Behavioral Sciences

22 pages, 379 KB

Open AccessArticle

Racial and Gender Differences in Mindfulness, Engaged Living, and Psychological Inflexibility Within a Hawaiʻi-Based College Sample

by Lisa Nakamura, Samuel D. Spencer, Duckhyun Jo, Fumiaki Hamagami, Earl S. Hishinuma, Cerila C. Rapadas, Callum T. Henwood and Akihiko Masuda

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 1010; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16061010 (registering DOI) - 16 Jun 2026

Abstract

Objective: Extending prior psychometric work with a Hawaiʻi-based college sample, this secondary cross-sectional study examined racial and gender group differences in mindfulness, engaged living, and psychological inflexibility within that same Hawaiʻi-based sample. Methods: Consistent with the grouping strategy used in that previous psychometric [...] Read more.

Objective: Extending prior psychometric work with a Hawaiʻi-based college sample, this secondary cross-sectional study examined racial and gender group differences in mindfulness, engaged living, and psychological inflexibility within that same Hawaiʻi-based sample. Methods: Consistent with the grouping strategy used in that previous psychometric work, participants were categorized into 402 Asian American (263 women, 139 men), 260 White American (199 women, 61 men), and 406 combined All Others (301 women, 105 men) students, all recruited from a four-year public university in Hawaiʻi. After informed consent, participants voluntarily and anonymously completed an online survey containing self-report measures of interest. Results: Asian American students reported lower scores on measures of observing, describing, and non-judging facets of mindfulness than White American students. Men reported higher describing, non-distractibility, non-judging, and non-reacting scores than women, and White American men showed higher non-autopiloting than White American women. For engaged living and psychological inflexibility, White American students reported greater life fulfillment and lower psychological inflexibility than Asian American and All Others groups. Asian American women reported lower recognizing-values scores than White American women, and women overall endorsed greater psychological inflexibility than men. These differences, although statistically significant, were generally small and did not appear to be clinically meaningful. Associations among study variables as well as their roles in psychological distress were also examined within each racial group. Conclusions: Keeping several notable limitations in mind, this secondary cross-sectional investigation provided a preliminary examination of mindfulness, engaged living, and psychological inflexibility across racial and gender group categories, using methodological and psychometric decisions tailored to the present Hawaiʻi-based sample. We hope that our preliminary findings encourage further investigation in this domain. Full article

22 pages, 712 KB

Open AccessArticle

How and When Employees’ Growth Mindset Promotes Proactive Behavior: Alleviating Workplace Anxiety Under Time Pressure

by Yi Chen, Remila Abudurexiti, Jing Zhao and Huan Yang

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 1009; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16061009 (registering DOI) - 16 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background: In increasingly dynamic and uncertain organizational environments, employees’ proactive behavior—characterized by self-initiation, future orientation, and change orientation—is critical for organizational adaptability and long-term competitiveness. Prior research has primarily examined how externally provided job resources stimulate proactive behavior. More recent work has begun [...] Read more.

Background: In increasingly dynamic and uncertain organizational environments, employees’ proactive behavior—characterized by self-initiation, future orientation, and change orientation—is critical for organizational adaptability and long-term competitiveness. Prior research has primarily examined how externally provided job resources stimulate proactive behavior. More recent work has begun to consider employees’ personal resources, but it largely adopts a capability level-based view, conceptualizing them as self-evaluations of individuals’ ability to control and influence their environment. This focus overlooks capability malleability-based personal resources that shape more fundamental beliefs about the malleability of human capability. Objective: Drawing on the job demands–resources (JD–R) model, this study investigates how employees’ growth mindset—reflecting beliefs that human capability can be developed—promotes proactive behavior by alleviating workplace anxiety, an anticipatory emotional state rooted in concerns about future work-related threats. We further examine time pressure as a key boundary condition. Method: A three-wave, multisource survey design was employed, collecting data from 326 employee–supervisor dyads. Results: The results show that employees’ growth mindset is negatively associated with workplace anxiety, which in turn positively predicts proactive behavior. Moreover, time pressure strengthens both the anxiety-buffering effect of growth mindset and the indirect effect of growth mindset on proactive behavior via workplace anxiety. Conclusions: By incorporating capability malleability-based personal resources into the JD–R model, this study advances understanding of the antecedents of proactive behavior beyond capability level-based self-evaluations toward deeper beliefs about the malleability of human capability. Applications: This study offers practical implications for managers seeking to cultivate employee proactivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Organizational Behaviors)

24 pages, 1787 KB

Open AccessArticle

Action-Based Encoding Improves Instruction Following in Children and Adolescents

by Zhaotong Yao, Xiaomin Su, Yuxi Zhao, Richard J. Allen, Amanda H. Waterman and Tianxiao Yang

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 1008; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16061008 (registering DOI) - 16 Jun 2026

Abstract

Encoding and recalling spoken instructions play a key role in successful learning in the classroom. Previous research in adults suggests that, relative to simple verbal rehearsal, three forms of action-based encoding (i.e., motor imagery, action observation, or self-enactment) facilitate instruction recall to a [...] Read more.

