N LogoThe National News Logo
  • My Profile
  • Saved articles
  • Newsletters
  • Sign out
UserSign in
  • Register
  • Sign in
News
UAE
Gulf
MENA
US
UK
Europe
Asia
Business
Aviation
Economy
Energy
Money
Property
Banking
Markets
Opinion
Comment
Editorial
Obituaries
Cartoon
Feedback
Future
Science
Space
Technology
Climate
Environment
Road to Net Zero
Health
Culture
Art & Design
Books
Film & TV
Music & On-stage
Pop Culture
Lifestyle
Travel
Fashion & Beauty
Food
Motoring
Luxury
Home & Garden
Wellbeing
Things to do
Sport
World Cup 2026
Football
Cricket
F1
Tennis
Combat Sports
Cycling
World Cup 2026
Newsletters
TN Magazine
  • International Edition
  • UAE Edition
      Podcasts Newsletters Follow us App Video
      World Cup 2026NewslettersTN MagazineWeekend
      News
      UAE
      Gulf
      MENA
      US
      UK
      Europe
      Asia
      Business
      Aviation
      Economy
      Energy
      Money
      Property
      Banking
      Markets
      Opinion
      Comment
      Editorial
      Obituaries
      Cartoon
      Feedback
      Future
      Science
      Space
      Technology
      Climate
      Environment
      Road to Net Zero
      Health
      Culture
      Art & Design
      Books
      Film & TV
      Music & On-stage
      Pop Culture
      Lifestyle
      Travel
      Fashion & Beauty
      Food
      Motoring
      Luxury
      Home & Garden
      Wellbeing
      Things to do
      Sport
      World Cup 2026
      Football
      Cricket
      F1
      Tennis
      Combat Sports
      Cycling
      News
      UAE
      Gulf
      MENA
      US
      UK
      Europe
      Asia
      Business
      Aviation
      Economy
      Energy
      Money
      Property
      Banking
      Markets
      Opinion
      Comment
      Editorial
      Obituaries
      Cartoon
      Feedback
      Future
      Science
      Space
      Technology
      Climate
      Environment
      Road to Net Zero
      Health
      Culture
      Art & Design
      Books
      Film & TV
      Music & On-stage
      Pop Culture
      Lifestyle
      Travel
      Fashion & Beauty
      Food
      Motoring
      Luxury
      Home & Garden
      Wellbeing
      Things to do
      Sport
      World Cup 2026
      Football
      Cricket
      F1
      Tennis
      Combat Sports
      Cycling
      N Logo
      News
      Business
      Opinion
      Future
      Climate
      Health
      Culture
      Lifestyle
      Sport
      World Cup 2026
      • My Profile
      • Saved articles
      • Newsletters
      • Sign out
      UserSign in
      • Register
      • Sign in

      Justin Thomas

      Justin Thomas

      Contributor
      Location
      Dr Justin Thomas is a chartered health psychologist with the British Psychological Society, the author of 'Psychological Well-being in the Gulf States' and a columnist for The National

      Articles

      Research shows that the use of the Arabic language among the UAE's Twitter community is declining. iStock
      Data doesn’t lie. We need serious efforts to promote Arabic

      The language may not be in danger of becoming extinct, but the declining rate of its use in the UAE is certainly a cause for concern

      OpinionAugust 20, 2017
      A study, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, looked at the correlation between population density and mental health problems. Akintunde Akinleye / Reuters
      Explaining the psychological challenges of population growth

      The world is changing rapidly. In a few short decades, it will be a very different place. Policy-makers should take note

      OpinionAugust 13, 2017
      Democrats' 1964 presidential campaign badges which read “In your guts, you know he’s nuts" referred to Senator Barry Goldwater, who led the Republicans to a crushing electoral loss. AP
      Mental health codes should evolve to keep pace with social shifts

      Our laws should ensure that the most vulnerable remain well-protected and the most powerful are not conveniently neglected

      OpinionAugust 06, 2017
      The Empty Quarter or the Rub al Khali desert in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Getty Images
      Silence could hold all the answers

      Occasional bouts of meditative contemplation are crucial for us to make sense of the madness

