Behavioral Sciences

35 pages, 1167 KB

Open AccessArticle

What Fosters Leaders’ Health Role Modeling? Communication and Remote Work as Boundary Conditions

by Lene S. Fröhlich, Annika Krick, Jörg Felfe, Sarah Kirschnereit and Anna Ernsting

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 827; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050827 (registering DOI) - 20 May 2026

Based on Social Learning Theory, the Health-oriented Leadership Model posits leaders as SelfCare role models. While this modeling influence is established for general SelfCare, its applicability to sensitive behaviors—such as disclosing mental health problems—remains unclear. Additionally, the role of interactional and contextual factors [...] Read more.

Based on Social Learning Theory, the Health-oriented Leadership Model posits leaders as SelfCare role models. While this modeling influence is established for general SelfCare, its applicability to sensitive behaviors—such as disclosing mental health problems—remains unclear. Additionally, the role of interactional and contextual factors is insufficiently understood. The present paper investigates whether leaders’ role modeling extends to disclosure and whether communication aspects and Working from Home (WfH) intensity moderate these effects. Two cross-sectional studies were conducted among employees working partly from home. Employees rated their own and leaders’ SelfCare; Study 2 (pharmaceutical company; N = 198) additionally assessed disclosure. Both studies included communication frequency and WfH intensity; Study 1 (public service; N = 227) measured informal communication, and Study 2 assessed communication barriers. Results confirmed that leaders’ SelfCare and disclosure were related to employees’ corresponding behaviors. Communication frequency and WfH intensity showed no moderating effects. Informal communication was associated with a stronger leader SelfCare role model effect, whereas communication barriers were associated with weaker role model effects. Findings suggest an association between leaders’ and employees’ health behavior, consistent with role modeling processes. Based on these preliminary findings, organizations may raise leaders’ awareness of their impact, while leaders should hold informal check-ins and promote barrier-free communication. Future longitudinal and experimental research should validate these findings. Full article

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

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23 pages, 267 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Examination of Multicultural Parents’ Understanding of Supporting Their Children’s Creativity

by Esra Kantar Muslu and Eda Yazgin

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 826; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050826 (registering DOI) - 20 May 2026

Abstract

This study explores how multicultural parents support their children’s creativity and examines the influence of cultural factors on this process. The study employed a qualitative cultural analysis/ethnography approach to examine in depth the multicultural parents’ perspectives on supporting their children’s creativity and how [...] Read more.

This study explores how multicultural parents support their children’s creativity and examines the influence of cultural factors on this process. The study employed a qualitative cultural analysis/ethnography approach to examine in depth the multicultural parents’ perspectives on supporting their children’s creativity and how they evaluate and encourage creativity within their cultural context. The study group consisted of multicultural parents with children aged 36–72 months living in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Data were collected using the three tools. The first was a researcher-developed form to provide participants’ demographic information. The second was a researcher-developed semi-structured Interview Form. Finally, the researchers conducted home visits, and collected relevant visual and written materials related to the activities, shared by parents to enhance data diversity. Content analysis was used to examine the collected visual and written records. The findings indicated that multicultural parents supported their children’s creativity through various cultural activities both at home and in external social environments. They encouraged their children to assume various roles to promote active engagement in cultural activities. Children were not only spectators but were also active participants. Furthermore, the interaction of diverse cultures contributed to the formation of new ideas and perspectives in children’s minds. Full article

32 pages, 702 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Hidden Drivers of New Employees’ Adaptive Performance in the Context of AI: The Role and Mechanisms of Workplace Fear of Missing Out

by Bingyao Li, Yongyue Zhu, Yuwei Zhang and Lifu Jin

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 825; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050825 (registering DOI) - 20 May 2026

Abstract

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into workplace ecosystems is intensifying adaptation pressure for new employees. This study examines how Workplace Fear of Missing Out (WFMO) influences adaptive performance in this context. Methods: Drawing on Conservation of Resources Theory and the Emotion [...] Read more.

