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Supporting Families to ‘Make the Most’ of the Relationship Between Their Companion Dogs and Their Children with Autism Spectrum Condition: A Qualitative Exploration of the ‘Family Dog Service’
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Effects of Closed Mouth vs. Exposed Teeth on Facial Expression Processing: An ERP Study
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Coupling Up: A Dynamic Investigation of Romantic Partners’ Neurobiological States During Nonverbal Connection
Journal Description
Behavioral Sciences
Behavioral Sciences
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, behavioral biology and behavioral genetics published monthly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SSCI (Web of Science), PubMed, PMC, PsycInfo, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Psychology, Multidisciplinary) / CiteScore - Q2 (Development)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 28.7 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2024).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
2.5 (2023);
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.7 (2023)
Latest Articles
How People Manage Relationship Problems: An Exploratory Study in the Greek Cultural Context
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020218 (registering DOI) - 15 Feb 2025
Abstract
Problems frequently arise in intimate relationships, and people need to find ways to manage them if they want their relationships to continue. The purpose of the current research was to identify the strategies that people use to manage relationship problems, employing a mixed-methods
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Problems frequently arise in intimate relationships, and people need to find ways to manage them if they want their relationships to continue. The purpose of the current research was to identify the strategies that people use to manage relationship problems, employing a mixed-methods approach, specifically, in a sample of 224 Greek-speaking participants. Study 1 employed qualitative research methods and identified 93 actions that people perform to manage relationship problems. Study 2 employed quantitative research methods in a sample of 526 Greek-speaking participants and classified these actions into three main strategies. The most likely to be used main strategy was “Solve the problem”, where participants attempted to solve the problem by discussing and negotiating it with their partners, making compromises, improving physical intimacy, and avoiding acting in the heat of the moment. The second most likely to be used main strategy was “External input”, where participants aimed to obtain advice and support from others, including friends, relatives, and psychologists. The least likely to be used strategy was “Avoid the problem”, where participants attempted to manage their problems by ignoring or avoiding them. Participants indicated that they were likely to use a combination of strategies to manage their problems. Men and women were generally in agreement over which strategy to use, while age effects were found for several strategies.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychology of Mate Choice, Romantic Relationships and Sexuality)
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The Long-Term Impact of Moral Education on College Students’ Psychological Well-Being: A Longitudinal Study Revealing Multidimensional Synergistic Mechanisms
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Xianghui Tian and Yanlin Tang
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020217 (registering DOI) - 15 Feb 2025
Abstract
Moral education significantly impacts the psychological well-being of college students by cultivating moral awareness, social responsibility, and moral values. However, existing studies have mainly focused on its cognitive effects (e.g., value formation and moral judgment development), with less attention to its impact on
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Moral education significantly impacts the psychological well-being of college students by cultivating moral awareness, social responsibility, and moral values. However, existing studies have mainly focused on its cognitive effects (e.g., value formation and moral judgment development), with less attention to its impact on the affective level (e.g., positive and negative emotions). Longitudinal studies on its long-term effects are also limited. To address this gap, the present study conducted two waves of a longitudinal survey involving 423 Chinese university students. The results showed that baseline moral education levels significantly predicted subsequent psychological well-being, including higher psychological prosperity, more positive emotions, and fewer negative emotions. Additionally, gender moderated the relationship between moral education and psychological well-being: females showed significantly higher levels of well-being than males after receiving moral education. This study provides deeper insights into how moral education affects the psychological well-being of college students and offers theoretical and practical recommendations for enhancing emotion regulation and implementing psychological well-being interventions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Educational Psychology)
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Social Understanding and Friendships in Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or Dyslexia
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Sofia Kouvava, Katerina Antonopoulou, Constantinos M. Kokkinos and Asimina M. Ralli
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020216 (registering DOI) - 15 Feb 2025
Abstract
Social understanding relies upon children’s experience of the world and their communicative interaction with others. Opportunities to engage in cooperative social interaction, such as friendships, can foster the development of social understanding. Children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia often have friendships
