Behavioral Sciences

13 pages, 1060 KB

Open AccessArticle

Interconnecting District and Community Partners to Improve School-Level Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Health

by Kathryn B. Pohlman, Kayla Jones, Juan R. Lira, Jennifer Norton and Kelly Perales

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1225; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091225 - 9 Sep 2025

School districts face growing demands to address the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral health needs of all students, including meeting state mandates such as bullying prevention, suicide prevention, trauma response, and behavioral threat assessment. These needs have intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic, often [...] Read more.

School districts face growing demands to address the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral health needs of all students, including meeting state mandates such as bullying prevention, suicide prevention, trauma response, and behavioral threat assessment. These needs have intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic, often resulting in fragmented and inefficient planning. The Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF) offers a structure for uniting district and community efforts into a single, integrated system of support. While research has expanded on the effectiveness of the ISF and resources have defined installation steps, the process is often arduous and challenging to notice progress and maintain momentum in action planning. This study examines the use of the ISF District–Community Leadership Team (DCLT) Installation Progress Monitoring Tool as a means to provide district and community leaders with concrete data to monitor progress and inform evaluation and action plans. Findings highlight the tool’s potential to strengthen installation processes, promote data-informed decision-making, and improve alignment of resources to impact student and school outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue School-Based Mental Health Systems: Psychological Care for Children and Youth)

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24 pages, 302 KB

Open AccessArticle

Workplace Resocialization After Parental Leave as a Site of Work/Life Paradox in Three Boundary-Setting Contexts

by Emily A. Godager and Sarah E. Riforgiate

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1224; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091224 - 9 Sep 2025

Abstract

This study attends to employees’ boundary-setting enactments during workplace resocialization following parental leave in the United States. We qualitatively analyzed the work/life boundary-setting enactments of 16 employees who returned to the workplace following parental leave using the dialectical lens of control (organizational assimilation) [...] Read more.

This study attends to employees’ boundary-setting enactments during workplace resocialization following parental leave in the United States. We qualitatively analyzed the work/life boundary-setting enactments of 16 employees who returned to the workplace following parental leave using the dialectical lens of control (organizational assimilation) and resistance (individualization). Findings illustrate how employees managed tensions that generated an overarching work/life paradox during organizational resocialization across identity, time, and topic boundary-setting stressors. Employees’ tensioned enactments illustrated a control/resistance dialectic whereby paradoxical responses (vacillating, integrating, and/or balancing) were used to align with professional norms or privilege a working parent identity. This study contributes to paradox research and the model of organizational socialization to deepen our theoretical understanding of how resocialization is a communication process where managing work/life paradoxical responses to identity, time, and topic stressors can attenuate dialectical organizational tensions. Furthermore, we offer practical recommendations for organizations, supervisors, and individuals to productively understand and approach tensions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Workplace Communication: An Emerging Field of Study)

18 pages, 1723 KB

Open AccessArticle

University Students’ Good Practices as Moderators Between Active Coping and Stress Responses

by Cristina Ruiz-Camacho, Margarita Gozalo and Elena Felipe-Castaño

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1223; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091223 - 9 Sep 2025

Abstract

Within the framework of the European Higher Education Area, university students’ good practices are considered key indicators of educational quality. In light of the high levels of academic stress reported in this population, the present study aims to examine whether four specific practices—feedback-seeking, [...] Read more.

Within the framework of the European Higher Education Area, university students’ good practices are considered key indicators of educational quality. In light of the high levels of academic stress reported in this population, the present study aims to examine whether four specific practices—feedback-seeking, cooperative work, time management, and active learning—moderate the relationship between active coping and stress responses. A cross-sectional design was employed with a sample of 1014 university students (M = 20.56; SD = 3.50). Participants completed the Academic Stress Coping Scale (A-CEA), the Academic Stress Response Scale (R-CEA), and the Inventory of Good Practices in University Students (IBPEU). Moderation analyses were conducted using linear regressions with interaction terms, and conditional effects (simple slopes) were estimated at low and high levels of the moderator. Significant moderation effects emerged. Feedback-seeking, cooperative work, and time management strengthened the inverse association between active coping and academic stress, with stronger reductions when these practices were reported at high levels. In contrast, active learning showed a threshold pattern: active coping reduced stress only when this practice was actively implemented, suggesting that its effective implementation may be necessary for coping to be effective. Promoting good practices may enhance the benefits of active coping. Their integration into early psychoeducational programs could bolster students’ personal resources and reduce psychological distress in demanding academic settings. Full article

