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When Support Hurts: Re-Examining the Cyberbullying Victimization–Mental Health Relationship Among University Students in Saudi Arabia -
Time on Their Side: How Visual Timers Affect Anticipatory Anxiety, Performance, and On-Task Behavior in Elementary Math Assessments -
Cyber Child-to-Parent Violence and Child-to-Parent Violence: Bidirectional Trajectories and Associated Longitudinal Risk Factors
Journal Description
European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education
European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education
(EJIHPE) is a scientific, peer-reviewed, open access journal that publishes original articles and systematic reviews or meta-analyses related to research on human development throughout the life cycle, published monthly online. It is the official journal of the Spanish Scientific Society for Research and Training in Health Sciences (SOCI-CCSS) (formerly the University Association of Education and Psychology (ASUNIVEP)).
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, ESCI (Web of Science), PMC, PubMed, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q1 (Psychology, Clinical) / CiteScore - Q1 (Clinical Psychology)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 27 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.6 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2026).
- 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:
3.7 (2025);
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.7 (2025)
Latest Articles
A Noisy Self Goes Online: Intraindividual Personality Variability and Self-Coherence in Digital Engagement
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(7), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16070098 - 9 Jul 2026
Abstract
Personality research has traditionally focused on stable trait differences, but increasing attention has been devoted to the internal organization of personality traits within individuals. The present study examined whether intraindividual variability in the Big Five traits, operationalized as the within-person standard deviation across
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Personality research has traditionally focused on stable trait differences, but increasing attention has been devoted to the internal organization of personality traits within individuals. The present study examined whether intraindividual variability in the Big Five traits, operationalized as the within-person standard deviation across trait scores (iSD_BFI), is associated with problematic digital engagement in young adults. A sample of 316 participants completed the Big Five Inventory and selected subscales of the Behavioral Addiction Questionnaire assessing smartphone use, internet use and video gaming. Pearson correlations, hierarchical regression and independent samples t-tests were conducted to evaluate associations between personality trait-profile dispersion and digital behaviors. Results showed that higher iSD_BFI was weakly but significantly associated with greater problematic smartphone use (r = 0.115, p = 0.044) and internet use (r = 0.141, p = 0.012), whereas no significant association emerged with video gaming (r = 0.029, p = 0.764). Hierarchical regression analyses further indicated that iSD_BFI explained a small but statistically significant additional proportion of variance in smartphone use (ΔR2 = 0.014, p = 0.023) and internet use (ΔR2 = 0.019, p = 0.008) beyond age, sex, and the five Big Five traits, but not in video gaming. Participants in the problematic smartphone use group exhibited significantly higher iSD_BFI than those in the moderate risk group. Rather than representing a direct measure of self-coherence or identity fragmentation, iSD_BFI was considered an exploratory structural indicator of personality profile dispersion. Accordingly, a more heterogeneous personality profile may be associated with a greater approach to digitally mediated environments, possibly because these environments provide predictability, feedback, and reinforcement. Overall, the study highlights the importance of exploring intraindividual personality configuration as a complementary dimension to traditional trait-based approaches.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risky Behaviors Among Youth: Assessment, Prevention, and Intervention)
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Rethinking Communication Barriers: Educational Attainment in Cervical Cancer Screening Among American Sign Language Users
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Hiruni Hewapathiranage-Mayadunne, Erika Bergeron and Poorna Kushalnagar
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(7), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16070097 - 9 Jul 2026
Abstract
Deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing (DDBHH) American Sign Language (ASL) users assigned female at birth experience disparities in cervical cancer screening. There is a need to further clarify the roles of education status and English proficiency in adherence to the U.S. Preventive Services Task
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Deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing (DDBHH) American Sign Language (ASL) users assigned female at birth experience disparities in cervical cancer screening. There is a need to further clarify the roles of education status and English proficiency in adherence to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) screening guidelines. Using the NCI Health Information National Trends Survey in ASL, we surveyed participants; those who reported being female and within the USPSTF age-eligible range (21–65) were included in analyses. Associations were determined using Pearson Chi-squared tests. A two-sided p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Six hundred and forty-three participants, recruited between July 2023 and October 2025, answered questions in ASL and English, with 65% self-reporting screening adherence. Chi-square results indicated that more years of education were significantly associated with screening adherence [X2 (2) = 9.72, p = 0.008]. Consistent with the results, English proficiency was not a significant predictor of screening adherence [Fisher’s exact p = 0.267]. Those who self-report as HS graduates and/or have left college demonstrate lower adherence as well. These findings suggest that educational attainment may be an important factor associated with screening adherence among DDBHH ASL users and warrants further investigation in efforts to improve adherence toward Healthy People 2030 targets.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Combatting Health Disparities Among Diverse Deaf Individuals: Perspectives from Health, Psychology, and Education)