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Social understanding relies upon children’s experience of the world and their communicative interaction with others. Opportunities to engage in cooperative social interaction, such as friendships, can foster the development of social understanding. Children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia often have friendships of poorer quality. The present study examined relationships and differences in social understanding and friendship quality in children with ADHD or dyslexia, in comparison to neurotypically developing children (NTD). Participants were 192 primary-school students (Mage = 9.77, SD = 1.21) from Attica, Greece. Social understanding was measured with second-order and advanced theory of mind (ToM) tasks, and the Bryant’s Index of Empathy for Children and Adolescents, while friendships were examined with the Friendship Quality Questionnaire. Children with ADHD scored significantly lower across all positive characteristics of friendship quality, empathy and advanced ToM than those with dyslexia, who in turn scored significantly lower than NTD children. Moreover, children with ADHD performed significantly worse in the second-order ToM tasks compared to children with NTD or dyslexia, while NTD children scored significantly lower in the friendship conflict betrayal subscale compared to both ADHD and dyslexia groups. Multiple regression analyses controlling for learning disability status, gender, and age showed that ToM and perceived empathy predict friendship quality characteristics in all groups of children. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of children’s friendship relationships and give insight to parents and professionals involved in children’s education, provision, and mental health care.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Motivation and Cognitive and Metacognitive Strategies in Learning across the Lifespan)
Open AccessArticle
Bystanders to Bias: Witnessing Gendered Microaggressions Affects Men’s and Women’s Outcomes in STEM Small Group Contexts
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Nadia Vossoughi, Logan C. Burley, Ryan P. Foley, Lorelle A. Meadows and Denise Sekaquaptewa
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020215 - 14 Feb 2025
Abstract
We tested whether merely witnessing gendered microaggressions affects group work experiences among male and female undergraduate computer science and engineering students. Across three experiments (N = 753), we randomly assigned computer science and engineering students to witness microaggressions targeting female students, or
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We tested whether merely witnessing gendered microaggressions affects group work experiences among male and female undergraduate computer science and engineering students. Across three experiments (N = 753), we randomly assigned computer science and engineering students to witness microaggressions targeting female students, or control interactions, using a video manipulation. Witnessing microaggressions—compared to the control—resulted in heightened gender-specific stereotyping concerns, with women being concerned about appearing incompetent and men being concerned with appearing sexist. For both women and men, witnessing microaggressions resulted in decreased enthusiasm for participating in group work. Moreover, for women, the relationship between decreased enthusiasm and witnessing microaggressions was partially mediated by increased concerns about being stereotyped as incompetent. Across the experiments, mixed results emerged regarding the effect of witnessing microaggressions on the recall of engineering content in the video. This research extends previous work focused on personally experiencing microaggressions to merely witnessing them, showing that positivity toward anticipated group work is diminished for both women and men when they see peers engaging in microaggressions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Psychology of Underrepresentation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics))
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Open AccessReview
Protecting Educators: A Scoping Review of Interventions That Address Teacher Victimization
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Sarah M. Stilwell, Paulina Guzmán, Jorge Varela, Susan D. McMahon, Kailyn Bare, Justin Heinze and Marc Zimmerman
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020214 - 14 Feb 2025
Abstract
The prevalence of teacher-directed violence has been well-documented around the world. However, interventions focused on the prevention of teacher victimization have received less attention. Understanding how to reduce teacher-directed violence is vital to preserving the overall well-being of teachers, supporting their teaching, reducing
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The prevalence of teacher-directed violence has been well-documented around the world. However, interventions focused on the prevention of teacher victimization have received less attention. Understanding how to reduce teacher-directed violence is vital to preserving the overall well-being of teachers, supporting their teaching, reducing teacher burnout, and providing recommendations for future research. The current scoping review reports on teacher-directed violence interventions in K–12 school settings (n = 2). In addition, emerging evidence is described that provides recommendations for developing teacher-directed violence interventions (n = 6). The results from this scoping review reinforce the need for further study of teacher victimization-focused interventions to support the essential work of teachers.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Violence in the School Community: Students, Parents, Teachers, and Staff Members)
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Cross-Analysis of mHealth Social Acceptance Among Youth: A Comparative Study Between Japan and China