Encoding and recalling spoken instructions play a key role in successful learning in the classroom. Previous research in adults suggests that, relative to simple verbal rehearsal, three forms of action-based encoding (i.e., motor imagery, action observation, or self-enactment) facilitate instruction recall to a similar extent. This study aimed to examine whether motor imagery, action observation, and self-enactment could improve memory for instructions in children and adolescents, and to compare the effectiveness of these strategies. In Experiment 1, children aged 8 and 9 years listened to instructional sequences that varied in length (2, 3 and 4 actions) while using one of the encoding techniques (i.e., motor imagery, action observation, self-enactment, or verbal rehearsal), followed by oral repetition or enacted recall. In Experiment 2, adolescents between age 12 and 14 were tested using a similar design except that the instructions were all four-action sequences. In Experiment 1, for both verbal and enacted recall, children’s memory performance in each of the three action-based encoding conditions was superior to the rehearsal condition, although the benefit from motor imagery was relatively smaller. In Experiment 2, adolescents displayed similar patterns as children, except that motor imagery yielded a stronger and more reliable advantage in this age group. The current findings suggest that, for both children and adolescents, encoding spoken instructions by imagining, observing, or performing the actions yields comparable mnemonic advantages, and thus provides practical ways for supporting and enhancing working memory in classroom environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Executive Functions and Prospective Memory Enhancement: Interventions, Neurocognitive Mechanisms and Individual Differences)

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23 pages, 360 KB

Open AccessArticle

Experiences and Impacts of Intimate Partner Violence Against Men in Northern Ireland: Qualitative Findings from the Male Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence Study

by Eric Spikol, Emily McGlinchey and Cherie Armour

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 1007; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16061007 (registering DOI) - 16 Jun 2026

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects individuals of all genders and can result in adverse physical, psychological, and social outcomes. Experiences of IPV in men remain understudied when compared with those of cisgender women, leading to considerable gaps in understanding of prevalence, experiences, disclosure, [...] Read more.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects individuals of all genders and can result in adverse physical, psychological, and social outcomes. Experiences of IPV in men remain understudied when compared with those of cisgender women, leading to considerable gaps in understanding of prevalence, experiences, disclosure, and outcomes. The Male Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence Study (ME-IPV Study) was designed to explore: nature of IPV experiences, physical and psychological impacts, barriers to reporting/disclosing, experiences of disclosure, experiences of support, and support needs in a Northern Ireland (NI) context. This mixed-method study utilised data from N = 10 qualitative interview participants (quantitative results reported separately), analysed using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. Participants described experiencing multiple forms of IPV, with coercive control, psychological and institutional abuse being highly prevalent. Detrimental effects of their experiences included diagnoses of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, physical symptomology, the advent/exacerbation of multiple health conditions, and suicidal ideation. Barriers to care were primarily a lack of dedicated care pathway, concerns over being believed, and stigmatic barriers. Experiences of disclosure were mixed: positive with family/friends and negative with police and institutions of state. Male experiences of IPV in NI are a significant public health issue and it is evident that the impacts of IPV on men’s physical/mental health and wellbeing are profound. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Male Intimate Partner and Sexual Victimisation)

19 pages, 2967 KB

Open AccessArticle

Health Consciousness and Dietary Behavior: A Theory of Planned Behavior Analysis of Organic Food Adoption Among Young Consumers

by Aracelly Núñez-Naranjo, Diana Morales-Urrutia, Luis Mantilla-Falcón, Oscar Ibarra-Torres and Patricio Córdova

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 1006; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16061006 (registering DOI) - 16 Jun 2026

Abstract

The adoption of healthier dietary behaviors has become a critical public health concern, particularly among young populations facing structural and economic constraints. Within this context, organic food consumption can be understood not only as a market choice but as a form of health-related [...] Read more.

