Behavioral Sciences

12 pages, 480 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adaptation of the Consultation and Relational Empathy Measure to Turkish

by Murat Erzurumlu, Habibe Özçelik, Melahat Akdeniz, Ethem Kavukçu and Hasan H. Avcı

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 721; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060721 - 23 May 2025

The Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) measure was developed to create a means of evaluating a physician’s consultation process based on an extensive and meaningful definition of empathy, independent of a patient’s socioeconomic background. The aim of this study was to adapt the [...] Read more.

The Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) measure was developed to create a means of evaluating a physician’s consultation process based on an extensive and meaningful definition of empathy, independent of a patient’s socioeconomic background. The aim of this study was to adapt the valid and reliable CARE measure into Turkish and to confirm the measure’s validity and reliability in the Turkish language. The measure reached its final version after the processes of translation, back-translation, and a pilot study. The final version of the measure was administered to 300 individuals between the ages of 18 and 83 who were patients at Akdeniz University Hospital. The internal consistency, homogeneity, and construct of the measure were assessed. The internal consistency and homogeneity of the measure were found to be very high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.973; the corrected item–total correlation coefficient for all items > 0.816). The measure was found to have a single-factor structure with a high level of construct validity. It was additionally found that the CARE score was not affected by the patients’ demographic characteristics. The Turkish version of the CARE measure can be used as a valid and reliable measuring tool. The CARE measure is a tool with which patients can assess the level of empathy shown by a healthcare provider. Full article

16 pages, 296 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Job Satisfaction and Optimal Experience in a Swedish Governmental Administration—A Mixed Methods Study

by Fredrik Molin

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 720; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060720 - 23 May 2025

Abstract

Background: Job satisfaction and optimal experiences, often linked to employee engagement and performance, are critical factors for organizational performance. This study investigated job satisfaction and the conditions enabling optimal experiences among employees within a Swedish governmental administration. This study sought to fill a [...] Read more.

Background: Job satisfaction and optimal experiences, often linked to employee engagement and performance, are critical factors for organizational performance. This study investigated job satisfaction and the conditions enabling optimal experiences among employees within a Swedish governmental administration. This study sought to fill a critical gap in understanding job satisfaction within a governmental setting. Method: A mixed methods approach was utilized to collect both quantitative and qualitative data, combining survey data (n = 117) and workshop interviews (n = 14). The quantitative component included measures of job satisfaction, learning, and optimal experience. Results: Optimal experience was strongly associated with job satisfaction and the positive use of knowledge and skills at work. The results also indicated high levels of job satisfaction among participants and frequent opportunities for optimal experience in daily work. The qualitative findings revealed that while employees often felt supported in their roles, organizational constraints and limited autonomy could hinder the consistent occurrence of optimal experience. Participants emphasized the importance of clear communication, prioritization, and a supportive work environment. Conclusion: This study contributed to the understanding of workplace dynamics in governmental organizations, emphasizing the interplay between job satisfaction, knowledge and skills, and optimal experience. The findings underscore the need for addressing organizational barriers to optimal employee experiences within a bureaucratic setting. Full article

9 pages, 297 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Furthering Our Understanding of Post-Traumatic Mental Health Conditions and Intimate Relationship Outcomes in Veterans of the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq

by Camara A. T. Azubuike, Alexander O. Crenshaw and Candice M. Monson

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060719 - 23 May 2025

Abstract

Objective: Although there has been substantial research on post-traumatic stress disorder and its commonly comorbid conditions, the unique associations among these mental health symptoms and relationship adjustment have not been investigated. The purpose of this paper is to extend understanding of the associations [...] Read more.