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into workplace ecosystems is intensifying adaptation pressure for new employees. This study examines how Workplace Fear of Missing Out (WFMO) influences adaptive performance in this context. Methods: Drawing on Conservation of Resources Theory and the Emotion Regulation Process Model, a dual-path mediating model was tested using survey data from 442 new employees. Hierarchical regression, the Bootstrap method, and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) were employed. Results: WFMO is positively associated with adaptive performance. Role stress and cognitive reappraisal function as independent mediators in this relationship. Leader empathy positively moderates both direct relationships and indirect mediating pathways. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis reveals two distinct configurational paths to high adaptive performance. Conclusion: Workplace Fear of Missing Out can be transformed into adaptive behavior through resource mobilization and cognitive reappraisal mechanisms, with leader empathy serving as a critical contextual amplifier. These findings challenge the traditional view of workplace anxiety as uniformly detrimental and provide actionable insights for organizational management in technology-driven environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Employee–AI Collaboration on Work Behavior—Second Edition)

20 pages, 523 KB

Open AccessArticle

How Does Digital Human Resource Management Foster a Sense of Relaxation Among Generation Z Employees?

by Hongyuan Zhang, Xin Hou and Shuming Zhao

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 824; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050824 (registering DOI) - 20 May 2026

Abstract

In the contemporary digital economy, digital human resource management is reshaping organizational practices and enhancing both operational efficiency and the employee experience. As Generation Z (those born between 1995 and 2009) becomes the core demographic in the workforce, their pronounced emphasis on work–life [...] Read more.

In the contemporary digital economy, digital human resource management is reshaping organizational practices and enhancing both operational efficiency and the employee experience. As Generation Z (those born between 1995 and 2009) becomes the core demographic in the workforce, their pronounced emphasis on work–life balance introduces novel managerial challenges. Drawing on conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study develops and tests a moderated mediation model examining how digital human resource management (HRM) influences sense of relaxation among Generation Z employees. Analyzing survey data from 364 Generation Z employees, we first develop and validate a measurement scale for employee relaxation, identifying four distinct dimensions: work disengagement, work adaptation, emotional regulation, and physical load. The findings reveal that digital HRM significantly enhances employee relaxation, with work autonomy serving as a partial mediator in this relationship. Furthermore, digital self-efficacy positively moderates both the direct effect of digital HRM on work autonomy and the indirect effect on employee relaxation through work autonomy. These findings offer theoretical insights into how digital HRM links to employee well-being and provide practical guidance for organizations managing a Generation Z workforce. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Employee–AI Collaboration on Work Behavior—Second Edition)

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16 pages, 455 KB

Open AccessArticle

Cognitive Style Shaped by Framing: Implications for Rational vs. Intuitive Thinking

by Marcus Selart

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 823; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050823 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Abstract

This article investigates how cognitive style shaped by framing influences rational and intuitive thinking. We extend existing research on cognitive styles, specifically the construct of holistic dependence/independence on framing, and examine its relationship with reasoning performance, self-rated intuition, and analytical intelligence. We conduct [...] Read more.

This article investigates how cognitive style shaped by framing influences rational and intuitive thinking. We extend existing research on cognitive styles, specifically the construct of holistic dependence/independence on framing, and examine its relationship with reasoning performance, self-rated intuition, and analytical intelligence. We conduct tests with university students and find that individuals with high holistic independence on framing perform better on rationality tests and are better predictors of rational thinking than traditional measures of intelligence. Additionally, holistic independence on framing was found to be marginally related to lower self-rated reliance on intuition. These findings suggest that holistic dependence/independence on framing may provide additional insight into reasoning styles beyond traditional intelligence measures, highlighting its potential relevance for understanding individual differences in decision-making processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bounded Rationality: Bridging Cognition and Emotion in Decision Making)

19 pages, 1632 KB

Open AccessArticle

Artificial Intelligence in Medical Assessment: Reliability and Performance of Multimodal Large Language Models in a High-Stakes Licensing Examination

by Ibrahim Güler, Gerrit Grieb, Armin Kraus, Philipp Moog, Uzay Cambaz, Ezgi Yavasca and Henrik Stelling