The adoption of healthier dietary behaviors has become a critical public health concern, particularly among young populations facing structural and economic constraints. Within this context, organic food consumption can be understood not only as a market choice but as a form of health-related behavior influenced by psychological factors. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study examines how health consciousness and core cognitive determinants shape dietary health behavior through their influence on behavioral intention and self-reported consumption patterns. A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed using data from 384 young consumers in an emerging market context (Ambato, Ecuador). The proposed model was tested using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM). The findings indicate that perceived behavioral control is the strongest predictor of intention to engage in organic food consumption, followed by attitude and subjective norms. Health consciousness is positively associated with attitude and indirectly influences behavioral intention through this pathway. No significant relationship was found between perceived behavioral control and attitude. Behavioral intention shows a strong association with self-reported consumption behavior. These results highlight the central role of perceived feasibility in shaping health-related dietary behaviors in constrained contexts, where structural barriers may limit the translation of positive attitudes into action. The study contributes to the health psychology literature by providing context-sensitive evidence on how cognitive and motivational factors interact within the TPB framework to influence dietary behavior. Implications for promoting healthier consumption patterns emphasize the need to address both psychological drivers and structural constraints. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Psychosocial Factors on Health Behaviors)

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19 pages, 319 KB

Open AccessArticle

Perceived Implementation of Applied Behavior Analysis Techniques Among Teachers of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Qatar

by Haifa Alhajri, Ali M. Alodat, Qais Al-Meqdad and Alanoud Binnoora

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 1005; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16061005 (registering DOI) - 16 Jun 2026

Abstract

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is recognized as one of the most evidence-based interventions for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although its effectiveness relies on consistent classroom implementation by teachers. This study investigated the extent to which teachers of students with ASD in [...] Read more.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is recognized as one of the most evidence-based interventions for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although its effectiveness relies on consistent classroom implementation by teachers. This study investigated the extent to which teachers of students with ASD in Qatar implement ABA techniques and whether implementation levels vary by gender, educational level, school type, years of experience, and teaching stage. A descriptive–analytical design was utilized on a sample of 155 teachers from government and private schools. Data were collected using the Applied Behavior Analysis Implementation Scale for Teachers of Students with ASD in Qatar (ABAIS-Qatar), a 26-item instrument developed and validated for this study across five dimensions. Teachers reported a high overall level of ABA implementation (M = 4.10, SD = 0.48). The Behavior Identification and Goal Setting and Strategy Application and Intervention dimensions received the highest ratings, while the Motivation and Corrective Procedures dimensions were rated at a moderate level. A five-way MANOVA revealed significant multivariate differences across years of experience and teaching stage. Post hoc analyses indicated that teachers with more than 15 years of experience reported significantly higher implementation of motivational and corrective procedures than those with 6–10 years of experience and that primary-stage teachers demonstrated superior classroom behavior management compared to intermediate-stage teachers. The findings have implications for teacher professional development and ABA training in both inclusive and specialist educational settings in Qatar. Full article

17 pages, 888 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Double-Edged Sword Effect of Entrepreneurs’ Critical Thinking on Venture Novelty

by Rui Yi, Jinzhi Luo, Yuxuan Chen and Yili Cao

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 1004; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16061004 (registering DOI) - 16 Jun 2026

Abstract

Venture novelty enables startups to overcome entry barriers and establish differentiated competitive advantages. However, research examining its antecedents from an epistemic control perspective remains limited. Drawing on survey data from 230 entrepreneurs and employing structural equation modeling (SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis [...] Read more.

Venture novelty enables startups to overcome entry barriers and establish differentiated competitive advantages. However, research examining its antecedents from an epistemic control perspective remains limited. Drawing on survey data from 230 entrepreneurs and employing structural equation modeling (SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this study investigates how entrepreneurs’ critical thinking influences venture novelty. The findings reveal a dual effect. On the one hand, critical thinking promotes venture novelty by fostering interactive learning, which facilitates the integration of heterogeneous information and the refinement of entrepreneurial opportunity insights. On the other hand, critical thinking increases cognitive depletion, thereby constraining the cognitive resources available for innovative activities. Furthermore, imagination moderates these relationships by strengthening the positive effect of interactive learning while attenuating the negative impact of cognitive depletion. FsQCA results further identify four configurational pathways to high venture novelty. This study contributes to the literature by stating both the enabling and constraining mechanisms of entrepreneurs’ critical thinking, clarifying its dual role in epistemic control, and providing configurational evidence regarding the role of imagination in fostering entrepreneurial innovation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Organizational Behaviors)

