

Confidence

Do Men Hog the Microphone at Q&A Sessions?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on December 6, 2022

New research finds that at academic conferences, men tend to be first to the microphone and women report feeling less comfortable asking questions of speakers.

New research finds that at academic conferences, men tend to be first to the microphone and women report feeling less comfortable asking questions of speakers.

Child Development

Pretending to Be Marie Curie Helps Girls Persist at Science

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on December 4, 2022

By elementary school, girls start to disengage with science. Could pretend play be a key to building girls' scientific self-efficacy?

By elementary school, girls start to disengage with science. Could pretend play be a key to building girls' scientific self-efficacy?

Family Dynamics

How Much Do Our Siblings Shape Who We Are?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on September 26, 2022

Theories about how the presence of brothers or sisters affects our personalities abound. But do our siblings really influence our personalities as much as we imagine?

Theories about how the presence of brothers or sisters affects our personalities abound. But do our siblings really influence our personalities as much as we imagine?

Eating Disorders

Images of Thin Models May Be Distorting Our Sense of Reality

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on August 15, 2022

When we’re overwhelmed with media images of very thin women, our sense of which bodies are thin and which bodies are overweight can actually shift.

When we’re overwhelmed with media images of very thin women, our sense of which bodies are thin and which bodies are overweight can actually shift.

Depression

A New Way to Fight College Student Depression

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on July 27, 2022

Rates of depression among college students continue to increase. Could fostering students' sense of belonging be a way to limit depression in first-year students?

Rates of depression among college students continue to increase. Could fostering students' sense of belonging be a way to limit depression in first-year students?

Depression

Depression Can Keep People from Accepting Positive Feedback

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on June 26, 2022

New research shows people with depression tend to view their own positive performance as an “exception to the rule.”

New research shows people with depression tend to view their own positive performance as an “exception to the rule.”

Eating Disorders

How Common Are Eating Disorders Among Fashion Models?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on June 15, 2022

Despite recent pushes for the fashion industry to embrace healthier body norms, many fashion models remain dangerously thin.

Despite recent pushes for the fashion industry to embrace healthier body norms, many fashion models remain dangerously thin.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Did the Pandemic Reduce Injuries from High Heels?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on June 7, 2022

High heels send thousands of women to the emergency room each year. Could pandemic-inspired changes in wardrobe and workplace habits reduce these injuries?

High heels send thousands of women to the emergency room each year. Could pandemic-inspired changes in wardrobe and workplace habits reduce these injuries?

Body Image

Who Is Most Likely to Hate Their Face?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on March 23, 2022

A large survey of U.S. adults reveals who likes (and doesn't like) their face and why face satisfaction matters.

A large survey of U.S. adults reveals who likes (and doesn't like) their face and why face satisfaction matters.

Career

If a Boss Is Rude to Everyone, Can They Still Be Sexist?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on March 11, 2022

New research suggests that sexism can be hard to identify when a man is insulting or unpleasant to both men and women.

New research suggests that sexism can be hard to identify when a man is insulting or unpleasant to both men and women.

Career

Zoom Fatigue Is Worse When You Don't Like Your Face

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on January 24, 2022

New research shows that seeing your own face while video-conferencing makes Zoom fatigue worse, especially for women.

New research shows that seeing your own face while video-conferencing makes Zoom fatigue worse, especially for women.

Body Image

Why Does Women's Clothing Have to Be So Uncomfortable?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on December 22, 2021

Research reveals that women spend more time than men in painful or distracting clothing. These clothes aren't just uncomfortable—they're bad for mental health.

Research reveals that women spend more time than men in painful or distracting clothing. These clothes aren't just uncomfortable—they're bad for mental health.

Deception

Who Engages in More Social Media Deception, Men or Women?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on December 14, 2021

A new study finds women engage in more online deception about their physical attractiveness than men do, but men are more likely to be deceptive about their achievements.

A new study finds women engage in more online deception about their physical attractiveness than men do, but men are more likely to be deceptive about their achievements.

Perfectionism

Perfectionism Makes Social Media Use More Toxic for Girls

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on December 8, 2021

A new study finds that teen girls prone to perfectionism are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of social media.

A new study finds that teen girls prone to perfectionism are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of social media.

Adolescence

Teen Girls Are Sent Unwanted Images of Male Genitalia More Often Than Anyone Thought

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on September 29, 2021

Studies find that the majority of teen girls receive unsolicited sexual photos. Though girls tend to feel disgust at these images, they also feel powerless to stop them.

Studies find that the majority of teen girls receive unsolicited sexual photos. Though girls tend to feel disgust at these images, they also feel powerless to stop them.