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 822; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050822 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into assessment contexts, yet evidence on the reliability and measurement properties of large language models (LLMs) in high-stakes evaluation settings remains limited. This study examines the performance and reproducibility of contemporary multimodal LLMs in a structured medical [...] Read more.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into assessment contexts, yet evidence on the reliability and measurement properties of large language models (LLMs) in high-stakes evaluation settings remains limited. This study examines the performance and reproducibility of contemporary multimodal LLMs in a structured medical assessment environment. A cross-sectional dual-setup design was applied using a complete national medical licensing examination (240 multiple-choice items, including image-based questions). Setup 1 evaluated ten models in a single run to characterize overall performance. Setup 2 assessed six models across five independent runs each to quantify measurement stability. Accuracy with 95% confidence intervals, inter-run agreement using Cohen’s kappa, and paired comparisons using McNemar’s test were analyzed. Accuracy ranged from 72.08% to 92.92%. All models demonstrated near-perfect inter-run agreement (mean κ ≥ 0.96) with minimal variability. After correction, only a small number of pairwise comparisons remained significant, indicating convergence among leading systems. In an exploratory submodule, performance on the small set of image-based items was comparable to or slightly higher than performance on text-only items. These findings demonstrate that multimodal LLMs achieve high accuracy and high inter-run reproducibility on a large-scale assessment, supporting their use as objects of AI-based assessment research while leaving questions of cognitive equivalence with human examinees beyond the scope of accuracy-based evaluation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence in Assessment: Opportunities, Challenges, and Ethical Considerations)

15 pages, 1002 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Group Competence on Individual Willingness to Join

by Xiangwei Kong, Bin Zuo, Yatian Lei and Fangfang Wen

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 821; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050821 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Abstract

In everyday life, individuals frequently encounter situations in which they may join new groups; however, previous research has primarily focused on issues that arise after group formation, leaving insufficient attention to the processes preceding spontaneous group affiliation. This study investigates how different levels [...] Read more.

In everyday life, individuals frequently encounter situations in which they may join new groups; however, previous research has primarily focused on issues that arise after group formation, leaving insufficient attention to the processes preceding spontaneous group affiliation. This study investigates how different levels of group competence influence individuals’ willingness to join, using Optimal Distinctiveness Theory as its theoretical framework. Through two experiments, it systematically examines participants’ willingness to join groups of varying competence levels and how this willingness is moderated by participants’ own competence. The results indicate that high-competence groups demonstrate stronger member attractiveness and effectively promote individuals’ willingness to join. Crucially, the group’s attraction to individuals is moderated by individuals’ own competence. When group competence is lower than one’s own competence level, willingness to join increases as group competence rises toward one’s own level. Strikingly, when group competence exceeds one’s own, willingness to join remains uniformly high and stable, rather than decreasing as Optimal Distinctiveness Theory would predict. These findings suggest that individuals engage in a psychological trade-off based on competence alignment when autonomously choosing whether to join social or professional groups. We interpret this pattern as evidence for a “downward aversion, upward assimilation” heuristic in group affiliation decisions. The present research also has implications for understanding how groups can strategically manage their reputation to attract prospective members, as well as how individuals make group-joining decisions at different stages of career development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Cognition and Cooperative Behavior)

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7 pages, 187 KB

Open AccessEditorial

Animal-Assisted Interventions for Neurodivergent Individuals: Advancing Research, Practice, and Well-Being

by Niko Kargas, Ana Maria Barcelos and Stamatina Tsiora

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 820; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050820 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Abstract

Within contemporary clinical, educational, and psychosocial research, animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) occupy a distinctive and empirically contested position [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal-Assisted Interventions for Neurodivergent Individuals: Advancing Research, Practice, and Well-Being)

23 pages, 769 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Negative Meta-Stereotype on the Doctor–Patient Relationship: The Role of Imagined Intergroup Contact

by Yanli Zhu, Mengzhu Jiang, Fan Feng and Jingru Sun

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 819; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050819 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Abstract

This study aims to explore the relationship between negative meta-stereotypes, intergroup anxiety, doctor–patient trust, and doctor–patient relationships and investigate the intervention impact of imagined intergroup contact through two experiments. Study 1 examined whether intergroup anxiety and doctor–patient trust sequentially mediate the effect of [...] Read more.