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15 pages, 297 KB

Open AccessArticle

Socio-Educational Ambivalence in Intercultural Contexts: A Comparative Analysis of Teachers and Students in Schools in Mapuche Contexts

by Daniel Quilaqueo, Enrique Riquelme-Mella, Flavio Muñoz-Troncoso, Héctor Torres and Gloria Mora-Guerrero

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 1003; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16061003 (registering DOI) - 16 Jun 2026

Abstract

Intercultural education in Mapuche contexts is shaped by persistent tensions between dominant school knowledge and Indigenous educational practices. However, there is limited comparative empirical evidence on how these tensions are distributed across educational actors. This study aimed to compare socio-educational and cultural ambivalence [...] Read more.

Intercultural education in Mapuche contexts is shaped by persistent tensions between dominant school knowledge and Indigenous educational practices. However, there is limited comparative empirical evidence on how these tensions are distributed across educational actors. This study aimed to compare socio-educational and cultural ambivalence between students and teachers across multiple dimensions. A cross-sectional quantitative design was conducted with 546 participants (284 students and 262 teachers) from primary and secondary schools in southern Chile. Ambivalence was assessed using the Socio-Educational and Cultural Ambivalence Scale (EASC). A two-step cluster analysis identified ambivalence profiles, followed by a 2 × 2 factorial MANOVA (role × ethnicity). Results revealed three distinct ambivalence profiles (low, medium, high), with significant differences across all dimensions (p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses showed significant effects of role (Pillai’s trace = 0.230, F (6, 537) = 26.67, p < 0.001, η²p = 0.230) and ethnicity (Pillai’s trace = 0.108, F (6, 537) = 10.86, p < 0.001, η²p = 0.108), with no significant multivariate interaction (p = 0.104). Teachers reported higher levels of ambivalence than students in five of six dimensions, while Mapuche participants scored higher than non-Mapuche participants across most dimensions. These findings indicate that ambivalence is a structural condition of the educational system, unevenly distributed according to actors’ positions and intensified in roles involving pedagogical mediation. Implications point to the need for structural transformations in intercultural education, particularly in teacher education. Full article

21 pages, 660 KB

Open AccessArticle

Using Generative AI in Learning and Students’ Innovative Behavior: A Dual-Path Examination Based on the UTAUT Model

by Lingyi Huang and Wenhao Luo

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 1002; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16061002 (registering DOI) - 16 Jun 2026

Abstract

The rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) has exerted extensive and far-reaching impacts on college students’ learning, making it a topic worthy of in-depth investigation. This study aims to explore the impact of GAI usage on college students’ innovative learning behaviors, drawing [...] Read more.

The rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) has exerted extensive and far-reaching impacts on college students’ learning, making it a topic worthy of in-depth investigation. This study aims to explore the impact of GAI usage on college students’ innovative learning behaviors, drawing on the theoretical framework of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Specifically, the research explores the mediating mechanisms of effort expectancy and performance expectancy, as well as the moderating role of growth mindset in this process. Based on a sample of 430 Chinese college students recruited from diverse academic majors, the proposed moderated mediation model is empirically examined through latent structural equation modeling analysis. The results indicate that using GAI in learning significantly enhances students’ perceptions of effort expectancy and performance expectancy, thereby fostering their subsequent innovative behavior. Notably, the findings reveal that while performance expectancy mediates the relationship between GAI usage and innovative behavior, a growth mindset weakens this indirect pathway. The practical implications of this study are also discussed for both students and universities. Full article

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

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22 pages, 1022 KB

Open AccessArticle

Trust in Context: A Three-Factor Experimental Study

by Jiayin Guo and Jun Liu

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 1001; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16061001 (registering DOI) - 15 Jun 2026

Abstract

Existing studies on trust are mainly based on rational choice theory or the relational logic of the “differential mode of association,” while neglecting the contextuality of trust and the interaction of multiple factors. This study used a within-subjects situational experiment involving 252 participants, [...] Read more.

