Search Results (4,636)

The study examines the emotional and physiological effects of message framing in sustainability communication. Specifically, it explores how different image–message combinations shape consumer engagement by measuring physiological arousal (activation), and emotional resonance (impact) across various product categories. By using Galvanic Skin Response data combined with a hierarchical cluster analysis, the research provides insights into how individuals process sustainability information at both emotional and cognitive levels. The results reveal diverse and nuanced reactions shaped by the interaction of message framing, topic, and gender. The identification of seven distinct response patterns contributes to emerging consumer typologies in sustainability communication, offering practical value for organizations seeking to tailor messaging, enhance audience engagement, and encourage sustainable behavior. Full article

Obesity is a medical issue of increasing prevalence, with emotional eating being a key contributor to the problem, particularly in women. Theory and previous research suggest that obesity treatment participants’ self-regulatory abilities and self-efficacy to control eating are viable targets for improving emotional eating and related impacts on an unhealthy body composition. However, an improved understanding of interrelations between self-regulatory and self-efficacy changes are needed to inform behavioral treatments, which have had mostly negligible effects beyond the short term. Women were randomized into 6-month community-based obesity treatment conditions of (a) cognitive–behavioral methods with attention on emotional eating (n = 48), (b) cognitive–behavioral methods with no specific attention on emotional eating (n = 48), and (c) weight loss education (n = 50). Study-related improvements were greater in the merged cognitive–behavioral condition (n = 96; aggregated because the two corresponding treatment conditions demonstrated no significant differences). Using data aggregated across all study participants, early change in eating-related self-regulation was a significantly stronger predictor of longer-term change in eating-related self-efficacy than vice versa. Consistent with that finding, paths from treatment condition→change in self-regulation→change in self-efficacy→change in emotional eating over both 6 and 12 months were significant but not where change in self-efficacy was, instead, entered as a predictor of self-regulation change. Lessened emotional eating was significantly associated with concurrent reductions in weight and waist circumference. Consistent with self-regulation theory, findings suggest benefits for cognitive–behavioral obesity treatments over the more common education-based approaches, as well as benefits for first focusing on self-regulation that could empower increases in self-efficacy. Consistent with self-efficacy theory, such induced increases might promote favorable behavioral changes. Full article

Background: The symptoms of chronic spontaneous urticaria can be exacerbated or even induced by psychological stress. Assessing the severity of symptoms using the recommended Urticaria Control Test is an important diagnostic step before deciding on the type of pharmacological treatment to be used. Due to the possibility of urticaria symptoms affecting patient’s emotional condition, the authors attempted to analyze if the way of coping with stress has an impact on urticaria symptom control as assessed with this questionnaire. Methods: The study included 61 (37 female; 60,6%;) patients with symptoms of chronic spontaneous urticaria without other coexisting diseases. All patients were treated with antihistamines. In the analyzed group of patients, the Urticaria Control Test and the Polish version of Endler and Parker’s Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations questionnaire were conducted. Results: The average score on the Urticaria Control Test in the analyzed group was 8.5 (±3.9) points. In our group, the most common coping style was a mixed style based on emotions and avoidance—32 (53%) respondents. Next, 11 (18%) patients reported an emotion-based style. A task-oriented style of coping with stress was observed in 8 (13%) respondents. In the study group, we found no statistical significance in the correlation between the UCT results and the patient’s coping style. Conclusions: Emotions play a significant role as a stress-coping style in chronic spontaneous urticaria patients. The lack of relation found between the Urticaria Control Test result and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations questionnaire confirms the objective usefulness of the Urticaria Control Test in assessing the control of spontaneous urticaria. Full article

