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Mind–Body Connection: The Impact of Mental Health on Physical Well-Being
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Mind–Body Connection: The Impact of Mental Health on Physical Well-Being

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2026 | Viewed by 7268

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Mario Pinto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
Interests: cognitive neuroscience; cognitive psychology; numerical cognition; mood disorders; mental health; psychiatry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, an increasing body of scientific evidence has highlighted the deep and bidirectional relationship between mental and physical health. Disorders such as anxiety, depression, and chronic stress significantly affect the immune system, cardiovascular health, pain perception, gastrointestinal function, and metabolic balance. At the same time, chronic medical conditions can exacerbate or trigger mental health issues, leading to a complex interaction between mind and body.

An area of growing interest is mental processes such as mindfulness, mind-wandering, and interoceptive awareness, which show tangible effects on physiological regulation and overall well-being. Particular attention is also given to the role of mental health in eating disorders, body perception, and self-image, where the influence of the mind on the body is particularly evident.

Advances in neuroscience, clinical psychology, and psychosomatic medicine are helping to develop increasingly integrated and multidisciplinary models. In this Special Issue, we invite researchers and clinicians to submit original studies and reviews that explore the impact of mental health on physical well-being. Contributions may focus on biological mechanisms, innovative therapeutic approaches, psychosomatic and eating disorders, or interventions that promote a real integration of mental and physical health.

Dr. Mario Pinto
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 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. Journal of Clinical Medicine 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 2600 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

  • mind–body connection
  • mental health
  • well-being
  • metabolic balance
  • immune system
  • chronic medical conditions
  • body perception
  • self-image
  • eating disorders
  • psychosomatic disorders
  • psychosomatic medicine
  • innovative thera-peutic approaches
  • mindfulness
  • mind-wandering
  • integrated healthcare

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

Published Papers (3 papers)

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26 pages, 5991 KB  
Article
Associations Between Screen Time, Sleep, and Executive Function in School-Aged Children and Adolescents: The Moderating Role of Digital Content and Age
by Csongor Toth, Brigitte Osser, Laura Ioana Bondar, Roland Fazakas, Florin Mihai Marcu, Nicoleta Anamaria Pascalau, Ramona Nicoleta Suciu and Bombonica Gabriela Dogaru
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(24), 8842; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14248842 - 14 Dec 2025
Viewed by 4799
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Increased and unstructured digital exposure has raised growing concerns about its potential impact on children’s cognitive and behavioral development. Executive functions (EFs)—encompassing attention, working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility—are particularly sensitive to environmental influences during development. Beyond its empirical [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Increased and unstructured digital exposure has raised growing concerns about its potential impact on children’s cognitive and behavioral development. Executive functions (EFs)—encompassing attention, working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility—are particularly sensitive to environmental influences during development. Beyond its empirical aim, this study also sought to address a theoretical gap by clarifying how multiple dimensions of digital exposure (quantity, content quality, and sleep-related timing) jointly relate to EF performance, an area insufficiently integrated into current EF frameworks. This study aimed to examine the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of digital exposure in relation to sleep duration and EF performance among Romanian school-aged children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 142 students aged 5–19 years, using standardized cognitive tasks and structured parent questionnaires to assess screen time, digital content type, and sleep duration. Analyses included correlational tests, group comparisons, regression models, and moderation procedures. Results: Higher daily screen time was associated with poorer attention and working-memory performance and shorter nocturnal sleep. Children and adolescents who exceeded the recommended daily screen-time limits performed worse on executive-function measures than those within recommended limits. Digital content type and sleep duration each contributed uniquely to executive performance, and recreational digital content as well as younger age intensified the negative effects of screen exposure. Conclusions: Excessive daily screen time, especially involving passive or recreational content, is associated with poorer EF performance and shorter sleep in children. Adequate sleep and educational or interactive digital engagement may mitigate these effects. The findings underscore the importance of age-appropriate, structured, and balanced digital habits to support healthy cognitive development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mind–Body Connection: The Impact of Mental Health on Physical Well-Being)
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20 pages, 1491 KB  
Article
Mirror Within: Exploring the Impact of Physical Activity on Body Image and Anxiety in Youth
by Kanupriya Rawat, Aleksandra Błachnio and Hanna Liberska
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(23), 8484; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14238484 - 29 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1367
Abstract
Background: Body image, physical self-concept and anxiety are closely intertwined aspects of psychological well-being among youth. The growing influence of social media and appearance-focused culture has intensified self-evaluation pressures, making it essential to understand whether physical activity fosters protective effects or, conversely, contributes [...] Read more.
Background: Body image, physical self-concept and anxiety are closely intertwined aspects of psychological well-being among youth. The growing influence of social media and appearance-focused culture has intensified self-evaluation pressures, making it essential to understand whether physical activity fosters protective effects or, conversely, contributes to anxiety. Methods: The study examined the relationship between body appreciation, physical self-concept, self-esteem, and anxiety among 246 young adults aged 18–35 years (47.6% athletes, 52.4% non-athletes). Participants completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the short form of Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ-S). Group differences were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis H tests, and associations were explored with Spearman’s correlations. Moderation analyses (PROCESS Model 1) tested whether physical activity buffered BMI-related effects, and structural equation modeling (SEM) evaluated direct and indirect pathways. Results: Athletes reported higher self-esteem and body appreciation and scored higher on all PSDQ-S subscales, alongside lower trait anxiety but higher state anxiety than non-athletes. Higher BMI predicted lower self-esteem, body appreciation, and less favorable self-perceptions. Physical activity moderated the BMI—self-esteem and BMI—body appreciation relationships, buffering negative effects among athletes. SEM showed that physical activity positively influenced physical self-concept and body appreciation, which in turn reduced trait anxiety. Gender differences were minimal. Conclusions: Regular sport participation supports psychological resilience by enhancing self-esteem and body appreciation while reducing anxiety. However, the findings also highlight the complexity of body–mind dynamics where individuals with strong body appreciation may still experience transient anxiety in evaluative contexts. Promoting body functionality, self-compassion, and positive physical self-concept in educational and sport settings may help prevent maladaptive behaviors and foster lasting mental well-being among youth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mind–Body Connection: The Impact of Mental Health on Physical Well-Being)
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Other