This study aims to explore the relationship between negative meta-stereotypes, intergroup anxiety, doctor–patient trust, and doctor–patient relationships and investigate the intervention impact of imagined intergroup contact through two experiments. Study 1 examined whether intergroup anxiety and doctor–patient trust sequentially mediate the effect of negative meta-stereotypes on the doctor–patient relationship. Two hundred participants were randomly assigned to a negative meta-stereotype activation or control group, and completed measures of intergroup anxiety, doctor–patient trust, and doctor–patient relationship quality. Study 2 built on these findings by testing imagined intergroup contact as a potential intervention. Following negative meta-stereotype activation, 184 participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: no imagination, imagined landscape, imagined contact with a professionalism-focused physician, or imagined contact with a care-focused physician. Study 1 revealed that negative meta-stereotype activation significantly increased intergroup anxiety, decreased doctor–patient trust, and impaired the doctor–patient relationship. Importantly, intergroup anxiety and doctor–patient trust played a chain mediating role in this relationship. Study 2 demonstrated that only imagined contact with a caring physician (but not a purely professional one) significantly reduced intergroup anxiety, enhanced doctor–patient trust, and improved the doctor–patient relationship. These findings provide evidence consistent with a serial emotional-cognitive pathway from intergroup anxiety to doctor–patient trust through which negative meta-stereotypes may impair the doctor–patient relationship, and by pinpointing emotional care as the core component that makes imagined intergroup contact effective in this context. Full article

13 pages, 248 KB

Open AccessArticle

Help-Seeking Behavior of Adults with Adverse Childhood Experiences in Rural China

by Weizhi Chen, Yiran Zhang and Jinyu Chen

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 818; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050818 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Abstract

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which encompass a broad range of adverse events during childhood, are prevalent in rural China. However, help-seeking among adults with ACEs remains limited and underexplored. This study aims to examine the barriers to help-seeking behaviors among adults with ACEs [...] Read more.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which encompass a broad range of adverse events during childhood, are prevalent in rural China. However, help-seeking among adults with ACEs remains limited and underexplored. This study aims to examine the barriers to help-seeking behaviors among adults with ACEs in rural China. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 adults affected by ACEs in rural mainland China between October 2024 and December 2024. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews in Mandarin, and transcripts were analyzed using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework, focusing on behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, and perceived behavioral control. The findings reveal barriers to help-seeking among individuals with ACEs in rural China, categorized into three key dimensions: (1) Behavioral Beliefs: Beliefs that corporal punishment is the responsibility as well as love of parents, and misconceptions attributing ACEs to personal faults significantly hindered help-seeking. (2) Normative Beliefs: Respect for parental authority in China culture context hinder help-seeking for adults with ACEs. Moreover, gender differences were evident, with men avoiding help-seeking due to perceived shame, while women were more likely to confide in friends and family. Finally, stigmatization of mental health services further inhibited help-seeking behaviors. (3) Perceived Behavioral Control: The lack of formal and informal support systems in rural areas exacerbated the issue, highlighting significant gaps in resource accessibility and cultural acceptance of mental health support. Addressing these barriers through public education, destigmatization of mental health services, and improved resource allocation could facilitate help-seeking behaviors and improve outcomes for individuals affected by ACEs. Full article

14 pages, 302 KB

Open AccessArticle

An AI-Generated Integrated Exercise Addiction Screening Scale (EASS-10): A Methodological Demonstration