Existing studies on trust are mainly based on rational choice theory or the relational logic of the “differential mode of association,” while neglecting the contextuality of trust and the interaction of multiple factors. This study used a within-subjects situational experiment involving 252 participants, manipulating three variables: relationship type (kin, acquaintance, general other), entrusted matter (loans of 2000 yuan, 20,000 yuan, and 200,000 yuan), and trustee attributes (high ability and integrity vs. low ability and integrity). The Friedman test and Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) were used to examine the effects of these three factors on trust intention and the mechanisms of their interaction. The results indicate that trust intention is influenced by relationship type, the importance of the entrusted matter, and trustee attributes, with significant interactions among the three. This indicates that trust is a contextual outcome shaped by multiple interacting factors rather than a linear result. This study provides contextualized evidence that relationship type, entrusted matter, and trustee attributes jointly shape trust intention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cooperation, Trust, and Reciprocity: Theory and Evidence from the Field of Behavioral Economics)

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18 pages, 872 KB

Open AccessReview

Daily Routines and Habits in Individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Scoping Review

by Ibrahim Almudayfir, Lama Abdulkarim, Rachael Rosenstein and Hon K. Yuen

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 1000; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16061000 (registering DOI) - 15 Jun 2026

Abstract

This scoping review examined the current literature on routines and habits in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). To our knowledge, research in this area remains limited. Therefore, this review mapped which areas of daily routines are most affected in children and [...] Read more.

This scoping review examined the current literature on routines and habits in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). To our knowledge, research in this area remains limited. Therefore, this review mapped which areas of daily routines are most affected in children and adults with ADHD and explored related assessments and interventions. A comprehensive search was conducted across four databases: PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, using keywords including “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,” “ADHD,” “routine,” “habit,” and “lifestyle.” The findings identified four main domains in which individuals with ADHD experience difficulties: sleep hygiene, feeding, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors, with sleep hygiene addressed in more than half of the included studies. Study habits were addressed in only one included study. Among the 31 included studies, six involved interventions. The review also found that no validated assessment was specifically designed to measure routines or habits in individuals with ADHD, and that broader measures of routines, habits, or lifestyle were often non-validated or developed for a single project. Overall, the existing studies were concentrated primarily in pediatric populations, with limited research involving adults. These findings highlight important gaps in the literature and underscore the need for more research on routines and habits in adults with ADHD. They also support the development of assessments and interventions that specifically address these areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet, Lifestyle and Neurobehaviors)

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16 pages, 485 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Self-Esteem and Academic Performance to Anxiety: A Cross-Lagged Study of Chinese First-Generation College Students

by Xinqiao Liu, Ao Shen and Huirui Zhang

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 999; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16060999 (registering DOI) - 15 Jun 2026

Abstract

As the first generation in their families to pursue higher education, the mental health of first-generation college students has attracted significant attention from the academic community. Self-esteem and academic performance are significant factors influencing anxiety and mental health among first-generation college students. However, [...] Read more.

As the first generation in their families to pursue higher education, the mental health of first-generation college students has attracted significant attention from the academic community. Self-esteem and academic performance are significant factors influencing anxiety and mental health among first-generation college students. However, longitudinal research evidence specific to this group in China remains scarce. This study utilized two waves data, selecting a sample of 1024 first-generation college students (mean age 21.73; 55.18% male). Through follow-up surveys conducted at one-year intervals, a cross-lagged model was employed to systematically examine the longitudinal predictive relationships among self-esteem, academic performance, and anxiety. The results indicate significant negative correlations among self-esteem, academic performance, and anxiety. Cross-lagged analysis further indicated that self-esteem at T1 (β = −0.098, p < 0.05) and academic performance at T1 (β = −0.067, p < 0.05) were prospectively associated with lower anxiety at T2. This study reveals the longitudinal predictive associations among self-esteem, academic performance, and anxiety among China’s first-generation college students, providing empirical evidence for universities to improve their mental health support systems by focusing on the self-esteem development of this group and offering targeted academic support. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Academic Anxieties and Coping Strategies—2nd Edition)

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25 pages, 685 KB

Open AccessArticle

Classification of Factors Affecting Manipulation Tendencies Using Decision Trees

by Seçil Ömür Sünbül and Müzeyyen Soyer

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 998; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16060998 (registering DOI) - 15 Jun 2026

Abstract

This study aimed to examine variables associated with manipulation tendency levels in adults and to describe current patterns using a decision tree method as a classification-based analytical approach. The research sample consisted of 543 adults (358 women, 65.93%; 185 men, 34.07%) residing in [...] Read more.

