Search Results (5,018)

Background/Objectives: Dieting is a widespread behavior that is associated with psychological distress, body dissatisfaction, and eating disorders. Recent research suggests that a body-positive attitude and mindful approach to eating may influence individuals’ experiences with dieting; however, their combined role has been insufficiently explored. Methods: A two-phase study was conducted among voluntary adults using online data collection. In Phase 1, a cross-sectional survey was completed by 180 participants (71.7% women), assessing dieting behavior, body appreciation, nutritional awareness, psychological distress, well-being, and eating disorders. Correlation analyses, group comparisons, and regression models were performed. In Phase 2, 90 participants entered the pilot and received a brief psychoeducational digital material promoting mindful eating and positive body image. The follow-up assessment was completed by 59, after one month of engagement. Results: Body appreciation and nutritional awareness were positively associated with mental well-being and inversely related to psychological distress (p < 0.001 for all) and to eating disorder screening scores (p < 0.001 and p = 0.046, respectively). More frequent dieting was associated with lower body appreciation (p < 0.001). According to the observed pattern of correlations, body appreciation may play a role in the relationship between dieting and psychological distress. In the intervention phase, greater engagement with the psychoeducational material was associated with higher reported levels of nutritional awareness (p = 0.003) and greater perceived body awareness (p = 0.026) at follow-up; however, due to the exploratory design, findings are preliminary. Conclusions: The results suggest that dieting, as a behavior, may be embedded in broader psychological processes that include body-related attitudes and nutritional awareness. Taking these factors into account may have potential implications for preventive measures aimed at promoting healthier dietary habits, a more positive relationship with one’s body, and mental well-being. Full article

Background/Objectives: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is widely used in the treatment of breast cancer and improves oncological outcomes; however, its impact on patients’ psychosocial well-being remains insufficiently explored. This study aimed to assess changes in life satisfaction and self-esteem in women with breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted among 211 women diagnosed with breast cancer and treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Life satisfaction was assessed using the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and self-esteem was measured with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Assessments were performed one week before initiation of chemotherapy and three weeks after its completion. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Spearman correlation analysis. Results: A significant decrease in life satisfaction was observed after chemotherapy (mean 21.6 vs. 18.7; p < 0.001), indicating a shift from slight satisfaction to slight dissatisfaction. Self-esteem also significantly decreased (29.4 vs. 27.8; p < 0.001), although it remained within the average range. A decline in life satisfaction was reported in 60.7% of patients and a decrease in self-esteem in 50.2%. A significant positive correlation between life satisfaction and self-esteem was observed both before and after treatment. Financial status significantly differentiated both outcomes after chemotherapy. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is associated with a significant decline in life satisfaction and self-esteem in women with breast cancer, highlighting its psychosocial impact. These findings support the need for routine assessment of psychological well-being and the integration of psycho-oncological support into comprehensive cancer care. Because the post-treatment assessment was performed shortly after chemotherapy completion, the findings primarily reflect short-term changes during treatment phase. Full article

