Behavioral Sciences

16 pages, 391 KB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling the Interplay Between Perceived Teacher Confirmation, L2 Grit and Well-Being Among Chinese EFL Students

by Xiaojing Hu, Jingke Xu and Haizi Wang

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1397; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081397 - 14 Aug 2026

Studies on language-learning psychology demonstrate that perceived teacher confirmation may contribute to student motivation, grit and engagement. However, little attention has been paid to investigating the role of perceived teacher confirmation in language learners’ well-being, including those who learn English as a foreign [...] Read more.

Studies on language-learning psychology demonstrate that perceived teacher confirmation may contribute to student motivation, grit and engagement. However, little attention has been paid to investigating the role of perceived teacher confirmation in language learners’ well-being, including those who learn English as a foreign language. Moreover, the potential working mechanism between perceived teacher confirmation and student well-being remains unsolved. In order to address these gaps, the current study aimed to investigate to what extent teacher confirmation may contribute to EFL learners’ sense of well-being via the mediating role of L2 grit. A total of 440 Chinese college-level EFL learners were recruited through convenience sampling to complete an online composite questionnaire. Pearson correlation and structural equation modeling were employed for statistical analyses. The results were as follows: (1) teacher confirmation was positively associated with Chinese EFL learners’ well-being; (2) L2 grit mediated the relationship between perceived teacher confirmation and EFL learners’ well-being. The research findings reveal that the employment of teacher confirmation behaviors in EFL settings may help to develop learners’ perseverance and sustain their interest in learning a language and, in turn, enhance their sense of well-being. Drawing on the findings, pedagogical implications were systematically discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Well-Being and Coping Strategies in Educational Psychology)

32 pages, 717 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Adoption to Continuance: A Longitudinal Qualitative Exploration of University EFL Teachers’ Motivation for Continued Use of GenAI Based on Self-Determination Theory

by Chunhua Mao and Yonghong Zeng

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1396; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081396 - 14 Aug 2026

Abstract

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has been rapidly integrated into higher education, yet current studies largely rely on quantitative frameworks that capture initial adoption, leaving university EFL teachers’ motivational evolution for continued use of GenAI underexplored. To address this gap, this longitudinal qualitative study [...] Read more.

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has been rapidly integrated into higher education, yet current studies largely rely on quantitative frameworks that capture initial adoption, leaving university EFL teachers’ motivational evolution for continued use of GenAI underexplored. To address this gap, this longitudinal qualitative study explores the motivational evolution and psychological need experience of 15 university EFL teachers’continued use of GenAI grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Data were collected through two rounds of semi-structured interviews over one year and analyzed in NVivo 11 PLUS. Our findings reveal a dynamic evolution of motivation from external regulation to value identification and professional identity integration. Crucially, need satisfaction and need frustration provide important psychological foundations for teachers’ motivation internalization. Notably, while need satisfaction directly facilitates university EFL teachers’ continued use of GenAI, need frustration can actually act as a potential catalyst that facilitates EFL teachers to form long-term continued use of GenAI through iterative reflection and instructional adjustment. This study extends the application of SDT within the GenAI education context, indicating that university EFL teachers’ continued use of GenAI is not merely a process of technology adoption, but also a process of professional growth and professional identity integration. The results provided preliminary implications for teacher professional development, GenAI design and education policy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI Use and Academic Development)

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25 pages, 955 KB

Open AccessArticle

Parenting Profiles in Chinese Preschool Families: Parental Emotional Intelligence and Children’s Social Competence

by Songliang Li and Xiaosong Gai

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1395; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081395 - 14 Aug 2026

Abstract

Parental emotional intelligence (EI) has been associated with children’s socio-emotional development, yet less is known about how parental EI is associated with naturally occurring configurations of parenting practices. This cross-sectional study investigated two complementary statistical indirect associations connecting parental EI to preschoolers’ social [...] Read more.