by Attila Szabo

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 817; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050817 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in scientific research, including psychiatry. Exercise addiction (EA) research relies on self-report instruments, most of which lack a functional impairment criterion and cannot account for obsessive passion, potentially contributing to inflated prevalence estimates and limited clinical specificity. [...] Read more.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in scientific research, including psychiatry. Exercise addiction (EA) research relies on self-report instruments, most of which lack a functional impairment criterion and cannot account for obsessive passion, potentially contributing to inflated prevalence estimates and limited clinical specificity. This study examined whether Claude AI (Sonnet 4.6) could assist in synthesizing a brief, theoretically grounded screening tool for EA by integrating validated constructs from the Passion Scale (PS), the Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS), and the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI). Using structured prompting and instrument upload, Claude AI created a 10-item scale by systematically mapping source-scale content onto established EA frameworks, including the components model and DSM-5 criteria. The instrument included nine Likert-type items and one binary gate for functional impairment to enhance clinical specificity. Although no empirical validation data were collected, a Monte Carlo simulation (N = 500) was used solely to verify that the prespecified unidimensional simulation model produced internally coherent response patterns. Because the simulated data were generated from and analyzed under the same unidimensional model, these results constitute a computational plausibility check rather than empirical structural validation. AI-assisted theoretical synthesis may offer a novel methodological approach to instrument development, though this remains a working hypothesis requiring empirical corroboration. The proposed Exercise Addiction Screening Scale (EASS-10) is presented as a proof-of-concept tool that now requires empirical validation in clinical and exercise populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence in Assessment: Opportunities, Challenges, and Ethical Considerations)

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24 pages, 660 KB

Open AccessArticle

Perceived Time Spent on TikTok, Overall User Satisfaction, and Parallel Psychological Costs

by Qian Zhang, Jingjing Yang and Dongyoup Kim

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 816; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050816 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Abstract

With the rapid growth of short-video platforms, it has become increasingly important to understand the psychological processes that sustain prolonged engagement and contribute to individual evaluative responses. This study examines the dual pattern of associations involving perceived time spent on TikTok by investigating [...] Read more.

With the rapid growth of short-video platforms, it has become increasingly important to understand the psychological processes that sustain prolonged engagement and contribute to individual evaluative responses. This study examines the dual pattern of associations involving perceived time spent on TikTok by investigating whether it is positively associated with overall user satisfaction while also being linked to psychological cost-related responses, including privacy concerns, health consciousness, social interaction anxiety, and social media fatigue. Data were collected through an online survey administered via Prolific and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The findings show that perceived time spent on TikTok is significantly associated with health consciousness and social interaction anxiety. Perceived time spent on TikTok is also directly and positively associated with overall user satisfaction. Moreover, privacy concerns and social media fatigue are negatively associated with overall user satisfaction. The fsQCA results further reveal six configurations associated with high user satisfaction. These configurations illustrate the principle of equifinality and indicate that no single condition reached the conventional threshold for necessity. Overall, the findings suggest that high user satisfaction can coexist with different combinations of psychological cost-related responses, thereby offering a more nuanced account of how users experience short-video platforms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Behavior and Psychological Processes in Social Media and Smartphone Use)

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18 pages, 466 KB

Open AccessArticle

Ethical Decision-Making in Chilean University Students: Behavioral and Electroencephalographic Evidence from Professional Ethical Dilemmas

by Jorge Vergara-Morales, Brian Matamala, Bastián Retamal and Carlos Gantiva

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 815; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050815 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Abstract

Ethical decision-making in professional contexts requires integrating behavioral performance and neural processes, as it involves both deliberative and intuitive mechanisms. However, empirical evidence integrating these levels of analysis in professional ethics remains limited. To address this gap, this study examines the association between [...] Read more.

Ethical decision-making in professional contexts requires integrating behavioral performance and neural processes, as it involves both deliberative and intuitive mechanisms. However, empirical evidence integrating these levels of analysis in professional ethics remains limited. To address this gap, this study examines the association between behavioral responses and electroencephalographic (EEG) activity during ethical–professional decision-making in a sample of Chilean university students. Thirty-two participants completed a computerized task involving personal and impersonal ethical–professional dilemmas related to psychological practice, making binary decisions while reaction times were recorded. EEG data were acquired using an 8-channel OpenBCI Cyton system. Mean EEG amplitude (0–800 ms post-stimulus) was computed for frontal (Fp1, Fp2, F7, F8) and parietal (Cz, Pz, P3, P4) regions of interest. Behavioral outcomes showed that impersonal dilemmas elicited significantly longer reaction times than personal dilemmas, consistent with greater deliberative demands. Trial-level mixed-effects models revealed a systematic frontal–parietal dissociation, where longer decision durations were associated with increased frontal EEG activity and concurrent parietal suppression. These findings support a systematic behavioral–neural association during ethical–professional decision-making, characterized by a frontal–parietal dissociation that reflects the dynamic competition between deliberative and integrative processes. Prolonged responses to impersonal dilemmas indicate greater deliberative demand, requiring extended integration of abstract professional norms. The observed neural pattern extends dual-process accounts of moral cognition and has implications for the design of ethics education programs that cultivate both deliberative and context-sensitive reasoning skills. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emotion–Cognition Interactions in Decision-Making)