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Olugbenga Akiogbe, Hanlin Feng, Karin Kurata, Makoto Niwa, Jianfei Cao, Shuo Zhang, Itsuki Kageyama, Yoshiyuki Kobayashi, Yeongjoo Lim and Kota Kodama
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 213; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020213 - 14 Feb 2025
Abstract
Although mobile health (mHealth) technologies have emerged as a revolutionary approach to enhance healthcare delivery, few studies have examined how it is perceived and accepted in different cultures. This study investigated mHealth’s social acceptance among young people in Japan and China, with a
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Although mobile health (mHealth) technologies have emerged as a revolutionary approach to enhance healthcare delivery, few studies have examined how it is perceived and accepted in different cultures. This study investigated mHealth’s social acceptance among young people in Japan and China, with a focus on cultural influences on technology adoption. A comparative analysis approach was adopted, employing an extended unified theory of acceptance and use of the technology model. University students from both countries, recruited using harmonized sampling methods, completed questionnaires. We employed descriptive statistics to summarize the sample characteristics, confirmatory factor analysis to validate the constructs, multigroup analysis to test for measurement invariance and ensure the applicability of the model in both cultural contexts, and comparative path analysis to explore differences in the various factors influencing mHealth acceptance in each cultural setting. The findings revealed distinct cultural effects on mHealth acceptance. Japanese young people showed cautious acceptance influenced by societal norms and infrastructure, whereas Chinese young people demonstrated strong engagement driven by government support and the growing digital health industry. The study emphasizes the importance of considering cultural and systemic dynamics when integrating mHealth into youth healthcare models and suggests tailored strategies for successful implementation.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Paving the Path to Well-Being Through Human Behavior Analysis with Data Science)
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Cognitive Mechanisms Underlying the Influence of Facial Information Processing on Estimation Performance
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Xinqi Huang, Xiaofan Zhou, Mingyi Xu, Zhihao Liu, Yilin Ma, Chuanlin Zhu and Dongquan Kou
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 212; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020212 - 14 Feb 2025
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the roles of facial information processing and math anxiety in estimation performance. Across three experiments, participants completed a two-digit multiplication estimation task under the conditions of emotion judgment (Experiment 1), identity judgment (Experiment 2), and combined emotion and
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This study aimed to investigate the roles of facial information processing and math anxiety in estimation performance. Across three experiments, participants completed a two-digit multiplication estimation task under the conditions of emotion judgment (Experiment 1), identity judgment (Experiment 2), and combined emotion and identity judgment (Experiment 3). In the estimation task, participants used either the down-up or up-down problem to select approximate answers. In Experiment 1, we found that negative emotions impair estimation performance, while positive and consistent emotions have a facilitating effect on estimation efficiency. In Experiment 2, we found that emotion and identity consistency interact with each other, and negative emotions actually promote estimation efficiency when identity is consistent. In Experiment 3, we found that emotion, identity consistency, and emotional consistency have complex interactions on estimation performance. Moreover, in most face-processing conditions, participants’ estimation performance is not affected by their level of math anxiety. However, in a small number of cases, mean proportions under happy and fearful conditions are negatively correlated with math anxiety.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cognition)
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Estimating the Minimum Sample Size for Neural Network Model Fitting—A Monte Carlo Simulation Study
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Yongtian Cheng, Konstantinos Vassilis Petrides and Johnson Li
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020211 - 14 Feb 2025
Abstract
In the era of machine learning, many psychological studies use machine learning methods. Specifically, neural networks, a set of machine learning methods that exhibit exceptional performance in various tasks, have been used on psychometric datasets for supervised model fitting. From the computer scientist’s
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In the era of machine learning, many psychological studies use machine learning methods. Specifically, neural networks, a set of machine learning methods that exhibit exceptional performance in various tasks, have been used on psychometric datasets for supervised model fitting. From the computer scientist’s perspective, psychometric independent variables are typically ordinal and low-dimensional—characteristics that can significantly impact model performance. To our knowledge, there is no guidance about the sample planning suggestion for this task. Therefore, we conducted a simulation study to test the performance of an NN with different sample sizes and the simulation of both linear and nonlinear relationships. We proposed the minimum sample size for the neural network model fitting with two criteria: the performance of 95% of the models is close to the theoretical maximum, and 80% of the models can outperform the linear model. The findings of this simulation study show that the performance of neural networks can be unstable with ordinal variables as independent variables, and we suggested that neural networks should not be used on ordinal independent variables with at least common nonlinear relationships in psychology. Further suggestions and research directions are also provided.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring New Frontiers in Psychometrics: Advancing Measurement of Skills and Behaviors)
