Stress levels may actually decrease with age, according to David Almeida, a developmental psychologist at Pennsylvania State University. After two decades of research, Almeida and his team found that people in their 20s experience the highest levels of stress, with those in their 70s experiencing the lowest. The age advantage in dealing with stress may be due to the social roles people inhabit, the realization that life is short, and the experience of coping with stressors over time. Surprisingly, during the 2008 recession, it was midlife adults in their 40s to 60s who reported the highest levels of distress. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