Background: Although the Shared Affective Movement Experience (SAME) model suggests the crucial role of imitation and synchronization in music-induced emotion, their application in teaching settings remains largely unexplored. Objectives:This study compared the “Body Rhythm Teaching Method,” based on the principle of mimicking musical elements through bodily movements, with traditional lecture-based instruction. It examined the effects of both teaching approaches on brain activation patterns, measured via functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning and instructional outcomes (assessed through musical emotion processing and teaching quality evaluations). The aim was to investigate their efficacy in enhancing students' musical emotional processing abilities. Methods: A total of 3 teachers and 103 student participants were randomly assigned to the lecture teaching group (n = 35), the body rhythm teaching group (n = 35), or the control group (n = 33). The musical materials used across all three groups were identical, with only the teaching methods differing. fNIRS hyperscanning imaging was employed throughout the process to record brain activity. Results: Results indicate that the body rhythm group significantly outperformed other groups in both behavioral and neural metrics. Specifically, during the post-test music-listening phase, participants in this group not only reported higher emotional arousal but also exhibited stronger activation levels in the bilateral frontopolar cortex (FPC) associated with multisensory integration—both significantly higher than those in the lecture group and control group. Furthermore, during instruction, students in the body rhythm group rated teaching quality higher and exhibited significantly stronger teacher–student IBS across multiple brain regions involved in socio-emotional processing. These included the left orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC) for interoceptive emotion processing, the left frontopolar cortex (lFPC) for multisensory integration, and the right superior temporal gyrus (rSTG) for social interaction. In contrast, the lecture teaching group only showed significantly higher emotional valence ratings compared to the control group. Conclusions: This study confirms the role of imitation and synchronization mechanisms in the SAME model for music-induced emotional responses, providing a neuroscientific basis for teaching practice. Full article

Context: Digital entrepreneurship has attracted the attention of governments, investors, and researchers, who are directing their efforts and resources toward investigating its causes. Several studies have focused on the positive factors contributing to entrepreneurial intentions, with Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) being the most cited. This paper examines the relationship among TPB, emotions and social capital in the digital context. Objective: To evaluate the impact of social capital and anticipated emotions (positive and negative) on the digital entrepreneurial intentions of students from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Methodology: The research proposed seven hypotheses, including two new ones, all of which are embedded in the digital context. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered to undergraduate students in Business Administration, Engineering, and Information Technology. A total of 1110 valid responses were obtained. The data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Results: Considering the TPB factors, Attitude (AT) and Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC) significantly impact Digital Entrepreneurial Intentions (DEI), while Subjective Norms (SN) show a statistically significant but weak effect (f² < 0.02). Social Capital (SC) indirectly influences DEI by shaping attitudes. Anticipated Positive Emotions (APE) and Anticipated Negative Emotions (ANE) are statistically significant; however, their practical moderating effects are weak. Conclusions: Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC) emerges as the strongest predictor of Digital Entrepreneurial Intention (DEI), while Subjective Norms (SN) and emotional factors (APE and ANE), though statistically significant, exhibit limited practical influence. Practical implications: Understanding how anticipated emotions interact with SC in shaping DEI can help educators and policymakers develop more effective strategies to support aspiring entrepreneurs. Originality: This study highlights the relationships among TPB factors, SC, APE, and ANE, underscoring the complex role of emotions in the digital entrepreneurial process. This research enriches the literature by incorporating emotional and social dimensions into the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), demonstrating that digitalisation reshapes, rather than displaces, the cognitive foundation of entrepreneurial action. Full article

Background: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) has a substantial impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), mainly through pain, reduced mobility, and functional limitations. To better reflect these outcomes, we utilized the SF-36 survey, a well-established tool commonly used in both clinical and population research. The purpose was twofold: to evaluate HRQoL and to explore the main factors linked with activity limitation in a community-based group of Romanian patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 120 participants with LDH who completed the SF-36 questionnaire. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.922). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, t-tests, and multivariate regressions were performed using SPSS 18.0. Results: Of the respondents, 53.3% were female and 58.4% were over 60 years old. While 55% reported good or very good health, 26.7% had severe Daily Activity Limitation (DAL) based on the SF-36 physical function score, and 62.5% scored in the poorer range (33–45) of the Physical and Emotional Status (PES) composite derived from the SF-36. Female sex and age over 60 were each associated with nearly a twofold-higher risk of moderate-to-severe DAL (OR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.04–4.65), while reporting severe or very severe pain increased this risk more than fourfold (OR = 4.64, 95% CI: 1.89–24.21). Conclusions: In patients with LDH, poor self-rated health, older age, female sex, and high pain intensity were significantly associated with reduced functional capacity. The SF-36 proved to be a valuable tool for identifying vulnerable subgroups that require targeted rehabilitation and psychosocial support. From a public health perspective, these findings also support the use of SF-36 in community screening and in guiding resource allocation for multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Implicit theories of thoughts, emotions, and behavior (TEB) describe beliefs that these attributes are either changeable (growth mindset) or unchangeable (fixed mindset). While the impact of mindsets on negative mental health indicators, such as psychopathological symptoms, is well-documented, their relations with positive indicators such as life satisfaction, particularly in the context of stress, remain underexplored. This study aimed to address this gap by testing whether the association between adolescents’ implicit theories of TEB and life satisfaction is mediated by cognitive reappraisal and whether stressful life events moderated two paths within the mediation model. Methods: Participants were 620 high school students (49.5% female, 43.5% male, 5.8% gender-nonconforming, 1.1% undisclosed) aged 14 to 19 years (M = 17.51, SD = 1.23), who completed an online survey in Spring 2022, while the COVID-19 pandemic still significantly affected daily life. Mediation and moderated mediation models were tested using PROCESS macro in SPSS. Results: Mediation analysis revealed that growth mindset positively influenced life satisfaction both directly and indirectly through cognitive reappraisal. Stressful life events significantly moderated the direct effect of growth mindset on life satisfaction, with the positive direct effect diminishing as stress increased. Conclusions: The positive link between growth mindset and life satisfaction was strongest under lower stress and transmitted through cognitive reappraisal across stress levels. Given the cross-sectional design, findings should be interpreted as correlational, not causal. Future longitudinal research should clarify temporal directionality and reciprocal links among mindset, coping, and well-being to inform interventions that strengthen adaptive beliefs and regulation skills. Full article