Parental emotional intelligence (EI) has been associated with children’s socio-emotional development, yet less is known about how parental EI is associated with naturally occurring configurations of parenting practices. This cross-sectional study investigated two complementary statistical indirect associations connecting parental EI to preschoolers’ social competence using a sample of 13,398 Chinese families: a variable-centered pathway via positive and negative parenting practices, and a person-centered pathway via distinct parenting profiles. Exploratory latent profile analysis yielded four sample-specific parenting configurations: high-positive/low-negative (27.49%), near-average (55.19%), low-positive/elevated-negative (9.16%), and mixed slightly positive/high-negative (8.16%). Parental EI exhibited a positive concurrent association with children’s overall social competence. Positive and negative parenting statistically accounted for part of this bivariate association at the variable level, while parenting profile membership provided complementary person-centered information about differences in child social competence. Family climate was incorporated as an auxiliary contextual correlate and was not framed as a core predictor, mediator, or moderator within the focal model. Given the cross-sectional single-wave design and caregiver-reported data for all key constructs, all observed patterns should only be interpreted as correlational associations, rather than empirical support for causal mediation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emotional Intelligence and Psychological Well-Being in Children and Adolescents)

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43 pages, 9301 KB

Open AccessArticle

Social Crowding and Shared Consumption with Close Friends Versus Strangers

by Lingling He, Wencai Zhou, Yuqi Qian, Shichang Liang, Jing Lin and Lingrui Tu

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1394; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081394 - 14 Aug 2026

Abstract

This study investigates how social crowding (e.g., overcrowded environments) influences individuals’ preferences for different modes of shared consumption (sharing-in vs. sharing-out). While existing research has predominantly explored shared consumption through the perspective of non-psychosocial environmental factors (e.g., time scarcity), this study shifts the [...] Read more.

This study investigates how social crowding (e.g., overcrowded environments) influences individuals’ preferences for different modes of shared consumption (sharing-in vs. sharing-out). While existing research has predominantly explored shared consumption through the perspective of non-psychosocial environmental factors (e.g., time scarcity), this study shifts the focus to psychosocial environmental factors by analyzing the underlying mechanism through which social crowding shapes preferences for these modes of shared consumption. We conducted one field experiment and three scenario-based laboratory experiments to manipulate social crowding (vs. non-social crowding) across three distinct contexts: (1) restaurant-based social scenarios, (2) shopping mall consumption contexts, and (3) beach tourism settings. Across these experiments, diverse categories of shared goods were employed to examine participants’ preferences for sharing-in versus sharing-out. The findings demonstrate that social crowding increases individuals’ preference for sharing with close friends (i.e., sharing-in), whereas non-social crowding enhances their preference for sharing with strangers (i.e., sharing-out). This relationship is mediated by psychological distance. Furthermore, resource mindset (scarcity vs. abundance) moderates this effect. Specifically, under a scarcity mindset, social crowding strengthens preferences for sharing-in, whereas under an abundance mindset, it promotes preferences for sharing-out. By conceptualizing shared consumption from a psychosocial environmental perspective, this research extends current understanding of how environmental social cues shape interpersonal consumption decisions and provides practical implications for collaborative consumption platforms, hospitality services, retail environments, tourism destinations, and public service design. Specifically, platform managers and service designers can strategically optimize spatial layouts and perceived crowding levels to strengthen social connectedness among close friends or foster positive interactions between strangers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Social Psychology)

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20 pages, 288 KB

Open AccessArticle

Artificial Intelligence Connectedness: Theoretical Reconstruction of Connectedness and Its Impacts on Adolescent Mental Health

by Jinbin Fu and Fang Zhao

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1393; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081393 - 14 Aug 2026

Abstract

The widespread penetration of generative artificial intelligence is reshaping adolescents’ social ecosystems and emotional experiences, while challenging the interpretive boundaries of traditional connectedness theories. Following the logical path of “connotation reconstruction–extension transformation–concept construction”, this study integrates the ethics of care and neo-ecological theory [...] Read more.