Objective: Although there has been substantial research on post-traumatic stress disorder and its commonly comorbid conditions, the unique associations among these mental health symptoms and relationship adjustment have not been investigated. The purpose of this paper is to extend understanding of the associations among PTSD and relationship adjustment for female and male veterans, as well as to account for the impact of comorbid symptoms of depression and problematic alcohol use in a large sample. Method: Participants were 2325 (n = 1122 men and 1203 women) veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from a larger study exploring wartime experiences and post-deployment adjustment. Chi-square analyses and regressions tested the associations among mental health symptoms (PTSD symptom severity, depressive symptoms, and problematic alcohol use) and relationship status and adjustment. Results: For both men and women, those with probable PTSD were less likely to be in an intimate relationship than those without probable PTSD, and those in intimate relationships had lower PTSD symptom severity compared with those not in intimate relationships. However, when accounting for PTSD, depression, and problematic alcohol use simultaneously, only depression emerged as a significant negative predictor of relationship adjustment. Conclusions: Shared variance among these common post-traumatic mental health conditions comorbidities may be most responsible for PTSD’s negative association with relationship adjustment. Unique remaining variance of depression is also negatively associated with relationship adjustment. Treatment implications of these findings for individual and couple therapy post-trauma are provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations for Addressing Posttraumatic Stress and Co-occurring Conditions)

17 pages, 1864 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Impartial Beneficence on Bystander Cooperation Behavior: The Roles of Social Perception and Impartial Beneficence Personality

by Xiaodan Xu, Yingjun Zhang, Ming Yu, Hongju Li, Feng Zhang and Yan Xu

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 718; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060718 - 23 May 2025

Abstract

Previous research on utilitarianism has focused predominantly on instrumental harm while neglecting the investigation of impartial beneficence. This study designed three progressive experiments (total n = 1378) to explore how impartial beneficence influences bystander cooperation behavior and to uncover the underlying mechanisms and [...] Read more.

Previous research on utilitarianism has focused predominantly on instrumental harm while neglecting the investigation of impartial beneficence. This study designed three progressive experiments (total n = 1378) to explore how impartial beneficence influences bystander cooperation behavior and to uncover the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions. The findings indicate that (1) compared with a partial agent, an impartial agent reduces bystander cooperation behavior; (2) impartial beneficence affects bystander cooperation behavior by influencing bystanders’ perception of warmth rather than competence; and (3) a bystander’s impartial beneficence personality plays a moderating role in the mediation model, and this moderating effect occurs in the pathways from impartial beneficence to bystander cooperation behavior, perception of warmth, and perception of competence. Full article

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20 pages, 1134 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Maternal Intrusive Thoughts and Dissociative Experiences in the Context of Early Caregiving Under Varying Levels of Societal Stress

by Miriam Chasson, Jessica L. Borelli, Dana Shai and Orit Taubman – Ben-Ari

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 717; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060717 - 23 May 2025

Abstract

Early caregiving can evoke feelings of helplessness in mothers that are potentially associated with disintegrative responses, i.e., intrusive thoughts and dissociative experiences in the context of infant care. Given the associated increase in stress and exposure to life-threatening dangers, crises such as pandemics [...] Read more.

Early caregiving can evoke feelings of helplessness in mothers that are potentially associated with disintegrative responses, i.e., intrusive thoughts and dissociative experiences in the context of infant care. Given the associated increase in stress and exposure to life-threatening dangers, crises such as pandemics and wars may intensify these responses, but this has not previously been tested. Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to (1) examine maternal disintegrative responses across three contexts—a high-intensity phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, a subsequent low-intensity pandemic period, and the Israel–Hamas war—and (2) compare the two crisis periods in terms of trauma-related exposure, a damaged experience of childbirth and childcare, and their links to disintegrative responses. Method: This study had two parts and was conducted among Israeli mothers. Part 1 involved 1416 mothers across three groups: high-intensity pandemic (N = 637), low-intensity pandemic (N = 360), and war (N = 419). Part 2 involved a subsample from Part 1 comparing the 1056 mothers from the high-intensity pandemic and war groups. All the participants completed questionnaires assessing maternal disintegrative responses, trauma-related exposure, and a damaged experience of childbirth and childcare. The analyses included ANOVA and mediation models, controlling for maternal characteristics. Results: Intrusive thoughts and dissociative experiences were significantly higher during both the high-intensity pandemic and war periods compared to the low-intensity pandemic period. Trauma exposure indirectly predicted intrusive thoughts and dissociative experiences through a damaged experience of childbirth and childcare, particularly during war. Conclusions: The findings indicate that maternal disintegrative responses were higher during high-intensity crisis contexts, with the highest levels reported by mothers during the war. Trauma exposure and a damaged experience of childbirth and childcare were associated with more intrusive thoughts and dissociative experiences, underscoring the need for targeted support to protect maternal well-being and caregiving during crises. Full article