Background: Chronic pain in children with cancer is a major challenge in pediatric palliative care. It results from the interaction of disease-related and treatment-related factors, psychological distress, and the child’s family and social environment. When poorly controlled, it can impair quality of life, emotional development, social functioning, and family well-being. This narrative review examines the challenges and management strategies for chronic pain in children with cancer from a pediatric palliative care perspective, with attention to pain mechanisms, assessment difficulties, and psycho-emotional influences. Methods: This narrative review was based on a structured literature search conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science for English-language articles published between January 2000 and October 2025. Of 135 records identified, 15 studies judged most relevant to the thematic scope of the review were included in the final synthesis. A PRISMA-based flowchart was used to illustrate study identification and selection without implying a formal systematic review. Results: Chronic pain in children with cancer emerged as a multidimensional problem requiring an integrated approach to assessment and management, and some studies suggest that 20–26% of childhood cancer survivors experience persistent pain. Pharmacological strategies, including opioids and adjuvant medications, remain central, while psychological, supportive, and non-pharmacological interventions may complement multimodal care. Conclusions: Chronic pain in children with cancer should be managed through an integrated, individualized, and child-centered approach that addresses the physical, emotional, social, and relational dimensions of suffering and may improve quality of life for both children and their families. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adolescence is a critical period in terms of mental health, with the family environment being a key determinant. Parental resilience, the ability to adapt and recover from stress, is a parental psychological resource that may shape the family context of adolescent development but population-based evidence is scarce. This study examined if parental resilience is linked to adolescent mental well-being, mediated by perceived family support, and whether it varies by sex or developmental stage. Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study analyzed data from 2004 adolescents aged 11–19 years from the COP-S Wave 4 survey in Italy. Parental resilience was assessed using a Brief Resilience Scale. Perceived social support was measured using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and mental well-being was assessed across five outcomes: health-related quality of life (KIDSCREEN-10), emotional difficulties (SDQ), depressive symptoms (PHQ-2), anxiety symptoms (SCARED), and psychosomatic complaints (HBSC-SCL). Regression models were used to examine associations, and mediation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS macro with bootstrap confidence intervals (5000 resamples). Results: Parental resilience was independently associated with better health-related quality of life, lower emotional and behavioral difficulties, fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms, and fewer psychosomatic complaints, after adjusting for adolescent social support and demographics. Parental resilience showed weak positive associations with the MSPSS subscales; the hypothesis of the strongest family support association was unsupported. The analyses did not support family support as a mediator and no moderation by sex or development was found. Conclusions: In this population-based sample, parental resilience was associated with multiple dimensions of adolescent mental well-being that were distinct from adolescents’ perceptions of social support. These findings suggest that strengthening parental resilience may promote adolescent mental health at the population level. Full article

Background: The use of food supplements (FS) is rapidly increasing, particularly in Italy, which leads the European market. This trend is driven by various factors, including the pursuit of physical well-being, the influence of advertising, and concerns about disease prevention. This exploratory pilot descriptive study aimed to characterize FS use among patients attending general practitioner (GP) offices and examine potential patterns with psychophysical well-being. Methods: Two questionnaires were administered to participants: one on FS use and another on physical and mental health (SF-12 questionnaire). General information and anthropometric characteristics were also collected. Results: 230 questionnaires on FS use and 192 on psychophysical well-being were analyzed. The majority of participants (73.5%) reported using FS, primarily for general well-being (21.0%), immune system support (12.2%), and increased energy (11.4%). The most commonly consumed FS were vitamins (19.4%), minerals (16.9%), and probiotics (15.7%). Only 57.4% of patients reported informing their doctor about FS use, while 66.3% engaged in self-prescription. The SF-12 questionnaire revealed lower mental health scores (mood, energy, anxiety, and depression) in the studied population, while physical health remained unaffected. Importantly, no significant associations were observed between FS use and either physical or mental health scores, suggesting these patterns are independent of supplement consumption. Conclusions: FS use is prevalent among patients attending GP offices. The observed decrease in mental health scores may indicate psychological distress though this pattern was not associated with FS consumption. Given the exploratory nature of this study, findings should be interpreted with caution. This study highlights the need for improved health education and professional training to promote safer and more informed FS use. Further research is required to expand upon these initial findings. Full article