The widespread penetration of generative artificial intelligence is reshaping adolescents’ social ecosystems and emotional experiences, while challenging the interpretive boundaries of traditional connectedness theories. Following the logical path of “connotation reconstruction–extension transformation–concept construction”, this study integrates the ethics of care and neo-ecological theory to systematically construct a theoretical framework of artificial intelligence connectedness. First, tracing theories across philosophy, sociology, and psychology, this research reconstructs the core connotation of connectedness rooted in the ethics of care, proposes the continuum hypothesis of caring relationships, and clarifies AI’s unique position on this continuum. Second, from the neo-ecological perspective, this paper sorts out the extended structure of connectedness and demonstrates the ecological shifts brought by the rise of virtual microsystems and the entry of AI actors. On this basis, the study formally defines artificial intelligence connectedness and establishes its three-dimensional structure: demand identification, two-way behavioral engagement, and responsive confirmation. Through systematic comparison with adjacent concepts, this paper identifies its uniqueness and positions it as a specific subtype of connectedness for the digital era. It defines it as a perceived bond that is both psychologically real and ethically asymmetric, carrying asymmetric risks under particular usage conditions and design logics. Finally, this paper builds a dual interpretive framework integrating traditional connectedness and artificial intelligence connectedness, verifies its incremental validity and unique predictive power, and puts forward falsifiable research propositions. This study expands the boundary of connectedness theory and provides an integrated analytical framework for parsing the complex mental health mechanisms of adolescents in the digital age. However, it should be noted that the artificial intelligence connectedness proposed in this study is currently a theoretical construct; its scientific validity and applicability remain to be verified through the development of standardized measurement tools and systematic empirical research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Developmental Psychology)

23 pages, 904 KB

Open AccessArticle

Perceived Algorithmic Control and Work Engagement in Platform Gig Work: Asymmetric Pathways via Role Stress and Emotional Exhaustion

by Chunna Shi, Di Zhang, Junping Ma, Jianping Hou, Li Cao and Yong Yang

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1392; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081392 - 13 Aug 2026

Abstract

Algorithmic management is central to platform gig work, but its distinct forms of control may relate differently to worker strain. We examine these relationships in food delivery, a typical form of platform gig work. In this setting, algorithms continuously allocate tasks, track performance, [...] Read more.

Algorithmic management is central to platform gig work, but its distinct forms of control may relate differently to worker strain. We examine these relationships in food delivery, a typical form of platform gig work. In this setting, algorithms continuously allocate tasks, track performance, evaluate workers, and shape behavior. The Stressor–Strain–Outcome (S-S-O) model provides the overarching framework. The Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) perspective explains why the three control dimensions may show different associations, while cognitive appraisal theory provides a supplementary lens. Specifically, the study links standardized guidance, tracking evaluation, and behavioral constraints to work engagement through role stress and emotional exhaustion, with overall social support as a moderator. Survey data from 608 food-delivery workers were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with 5000 bootstrap resamples. Standardized guidance was negatively associated with role stress and emotional exhaustion, whereas tracking evaluation and behavioral constraints were positively associated with both. Role stress and emotional exhaustion each carried significant indirect associations with work engagement; the serial indirect associations were significant but small. Overall social support strengthened the positive associations of tracking evaluation and behavioral constraints with both strain variables. For standardized guidance, however, higher support strengthened, rather than weakened, the negative associations with strain. Predictive assessment, control-variable models, and covariance-based SEM sensitivity analyses produced broadly consistent findings. These results show that distinct forms of algorithmic control relate differently to strain. Because the data are cross-sectional and were collected from food-delivery workers, causal and temporal inferences, as well as generalization across occupations, remain limited. Full article

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22 pages, 289 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Evaluation of a University-Based External Coaching Program for School Behavioral Health

by Katherine A. Perkins, Kristen Figas, Abigail Westbrook, Susan Barrett, Kimberly Yanek and Mark D. Weist

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1391; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081391 - 13 Aug 2026

Abstract

School behavioral health (SBH) systems coaching is a developing approach to implementation support for the delivery of high-quality behavioral health support in schools through a multi-tiered prevention and intervention framework. Articulating coaching components and understanding how, when, and why external coaching supports systems [...] Read more.

School behavioral health (SBH) systems coaching is a developing approach to implementation support for the delivery of high-quality behavioral health support in schools through a multi-tiered prevention and intervention framework. Articulating coaching components and understanding how, when, and why external coaching supports systems change and implementation are essential, but research on the nature, scope, mechanisms, and effectiveness of external coaching for school behavioral health is limited. In the current study, we describe the development and implementation of the School Behavioral Health Academy (SBHA) Coaching program in South Carolina and present findings from a qualitative formative evaluation study. Thematic analysis of key informant interviews with district and school program implementation leaders (N = 8) provides evidence of perceived improvements in systems practices and positive staff and student outcomes related to participation in SBHA Coaching. Articulated barriers and facilitators point to potential mechanisms of change and implementation determinants. Participants described perceived changes and needs related to SBH understanding, infrastructure, norms, and mindsets, as well as the coaching skills and methods they found influential. Results are interpreted in relation to behavior change theory, systems change theory, and the Implementation Drivers Framework. Future directions for program development, research, and practice are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Implementation Support for School Behavioral Health Systems to Amplify Positive Student and School Outcomes)

