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Behavioral Sciences
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Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health
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Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Psychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 45225

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Stefano Eleuteri

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: psychological wellbeing; problem behavior; mental health; resilience; education; sexuality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mental health is a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal, community, and socio-economic development. The World Health Organization define mental health as a state of mental wellbeing that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and wellbeing that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships, and shape the world we live in. Mental health is perceived as more than an absence of mental disorders. It exists on a complex continuum, which is experienced differently from one person to the next, with varying degrees of difficulty and distress, and potentially very different social and clinical outcomes. In order to reach an optimal state of mental health, it is important to prevent psychological disease and to promote psychological wellbeing.

The focus of this Special Issue is the study of the prevention of psychological diseases and the promotion of psychological wellbeing. 

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Mental health prevention;
  • Psychological wellbeing promotion;
  • Quality of life and related factors;
  • Relationship between mental health and wellbeing;
  • Mental health care and treatment.

Dr. Stefano Eleuteri
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Behavioral Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • mental health
  • prevention
  • promotion
  • quality of life
  • wellbeing
  • treatment

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

19 pages, 378 KB  
Article
Psychometric Assessment of Screening Measures for Depression, Anxiety, Somatization, and Life Satisfaction in Honduran University Students
by Miguel Landa-Blanco, Raquel Mejía-Sánchez, Yarani Echenique, Dilcia Reyes-Murillo, Lina Mendoza-Recarte, Carolina Neves, Eliana Fuentes-Mendoza and Marcio Alexander Castillo-Díaz
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(11), 1546; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15111546 - 13 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 707
Abstract
This study evaluated the structural, convergent, and discriminant validity, invariance, and internal consistency of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder—7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire—9 (PHQ-9), Somatic Symptom Scale—8 (SSS-8), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) among 910 students at the National Autonomous University of Honduras. [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the structural, convergent, and discriminant validity, invariance, and internal consistency of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder—7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire—9 (PHQ-9), Somatic Symptom Scale—8 (SSS-8), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) among 910 students at the National Autonomous University of Honduras. Mental health issues are common among university students, with anxiety, depression, and somatization often co-occurring from a transdiagnostic perspective. Life satisfaction, meanwhile, is recognized as a protective factor for mental well-being. In response to rising psychological distress among university students, reliable mental health screening tools are critical for early detection and intervention. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the unidimensional structure of each scale, while multigroup CFA demonstrated gender invariance. Women reported higher anxiety, depression, and somatization scores, whereas men had higher life satisfaction. Internal consistency, measured by McDonald’s Omega (Ω) and composite reliability, was excellent for GAD-7 (Ω = 0.927), PHQ-9 (Ω = 0.919), and SSS-8 (Ω = 0.873). Convergent and discriminant validity were supported through significant correlations: GAD-7, PHQ-9, and SSS-8 were positively correlated with each other, and negatively correlated with SWLS. These findings confirm that the four scales are psychometrically sound instruments for evaluating mental health in Honduran university students. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health)
24 pages, 723 KB  
Article
Environmental and Socio-Demographic Influences on General Self-Efficacy in Norwegian Adolescents
by Catherine A. N. Lorentzen, Asle Bentsen, Elisabeth Gulløy and Kjell Ivar Øvergård
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(11), 1484; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15111484 - 31 Oct 2025
Viewed by 303
Abstract
General self-efficacy is identified as a modifiable determinant of adolescent mental health and well-being. This study sought to better understand how conditions in different environments of adolescents’ lives and socio-demographic factors are associated with adolescents’ general self-efficacy. We conducted a hierarchical multi-variable linear [...] Read more.
General self-efficacy is identified as a modifiable determinant of adolescent mental health and well-being. This study sought to better understand how conditions in different environments of adolescents’ lives and socio-demographic factors are associated with adolescents’ general self-efficacy. We conducted a hierarchical multi-variable linear regression analysis based on survey data from 2021 of a large population-based sample of Norwegian adolescents (n = 15,040). We found that better Relation to peers (β = 0.20, 95% CI [0.18; 0.22]) and Academic/social relation to teachers (β = 0.13, 95% CI [0.11; 0.14]), Perceived neighbourhood safety (β = 0.08, 95% CI [0.06; 0.10]), and Participation in physical activities (β = 0.07, 95% CI [0.06; 0.09]) had medium to small positive associations with adolescents’ general self-efficacy, whilst Parental involvement, Participation in organized music/cultural leisure activities, and Perceived access to neighbourhood leisure arenas had negligible associations with general self-efficacy. Boys reported a stronger general self-efficacy than girls (β = −0.17, 95% CI [−0.19; −0.16]) and Age and Socio-economic status had small positive associations with general self-efficacy (β = 0.08, 95% CI [0.07; 0.10] and 0.04, 95% CI [0.02; 0.06], respectively). We found some small moderation effects by socio-demographic factors in the associations between environmental factors and general self-efficacy. Our findings suggest that general self-efficacy-promoting initiatives that target adolescents apply a multi-sectorial and multi-level approach and pay particular attention to gender differences. A focus on facilitating adolescents’ experiences of mastery and access to relevant successful role models and supportive behaviour by adults and peers in the various contexts seems to be of particular importance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health)