Open AccessArticle
Sleep Characteristics and Insomnia Severity in Relation to Mediterranean Lifestyle Adherence and Psychosocial Wellbeing: Findings from the MEDIET4ALL International Survey
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Achraf Ammar, Atef Salem, Khaled Trabelsi, Martha Montalvan, Bassem Bouaziz, Mohamed Ali Boujelbane, Mohamed Kerkeni, Liwa Masmoudi, Hadeel Ali Ghazzawi, Adam Tawfiq Amawi, Bekir Erhan Orhan, Raynier Zambrano-Villacres, Juliane Heydenreich, Christiana Schallhorn, Tarak Driss, Evelyn Frias-Toral, Giuseppe Grosso, Piotr Zmijewski, Haitham Jahrami, Waqar Husain, Hamdi Chtourou and Wolfgang I. Schöllhornadd
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Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(7), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16070096 - 2 Jul 2026
Abstract
Sleep is a multidimensional health domain influenced by behavioural, psychological, and lifestyle factors. However, multinational evidence integrating insomnia severity and multiple sleep outcomes within the Mediterranean lifestyle framework remains limited. This study examined correlates of insomnia severity and key sleep outcomes in adults
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Sleep is a multidimensional health domain influenced by behavioural, psychological, and lifestyle factors. However, multinational evidence integrating insomnia severity and multiple sleep outcomes within the Mediterranean lifestyle framework remains limited. This study examined correlates of insomnia severity and key sleep outcomes in adults from Mediterranean and neighbouring countries participating in the MEDIET4ALL survey. Data were collected from 4010 adults (59.5% female) across 10 countries using a standardized multilingual e-survey. Insomnia severity was assessed as primary outcome using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), while sleep characteristics were assessed using sleep duration, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and subjective sleep quality. Regression analyses examined sociodemographic, health-related, Mediterranean dietary, movement-related, psychological, and social correlates. Exploratory statistical indirect association analyses involving life satisfaction were also conducted. Insomnia severity showed the highest explained variance among sleep outcomes (adjusted R2 ≈ 0.29). Higher insomnia severity was associated with female sex, higher body mass index, and greater depression, anxiety, and stress (β ≈ 0.15–0.17), whereas lower insomnia severity was associated with older age, better self-reported health status, higher life satisfaction, and greater adherence to Mediterranean dietary consumption patterns (β ≈ −0.04 to −0.11). Models for secondary sleep outcomes explained more modest variance and should be interpreted as exploratory. Across these outcomes, psychological well-being and distress showed the most consistent associations, while Mediterranean dietary dimensions and social participation showed smaller and outcome-specific associations. Exploratory indirect association analyses showed small but statistically significant indirect associations involving life satisfaction between Mediterranean dietary dimensions, social participation, and selected sleep outcomes, particularly sleep quality and insomnia severity. The findings confirm and contextualize established associations between sleep, psychological well-being, distress, Mediterranean lifestyle-related behaviours, and regional context within a large multinational sample. Psychological well-being and distress emerged as the most consistent correlates. Insomnia severity was the most robustly explained sleep outcome, whereas secondary sleep dimensions reflected more modest exploratory correlational profiles.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Influence of Sleep Quality on Health and Mental Well-Being)
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Parents’ and Teachers’ Perceptions of Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Early Childhood and Primary Education in Greece
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Vasiliki Katsarou, Vassiliki Pliogou, Maria Gasouka and Evaggelia Kalerante
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(7), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16070095 - 30 Jun 2026
Abstract
This study examines parents’ and teachers’ perceptions of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in preschool and primary school settings in Greece. Using a quantitative survey design, data were collected from 326 parents and 212 teachers. The study explored perceptions of the importance of CSE,
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This study examines parents’ and teachers’ perceptions of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in preschool and primary school settings in Greece. Using a quantitative survey design, data were collected from 326 parents and 212 teachers. The study explored perceptions of the importance of CSE, appropriate age and content, implementation barriers, and the influence of socio-demographic and ideological factors. Both groups expressed strong support for CSE, particularly when framed as a means of protecting children and providing reliable information. However, support appeared conditional and selective, with greater hesitation toward topics directly related to sexuality and sexual behaviour. Significant differences emerged, with parents expressing greater concerns regarding age appropriateness and potential negative consequences, while teachers showed stronger support for earlier and more comprehensive implementation. Both groups endorsed a developmental approach, with increasing acceptance of more complex topics at older ages. Although statistically significant differences emerged in several areas, effect sizes were generally small, indicating substantial overlap between parents’ and teachers’ views. Teachers were more likely to identify key implementation barriers, including lack of training, limited resources, and parental resistance. Ideological orientation appeared to be consistently associated with the perceived importance of CSE across both samples.
