Mental Health Blog

"Man is the only animal for whom his own existence is a problem which he has to solve” - Erich Fromm

March 25, 2008

Happily Married Adults Have Healthier Hearts

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

New research at Brigham Young University reveals a link between happily married adults and lower blood pressure. Professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad discovered that men and women from happy marriages scored 4 points lower on 24 hour blood pressure monitoring than single adults. Furthermore, singles or unhappily married adults with good social supports did not show any improvement in ratings. The group with the highest blood pressure scores were those involved in unhappy marriages. Basically, the study implies that a happy marriage can provide health benefits.

The study observed 204 married and 99 single adults. Each wore blood pressure monitors for a 24 hour period. The monitors recorded roughly 72 times at random intervals including during sleep. Single adults completed questionnaires regarding their relationships with friends while married adults completed questionnaires regarding the relationship with their spouse.

Observations were noted regarding the drop in blood pressure during the night. "Research has shown that people whose blood pressure remains high throughout the night are at much greater risk of cardiovascular problems than people whose blood pressure dips."

A happy marriage will help to reduce stress and other negative factors impacting our health. The marriage bond acts as a continuous emotional support system. Caring spouses also encourage healthy habits.

The study’s results seem obvious in comparison to unhappy marriages, but it seems to be greatly lacking in information regarding other variables to assert that more positive health benefits result from a happy marriage than a happy single life.

The study did not give much detail regarding other aspects impacting on blood pressure scores, such as exercise habits, diet, smoking, employment type, financial status, presence of children, social life etc. Some of these could seriously impact the results.

It seems overzealous to suggest that a happy marriage is healthier than a social single life based on blood pressure results. The study doesn’t seem to have done much more than point out the obvious.

It would’ve been interesting to observe the differences in blood pressure levels over time for couples in counselling. Holt-Lunstad suggests that this could come next.

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March 11, 2008

Psychology and the Diverse Usage of the Nintendo Wii

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Critics have long argued against the effects of video gaming. There is the typical claim that the prolonged use of video games reinforces violent behaviours among children. And, there’s the usual assertion that video gaming discourages exercise and physical activity.

With the advent of interactive video games some of these claims lose their strength. It seems that more and more benefits are being discovered through the use of the popular video game console, the Nintendo Wii. Some of these benefits include engaging seniors in social and/or physical activity, connecting stroke and spinal cord injury patients in a new form of rehab, also known as Wiihab, as well as assisting surgeons to sharpen their skills.

To add to that list, recently, the Nintendo Wii has been used for psychological experimentation. "By integrating the Nintendo Wiimote with a laboratory computer, psychologist Rick Dale and his student collaborators were able to extract rich information about a person’s reaching movements while they performed a learning task." This research provides further evidence to support the deep connection between body and mind.

Overuse of the Wii has proven to produce physical ailments similar to those acquired from real life sports, but like anything else, too much can be too much. If the Wii can increase the physical and mental alertness and strength of individuals in seniors’ residences and rehab centres or enhance surgical abilities and advance research; I’m game.

A few noteworthy articles:
Nintendo Wii With A New Mission: Wiimote As An Interface Bridging Mind and Body
Doctors use Wii games for rehab therapy after strokes, surgery
Wii gives seniors a virtual workout
Surgeons Hone Skills on Nintendo Wii

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