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13 pages, 283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cultural Transmission: Understanding the Processes of Ethnic/Racial Socialization in Racially/Ethnically Minoritized Parents

by Ryan Houston-Dial, Meeta Banerjee and Nada M. Goodrum

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 716; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060716 - 22 May 2025

Abstract

Ethnic/racial socialization has been identified as a key protective mechanism within minoritized populations towards racism and discrimination within the United States. Prior research has highlighted the importance of the relation between ethnic/racial identity and ethnic/racial socialization practices, but less is known about how [...] Read more.

Ethnic/racial socialization has been identified as a key protective mechanism within minoritized populations towards racism and discrimination within the United States. Prior research has highlighted the importance of the relation between ethnic/racial identity and ethnic/racial socialization practices, but less is known about how these associations manifest across diverse groups. The current study explored the associations between parental ethnic/racial identity and ethnic/racial socialization in a national sample of 414 Black, Latine, and Asian American parents. Racially/ethnically minoritized parents from around the United States reported on their ethnic/racial identity and ethnic/racial socialization practices with their children. Hierarchical linear regressions indicated that racial centrality and private regard were significant predictors of preparation for bias and cultural socialization messages. The implications from this study are that there are myriad factors that influence socialization practices in racially/ethnically minoritized families. Full article

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

20 pages, 925 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Socioecological Models of Acculturation: The Relative Roles of Social and Contextual Factors on Acculturation Across Life Domains

by Sara L. Buckingham

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 715; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060715 - 22 May 2025

Abstract

Although acculturation research recognizes that a community’s context of reception shapes acculturation, relatively limited research has explored how social and contextual variables shape the divergence of ‘real’ acculturation from ‘ideal’ (or individually desired) acculturation across life domains. Building on the Relative Acculturation Extended [...] Read more.

Although acculturation research recognizes that a community’s context of reception shapes acculturation, relatively limited research has explored how social and contextual variables shape the divergence of ‘real’ acculturation from ‘ideal’ (or individually desired) acculturation across life domains. Building on the Relative Acculturation Extended Model, this study examines how one’s local context and interactions within it shape acculturation in peripheral (public), intermediate (social), and central (private) life domains. In this cross-sectional study, 408 first-generation immigrant adults born in Latin America (M = 37.91, SD = 12.93) who had lived in the United States for 1–55 years (M = 16.56; SD = 9.50) completed self-report measures across four communities with distinct contexts of reception. Results revealed that perception of the receiving community’s acculturation preferences, prejudice, community contact, and symbolic threat all shaped immigrants’ ‘real’ acculturation beyond ‘ideal’, both directly and indirectly via their sense of community and intergroup anxiety. These socioecological factors had a stronger impact on peripheral domain acculturation overall, though pathways generally remained consistent across life domains. Results have numerous implications for policy, practice, and the future of acculturation research as they suggest that social context more readily shapes public expressions of acculturation than more private expressions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social and Psychological Determinants of Acculturation)

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21 pages, 718 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social Capital and Job Performance: A Moderated Mediation Model of Organizational Citizenship Behaviors and Psychological Capital

by Qi Cao, Chun-Fu Chen, Hui-Ling Hu and Yueh-Chih Hsiao

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 714; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060714 - 22 May 2025

Abstract

Taiwan’s high-tech industry is experiencing rapid labor restructuring driven by automation and technological advancement, resulting in increased job demands and workplace stress. In this context, identifying mechanisms that sustain employee performance has become a critical concern. Drawing on the concept of social capital [...] Read more.