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Open AccessArticle
Development and Validation of the ATRAI Questionnaire to Assess Attitudes Toward Large Language Models in Clinical Setting (ATRAI-LLM)
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Roman V. Reshetnikov, Yuriy A. Vasilev, Yuliya F. Shumskaya, Dina A. Akhmedzyanova, Yulya A. Alymova, Anton V. Vladzymyrskyy, Ilya A. Tyrov, Olga V. Omelyanskaya and Ivan A. Blokhin
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(7), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16070094 - 30 Jun 2026
Abstract
Background: Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly integrated into real-world medical practice as chatbots for answering clinical queries. However, the perceptions of this technology among its end-users remain understudied. Existing research on physicians’ attitudes toward LLMs relies on non-validated questionnaires, raising concerns about
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Background: Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly integrated into real-world medical practice as chatbots for answering clinical queries. However, the perceptions of this technology among its end-users remain understudied. Existing research on physicians’ attitudes toward LLMs relies on non-validated questionnaires, raising concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the findings. The aim of this study is to develop and validate a questionnaire to assess physicians’ attitudes toward LLM-based chatbots used as a reference tool for answering queries. Methods: The instrument was based on the previously developed and validated ATRAI-14 questionnaire assessing radiologists’ attitudes toward artificial intelligence. Items for the new questionnaire were formulated and refined through focus group testing. Validation involved 562 physicians of various specialties working in medical institutions within the Moscow healthcare system. Some respondents had prior experience working with medical LLMs. We assessed face, content, construct, and criterion validity. Criterion validity was evaluated through correlation between respondents’ self-assessed attitudes toward LLMs measured by visual analogue scale (VAS), and construct validity through confirmatory factor analysis. Results: The resulting ATRAI-LLM questionnaire comprised 19 items (8 in the background part and 11 in the main part). The questionnaire demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.770, McDonald’s ωt = 0.830). It encompasses three domains: “Willingness to Use”, “Implementation Perspective”, and “Hopes and Fears.” Confirmatory factor analysis supported the three-factor structure, with satisfactory fit indices achieved (RMSEA = 0.05, CFI = 0.97, TLI = 0.96, SRMR = 0.03). Criterion validity was confirmed as acceptable with moderate correlation between the final score and VAS scores (Spearman’s rho 0.68, p < 0.001). Conclusions: ATRAI-LLM is a validated instrument for assessing physicians’ attitudes toward LLMs as a knowledge base.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Artificial Intelligence in Health, Psychology and Education)
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Learning to Reformulate Peer Conflict: Effects of a Language-Based Educational Program on Conflict Management, Peer Interaction, and Bullying-Related Experiences in Early Adolescence
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Katia Rolán, Francisca Fariña and Miguel Cuevas-Alonso
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(7), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16070093 - 30 Jun 2026
Abstract
Peer conflict in early adolescence ranges from everyday disagreements to repeated aggression and bullying-related experiences. Bullying should not be reduced to physical violence: it may involve relational exclusion, psychological harassment, or verbal aggression without direct physical harm, whereas isolated aggressive acts do not
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Peer conflict in early adolescence ranges from everyday disagreements to repeated aggression and bullying-related experiences. Bullying should not be reduced to physical violence: it may involve relational exclusion, psychological harassment, or verbal aggression without direct physical harm, whereas isolated aggressive acts do not necessarily constitute bullying. This study evaluated Reformulando, a school-based program that trains communication-based socio-emotional skills through pragmatic reformulation and respectful language. Using a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a non-equivalent control group, we assessed changes in conflict management strategies, peer aggression, and bullying-related experiences among students aged 10–13 years. Initial analyses suggested reductions in verbal peer aggression in the experimental group relative to the control group, although these effects were attenuated in age-adjusted and classroom-clustered sensitivity analyses. Collaborative conflict management increased over time, although this change did not differ significantly between groups. Bullying-related experiences decreased during the study period, but these reductions were not specific to the experimental group. This pattern emerged in the primary analyses but was attenuated in age-adjusted and cluster-adjusted sensitivity analyses. Findings suggest the potential value of brief communication-based training for addressing verbal peer conflict, while highlighting the need for cautious interpretation due to baseline group differences, grade-level imbalance, classroom clustering, and the quasi-experimental design.
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Open AccessArticle
Self-Efficacy, Intrinsic Motivation, and Self-Regulated Learning as Predictors of Thesis Quality and Process Efficiency Among Undergraduate Students: A PLS-SEM Study
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Luis Edgardo Cruz Salinas, Marco Agustín Arbulú Ballesteros, Carlos José Sandoval Reyes, Gerardo Antero Barba Ureña and Carla Mercy Flores Sánchez
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(7), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16070092 - 30 Jun 2026
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The general objective of this study is to test an integrative PLS-SEM model that simultaneously explains thesis quality and process efficiency among undergraduate students through the affective-motivational mediators of research self-efficacy and project management. Students who stall in the final stage of their
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The general objective of this study is to test an integrative PLS-SEM model that simultaneously explains thesis quality and process efficiency among undergraduate students through the affective-motivational mediators of research self-efficacy and project management. Students who stall in the final stage of their degree rarely do so because they lack technical skill. More often, confidence erodes under sustained uncertainty, motivation shifts from intrinsic engagement to anxious compliance, and the demands of organizing months of research exceed what willpower alone can sustain. This study examines those emotional and motivational dynamics directly, treating research self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation not as background variables but as the affective-motivational core of thesis performance. Using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) grounded in self-determination theory and social cognitive theory, we tested an integrative model with data from 396 undergraduate students actively completing theses at public and private universities in the northern region of Peru. Four enabling factors—methodological competencies, intrinsic motivation, tutorial support, resources and conditions—were linked to thesis quality and process efficiency through two mediating mechanisms: research self-efficacy (the confidence to face methodological difficulty without retreating) and project management (the behavioral self-regulation that converts motivation into organized work). Resources and conditions showed the strongest associations in the model, with the largest effects on both project management (β = 0.533) and research self-efficacy (β = 0.418). Self-efficacy, in turn, showed the strongest association with thesis quality (β = 0.518), while project management and quality were jointly associated with process efficiency. The model explained 70.5% of variance in thesis quality and 81.4% in process efficiency. These patterns point to a concrete institutional lever: securing the material and temporal conditions that allow students to do the work, rather than attributing delays solely to failures of individual motivation. Because the design is cross-sectional and based on self-report, these relationships are interpreted as theory-consistent associations rather than causal effects.