      OpinionAugust 02, 2017
      The information we generate to “sell ourselves” on social media is possibly being used to sell us things. Oliver Berg / DPA / Corbis
      Who do you think I am? Chances are you've already made up your mind

      If we are products to be sold, then social media is the world’s largest market place

      OpinionJuly 23, 2017
      Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, delivers a speech during the Abu Dhabi Award winners during the awards ceremony at Emirates Palace. Rashed Al Mansoori / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
      The virtuous circle of gratitude and generosity

      Justin Thomas reflects on the importance of the Abu Dhabi Awards

      OpinionJuly 21, 2017
      The spread of consumerism and materialistic values is thought to be one of the reasons for the popularity of cosmetic surgery. Patrick Fallon / Bloomberg News
      Why is cosmetic surgery becoming more popular?

      Justin Thomas asks why people would want to alter their appearance

      OpinionJuly 21, 2017
      Nobody goes home hungry from a Gulf wedding. Jaime Puebla / The National
      Gulf weddings: Till debt do us apart or girl meets boy, boy meets bank manager

      Wedding costs have been spiralling out of control for decades, fuelled by social expectations

      CommentJuly 16, 2017
      The popularity of cosmetic surgery is an aspect of social change that seems likely to increase in coming decades. Bernadett Szabo / Reuters
      Our pursuit of perfection through surgery requires careful monitoring
      OpinionJuly 09, 2017
      Smoking shisha is a matter of personal choice. Marwan Naamani / AFO
      Why do some think it’s shameful for a woman to smoke shisha?

      It is the fear of being seen and negatively evaluated that keeps many women away from Shisha cafes, writes Justin Thomas

      OpinionJune 27, 2017
      A gift, whether beautifully wrapped or not, should be enough. But the research says otherwise. (Getty Images)
      Why our gift-wrapping culture needs to evolve

      I counted five layers of wrapping between my gift and its intended recipient. Surely that is too much, asks Justin Thomas?

      OpinionJune 25, 2017
      Shoplifting costs millions to retailers worldwide.
      There is more to shoplifting than meets the eye

      Justin Thomas explains the psychology behind shoplifting and what can be done to prevent its social and economic impacts

      OpinionJune 11, 2017
      Getting a message out – especially a warped message – has never been easier. Philip Cheung / The National
      The growing concern with ‘bedroom radicalisation’

      Justin Thomas says that psychological literacy is essential to internet safety and winning the war against online radicalisation

      OpinionJune 04, 2017
      Research exploring religion and mental health typically suggests that there is something protective about religious belief and practice.
      Why obsession can turn into a dangerous disorder

      Justin Thomas says that parents need to be aware that adolescents can misuse Ramadan to embark on excessive and unhealthy weight loss

      OpinionMay 21, 2017
      The 2016 graduation ceremony of Zayed University in Abu Dhabi. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
      If education is a journey, graduation is the first oasis

      Justin Thomas ruminates on the role of the graduation ceremony in higher education

      OpinionMay 14, 2017
      More Articles

      The National News Logo
      IPSO regulated

      News
      UAE
      Gulf
      MENA
      US
      UK
      Europe
      Asia
      Business
      Aviation
      Economy
      Energy
      Money
      Property
      Banking
      Markets
      Opinion
      Comment
      Editorial
      Obituaries
      Cartoon
      Feedback
      Future
      Science
      Space
      Technology
      Climate
      Environment
      Road to Net Zero
      Health
      Culture
      Art & Design
      Books
      Film & TV
      Music & On-stage
      Pop Culture
      Lifestyle
      Travel
      Fashion & Beauty
      Food
      Motoring
      Luxury
      Home & Garden
      Wellbeing
      Things to do
      Sport
      Football
      Cricket
      Olympics
      F1
      Tennis
      Combat Sports
      Cycling
      Weekend
      Living in the UAE
      TN Magazine
      Podcasts Newsletters Read E-Paper Print Subscriptions Video App
      About UsContact UsWork With UsAdvertise With UsTerms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicySitemapArchiveRegistration FAQsRosalynn Carter Fellowship
      IPSO regulated
      Follow us
      Get news alerts from
      The National logo
      You can manage notifications at any time by clicking the notifications icon.