Top psych stories of January: Mental health of COVID-19 health care workers and more

Healio Psychiatry has compiled a list of its five most-viewed stories in January.

A study on the mental health of COVID-19 health care workers, research on the link between parental conflict and child psychology and findings that showed an association between prenatal stress and mutation of children’s DNA were some of the most-read stories on Healio Psychiatry for the month.

More than 50% of COVID-19 health care workers at risk for mental health problems

More than half of health care workers involved in COVID-19 care may be at risk for one or more mental health problems, according to study results published in Journal of Psychiatric Research. Read more.

Conflict between divorced, separated parents linked to children's mental health

Conflict between divorced or separated parents appeared linked to increased risk for children developing mental health problems, according to study results published in Child Development. Read more.

Prenatal stress may mutate child’s DNA, increase risk for disease

Maternal stress during pregnancy may mutate the child’s DNA and thus affect risk for developing disease, according to study results published in Biological Psychiatry. Read more.

Novel test may predict risk for mood disorders by assessing brain protein

Researchers have developed a novel test to predict mood disorders based on levels of a protein found in the brain, according to study results published in Journal of Psychiatric Research. Read more.

COVID-19 pandemic tied to increase in food insufficiency, which has affected mental health

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased food insufficiency among vulnerable populations and increased risk for symptoms of poor mental health, according to study results published in American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Read more.