Open AccessArticle
Pandemic-Induced PR Dilemmas Faced by Airlines: A Thematic Analysis of Spirit Airlines’ Incident Response from USA
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Seong-Bin Jang and Minseong Kim
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 210; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020210 - 14 Feb 2025
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This study investigates the public relations (PR) challenges faced by the airline industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Spirit Airlines as a focal case. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study analyzes a dataset of 344 LinkedIn online reviews and digital reactions to an
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This study investigates the public relations (PR) challenges faced by the airline industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Spirit Airlines as a focal case. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study analyzes a dataset of 344 LinkedIn online reviews and digital reactions to an incident where a family was removed from a Spirit Airlines flight after their two-year-old child refused to wear a mask. The case study highlights the complex PR challenges airlines face in balancing public health protocols with customer relations during health crises. Through thematic and sentiment analyses, this research identifies gaps in traditional crisis communication models, advocating for empathetic, transparent strategies that align with pandemic-related sensitivities. It underscores the need for specialized staff training to effectively manage such crises. The findings suggest that conventional PR strategies fall short in addressing the multifaceted nature of pandemic-induced crises, calling for a shift towards human-centered communication and robust stakeholder management. This study contributes to the discourse on crisis communication in the airline industry, offering actionable insights for balancing public health responsibilities with customer satisfaction. It calls for a reevaluation of established crisis communication frameworks, urging future research to explore more inclusive and adaptive PR practices in response to health emergencies.
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Open AccessArticle
A Population Survey on Barriers and Facilitators to Breast Cancer Screening Based on the Theoretical Domains Framework
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Sarah Huf, Ada Humphrey, Ara Darzi, Deborah Cunningham, Dominic King and Gaby Judah
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 209; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020209 - 14 Feb 2025
Abstract
Background: In the UK, breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women, accounting for 31% of cancers and 15% of cancer-related deaths in women. In 2023, London’s breast screening coverage was 56%, falling below the NHS target of 70%. This survey assesses psychological and
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Background: In the UK, breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women, accounting for 31% of cancers and 15% of cancer-related deaths in women. In 2023, London’s breast screening coverage was 56%, falling below the NHS target of 70%. This survey assesses psychological and behavioural factors impacting screening attendance. Methods: Using the Theoretical Domains Framework, an online survey including 15 behavioural factors was distributed through a market research company to women eligible for breast screening (aged 47–73) across London and Southeast and West England. Logistic regression was used to predict the impact of behavioural variables on history of attendance and intention to attend future screening opportunities. Results: Of the 922 respondents who returned the full survey, 88.6% intended to attend future screenings, and 88.1% reported previously attending screenings regularly. ‘Behavioural regulation’ had the strongest influence on past attendance (OR = 1.92, p < 0.001) and future intent (OR = 1.56, p = 0.003). Not intending to attend was linked to emotional consequences (OR = 0.68, p = 0.003) and environmental barriers (OR = 0.66, p < 0.001), where OR—Odds Ratio. Conclusions: This survey identifies behavioural factors influencing breast screening participation and screening intention, providing insights that may help design interventions to increase attendance rates.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Behavioural Science in Improving Public Health)
Open AccessArticle
Effects of Joint Action Observation on Children’s Imitation
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Nejra Rizvanović, Ildikó Király and Natalie Sebanz
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020208 - 13 Feb 2025
Abstract
Grasping others’ intentions from their actions is essential for learning, as it enhances the ability to identify collaborative acts and anticipate others’ actions, facilitating effective coordination toward shared goals. From a young age, children seem to recognize when others are working together based