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College Students’ ADHD Symptoms and Alcohol Response During Laboratory Self-Administration
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Amy L. Stamates, Sabrina M. Todaro, Anna L. Sherman, Melissa C. Rothstein, Dahianna López and Lisa L. Weyandt
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(7), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16070091 - 29 Jun 2026
Abstract
Background: Alcohol use and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are prevalent among college students. Individuals with ADHD are at increased risk for developing alcohol use disorder, but mechanisms contributing to this risk are unclear. Subjective alcohol response, or how one experiences the effects of alcohol
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Background: Alcohol use and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are prevalent among college students. Individuals with ADHD are at increased risk for developing alcohol use disorder, but mechanisms contributing to this risk are unclear. Subjective alcohol response, or how one experiences the effects of alcohol use, is an important factor that contributes to alcohol consumption. Research suggests that individuals with ADHD, as compared to those without ADHD, may differentially experience the effects of alcohol. Consequently, the purpose of the present study was to examine the association between ADHD symptoms and subjective alcohol response (i.e., subjective effects of alcohol, perceived intoxication, and craving). Methods: Participants (N = 26; 38.5% male, 61.5% female) were college students who completed an in-person alcohol administration session where they received a 0.65 g/kg dose of alcohol. Breath alcohol concentrations and subjective effects of alcohol (feel, like, sedation, and stimulation), perceived intoxication (intoxication and willingness to drive), and craving were assessed at multiple time points throughout the session. ADHD symptoms were assessed at baseline. Results: Area under the curves (AUC) were generated for each participant and each subjective effect, perceived intoxication, and craving. Controlling for typical alcohol use, multiple regressions revealed that higher ADHD symptoms were associated with greater liking the drink, willingness to drive, and craving AUC scores. Conclusions: Individuals with higher ADHD symptoms may experience greater liking and craving during a drinking session. The present findings may also be useful to consider when tailoring intervention and prevention efforts to help reduce risk for college students who report elevated ADHD symptomology.
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Open AccessArticle
Development and Validation of AI Help-Seeking Behavior Scale Among Undergraduate University Students
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Othman A. Alfuqaha, Rasha M. Abdelrahman and Kyle Msall
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(7), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16070090 - 29 Jun 2026
Abstract
(1) Background: Artificial intelligence tools have become integrated into undergraduate students from academic assignments to seek help with psychological concerns, particularly during the crises period. Scales measuring Artificial Intelligence-help-seeking behavior (AI-HSB) are still limited. This study aims to develop a new bilingual scale
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(1) Background: Artificial intelligence tools have become integrated into undergraduate students from academic assignments to seek help with psychological concerns, particularly during the crises period. Scales measuring Artificial Intelligence-help-seeking behavior (AI-HSB) are still limited. This study aims to develop a new bilingual scale (Arabic and English) to assess AI-HSB by providing a reliable and useful tool for researchers worldwide. (2) Methods: We conducted a methodological cross-sectional design among 416 undergraduate students in United Arab Emirates (AUE) between the period of 1 October 2025 and 10 December 2025, using an online Google Form. The development, translation, validation, and reliability processes were conducted for the AI-HSB scale. (3) Results: It has been found that 13 items (two factors) are strong indications of factorial validity, reliability, and construct validity of AI-HSB scale. The two factors explained about 58% of the total variance. The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the two-factor structure with all items loading above recommended thresholds and the goodness-of-fit indices of AI-HSB all exceeded 0.90. (4) Conclusions: The AI-HSB is a valid and reliable tool for assessing AI-based psychological help-seeking behavior among university students in the UAE. This scale will allow universities, counselors, and policymakers to use a well-validated scale to measure the extent to which students are using AI for psychological coping.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Artificial Intelligence in Health, Psychology and Education)
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Self-Reported Mental Health History and Self-Reported Coping Behaviours in Biomedicine Students—Exploring Associations with Healthy Lifestyle and Resilience
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Tina Vilovic, Josko Bozic, Marko Kumric, Roko Santic, Josip Vrdoljak, Marion Tomicic, Marko Rada, Edvard Kamsigovski, Mariana Radovic and Marino Vilovic
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(7), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16070089 - 29 Jun 2026
