Stories by Francine Russo

Is your kid in trouble? Blaming their friends is ill advised

Social scientists are uncovering the intricate group dynamics of gossip

You say you haven’t slept all night. Brain scans say you have. New science says both inferences may be right

The emerging science of laying guilt through public messaging can help safeguard the planet and improve health behaviors

Thinking about a range of emotions as friends rather than foes improves the quality of our life

Attempts to understand the psychopathology of romantic infatuation and sexual predation are still in their infancy

Studies show that people may experience enormous variability in personality traits throughout the course of the day

Leaving aside a cherished objective may benefit psychological and even physical health

The psychological construct of mattering gauges the risk of depression, suicide and other disorders

Cloth from Viking and medieval archaeological sites shows that women literally made the money in the North Atlantic

High levels of it have put people at risk of emotional problems 

Low emotional security can intensify our relationships to our belongings

Isolation from others can lead to a range of illnesses and even premature death. New science is probing causes and solutions to the problem of social disconnection

“Tonic immobility” hinders the ability to fight and is linked to high rates of depression and PTSD

Children first learn to cover for their naughty behavior, but learn to take responsibility as they get older 

Denmark becomes the first country to declassify it as a mental disorder

Experts offer tips on how to respond to harassment without putting yourself or others in harm’s way

In the wake of the election a psychologist offers solace to those feeling shock, grief or dread

A research-based way to improve life and reduce depression among people caring for loved ones with dementia 

Tens of millions of people minister to a loved one on a full- or part-time basis, often putting their own lives on hold. Now researchers are finding ways to help them care for others without losing themselves 

Why we call our nearest and dearest by the wrong name

What does it take to help them thrive?

A 22-year-old shares some of the hard lessons he has learned

Imaging studies and other research suggest that there is a biological basis for transgender identity