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Grasping others’ intentions from their actions is essential for learning, as it enhances the ability to identify collaborative acts and anticipate others’ actions, facilitating effective coordination toward shared goals. From a young age, children seem to recognize when others are working together based on their interactions and use this understanding to inform their own learning. Although much of early learning occurs in joint contexts, little attention has been devoted to understanding how children learn by participating in joint actions and by observing others acting together. Using a puzzle box paradigm, we tested 3–6-year-old children’s imitation of an inefficient performance following individual and joint demonstrations in which the inefficient performance did or did not involve bimanual or joint coordination. This allowed us to test whether the tendency to overimitate extends to joint actions and how action coordination modulates imitative behavior. We found that overimitation extends to joint actions, as indicated by similar rates of inefficient copying following individual and joint action demonstrations. Furthermore, our results suggest that action coordination did not play a significant role in modulating children’s tendency to overimitate. Taken together, the results of the study advance our understanding of how learning occurs in social interactions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Understanding Other Intentions: Merging Evidence on Theory of Mind across Various Research Areas)
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Open AccessSystematic Review
Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment Identification in Illiterate and Low-Educated People: Systematic Review About the Use of Brief Cognitive Screening Tools
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Jonathan Adrián Zegarra-Valdivia, Brenda Chino, Kuripacha Tituana, Lina Zapata-Restrepo, María Martha Unaucho, Milton Lopez-Norori, Carmen Paredes-Manrique and Nilton Custodio
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020207 - 13 Feb 2025
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The rising prevalence of dementia, particularly in low-income and developing countries, highlights the urgent need for effective cognitive screening tools. However, the existing tools often fail to address the unique needs of low-educated and illiterate populations, leading to diagnostic disparities. This review aimed
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The rising prevalence of dementia, particularly in low-income and developing countries, highlights the urgent need for effective cognitive screening tools. However, the existing tools often fail to address the unique needs of low-educated and illiterate populations, leading to diagnostic disparities. This review aimed to evaluate cognitive screening tests and domains employed globally to detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in low-educated and illiterate older adults. Following the PRISMA guidelines, Searches were performed in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed, targeting studies from January 2000 to 2023 involving adults over 45 years old. Of 1611 studies identified, 27 met the inclusion criteria and underwent pair review. The results revealed that most studies preferred adapting the existing tools to local languages over developing culturally tailored instruments. Twelve cognitive tests specifically designed for low-educated populations were identified, with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) being the most utilized, despite their educational biases. Adjusting the cutoff points improved detection (e.g., MoCA: sensitivity 82.5%, specificity 82%). Notably, the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) demonstrated superior performance for low-educated groups (sensitivity 89% and specificity 93%). The findings underscore the critical need for region-specific cognitive batteries that integrate functional assessments, ensuring equitable and accurate diagnosis across diverse educational backgrounds.
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Examining the Double-Edged Sword Effect of AI Usage on Work Engagement: The Moderating Role of Core Task Characteristics Substitution
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Xuan Liu and Yuxuan Li
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 206; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020206 - 13 Feb 2025
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As the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace increases, investigating its impact on work engagement is crucial for optimizing human resource management and enhancing organizational productivity and competitiveness. Based on the Conservation of Resources theory, this study investigated whether AI usage
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As the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace increases, investigating its impact on work engagement is crucial for optimizing human resource management and enhancing organizational productivity and competitiveness. Based on the Conservation of Resources theory, this study investigated whether AI usage exhibits a double-edged sword effect on work engagement and examined the moderating role of core task characteristics substitution in this relationship. A two-wave study was conducted among 279 employees from China, and Hayes’s PROCESS macro was used to test the moderated mediation model. The findings indicated that (1) AI usage enhances work engagement by increasing psychological availability and indirectly increases work engagement by suppressing work alienation; (2) core task characteristics substitution diminishes the enhancing effect of AI usage on psychological availability and the inhibiting effect of AI usage on work alienation; and (3) overall, AI usage tends to suppress work alienation, demonstrating an empowering effect. However, under conditions of high core task characteristics substitution, AI usage can increase work alienation, revealing potential negative effects. The findings enrich our understanding of the complex impact of AI usage on work engagement and offer valuable insights for managers to improve employee experiences in the AI era.
