Search Results (2,583)

There is little direct empirical evidence indicating how dyslexia-related cognitive difficulties express themselves in employment settings, although employers may be legally required to support neurodivergent workers through targeted accommodations. The current pre-registered online survey investigated the relationship between dyslexia traits and the self-reported frequency of workplace cognitive failures. Four hundred native English speakers were recruited via Prolific. All respondents identified as being full- or part-time UK employees in a central place of work. The respondents completed a series of published self-report questionnaires on neurodivergent symptomatology, mental wellbeing, personality characteristics, and busyness and routine at work. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to determine whether dyslexia traits were predictive of workplace cognitive failures. After controlling for age, busyness and routine, Big Five personality traits, mental wellbeing, and self-reported ADHD symptoms, dyslexia traits were a significant positive predictor of the overall frequency of workplace cognitive failures. Self-reported dyslexia traits were also significant positive but weak predictors of the individual memory, attention, and action factors. The predictive relationships found between self-reported dyslexia traits and workplace cognitive failures suggest that a similar approach with officially diagnosed individuals would prove fruitful in understanding how dyslexia affects work performance and improve targeted support for dyslexic employees. Full article

Engineering education is at a critical juncture where supporting student mental health is essential for fostering persistence, equity, and the development of a resilient and innovative workforce. Yet, undergraduate engineering students experiencing mental health concerns are often unlikely to seek professional help. To identify factors that account for this gap in treatment, this project administered the Undergraduate Engineering Mental Health Help Seeking Instrument to 1903 engineering undergraduates across five institutions. Correlations and regression were used to examine the links between help-seeking intention and (a) help-seeking mechanisms (e.g., attitude, perceived norm, self-efficacy) and (b) beliefs about seeking help. Students’ personal evaluation of seeking help as a good versus bad thing (attitude) and their perceptions of other’s expectations and behaviors toward seeking help (perceived norm) demonstrated the strongest links with intention to seek help. Agreement with certain beliefs (e.g., seeking help would… make me feel better, improve my academic performance) and disagreement with others (e.g., seeking help would be a… waste of time, sign of weakness) was associated with intention. These results provide targets for future interventions designed to improve help seeking in the engineering student population. By illuminating the cultural and psychological factors that shape engineering students’ help-seeking decisions, this study contributes evidence to guide systemic changes in engineering education that promote student well-being and strengthen the future of the profession. 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

Ageing literature, while growing in huge volume in the past decades, is still largely dominated by frameworks and topics of frailty and decline. A shift in attention to conceptualising ageing more holistically to include psychosocial and emotional aspects as well as subjective experience is much needed, in order to better account for the ageing (well) experience and processes in today’s times. There is a large portion of older adults with relatively good health. As life expectancy increases around the world, many older adults are living longer and healthier overall, often wishing for their lives to continue being active, meaningful, and fulfilling. With this changing demographic in mind, we argue for a framework of positive ageing. We define positive ageing as a subjective, intentional experience, which includes the multi-dimensional construction of ageing well. The notion of positive ageing has the potential to widen the scope of gerontological research and to help guide policy and intervention development. Furthermore, this conceptual framework and a cyclic model of positive ageing presented in the current work can effectively complement current models and practices of care in geriatrics by taking a more person-centred and holistic approach to understanding and managing health and well-being. Full article

Authenticity at work has emerged as a critical factor in employee well-being research, with extensive evidence supporting its positive organizational implications. However, the existing literature primarily focuses on individual authenticity effects (either employee or leader authenticity) while neglecting the complex relational dynamics and boundary conditions that may influence the effectiveness of individual authenticity. From a person–environment fit perspective, this study examined dyadic authenticity fit between leaders and employees, an underexplored relational perspective that goes beyond individual-level authenticity effects. We propose that the positive effects of authenticity do not always function well when the dynamic authenticity relationship between employees and leaders diverges. We conducted a polynomial regression and response surface analysis on a valid sample of 412 employees from an IT company operating in China. The results showed that anxiety peaked when leader authenticity diverged from employee authenticity in either direction, indirectly resulting in high turnover tendency. The high-high authenticity fit exhibited superior performance among all fit situations. These findings highlight the critical importance of authenticity fit in leader–follower relationships for promoting employee well-being and organizational retention. Full article

