Nurturing Resilience

Raising children to be competent and caring.

Michael Ungar Ph.D.

Recovery Can Be Just Another Word for Failure

Every major crisis can teach us better ways of living if we are willing to embrace our potential for transformation.

Is Mental Health Really Getting Worse During the Pandemic?

New research suggests that not everyone is doing worse, and some people may even be thriving.

Will Wearing Masks Affect Children’s Emotional Development?

Public health measures are absolutely necessary, but there are unintended consequences for our children, including arrested emotional development.

Why Are Anti-Vaxxers Willing to Harm Themselves and Others?

They don’t trust science, refuse to contribute to herd immunity, and love the power of thinking they’re right. Those three mistakes put everyone at risk.

The Upside to the Pandemic (Is There One?)

Studies of people who have divorced, become widowed, deployed overseas with the military, or recovered from cancer show that 10% of people experience improved mental health after adversity.

60% of Americans Lack the Resilience to Cope With COVID-19

While younger and older Americans are a little more likely to cope with the pandemic, young adults and the unemployed report struggling with mental and physical health problems.

Getting Children Back to School During COVID-19

Our children’s return to school can be made easier with three simple strategies I call the Three "O"s.

When Is Being Happy Not Good for You?

Being happy can make us more judgemental and less capable of responding well during a crisis.

Children Need to Know That People Are Dying of COVID-19

We’ve known for centuries that children are capable of dealing with death if we stop being overprotective.

12 Good Things to Say to a Friend During This Crisis

We may not need professional help if we have a friend who is willing to listen.

Homeschooling Driving You Crazy? Turn Chores Into Lessons

Turning learning at home into a meaningful, timely contribution can help motivate a child to learn—even if parents don't follow the prescribed curriculum.

Resilience During a Pandemic

Coping with social isolation takes more than positive thinking. It requires us to reach out and find the psychological and social resources we need to adapt and thrive.

What Teens Need During a Pandemic

Social distancing and a lack of activities can lead to increased levels of depression unless we offer teens the tools to remain resilient.

Should Teens Be More Sexually Active?

As sexual activity declines and loneliness increases, young people are more likely to experience mental health problems.

Cuddle a Cow: The New Psychotherapy

Cow cuddling at $75/hour may seem like weird therapy, but it could also be just what the doctor ordered.

If Your New Year's Resolution Is to Be a Better Parent...

If you are committed to being a better parent this year, it will be easier if you find the support you need to look after yourself first and then your child.

Does Social Media Increase Teen Depression?

Limiting access to social media, but not video games, may help teens become more resilient and avoid depression.

Why Do Immigrants Outperform Native-Born Americans?

The real economic engines of our economy are not native-born populations, but the children of immigrants with the grit and resources to succeed.

Do Happy Parents Raise Healthier Kids?

Like nested Russian dolls, children’s emotional and physical health depends on the happiness of one or more parents.

How to Get a Recent Grad Off the Couch When Summer Ends

If getting a recent grad to take more responsibility is proving difficult, here are some strategies to make them uncomfortable enough to change.

Can Anxiety Be Good for You?

Our search for an anxiety-free life may be making us adapt to toxic situations rather than inspiring us to change the world around us.

This Summer, Put Your Kids Outside

There are plenty of ways unstructured play outdoors improves our children's mental and physical health. Here are five strategies to give your child a great summer.

Are You a Self-Help Skeptic?

It’s resourced individuals (with plenty of supports) who cope better when stress is atypically high. There are four strategies that ensure success better than self-help on its own.

If I Give Up Facebook, How Will I Feel?

Facebook gives us positive social networks, but it also causes stress. A complete shutdown may cause you more harm than good.

I Met a Real-Life Barbie Doll (And She's a Famous Scientist)

A new project by Mattel to build Barbies based on real, inspiring women may be both a great marketing strategy and be helping girls (and boys) change their perceptions of women.

Lonely Children Are Hungry for Connections

Children’s faulty thinking can start a negative cycle of social withdrawal. The good news is that they are biologically motivated to find friends.

Does Screen Time Harm Children? How Much Is Too Much?

Children under 6 shouldn’t have more than an hour a day of screen time, but older children can be online far longer.

Sexually Active Teens and the Risk of Sexual Violence

A child who has experienced abuse or neglect, or witnessed domestic violence, is more likely to become the victim of sexual violence in an intimate relationship.

Why Doesn’t Santa Bring Girls Toy Trucks? Boys Toy Ovens?

Santa’s toy choices are heavily influenced by the gender stereotypes of parents. Research shows that the stories we tell about toys decides which toys children get to play with.

Will Our Kids Become Fascists or Support Democracy?

When we fail to teach children how to be good citizens, we risk raising a generation that will tolerate politicians who lie and the tyranny of zealots.

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