47 pages, 2855 KB

Open AccessArticle

SPECTRA: A Conceptual Framework to Bridge Praxis and Remap Relational Violence in India Using a Complex Trauma Lens

by Maitrayee Sen, Snigdhaa Rajvanshi, Stuti Khandelwal and Simantini Ghosh

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 814; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050814 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Abstract

Domestic Violence affects 1 in 3 women worldwide. Empirical evidence from India suggests that women and girls experience a continuum of violence and discrimination from prenatal stages till death in families that largely continue to operate within a dominantly patriarchal framework. However, the [...] Read more.

Domestic Violence affects 1 in 3 women worldwide. Empirical evidence from India suggests that women and girls experience a continuum of violence and discrimination from prenatal stages till death in families that largely continue to operate within a dominantly patriarchal framework. However, the literature on domestic violence in India suffers from problems pertaining to reductive and episodic framing, focusing on short-term prevalence, and frames the impact on survivors largely in terms of clinical constructs such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. This work argues for a broader, thematic framing of domestic and familial violence and contends that the psychological sequelae of this kind of chronic and systemic discrimination and violence cannot be captured using rigid clinical constructs that dominate psychological literature. We propose a conceptual framework, i.e., SPECTRA (Socially and Psychologically Embedded Continuous Trauma in Relational Architecture), which is partially aligned with the propositions of complex trauma. However, we also critique the origin of complex trauma within hegemonic psychiatry and highlight the need for creating a culturally adapted expansion—to shift the emphasis from an individually rooted, diagnostic framework to a culturally contextualized continuous trauma framework. We utilize seven illustrative case studies to define the tenets of the SPECTRA model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Domestic Violence on Young Victims and Witnesses: Resilience and Recovery)

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39 pages, 8236 KB

Open AccessArticle

Discerning Quantity: Numerosity in Two Embodied Machine Learning Agents

by Niall Donnelly and Edward Keedwell

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 813; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050813 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Abstract

As artificial intelligence systems continue to overcome evermore challenging tasks, researchers have suggested that the time is ripe to begin evaluating these systems along more psychologically inspired lines. This study seeks to build upon these recommendations by evaluating two machine learning models, A-Learning [...] Read more.

As artificial intelligence systems continue to overcome evermore challenging tasks, researchers have suggested that the time is ripe to begin evaluating these systems along more psychologically inspired lines. This study seeks to build upon these recommendations by evaluating two machine learning models, A-Learning and Proximal Policy Optimisation, for the cognitive capability known as numerosity. In our experiment, these two models were embodied in a three-dimensional virtual environment, known as Animal-AI, and tested in a psychologically inspired numerosity experiment. In contrast to previous research, A-Learning failed to reliably express numerosity capabilities, as did Proximal Policy Optimisation. Both models displayed a tendency to overfit to the first policy that provided rewarding feedback. These results suggest that predicting the cognitive capabilities of machine learning models once embodied is non-trivial, and confounding factors such as environmental properties and perceptual processes complicate the expression of numerosity capabilities. Building on these findings, it is suggested that future researchers pay greater attention to the influence of environmental factors and perceptual mechanisms on the machine learning models they are developing, especially if such models are to be embodied in a virtual- or real-world environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Human-Centred AI)

24 pages, 381 KB

Open AccessArticle

Behavioral and Psychosocial Correlates of Gender Differences in Adolescent Mental Health: A Regional Cross-Sectional Study in Northern Italy

by Christian J. Wiedermann, Verena Barbieri, Giuliano Piccoliori and Doris Hager von Strobele Prainsack

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 812; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050812 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Abstract

Background: Gender differences in adolescent mental health are well documented; however, the extent to which modifiable behavioral and psychosocial factors account for the excess of mental health problems in females remains insufficiently quantified. Methods: Data from the 2025 Corona and Psyche South Tyrol [...] Read more.

