Trends in Psychology Research: An Analysis by Dr. Ashok Bharucha

Psychology is a dynamic and ever-evolving field that is shaped by the academic and social trends of our time. From changes in economic and business climates to shifts in societal norms, these factors directly impact how psychology is studied, practiced, and understood on a global scale.

To shed light on recent developments and their implications for psychological research, we turn to the expertise of Dr. Ashok Bharucha. With years of experience as a highly trained geriatric psychiatrist, Dr. Bharucha brings a unique perspective to the table. Join us as we delve into the latest trends in psychology research and explore the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.

1. Increasing demand for mental health resources and services

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for mental health services has shot up. COVID-19, according to Ashok Bharucha, has contributed to an increase in mental illness over the last two years. Many people have endured various lockdowns while adhering to various social distancing mandates. As more people seek counseling, the workload of everyone who provides mental health services grows. More people have reported an increase in the demand for anxiety treatment since the start of the pandemic and an increase in the demand for depression treatment has also soared.

Furthermore, 62% of survey respondents reported receiving more referrals in 2021 than in 2020, and 68% reported a longer waitlist in 2021 than at the start of the pandemic.

2.Increase in the provision of telehealth services.

According to Ashok Bharucha, global mental health has been severely harmed. Ashok has observed increased anxiety and depression rates among his patients and society due to increased social isolation. To make matters worse, he claims that seeking mental health care still carries a negative stigma. He claims that platforms like telehealth are currently a positive solution for those who want to speak with a professional. As a result, many practitioners began to offer telehealth services if they did not already.

According to the APA survey, 96% of respondents thought telehealth was an effective therapeutic tool, and 97% planned to continue using these remote services after the pandemic. Remote mental health services can help patients receive care while maintaining their physical health. It may also be more convenient for people who have demanding schedules.

3. Assistive technology will play a bigger role in the psychological research field.

The number of older Americans with Alzheimer’s and dementia is expected to increase to 13 million by 2050, significantly increasing healthcare needs. Residents of long-term care (LTC) facilities are especially vulnerable due to cognitive impairment and frailty caused by dementia. Developing and deploying intelligent assistive technologies that compensate for the specific physical and cognitive deficits of older adults with dementia, thereby reducing caregiver burden, is one approach to addressing this emerging crisis. Assistive technology, also known as dementia technology, refers to devices and systems that assist people with dementia in performing daily tasks. These devices and equipment can assist a person with mobility and frailty issues, as well as memory issues related to dementia.

Assistive technology for dementia, according to Dr. Ashok Bharucha, allows an older person living with dementia to remain independent at home. In recent times, the evolution in the use of technology in dementia care has been significant. Assistive technology includes everything from smart home systems to alarms that remind you to do certain tasks to smartphone apps that can provide communication tools for dementia patients.

Some examples of Dementia assistive technology that will be increasingly used include the following:

Home security cameras

Installing cameras in your loved one’s home is another excellent way to ensure their safety while giving you peace of mind. Many of these devices can then be linked to an app on your smartphone, allowing you to see exactly where your loved one is no matter where you are.

Alarms and clocks

These are especially useful for those suffering from dementia, who may struggle to understand the time of day and may confuse day and night.

Smartphones for mobile devices

Older people increasingly use mobile smartphone technology to manage their lives and stay connected with loved ones. They can be used as communication tools for dementia and to help people maintain their independence in the following ways:

Alarms can be set on your phone to remind you to complete a task at a specific time of day.
It can access other types of dementia assistive technology, such as in-home cameras and multimedia services like television program schedules.
They can be used as safety devices for dementia patients, ensuring they can always contact someone in an emergency or when they require your assistance.

Final Take Away

The psychology research space has been witnessing numerous changes in recent years. Our blog post offers great insight into trends that continue to define the field. A special thank you to Dr. Ashok Bharucha for sharing his knowledge with us.