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20 pages, 1527 KB  
Article
Public Sports Facility Availability in Living Communities and Mental Health of Older People in China: The Mediating Effect of Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction
by Shuhan Yan, Shengzhong Jiang, Xiaodong Dong, Xiuqi Guo and Mingzhe Chen
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(7), 991; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15070991 - 21 Jul 2025
Viewed by 896
Abstract
The aging of China’s population has created significant challenges for the mental health of older adults. However, limited research has examined how public sports facility availability in living communities supports older adults’ mental health. To explore this association, data were extracted from the [...] Read more.
The aging of China’s population has created significant challenges for the mental health of older adults. However, limited research has examined how public sports facility availability in living communities supports older adults’ mental health. To explore this association, data were extracted from the 2016 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey, which involved 7811 respondents. The ordinary least squares model and the instrumental variable approach were employed to test the association between public sports facility availability in Chinese older adults’ living communities and their mental health. The bootstrapping method was used to estimate the mediating effect of physical activity and life satisfaction. The results indicate that public sports facility availability in living communities was significantly correlated with a decrease in depressive symptoms among older people (coefficient = −0.225; p < 0.01), which suggests that a greater availability of public sports facilities in living communities is related to the better mental health of older adults. The results of the mediation analysis show that physical activity and life satisfaction were identified as mediating mechanisms. This study suggests that increasing the availability of public sports facilities in older adults’ living communities can alleviate depression and promote better mental health. Our findings provide valuable policy implications for enhancing public sports infrastructure and promoting healthy aging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health)
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18 pages, 659 KB  
Article
Interaction Between Social Support and Muscle Dysmorphia: The Role of Self-Efficacy and Social Media Use
by Fiorenza Giordano, Danilo Calaresi, Loriana Castellani, Valeria Verrastro, Tommaso Feraco and Valeria Saladino
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020122 - 24 Jan 2025
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3806
Abstract
Muscle dysmorphia (MD) consists of a type of body dysmorphic disorder and involves a distorted perception of one’s muscles, strict diets, and workouts. Mostly, studies focus on adult male athletes, especially bodybuilders, while research on adolescents and women is limited. Our study aims [...] Read more.
Muscle dysmorphia (MD) consists of a type of body dysmorphic disorder and involves a distorted perception of one’s muscles, strict diets, and workouts. Mostly, studies focus on adult male athletes, especially bodybuilders, while research on adolescents and women is limited. Our study aims to explore potential protective or risk factors influencing MD, using a mediation model calculated through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and at the same time help to involve female individuals in the exploration of a distress traditionally and predominantly analyzed only in male individuals. The model examines whether problematic social media use (PSMU) and generalized self-efficacy (GSE) are potential first- and second-level mediators, respectively, in the relationship between perceived social support (PSS) and MD. The sample consisted of 2325 individuals of both sexes aged 14–29 years. Structural equation models were used to assess effect sizes, regressions, and direct and indirect effects of perceived social support on muscle dysmorphia and general self-efficacy both on problematic social media use and muscle dysmorphia. Our results suggest that inadequate perceived social support may reduce individuals’ perceived effectiveness in managing daily challenges, potentially leading to problematic use of social media, which may contribute to muscle dysmorphia symptoms. Future interventions could promote a healthier perception of one’s body, improving confidence in individuals’ coping strategies and strengthening the social environment of reference. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health)
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24 pages, 314 KB  
Article
Predictors of Young Adult Women’s Psychological Well-Being in Romantic Relationships
by Elif Yöyen, Süreyya Çalık and Tülay Güneri Barış
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(1), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15010082 - 18 Jan 2025
Viewed by 5398
Abstract
Psychological well-being is the experience of fewer negative emotions, such as feelings of loneliness, depression, and low mood, and more positive emotions, such as taking pride in one’s life, being enthusiastic about one’s life, and having a highly satisfying purpose in life. In [...] Read more.