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28 pages, 575 KB  
Systematic Review
Intentional Insulin Omission (Diabulimia) in Patients with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes: An Eating Disorder? A Systematic Review
by Maria Benedetta Anesini, Mario Pinto, Michela Bellezza, Georgios D. Kotzalidis, Tommaso Callovini, Silvia Montanari, Camilla Scialpi, Gabriele Sani, Lorenzo Moccia and Delfina Janiri
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(9), 3518; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15093518 - 4 May 2026
Viewed by 341
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Intentional insulin omission (IIO), commonly referred to as diabulimia, is a high-risk behavioural phenomenon observed mainly in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). Defined as the deliberate reduction or omission of insulin to influence body weight, IIO lies [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Intentional insulin omission (IIO), commonly referred to as diabulimia, is a high-risk behavioural phenomenon observed mainly in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). Defined as the deliberate reduction or omission of insulin to influence body weight, IIO lies at the intersection of metabolic management and eating disorder psychopathology. Despite serious health risks, including diabetic ketoacidosis, microvascular complications, and increased mortality, it remains under-recognised due to stigma, diagnostic ambiguity, and overlap with routine diabetes self-management. This review aimed to examine the prevalence, psychological mechanisms, and clinical consequences of IIO. Methods: On 1 April 2026, we conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, APA PsycInfo/PsycArticles and Cinahl for studies investigating intentional insulin omission and related metabolic and psychological outcomes in T1D. Clinical and epidemiological studies assessing prevalence, risk factors, and interventions were included. Results: Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Prevalence estimates ranged from 20% to 45%, with higher risk among females, adolescents, and individuals experiencing diabetes-related distress or body dissatisfaction. Psychological factors—including fear of weight gain, emotion dysregulation, depressive symptoms, and identity conflicts—were associated with IIO onset and maintenance. IIO was consistently linked to poor glycaemic control, elevated HbA1c levels, and adverse metabolic and psychological outcomes. Screening tools such as the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey–Revised (DEPS-R) may support early identification, while effective management requires integrated multidisciplinary care. Conclusions: Although IIO is not formally classified as an eating disorder in current diagnostic systems, it shares important psychopathological features with eating disorders and may represent a diabetes-specific disordered eating behaviour with life-threatening consequences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mind–Body Connection: The Impact of Mental Health on Physical Well-Being)
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