22 pages, 577 KB

Open AccessArticle

International Students’ Academic Adjustment in South Korea: A Qualitative Case Study

by Yuanying Jin, Jieun Kang and Xiaocheng Wang

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1390; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081390 - 13 Aug 2026

Abstract

Although research on international students’ academic experiences in South Korean universities has steadily grown, relatively little attention has been paid to how undergraduate international students from diverse national backgrounds experience and navigate academic adjustment in their everyday university lives. To address this gap, [...] Read more.

Although research on international students’ academic experiences in South Korean universities has steadily grown, relatively little attention has been paid to how undergraduate international students from diverse national backgrounds experience and navigate academic adjustment in their everyday university lives. To address this gap, this qualitative case study draws on the collective narratives of sixteen undergraduate international students enrolled at South Korean universities. The study examines how participants define academic adjustment, what factors they perceive as influencing their adjustment, and how they navigate the process of becoming academically adjusted. Data analysis generated three overarching themes and nine categories: (1) becoming a competent, connected and self-directed student; (2) negotiating adjustment amid barriers and support; (3) taking ownership through action and reflection. The findings offer implications for policymakers and educators seeking to support undergraduate international students’ academic adjustment in South Korean higher education. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Educational Psychology)

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18 pages, 828 KB

Open AccessArticle

HEXACO Personality Traits and Risky Choices in Hypothetical Financial Lotteries: A Repeated-Measures Study

by Bartosz Wiszniewski and Hanna Liberska

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1389; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081389 - 12 Aug 2026

Abstract

Risky choice depends not only on individual differences but also on characteristics of the decision context, including how decision problems are framed. This study examined whether HEXACO personality dimensions were associated with risky choices in four hypothetical financial lotteries varying by outcome domain [...] Read more.

Risky choice depends not only on individual differences but also on characteristics of the decision context, including how decision problems are framed. This study examined whether HEXACO personality dimensions were associated with risky choices in four hypothetical financial lotteries varying by outcome domain and stake size. A total of 310 Polish adults completed the HEXACO-60 inventory and made decisions in lotteries involving small gains, large gains, small losses, and large losses. Lottery type was strongly associated with choice: participants more often selected the safe option in gain conditions and the risky option in loss conditions. In contrast, only Honesty–Humility showed a significant overall association with risky choice after controlling for lottery type, whereas the remaining HEXACO dimensions did not. Interaction analyses further indicated that the associations of Honesty–Humility and Conscientiousness with risky choice varied across lottery scenarios. Higher Honesty–Humility was associated with lower odds of choosing the risky option in gain lotteries, whereas higher Conscientiousness was associated with higher odds of choosing the risky option in loss lotteries. These findings provide preliminary evidence that selected personality traits show context-dependent associations with risky choices across the four hypothetical lottery scenarios examined in this study. However, because the study used only four hypothetical scenarios, including two involving very large monetary amounts, these effects should be interpreted cautiously and require replication using broader and incentive-compatible measures of financial risk taking. Full article

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22 pages, 876 KB

Open AccessArticle

Attachment, Mate-Retention Strategies, and Intimate Partner Violence Victimisation: A Two-Wave Study in Brazil and the United Kingdom

by Bruna Nascimento, Kwanele Shishane, Lora Adair, Nelli Ferenczi, Xiancai Cao, Maame Ama Akwama Ackah and Matthew Callum May

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1388; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081388 - 12 Aug 2026

Abstract

The current study examined whether individual differences in attachment orientation, mate-retention tactics (benefit-provisioning and cost-inflicting strategies), and COVID-19-related stressors (impact, uncertainty, and perceived risk) were associated with IPV victimisation across two time points, one month apart, in Brazil and the UK (N [...] Read more.