Background: Critical care nurses are frequently exposed to traumatic clinical events and occupational stress, increasing the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), compassion fatigue, and compromised psychological well-being. However, the interrelationships among these variables in Saudi Arabia remain unclear. This study investigated the associations between PTSD symptoms, compassion fatigue, and psychological well-being among critical care nurses. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between October and December 2025 with 210 critical care nurses from the Eastern and Riyadh regions of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Professional Quality of Life Scale, and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression. Results: The mean PCL-5 score was 27.44, with 38.1% of participants meeting the cutoff for probable PTSD. Compassion fatigue was moderate. The mean WHO-5 score was 54.60, indicating moderate well-being, though a substantial proportion reported poor well-being. Psychological well-being was negatively correlated with both PTSD symptoms and compassion fatigue, while PTSD symptoms were strongly positively correlated with compassion fatigue. Both PTSD and compassion fatigue independently predicted lower well-being, explaining 21% of the variance. Sociodemographic variables were not significant predictors after adjustment. Conclusions: Critical care nurses experience moderate PTSD symptoms and compassion fatigue, adversely affecting psychological well-being. These findings underscore the interconnected nature of trauma-related distress and professional quality of life, highlighting the need for routine psychological screening, trauma-informed support, and resilience-focused interventions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Many frontline healthcare professionals had not previously faced a crisis of the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic, and prolonged exposure to high-stress clinical environments may adversely affect psychological well-being. This study aimed to assess and compare burnout severity among critical care nurses in two clinical settings—one hospital in Croatia and one in Poland—with particular attention to emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment in the post-pandemic period. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative design was conducted across two hospitals (Croatia and Poland). Data were collected from 346 critical care nurses between September and December 2023. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey, analyzed primarily as continuous scores across its three dimensions. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in continuous burnout scores (Emotional Exhaustion p = 0.224, Depersonalization p = 0.852, Personal Accomplishment p = 0.636, total MBI score p = 0.394). Secondary cut-off-based analyses yielded some categorical differences, including a higher proportion classified as having high burnout in the Polish sample (43.2%) than in the Croatian sample (31.5%); however, these findings were exploratory and should not be interpreted as overriding the primary continuous-score results. Regression analyses demonstrated low explanatory power, with education level emerging as a significant predictor only in the Croatian sample (OR = 0.320, 95% CI: 0.125–0.824, p = 0.018). Conclusions: Burnout severity did not differ significantly between the two clinical settings when assessed using continuous measures. These findings suggest that burnout among ICU nurses may be driven primarily by shared occupational and organizational stressors rather than setting-specific differences. Categorical findings should be interpreted as complementary and exploratory. Full article

Despite the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into workplace operations, how AI usage influences employees’ affective work well-being remains underexplored. To address this gap, this study draws on self-determination theory to propose a moderated mediation model. We conducted a three-wave time-lagged survey of 360 employees and our results indicate that AI usage positively predicts affective work well-being, and this relationship is fully mediated through two parallel paths—work meaningfulness and work engagement. Moreover, human–AI collaboration quality positively moderates these indirect effects. Collectively, these findings extend self-determination theory to AI-augmented work contexts, clarify the psychological mechanisms linking AI usage to employee affective well-being, and provide actionable insights for human-centered AI implementation. Full article

Background/Objectives: As artificial intelligence systems become increasingly embedded in everyday cognitive tasks, human–AI interaction is no longer limited to tool use but evolves into a dynamic process of mutual adaptation. While extensive research has examined algorithmic learning, far less attention has been given to how users progressively adapt to AI systems. This paper introduces the concept of algorithmic habituation, defined as the gradual accommodation of users to the regularities and predictive patterns of AI systems. The objective is to provide a neurocognitive and systems-based framework that explains this phenomenon. Methods: The study develops a conceptual and integrative framework grounded in classical theories of habituation, neuroplasticity, predictive processing, and systems theory. Building on these foundations, we propose a mechanistic model of human–AI co-adaptation, conceptualized as a recursive feedback loop involving repeated interaction, pattern recognition, expectation stabilization, and cognitive economy. In addition, a typology of algorithmic habituation is advanced, alongside proposed empirical pathways for future validation, including scale development, experimental paradigms, and longitudinal designs. Results: The proposed framework suggests that repeated interaction with AI systems leads to stabilization of cognitive expectations, reduced cognitive effort, and increased behavioral standardization. This process extends beyond perceptual habituation into higher-order domains, including decision-making, creativity, and moral judgment. The typology identifies four primary forms of algorithmic habituation: cognitive, decisional, creative, and moral. The model predicts both adaptive outcomes (efficiency, reduced cognitive load) and maladaptive consequences (reduced reflexivity, automation bias, and potential erosion of critical thinking). Conclusions: Algorithmic habituation represents a novel construct at the intersection of neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and human–AI interaction. By framing user adaptation as a form of neurocognitively grounded habituation within recursive systems, this paper contributes a new perspective to understanding AI integration in human cognition. The framework has implications for digital wellbeing, education, and AI ethics, and opens multiple avenues for empirical research. Full article

