WRI Faculty Affiliate Draws National Attention
Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD
A study by BYU psychology professor Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad found that massages and other supportive, affectionate physical contact lower blood pressure and stress hormones and enhance levels of oxytocin, especially among men. The study strengthens growing evidence of the link between social relationships and physical health. (More at USA Today and BYU News)
Another study by Dr. Holt-Lunstad’s found that happily married couples have lower blood pressure than single adults with a supportive network of friends, revealing some distinct health benefits of a happy marriage. (More at US News & World Report, New York Times, and BYU News)
Valerie Hudson, PhD
The New York Times and The Washington Post are paying attention to a new book by Valerie Hudson and its warning that by 2020, China's government will be forced to contend with a potentially unruly and unrooted population of 30 million surplus young adult males with no hope of marriage. more...
Valerie Hudson, PhD
Bonnie Ballif-Spanvill, PhD
Chad F. Emmett, PhD
More than the level of democracy, economic development, or civilization identity, a top predictor of state security and peacefulness is the treatment of women within society. "The Heart of the Matter," an article co-authored by Valerie Hudson, PhD, Bonnie Ballif-Spanvill, PhD, Chad F. Emmett, PhD, all from BYU, Mary Caprioli, PhD, from University Minnesota-Duluth and Rose McDermott, PhD, from Brown University was recently published in International Security, America's leading journal of security affairs. The article details correlating results of the study to urge that the security of women must not be overlooked in policy initiatives in order to promote security for all. (More at Boston Globe and BYU News)
More News on WRI Faculty Affiliates
Dr. Marleen Williams co-authored Matters of the Mind: Latter-day Saint Helps for Mental Health to help Latter-day Saints understand the complexities of mental health and to serve those who struggle to cope with these illnesses. more...
In a study with Mary Suchyta, M.D., Professor Romana O. Hopkins learned that drug and alcohol abuse doubles risk of ICU admission. Suchyta and Hopkins reviewed records for 742 patients admitted to LDS Hospital's intensive care unit over a one-year period. Nineteen percent of those patients had a history of drug and alcohol dependence prior to becoming critically ill. (More at BYU News, Deseret News, Salt Lake Tribune)
Barbara Culatta, associate dean of the Brigham Young University David O. McKay School of Education, will present a devotional, "Loving Our Neighbor: Tolerance and Acceptance as We Come Together in Knowing Christ," Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 11:05 a.m. in the Marriott Center. (More at BYU News)