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Background: Mental health disorders (MHDs) are an important concern among biomedical students, but estimates vary depending on whether studies assess confirmed diagnoses, perceived problems or current symptoms. This study assessed the presence of self-reported MHD history, operationalised as a heterogeneous combined outcome that
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Background: Mental health disorders (MHDs) are an important concern among biomedical students, but estimates vary depending on whether studies assess confirmed diagnoses, perceived problems or current symptoms. This study assessed the presence of self-reported MHD history, operationalised as a heterogeneous combined outcome that included either a confirmed MHD diagnosis or a subjective perception of having or having had an MHD without official confirmation, and examined its associations with self-reported coping behaviours, resilience, study-related exhaustion and disengagement symptoms and healthy lifestyle adherence. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among students from Medicine, Dental Medicine and Pharmacy programmes. Of 936 eligible students, 520 completed the survey (55.6%). The survey assessed self-reported MHD history and coping behaviours, while standardised questionnaires measured resilience, exhaustion and disengagement symptoms and healthy lifestyle adherence. Analyses included descriptive statistics, group comparisons, Spearman correlations, false-discovery-rate correction for exploratory coping-behaviour analyses and age- and gender-adjusted logistic regression. Results: Overall, 159 students (30.6%) had self-reported MHD history present, including 32 (6.2%) with a confirmed diagnosis and 127 (24.4%) with a subjectively perceived MHD without official confirmation. Exhaustion/disengagement scores negatively correlated with resilience and lifestyle scores, while resilience positively correlated with lifestyle scores (all p < 0.001). In adjusted logistic regression, higher resilience (OR = 0.539, 95% CI = 0.389–0.747, p < 0.001) and lifestyle scores (OR = 0.951, 95% CI = 0.929–0.974, p < 0.001) were associated with lower odds of self-reported MHD history being present. Conclusions: Self-reported MHD history was common among respondents and was associated with lower resilience, poorer lifestyle adherence and higher study-related exhaustion and disengagement symptoms. Because the outcome was heterogeneous and the design was cross-sectional, findings should be interpreted as associations rather than clinically verified prevalence estimates or causal effects.
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Mapping the Network Structure of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: The Role of Emotional and Interpersonal Vulnerability and Attachment in Spanish Adolescents
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Sandra Pérez-Rodríguez, Blanca Gallego-Hernández de Tejada, María José Beneyto-Arrojo and Xavier Sanz-Sendra
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(7), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16070088 - 25 Jun 2026
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Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is highly prevalent during adolescence and is associated with a range of emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal vulnerabilities. Although prior research has identified key correlates such as emotion dysregulation, hopelessness, interpersonal distress, and attachment insecurity, these factors have largely been
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Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is highly prevalent during adolescence and is associated with a range of emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal vulnerabilities. Although prior research has identified key correlates such as emotion dysregulation, hopelessness, interpersonal distress, and attachment insecurity, these factors have largely been examined in isolation, limiting understanding of how they jointly contribute to NSSI. Methods: The present study examined the network structure of NSSI and associated vulnerability processes in a community sample of 2067 Spanish adolescents (M age = 14.62, SD = 1.80). A regularized partial correlation network (EBICglasso) was estimated, including NSSI frequency and functions, emotion dysregulation, hopelessness, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and attachment representations. Centrality and network stability were evaluated using standard indices and bootstrapping procedures. Results: The network revealed a differentiated structure of associations. Perceived burdensomeness and intrapersonal NSSI functions emerged as the most influential nodes, whereas emotion dysregulation occupied a key bridging position connecting attachment-related experiences, interpersonal vulnerability, and NSSI processes. In contrast, NSSI frequency and interpersonal functions showed a more peripheral role. Attachment security was negatively associated with core risk variables, consistent with a protective role within the network. Conclusions: Findings suggest that NSSI in adolescence is embedded within a system of interacting emotional and interpersonal processes, structured around the functional meaning of the behavior and key interpersonal appraisals. Emotion dysregulation emerged as a highly connected node linking multiple domains, while attachment was associated with several key variables within the network. These findings suggest potential targets for early identification and intervention, particularly focusing on emotion regulation, perceived burdensomeness, and intrapersonal functions of NSSI.
