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Mental Health and Adaptation in Chronic Illness: Risky Factors and...
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Mental Health and Adaptation in Chronic Illness: Risky Factors and Resilience

A special issue of European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education (ISSN 2254-9625).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 2919

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Giada Rapelli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Interests: psychological assessment; psychopathology; mental illness; clinical health psychology; sleep disorders; dyadic coping
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Giada Pietrabissa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
Interests: body image and eating behavior psychopathology; obesity; psycho-cardiology; clinical health psychology; doctor–patient communication; effectiveness of psychotherapies; costs in clinical psychology and psychotherapy; motivational interventions for promoting healthy lifestyles; telemedicine and online therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, partly due to the increase in life expectancy and improvements in health care and pharmacotherapy, there has been an exponential increase in chronic illnesses. A chronic illness significantly affects a person’s physical and mental health, while also shaping their sense of identity, relationships with family, and social roles. Managing such a condition is a lifelong commitment, requiring major lifestyle changes, strict compliance with medications and treatments, and the adoption of preventive strategies. Psychological resilience and resources could facilitate the process of self-management. Furthermore, informal caregivers—often partners, spouses, relatives, or friends—are crucial to this process. They take on a variety of challenging responsibilities, including handling emergencies, mediating disagreements between patients and healthcare providers, aiding in treatment decisions, and supporting both the emotional and practical needs of the patient.

This Special Issue aims to explore the multifaceted effects of chronic illness on patients as well as risk and protective factors associated with health and psychological wellbeing to highlight emerging strategies and interventions to improve their quality of life and care. Furthermore, a focus on relational factors which could influence patient outcomes is also appreciated.

We invite you to submit original articles (quantitative analysis, both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies) and systematic review works.

Dr. Giada Rapelli
Dr. Giada Pietrabissa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • chronic disease
  • self-management
  • health outcome
  • psychological adjustment
  • risk and protective factors
  • caregiving

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

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 857 KiB  
Article
Clarity and Emotional Regulation as Protective Factors for Adolescent Well-Being: A Moderated Mediation Model Involving Depression
by Jonathan Martínez-Líbano, María-Mercedes Yeomans-Cabrera, Axel Koch, Roberto Iturra Lara and Patrícia Torrijos Fincias
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2025, 15(7), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe15070130 - 11 Jul 2025
Abstract
Introduction: Adolescent well-being is influenced by emotional regulation and clarity, particularly in contexts of depression, stress, and anxiety. Objective: This study explores how depression mediates the relationship between emotional regulation and well-being and whether emotional clarity moderates this interaction, providing a comprehensive model [...] Read more.
Introduction: Adolescent well-being is influenced by emotional regulation and clarity, particularly in contexts of depression, stress, and anxiety. Objective: This study explores how depression mediates the relationship between emotional regulation and well-being and whether emotional clarity moderates this interaction, providing a comprehensive model to understand adolescent mental health. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 636 Chilean adolescents aged 10–18. Emotional clarity and regulation were assessed using the TMMS-24 scale, depression with the DASS-21 scale, and subjective well-being with the Personal Well-Being Index (PWI). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and moderated mediation models (PROCESS Macro, Models 4 and 7). Results: Emotional regulation positively correlated with subjective well-being (r = 0.373, p < 0.01) and negatively with depression (r = −0.251, p < 0.01). Depression partially mediated the relationship between emotional regulation and well-being (B = 0.149, 95% CI [0.082, 0.225]), with regulation explaining 86.41% of the effect. Emotional clarity moderated the regulation-depression link, with higher clarity amplifying the protective impact of regulation (index = 0.008, 95% CI [0.0017, 0.0149]). Conclusions: Emotional regulation and clarity are vital for adolescent well-being and enhance the protective role of regulation against depression. Interventions targeting both constructs could improve mental health outcomes in vulnerable populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Adaptation in Chronic Illness: Risky Factors and Resilience)
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16 pages, 529 KiB  
Article
The Association Between Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) and Mental Health Status in the US
by Farhana Faruque, Gulzar H. Shah and Robert M. Bohler
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2025, 15(5), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe15050087 - 17 May 2025
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Abstract
Social determinants of health (SDoH) are considered significant determinants of mental health. This study examines the association between SDoH and mental health status in the United States. We analyzed 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 183,318 U.S. adults using multinomial [...] Read more.
Social determinants of health (SDoH) are considered significant determinants of mental health. This study examines the association between SDoH and mental health status in the United States. We analyzed 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 183,318 U.S. adults using multinomial logistic regression. Several SDoH were significantly linked to the frequency of poor mental health days. After adjusting for all covariates, individuals facing difficulty paying utility bills had lower odds of experiencing episodic (vs. chronic) poor mental health (AOR = 0.47, p = 0.031). Transportation challenges were associated with lower odds of episodic distress rather than chronic mental health issues (AOR = 0.35, p = 0.026). Individuals who were unable to afford a doctor or who experienced employment loss had significantly lower odds of reporting no poor mental health days compared to reporting chronic poor mental health, with adjusted odds ratios of 0.37 and 0.84, respectively. Non-Hispanic Whites and males were more likely to report chronic poor mental health. Policies that prioritize economic stability and job security, reliable transportation, and equal access to education and healthcare are crucial for promoting mental health equity across diverse populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Adaptation in Chronic Illness: Risky Factors and Resilience)
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17 pages, 1614 KiB  
Article
Risk Assessment Profiles for Caregiver Burden in Family Caregivers of Persons Living with Alzheimer’s Disease: An Exploratory Study with Machine Learning
by Laura Brito, Beatriz Cepa, Cláudia Brito, Ângela Leite and M. Graça Pereira
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2025, 15(3), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe15030041 - 20 Mar 2025
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Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) places a profound global challenge, driven by its escalating prevalence and the multifaceted strain it places on individuals, families, and societies. Family caregivers (FCs), who are pivotal in supporting family members with AD, frequently endure substantial emotional, physical, and psychological [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) places a profound global challenge, driven by its escalating prevalence and the multifaceted strain it places on individuals, families, and societies. Family caregivers (FCs), who are pivotal in supporting family members with AD, frequently endure substantial emotional, physical, and psychological demands. To better understand the determinants of family caregiving strain, this study employed machine learning (ML) to develop predictive models identifying factors that contribute to caregiver burden over time. Participants were evaluated across sociodemographic clinical, psychophysiological, and psychological domains at baseline (T1; N = 130), six months (T2; N = 114), and twelve months (T3; N = 92). Results revealed three distinct risk profiles, with the first focusing on T2 data, highlighting the importance of distress, forgiveness, age, and heart rate variability. The second profile integrated T1 and T2 data, emphasizing additional factors like family stress. The third profile combined T1 and T2 data with sociodemographic and clinical features, underscoring the importance of both assessment moments on distress at T2 and forgiveness at T1 and T2, as well as family stress at T1. By employing computational methods, this research uncovers nuanced patterns in caregiver burden that conventional statistical approaches might overlook. Key drivers include psychological factors (distress, forgiveness), physiological markers (heart rate variability), contextual stressors (familial dynamics, sociodemographic disparities). The insights revealed enable early identification of FCs at higher risk of burden, paving the way for personalized interventions. Such strategies are urgently needed as AD rates rise globally, underscoring the imperative to safeguard both patients and the caregivers who support them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Adaptation in Chronic Illness: Risky Factors and Resilience)
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