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adolescents reflects their perception of physical, psychological, and social well-being within a specific cultural context, considering developmental stage and individual differences. The KIDSCREEN-27 is a self-report instrument designed to assess HRQoL in children and adolescents, with demonstrated validity and reliability in international samples. Objective: To examine the psychometric properties (i.e., reliability, construct validity, convergent and discriminant validity, and measurement invariance) of the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire in a sample of Mexican adolescents. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 1124 Mexican adolescents aged 10–17 years (M = 13.37, SD = 1.08; 53.5% female; 83.6% secondary education) obtained through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Reliability (Cronbach’s α, McDonald’s ω), structural validity through exploratory (AFE) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA), measurement invariance by gender, and convergent and discriminant validity via correlations with self-esteem, well-being, stress, and anxiety–depressive symptoms were evaluated. Results: Analyses showed strong internal consistency (α = 0.912, ω = 0.914). EFA supported a five-dimensional structure. CFA showed an optimal fit after including specific covariances (χ²/df = 3.62, RMSEA = 0.048, CFI = 0.929, TLI = 0.919, SRMR = 0.043). Metric and scalar gender invariance were supported. Positive correlations emerged with well-being (r = 0.76, p < 0.01), self-esteem (r = 0.64, p < 0.01), and satisfaction with life (r = 0.52, p < 0.01), and negative correlations with stress (r = −0.61, p < 0.01), academic stress (r = −0.32, p < 0.01) and anxiety–depressive symptomatology (r = −0.53, p < 0.01), providing evidence of convergent and discriminant validity. Conclusions: The KIDSCREEN-27 demonstrated adequate psychometric properties, supporting its use among Mexican adolescents, enabling the identification of well-being needs, monitoring of interventions, informed decision-making in health and educational practice and supporting cross-cultural comparisons of adolescent well-being. Full article

Eco-anxiety refers to emotional and cognitive responses to environmental degradation and can manifest in both adaptive and maladaptive forms. This study aimed to identify distinct eco-anxiety profiles and examine their associations with resilience and vulnerability factors in a sample of 917 Portuguese-speaking adults. Latent profile analysis revealed five profiles: adaptive eco-anxiety, highly impaired maladaptive eco-anxiety, psychological distress independent of eco-anxiety, non-anxious/disengaged, and moderate I I have separated the addresses into different affiliations.have separated the addresses into different affiliations.eco-anxiety. These profiles differed significantly in psychological symptomatology, nature connectedness, pro-environmental attitudes, and prior exposure to cumulative social and environmental stressors. Higher-distress profiles were more likely among younger individuals, women, urban residents, unemployed participants, those without children, individuals with a prior psychiatric history, and those reporting direct exposure to drought. In contrast, stronger environmental identity and greater engagement with natural environments were associated with adaptive eco-anxiety, suggesting protective and resilience-promoting mechanisms. Overall, the findings highlight the multidimensional and heterogeneous nature of eco-anxiety and its complex relationship with psychological well-being and environmental engagement. Tailored interventions that promote adaptive coping, strengthen psychological resources, and facilitate access to natural environments may help mitigate maladaptive distress while supporting constructive environmental concern and action. Full article

