Nurturing Resilience

Parenting

The Danger of Raising Children Without Consequences

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on March 8, 2023

Personal Perspective: When a school basketball coach was fired for making his team run drills, the team refused to play without him.

Personal Perspective: When a school basketball coach was fired for making his team run drills, the team refused to play without him.

Relationships

Does Watching Romantic Movies Help Your Love Life Flourish?

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on February 4, 2023

Couples who share a romantic movie are more likely to have positive attitudes toward romance in their relationships.

Couples who share a romantic movie are more likely to have positive attitudes toward romance in their relationships.

Confidence

The Best Way to Make, and Keep, a New Year's Resolution

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on January 2, 2023

Few people succeed at making the changes they want to make unless they find the support they need to sustain the change.

Few people succeed at making the changes they want to make unless they find the support they need to sustain the change.

Loneliness

Are You Lonely This Christmas? You’re Not the Only One

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on December 19, 2022

Loneliness isn’t just a state of mind. Changing where and how we live our lives can help create meaningful connections.

Loneliness isn’t just a state of mind. Changing where and how we live our lives can help create meaningful connections.

Child Development

Managing Holiday Expectations Amid High Inflation

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on November 27, 2022

Sharing with kids the truth about our finances, while focusing on holiday traditions, can make a financially stressful season easier on our mental health.

Sharing with kids the truth about our finances, while focusing on holiday traditions, can make a financially stressful season easier on our mental health.

Anxiety

Too Many Kids Are Waiting Years for Mental Health Treatment

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on October 25, 2022

Mental health care professionals and parents can help children with anxiety cope better using a few simple techniques.

Mental health care professionals and parents can help children with anxiety cope better using a few simple techniques.

Aging

Living Longer Requires Making Lots of Small Changes

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on September 20, 2022

Recent research shows that a series of relatively small lifestyle and health related changes can dramatically increase physical and cognitive functioning by years.

Recent research shows that a series of relatively small lifestyle and health related changes can dramatically increase physical and cognitive functioning by years.

Depression

Our Kids Are Using a Lot More Drugs

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on August 29, 2022

A new report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that the rate of cannabis use among young adults is rising dramatically. There is reason to be worried.

A new report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that the rate of cannabis use among young adults is rising dramatically. There is reason to be worried.

Alcoholism

When You Don’t Drink, Life Can Be Lonely

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on July 20, 2022

I drink alcohol, but very seldom, and when I do, I rarely have more than one. It troubles me that non-drinkers are often excluded from social gatherings.

I drink alcohol, but very seldom, and when I do, I rarely have more than one. It troubles me that non-drinkers are often excluded from social gatherings.

Relationships

Rekindling Love at 35,000 Feet

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on June 21, 2022

Air travel is likely to reach record highs this year, and with it, the opportunity for people to finally reconnect.

Air travel is likely to reach record highs this year, and with it, the opportunity for people to finally reconnect.

Resilience

When Values Diverge, Is Separation the Best Option?

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on May 31, 2022

Personal perspective: Family therapy has taught me that when people hold values that divide them, separation is a path to mutual respect and social resilience. Maybe nations need to learn this too.

Personal perspective: Family therapy has taught me that when people hold values that divide them, separation is a path to mutual respect and social resilience. Maybe nations need to learn this too.

Stress

Should I Vacation with My Spouse or Take a Break on My Own?

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on April 21, 2022

The past two years have been difficult for couples. Vacations can be a way of making relationships more sustainable, even when not taken together.

The past two years have been difficult for couples. Vacations can be a way of making relationships more sustainable, even when not taken together.

Career

How to Keep Employees From Leaving in a Hot Job Market

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on March 27, 2022

With unemployment rates so low, businesses risk losing great employees unless they inspire connection and reward commitment.

With unemployment rates so low, businesses risk losing great employees unless they inspire connection and reward commitment.

Resilience

Maintaining Workplace Resilience When Change Happens Fast

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on February 23, 2022

A business that shows resilience during a period of rapid change is one that thinks about the many different interacting systems that have to work together.

A business that shows resilience during a period of rapid change is one that thinks about the many different interacting systems that have to work together.

Relationships

If Your Energy Is Low, Where Do You Find More?

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on January 25, 2022

Supply chain management has a surprising number of ideas that we can use to think about our own resilience during crises.

Supply chain management has a surprising number of ideas that we can use to think about our own resilience during crises.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Why the Vaccinated Are Now Willing to Break COVID-19 Rules

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on December 17, 2021

Social science tells us that if people feel herd immunity has been reached, pandemic restrictions must end, or else we risk undermining our trust in public health authorities.

Social science tells us that if people feel herd immunity has been reached, pandemic restrictions must end, or else we risk undermining our trust in public health authorities.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

How to Deal With an Anti-Vaxxer at Thanksgiving Dinner

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on November 18, 2021

When a relative won’t vaccinate and is putting our health at risk, there are strategies that may work to change the situation.

When a relative won’t vaccinate and is putting our health at risk, there are strategies that may work to change the situation.

Anxiety

Yoga and Meditation Are Not Enough

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on October 24, 2021

More and more studies are pointing to an epidemic of mental disorders as the pandemic rages on.

More and more studies are pointing to an epidemic of mental disorders as the pandemic rages on.

Anxiety

Young People Are Very, Very Anxious About Climate Change

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on September 23, 2021

New research tells us that 40 percent of kids are hesitant to have children, and feel that their future is doomed.

New research tells us that 40 percent of kids are hesitant to have children, and feel that their future is doomed.

Anger

How Does Losing a War Make People Feel?

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on August 16, 2021

The long-running war in Afghanistan appears to be over, and the United States and their allies have lost. How do such losses make people feel—and what can we learn from them about the effects of war?

The long-running war in Afghanistan appears to be over, and the United States and their allies have lost. How do such losses make people feel—and what can we learn from them about the effects of war?