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13 pages, 721 KB

Open AccessArticle

Digital Phenotyping of Sensation Seeking: A Machine Learning Approach Using Gait Analysis

by Ang Li and Keyu Yang

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1222; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091222 - 9 Sep 2025

Abstract

Sensation seeking represents a significant risk factor for various mental health disorders and maladaptive behaviors, highlighting the need for objective assessment methods that circumvent the limitations of traditional self-report measures. This study introduces an innovative digital phenotyping approach that combines computational gait analysis [...] Read more.

Sensation seeking represents a significant risk factor for various mental health disorders and maladaptive behaviors, highlighting the need for objective assessment methods that circumvent the limitations of traditional self-report measures. This study introduces an innovative digital phenotyping approach that combines computational gait analysis with machine learning (ML) to quantify sensation-seeking traits and examines its validity. Natural gait sequences (using a Sony camera at 25 FPS) and self-report measures (Brief Sensation-Seeking Scale for Chinese, BSSS-C) were collected from 233 healthy adults. Computer vision processing through OpenPose extracted 25 skeletal keypoints, which were subsequently transformed into a hip-centered coordinate system and denoised using Gaussian filtering. From these kinematic data, 300 temporospatial gait features capturing various aspects of movement dynamics were derived. Using a supervised ML approach with feature selection, three ML models (SMO Regression, Multilayer Perceptron, and Bagging) were developed and compared through 10-fold cross-validation. The SMO Regression model demonstrated superior performance (r = 0.60, MAE = 3.50, RMSE = 4.59, R² = 0.26), outperforming the other approaches. These results establish proof-of-concept for gait-based digital phenotyping of sensation seeking, offering a scalable, objective assessment paradigm with potential applications in clinical screening and behavioral research. The methodological framework presented here advances the field of behavioral biometrics by demonstrating how computer vision and ML can transform basic movement patterns into meaningful psychological indicators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Health Psychology)

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23 pages, 375 KB

Open AccessArticle

Climbing the Dark Ladder: How Status and Inclusion Aspirations, Perceived Attainment, and Behaviors Relate to the Dark Triad

by Nikhila Mahadevan and Christian H. Jordan

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1221; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091221 - 8 Sep 2025

Abstract

Individual differences in the Dark Triad may partially reflect differences in interpersonal motivational patterns such as a strong desire for status. These studies examine how desires for status and inclusion, perceived attainment of status and inclusion, and status-seeking and inclusion-seeking behavior relate to [...] Read more.

Individual differences in the Dark Triad may partially reflect differences in interpersonal motivational patterns such as a strong desire for status. These studies examine how desires for status and inclusion, perceived attainment of status and inclusion, and status-seeking and inclusion-seeking behavior relate to the Dark Triad (grandiose narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy). Two studies (N = 591) find that individuals high in Dark Triad traits generally desire status, feel they have attained high status, and report behaving in status-seeking ways (once desires for inclusion, perceived attainment of inclusion, and inclusion-seeking behavior are controlled, respectively). They generally do not desire inclusion, do not feel they have attained inclusion, and do not report behaving in inclusion-seeking ways (once desires for status, perceived attainment of status, and status-seeking behavior are controlled, respectively). These associations are largely observed for the dimensions of the Dark Triad involving agentic extraversion and antagonism, but not for those involving impulsivity. This research delineates the motivational, social, and behavioral profile of the Dark Triad and its dimensions with implications for understanding the “core” of the Dark Triad. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Individual Differences in Narcissism: From Personality to Psychopathology)

20 pages, 596 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

A Systematic Review of Multifaceted Silence in Social Psychology

by Dat Bao

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1220; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091220 - 8 Sep 2025

Abstract

This article, conforming to the 2020 PRISMA checklist, presents a systematic review of silence within the realm of social psychology, utilizing research-driven insights. Silence can be interpreted through both interpersonal and intrapersonal lenses; that is, it can originate from external social interactions or [...] Read more.