This study aimed to examine variables associated with manipulation tendency levels in adults and to describe current patterns using a decision tree method as a classification-based analytical approach. The research sample consisted of 543 adults (358 women, 65.93%; 185 men, 34.07%) residing in Turkey, aged 18 to 45 years (M = 25.79, SD = 4.23). Data were collected using a researcher-developed personal information form, the Manipulation Scale in Human Relations, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Relationship Scales Questionnaire. The total composite score of the Manipulation Scale was used as the outcome variable and is referred to throughout as “manipulation tendency.” Manipulation tendency scores were dichotomized into low versus high groups using a median split to facilitate C&RT-based classification. Classification and Regression Tree was used to examine the hierarchical structure of variables related to manipulation tendency levels and to identify classification patterns among study variables. The decision tree approach was used not merely as an alternative statistical technique, but as an interpretable classification framework capable of identifying hierarchical and conditional pathways associated with manipulation tendency. Data were stratified-randomly split into training and test sets (70/30), and tree complexity was tuned via cross-validation using cost-complexity pruning. Model performance indicated acceptable classification accuracy within this sample, with a test-set accuracy of 0.81 (sensitivity = 0.74, specificity = 0.88, precision = 0.86, F1 = 0.79) and training accuracy of 0.86. The findings indicated several influential variables in classifying manipulation tendency levels, ranked by importance: preoccupied attachment style, self-esteem, age, dismissive attachment style, gender, secure attachment style, and fearful attachment style. Preoccupied attachment style was identified as the most salient variable in differentiating between high and low manipulation tendency groups. The decision tree structure showed that younger adults with higher preoccupied attachment scores were more frequently classified into the high manipulation tendency group. Self-esteem emerged as the second most influential variable, with lower self-esteem levels being more commonly observed among individuals classified in the high manipulation tendency group. Age also played a notable role in classification, with higher manipulation tendency classifications occurring more frequently among younger individuals. Dismissive attachment style contributed to the differentiation of manipulation tendency levels, particularly within specific attachment and age profiles. Gender-related patterns indicated that men were more frequently classified into higher manipulation tendency groups, especially among individuals with low self-esteem. Overall, the findings highlight the multifactorial and hierarchical nature of manipulation tendency classifications. They contribute to the literature by showing how attachment-related characteristics, developmental factors, and psychological variables jointly differentiate manipulation tendency profiles. These findings highlight the value of decision tree modelling for translating conventional psychological predictors into interpretable classification profiles of manipulation tendency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Social Psychology)

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26 pages, 307 KB

Open AccessArticle

Constructing Moral Selves Through Food: A Qualitative Study of Orthorexic Eating Practices in the UK

by Panagiota Tragantzopoulou, Elina Mitrofanova and Vaitsa Giannouli

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 997; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16060997 (registering DOI) - 15 Jun 2026

Abstract

Contemporary health cultures increasingly promote disciplined eating and bodily optimisation, contributing to growing interest in orthorexia nervosa (ON), a pattern of restrictive eating characterised by an obsessive focus on food purity and health. While ON has been widely studied in relation to dietary [...] Read more.

Contemporary health cultures increasingly promote disciplined eating and bodily optimisation, contributing to growing interest in orthorexia nervosa (ON), a pattern of restrictive eating characterised by an obsessive focus on food purity and health. While ON has been widely studied in relation to dietary restriction and health anxiety, less attention has been given to how individuals themselves construct meaning around these practices. The present qualitative study aimed to explore how individuals displaying orthorexic tendencies construct moral identity and self-worth through their dietary practices. Eighteen participants (13 women, 5 men; aged 19–58) living in the United Kingdom who self-identified as “healthy eaters” took part in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis within a social constructionist framework. Four themes were generated: (1) The Disciplined Self, describing how strict dietary practices were framed as evidence of personal control and self-regulation; (2) The Body as Evidence of Purity and Health, where physical appearance and bodily feelings were interpreted as confirmation of moral and dietary correctness; (3) Ethical Eating and Moral Positioning, illustrating how participants positioned their food choices as ethically superior; and (4) Guilt and Moral Repositioning, highlighting the moral emotions that followed perceived dietary transgressions. These findings suggest that orthorexic eating practices function not only as health behaviours but also as moral performances through which individuals construct disciplined, responsible, and virtuous identities. Understanding these moral and identity dimensions may help situate orthorexic tendencies within broader sociocultural narratives surrounding health, morality, and self-discipline. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Body Image and Disordered Eating: Psychosocial, Cultural, Cognitive and Clinical Perspectives)

15 pages, 263 KB

Open AccessArticle

Post-COVID-19 Consequences and Psychological Well-Being in Students: The Mediating Role of Trait Anxiety

by Sergey Malykh, Valeriia Demareva, Artem Malykh, Victoria I. Ismatullina, Timofey Adamovich, Pavel Kolyasnikov and Tatiana Tikhomirova

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 996; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16060996 (registering DOI) - 15 Jun 2026

Abstract

The long-term psychological consequences of COVID-19 remain insufficiently understood in student populations. This study examined the association between post-COVID-19 consequences and psychological functioning in university students, focusing on the mediating role of trait anxiety. A total of 7482 students aged 17 to 23 [...] Read more.