Background: Gender differences in adolescent mental health are well documented; however, the extent to which modifiable behavioral and psychosocial factors account for the excess of mental health problems in females remains insufficiently quantified. Methods: Data from the 2025 Corona and Psyche South Tyrol (COP-S) survey comprised a base sample of 2428 adolescents aged 11–19 years (51.4% males) with valid self-reported data. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted on 1448–1603 adolescents (depending on the outcome) who provided complete responses to the relevant predictor and outcome measures. Gender differences in depressive symptom scores (PHQ-2), generalized anxiety symptom scores (SCARED-GAD), and emotional/behavioral difficulties (SDQ) were examined using Mann–Whitney U and chi-square tests. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the associations between mental health outcomes and the ten predictors. Gender effects were quantified by comparing standardized regression coefficients from unadjusted and adjusted models. Results: Female adolescents reported higher generalized anxiety symptoms (median 6 vs. 4; rank-biserial r = 0.24), depressive symptoms (r = 0.13), and emotional/behavioral (r = 0.08) scores than male adolescents. School stress, problematic Internet use, and sleep-onset difficulties were the factors most strongly associated with all three outcomes (all p < 0.001). After multivariable adjustment, gender remained significantly associated with generalized anxiety symptoms (β = 0.18) and depressive scores (β = 0.09) but no longer reached significance for emotional/behavioral scores (β = 0.04, p = 0.078). The attenuation of the gender effect ranged from 25.3% for generalized anxiety symptoms to 37.1% for depressive symptoms and 58.5% for emotional/behavioral difficulties. Conclusions: Gender differences in adolescent mental health were substantially attenuated after adjustment for modifiable behavioral and psychosocial factors, with the gender difference in emotional/behavioral scores no longer statistically significant after adjustment. Persistent gender disparities in generalized anxiety symptoms suggest that mechanisms beyond the measured behavioral correlates may contribute to this gender difference and warrant further investigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health in Adolescent)

18 pages, 418 KB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship of Susceptibility to Emotional Contagion with Automatic Emotion Processing and Emotional Competences

by Merle Welten, Anette Kersting and Thomas Suslow

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050811 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Abstract

Individuals differ in their susceptibility to emotional contagion, i.e., the automatic tendency to mirror and synchronize another person’s expressions and movements, resulting in shared emotional experiences. The objective of this research was to investigate how susceptibility to emotional contagion connects to automatic facial [...] Read more.

Individuals differ in their susceptibility to emotional contagion, i.e., the automatic tendency to mirror and synchronize another person’s expressions and movements, resulting in shared emotional experiences. The objective of this research was to investigate how susceptibility to emotional contagion connects to automatic facial emotion processing and emotional competences. An affective priming task using happy, angry, neutral, and blank faces was administered to a sample of 104 women with a mean age of 24.72 years (SD = 3.63). They completed self-report measures assessing susceptibility to positive and negative emotional contagion, alexithymia, trait emotional intelligence, affectivity, and depression. Although prime valence-congruent evaluative shifts were found in our sample, there were no correlations of susceptibility to positive and negative emotional contagion with affective priming effects. Susceptibility to positive emotion contagion was negatively correlated with alexithymia and positively with emotional intelligence. However, susceptibility to positive emotion contagion predicted only emotional intelligence (but not alexithymia), when controlling for relevant affect variables. Our findings indicate that emotional contagion susceptibility could be less strongly linked to automatic emotion perception than previously suggested. Moreover, the trait-like tendency to resonate with other people’s positive emotions seems to be linked to enhanced capacities in perceiving, interpreting, and regulating emotions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Social Psychology)

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16 pages, 482 KB

Open AccessArticle

Personalized Music Listening and Autobiographical Narration in Nursing Home Residents: Linguistic and Qualitative Findings from a Pilot Study

by Chiara Rossi, Fabio Frisone, Francesca De Salve, Sophia Zanoletti, Paolo Caneva, Matteo Brazzelli, Lorenzo Antichi, Chiara Pupillo, Giuseppe Riva, Osmano Oasi and Barbara Colombo

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 810; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050810 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Abstract

Autobiographical memory plays a central role in identity continuity, narrative functioning, and psychological well-being in later life. In nursing home residents, however, reduced environmental stimulation, cognitive vulnerability, and limited opportunities for self-expression may compromise autobiographical engagement. Music, as an emotionally salient and personally [...] Read more.