The current study examined whether individual differences in attachment orientation, mate-retention tactics (benefit-provisioning and cost-inflicting strategies), and COVID-19-related stressors (impact, uncertainty, and perceived risk) were associated with IPV victimisation across two time points, one month apart, in Brazil and the UK (N = 1416 at Wave 1; N = 353 at Wave 2). Linear mixed-effects models controlled for age, sex, ethnicity, and relationship length. IPV victimisation did not significantly change over time, and COVID-19-related variables were not associated with any form of IPV. Brazilian participants reported higher psychological IPV than UK participants, although no country differences emerged for physical or sexual IPV. Cost-inflicting mate-retention strategies were positively associated with all forms of IPV in both countries, with consistently stronger associations in the UK. Attachment avoidance was positively associated with all forms of IPV in Brazil but was negatively associated with psychological and sexual IPV in the UK. Attachment anxiety and benefit-provisioning strategies were associated with psychological IPV in Brazil only. These findings suggest that associations between attachment, mate-retention strategies, and IPV victimisation may vary across cultural contexts, underscoring the value of culturally sensitive approaches to IPV research and intervention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Understanding the Foundations of Relationship Dynamics: Predictors of Quality and Conflict)

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18 pages, 611 KB

Open AccessArticle

Perceived School Safety and Creative Thinking: The Sequential Mediating Roles of Cooperation and Curiosity in Finland and Hong Kong (China)

by Xinxiu Jiang and Xiaorui Huang

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1387; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081387 - 12 Aug 2026

Abstract

Creative thinking requires students to explore uncertainty, express tentative ideas, and take intellectual risks, yet the role of perceived school safety as a broader learning-context condition for creative thinking remains underexamined. Using data from the 2022 cycle of the Programme for International Student [...] Read more.

Creative thinking requires students to explore uncertainty, express tentative ideas, and take intellectual risks, yet the role of perceived school safety as a broader learning-context condition for creative thinking remains underexamined. Using data from the 2022 cycle of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) from 10,239 students in Finland and 5907 students in Hong Kong (China), this study estimated two-level serial mediation models to examine the within-school associations of psychological–emotional safety, social interaction safety, and physical environmental safety with creative thinking through cooperation and curiosity. Physical environmental safety showed a positive direct association with creative thinking in both systems, and this association was stronger in Hong Kong (China). Psychological–emotional safety was positively associated with creative thinking through curiosity and through the sequential pathway from cooperation to curiosity in both systems. Social interaction safety showed no direct association with creative thinking but showed a positive sequential indirect association through cooperation and curiosity in both systems, with a stronger indirect effect in Finland. Indirect effects through cooperation alone were not significant, suggesting that cooperation may be more relevant to creative thinking when accompanied by curiosity. Curiosity was positively associated with creative thinking in both systems. The findings highlight perceived school safety as a multidimensional learning-context condition associated with creative thinking and suggest that curiosity represents a proximal process linking safety-related experiences with creative outcomes. Full article

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23 pages, 1247 KB

Open AccessReview

Transitioning to Civilian Life: How Are Life Meaning, Purpose and Identity Related to Wellbeing for Veterans? A Scoping Review

by Cassandra Walters, Lauren Miller-Lewis and Amy Johnson

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1386; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081386 - 12 Aug 2026

Abstract

Veterans transitioning out of full-time military service to civilian life face unique challenges which may adversely shape their wellbeing, including complex changes in a veteran’s sense of identity and experiences of meaning and purpose in life. There is an evidence-synthesis gap regarding how [...] Read more.

Veterans transitioning out of full-time military service to civilian life face unique challenges which may adversely shape their wellbeing, including complex changes in a veteran’s sense of identity and experiences of meaning and purpose in life. There is an evidence-synthesis gap regarding how transition affects veterans’ sense of identity, life meaning, purpose and overall wellbeing. A pre-registered scoping review of empirical studies was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute Scoping Review methodology. Overall, fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Key themes were identified in the evidence relating to the role of identity and life meaning and purpose in veteran wellbeing. The review found that veterans frequently report identity disruption and loss of meaning or purpose in life after transition, and these experiences were associated with lower wellbeing. Strongly held military identity, particularly viewing the military as family, was also associated with poorer wellbeing and adjustment in several studies. The review highlights the complex nature of transition and how it influences a veteran’s sense of identity, life meaning and purpose, and wellbeing. Military service can provide a strong sense of meaning and purpose to life, but transition may require veterans to renegotiate identity and develop new sources of life meaning and purpose. Further research is required to deepen understanding of veterans’ wellbeing needs, thereby informing the development of targeted supports that facilitate a successful transition to civilian life. Full article

