Psychology International

While there is extensive literature on the strengths of different supervisory models, we have limited understanding of how the relational capacity of front-line staff may impact how they receive and seek feedback from their supervisor. This study examines how mental health providers’ and front-line staff’s own rejection sensitivity may be associated with the supervisory relationship and the ways in which job feedback is sought and received in community-based mental health settings. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 156 front-line staff of three mental health agencies. Staff were administered an original survey using validated measures related to supervision, feedback, and relational capacities. We found staff with a higher rejection sensitivity (RS) were less likely to actively seek feedback about their performance; and, when feedback was received, were more likely to rate its quality as poor. Staff with a higher RS were more likely to perceive their supervisor and their relationship negatively. This is the first study to examine whether workers’ relational capacities, as expressed through a higher RS, influence their perceptions of supervision and quality of feedback and their feedback-seeking behaviors. These findings build theory related to the important role that staff relational capacities play in influencing organizational dynamics and support. Full article

Emerging adulthood is a critical time for the development of disordered eating attitudes. Low self-esteem is a known risk factor for unhealthy eating attitudes, but the mechanisms behind this link are not fully understood. This study examined the relationship between self-esteem and eating attitudes in emerging adults, focusing on the mediating role of social physique anxiety and the moderating role of gender. The sample included 495 university students (68.9% women, mean age = 20.94 years, SD = 1.97). Self-esteem, social physique anxiety, and eating attitudes were assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Social Physique Anxiety Scale, and Eating Attitudes Test-26, respectively. Mediation and moderation mediation analyses were conducted using PROCESS macro. Women reported lower self-esteem, higher levels of social physique anxiety, and more frequent disordered eating behaviors. Mediation analysis indicated that social physique anxiety fully mediated the relationship between self-esteem and eating attitudes (path c’: b = 0.05, 95% CI [−0.12, 0.21]; indirect effect: b = −0.44, 95% CI [−0.57, −0.32]). Moderated mediation revealed that the indirect effect of low self-esteem on maladaptive eating attitudes through social physique anxiety was stronger among women (index of moderated mediation: b = 0.28, 95% CI [0.07, 0.51]). These findings indicate that low self-esteem can heighten body-related distress in social settings, increasing vulnerability to disordered eating, especially among women. By providing a better understanding of the mechanisms linking self-esteem and eating attitudes in emerging adults, the findings can inform the development of interventions targeting self-perception and body-related concerns, especially among women, to reduce the risk of eating disorders and promote healthier eating attitudes. Full article

Violence against women remains prevalent, yet many survivors do not engage with services even where health infrastructure exists. This study investigated the role of institution-facing resources, Institutional Trust (ITR) and Procedural Justice (PJ), and the role of interpersonal resources, Social Support Provided (SSP), in women’s formal care-seeking intentions, as mediated by Psychological Distress (PSS) and General Self-Efficacy (GSE). An online survey was administered to women in Greece (n = 392) and the United Kingdom (n = 328), yielding a sample of 718. To compare the structural paths in the model across the two countries, measurement invariance was first explored, while the model was estimated through multi-group structural equation modeling. Across the pooled sample, PJ and GSE predicted HSB firmly, while ITR had no direct link to the construct. SSP did not directly predict HSB, but was linked to GSE in all models. The results of the interaction and group-difference models showed PJ and SSP had a slight indirect effect through GSE, while distress-based pathways were weaker and context-dependent. Multi-group models revealed significant cross-national differences: the direct effect of ITR and PSS on GSE was stronger in the United Kingdom than in Greece. The direct effect of PJ/GSE and SSP/GSE also had a stronger impact in Greece than in the United Kingdom. Overall, the results indicate that the willingness of women to seek help is less driven by their trust in institutions and more driven by their expectations of fairness in provider interaction and their perceived personal capability, where social support plays a role as the antecedent increasing women’s Perceived Self-Efficacy. The implications include prioritizing procedurally just practices, designing interventions that enhance self-efficacy for system navigation, and mobilizing informal networks as partners in the help-seeking process. Full article

Emotion regulation refers to the processes through which people modulate their emotional experiences and expressions, and difficulties in these processes underpin many forms of psychopathology. According to the process model, emotion regulation encompasses five classes of strategies, commonly grouped into antecedent-focused strategies (e.g., cognitive reappraisal) and response-focused strategies (e.g., expressive suppression). These strategies involve both explicit and implicit processes, which can be objectively assessed using physiological indices. The present study examined the effects of startle habituation and vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) on the use of cognitive appraisal and suppression. Forty-nine college-aged participants were recruited, and their resting heart rate variability (HRV) and response habituation to an auditory startle-eliciting stimulus were measured. Emotion regulation strategies were assessed by a self-report questionnaire. Multiple regressions were used to analyze the effects of startle habituation, vmHRV, and their interaction on emotion regulation strategies. Results indicated that, although suppression was not associated with any physiological indices in the regression models, cognitive reappraisal was predicted by both vmHRV and startle habituation. Notably, vmHRV and startle habituation interacted such that the positive association between vmHRV and cognitive reappraisal emerged only among individuals who exhibited slow startle habituation. These findings have practical implications for the prevention and treatment of psychopathology, as well as for promoting more adaptive emotion regulation in daily life. Full article

