Research Receipts
THE PROBLEM: How We Think and Talk About Mental Health
Public awareness of mental illness: Mental health literacy or concept creep?
Haslam & Tse. Australasian Psychiatry, 2024.
https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562241292202
Are mental health awareness efforts contributing to the rise in reported mental health problems? A call to test the prevalence inflation hypothesis
Foulkes & Andrews. New Ideas in Psychology, 2023.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.newideapsych.2023.101010
Concept creep: Psychology's expanding concepts of harm and pathology
Haslam. Psychological Inquiry, 2016.
https://doi.org/10.1080/1047840X.2016.1082418
Inform and do no harm: Nocebo education reduces false self-diagnosis caused by mental health awareness
Sandra, Segal, Majoo et al. Psychological Medicine, 2025.
MEANING: The existential foundation of mental health
Meaning in life is a fundamental protective factor in the context of psychopathology
Steger. World Psychiatry, 2022.
https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20916
A meaningful life is worth living: Meaning in life as a suicide resiliency factor
Kleiman & Beaver. Psychiatry Research, 2013.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2013.08.002
Meaning in life and psychological distress: A meta-analysis
He, Wang, Steger et al. Journal of Research in Personality, 2023.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2023.104381
Why meaning in life matters for societal flourishing
Routledge & FioRito. Frontiers in Psychology, 2021.
MOVE
Effect of exercise on depression and anxiety symptoms: Systematic umbrella review with meta-meta-analysis
Munro et al. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2025.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2025-110301
Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation
Bratman et al. PNAS, 2015.
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1510459112
The impact of performing arts on mental health, social connection, and creativity in university students: A randomised Controlled Trial
Agres & Chen. BMC Public Health, 2025.
WORK
The mental health benefits of employment: Results of a systematic meta-review
Modini, Joyce et al. Australasian Psychiatry, 2016.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1039856215618523
Employment is a critical mental health intervention
Drake & Wallach. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 2020.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S2045796020000906
Other- (vs. self-) oriented meaning interventions enhance momentary work engagement through changes in work meaningfulness
Cantarero, van Tilburg & Smoktunowicz. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 2022.
CREATE
Creative expression and mental health
Jean-Berluche. Journal of Creativity, 2024.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yjoc.2024.100083
Everyday creative activity as a path to flourishing
Conner, DeYoung & Silvia. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 2018.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1257049
Does regular engagement with arts and creative activities improve adolescent mental health and wellbeing? A systematic review and assessment of causality
Hugh-Jones et al. SSM - Population Health, 2025.
CONNECT
Healing through helping: An experimental investigation of kindness, social activities, and reappraisal as well-being interventions
Cregg & Cheavens. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 2023.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2022.2154695
Social connection as a critical factor for mental and physical health: Evidence, trends, challenges, and future implications
Holt-Lunstad. World Psychiatry, 2024.
https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21224
Social connection as a key target for youth mental health
Birrell, Werner-Seidler, Davidson, Andrews & Slade. Mental Health & Prevention, 2025.
TRANSCEND
Awe as a pathway to mental and physical health
Monroy & Keltner. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2022.
https://doi.org/10.1177/17456916221094856
Spirituality, religiousness, and mental health: A review of the current scientific evidence
Lucchetti, Koenig & Lucchetti. World Journal of Clinical Cases, 2021.
https://doi.org/10.12998/wjcc.v9.i26.7620
Religion and mental health: Is the relationship causal?
VanderWeele & Ouyang. Journal of Religion and Health, 2025.