Autobiographical memory plays a central role in identity continuity, narrative functioning, and psychological well-being in later life. In nursing home residents, however, reduced environmental stimulation, cognitive vulnerability, and limited opportunities for self-expression may compromise autobiographical engagement. Music, as an emotionally salient and personally meaningful cue, may facilitate memory retrieval through affective and self-referential mechanisms. This exploratory pilot study examined whether personalized music listening influences the productivity and linguistic features of autobiographical narration in nursing home residents. Eleven older adults completed one baseline autobiographical recall session without music and three weekly music-assisted sessions focused on different life periods. Narratives were transcribed and analyzed using LIWC-22. Within-subject differences were tested with Wilcoxon signed-rank analyses. In addition, an exploratory qualitative paper-and-pencil analysis was conducted to identify recurrent narrative and experiential patterns in the music-assisted accounts. Music-assisted recall was associated with higher total word count compared with baseline, although this difference should be interpreted cautiously given the asymmetry between the single-session baseline and the three-session post-intervention format. No significant changes emerged in positive or negative emotion words. Qualitative observations of the music-assisted narratives highlighted recurrent features including vivid autobiographical scenes, references to meaningful social identities and former life roles, and emotionally salient communication. These preliminary findings suggest that personalized music may support autobiographical recall by increasing verbal output during narration and by facilitating meaningful self-expression and relational communication in later life. Larger controlled studies are needed to clarify its role in supporting autobiographical narrative processes in nursing home older adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Music on Individual and Social Well-Being)

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Open AccessArticle

Bridging the Gap Between Language and Literacy: Evidence from Interventions in Young Greek-Speaking Children with Developmental Language Disorder

by Angeliki Mouzaki, Vasiliki Desylla, Asimina M. Ralli and Maria Vlassopoulos

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050809 (registering DOI) - 18 May 2026

Abstract

Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent difficulties in language acquisition, affecting both comprehension and production, and typically emerging in early childhood through deficits in morphosyntax, vocabulary and phonology. Although distinct from Specific Learning Disabilities, particularly in reading, the [...] Read more.

Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent difficulties in language acquisition, affecting both comprehension and production, and typically emerging in early childhood through deficits in morphosyntax, vocabulary and phonology. Although distinct from Specific Learning Disabilities, particularly in reading, the two conditions often co-occur, sharing underlying mechanisms and leading to overlapping challenges such as impaired phonological processing, limited vocabulary, weak narrative skills, and reading comprehension difficulties. This study examined the effects of two intervention programs—semantic versus phonological—on oral language skills in 107 Greek children with DLD aged 4;1–5;10. Participants were randomly assigned to a phonological (n = 35), a semantic (n = 35), or a control group (n = 37). Interventions were delivered individually twice weekly over 16 weeks (32 sessions). Language performance was assessed at baseline, immediately post intervention, and at a four-month follow-up using standardized measures. Repeated-measures ANOVAs evaluated within- and between-group differences. Results indicated differential but complementary effects of the two interventions: phonological training enhanced greatly phonological awareness (d = 0.80) and was associated with short-term gains in vocabulary, whereas the semantic intervention produced sustained improvements in vocabulary (d = 0.45). While the semantic group performed slightly better than the control group, no statistically significant difference was found between the two intervention groups, suggesting broadly comparable but domain-specific benefits. These findings highlight the value of systematic interventions and indicate that combining semantic and phonological approaches may optimize language and literacy development, providing evidence-based guidance for early intervention in preschool children with DLD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Learning Disabilities in Reading and Writing: Current Issues in Assessment and Intervention)

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