If there’s a time of year when our instincts for social survival go into high gear, it’s got to be the holidays. We gather with our brethren, co-workers, and friends – just about every social network that we rely on for reciprocal care.
The importance of denial in maintaining these social groups and our closest relationships is gaining attention according to today’s New York Times heath section.
Denial enables us to bear the shock of bad news, tolerate mild transgressions (like eating the pie before the turkey on Thanksgiving...I was young) and appears to be the basis for forgiveness, according to an increasing number of social scientists.
Continue reading 'Denial could make the perfect holiday gift' >
Maia Szalavitz on October 26, 2007 11:26 AM
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Research just keeps knocking drug war myths down. This week, two different studies took on some of the warriors' sacred cows-- the idea that parents whose kids are using drugs are “in denial” about it and the notion that marijuana use always has negative effects on mental health.
The first study, published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse, followed 75 families in which the substance use rates of teens were known, but the teens mostly weren’t in treatment for it. 86% accurately reported their teens’ alcohol and marijuana use. 72% were aware of their children’s use of other illegal drugs.
Continue reading 'Marijuana is an antidepressant at low doses, and parents know when kids use it' >
