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A Multi-Perspective Study on the Psychological Health of Children and...
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A Multi-Perspective Study on the Psychological Health of Children and Adolescents

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 November 2026 | Viewed by 2436

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Elisa Cavicchiolo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Roma, Italy
Interests: structural equation modeling; multilevel analysis; educational psychology; young people’s psychological well-being and mental health; social inclusion; school adjustment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Giulia Raimondi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Wellness, Health and Environmental Sustainability, BeSSA Department, Sapienza University of Rome, Via delle Fontanelle, 02100 Rieti, Italy
Interests: assessment; clinical psychology; emotion dysregylation; health psychology; psychometrics; mediation; meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM); moderation; multigroup and multilevel analysis network analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The psychological health of children and adolescents is a crucial area of research, as it shapes their development, learning experiences, and overall well-being. This Special Issue seeks to explore the multifaceted interplay between psychological well-being, mental health, and protective variables, aiming to provide meaningful insights into factors that influence positive developmental outcomes. With the increasing prevalence of mental health challenges among young people, gaining a deeper understanding of these dynamics is essential for fostering resilience and creating healthier environments for growth.

The aim of this Special Issue is to advance knowledge on the psychological health of children and adolescents by focusing on methodological, developmental, and clinical perspectives. We welcome contributions employing quantitative approaches, including psychometric studies validating tools for assessing well-being and mental health, as well as cross-sectional and longitudinal studies examining the relationships between protective factors and psychological well-being. Submissions of systematic reviews and meta-analyses are also encouraged.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The role of school and family support systems in fostering psychological well-being.
  • Psychometric evaluation of instruments for assessing mental health in children and adolescents.
  • Studies on interventions aimed at reducing anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
  • Factors influencing resilience and adaptation in disadvantaged or vulnerable populations.
  • Longitudinal studies examining the developmental trajectories of psychological health.
  • Systematic reviews and meta-analyses on protective factors, assessment instruments, and interventions related to psychological well-being in children and adolescents.

By shedding light on these critical topics, this Special Issue aims to provide valuable insights for researchers, educators, and clinicians, ultimately contributing to a global understanding of the psychological health of young people.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Elisa Cavicchiolo
Dr. Giulia Raimondi
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

  • psychological well-being
  • mental health
  • protective and risk factors
  • psychometric assessment
  • developmental trajectories
  • students’ psychological well-being
  • mental health interventions
  • resilience
  • social support
  • disadvantaged and vulnerable children and adolescents

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
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  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 479 KB  
Article
Adopting the Mediterranean Diet: Motivational and Socio-Cognitive Processes in Young Adults
by Marika Gentile, Luigi Tinella, Fabio Alivernini, Sara Manganelli, Fabio Lucidi and Laura Girelli
Healthcare 2026, 14(4), 509; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14040509 - 17 Feb 2026
Viewed by 489
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) is associated with substantial physical and psychological health benefits, yet its adoption remains challenging during emerging adulthood. Although previous research has identified motivational and socio-cognitive determinants of specific eating behaviors, less is known about the psychological [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) is associated with substantial physical and psychological health benefits, yet its adoption remains challenging during emerging adulthood. Although previous research has identified motivational and socio-cognitive determinants of specific eating behaviors, less is known about the psychological processes underlying adherence to the MD as a whole in youth. The present study examined the role of motivational factors derived from Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and key socio-cognitive variables from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in explaining adherence to the MD in young adults. Methods: A sample of 365 young adults (50.1% female; mean age = 21.74 years, SD = 5.86) completed an online questionnaire assessing motivational regulations, perceived behavioral control (PBC), behavioral intention, and adherence to the MD. Results: Structural equation modeling showed an excellent fit of the hypothesized model. Adherence to the MD was directly associated with behavioral intention (β = 0.18, p < 0.05), PBC (β = 0.24, p < 0.01), and intrinsic motivation (β = 0.22, p < 0.05). Behavioral intention was positively associated with PBC (β = 0.48, p < 0.001) and intrinsic motivation (β = 0.21, p < 0.05) and negatively associated with amotivation (β = −0.23, p < 0.05). Integrated regulation showed a significant indirect effect on intention via PBC. The model accounted for 40% of the variance in intention and 16% of the variance in adherence. Conclusions: The results suggest that interventions targeting this population should strengthen dietary intentions, enhance PBC, and foster autonomous motivation. The integrated model provides a useful framework for designing healthcare and public health interventions aimed at promoting healthy eating during emerging adulthood. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Multi-Perspective Study on the Psychological Health of Children and Adolescents)
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19 pages, 694 KB  
Article
Relationship Between Perceived Stress and Anxiety in High School Senior Students: The Mediating Role of Social Support and the Moderating Influence of Lifestyle
by Vilija Malinauskiene and Romualdas Malinauskas
Healthcare 2026, 14(2), 263; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14020263 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1336
Abstract
(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between perceived stress and anxiety in high school senior students, taking into account the possible influence from lifestyle (physical activity, nicotine dependence, and alcohol use) and social support. (2) Methods: A [...] Read more.
(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between perceived stress and anxiety in high school senior students, taking into account the possible influence from lifestyle (physical activity, nicotine dependence, and alcohol use) and social support. (2) Methods: A representative sample of high school senior students (N = 405; mean age: 18.2 ± 0.4), reflecting the overall geographic distribution of Lithuania’s student population, was investigated using anonymous questionnaires on perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS-10), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, GAD-7), perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, MSPSS), lifestyle (Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence), alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, AUDIT), and physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire, IPAQ). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was employed, investigating mediating and moderating effects. (3) Results: The direct effect of perceived stress on anxiety was significant (B = 0.364; SE = 0.0486; 95% CI [0.268, 0.459]; p < 0.001). Furthermore, the analysis revealed a significant indirect effect via social support (B = 0.387; SE = 0.0525; 95% CI [0.284, 0.490]), indicating that a portion of the relationship between perceived stress and anxiety was mediated by social support. Physical inactivity, alcohol use, and nicotine dependence served as moderators. Our findings confirmed that all three moderators showed significant interaction effects, with standardized β = −0.124, p = 0.002, for physical inactivity, β = 0.073, p = 0.016, for alcohol dependence, and β = 0.119, p = 0.001, for nicotine dependence, in the relationship between perceived stress and anxiety among high school senior students. (4) Conclusions: These findings have practical insights for educators who implement physical activity and alcohol and nicotine usage programs for high school senior students to help reduce their stress and anxiety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Multi-Perspective Study on the Psychological Health of Children and Adolescents)
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