This article, conforming to the 2020 PRISMA checklist, presents a systematic review of silence within the realm of social psychology, utilizing research-driven insights. Silence can be interpreted through both interpersonal and intrapersonal lenses; that is, it can originate from external social interactions or be a personal choice. While external silence reflects responses to societal stimuli, internal silence focuses on individual decisions. The piece contends that silence possesses sociological dimensions—when an individual communicates through silence (such as expressing resistance or alienation), they not only convey personal sentiments but may also represent broader collective concerns. Drawing upon the concept of sociological imagination, it posits that what may seem like an individual issue can mirror shared societal struggles, thus highlighting how personal experiences resonate with community dynamics. By examining diverse perspectives of silence, the article elucidates its complexity and significance within social environments. Full article

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15 pages, 262 KB

Open AccessArticle

Association Between Academic, Cognitive and Health-Related Variables with Academic Stress in Health Sciences University Students

by Aniel Jessica Leticia Brambila-Tapia, Edgar Ulises Velarde-Partida, Laura Arely Carrillo-Delgadillo, Fabiola Macías-Espinoza and Saúl Ramírez-De los Santos

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1219; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091219 - 8 Sep 2025

Abstract

Academic stress arises from students facing academic demands and is linked to various academic and psychological factors. However, research has yet to explore its potential correlations with somatization, overall health issues, studying strategies, academic procrastination, academic performance, and intelligence scores. The objective of [...] Read more.

Academic stress arises from students facing academic demands and is linked to various academic and psychological factors. However, research has yet to explore its potential correlations with somatization, overall health issues, studying strategies, academic procrastination, academic performance, and intelligence scores. The objective of this study was to determine the potential correlations between such variables with academic stress in a sample of health sciences university students. University students of different bachelor’s programs were invited to participate; they fulfilled an electronic questionnaire with personal and psychological variables, including academic stress, and performed an intelligence test, which measures verbal and non-verbal intelligence. Finally, their academic achievement was measured with the grade point average (GPA). A total of 437 students were included, of which 296 (67.7%) were women, with a mean age of 20.36 ± 2.61 years old. Academic stress was higher in women than in men and showed moderate positive correlations with anxiety, depression, and somatization and a low positive correlation with the sum of diseases. It also showed a low negative correlation with sleep quality. In addition, academic stress correlated negatively with self-motivation, emotion perception, and emotion management as well as with active coping, positive relations with others, and the studying strategies (self-regulation, effort regulation, critical thinking, and time and study environment). We also observed a low positive correlation between academic stress and academic procrastination, which was higher in women than in men. No correlations were found with GPA or intelligence scores. In conclusion, academic stress was positively correlated with somatization, depression, anxiety, the sum of diseases, and academic procrastination; it was negatively correlated with emotional intelligence (mainly self-motivation), active coping, and specific studying strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Well-Being and Coping Strategies in Educational Psychology)

19 pages, 402 KB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Impact of Organizational Identification on Innovative Work Behavior in the Korean Public Sector: The Moderating Role of Charismatic Leadership

by Kuk-Kyoung Moon and Jaeyoung Lim

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1218; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091218 - 8 Sep 2025

Abstract

Public sector organizations increasingly face demands for innovation. However, the hierarchical and rule-bound nature of bureaucracy can hinder employees’ ability to engage in creative and change-oriented behavior. This study investigates how organizational identification—a psychological sense of oneness with the organization—is associated with innovative [...] Read more.

Public sector organizations increasingly face demands for innovation. However, the hierarchical and rule-bound nature of bureaucracy can hinder employees’ ability to engage in creative and change-oriented behavior. This study investigates how organizational identification—a psychological sense of oneness with the organization—is associated with innovative work behavior among South Korean public officials and how this relationship is moderated by charismatic leadership. Grounded in social identity theory and leadership literature, we argue that employees with strong organizational identification are more likely to exhibit innovative work behavior, particularly when supported by leaders who articulate an inspiring vision and embody core public values. Using data from the 2024 Comparative Survey on Perceptions of Public and Private Sector Employees (N = 1012), hierarchical regression analyses reveal that both organizational identification and charismatic leadership significantly promote innovative work behavior. Furthermore, charismatic leadership enhances the positive effect of identification on innovative work behavior. These findings contribute to behavioral public administration research by clarifying how employee identity and leadership style interact to foster innovation, even within rigid procedural environments. Full article

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16 pages, 2471 KB

Open AccessArticle

Latent Profile Analysis of Depression and Its Influencing Factors Among Frail Older Adults in China

by Lingling Ye, Penghao Fan, Siyuan Zhang and Chao Rong

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1217; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091217 - 8 Sep 2025

Abstract

The present investigation set out to examine potential categories regarding depressive symptoms in frail senior individuals in China and to identify the contributing variables associated with each category, with the goal of informing more targeted mental health interventions. Data were drawn from the [...] Read more.

