In the Press
Racism can spark depression and anxiety in Black adolescents, study finds.
Researcher awarded $3.2M to study child brain development
“If a child doesn’t have … security and the safety of the trust in their environment, how do you expect them to do well in school, behave and be attentive?”
—Assaf Oshri, College of Family & Consumer Sciences. UGA Today interviewed Dr. Assaf Oshri on the Youth Development Institute’s project on how rural families are helping their children build up strength against stress. Read the full article here.
Why zero stress shouldn’t be your goal
“How many times have you heard that squashing stress is crucial for good health? Stress has become such a wellness buzzword that the quest to get rid of it can feel, well, stressful. But stress isn’t always the enemy. In fact, research suggests some is actually good for you, with potential benefits ranging from enhanced brain function to healthier aging.”
Read more about ‘healthy stress’ and the work our lab is doing to understand this idea better in this TIME article, which interviews Dr. Assaf Oshri and references his research on this topic.
Black teens’ experiences with racial discrimination may put them at higher risk of depression and anxiety, according to a study published by the Youth Development Institute in JAMA Network Open. This study sheds light on the long-term impact of racism.
“We know discriminatory experiences are associated with a range of negative health outcomes,” Oshri said. “This study is showing that some brain patterns that are trying to process threats … can help [participants] cope with these types of experiences, but there might be an emotional toll.”