Background: Chronic pain affects nearly one in five adults worldwide and remains a major healthcare burden due to its persistence, multidimensional impact, and resistance to conventional therapies. The opioid crisis has further highlighted the urgent need for safer and more effective alternatives. Psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic compound, has re-emerged as a potential therapeutic option for chronic pain given its effects on neuroplasticity, neuroinflammation, and emotional regulation. Methods: This narrative review synthesized evidence from published preclinical and clinical studies. The focus was on the mechanisms of action of psilocybin, animal models of neuropathic and inflammatory pain, and early human trials exploring its effects on pain, mood, and quality of life. Results: Preclinical studies demonstrated that psilocybin promotes synaptogenesis via BDNF-TrkB signalling, modulates 5-HT2A receptor activity, and reduces neuroinflammatory processes, leading to persistent analgesic and anxiolytic effects. Animal models of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy and inflammatory pain showed long-lasting antinociceptive responses. Clinical studies, though limited, reported improvements in depression, anxiety, resilience, and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer and chronic conditions, with preliminary evidence of analgesic benefit. Conclusions: Psilocybin shows promise as a multidimensional therapy for chronic pain, addressing both sensory and affective components. However, ethical issues, safety concerns, and regulatory barriers necessitate careful management, and robust randomized controlled trials are essential to confirm efficacy and guide clinical translation. Full article

Background: Prior research has established a positive relationship between emotional self-efficacy and life satisfaction in elementary school-age children. However, less is known about the direct impact of positive leisure experience on subjective well-being and the potential mediating role of emotional self-efficacy. Objectives: This study examined whether emotional self-efficacy mediates the association between overall leisure enjoyment and life satisfaction among elementary schoolchildren. It was hypothesized that both direct and indirect effects are statistically significant. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional design was used with 100 fifth- and sixth-grade students from a U.S.–Mexico border community. Participants completed the Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE), the emotional subscale of the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C), and the Student Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS). Mediation analysis was conducted in R with bootstrapping (500 simulations). Results: Overall leisure enjoyment was positively associated with life satisfaction (β = 0.54, 95% CI [0.23, 0.90], p = 0.004). The direct effect remained significant after accounting for emotional self-efficacy (β = 0.41, 95% CI [0.15, 0.73], p = 0.004). The indirect effect through emotional self-efficacy was also significant (β = 0.13, 95% CI [0.03, 0.29], p = 0.016), accounting for approximately 25% of the total effect. Conclusions: Emotional self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between overall leisure enjoyment and life satisfaction, suggesting that positive leisure experience enhances children’s emotional coping confidence and subjective well-being. These findings underscore the importance of promoting accessible and enjoyable leisure opportunities within marginalized communities that simultaneously foster children’s emotional self-efficacy and well-being. Full article