The present investigation set out to examine potential categories regarding depressive symptoms in frail senior individuals in China and to identify the contributing variables associated with each category, with the goal of informing more targeted mental health interventions. Data were drawn from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey, commonly called CHARLS, which comprised an overall cohort of 1083 qualifying respondents. A latent profile analysis (LPA) revealed the following four distinct depression profiles: a Low Depression–High Loneliness Group (38.4%), a Moderately Low Depression–High Suicidal Ideation Group (7.5%), a Moderately High Depression–High Negative Emotion Group (33.4%), and a High Depression–High Suicidal Ideation Group (20.7%). Ordered multi-categorical logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analyses revealed that age, gender, body pain, pension insurance, sleep duration, and frailty index were significant predictors of depression classification. These findings suggest that depressive symptoms among frail older individuals in China are markedly heterogeneous, highlighting the need to develop differentiated intervention strategies for distinct depression risk groups to promote their mental health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Health Psychology)

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17 pages, 1944 KB

Open AccessArticle

Predicting Adverse Childhood Experiences from Family Environment Factors: A Machine Learning Approach

by Nii Adjetey Tawiah, Emmanuel A. Appiah and Felisha White

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1216; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091216 - 8 Sep 2025

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with profound long-term health and developmental consequences. However, current identification strategies are largely reactive, often missing opportunities for early intervention. Therefore, the potential of machine learning to proactively identify children at risk of ACE exposure needs to [...] Read more.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with profound long-term health and developmental consequences. However, current identification strategies are largely reactive, often missing opportunities for early intervention. Therefore, the potential of machine learning to proactively identify children at risk of ACE exposure needs to be explored. Using nationally representative data from 63,239 children in the 2018–2020 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) after listwise deletion, we trained and validated multiple machine learning models to predict ACE exposure categorized as none, one, or two or more ACEs. Model performance was assessed using accuracy, precision, recall, F1 scores, and area under the curve (AUC) metrics with 5-fold cross-validation. The Random Forest model achieved the highest predictive accuracy (82%) and demonstrated strong performance across ACE categories. Key predictive features included child sex (female), food insufficiency, school absenteeism, quality of parent–child communication, and experiences of bullying. The model yielded high performance in identifying children with no ACEs (F1 = 0.89) and moderate performance for those with multiple ACEs (F1 = 0.64). However, performance for the single ACE category was notably lower (F1 = 0.55), indicating challenges in predicting this intermediate group. These findings suggest that family environment factors can be leveraged to predict ACE exposure with clinically meaningful accuracy, offering a foundation for proactive screening protocols. However, implementation must carefully address systematic selection bias, clinical utility limitations, and ethical considerations regarding predictive modeling of vulnerable children. Full article

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26 pages, 587 KB

Open AccessReview

Suicidal Behaviors Among Medical Students: A Scoping Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

by Felix Agyapong-Opoku, Nadine Agyapong-Opoku, Belinda Agyapong and Andrew Greenshaw

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1215; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091215 - 7 Sep 2025

Abstract

Background: Suicidal ideation and attempts are major public health concerns among young adults, particularly those in demanding academic settings. Medical students exhibit disproportionately high rates compared to peers in the general population and other fields of study, highlighting the urgent need to understand [...] Read more.