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Untangling Relational Ties: How Internalized Homonegativity and Adult Attachment Shape Relationship Quality in Lesbian and Gay Couples
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Tommaso Trombetta, Chiara Fusco, Luca Rollè and Alessandra Santona
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020205 - 13 Feb 2025
Abstract
Introduction: Several studies point to an association between minority stress, especially internalized homonegativity and the quality of the couple relationship. However, the dimensions of psychological functioning that might moderate this relationship seem to be scarcely explored. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate
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Introduction: Several studies point to an association between minority stress, especially internalized homonegativity and the quality of the couple relationship. However, the dimensions of psychological functioning that might moderate this relationship seem to be scarcely explored. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the association between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality by examining the moderating role of adult attachment (dimensions of anxiety and avoidance) in lesbian and gay (LG) people. Materials and Methods: A total of 674 LG participants who had been in a couple relationship for at least 12 months were included in the study and completed self-report questionnaires. Results: The results show a direct negative effect of internalized homonegativity on relationship quality. Adult attachment seems to moderate this relationship: on the one hand, the negative relationship between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality is significant at high levels of anxious attachment, but not at low levels. On the other hand, the negative relationship between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality turns out to be significant at low levels of avoidant attachment, but not at high levels. Discussion: The results suggest that attachment anxiety and avoidance play different roles in the relationship between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality. While high levels of anxious attachment appear to be a risk factor, high levels of avoidant attachment seem to play a protective role. Although future studies are needed to investigate the present preliminary findings further, the results of the present study provide useful clinical and research insights.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Research on Sexual and Social Relationships)
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Psychometric Analysis of Items Evaluating Health Belief Model Constructs in Social Media Posts: Application of Rasch Measurement Model
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Xiaofeng Jia and Soyeon Ahn
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020204 - 13 Feb 2025
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Social media is a crucial tool for health communication as it provides an immediate, wide-reaching platform to share information, correct misinformation, and promote health behaviors. The Health Belief Model (HBM) offers a structured approach for designing more effective social media messages by employing
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Social media is a crucial tool for health communication as it provides an immediate, wide-reaching platform to share information, correct misinformation, and promote health behaviors. The Health Belief Model (HBM) offers a structured approach for designing more effective social media messages by employing unique constructs predicting health behaviors, such as severity, susceptibility, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy. While prior research has explored HBM constructs in health messages, most studies have collected the survey data with items lacking robust psychometric evidence, particularly in evaluating social media posts. This study addresses this gap by using Rasch Measurement Theory (RMT) to analyze the psychometric properties of HBM items evaluating social media posts promoting COVID-19 vaccination. The findings indicate that severity, benefits, and barriers are the most reliable HBM constructs in social media posts, while susceptibility and self-efficacy are underutilized in health messaging for social media. Also, dimensionality analysis confirms distinct patterns, but unexplained variance suggests that additional factors influence vaccine messaging, raising validity concerns. These results underscore the need to refine HBM-based message strategies by emphasizing overlooked constructs and improving item effectiveness. This study provides guidelines for using HBM-related measures in social media by establishing comprehensive psychometric properties, especially when applied in social media contexts. It also presents practical guidelines for designing and evaluating social media health messages, ensuring they effectively utilize HBM constructs to promote positive health behaviors. Future research should explore measurement invariance and content creators’ emphasis on HBM constructs, leveraging high-engagement tweets while expanding to diverse perspectives for broader applicability.
