Bridging Neuroscience and Cognitive Psychology: Implications for Mental Health and Well-Being

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 764

Special Issue Editor

Center of Research Development and Innovation in Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences Psychology and Social Sciences, Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, 310025 Arad, Romania
Interests: applied cognitive psychology; systems engineering; neuroeducation; learning sciences; mental health and well-being

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The intersection of neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and mental health offers transformative opportunities to enhance our understanding of how psychological well-being can be supported across diverse contexts. This Special Issue will focus on exploring the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying mental health, with a particular emphasis on how educational and behavioral interventions informed by neuroscience can contribute to emotional resilience and psychological well-being.

Neuro-psychopedagogy, an interdisciplinary field spanning neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and pedagogy, has emerged as a promising framework in advancing mental health interventions. This approach provides insights into how brain and behavioral studies can inform mental health practices, focusing on the interplay between cognitive processes, emotional regulation, and neural activity. By leveraging these connections, we can develop evidence-based strategies to address mental health challenges and foster resilience in both educational and broader social settings.

Despite significant advancements in brain and behavioral research, the variability in applying neuroscience principles to mental health interventions remains a challenge. Cultural and institutional differences further complicate the generalizability of neuro-psychopedagogical methods. Understanding how brain function and behavioral patterns relate to mental health and how these insights can inform tailored interventions is critical in creating consistent, effective practices across various contexts.

This Special Issue will bring together innovative research that bridges neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and mental health. We invite contributions that delve into brain function and its implications for emotional and cognitive health, especially studies that directly link these insights to mental well-being. Topics such as brainwave activity (measured by EEG), neurofeedback, and cognitive-emotional mechanisms are particularly encouraged, especially in relation to their role in improving psychological resilience and adaptive functioning.

We welcome original research articles and reviews that contribute to advancing the understanding and application of neuroscience and psychology in mental health. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Systematic reviews and meta-analyses examining the role of neuro-psychopedagogical methods in improving mental health outcomes;
  • Studies exploring brainwave analysis (EEG) and its implications for emotional regulation and resilience;
  • Validation studies of mental health interventions informed by neuroscience and cognitive psychology;
  • Comparative studies investigating the application of push pedagogy and nudge psychology in promoting mental well-being;
  • Cross-cultural studies on the adaptation of neuro-pedagogical practices in diverse mental health contexts;
  • Experimental studies on neurofeedback as a tool for enhancing emotional resilience and mental health.

We look forward to receiving your contributions!

Dr. Dana Rad
Guest Editor

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

  • neuro-psychopedagogy
  • mental health resilience
  • cognitive-emotional processes
  • brainwave analysis (EEG)
  • neuroscience-informed interventions

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 662 KiB  
Article
Influence of Teaching Efficacy and Competence on Life Satisfaction in Pre-Service Physical Education Teachers: Is There a Gender Difference?
by Ginés David López-García, María Carrasco-Poyatos, Rut López-Osca and Antonio Granero-Gallegos
Healthcare 2025, 13(16), 2055; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13162055 (registering DOI) - 20 Aug 2025
Abstract
Purpose: Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory and Self-Determination Theory, this study analyzed gender differences in the relationships between teachers’ sense of efficacy, basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration (competence), and life satisfaction among Physical Education (PE) pre-service teachers. Method: A sample [...] Read more.
Purpose: Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory and Self-Determination Theory, this study analyzed gender differences in the relationships between teachers’ sense of efficacy, basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration (competence), and life satisfaction among Physical Education (PE) pre-service teachers. Method: A sample of 368 PE pre-service teachers (Mage = 23.41 ± 2.37; 48.1% women) participated. A multi-group structural equation modeling approach was used. Results: Male participants reported significantly higher levels of competence satisfaction compared to their female counterparts. Teaching efficacy positively predicted life satisfaction, both directly and indirectly via competence satisfaction. Notably, the indirect effects were stronger among women, while direct effects were observed only in the female group. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the key role of competence satisfaction in explaining how teaching efficacy influences life satisfaction in pre-service teachers. Gender differences suggest that while both men and women benefit from feeling competent, the pathways differ, highlighting the importance of gender sensitive strategies in teacher education programs. Full article
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