Background: Suicidal ideation and attempts are major public health concerns among young adults, particularly those in demanding academic settings. Medical students exhibit disproportionately high rates compared to peers in the general population and other fields of study, highlighting the urgent need to understand and address mental health challenges in medical education. Objective: This scoping review summarizes evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among medical students worldwide. Methods: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, six databases were searched for peer-reviewed reviews published in the last ten years. Studies focused exclusively on medical students and reporting prevalence or risk factors of suicidal ideation or attempts were included. Data were charted on prevalence, risk factors, study characteristics, and recommendations. Results: Twelve reviews comprising 378,081 medical students were included. Lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation ranged from 2.9% to 53.6% among the systematic reviews, with pooled estimates from meta-analyses ranging from 11% and 25%. Attempted suicide pooled prevalences ranged from 1.64% to 8%. Depression was frequently reported as the most significant risk factor for both suicidal ideation and attempts. Other significant risk factors for suicidal ideation included anxiety, burnout, female gender, financial strain, and academic stress. Suicidal ideation was higher during the COVID-19 pandemic and among clinical-phase students. Gender differences in suicide attempts were inconsistent. Medical students’ rates of suicidal behavior exceeded those of other university students. Conclusion: Suicidal behavior remains a critical mental health issue for medical students globally. Despite known risk factors, targeted interventions are limited. Future research should emphasize longitudinal studies, post-pandemic effects, regional gaps, and intervention development. Implications are discussed. Full article

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22 pages, 671 KB

Open AccessArticle

Am I (Not) Perfect? Fear of Failure Mediates the Link Between Vulnerable Narcissism and Perfectionism

by Sabrina Schneider, Sabrina Kornberger, Angela Aja Aßmuth and Andreas Mokros

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1214; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091214 - 6 Sep 2025

Abstract

(1) Background: Perfectionism, generally conceptualized as a striving for flawlessness, can lead to maladaptive thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Both grandiose narcissism (GN) and vulnerable narcissism (VN) represent relevant personality dispositions for perfectionism. There is reason to assume that GN and VN predispose to [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Perfectionism, generally conceptualized as a striving for flawlessness, can lead to maladaptive thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Both grandiose narcissism (GN) and vulnerable narcissism (VN) represent relevant personality dispositions for perfectionism. There is reason to assume that GN and VN predispose to different forms of perfectionist cognition and behavior. It remains unclear, however, whether GN and VN are indeed distinctly associated with different aspects of perfectionism and—if so—why. (2) Methods: We explored relationships between GN, VN, other-oriented, and socially prescribed perfectionism in a convenience sample of 210 adults (59% female) and further examined whether these relationships were mediated by distinct aspects of fear of failure, which has been identified as a critical driver for perfectionism. Moreover, we assessed implicit failure avoidance by means of response latencies obtained in a lexical approach-avoidance task. (3) Results: Our results indicate that perfectionist styles discriminate GN from VN whereby GN predict other-oriented and VN predict socially prescribed perfectionism. The latter relationship was largely mediated by social aspects of fear of failure (e.g., the fear of important others losing interest). In contrast, fear of failure did not explain the link between GN and other-oriented perfectionism. Furthermore, only VN was exclusively related to faster implicit failure avoidance. (4) Conclusions: This pattern of results suggests distinct mechanisms for GN and VN in the context of perfectionism. Our study provides support for the theoretical separation of GN and VN as relatively distinct phenotypes of narcissism and adds to clinical research linking GN and VN with different types of psychopathology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Individual Differences in Narcissism: From Personality to Psychopathology)

13 pages, 1228 KB

Open AccessArticle

Neural Pattern of Chanting-Driven Intuitive Inquiry Meditation in Expert Chan Practitioners

by Kin Cheung George Lee, Hin Hung Sik, Hang Kin Leung, Bonnie Wai Yan Wu, Rui Sun and Junling Gao

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1213; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091213 - 5 Sep 2025

Abstract

Background: Intuitive inquiry meditation (Can-Hua-Tou) is a unique mental practice which differs from relaxation-based practices by continuously demanding intuitive inquiry. It emphasizes the doubt-driven self-interrogation, also referred to as Chan/Zen meditation. Nonetheless, its electrophysiological signature remains poorly characterized. Methods: We recorded 128-channel EEG [...] Read more.