The purpose of this case study is to examine how a therapy dog intervention can be integrated into a Tier 3 intervention classroom and how therapy dog interventions influence mental health components of well-being, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning, in a Tier 3 intervention classroom. This research used qualitative methods to triangulate data from classroom observations of the Tier 3 classroom with and without the therapy dog present including video data, field notes, student feedback, and a semi-structured interview with the classroom teacher/handler. Thematic analysis of transcripts from student feedback, semi-structured interview, and field notes was used for qualitative analysis. Multi-modal analysis was used to examine the phenomenon of the therapy dog intervention in the Tier 3 classroom and the multi-modal transcripts were aligned with the theme and sub-themes of the mental health components of well-being. The results indicated that a systematic integration model designed with a therapy dog intervention alongside a traditional Tier 3 approach can influence both emotional support and academic achievement. Therapy dog interventions positively impact the social, emotional, and behavioral well-being of students in Tier 3 settings when effectively integrated as a complementary intervention to enhance existing Tier 3 interventions. Full article

Most U.S. residents are concerned about and support action on climate change. They also overwhelmingly underestimate the extent to which others are likewise concerned, a phenomenon known as pluralistic ignorance. This is a problem because when individuals perceive that others don’t care, they are less likely to take action themselves. We assessed whether brief exposure to positive thoughts and actions of others might make climate action more normative and increase support for climate policy. Specifically, we exposed people to “Community Voices” (CV), a form of social media designed to promote pro-environmental and pro-social norms. We hypothesized that exposure to CV content (related and unrelated to climate change) would enhance positive climate-related norms and increase climate policy support. We further hypothesized that this shift would be stronger when the content was directly related to climate change and when the content came from participants’ geographic region. Online recruits (N = 969) from national and regional (Northeast Ohio) samples were exposed to either no CV content (control), pro-social CV content (unrelated to climate) or CV content depicting climate action in NE Ohio. Brief exposure to both pro-social and climate action-focused CV content increased both descriptive and prescriptive climate action norms and significantly decreased participants’ psychological distance from climate change. As expected, exposure to climate-focused content increased descriptive norms more than exposure to pro-social content. Pro-social CV content increased policy support. That increase was explained by increased norms and decreased psychological distance. Pro-social CV content significantly increased positive emotions, while climate-focused CV content did not. NE Ohio participants who viewed regional climate-focused content exhibited lower positive emotions and had more difficulty imagining a positive future than those in the national sample. Results suggest that exposure to positive thoughts and actions of others can achieve the critical goals of elevating descriptive norms (thereby reducing pluralistic ignorance) and elevating support for climate policy. However, the psychological impact of exposing people to positive climate-action content is nuanced and complex. Full article

Background/Objectives: Family caregivers of individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) experience substantial burden, yet scalable caregiver-focused supports are scarce. This pilot study tested a nurse-led telephone program to evaluate feasibility and acceptability and to explore perceived impacts on caregiver burden, coping, and well-being. Methods: A descriptive pilot case study was conducted in an adult psychiatric inpatient unit in Portugal. Six informal caregivers of inpatients with BD completed a structured six-call protocol over approximately 6–8 weeks. Results: Overall, 6 caregivers completed the full cycle, totaling 36 sessions (6 assessment, 18 psychoeducational, 6 psychosocial, and 6 evaluation sessions). Thematic analysis identified four recurrent themes: (1) embracing the caregiver role—recognizing personal needs and legitimizing help-seeking; (2) patience and understanding—adopting emotion-regulation strategies; (3) self-reflection on personal strengths—increased self-efficacy and acknowledgment of persistence, empathy, and resilience; and (4) fostering hope and resilience—expressing future-oriented goals consolidated in a personalized “hope kit.” Conclusions: A brief, protocolized, nurse-delivered telephone program for caregivers of inpatients with BD was both feasible and acceptable, producing meaningful qualitative benefits consistent with the aims of psychoeducation (knowledge acquisition, coping, and emotional regulation). Findings support the use of telephone support as a pragmatic complement to standard BD care and justify larger controlled studies to quantify effects on caregiver burden, mood, and resilience, and to compare telephone, in-person, and blended delivery models. Full article

