Developmental Psychology

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.

A new study suggests that sudden income losses during pregnancy may influence early brain development, with infants showing smaller volumes in stress- and emotion-related regions. The findings highlight the potential impact of financial instability on two generations.

New research published in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience suggests that children’s reading skills are shaped more by their language environment than by structural brain differences. The study found that vocabulary and phonological awareness explain the influence of parental education on reading...

Using data from over a quarter-million siblings, researchers found little evidence that common infections during pregnancy influence children’s intelligence or school performance, suggesting that most antibiotic use in pregnancy is unlikely to harm long-term cognitive development.

A new study finds that by age 8, children tend to weigh the confidence of disagreeing adults and can form their own beliefs by combining both perspectives—revealing a shift from imitation to independent, strategic thinking.

A new study finds that children’s intellectual humility may be influenced by how their parents talk about uncertainty—not how humble parents believe themselves to be. The research highlights a gap between self-perception and behavior in shaping children’s thinking.

A new UK study finds that bright 5-year-olds from low-income families match their affluent peers academically through primary school, but between ages 11 and 14, they face steep declines in motivation, behavior, mental health, and exam performance.

A new study has found that babies with more diverse gut bacteria at two weeks old tend to show more negative emotions as toddlers. The findings highlight how early-life microbial environments may influence emotional development years later.

A new study finds that fathers’ anxiety during pregnancy and early infancy is linked to higher risks of emotional and behavioral problems in their children, highlighting the importance of paternal mental health in shaping early developmental outcomes.

Researchers have discovered that female rats exposed to BPA before birth show lasting changes in brain cells and behavior linked to schizophrenia. The findings suggest that prenatal exposure to this common plastic chemical could increase psychiatric risk later in life.

A sweeping new study provides the strongest evidence yet that children’s screen time and mental health are part of a feedback loop. Emotional problems predict greater screen use, while excessive screen use predicts later emotional and behavioral difficulties.

A new nine-year study from China supports a central idea in attachment theory: early maternal sensitivity helps shape secure attachment. Researchers found that children with more responsive mothers developed stronger expectations of caregiver support by age 10.

Living near trees and parks may do more than lift children’s spirits—it may shape their brains. New research reveals that greener neighborhoods are associated with stronger brain structure, better behavior, and enhanced cognitive skills in children aged 9 to 10.