From a critical feminist perspective, it is hypothesised that the gender digital divide may be related to new forms of virtual gender-based violence that particularly affect girls and young women. If this is the case, these forms of violence would fall within the dimension of exploitation or quality of use of technologies that characterises the digital divide. To test this hypothesis, a documentary analysis of the phenomenon was carried out by reviewing different cases reported in various media outlets, which show that the well-being of girls and adolescents is at risk when technology is involved. Four categories emerge that reflect situations in which technology becomes a tool for promoting self-harm and suicide among minors through exposure to harmful content, grooming, sexting and/or sextortion; the digital sexual exploitation of underage girls through deepfakes or intimate images generated with artificial intelligence; the consumption of violent and hateful content in mass chats; and the incitement of gender-based violence through video games. The results show the reproduction and perpetuation of gender-based violence in the digital world. To guarantee safe, inclusive and equitable digital environments, various measures are essential, including European policies or plans aimed at guaranteeing digital security and rights, and those related to critical digital literacy with a gender perspective in formal education (school and university) and informal education (parents, carers and guardians). Finally, we urge that the focus be placed on personal digital resilience, since thinking of a completely secure digital world is a naive and unattainable utopia. Full article

Background: Separately conducted studies on the phenomena of personal dignity and objectification at the workplace seek a common goal of ensuring psychological and physical wellbeing in the workplace. Objectives: Since the conception of dignity is highly important for a better understanding of the phenomenon of the person’s objectification, this scoping review explored how personal dignity was revealed in managerial studies on employee objectification. Methods: Using the algorithm selected for this study, a total of 192 articles were retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics) databases, of which 12 theoretical and empirical studies were selected for further analysis. The study employed a modified PRISMA methodology, based on PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The data on authors, year of publication, study type, sample, main conclusions, and provided recommendations were extracted. Results: In order to achieve the purpose of the research, it explored how objectification and the dignity of employees were treated and what recommendations to practitioners were made. It was found that the themes examined in the studies covered two main categories: cultural (of the organization and society) and relational (vertical and horizontal relations, including the use of technologies). Conclusions: The research results show that, so far, a more general definition of employee objectification is lacking and that personal dignity, which would allow for the revision of this conception, remains unhighlighted. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, declared to be over by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 5 May 2023, significantly impacted global physical, mental, economic, social, and political conditions. Since the onset of the pandemic, conspiracy theories have surged globally, facilitated by the Internet and social media. Conspiracy thinking is associated with mistrust in traditional sources of information, such as newspapers and news/TV programs, and lower adherence to public health guidance. However, there is limited understanding of how these beliefs are reflected in specific health-related behaviors and the mediating variables involved. Objective: The study aims to analyze the relationship between the belief in conspiracy theories, perceived personal control, and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy to understand how belief in conspiracy theories may contribute to less adherence to government guidelines and the role of factors such as personal control, trust in social media, and traditional sources of information in this relationship. Methods: In total, 437 Italian adults (296 women, 140 men, 1 non-binary; M_age = 31.41, SD = 13.32) completed measures of well-being, perceived control, use/trust of traditional vs. social-media sources, conspiracy beliefs, and adherence. Results: Well-being correlated positively with perceived control and social-media trust. Perceived control correlated positively with social-media trust and negatively with traditional-source trust. Adherence correlated positively with traditional-source trust and negatively with all conspiracy measures. Mediation showed an indirect effect of conspiracy beliefs on lower adherence only via reduced trust in traditional sources. In contrast, no indirect effects were found via social-media trust or perceived control. Conclusions: Conspiracy beliefs undermine adherence primarily by eroding trust in traditional information. Risk communication should rebuild institutional trust and tailor messaging across both social and traditional channels, taking into account psychological factors. Full article