Background: Intuitive inquiry meditation (Can-Hua-Tou) is a unique mental practice which differs from relaxation-based practices by continuously demanding intuitive inquiry. It emphasizes the doubt-driven self-interrogation, also referred to as Chan/Zen meditation. Nonetheless, its electrophysiological signature remains poorly characterized. Methods: We recorded 128-channel EEG from 20 male Buddhist monks (5–28 years Can-Hua-Tou experience) and 18 male novice lay practitioners (<0.5 year) during three counter-balanced eyes-closed blocks: Zen inquiry meditation (ZEN), a phonological control task silently murmuring “A-B-C-D” (ABCD), and passive resting state (REST). Power spectral density was computed for alpha (8–12 Hz), beta (12–30 Hz) and gamma (30–45 Hz) bands and mapped across the scalp. Mixed-design ANOVAs and electrode-wise tests were corrected with false discovery rate (p < 0.05). Results: Alpha power increased globally with eyes closed, but condition- or group-specific effects did not survive FDR correction, indicating comparable relaxation in both cohorts. In contrast, monks displayed a robust beta augmentation, showing significantly higher beta over parietal-occipital leads than novices across all conditions. The most pronounced difference lay in the gamma band: monks exhibited trait-like fronto-parietal gamma elevations in all three conditions, with additional, though sub-threshold, increases during ZEN. Novices showed negligible beta or gamma modulation across tasks. No significant group × condition interaction emerged after correction, yet only experts expressed concurrent beta/gamma amplification during meditative inquiry. Conclusions: Long-term Can-Hua-Tou practice is associated with frequency-specific neural adaptations—stable high-frequency synchrony and state-dependent beta enhancement—consistent with Buddhist constructs of citta-ekāgratā (one-pointed concentration) and vigilance during self-inquiry. Unlike mindfulness styles that accentuate alpha/theta, Chan inquiry manifests an oscillatory profile dominated by beta–gamma dynamics, underscoring that different contemplative strategies sculpt distinct neurophysiological phenotypes. These findings advance contemplative neuroscience by linking intensive cognitive meditation to enduring high-frequency cortical synchrony. Future research integrating cross-frequency coupling analyses, source localization, and behavioral correlates of insight will further fully delineate the mechanisms underpinning this advanced contemplative expertise. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of the Mindfulness-Based and Compassion-Based Therapies on Well-Being: The New Findings of the Neuroscience, the Practices, and the Education)

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14 pages, 771 KB

Open AccessArticle

Do Family Obligations Contribute to Academic Values? The Mediating Role of Academic Efficacy

by Ciara S. Glover, Mayra Y. Bámaca and Kazumi Homma

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1212; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091212 - 5 Sep 2025

Abstract

Existing frameworks of task values have called for greater attention to contextual factors that inform decision-making. A critique of this research is a lack of attention to the cultural and situational milieu embedded in motivational theories. Investigating the development of academic values through [...] Read more.

Existing frameworks of task values have called for greater attention to contextual factors that inform decision-making. A critique of this research is a lack of attention to the cultural and situational milieu embedded in motivational theories. Investigating the development of academic values through obligations to the family and self-perceptions of academic ability adds to our understanding of the broader factors that drive student motivation in STEM. This paper explored the roles of family-related obligations associated with the motivational utility values of college STEM majors and the mediating role of academic efficacy. College students at two large ethnically diverse public research institutions shared their experiences in an initial survey as part of a larger longitudinal study on student adversity, motivation, and persistence in STEM (N = 1571, Mage = 20.41). The results revealed that academic efficacy weakens the roles of caregiving obligations on the perceived utility of their STEM major. The role of financial obligations to the family on students’ utility values operated indirectly through self-efficacy. Implications of these findings for future research are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of the Interaction of Parenting Practices and Environment on Children’s Outcomes)

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21 pages, 458 KB

Open AccessArticle

Examination of the Top Three Traumatic Experiences Among United States Service Members and Veterans with Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

by Kiara H. Buccellato, Casey L. Straud, Tabatha H. Blount, Wyatt R. Evans, Jennifer M. Hein, Elizabeth Santos, Willie J. Hale, Edna B. Foa, Lily A. Brown, Carmen P. McLean, Richard P. Schobitz, Bryann B. DeBeer, Joseph Mignogna, Brooke A. Fina, Brittany N. Hall-Clark, Christian C. Schrader, Jeffrey S. Yarvis, Vanessa M. Jacoby, Jose M. Lara-Ruiz, Kelsi M. Gerwell, Brett T. Litz, Eric C. Meyer, Barbara L. Niles, Stacey Young-McCaughan, Terence M. Keane and Alan L. Peterson Show full author list Hide full author list

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1211; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091211 - 5 Sep 2025

Abstract

Many trauma-focused psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) focus on the most distressing trauma. However, military personnel are often exposed to multiple traumatic experiences. This study aimed to evaluate and categorize the top three traumatic experiences identified by United States (U.S.) military service [...] Read more.