Psychological well-being is the experience of fewer negative emotions, such as feelings of loneliness, depression, and low mood, and more positive emotions, such as taking pride in one’s life, being enthusiastic about one’s life, and having a highly satisfying purpose in life. In other words, it describes an individual who is happy and free from psychopathology. Psychological well-being in romantic relationships is influenced by several factors, such as empathy, relationship stability, and quality of sex life. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between psychological well-being and empathy, quality of sexual life, love, relationship intimacy, and relationship stability among women in romantic relationships. This study included 415 female participants aged 23–45 who had been in a romantic relationship for at least 12 months. Data were collected using the Sociodemographic Data Form, the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS), the Basic Empathy Scale (BES), the Sexual Quality of Life Scale—Women’s Form (SQLS), the Relationship Stability Scale (RSS), the Passionate Love Scale (PLS) and the Romantic Relationship Closeness Scale (RRCS). Independent group t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation analysis, and regression analysis were used to analyse the data. The analyses found that the variables that predicted psychological well-being were the relationship satisfaction sub-dimension of the relationship stability scale, quality of sexual life, empathy, and having children. In addition, correlational analysis revealed that empathy, sexual quality of life, intimacy in romantic relationships, relationship satisfaction, and relationship attachment were significantly positively correlated with psychological well-being. In terms of demographic information, it was found that scores for evaluating options in the relationship increased as education level increased; scores for investing in the relationship increased as education level decreased; passionate love was more common among working women; having children increased psychological well-being but decreased intimacy in romantic relationships; and quality of sexual life increased as seriousness in the relationship increased. The results of this study may be useful to psychologists and psychiatrists in their studies of female clients, to sociologists and public health specialists in their studies of women, and to policy makers in determining public health policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health)
12 pages, 831 KB  
Article
Secondary Female Anorgasmia in Patients with Obsessive Traits: A Study
by Giulio Perrotta and Stefano Eleuteri
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 953; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14100953 - 16 Oct 2024
Viewed by 2879
Abstract
Background: In the literature, female anorgasmia (AO) is closely related to obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), but no publication has explored the role of individual obsessive traits that may also be typical of other disorders, assuming that repetitive thoughts and compulsions must necessarily correspond [...] Read more.
Background: In the literature, female anorgasmia (AO) is closely related to obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), but no publication has explored the role of individual obsessive traits that may also be typical of other disorders, assuming that repetitive thoughts and compulsions must necessarily correspond to an obsessive-type neurotic profile. It is worth investigating and assessing the specific weight of other morbid conditions involved, beyond OCD. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted during 2022–2023 by selecting 208 Italian clinical patients from private databases. They submitted to individual clinical interviews and two psychometric questionnaires (Perrotta Integrative Clinical Interviews 3, PICI-3-TA, and Perrotta Individual Sexual Matrix Questionnaire, PSM-Q). Results: Among the 208 patients (M: 39.05 years), divided into subgroups by age and obsessive symptomatology, no significant differences were found between the subgroups in the comparisons of the data obtained from the administration of the PSM-Q. Conclusions: This study confirms that it is not OCD that correlates with OA but obsessive traits, which are also common to other psychopathological disorders, such as bipolar disorder, borderline disorder, manic, and psychotic disorders and, therefore, in psychotherapy, it is necessary to intervene with a clinical approach that has in mind the patient’s psychopathological personality picture and the causes that originated or reinforced OA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health)
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11 pages, 268 KB  
Article
Exploring the Relationship between Self-Compassion and Psychological Pain: A Canonical Correlation Analysis
by Ariana Garabedian, Alexandra Dluzniewski, Russell T. Baker and Madeline P. Casanova
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 631; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080631 - 24 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2685
Abstract
This study investigated the association between self-compassion and psychological pain across various demographic variables. Using canonical correlation analysis, we observed an inverse relationship between the combined factors of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) and the Orbach and Mikulincer Mental Pain Scale (OMMP-8). Subgroup analyses [...] Read more.
This study investigated the association between self-compassion and psychological pain across various demographic variables. Using canonical correlation analysis, we observed an inverse relationship between the combined factors of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) and the Orbach and Mikulincer Mental Pain Scale (OMMP-8). Subgroup analyses revealed differences in SCS subscales among demographic groups with females, individuals with mental health diagnoses, and non-athletes displaying higher scores on negative SCS subscales and PsyPn. Injury status did not significantly affect self-compassion levels, although injured individuals scored higher on the irreversibility subscale of PsyPn. Negative SCS factors exhibited larger group differences and stronger correlations with PsyPn, indicating the potency of negative thinking in influencing psychological pain. These findings underscore the importance of self-compassion in mental health and suggest potential implications for intervention strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health)