The long-term psychological consequences of COVID-19 remain insufficiently understood in student populations. This study examined the association between post-COVID-19 consequences and psychological functioning in university students, focusing on the mediating role of trait anxiety. A total of 7482 students aged 17 to 23 years completed an online survey assessing COVID-19 history, post-COVID-19 consequences, psychological well-being (WHO-5), subjective happiness (SHS), life satisfaction (SWLS), and trait anxiety (STAI). Participants were classified into three groups: no history of COVID-19, COVID-19 without post-COVID-19 consequences, and COVID-19 with post-COVID-19 consequences. Group differences were analyzed using ANOVA with Tukey post hoc tests, followed by regression and mediation analyses controlling for age and sex. Students reporting post-COVID-19 consequences showed higher trait anxiety and lower psychological well-being, subjective happiness, and life satisfaction than both comparison groups. Regression analyses indicated that poorer psychological functioning was associated specifically with post-COVID-19 consequences rather than COVID-19 history per se. Mediation analyses among previously infected students showed that trait anxiety statistically mediated these associations, accounting for 61% of the effect on psychological well-being, 84% on subjective happiness, and 68% on life satisfaction. These findings highlight trait anxiety as an important psychological factor statistically accounting for the association between post-COVID-19 consequences and reduced well-being. Full article

14 pages, 563 KB

Open AccessArticle

Affective-Motivational Processes in TVET Internships: Challenge, Hindrance, School Support, and Vocational Persistence

by Cheng-Ze Hung, Stanley Y. B. Huang and Chien-Hsiang Huang

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 995; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16060995 (registering DOI) - 15 Jun 2026

Abstract

Curricular internships are affective-motivational learning contexts in which students encounter real workplace demands while educational institutions remain responsible for learning, engagement, and well-being. Responding to the Special Issue theme of emotion, motivation, and learning, this three-wave study used temporally separated self-report data to [...] Read more.

Curricular internships are affective-motivational learning contexts in which students encounter real workplace demands while educational institutions remain responsible for learning, engagement, and well-being. Responding to the Special Issue theme of emotion, motivation, and learning, this three-wave study used temporally separated self-report data to examine challenge demands, hindrance demands, and school support among 860 Taiwanese technical and vocational education and training (TVET) interns. Challenge demands were positively associated with work engagement, which was associated with innovative behavior. Hindrance demands were positively associated with burnout, which was associated with intention to seek work outside the trained vocational field. The hindrance demands-burnout association was weaker when school support was higher. The findings are compatible with treating school support as a curricular psychological resource that may help students interpret and manage obstructive internship conditions. More broadly, the study suggests that work-integrated learning systems may support vocational persistence by designing internships as supervised affective-motivational learning environments rather than as placements alone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emotion, Motivation, and Learning: Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Education)

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43 pages, 2665 KB

Open AccessArticle

Why Hide AI Use? Psychological Configurations and Explainable Machine Learning Evidence from Marketing Work

by Filiz Mizrak and Turhan Karakaya

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 994; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16060994 (registering DOI) - 15 Jun 2026

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly embedded in marketing work, yet employees who use AI tools may not always disclose AI’s role in producing their outputs. This study examines AI disclosure silence, defined as employees’ intentional withholding of information about the use, role, or [...] Read more.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly embedded in marketing work, yet employees who use AI tools may not always disclose AI’s role in producing their outputs. This study examines AI disclosure silence, defined as employees’ intentional withholding of information about the use, role, or contribution of AI tools in work-related outputs after AI has already been used. Unlike AI avoidance or resistance, this construct concerns post-adoption concealment; unlike general employee silence, it focuses on the hidden technological contribution behind visible work. Drawing on Conservation of Resources Theory and Psychological Safety Theory, the study investigates how threat-based conditions, safety and governance conditions, and AI-related capability are associated with AI disclosure silence. Data were collected through a two-wave survey of 635 marketing employees who actively used AI tools at work. The analysis combined measurement validation, Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA), fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), and explainable machine learning. The findings show that no single condition operated as a strong necessary bottleneck. Instead, AI disclosure silence appeared through multiple pathways involving AI anxiety, fear of negative evaluation, perceived creativity threat, perceived job insecurity, low trust in management, weak psychological safety, and unclear AI policy. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP)-based interpretation further indicated that fear of negative evaluation, AI anxiety, perceived creativity threat, and trust in management had the strongest model-based predictive relevance. The study contributes to workplace AI and employee silence research by positioning AI disclosure silence as an emerging post-adoption disclosure construct. It also highlights the need for clear AI disclosure norms, non-punitive managerial responses, AI-assisted authorship guidelines, and psychologically safe AI-governance practices. The findings should be interpreted as configurational and predictive evidence rather than causal effects, and further scale validation across sectors and cultures is encouraged. Full article