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Open AccessArticle
The Chain Mediating Effects of Parent–Child Conflict and Screen Time on the Relationship Between Parental Phubbing and Problem Behaviors in Preschoolers
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Qiulan Gu and Mei Zhao
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020203 - 13 Feb 2025
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the key factors contributing to parental phubbing behaviors (the combination of “phone” and “snubbing”), ultimately reducing behavioral problems and promoting healthy development among preschool children. Parental phubbing refers to the phenomenon where parents neglect their children due to
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This study aims to investigate the key factors contributing to parental phubbing behaviors (the combination of “phone” and “snubbing”), ultimately reducing behavioral problems and promoting healthy development among preschool children. Parental phubbing refers to the phenomenon where parents neglect their children due to excessive mobile device use during parent–child interactions. A questionnaire was administered to 751 parents of preschool children during 2023 using a convenience sampling methodology. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate the underlying mechanisms among parental phubbing behavior, parent–child conflict, children’s screen exposure duration, and preschool children’s problematic behaviors. The phenomenon of parental phubbing exhibits a medium-high level of prevalence, paralleled by medium-high levels of problematic behaviors in preschool children; Parental phubbing not only directly predicts problematic behaviors in preschool children, but also indirectly influences these behaviors through a mediating chain comprising parent–child conflict and children’s screen exposure duration. However, parental phubbing behavior does not directly predict preschool children’s screen exposure duration; rather, parental phubbing behavior influences children’s screen time through parent–child conflict as a significant mediating factor. The phenomenon of parental phubbing behavior is concerning, suggesting that parents should pay attention to the potential hazards of media use on preschool children, improve their own media literacy, and provide appropriate media guidance to their children while accompanying them at home, so as to jointly promote the comprehensive development of preschool children.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Developmental Psychology)
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Effects of Sensory-Enhanced Acute Exercise on Affective Characteristics of Employees
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Tanja Lazarević, Aleksandar Nedeljković, Stanimir Stojiljković, Ana Vesković, Saša Bubanj, Novica Bojanić, Aleksa Bubanj and Ana Orlić
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020202 - 13 Feb 2025
Abstract
Employee well-being and affective states are critical factors influencing overall organizational success. This study examined the immediate effects of a sensory-enhanced acute exercise program on employees’ affective characteristics, including emotions, anxiety, and work motivation; A total of 84 participants, split into an experimental
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Employee well-being and affective states are critical factors influencing overall organizational success. This study examined the immediate effects of a sensory-enhanced acute exercise program on employees’ affective characteristics, including emotions, anxiety, and work motivation; A total of 84 participants, split into an experimental and control group, participated in the actual study. The experimental group engaged in a 14-min tailored exercise program in a sensory-rich “smart room” while the control group watched a neutral animated documentary. A pretest–posttest design was used, and data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc tests for significant interactions; The results revealed significant improvements in positive emotions (F(1, 82) = 20.99, p < 0.01) and work motivation (energy level: F(1, 82) = 48.36, p < 0.01; emotional arousal: F(1, 82) = 12.29, p < 0.01) in the experimental group, along with a significant reduction in anxiety (F(1, 82) = 11.37, p < 0.01) compared to the control group. Although reductions in negative emotions were observed across both groups, the differences were not statistically significant; This study underscores the effectiveness of integrating exercise with tailored sensory environments to enhance emotional states and workplace motivation. Such interventions offer a practical and scalable approach to improving employee well-being, highlighting their potential for adoption in diverse professional settings.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Work Environment: Employee Well-Being and Job Satisfaction)
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How Does Conscientiousness Relate to Employee Creativity? An Exploratory Study of Frontline Technical Workers
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Sen Xu and Jiajia Cheng
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020201 - 13 Feb 2025
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Building on the interactionist perspective of organizational creativity, we investigated the relationship between conscientiousness and employee creativity. We surveyed 260 frontline technical workers and their supervisors at three Chinese manufacturing enterprises. The results showed a positive relationship between conscientiousness and employee creativity. We
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Building on the interactionist perspective of organizational creativity, we investigated the relationship between conscientiousness and employee creativity. We surveyed 260 frontline technical workers and their supervisors at three Chinese manufacturing enterprises. The results showed a positive relationship between conscientiousness and employee creativity. We also found a three-way interaction effect between conscientiousness, perceived time pressure, and trust in one’s leader, which impacts employee creativity. We ended by discussing both the theoretical and managerial implications.