Review

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12 pages, 339 KB  
Review
Student Burnout: A Review on Factors Contributing to Burnout Across Different Student Populations
by Liang Zhe Chong, Lee Kien Foo and Sook-Ling Chua
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020170 - 5 Feb 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 21214
Abstract
Burnout refers to a process of chronic response to stress in life. For students, burnout can be caused by the stress related to their study. There are many factors that contribute to burnout in different student populations. The objective of this paper is [...] Read more.
Burnout refers to a process of chronic response to stress in life. For students, burnout can be caused by the stress related to their study. There are many factors that contribute to burnout in different student populations. The objective of this paper is to review the studies that investigated the factors contributing to burnout in various student populations. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we selected 38 recent studies, published between 2019 and 2024. The findings of this review outline the study design, burnout questionnaire, factors investigated, and analysis methods employed in the literature. We further discuss the main factors contributing to student burnout and propose ways to mitigate this issue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health)
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16 pages, 1006 KB  
Review
Just-World Beliefs, System Justification, and Their Relationship with People’s Health-Related Well-Being: A Narrative Review
by Camilo Silva, Víctor Pedrero, Jaime Barrientos, Jorge Manzi and Katiuska Reynaldos
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 941; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14100941 - 14 Oct 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5188
Abstract
Beliefs about a social system help people understand and evaluate their environment and are related to their behavior within a society. When people believe that they live in a just social system and develop positive attitudes about the social and political environment, they [...] Read more.
Beliefs about a social system help people understand and evaluate their environment and are related to their behavior within a society. When people believe that they live in a just social system and develop positive attitudes about the social and political environment, they experience greater satisfaction and well-being. This phenomenon is known as a palliative effect. Two theoretical approaches that explain support for social and political systems are the beliefs in a just world and system justification approaches. The objective of this review was to analyze the literature published between 2019 and 2023 that addressed the associations of beliefs in a just world and system justification with health-related well-being. The search yielded 2064 potentially eligible articles, 26 of which were ultimately selected. The results showed that beliefs in a just world are associated with a more positive perception of the world and better health outcomes. In addition, people with a greater propensity to justify the system experience higher levels of health-related well-being. This positive association is consistently observed across different social groups and contexts. These findings support the phenomenon of palliative effects attributable to beliefs in a just world and system justification. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health)
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