Taiwan’s high-tech industry is experiencing rapid labor restructuring driven by automation and technological advancement, resulting in increased job demands and workplace stress. In this context, identifying mechanisms that sustain employee performance has become a critical concern. Drawing on the concept of social capital and grounded in Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this study investigates whether social capital indirectly enhances job performance through organizational citizenship behavior. In addition, psychological capital is introduced as a moderating variable to examine the boundary conditions of this mediation process. Data were collected from 327 employees working in Taiwan’s high-tech sector and analyzed using PROCESS Model 14. The results indicate that social capital positively influences job performance only through the mediating effect of organizational citizenship behavior. Moreover, this indirect effect is strengthened when individuals possess higher levels of psychological capital. Based on these findings, the study concludes by discussing theoretical contributions and practical implications for organizations operating in high-pressure, innovation-driven environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work Motivation, Engagement, and Psychological Health)

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22 pages, 417 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationships Between Positive Leadership Styles, Psychological Resilience, and Burnout: An Empirical Study Among Turkish Teachers

by Gaye Onan, Lütfi Sürücü, Mustafa Bekmezci, Alper Bahadır Dalmış and Gözde Sunman

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 713; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060713 - 22 May 2025

Abstract

Given the rising workloads and increased risks of burnout across various industries, enhancing employee resilience and well-being has become increasingly important. This study investigates the impact of positive leadership styles—servant, authentic, and transformational leadership—on psychological resilience and burnout levels. While prior research has [...] Read more.

Given the rising workloads and increased risks of burnout across various industries, enhancing employee resilience and well-being has become increasingly important. This study investigates the impact of positive leadership styles—servant, authentic, and transformational leadership—on psychological resilience and burnout levels. While prior research has examined the isolated relationships between leadership, resilience, and burnout, few studies have analyzed these variables collectively within an integrated theoretical framework. To address this gap, the present study integrates insights from the Leader–Member Exchange (LMX) theory, the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, and the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model to provide a comprehensive perspective. Data were collected from 387 private school teachers in Turkiye. Statistical analyses were conducted using PROCESS Macro (Model 4), assessing both direct and mediating effects. The findings reveal that all three leadership styles enhance psychological resilience and mitigate burnout. Furthermore, psychological resilience partially mediates the relationship between positive leadership styles and burnout. These results contribute to the literature by demonstrating how positive leadership can buffer against burnout through resilience, emphasizing the need for context-specific research in the field. This study also offers practical implications for managers seeking to foster supportive work environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Organizational Behaviors)

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10 pages, 960 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rapid and Unpredictable Shifts in Perceived Pleasantness of Continuous Affective Touch

by Anne Schienle, Carina Schlintl and Arved Seibel

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 712; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060712 - 22 May 2025

Abstract

Affective touch (stroking the skin at velocities between 1 and 10 cm/s) is generally perceived as pleasant. However, this pleasant sensation diminishes with continuous stimulation over several minutes, with substantial individual variability in the habituation process. This study aimed to identify individual characteristics [...] Read more.

Affective touch (stroking the skin at velocities between 1 and 10 cm/s) is generally perceived as pleasant. However, this pleasant sensation diminishes with continuous stimulation over several minutes, with substantial individual variability in the habituation process. This study aimed to identify individual characteristics associated with the decline in the hedonic value of prolonged affective touch. Eighty-one female participants (mean age = 26 years) received continuous stroking on their forearms for 10 min at two distinct velocities: 3 cm/s (affective touch) and 30 cm/s (nonaffective touch). Every 100 s, participants rated the perceived pleasantness of the stimulation. Regression analyses were conducted to examine whether participants’ age, attitude toward touch by an unfamiliar person, recalled positive touch experiences during childhood, sympathy toward the toucher, reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, or somatization, and order of touch conditions predicted changes in their responses. On average, the perceived pleasantness of touch declined over time. The extent of the decline and individual variability in pleasantness ratings were not significantly associated with the selected predictors. However, higher overall ratings of affective touch pleasantness were linked to greater sympathy toward the toucher, lower levels of depression and somatization, and a lower frequency of recalled positive touch experiences during childhood. Affective touch was perceived as more pleasant when it was preceded by the nonaffective touch condition, compared to when the order was reversed. Order effects, the rapid decline, and substantial individual variability in the perceived pleasantness of prolonged affective touch should be considered in both research and therapeutic applications. Full article

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9 pages, 411 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Alcohol vs. Cocaine: Impulsivity and Alexithymia in Substance Use Disorder

by Alessio Mosca, Giovanna Bubbico, Clara Cavallotto, Stefania Chiappini, Rita Allegretti, Andrea Miuli, Carlotta Marrangone, Nicola Ciraselli, Mauro Pettorruso and Giovanni Martinotti

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 711; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060711 - 22 May 2025

Abstract

Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) are frequently associated with impairments in emotional regulation and behavioural control. Among the most prevalent substances of abuse, alcohol and cocaine are known to exert distinct effects on neuropsychological functioning. This study aimed to compare individuals with Alcohol Use [...] Read more.

Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) are frequently associated with impairments in emotional regulation and behavioural control. Among the most prevalent substances of abuse, alcohol and cocaine are known to exert distinct effects on neuropsychological functioning. This study aimed to compare individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD) in terms of impulsivity and alexithymia, and to examine the clinical implications of poly-substance use involving both alcohol and cocaine. Participants completed standardized psychometric assessments, including the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Group comparisons were conducted using non-parametric tests, and logistic regression models were applied to control for demographic covariates. The findings showed that impulsivity levels were comparable across groups, whereas alexithymia scores were significantly higher in individuals with AUD and in those with poly-substance use, relative to CUD-only participants. These findings underscore the relevance of targeting emotional regulation difficulties, particularly alexithymia, in the assessment and treatment of SUDs. Integrating emotion-focused interventions may enhance treatment outcomes, especially for individuals with co-occurring substance use patterns. Future research is needed to clarify the underlying neuropsychological mechanisms contributing to these differences and to inform more personalized approaches to addiction care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Deep Links: Emotional Regulation, Psychological Symptomatology, and Addictions)

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20 pages, 4152 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Embodied, Exploratory Listening in the Concert Hall

by Remy Haswell-Martin, Finn Upham, Simon Høffding and Nanette Nielsen

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 710; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15050710 - 21 May 2025

Abstract

Live music can afford novel, transformative aesthetic interactions for individual audience members. Nevertheless, concert research tends to focus on shared experience. In this paper we offer an account of exploratory listening that foregrounds embodied–enactive engagement and affective resonance through close analysis of the [...] Read more.

Live music can afford novel, transformative aesthetic interactions for individual audience members. Nevertheless, concert research tends to focus on shared experience. In this paper we offer an account of exploratory listening that foregrounds embodied–enactive engagement and affective resonance through close analysis of the music, physiological measurements, and reflections from interviews. Our analysis centres on data collected from two musician audience members about one specific piece out of a larger interdisciplinary project involving concerts given by the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra and The Norwegian Radio Orchestra in March and June of 2024. Through the combination of in-depth phenomenological interviews with musically skilled audience members and measurements of breathing and body motion, we explore aesthetic enactment beyond common patterns of ‘synchronised’ response, focusing on audience members’ experiences of Harald Sæverud’s ‘Kjempeviseslåtten’ (The Ballad of Revolt) (1943). We find forms of absorbed, both imaginative and embodied involvement, of listeners enacting meaningful contact with, and pathways through, the music that in some ways corroborate crowd patterns but also reveal exploratory expertise and idiosyncratic affective orientations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Music Listening as Exploratory Behavior)

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18 pages, 11091 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Facial Emotional Expressions in Self-Presentation Predicted Self-Esteem

by Xinlei Zang and Juan Yang

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 709; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15050709 - 21 May 2025

Abstract

There is a close relationship between self-esteem and emotions. However, most studies have relied on self-report measures, which primarily capture retrospective and generalized emotional tendencies, rather than spontaneous, momentary emotional expressions in real-time social interactions. Given that self-esteem also shapes how individuals regulate [...] Read more.

There is a close relationship between self-esteem and emotions. However, most studies have relied on self-report measures, which primarily capture retrospective and generalized emotional tendencies, rather than spontaneous, momentary emotional expressions in real-time social interactions. Given that self-esteem also shapes how individuals regulate and express emotions in social contexts, it is crucial to examine whether and how self-esteem manifests in dynamic emotional expressions during self-presentation. In this study, we recorded the performances of 211 participants during a public self-presentation task using a digital video camera and measured their self-esteem scores with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Facial Action Units (AUs) scores were extracted from each video frame using OpenFace, and four basic emotions—happiness, sadness, disgust, and fear—were quantified based on the basic emotion theory. Time-series analysis was then employed to capture the multidimensional dynamic features of these emotions. Finally, we applied machine learning and explainable AI to identify which dynamic emotional features were closely associated with self-esteem. The results indicate that all four basic emotions are closely associated with self-esteem. Therefore, this study introduces a new perspective on self-esteem assessment, highlighting the potential of nonverbal behavioral indicators as alternatives to traditional self-report measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Social Psychology)