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26 pages, 942 KB

Open AccessArticle

“Why Me?!” An Attribution Perspective on Employees’ Flight-or-Fight Responses to Customer Mistreatment

by Lele Fan, Anan Fan, Lijun Chen and Wenling Shao

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1385; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081385 - 12 Aug 2026

Abstract

Drawing on attribution theories, this study presents an integrated moderated serial mediation model to explain when and why customer mistreatment is associated with victimized employees’ contrasting “flight” and “fight” responses. Specifically, we propose that observed customer mistreatment serves as an individually perceived social [...] Read more.

Drawing on attribution theories, this study presents an integrated moderated serial mediation model to explain when and why customer mistreatment is associated with victimized employees’ contrasting “flight” and “fight” responses. Specifically, we propose that observed customer mistreatment serves as an individually perceived social cue that shapes how employees interpret and respond to their own mistreatment experiences. When similar mistreatment is rarely observed among colleagues, employees are more likely to see themselves as singled out, a perception accompanied by greater self-blame and, in turn, shame and psychological withdrawal. When such mistreatment is commonly observed, employees may instead hold customers responsible, which is linked to greater hostility and, in turn, retaliatory service sabotage. Using three-wave time-lagged data from 282 customer-service employees across various industries, we found support for the hypothesized moderating effects of observed customer mistreatment. The conditional serial indirect effect on psychological withdrawal through self-blame and shame was significant, whereas for service sabotage, the separate indirect effects through customer-directed blame and hostility were significant, but their serial indirect effect was not. These findings advance understanding of the boundary conditions and cognitive–affective processes that may underlie employees’ flight-or-fight reactions to customer mistreatment and offer implications for both theory and practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Organizational Behaviors)

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14 pages, 396 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Use of a Visual Scene Display for the Acquisition of Manding in Young Children with Complex Communication Needs

by Elizabeth R. Lorah, Sheida K. Raley, Madison Maddox, Whitney P. Moser, Christine Holyfield, Stephen MacNeil and Cynthia Zastudil

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1384; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081384 - 12 Aug 2026

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the use of an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered visual scene display (VSD) prototype, with a time delay, least-to-most prompting, and reinforcement in the acquisition of a mand repertoire for three preschool-aged children with complex communication needs [...] Read more.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the use of an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered visual scene display (VSD) prototype, with a time delay, least-to-most prompting, and reinforcement in the acquisition of a mand repertoire for three preschool-aged children with complex communication needs (CCN), including those with suspected or confirmed autism diagnoses. A non-concurrent multiple baseline design across participants was used to evaluate the effects of the VSD on independent manding. All three participants’ results suggest increases in independent manding following the introduction of the intervention. Brianna met the mastery criterion within nine intervention sessions, while Nick and Vera met the mastery criterion within nine and thirteen intervention sessions, respectively. Maintenance data suggested continued independent manding for two of the three participants following intervention. Results are consistent with previous research supporting the use of VSDs with young children with CCN and extend this literature by providing preliminary evidence for the use of AI-powered VSDs to support mand acquisition. Limitations of the prototype technology, clinical implications, and future directions are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Communication Intervention for Individuals with Autism)

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16 pages, 583 KB

Open AccessArticle

Reappraisal of Mental Illness-Related Beliefs During Psychiatric Clinical Exposure: Perceived Dangerousness, Ruminative Thought Style, and Cognitive–Metacognitive Characteristics

by İlker Güneysu, Seda Güneysu, Burcu Eser, Sare Aydın, Figen Ünal Demir, Mehmet Eren Yaşaran and Cansu Bak

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1383; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081383 - 12 Aug 2026

Abstract

Stigma-related beliefs toward mental illness may change during psychiatric clinical exposure, but individual differences in this process remain insufficiently understood. This single-center observational pre–post study examined observed changes in mental illness-related beliefs among 185 medical interns who completed an approximately 30-day psychiatry clerkship [...] Read more.

