Healthy and Harmful Habits: Impact on Nursing Practice and Patient Health

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2026 | Viewed by 1802

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Av de Carlos III s/n, 45004 Toledo, Spain
Interests: healthy habits, addiction; alcohol consumption; university students; mediterranean diet; lifestyle; health promotion

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Guest Editor
1.Facultad de Fisioterapia y Enfermeria, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. Carlos III s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain
2.Grupo de Investigación Multidisciplinar en Cuidados (IMCU), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. Carlos III s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain
Interests: adolescent; public health; nursing
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Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Av Real Fábrica de Sedas s/n, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Spain
Interests: psychological wellbeing; personality; HIV; diabetes; chronic disease; resilience; coping strategies; personality factors

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Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
Interests: exercise; pain; cognition

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The relationship between lifestyle habits and health outcomes is a critical area of research with profound implications for nursing practice. Healthy habits, such as balanced nutrition and regular physical activity, are fundamental to preventing chronic diseases and enhancing quality of life. Conversely, harmful habits, including the consumption of alcohol and tobacco and behavioral addictions like gambling, pose significant health risks. Understanding these dynamics is essential for nurses, who play a pivotal role in educating patients and promoting healthier lifestyles.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to our Special Issue titled "Healthy and Harmful Habits: Impact on Nursing Practice and Patient Health" in the journal Healthcare.

This Special Issue aims to investigate the multifaceted impacts of healthy and harmful habits on patient health and the role of nursing practice in managing these behaviors. This Special Issue will explore evidence-based strategies that nurses can employ to promote healthy lifestyles and mitigate the effects of harmful habits. This Special Issue aligns with the journal's focus on advancing healthcare through research that supports clinical practice, patient care, and health education.

In this Special Issue, we welcome original research articles and comprehensive reviews. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Nutrition and Diet: the role of nurses in promoting healthy eating habits and addressing malnutrition and obesity.
  • Physical Activity: nursing interventions to encourage regular physical activity across diverse populations.
  • Alcohol Consumption: strategies for reducing alcohol use and supporting patients with alcohol dependence.
  • Tobacco Use: effective nursing approaches to smoking cessation and prevention.
  • Behavioral Addictions: addressing addictions such as gambling and their impact on health and the role of nursing in treatment and support.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Pedro Manuel Rodríguez-Muñoz
Dr. José Alberto Laredo-Aguilera
Prof. Dr. Juan Manuel Carmona-Torres
Guest Editors

Dr. Cristina Rivera-Picón
Dr. Juan Luis Sánchez González
Guest Editor Assistants

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. 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

  • healthy habits
  • physical activity
  • lifestyle modification
  • alcohol consumption
  • smoking cessation
  • substance abuse
  • behavioral addictions
  • health promotion
  • wellness programs
  • health outcomes

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 355 KB  
Article
Smoking Abstinence Self-Efficacy, Decisional Balance, and Quitting Desire Among Adult Smokers in Saudi Arabia: Gender-Based Cross-Sectional Study
by Samiha Hamdi Sayed, Olfat Abdulgafoor Gushgari, Fadiyah Abdullah Alshwail, Hanan Abd Elwahab Elsayed, Hanem Awad Mekhamier and Ebtesam Abbas Elsayed
Healthcare 2025, 13(17), 2158; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13172158 - 29 Aug 2025
Viewed by 730
Abstract
Background: Smoking is a major public health concern in Saudi Arabia, with significant gender differences influencing smoking behavior and cessation. Aim: This study aimed to investigate smoking abstinence self-efficacy (ASE), decisional balance (DB), quitting desire, and their predictors among adult male and female [...] Read more.
Background: Smoking is a major public health concern in Saudi Arabia, with significant gender differences influencing smoking behavior and cessation. Aim: This study aimed to investigate smoking abstinence self-efficacy (ASE), decisional balance (DB), quitting desire, and their predictors among adult male and female smokers in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sample of 375 male and 220 female adult smokers recruited via social media. Data were collected through an online survey assessing personal health, smoking behavior, desire to quit, ASE, and DB. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of earnest quitting desire, high ASE, and negative DB. Results: Males were more likely to smoke for 10 or more years (70.7% vs. 29.1%), maintain regular smoking patterns (86.9% vs. 54.1%), and exhibit high nicotine dependence (29.3% vs. 6.4%) compared to females. A higher proportion of females (76.8%) than males (66.9%) expressed a strong desire to quit. ASE was generally higher in males, with 49.6% showing average levels, while 46.4% of females had low ASE, particularly in social and positive mood contexts. Females displayed a higher prevalence of negative DB (73.6% vs. 58.1%), indicating greater awareness of smoking’s drawbacks. Both genders acknowledged the cons of smoking, though males perceived fewer pros. Conclusions: A complex interplay of factors influences smoking behavior and cessation among adult smokers. Gender differences also play a crucial role in smoking cessation factors among Saudi adults. Tailored cessation strategies addressing self-efficacy and motivation are recommended to enhance quitting success. Full article

Other

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18 pages, 2704 KB  
Systematic Review
Motivational Interventions for Reducing Excessive Alcohol Consumption Among University Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Víctor Serrano-Fernández, Esperanza Barroso-Corroto, Cristina Rivera-Picón, Brigida Molina-Gallego, Ana Quesado, Juan Manuel Carmona-Torres, Pablo Jesús López-Soto, Alba Sánchez-Gil, Juan Luis Sánchez-González and Pedro Manuel Rodríguez-Muñoz
Healthcare 2025, 13(19), 2405; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13192405 - 24 Sep 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: University students frequently engage in risky alcohol consumption, making them a priority population for targeted interventions. Motivational interventions (MIs) have been widely implemented to address this issue, but evidence of their effectiveness remains heterogeneous. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: University students frequently engage in risky alcohol consumption, making them a priority population for targeted interventions. Motivational interventions (MIs) have been widely implemented to address this issue, but evidence of their effectiveness remains heterogeneous. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of MIs in reducing alcohol consumption and related harm among university students through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and BVS Library, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to April 2025. The PRISMA and RoB-2 tools guided reporting and risk of bias assessment. Random-effects models were applied to pool effect sizes for changes in alcohol consumption patterns and related consequences. Results: Fifteen RCTs were included. MIs significantly reduced daily alcohol intake (−0.55 drinks/day; 95% CI: −0.78 to −0.32), with additional reductions in weekly consumption and binge drinking episodes, though these were not statistically significant. Positive effects were also observed in reducing alcohol-related consequences and blood alcohol concentration levels. Short, single-session formats (45–90 min) showed consistent efficacy across studies, with effects sustained at 2–3 months and, in some cases, up to one year post-intervention. Conclusions: MIs are effective, brief, and adaptable strategies for reducing harmful alcohol use and associated negative outcomes among university students. Their simplicity, feasibility, and sustained effects make them valuable tools for university health programs. Future research should focus on optimizing intervention components and evaluating their effectiveness in diverse cultural and socioeconomic contexts. Full article
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