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Adolescent Mental Health and Health-Related Behaviors Across Language-Based School Systems in South Tyrol, Italy
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Christian J. Wiedermann, Verena Barbieri, Giuliano Piccoliori and Doris Hager von Prainsack Strobele
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(7), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16070087 - 25 Jun 2026
Abstract
Adolescents growing up in multilingual regions experience diverse educational contexts that may shape their daily routines and psychosocial environments, but their independent relevance for mental health remains unclear. South Tyrol, with its parallel German-, Italian-, and Ladin-language school systems, provides a unique setting
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Adolescents growing up in multilingual regions experience diverse educational contexts that may shape their daily routines and psychosocial environments, but their independent relevance for mental health remains unclear. South Tyrol, with its parallel German-, Italian-, and Ladin-language school systems, provides a unique setting to examine these associations. This study assessed whether school language and home–school language mismatch are associated with mental health, psychosomatic symptoms, and health-related behaviors among adolescents. We analyzed data from a population-based survey of 2005 adolescents aged 11–19 years who provided self-reported information on mental health, psychosomatic complaints, school stress, social support, digital behaviors, lifestyle, and sleep. Multivariable regression analyses examined the independent association of home–school language mismatch with mental health outcomes, adjusting for sociodemographic and educational factors and further incorporating sleep-related behaviors. Mental health outcomes, psychosomatic symptoms, and most health-related behaviors showed little variation by school language, with generally small effect sizes. Home–school language mismatch was associated with slightly higher depressive symptom scores in unadjusted analyses but was not independently associated with mental health outcomes after adjustment. In contrast, weekly sleep problems emerged as the strongest correlate of depressive symptoms, accounting for a substantial proportion of explained variance. These findings indicate that adolescent mental health in this multilingual context is associated less with the language of schooling itself than with broader behavioral and developmental factors, highlighting sleep-related behaviors as a central and modifiable target for prevention.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Influence of Sleep Quality on Health and Mental Well-Being)
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Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals: A Scoping Review
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Filipa Gomes, Carol Coelho, Daniela Fumega, Bárbara C. Machado and Sónia Gonçalves
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(7), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16070086 - 25 Jun 2026
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Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant public health concern, with disproportionately higher prevalence among sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations compared to cisgender heterosexual individuals. While prior research has examined NSSI and related outcomes in SGM groups, evidence on specific risk and protective
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Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant public health concern, with disproportionately higher prevalence among sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations compared to cisgender heterosexual individuals. While prior research has examined NSSI and related outcomes in SGM groups, evidence on specific risk and protective factors remains limited. This scoping review aimed to systematically map and synthesize risk and protective factors associated with NSSI in SGM populations. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to 2 February 2026. A total of 43 studies were included, the majority of which were conducted in the United States and employed cross-sectional designs. Data were charted and synthesized using a minority stress-informed socioecological framework. Findings indicate that NSSI is consistently associated with the co-occurrence of minority stress processes and intrapersonal vulnerabilities. Additional risk factors were identified across family, peer, and community domains. Protective factors were less frequently examined but included social support, family connectedness, school safety, and adaptive coping strategies. Overall, the findings suggest that NSSI among SGM populations is best understood as the result of interacting risk processes across multiple ecological levels. These results support a minority stress-informed, multi-level conceptualization of NSSI in SGM individuals and highlight the need for longitudinal research and greater focus on protective factors.
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Coping Engagement as the Pathway from Psychological Empowerment to Life Satisfaction: A Mediation and Moderation Independent Analyses Among Women in Northern Peru
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Velia Graciela Vera-Calmet, Haydee Mercedes Aguilar-Armas, Mabel Ysabel Otiniano León, Marco Agustín Arbulú Ballesteros, Lucy Angelica Yglesias-Alva and Cristian Edgardo Alegría-Silva
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(6), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16060085 - 19 Jun 2026
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Psychological empowerment is associated with women’s well-being, yet how it translates into life satisfaction in high-informality Latin American settings remains untested—as does whether empowerment must cross a threshold before any benefit appears. We tested mediation and moderation hypotheses as separate questions with 251
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Psychological empowerment is associated with women’s well-being, yet how it translates into life satisfaction in high-informality Latin American settings remains untested—as does whether empowerment must cross a threshold before any benefit appears. We tested mediation and moderation hypotheses as separate questions with 251 women aged 18–44 from three northern Peruvian regions using PLS-SEM with 5000 bootstrap resamples. Coping engagement fully mediated the empowerment–life satisfaction relationship (indirect β = 0.134, 95% CI [0.065, 0.213]; VAF = 87.6%; R2 [engagement] = 0.070, R2 [life satisfaction] = 0.285); the direct path was non-significant (β = 0.019, p = 0.754). Mediation and moderation were examined as separate analytical questions; the formal index of moderated mediation was non-significant, indicating that the indirect effect did not differ significantly across subgroups. In exploratory threshold analyses, empowerment predicted life satisfaction only above a normative cut-point anchored to the IMWE scoring manual (≥136; β = 0.382, p < 0.001); below it, the association was flat (β = 0.047, p = 0.547). This pattern is instrument-anchored rather than empirically derived and should be treated as hypothesis-generating pending replication with an independently optimized cut-point. Age moderated the engagement–satisfaction link (β = −0.239, p = 0.031), with stronger effects among younger women; motherhood amplified the negative impact of disengagement on satisfaction (β = −0.272, p = 0.021). Tentatively, programs that move participants only modestly along the empowerment continuum may under-deliver on well-being outcomes, though firm prescriptions require independent confirmation; tailored design for mothers and younger women is warranted.