Stigma-related beliefs toward mental illness may change during psychiatric clinical exposure, but individual differences in this process remain insufficiently understood. This single-center observational pre–post study examined observed changes in mental illness-related beliefs among 185 medical interns who completed an approximately 30-day psychiatry clerkship between May 2025 and May 2026, with perceived dangerousness defined as the primary outcome. Beliefs were assessed before and after the exposure period using the Beliefs Toward Mental Illness Scale. Associations between baseline cognitive–metacognitive characteristics and observed change were evaluated using paired comparisons, linear mixed-effects models, and sensitivity analyses. Dangerousness scores decreased by the end of the exposure period, mean change = −2.66, 95% CI [−3.48, −1.81], q < 0.001, d_z = −0.47. Smaller decreases were observed in Helplessness and Deterioration in Interpersonal Relationships, whereas no significant change was found in the two-item Shame subscale. Higher baseline ruminative thought style was associated with a more limited decrease in dangerousness scores; B = 1.70, SE = 0.55, 95% CI [0.62, 2.77], q = 0.023. Although this association was consistent across sensitivity analyses, its incremental contribution was small (ΔR²_marginal = 0.017; f² = 0.018 in the focused model). The finding should therefore be interpreted as a quantitatively modest association with observed belief change, not as a clinically meaningful predictor. Because the study included no concurrent control group or experimental manipulation and was conducted at one center, it does not establish a causal clerkship effect or support educational screening based on ruminative thought style. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Psychiatric, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders)

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18 pages, 321 KB

Open AccessArticle

Intragroup Judgements of Norm Violators Under the Threat of COVID-19

by Arabella Sinclair-Thompson and John A. Hunter

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1382; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081382 - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

The Black Sheep Effect (BSE) posits that deviant in-group members are judged more harshly than deviant out-group members. The present investigation sought to delineate the relative contribution of both group identity and norms to the expression of the BSE. Two studies were conducted [...] Read more.

The Black Sheep Effect (BSE) posits that deviant in-group members are judged more harshly than deviant out-group members. The present investigation sought to delineate the relative contribution of both group identity and norms to the expression of the BSE. Two studies were conducted in the context of threats (i.e., pathogen intensity and variations in group norms) induced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each study tested three basic hypotheses. First, that norm violators (i.e., black sheep) would be more negatively evaluated than norm followers. Second, that both group identity and norms would be associated with the negative evaluations of norm violators. Third, that norm violators would be judged more harshly by those who experience the greatest threat (i.e., via pathogen intensity in Study 1 and norm strength in Study 2). Both studies revealed that in-group members who violated COVID-19 norms were judged more harshly than in-group members who adhered to these norms. No evidence was found to show that social identity or threat (as variously manipulated) impacted the BSE. Norms, however, did make a modest contribution to explaining the BSE in both studies. Study 2 revealed that only prescriptive norms were associated with the expression of the BSE. These findings were confirmed in re-analysis of the results found in Study 1. These findings support the idea that prescriptive rather descriptive norms drive the BSE. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Social Psychology)

16 pages, 646 KB

Open AccessArticle

Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being Among Older Adults: A Dual Social–Affective Pathway Model

by Sejoong Lee, Byoungwook Ahn and Chaeman Na

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1381; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081381 - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

Physical activity is associated with psychological well-being in later life, yet the interpersonal and affective pathways underlying this relationship remain unclear. Using data from the 2020 Korean National Survey of Older Persons, this study examined associations among physical activity, social contact, positive affect, [...] Read more.

Physical activity is associated with psychological well-being in later life, yet the interpersonal and affective pathways underlying this relationship remain unclear. Using data from the 2020 Korean National Survey of Older Persons, this study examined associations among physical activity, social contact, positive affect, and evaluative psychological well-being. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were conducted using AMOS 26.0, with indirect effects evaluated through bias-corrected bootstrapping with 5000 resamples. Physical activity was positively associated with both social contact and positive affect, which were, in turn, positively associated with psychological well-being. The direct association between physical activity and psychological well-being was not statistically significant (β = 0.019, p = 0.077), whereas the total indirect association through social contact and positive affect was significant (β = 0.109, 95% CI [0.094, 0.125], p < 0.001). The model explained 29.7% of the variance in psychological well-being. These findings are consistent with a dual interpersonal–affective perspective on the association between physical activity and psychological well-being in later life. Given the cross-sectional design, these associations should be interpreted as statistical rather than causal. The social-contact pathway should be interpreted with caution, as this construct showed limited reliability and convergent validity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological and Behavioral Pathways to Cognitive Decline in Older Adults)

