Developmental Psychology

Why do children laugh when being chased or enjoy a spooky story? New research explores the widespread phenomenon of "recreational fear," examining how children playfully engage with frightening situations as they grow from toddlers into teenagers.

Reinforcing current dietary guidelines, a new study shows restricting sugar in pregnancy and infancy is associated with lower adult asthma and COPD rates. The research, analyzing a post-war rationing period, highlights the long-term benefits of early nutritional choices.

New research links prenatal air pollution exposure with slower brain development in newborns. The study, published in Environment International, found that higher PM2.5 exposure was tied to reduced brain myelination in the first month of life.

Children living in states with higher income inequality showed differences in brain size and connectivity, according to new findings in Nature Mental Health. These brain measures were associated with later mental health symptoms, suggesting structural inequality may play a role...

A study in The Lancet Planetary Health reports that prenatal exposure to common industrial chemicals, known as PFAS, is associated with specific alterations in children's brain structure and function years later.

A new study suggests that antidepressant use during pregnancy does not directly cause anxiety or depression in children. The findings, published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, highlight the role of genetics and family environment instead.

A parent's subclinical autistic traits may predict their child's early developmental progress, a Japanese study of over 31,000 families suggests.

Children who feel unsafe at home, in school, or in their neighborhood show differences in brain connectivity. A new neuroimaging study published in Psychological Medicine suggests these differences could help explain later mental health symptoms during adolescence.

Exposure to a widely used insecticide before birth may cause lasting harm to brain development, a new study suggests. Research published in JAMA Neurology found prenatal chlorpyrifos exposure is linked to altered brain structure and poorer motor skills in youth.

How children interpret uncertainty may reflect how their parents do—particularly when parent–child communication is high. A study published in Developmental Science suggests that emotional biases in families may be shaped by shared conversations and close interpersonal bonds.

A large brain imaging study finds that children reporting more behavioral and emotional problems tend to show differences in cortical surface area and thickness in serotonin-linked brain regions, suggesting serotonin may shape brain development in ways that relate to mental...

A new study of the hit children’s show Bluey finds the lovable pup is modeling emotional resilience. Across 150 episodes, researchers observed scenes that promote coping skills, emotional regulation, and inner strength—tools that can support kids’ mental health.

New research indicates that parental warmth is linked to better socio-emotional skills and greater well-being among Chinese college students. The findings highlight the lasting influence of supportive parenting on young adults’ ability to manage emotions and build positive relationships.

Researchers found that children under 10 often misjudge their own mental abilities. By middle childhood, their self-assessments grow more accurate—though the link between self-perception and measured intelligence remains modest throughout adolescence.