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17 pages, 1273 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fine Motor Skills, Executive Function, and School Readiness in Preschoolers with Externalizing Behavior Problems

by Atefeh Karimi, Bridget Poznanski, Katie C. Hart and Eliza L. Nelson

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 708; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15050708 - 21 May 2025

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine whether fine motor skills (FMS) and executive function (EF) are unique predictors of school readiness (SR). The sample was 108 preschoolers with externalizing behavior problems (EBP; Mean ± SD = 60.37 ± 3.94 months pre-intervention, [...] Read more.

The objective of this study was to examine whether fine motor skills (FMS) and executive function (EF) are unique predictors of school readiness (SR). The sample was 108 preschoolers with externalizing behavior problems (EBP; Mean ± SD = 60.37 ± 3.94 months pre-intervention, 68% male) enrolled in a comprehensive 7-week school readiness summer program open trial. FMS were measured with the Learning Accomplishment Profile Diagnostic Third Edition (LAP-D); EF was measured with the Head–Toes–Knees–Shoulders (HTKS), and SR was measured with the Bracken School Readiness Assessment Third Edition (BSRA-3). All assessments were given pre- and post-intervention. All models controlled for participant age and socio-economic status (SES). Examining data pre-intervention, FMS but not EF uniquely predicted SR, explaining 46% of the variance. At post-intervention, both FMS and EF predicted SR, explaining 33% of the variance. These findings underscore the importance of screening both FMS and EF in preschoolers with EBP as they prepare to transition to kindergarten, as these domains both contribute to characterizing SR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developing Cognitive and Executive Functions Across Lifespan)

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15 pages, 534 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Validation of Polypharmacy-Related Psychological Distress Scale (PPDS): A Preliminary Study

by Cheng Cheng, Xiao Chen, Junqiao Wang and Martin Christensen

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 707; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15050707 - 21 May 2025

Abstract

Polypharmacy is an increasing concern in healthcare due to its potential to cause adverse drug reactions and medication non-adherence. The evidence has identified a connection between psychological distress and polypharmacy, yet there is a lack of validated instruments to measure this specific type [...] Read more.

Polypharmacy is an increasing concern in healthcare due to its potential to cause adverse drug reactions and medication non-adherence. The evidence has identified a connection between psychological distress and polypharmacy, yet there is a lack of validated instruments to measure this specific type of distress. This study aims to develop and validate the Polypharmacy-related Psychological Distress Scale. This study followed a rigorous scale development procedure, encompassing item creation, scale development, and scale evaluation. A multi-method design incorporated a literature review, the Delphi method with eight experts, and a cross-sectional survey with 97 participants. A comprehensive range of psychometric tests, including content validity, face validity, concurrent validity, internal consistency, and construct validity, were utilized to assess the goodness of the instrument—the finalized scale comprised four items. Content validity results were deemed satisfactory based on CVI for item (I-CVI) and CVI for scale (S-CVI). Face validity was established through the incorporation of participant feedback. A significant correlation was found between the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 and the Polypharmacy-related Psychological Distress Scale, with a correlation coefficient of 0.444 (p < 0.001). The scale demonstrated acceptable reliability, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.790 and a McDonald’s omega of 0.937. A confirmatory factor analysis revealed a unidimensional structure. To summarize, the Polypharmacy-related Psychological Distress Scale showed satisfactory reliability and validity in this preliminary study. It holds promise for use by healthcare professionals to assess psychological distress in the target population, pending further validation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Providing Emotional Support for People with Chronic Diseases)

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28 pages, 1880 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Durability of Students’ Learning Strategies Use and Beliefs Following a Classroom Intervention

by Ezgi M. Yüksel, C. Shawn Green and Haley A. Vlach

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15050706 - 21 May 2025

Abstract

When students choose their own learning strategies, they often rely on ineffective methods, such as rereading and cramming, which have limited long-term benefits. To improve learning outcomes, previous interventions have utilized explicit instruction about effective strategies and direct experience with those strategies, though [...] Read more.