Background: Compassion fatigue (CF) is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion in the caregiving relationship, which can negatively impact patient safety and quality of care. Maternity care professionals are particularly vulnerable to CF due to their continuous empathetic engagement with patients in an unpredictable, high-stress work environment. Despite its significance, research on CF in maternity care is limited. The aim of this study is to explore experiences of CF among maternity care professionals. Methods: A thematic analysis of semi-structured in-depth interviews was conducted. The sample consisted of seven midwives and three gynecologists from different hospitals and outpatient care in Flanders (Belgium). Results: Experiences, risk factors and protective factors were identified as three organizing themes and further refined into 12 subthemes. Participants showed limited familiarity with the term CF but recognized its symptoms, including emotional exhaustion, reduced empathy, and a diminished ability to provide care, ‘as one normally would’. Key risk factors included high workload, emotional strain from ‘energy-consuming’ patients, fear of errors, and administrative burden. A supportive team environment, compassion satisfaction (CS), job autonomy and personal coping skills were identified as protective factors. Participants emphasized the need to recognize and address signals of CF. Conclusions: CF among maternity care professionals is underrecognized but appears to impact both caregiver well-being and patient care quality. Interventions should target awareness, team communication, psychological safety, and organizational context. A multilevel approach—combining individual, team, and systemic strategies—is needed to sustainably mitigate CF in maternity care. Full article

Teacher wellbeing is a matter of social justice since burnout syndrome disproportionately affects those working in under-resourced and diverse educational contexts by limiting their ability to foster inclusive and equitable learning. To this situation, art museums respond as pedagogical spaces for wellbeing while contributing to socially just and sustainable arts education. School teachers are offered new opportunities for ongoing professional development tailored to their well-being needs, such as burnout prevention. A two-round international Delphi study with experts from universities, schools, museums, and arts-and-wellbeing organizations (n = 26 1st round, n = 17 2nd round)—rather than focusing on teachers’ personal accounts—develops consensus on a pedagogical framework for art-based programs designed to prevent teacher burnout and enhance wellbeing. The findings identify nine pedagogical guidelines highlighting participatory approaches—audience, objectives, content, methodology, scheduling, facilitators, activities, evaluation, and program adherence. By positioning art museums as democratic, inclusive, and relational spaces, the framework advances the role of the arts in addressing systemic challenges in education, such as supporting teachers’ wellbeing. This research contributes to the international debate on socially just arts education by demonstrating how teacher wellbeing can be fostered through innovative, evidence-based museum practices aligned with SDG 4. Full article

Background: Ageing is accompanied by physical, psychological and social changes that can negatively affect the quality of life of older adults. Loneliness is one of the most important psychosocial problems in later life and is closely related to lower life satisfaction. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between subjective loneliness and quality of life in older adults in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, taking into account gender and living arrangements. Methods: A convenience sample of 153 adults aged 63 years and older participated in the study. Quality of life was assessed using the Personal Well-Being Index-Adult (PWI-A), and loneliness was measured using the short version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation and Mann–Whitney U test, performed in Statistica 14.0. Results: A significant negative correlation was found between loneliness and quality of life (r = −0.448; p < 0.01). A significant negative correlation was found between loneliness and quality of life (r = −0.448; p < 0.01). Women reported significantly higher levels of subjective well-being than men (p < 0.05), while no significant gender difference was observed for loneliness. No significant differences were found based on living arrangement (living alone vs. with others) (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The results confirm that loneliness significantly affects the subjective well-being of older adults. Gender differences were observed in subjective well-being but not in loneliness. Living arrangement did not show a strong influence. These results emphasize the need for targeted strategies and psychosocial interventions aimed at reducing loneliness and improving quality of life in ageing populations. Full article