Many trauma-focused psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) focus on the most distressing trauma. However, military personnel are often exposed to multiple traumatic experiences. This study aimed to evaluate and categorize the top three traumatic experiences identified by United States (U.S.) military service members seeking treatment for PTSD and compare frequency of trauma types by demographic/military characteristics. Active duty service members and veterans (N = 110) with PTSD identified and ranked their top three most distressing experiences. Behavioral health professionals classified experiences according to one categorical and four dichotomous classification schemes. The categorical scheme included life threat to self, life threat to others, aftermath of violence, traumatic loss, moral injury by self, and moral injury by others. The Life Threat to Self classification represented the largest portion of categorical experiences (43%). Most experiences were dichotomously classified as military-related (86%), combat-related (70%), non-sexual (91%), and trainability (versus futility; 71%). Women were more likely to report sexual traumatic experiences and less likely to report military- and combat-related experiences. Military occupational specialty, number of deployments, time in military, active duty status, and marital status were also associated with different classification rates. There was noteworthy variability in types of experience across top three traumas, especially among certain subpopulations. Full article

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19 pages, 266 KB

Open AccessArticle

Healthcare Professionals’ Experiences of Brief Admission by Self-Referral for Adolescents with Self-Harm at Risk of Suicide—A Qualitative Interview Study

by Rose-Marie Lindkvist, Kajsa Landgren, Sophia Eberhard, Björn Axel Johansson, Olof Rask and Sofie Westling

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1210; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091210 - 5 Sep 2025

Abstract

Brief Admission by Self-referral (BA), a standardized crisis intervention for individuals with repeated self-harm or suicidal behavior, was adapted for adolescents from 13 years in Region Skåne, Sweden, in 2018. BA aims to offer access to support based on autonomy and has been [...] Read more.

Brief Admission by Self-referral (BA), a standardized crisis intervention for individuals with repeated self-harm or suicidal behavior, was adapted for adolescents from 13 years in Region Skåne, Sweden, in 2018. BA aims to offer access to support based on autonomy and has been associated with reduced need of emergency care. Interviews with adolescents and legal guardians have pointed to BA as valuable and challenging, and professional support as key. This study aims to describe healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) experiences of BA for adolescents with self-harm at risk of suicide. Interviews six years after implementation with fourteen HCPs from outpatient and inpatient psychiatric care were analyzed with qualitative content analysis. BA was perceived as valuable caretaking without taking over, promoting mental growth and agency by being brief and granting access. It was described as offering relief to families and HCPs, although perceived to lack a sufficient level of legal guardian participation. Key work processes included being grounded in leadership and outpatient treatment. Challenges included system inflexibility and fitting BA into the physical care context. The results of this study may support future implementation of BA for adolescents with self-harm at risk of suicide and add guidance around potential pitfalls. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Suicide Risk Assessment, Management and Prevention in Adolescents)

16 pages, 492 KB

Open AccessArticle

Fighting Mobile Phone Addiction with Forgiveness Following Interpersonal Transgressions: A Psychological Compensation Perspective

by Gang Du and Xiaogang Wang

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1209; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091209 - 5 Sep 2025

Abstract

Current research on addressing mobile phone addiction primarily focuses on mitigating the influence of psychopathological factors. In the present work, we conducted three studies to investigate a novel hypothesis that forgiveness, as a form of psychological compensation, may offer a previously underappreciated protective [...] Read more.