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Open AccessArticle
The Influence of Face Masks on Micro-Expression Recognition
by
Yunqiu Zhang and Chuanlin Zhu
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 200; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020200 - 13 Feb 2025
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This study aimed to explore the influence of various mask attributes on the recognition of micro-expressions (happy, neutral, and fear) and facial favorability under different background emotional conditions (happy, neutral, and fear). The participants were asked to complete an ME (micro-expression) recognition task,
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This study aimed to explore the influence of various mask attributes on the recognition of micro-expressions (happy, neutral, and fear) and facial favorability under different background emotional conditions (happy, neutral, and fear). The participants were asked to complete an ME (micro-expression) recognition task, and the corresponding accuracy (ACC), reaction time (RT), and facial favorability were analyzed. Results: (1) Background emotions significantly impacted the RT and ACC in micro-expression recognition, with fear backgrounds hindering performance. (2) Mask wearing, particularly opaque ones, prolonged the RT but had little effect on the ACC. Transparent masks and non-patterned masks increased facial favorability. (3) There was a significant interaction between background emotions and mask attributes; negative backgrounds amplified the negative effects of masks on recognition speed and favorability, while positive backgrounds mitigated these effects. This study provides insights into how masks influence micro-expression recognition, crucial for future research in this area.
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Open AccessArticle
The Impact of Nutrition Education, Strength Training, and Body Image Perception on Orthorexia Nervosa Risk: A Cross-Sectional Study in Women
by
Wiktoria Staśkiewicz-Bartecka, Laura Tambor, Agata Kiciak, Daria Dobkowska-Szefer, Natalia Kuczka, Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa, Agnieszka Bielaszka, Oskar Kowalski and Marek Kardas
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020199 - 13 Feb 2025
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Background: The increasing focus on healthy eating and achieving an ideal physique can lead to the development of disordered eating patterns, including orthorexia nervosa. The relationship between body image perception, self-esteem, and the risk of orthorexia nervosa is multifaceted, with negative body image
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Background: The increasing focus on healthy eating and achieving an ideal physique can lead to the development of disordered eating patterns, including orthorexia nervosa. The relationship between body image perception, self-esteem, and the risk of orthorexia nervosa is multifaceted, with negative body image and low self-esteem often acting as contributing factors. This study aimed to assess the risk of orthorexia nervosa and analyze body image perception among women engaged in strength training and dietetics students. Methods: The study was conducted using a Computer-Assisted Web Interview with 190 women aged 18 and older, divided into four groups: dietetics students engaged in strength training, dietetics students not engaged in strength training, non-dietetics women engaged in strength training, and non-dietetics women not engaged in strength training. The study utilized the Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale to assess the risk of orthorexia nervosa and the Body-Esteem Scale to evaluate body image perception. Results: The highest orthorexia nervosa risk was observed in dietetics students who do not engage in a strength training group (60.9%), followed by dietetics students who engage in a strength training group (37.5%). In contrast, women who are not studying dietetics and do not engage in a strength training group exhibited the lowest orthorexia nervosa risk (13%), emphasizing the protective role of physical activity and reduced focus on nutritional rigidity. Regression analysis revealed that low appearance self-esteem (p = 0.011) and high social attribution (p = 0.043) significantly predicted higher orthorexia nervosa risk. Group affiliation also influenced orthorexia nervosa risk, with dietetics students showing higher Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale scores. However, weight-related self-esteem (p = 0.082) did not significantly impact orthorexia nervosa scores. Conclusions: Dietetics education and physical activity independently and collectively affect orthorexia nervosa risk. Students in dietetics, particularly those not engaged in strength training, are at a higher risk due to the dual influence of academic pressures and heightened nutritional awareness. The findings underscore the need for interventions targeting body image perception, promoting flexible dietary approaches, and addressing external validation pressures to mitigate orthorexia nervosa risk in high-risk groups.
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