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Open AccessArticle
Effects of a Digital Parent–Child Single-Session Growth Mindset Intervention on Adolescent Depression and Anxiety Symptoms: A Three-Arm Waitlist Randomized Controlled Trial
by
Shimin Zhu, Yuxi Hu, Di Qi, An Xi, Shiyun Chen, Ruobing Wang, Paul Lee and Paul Wai Ching Wong
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(6), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16060084 - 17 Jun 2026
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Adolescent depression and anxiety are prevalent, yet brief and scalable parent–child digital interventions remain understudied. This study evaluated the effects of a digital parent–child single-session growth mindset intervention targeting beliefs about intelligence, failure, and emotion on adolescent internalizing of symptoms. In a three-arm
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Adolescent depression and anxiety are prevalent, yet brief and scalable parent–child digital interventions remain understudied. This study evaluated the effects of a digital parent–child single-session growth mindset intervention targeting beliefs about intelligence, failure, and emotion on adolescent internalizing of symptoms. In a three-arm waitlist cluster randomized controlled trial, 390 parent–child dyads from seven secondary schools in Hong Kong were assigned to a parent–child intervention group, a child-only intervention group, or a waitlist control group. Students were assessed at baseline, 2 weeks, and 3 months, and parents at baseline and 3 months. Cluster-adjusted generalized estimating equations were used for intention-to-treat analyses. A significant time-by-group interaction was observed for child-reported depression, whereas the interaction effects for other outcomes were non-significant. However, cluster-adjusted baseline differences across groups limited attribution of changes in depression to intervention effects. Relative to controls, the parent–child intervention descriptively showed short-term improvement in hopelessness and sustained gains in child-reported parent–child relationships over 3 months. Moderation analyses suggested clearer short-term benefits among adolescents with higher baseline symptoms and among girls. Overall, the PC-SMILE intervention in this study did not show statistically significant effect on reducing internalizing symptoms. Improvement on intervention design and implementation would benefit further refinement of brief, scalable parent–child digital interventions. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05493865.
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Open AccessArticle
Childhood Family Support as a Protective Factor for Adult Mental Health: Does It Hold Under Cumulative Risk?
by
Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan, Kimberly J. Mitchell, Jennifer E. O’Brien and Deirdre Colburn
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(6), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16060083 - 16 Jun 2026
Abstract
Childhood family support is widely recognized as a protective factor for mental health, yet it remains unclear whether its buffering role is maintained under conditions of cumulative adversity. This study examined whether perceived childhood family support is associated with adult mental health distress
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Childhood family support is widely recognized as a protective factor for mental health, yet it remains unclear whether its buffering role is maintained under conditions of cumulative adversity. This study examined whether perceived childhood family support is associated with adult mental health distress and whether this association varies across levels of childhood adversity and victimization. Data were drawn from a convenience sample of 1571 adults in the United States who completed an online survey assessing childhood family support, adult mental health distress (PHQ-4), childhood victimization, non-victimization adversity, family substance use, and childhood social determinants of health (SDoH) hardship. Ordinary least squares regression models with interaction terms were used to test main and moderating effects. Greater perceived family support was associated with lower adult mental health distress (β = −0.23, p < 0.001). Childhood adversity (β = 0.11, p = 0.002) and childhood victimization (β = 0.13, p = 0.001) were independently associated with higher distress. Importantly, both adversity and victimization significantly moderated the association between family support and distress, such that the protective effect of family support weakened at higher levels of cumulative risk. Robustness analyses indicated that these patterns did not differ by family structure. These results suggest that while family support is beneficial, its protective effects are context-dependent and reduced under conditions of elevated risk. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of conceptualizing resilience as a multi-system process and underscore the need for interventions that address both relational and structural sources of adversity.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring How Parent–Child Relationships Shape Child and Adolescent Mental Health over Time)
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Open AccessArticle
Assessment of the Quality of Life and Communication Needs of Deaf Ecuadorians
by
Emily Jo Noschese, Alina Engelman, Leah R. Oakes and Lorne Farovitch
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(6), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16060082 - 13 Jun 2026
Abstract
Deaf people experience significant barriers to education, healthcare, employment, and information access, resulting in inequities across a myriad of contexts. To better understand these disparities, our all-deaf research team conducted semi-structured interviews with deaf and hearing (parents, caregivers, and educators) adults across Ecuador,
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Deaf people experience significant barriers to education, healthcare, employment, and information access, resulting in inequities across a myriad of contexts. To better understand these disparities, our all-deaf research team conducted semi-structured interviews with deaf and hearing (parents, caregivers, and educators) adults across Ecuador, exploring how structural, institutional, and social factors influence daily life and well-being. Participants (n = 36) described systemic exclusion from education and employment, limited access to interpreters and assistive technologies, and constrained autonomy due to insufficient family support and institutional resources. These barriers compound health risks by restricting access to care, information, and social participation. Participants’ narratives highlighted how political and economic instability, institutional neglect, and discrimination create structural vulnerabilities that extend beyond individual-level factors. Findings underscore the importance of public health interventions that address structural and communicative inequities, including inclusive education, accessible health services, and community-based support, to improve health equity and quality of life for deaf populations in Ecuador.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Combatting Health Disparities Among Diverse Deaf Individuals: Perspectives from Health, Psychology, and Education)