Introduction/Goal: Stress and negative emotions have been shown to exert a substantial impact on cancer patients, affecting their ability to adapt to therapy and the overall effectiveness. Elevated cortisol levels, a stress-induced hormone, have been shown to suppress immune system function, potentially reducing the body’s capacity to combat cancer cells. On the contrary, prolactin, a hormone that stimulates the immune system, has shown potential in this context but requires further study. The objective of this study was to investigate the acute physiological changes that occur during a single Conscious Connected Breathing (CCB) session, as part of a larger investigation on Integrative Breathwork Psychotherapy (IBP), a novel integrative psychosomatic intervention designed to improve psychosomatic and immune status in cancer patients. Methods: The project involved 93 breast cancer patients hospitalized for postoperative radiotherapy who participated in a ten-session IBP program. Fifty-six patients agreed to participate (response rate: 60%). During the experiment, 8 patients were excluded from the analysis. IBP consisted of small group sessions (up to six participants) conducted three times weekly. Each session included 45 min of CCB—defined as rhythmic circular nasal breathing at a depth exceeding resting tidal volume, without breath-holding, performed in a state of mindful acceptance—followed by 15 min of free emotional expression (verbal articulation of emerging feelings and sensations). This was a within-subject pre-post design: physiological measurements were obtained immediately before and 30 min into the tenth session (when participants had achieved technical proficiency) in all participants, who served as their own controls. Outcome measures included: arterialized capillary blood gas parameters (pH, pCO₂, pO₂, ctO₂, COHb, HHb, cH⁺), serum cortisol and prolactin concentrations, and immunoglobulin A (IgA). Results: During the CCB session, blood gas analysis revealed significant changes consistent with mild respiratory alkalosis: decreases in pCO₂ (p = 0.003), pO₂ (p < 0.001), cH⁺ (p < 0.001), ctO₂ (p < 0.001), COHb (p = 0.03), and HHb (p = 0.004), alongside an increase in pH (p < 0.001). Concurrently, prolactin levels increased significantly (p < 0.001), while cortisol (p < 0.001) and IgA (p < 0.001) decreased. Conclusions: This study is the first to analyze acute changes in capillary blood gas parameters and neuroendocrine balance during Conscious Connected Breathing sessions in cancer patients, revealing measurable immunostimulatory and stress-modulatory effects. The observed shift toward respiratory alkalosis, combined with increased prolactin and decreased cortisol, suggests that CCB may facilitate favorable neuroendocrine-immune interactions. These findings support the potential of breathwork as a complementary therapy for cancer patients. Further research is needed to explore underlying mechanisms and assess long-term psychological and immunological impacts. Full article

Truth-telling, a community intervention to increase reconciliation after systemic injustices, has been employed recently to increase public awareness of harms perpetuated by the child welfare industry in the U.S. Guided by participatory action research principles, we examined a public truth telling initiative over two years which was co-designed by a trans-experiential team of emerging adults with lived expertise and child welfare system professionals in Kentucky. The aims of the truth-telling events were to raise awareness about the experiences of Black American youth in the Kentucky child welfare system and generate ideas for improvements. We conducted a longitudinal collaborative autoethnography (n = 9, 2 time points) to examine our collective experience of developing and hosting the truth-telling circles and supporting activities. Key themes included the transformative impact on the alumni of receiving validation and acknowledgement, as well as forming social and professional connections. Some concerns related to timing of activities and group dynamics also were reported. In addition, the four lived expert truth-tellers engaged in a systematic consensus workgroup process to select a list of 10 priority practice and policy recommendations, such as child welfare system alumni being hired to provide emotion regulation and self-advocacy skills training directly to youth. Full article

Objectives: Chronic dermatoses are extremely prevalent and can manifest in various forms across genders and ages. Faced with the symptoms experienced by these conditions and the patient’s perception of the disease and its manifestation, it often leads to isolation and difficulty in emotional regulation. All these symptoms are associated with low quality of life, resulting in depressive and anxious symptomatology. Methods: This systematic literature review aims to study psychosocial interventions with an impact on the treatment of patients with chronic dermatoses. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, guiding a systematic search across PubMed, Google Scholar, and PsycNet databases. The considered studies reported the impact of interventions when applied to patients with chronic dermatoses. All the studies found were published in peer-reviewed journals. Results: The analysis revealed that interventions based on mindfulness, self-compassion, and self-help showed promise, with several studies reporting reductions in disease-related suffering and improvements in quality of life. However, the results were heterogeneous, with some interventions showing no significant benefit over control conditions for specific outcomes like anxiety or appearance-related distress. Conclusions: The development of research lines to enhance knowledge in this field will allow for significant improvements in therapeutic care for patients with chronic dermatoses, aiming to support professionals in the development of integrative therapeutic strategies for these patients in their clinical practice. Full article