When students choose their own learning strategies, they often rely on ineffective methods, such as rereading and cramming, which have limited long-term benefits. To improve learning outcomes, previous interventions have utilized explicit instruction about effective strategies and direct experience with those strategies, though with mixed success. Yüksel et al. demonstrated that combining both approaches could foster initial improvements in students’ understanding and use of effective learning strategies. In Study 1, we examined the long-term effects of this combined intervention by contacting participants six months later to assess the stability of outcomes. In Study 2, we extended the scope by surveying all students who had enrolled in the intervention section over the past five years. Participants were asked about their use and perceived effectiveness of various strategies. In both studies, quantitative measures were complemented with open-ended questions to gain deeper insights into study behaviors and obstacles to adopting effective strategies. While students retained an understanding of the effectiveness of various strategies and reported using ineffective strategies less frequently, the adoption of more effective strategies did not show a significant increase. However, compared to the business-as-usual group, the intervention group did not experience a decline in their use of effective strategies. These results suggest that while explicit instruction and experience can enhance knowledge, long-term behavior change remains difficult. Reported obstacles—such as time constraints, limited resources, procrastination, and prioritizing short-term gains—align with metacognitive theories of desirable difficulties and help explain why students still favor less effortful strategies, despite knowing more effective ones that require greater effort and delayed rewards. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Educational Applications of Cognitive Psychology)

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17 pages, 417 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring How AI Literacy and Self-Regulated Learning Relate to Student Writing Performance and Well-Being in Generative AI-Supported Higher Education

by Jiajia Shi, Weitong Liu and Ke Hu

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 705; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15050705 - 20 May 2025

Abstract

The integration of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) into higher education is transforming students’ learning processes, academic performance, and psychological well-being. Despite the increasing adoption of GAI tools, the mechanisms through which students’ AI literacy and self-regulated learning (SRL) relate to their academic and [...] Read more.

The integration of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) into higher education is transforming students’ learning processes, academic performance, and psychological well-being. Despite the increasing adoption of GAI tools, the mechanisms through which students’ AI literacy and self-regulated learning (SRL) relate to their academic and emotional experiences remain underexplored. This study investigates how AI literacy and SRL are associated with writing performance and digital well-being among university students in GAI-supported higher learning contexts. A survey was administered to 257 students from universities in China, and structural equation modeling was used to examine the hypothesized relationships. Results show that both AI literacy and SRL significantly and positively predict students’ writing performance, with SRL having a stronger effect. Moreover, AI literacy shows a positive association with GAI-driven well-being, with writing performance serving as a partial mediator in this relationship. These findings suggest that fostering both technological competencies and effective learning strategies may support students’ academic outcomes while supporting their psychological well-being in AI-enriched educational environments. By integrating AI literacy and SRL into a unified model, this study contributes to the growing body of research on GAI-driven well-being in higher education and offers practical implications for cultivating balanced and sustainable learning experiences in the age of GAI. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Well-Being in Educational Contexts: Social–Psychological Perspectives and Innovations)

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24 pages, 307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“Get Well Enough to Make the Right Decision for Themselves”—Experiences and Perspectives of Clinicians Working with People with Serious Mental Illness and Their Substitute Decision Makers

by Samuel Law, Vicky Stergiopoulos, Juveria Zaheer and Arash Nakhost

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 704; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15050704 - 20 May 2025

Abstract

In the current clinical psychiatric practice in most of the world, treatment decisions are based on a person’s capacity to make these decisions. When a person lacks the capacity to understand and appreciate treatment decisions, in many jurisdictions a third-party substitute decision maker [...] Read more.