To support users’ media selection, streaming services increasingly rely on algorithmic recommender systems that provide personalized media curation based on various sources of user information (e.g., previously watched content). The utilization of recommender systems has led to concerns over how such systems might influence an individual’s aesthetic choices. Recommender systems and increased accessibility to media content have, after all, changed the way users engage with entertainment media. This paper examines the relationship between recommender systems and individuals’ aesthetic choices by exploring literature from disparate fields such as modern media and algorithms, aesthetic choice, entertainment preferences, and well-being. We explore the notion that aesthetic choice can be considered a “low-stake” decision process and is part of a fulfilling aesthetic life, influencing the individual through incremental and cumulative decisions. The paper provides considerations for future directions for exploration as this burgeoning field leaves us with more questions than answers. Full article

Background: The pursuit of longevity has long been central to nutritional science, with growing evidence underscoring the profound influence of dietary patterns on lifespan and overall health. While various diets have been associated with improved well-being, their comparative effects on longevity remain to be synthesized comprehensively. Main Findings: This review examines the scientific evidence linking major dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean, DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), plant-based, Blue Zones, intermittent fasting, caloric restriction, and Nordic diets, to longevity and mortality outcomes. The Mediterranean and DASH diets consistently demonstrate reduced cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, while plant-based and Blue Zones diets emphasize whole, minimally processed foods that enhance metabolic and cardiovascular health. Intermittent fasting and caloric restriction emerge as metabolic modulators with anti-aging potential. The Nordic diet, rich in locally sourced foods like berries and fish, also contributes to lower mortality and improved cardiovascular function. Conclusions: This paper uniquely integrates comparative insights from diverse dietary frameworks, emphasizing their shared principles of nutrient density, moderation, and metabolic balance. By adopting evidence-based elements from these dietary models, individuals can optimize health span and longevity, reinforcing the pivotal role of diet as a cornerstone of preventive and personalized nutrition. Full article

This article explores the concept of mindful solitude as both an antidote and antonym to loneliness, integrating Buddhist doctrinal insights with contemporary psychological research. While solitude is often conflated with isolation or loneliness, we argue that when chosen intentionally and cultivated mindfully, it becomes a space of healing, insight, and relational depth. Drawing from classical Buddhist texts, historical exemplars such as Shakyamuni and Milarepa, and modern scholarship, we trace the evolution of solitude within Buddhist traditions, highlighting its role in ethical transformation and meditative insight. We contrast this with secular mindfulness programs, noting their therapeutic benefits while acknowledging their divergence from traditional Buddhist ethics and soteriology. Through interdisciplinary analysis, we propose a framework in which mindfulness mediates the experience of solitude, fostering autonomy, inner-directedness, and meaningful solitary activities. This reframing positions solitude not as absence but as presence: an intentional engagement with the self that enhances emotional regulation and social connectedness. In an age marked by hyperconnectivity and rising loneliness, mindful solitude offers a counter-narrative: a spiritually and psychologically enriching state that supports wellbeing and compassionate re-engagement. By bridging Buddhist contemplative traditions with empirical psychological findings, this article affirms solitude as a vital condition for both personal and collective healing. Full article

Healthcare providers in oncology experience exceptionally high stress rates. Research emphasizes that stress management programs must be quick to implement, flexible to accommodate demanding schedules, cost-effective, accessible to all staff, and tailored to the needs of oncology personnel. Programs that fail to meet these criteria often struggle with uptake and sustainability. This mixed-methods exploratory study aimed (1) to design an online stress management program, Breathe with the Waves (BWW), based on breathing techniques; (2) to evaluate its acceptability, satisfaction, and relevance; (3) to identify perceived benefits and challenges; and (4) to generate potential outcome measures for future studies. A team of Canadian researchers and end-users co-designed the intervention. Twenty oncology professionals completed BWW, which featured pre-recorded breathing videos, and provided feedback via questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. We used t-tests and Wilcoxon rank tests to analyze quantitative data, and template analysis for qualitative data. Participants found BWW highly acceptable, satisfactory, and relevant. Participants reported three categories of benefits: stress reduction, improved work performance, and increased mindfulness. Challenges included anticipated challenges and experienced challenges. Potential outcome measures fell into six categories: physical health, mental health, relational, work, mindfulness and personal practice. BWW, available in English and French, represents a promising and accessible approach to supporting the well-being of oncology personnel. Full article