Publications by authors named "H C M Niermann"

Stereotypes can exert a powerful influence on our interactions with others, potentially leading to prejudice when factual evidence is ignored. Here, we identify neuroanatomical and developmental factors that influence the real-time integration of stereotypes and factual evidence during live social interactions. The study uses precisely quantified communicative exchanges in a longitudinal cohort of seventeen-year-olds followed since infancy, testing their ability to moderate stereotype tendencies toward children as contrary evidence accumulates.

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A paradox of testosterone effects is seen in adolescents versus adults in social emotional approach-avoidance behavior. During adolescence, high testosterone levels are associated with increased anterior prefrontal (aPFC) involvement in emotion control, whereas during adulthood this neuro-endocrine relation is reversed. Rodent work shows that, during puberty, testosterone transitions from a neuro-developmental to a social-sexual activating hormone.

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Most adolescents and young adults who experience psychological distress do not seek professional help. This study aims to enhance the understanding of sociodemographic, psychological, and clinical characteristics associated with the underuse of health services by adolescents and young adults with mental disorders. Data from a cross-sectional, epidemiological study with a population-based sample (N = 1180 participants, 14-21 years old) were used.

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Background: Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental disorders. While it is known that a majority of individuals with anxiety disorders remains untreated, actual treatment rates for adolescents and young adults in Germany remain largely unknown.

Methods: As part of the Behavior and Mind Health (BeMIND) study, examining a random community sample of 14-21-year-olds (Dresden; Germany; N = 1,180), the lifetime prevalence for DSM-5 anxiety disorders and lifetime service utilization rates were determined by a standardized interview (DIA-X-5/CIDI).

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Article Synopsis
  • Stressors trigger physiological changes that prepare the body for defensive responses, but most research focuses on negative effects of psychological stress in lab settings.
  • In a study of 126 participants at a music festival, it was found that voluntary stage performance significantly raised cortisol levels and heart rates, while positively affecting emotional states by reducing negative feelings and increasing positive ones.
  • Despite the positive emotional response, heightened stress during performance negatively impacted working memory performance, linking increased cortisol to slower reaction times, suggesting a need for more research on real-life stressors and their mixed effects.
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