In the current clinical psychiatric practice in most of the world, treatment decisions are based on a person’s capacity to make these decisions. When a person lacks the capacity to understand and appreciate treatment decisions, in many jurisdictions a third-party substitute decision maker (SDM) is appointed on his or her behalf in order to promote safety and optimal clinical outcome. In Ontario, Canada, for example, family members (typically) or public guardians are appointed as SDMs, and they form an integral part of the medical–legal system in psychiatric care. Clinicians working with both patients and their SDMs in these circumstances encounter unique challenges and deliver care in specialized ways, though little research has focused on their experiences and reflections. Based on focus group data, this qualitative study uses a descriptive and interpretative phenomenological approach through thematic analysis to examine these aspects from clinicians working in both inpatient and outpatient settings of an urban teaching hospital’s psychiatric services in Toronto, Canada. Seven key themes emerged: Clinicians (1) appreciate hardships and challenges in lives of SDMs and patients—including the challenging emotions and experiences on both sides, and the risks and relational changes from being an SDM; (2) have an understanding of the patient’s situation and respect for patient autonomy and wishes—they are promoter of autonomy and mindful of patients’ prior wishes amidst patients’ fluctuating capacity, facilitating communication, keeping patients informed and promoting transitioning from SDM to self-determination; (3) have a special working relationship with family SDMs—including supporting SDMs, avoiding harm from delayed or denied treatment, and educating and collaborating with SDMs while maintaining professional boundaries; (4) at times find it difficult working with SDMs—stemming from working with over-involved or uninterested family SDMs, coping with perceived poor SDM decisions, and they sometimes ponder if SDMs are necessary; (5) delineate differences between family and Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) SDMs—they see PGT as closely aligned with medical decision makers, while family SDMs are more intimately involved and more likely to disagree with a physician’s recommendation; (6) recognize the importance of the SDM role in various contexts—through seeing social values in having SDMs, and acknowledging that having SDMS help them to feel better about their actions as they work to protect the patients; and (7) express ideas on how to improve the current system—at public, societal, and family SDM levels. We conclude that clinicians have unique mediating roles, with privilege and responsibility in understanding the different roles and challenges patients and SDMs face, and have opportunities to improve patient and SDM experiences, clinical outcomes, carry out education, and advocate for ethically just decisions. These clinical roles also come with frustration, discomfort, moral distress and at times vicarious trauma. Clinicians’ unique understanding of this complex and nuanced intersection of patient care provides insight into the core issues of autonomy, duty to care and protect, advocacy, and emotional dynamics involved in this sector as a larger philosophical and social movement to abolish SDMs, as advocated by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD), is taking place. We briefly discuss the role of supported decision making as an alternative as. Full article

45 pages, 4576 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Reconfiguring Pain Interpretation Within a Social Model of Health Using a Simplified Version of Wilber’s All Quadrant All Levels Framework: An Integral Vision

by Mark I. Johnson

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 703; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15050703 - 20 May 2025

Abstract

Despite the proliferation of biomedical and psychological treatments, the global burden of chronic intractable (long-term) pain remains high—a treatment-prevalence paradox. The biopsychosocial model, introduced in the 1970s, is central to strategies for managing pain, but has been criticised for being decontextualised and fragmented, [...] Read more.

Despite the proliferation of biomedical and psychological treatments, the global burden of chronic intractable (long-term) pain remains high—a treatment-prevalence paradox. The biopsychosocial model, introduced in the 1970s, is central to strategies for managing pain, but has been criticised for being decontextualised and fragmented, compromising the effectiveness of healthcare pain support services and patient care. The aim of this study was to apply a simplified version of Ken Wilber’s All Quadrant All Levels (AQAL) framework to pain in a healthcare context to advance a biopsychosocial understanding. Utilising domain knowledge, the author mapped features of pain and coping to intrasubjective, intraobjective, intersubjective, and interobjective quadrants (perspectives), as well as levels of psychological development. Narratives were crafted to synthesize the findings of mapping with literature from diverse disciplines within the contexts of salutogenesis and a social model of health. The findings showed that AQAL-mapping enhanced contextual biopsychosocial coherence and exposed the conceptual error of reifying pain. Its utility lay in highlighting upstream influences of the painogenic environment, supporting the reconfiguration of pain within a social model of health, as exemplified by the UK’s Rethinking Pain Service. In conclusion, a simple version of the AQAL framework served as a heuristic device to develop an integral vision of pain, opening opportunities for health promotion solutions within a salutogenic context. Full article

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