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

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21 pages, 304 KB

Open AccessArticle

Taking a Community-Partnered Approach to Developing Culturally-Responsive Mental Health Screening Materials for African-Born Adults in the United States

by Anu Asnaani, Tatiana Leroy, Valentine Mukundente, Jackson Webb Hunter, Jacqueline Kent-Marvick and Sara E. Simonsen

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 993; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16060993 (registering DOI) - 15 Jun 2026

Abstract

Despite a large number of African-born individuals residing in the United States, there is a significant disparity in how this community accesses and utilizes mental health treatment. Low screening rates for common mental health concerns is one crucial part of ongoing inequities in [...] Read more.

Despite a large number of African-born individuals residing in the United States, there is a significant disparity in how this community accesses and utilizes mental health treatment. Low screening rates for common mental health concerns is one crucial part of ongoing inequities in mental healthcare access. Willingness to engage in screening is negatively impacted by a lack of culturally responsive ways to make screening more acceptable and stigma with mental health. This study therefore aimed to examine the perceived acceptability and utility of community-developed patient vignettes created to increase willingness to be screened for common mental health concerns. Employing a qualitative approach, a community advisory board (CAB) (n = 5) was enlisted to co-develop vignettes outlining an African community member’s symptoms of anxiety and subsequent help-seeking behavior. Two focus groups of community members (n = 18) provided qualitative feedback on the vignettes and shared their general attitudes towards mental health and recommendations for mental health screening and treatment in the African community. Using a hybrid inductive and deductive qualitative descriptive approach and classifying responses based on the socioecological model, four major themes emerged from the data: (1) between support and strain: the role of family; (2) reducing stigma: community voices as education; (3) culture as a barrier and a bridge; and (4) the importance of stories that reflect lived experience. Overall, participants were receptive to the culturally-responsive mental health vignettes and provided fruitful suggestions for how these stories can be used to reduce stigma and increase willingness to seek screening and treatment in African-born residents of the United States. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultivating Health and Well-Being in Newcomer Communities Impacted by Forced Displacement)

22 pages, 1594 KB

Open AccessArticle

Psychometric Properties of the Japanese Translation of the Detail and Flexibility Questionnaire (DFlex)

by Haruka Ito, Takeshi Atsumi, Mei Gushiken, Marion E. Roberts and Shinji Okazaki

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 992; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16060992 (registering DOI) - 15 Jun 2026

Abstract

Detailed attention and cognitive rigidity contribute to poorer social functioning and mental health. These cognitive functions can be measured using questionnaires or behavioral tasks but existing methods have limitations. The Detail and Flexibility Questionnaire (DFlex) addresses several of these limitations. This study developed [...] Read more.

Detailed attention and cognitive rigidity contribute to poorer social functioning and mental health. These cognitive functions can be measured using questionnaires or behavioral tasks but existing methods have limitations. The Detail and Flexibility Questionnaire (DFlex) addresses several of these limitations. This study developed a Japanese translation of the DFlex and collected valid evidence for its intended score interpretations. Sixty participants with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 140 without ASD, and five participants who chose not to disclose whether they had an ASD diagnosis completed the Japanese version of the DFlex and the Japanese version of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Data from 192 participants were analyzed. Internal consistency was good as was the internal structure, except for one item. McDonald’s omega and Cronbach’s alpha demonstrated good internal consistency and item–total correlation was acceptable, except for one item. The Japanese DFlex correlated strongly with the AQ Attention to Detail and Attention Switching subscales, supporting convergent validity. Regarding known-group validity, the ASD and non-ASD groups showed significant differences on the Cognitive Rigidity and Attention to Detail subscales. Based on its reliability and internal structural validity, the Japanese DFlex provides a better understanding of ASD-related cognitive traits for both research and clinical practice. Full article

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