Open AccessArticle
Assessing Trait Emotional Intelligence in Youth: A Psychometric Evaluation of the Short Form for the Emotional Quotient Inventory Youth Version
by
Colin T. Henning, Emily Storey-Hurtubise, Yelnura N. Autalipova, Samantha M. Van Rens, Laura J. Summerfeldt and James D. A. Parker
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(6), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16060081 - 12 Jun 2026
Abstract
The present study examined the psychometric properties of a short form of the Emotional Quotient Inventory Youth Version (EQ-i:YV-S), a 30-item scale developed to be an efficient tool to assess trait emotional intelligence (TEI) in children and adolescents. The 4-factor model of TEI
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The present study examined the psychometric properties of a short form of the Emotional Quotient Inventory Youth Version (EQ-i:YV-S), a 30-item scale developed to be an efficient tool to assess trait emotional intelligence (TEI) in children and adolescents. The 4-factor model of TEI used to develop the measure (also used in the development of the original adult form) consists of intrapersonal, interpersonal, adaptability, and stress management dimensions. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable fit in a large sample of youth and was invariant across gender and education level. The results also showed the EQ-i:YV-S scale to have good internal and 6-month test–retest reliabilities. Relationships between the TEI measure and alexithymia in older adolescents provide additional evidence of convergent validity. Overall, the results suggested that the EQ-i:YV-S is a valid and reliable short, multidimensional measure of core TEI dimensions in youth.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emotional Intelligence Development in Youth)
Open AccessArticle
Operationalizing the Construct of the Internal Saboteur: Development and Psychometric Validation of the Internal Saboteur Scale (ISS)
by
Vincenzo Caretti, Eleonora Topino, Andrea Fontana, Gianluigi Di Cesare, Clara Mucci, Adriano Schimmenti and Alessio Gori
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(6), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16060080 - 5 Jun 2026
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The internal saboteur may be understood as a multidimensional configuration of maladaptive inner processes involving recurrent negative self-evaluation, distressing relational expectations, repetitive negative thinking, and self-undermining inner experiences. Within this framework, the present study aimed to develop and examine the psychometric properties of
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The internal saboteur may be understood as a multidimensional configuration of maladaptive inner processes involving recurrent negative self-evaluation, distressing relational expectations, repetitive negative thinking, and self-undermining inner experiences. Within this framework, the present study aimed to develop and examine the psychometric properties of the Internal Saboteur Scale (ISS), a self-report measure designed to assess this construct. A sample of 328 Italian adults (women 71.6%; Mage = 37.37, SD = 14.88) completed the survey. Confirmatory factor analyses supported both an eight-factor correlational model and a theoretically meaningful higher-order model, in which the lower-order dimensions were grouped into four broader domains: Negative Relational Expectations (Expected Rejection; Expected Judgment), Self-Devaluation (Negative Self-Appraisal; Interpersonal Unworthiness), Rumination (Retrospective Rumination; Anticipatory Rumination), and Internal Destructiveness (Helplessness; Defensive Relational Withdrawal). Measurement invariance across gender was also supported. All dimensions showed satisfactory-to-good internal consistency. Furthermore, ISS scores were negatively associated with secure attachment, self-reassurance, and mentalizing and positively associated with insecure attachment, self-criticism, shame, and anger. Overall, the ISS appears to be a theoretically grounded and psychometrically promising instrument for the assessment of maladaptive inner dialogue and self-sabotaging internal processes. It may represent a useful tool for both research and clinical practice, particularly in supporting transdiagnostic assessment and case formulation.
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Open AccessArticle
Nature Connectedness and Work Engagement in the Relationship Between Emotional Exhaustion and Life Satisfaction Among Employees
by
Soraya Jaime-Jorge, Cristina García-Ael, Garazi Azanza, Ana María Fernández-Fernández and Gabriela Topa
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(6), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16060079 - 5 Jun 2026
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This paper analyses associations between psychological health at work and life satisfaction among employees. Specifically, it investigates the association between work stress and emotional exhaustion and explores whether connectedness to nature and work engagement are involved in the indirect association between emotional exhaustion
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This paper analyses associations between psychological health at work and life satisfaction among employees. Specifically, it investigates the association between work stress and emotional exhaustion and explores whether connectedness to nature and work engagement are involved in the indirect association between emotional exhaustion and life satisfaction. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to analyse data from a final sample of 1851 Spanish workers from diverse professional categories. These included technical and support professionals, administrative employees, middle managers, civil servants and healthcare professionals, unskilled workers, and other occupational groups. SEM analyses were conducted with 1850 valid cases due to one missing or invalid case in the SEM model. The results indicated that work stress was positively associated with emotional exhaustion, whereas emotional exhaustion was negatively associated with life satisfaction. Connectedness to nature and work engagement were involved in this indirect association: higher emotional exhaustion was associated with lower levels of connectedness to nature and work engagement, while higher levels of connectedness to nature and work engagement were associated with higher life satisfaction. The findings suggest that connectedness to nature and work engagement may be relevant psychological and work-related resources in this relationship.
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