Background: Grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and the Dualistic Model (DM) of Passion, this study examined the motivational mechanisms underlying psychological well-being among Tunisian physical education teachers. The objectives were twofold: to examine validity evidence of the Arabic version of the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSFS) and to test an integrative structural model linking harmonious passion, need satisfaction and frustration, well-being, vitality, happiness, and perceived stress. Methods: A representative sample of physical education teachers (1238) completed standardized instruments to assess passion, basic psychological needs, and well-being. To conduct exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the group was randomly divided into two independent subgroups. Reliability and validity were assessed using additional psychometric indicators, and a structural equation model was used to test the hypothesized relationships. Results: The results support the multidimensional structure and psychometric validity of the scale in the Tunisian context. Harmonious passion appears to be a positive factor in the satisfaction of psychological needs and a negative factor in cases of frustration. The satisfaction of these needs is closely linked to a high level of well-being, whereas their dissatisfaction is associated with adverse consequences. Well-being is also associated with increased vitality, greater happiness, and reduced stress, reflecting adaptive psychological functioning. Conclusions: Harmonious passion and basic psychological need satisfaction emerge as central resources for sustaining teacher well-being, vitality, and resilience against stress in educational contexts. Full article

Background/Objectives: Psychological variables such as body image, self-esteem, and life satisfaction have become important research topics in recent years, particularly in their relationships with individuals’ eating attitudes. The purpose of this study is to examine the predictive effect of body image and self-esteem on eating attitudes in emerging adults and to evaluate the mediating role of life satisfaction in this relationship. Method: The study included 402 participants aged 18–30. Data were collected using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSS), the Body Image Scale (BIS), and the Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS). The analyses included correlational analyses to examine relationships among eating attitudes, body image, self-esteem, and life satisfaction; multivariate regression to test the predictive roles of body image, self-esteem, and life satisfaction on eating attitudes; and structural equation modeling to evaluate the mediating role of life satisfaction in the relationships between body image, self-esteem, and eating attitudes. Result: The correlational analysis revealed that eating attitudes are associated with body image, life satisfaction, and self-esteem. Body image was identified as the most influential predictor of eating attitudes. Structural equation modeling indicated that life satisfaction mediates the relationship between self-esteem and eating attitudes. Conclusions: Body image, self-esteem, and life satisfaction play a crucial role in shaping eating attitudes among emerging adults. The mediating effect of life satisfaction underscores psychological well-being as a key regulatory factor rather than solely an outcome. Promoting positive body image, strengthening self-esteem, and enhancing life satisfaction through preventive and psychoeducational programs may help protect against disordered eating attitudes in this population. Full article

Future self-continuity is crucial for mental health and social adaptation. Previous research has mainly focused on its direct influence on cognitive decision-making and goal pursuit, with little emphasis on its effect on psychological well-being. This study addressed the research gap by employing a questionnaire to examine the link between future self-continuity and psychological well-being in 890 Chinese college students, emphasizing the mediating effect of meaning in life and the moderating effect of moral identity. The findings indicated that future self-continuity directly predicts psychological well-being and indirectly contributes by enhancing meaning in life. Moral identity negatively moderated both pathways, making the positive impacts of future self-continuity on psychological well-being and meaning in life more pronounced in individuals with low moral identity and diminished in those with high moral identity. These findings highlight future self-continuity as a cognitive resource that fosters well-being by cultivating meaning in life, while also identifying moral identity as a boundary condition. This research reveals the mechanisms and boundary conditions linking future self-continuity to psychological well-being, offering actionable insights to enhance mental health in college students. Full article

Air pollution poses a major public health threat, yet longitudinal evidence on its impact on infant health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remains limited. This study investigated the longitudinal associations between early-life exposure to outdoor air pollution and infant HRQoL, focusing on psychological and physiological domains. Between November 2021 and September 2022, 779 mother–newborn pairs were recruited, with 696 completing follow-up at 12 months. HRQoL was assessed at 1, 4, 6, and 12 months using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™, and exposures to PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, and SO₂ were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models adjusted for infant sex, household income, sibling status, and other covariates. Higher concentrations of all pollutants were associated with lower total HRQoL scores. Stratified analyses showed that PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and SO₂, but not NO₂, were associated with steeper age-related declines in total scores. Inverse associations with psychosocial health were consistent across pollutants, with pronounced age-related declines in high-exposure groups; for physical health, only SO₂ and NO₂ remained significant after adjustment, with modest age-related changes. These findings suggest that early-life air pollution exposure is associated with smaller gains in HRQoL during infancy, particularly in psychosocial well-being, highlighting the importance of improving air quality to support early development. Full article