Current research on addressing mobile phone addiction primarily focuses on mitigating the influence of psychopathological factors. In the present work, we conducted three studies to investigate a novel hypothesis that forgiveness, as a form of psychological compensation, may offer a previously underappreciated protective effect against mobile phone addiction in the aftermath of interpersonal transgressions. Study 1 (N = 391), a cross-sectional survey, established an association between negative life events and mobile phone addiction. Utilizing a recall methodology, Study 2 (N = 256) demonstrated that higher levels of forgiveness mitigated the adverse effect of interpersonal transgressions on mobile phone addiction. Moreover, forgiveness was particularly effective in reducing mobile phone addiction in cases involving mild—as opposed to severe—transgressions. Subsequently, in Study 3 (N = 175), we employed a scenario-based approach to investigate the mechanisms through which forgiveness mitigates mobile phone addiction following interpersonal transgressions. The results indicated that social bonding—specifically, reduced social distance and increased positive affect toward transgressors—mediated the relationship between forgiveness and mobile phone addiction. In future research and practice, forgiveness-based interventions may be leveraged to reduce mobile phone addiction. Full article

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18 pages, 416 KB

Open AccessArticle

How Perceived Career Advising Initiates Career Orientation of UAS Undergraduates in China: Career Exploration as a Mediator

by Tingting Gao, Guoxing Xu, Tingzhi Han and Jiangshan Sun

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1208; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091208 - 5 Sep 2025

Abstract

In the context of universal higher education and labor market polarization, undergraduates in universities of applied sciences (UAS) face growing challenges in forming career orientation. Drawing on data from a UAS in China (N = 3138), this study examines how perceived career advising [...] Read more.

In the context of universal higher education and labor market polarization, undergraduates in universities of applied sciences (UAS) face growing challenges in forming career orientation. Drawing on data from a UAS in China (N = 3138), this study examines how perceived career advising influences students’ career orientation. Three key findings emerge: (1) Only perceived perspective advising (PPA) exhibits significant and direct effects on career orientation, underscoring the developmental value of structured guidance. In contrast, perceived emotional advising (PEA) and perceived growth advising (PGA) show no direct effect. (2) Both PPA and PGA are positively associated with career exploration, whereas PEA exhibits a negative association. This suggests that when advising interactions are overly affective, they inadvertently reduce students’ initiative to explore. (3) Career exploration fully mediates the effects of PEA and PGA, while it partially mediates the effect of PPA. This reflects that different types of career advising influence career orientation through distinct mechanisms, with PEA and PGA relying more heavily on exploratory engagement. The cultural and educational context in China shapes how students respond to different types of career advising. This study offers theoretical and practical insights for building career advising systems to actively foster students’ autonomous, cognitively engaged exploration processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue External Influences in Adolescents’ Career Development: 2nd Edition)

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20 pages, 1792 KB

Open AccessArticle

When the Mind Cannot Shift: Cognitive Flexibility Impairments in Methamphetamine-Dependent Individuals

by Xikun Zhang, Yue Li, Qikai Zhang, Yuan Wang, Jifan Zhou and Meng Zhang

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1207; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091207 - 5 Sep 2025

Abstract

Cognitive flexibility—the ability to adapt cognitive strategies and behavioral responses in changing environments—is a key component of executive function, supporting rule updating and conflict resolution. Individuals with substance addiction often exhibit behavioral rigidity and reduced adaptability, reflecting impairments in this domain. This study [...] Read more.

Cognitive flexibility—the ability to adapt cognitive strategies and behavioral responses in changing environments—is a key component of executive function, supporting rule updating and conflict resolution. Individuals with substance addiction often exhibit behavioral rigidity and reduced adaptability, reflecting impairments in this domain. This study examined cognitive flexibility in individuals with methamphetamine dependence through three behavioral tasks—intra-dimensional task switching, extra-dimensional task switching, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST)—in combination with a subjective self-report measure. Results showed that, compared to healthy controls, methamphetamine-dependent individuals demonstrated elevated reaction time switch costs in Intra-dimensional Task Switching and increased accuracy switch costs in Extra-dimensional Task Switching, as well as more perseverative and non-perseverative errors in the WCST. These findings suggested not only reduced performances in explicitly cued rule updating and strategic shifting but also deficits in feedback-driven learning and inflexibility in cognitive set shifting on methamphetamine-dependent individuals. Moreover, their self-reported cognitive flexibility scores were aligned with their objective performance, significantly lower than healthy controls. In summary, these findings revealed consistent cognitive flexibility impairments at both behavioral and subjective levels in individuals with methamphetamine dependence, indicating a core executive dysfunction that may undermine adaptive functioning in real-life contexts. The study offers critical insights into the cognitive mechanisms underlying addiction and provides a theoretical foundation for targeted cognitive interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Cognition)

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