Beauty Sick

Child Development

Pretending to Be Marie Curie Helps Girls Persist at Science

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on December 4, 2022

By elementary school, girls start to disengage with science. Could pretend play be a key to building girls' scientific self-efficacy?

By elementary school, girls start to disengage with science. Could pretend play be a key to building girls' scientific self-efficacy?

Family Dynamics

How Much Do Our Siblings Shape Who We Are?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on September 26, 2022

Theories about how the presence of brothers or sisters affects our personalities abound. But do our siblings really influence our personalities as much as we imagine?

Theories about how the presence of brothers or sisters affects our personalities abound. But do our siblings really influence our personalities as much as we imagine?

Media

Images of Thin Models May Be Distorting Our Sense of Reality

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on August 15, 2022

When we’re overwhelmed with media images of very thin women, our sense of which bodies are thin and which bodies are overweight can actually shift.

When we’re overwhelmed with media images of very thin women, our sense of which bodies are thin and which bodies are overweight can actually shift.

Depression

A New Way to Fight College Student Depression

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on July 27, 2022

Rates of depression among college students continue to increase. Could fostering students' sense of belonging be a way to limit depression in first-year students?

Rates of depression among college students continue to increase. Could fostering students' sense of belonging be a way to limit depression in first-year students?

Depression

Depression Can Keep People from Accepting Positive Feedback

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on June 26, 2022

New research shows people with depression tend to view their own positive performance as an “exception to the rule.”

New research shows people with depression tend to view their own positive performance as an “exception to the rule.”

Eating Disorders

How Common Are Eating Disorders Among Fashion Models?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on June 15, 2022

Despite recent pushes for the fashion industry to embrace healthier body norms, many fashion models remain dangerously thin.

Despite recent pushes for the fashion industry to embrace healthier body norms, many fashion models remain dangerously thin.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Did the Pandemic Reduce Injuries from High Heels?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on June 7, 2022

High heels send thousands of women to the emergency room each year. Could pandemic-inspired changes in wardrobe and workplace habits reduce these injuries?

High heels send thousands of women to the emergency room each year. Could pandemic-inspired changes in wardrobe and workplace habits reduce these injuries?

Body Image

Who Is Most Likely to Hate Their Face?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on March 23, 2022

A large survey of U.S. adults reveals who likes (and doesn't like) their face and why face satisfaction matters.

A large survey of U.S. adults reveals who likes (and doesn't like) their face and why face satisfaction matters.

Bias

If a Boss Is Rude to Everyone, Can They Still Be Sexist?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on March 11, 2022

New research suggests that sexism can be hard to identify when a man is insulting or unpleasant to both men and women.

New research suggests that sexism can be hard to identify when a man is insulting or unpleasant to both men and women.

Career

Zoom Fatigue Is Worse When You Don't Like Your Face

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on January 24, 2022

New research shows that seeing your own face while video-conferencing makes Zoom fatigue worse, especially for women.

New research shows that seeing your own face while video-conferencing makes Zoom fatigue worse, especially for women.

Gender

Why Does Women's Clothing Have to Be So Uncomfortable?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on December 22, 2021

Research reveals that women spend more time than men in painful or distracting clothing. These clothes aren't just uncomfortable—they're bad for mental health.

Research reveals that women spend more time than men in painful or distracting clothing. These clothes aren't just uncomfortable—they're bad for mental health.

Deception

Who Engages in More Social Media Deception, Men or Women?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on December 14, 2021

A new study finds women engage in more online deception about their physical attractiveness than men do, but men are more likely to be deceptive about their achievements.

A new study finds women engage in more online deception about their physical attractiveness than men do, but men are more likely to be deceptive about their achievements.

Perfectionism

Perfectionism Makes Social Media Use More Toxic for Girls

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on December 8, 2021

A new study finds that teen girls prone to perfectionism are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of social media.

A new study finds that teen girls prone to perfectionism are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of social media.

Adolescence

Teen Girls Are Sent Unwanted Images of Male Genitalia More Often Than Anyone Thought

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on September 29, 2021

Studies find that the majority of teen girls receive unsolicited sexual photos. Though girls tend to feel disgust at these images, they also feel powerless to stop them.

Studies find that the majority of teen girls receive unsolicited sexual photos. Though girls tend to feel disgust at these images, they also feel powerless to stop them.

Eating Disorders

Nobody Knows What “Clean Eating” Means

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on September 2, 2021

Recent research suggests there is no good answer to the question of what “clean eating” means, much to the detriment of consumers.

Recent research suggests there is no good answer to the question of what “clean eating” means, much to the detriment of consumers.

Health

Fat or Obese: Which Terms Are Least Stigmatizing?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on July 26, 2021

Researchers examine which weight-related terms are most and least preferred by heavier patients.

Researchers examine which weight-related terms are most and least preferred by heavier patients.

Consumer Behavior

The Science Supporting Victoria's Secret's Big Changes

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on June 18, 2021

Research suggests Victoria's Secret's massive rebranding effort is a step in the right direction when it comes to women's psychological health.

Research suggests Victoria's Secret's massive rebranding effort is a step in the right direction when it comes to women's psychological health.

Bias

Fat Shaming and Weight-Based Biases Are Bad for Health

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on June 3, 2021

New research conducted across six countries confirms that being teased or treated unfairly because of weight is linked with unhealthy eating habits, less exercise, and more stress.

New research conducted across six countries confirms that being teased or treated unfairly because of weight is linked with unhealthy eating habits, less exercise, and more stress.

Health

The Psychological Benefits of Intuitive Eating

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on May 19, 2021

A newly published analysis of nearly 100 studies shows that intuitive eating is linked with a variety of positive mental health outcomes.

A newly published analysis of nearly 100 studies shows that intuitive eating is linked with a variety of positive mental health outcomes.

Body Image

Barbies May Do Damage That Realistic Dolls Can't Undo

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on March 23, 2021

Researchers find that a few minutes of play with Barbies changes girls’ ideas of what their body should look like.

Researchers find that a few minutes of play with Barbies changes girls’ ideas of what their body should look like.