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24 pages, 575 KB

Open AccessArticle

When More Is Not Always Better: Linear and Nonlinear Predictors of Maternal Wellbeing During Pregnancy

by Risvan Vlad Rusu, Dan Octavian Rusu and Cristian Delcea

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1380; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081380 - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

Maternal wellbeing during pregnancy is an important component of maternal mental health and has implications for both maternal and child outcomes. Although psychological resources such as self-control and social support are generally assumed to promote wellbeing, maternal wellbeing may also be influenced by [...] Read more.

Maternal wellbeing during pregnancy is an important component of maternal mental health and has implications for both maternal and child outcomes. Although psychological resources such as self-control and social support are generally assumed to promote wellbeing, maternal wellbeing may also be influenced by psychological vulnerabilities, including perceived stress and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) symptoms. Recent theoretical perspectives further suggest that some beneficial characteristics may exhibit diminishing returns at higher levels. This study examined linear and nonlinear associations among perceived stress, ADHD symptoms, self-control, perceived social support, and maternal wellbeing during the second trimester of pregnancy. A sample of 149 first-time pregnant women from Romania completed measures of maternal wellbeing, perceived stress, ADHD symptoms, self-control, and perceived support from partners, family members, and friends. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted, including quadratic terms derived from the Too-Much-of-a-Good-Thing framework. Perceived stress emerged as the strongest predictor of lower maternal wellbeing, whereas family support was positively associated with wellbeing. ADHD symptoms were negatively associated with wellbeing at the bivariate level but did not uniquely predict wellbeing after controlling for the remaining study variables. Most importantly, self-control demonstrated a significant nonlinear association characterized by diminishing returns, such that increases in self-control were associated with progressively smaller improvements in wellbeing at higher levels. No comparable nonlinear effects were observed for perceived stress or social support. Overall, the findings suggest that maternal wellbeing is shaped by both psychological vulnerabilities and psychological resources, and that the benefits of some psychological strengths may not increase uniformly across their entire range. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Nomophobia, Insomnia, and Coping Strategies in Relation to Academic Achievement and Psychological Well-Being Among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Lucia Terze, Anni Klapez, Ivana Petricevic, Ivana Pavlinac Dodig, Renata Pecotic and Zoran Dogas

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1379; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081379 - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

Medical students are exposed to substantial academic and psychological demands that may influence their well-being, lifestyle behaviors, and academic performance. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations between smartphone-related anxiety (nomophobia), insomnia symptoms, psychological well-being, coping strategies, and academic achievement among medical [...] Read more.

Medical students are exposed to substantial academic and psychological demands that may influence their well-being, lifestyle behaviors, and academic performance. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations between smartphone-related anxiety (nomophobia), insomnia symptoms, psychological well-being, coping strategies, and academic achievement among medical students. The study was conducted among 216 students (mean age 22.03 ± 2.48 years, 72.2% female) at the University of Split School of Medicine. Data were collected through an anonymous digital questionnaire created in Google Forms, assessing general information and including the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Nomophobia questionnaire, Insomnia Severity Index, Medical Student Well-Being Index, and Brief COPE questionnaire. Academic performance was assessed using students’ self-reported arithmetic and weighted grade point averages (GPAs), which were analyzed separately. There was a high prevalence of nomophobia and reduced well-being among participants. Nomophobia was positively associated with insomnia severity (r = 0.172, p = 0.011) and poorer psychological well-being (r = 0.268, p < 0.001), while insomnia severity (r = −0.172, p = 0.011) and avoidant coping strategies (r = −0.167, p = 0.014) were negatively correlated with academic performance. The examined demographic, lifestyle, digital, and psychological variables explained a modest 9.0% of the variance in students’ weighted GPAs, which is consistent with the multifactorial nature of academic achievement. These findings suggest that digital dependence, insomnia symptoms, coping styles, and psychological well-being are interrelated and may be relevant to academic functioning among medical students. Full article

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