Classic psychedelics such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin induce mild cardiovascular activation in addition to their psychological effects. While these effects are well described in healthy adults, little is known about their dynamics in clinical populations undergoing psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. This retrospective, observational, single-center study analyzed routinely collected data from 30 patients (mean age = 51.56 ± 12.19 years; 15/30 female) treated under compassionate use for treatment-resistant depression or anxiety disorders. Participants received either LSD (100–200 mcg) or psilocybin (15–30 mg) in supervised outpatient sessions. Heart rate and self-rated anxiety (VAS 0–100) were recorded at seven intervals from 30 to 300 min post-administration. Linear mixed models examined heart rate trajectories over time × substance, controlling for age and, in a second model, perceived anxiety. Linear mixed models revealed no significant main effect of time (F(6, 77.25) = 0.76, p = 0.60) or substance (F(1, 30.82) = 0.66, p = 0.42), but a significant time × substance interaction (F(6, 77.25) = 3.03, p = 0.01). LSD was associated with a delayed but sustained increase in heart rate peaking at 3–4 h, whereas psilocybin showed an earlier decline. These patterns persisted after adjustment for age and anxiety, and anxiety did not significantly modify the relationship between time and substance. No serious cardiovascular adverse events occurred. These preliminary findings suggest that LSD and psilocybin may produce distinct temporal patterns of cardiovascular activation in clinical settings. However, interpretation should be cautious due to the retrospective design, small sample size, and dose imbalance between substances. Full article

Numerous studies have examined the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on university students’ attitudes. However, little is known about how their career awareness changed and how such changes differed between urban and rural areas. This study analyzed psychological data collected through a questionnaire survey conducted from 9 November 2020, to 19 January 2021, among 516 first- to fourth-year students enrolled in social science faculties in Japan. The analysis compared changes in career awareness by university location. The results indicated that, during the pandemic, urban students placed greater emphasis on self-worth, while rural students placed greater emphasis on working conditions, suggesting a possible widening gap between the two groups. Furthermore, logistic multiple regression and path analyses revealed that, among rural students, greater concern for working conditions was associated with a stronger focus on interpersonal relationships, which in turn enhanced their preference for local employment. In addition, valuing interpersonal relationships was linked to a stronger focus on social recognition, which may foster more intrinsic aspects of career awareness. Full article

Adolescence is a critical period during which alcohol is the most commonly used substance worldwide, and such use has detrimental effects on neurobiological, psychosocial, and physiological development. Despite substantial international evidence, little is known about the concurrent influence of drinking motives and internalizing symptoms on adolescent alcohol use, particularly in the Croatian context, where adolescent drinking rates remain high. A cross-sectional study using a survey questionnaire was conducted in 2024 in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia. The final stratified cluster sample comprised 925 students (58.8% of the planned sample), with a mean age of 15.41 years. Using hierarchical regression analysis, the results showed that the final model, which included both drinking motives and mental health indicators, explained 39.6% of the variance in alcohol use, 37.2% of the variance in binge drinking, and 31.8% of the variance in alcohol intoxication. Male sex was consistently associated with all three outcomes, whereas age was positively associated with alcohol use and binge drinking. Drinking motives contributed the largest proportion of the explained variance. Furthermore, lower levels of loneliness and higher levels of anxiety were associated with more frequent alcohol use, while lower stress and higher anxiety were associated with more frequent intoxication. Drinking motives are stronger predictors of adolescent alcohol use and risky drinking patterns than internalizing symptoms whose predictive strength was generally small. Prevention programs should address aspects of drinking motives in addition to promoting mental health. Full article

Background/Objectives: In this study, we aimed to examine the changes in players’ interest/enjoyment, perceived competence, and value/usefulness through an 11-week soccer training program, using a randomized experimental study. Methods: Overall, 175 children aged 9–12 years applied to join the soccer training program at a free soccer school. Of the 175 applicants, 100 were randomly chosen to participate in the soccer training program in the intervention group (IG), whereas the other 75 children were in the control group (CG). Both groups completed a questionnaire with validated items related to interest/enjoyment, perceived competence, and value/usefulness before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the soccer training program. Results: The main finding was that participation in the 11-session soccer training program did not affect the children’s perceived competence, interest/enjoyment, or value/usefulness in a positive or negative direction compared to the CG. Another main finding was a significant decrease in interest/enjoyment from pre-test to post-test in both the control group and the intervention group. Also, the control group had higher values of perceived competence than the intervention group at both pre-test and post-test. However, the effect sizes are very small in both groups, and the practical relevance is small. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that participation at the 11-session soccer training program did not affect the children’s perceived competence, interest/enjoyment, and value/usefulness in a positive or negative direction compared to the CG. Future studies should include longer intervention periods with more weekly and overall training sessions. Full article

Stroke survivors often experience psychological difficulties, yet specialist provision is limited. The Wellbeing After Stroke (WAterS) study co-developed a nine-week, online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) group programme designed to be delivered by non-specialist practitioners using structured, script-informed session clinical protocols. This study explored whether fidelity of delivery could be assessed, both to the clinical protocol (what was delivered) and to ACT therapeutic processes (how it was delivered). Eight practitioners were trained, and four delivered the intervention to three groups of four stroke survivors. Fidelity was assessed using a bespoke WAterS checklist, completed by practitioners after each session, and the ACT-Fidelity Measure (ACT-FM), completed by researchers rating a sub-set of recorded sessions. Practitioners delivered 92–100% of planned content, indicating high fidelity to protocol. ACT-FM ratings suggested some consistency with ACT processes, though there was variability across practitioners. These findings provide preliminary, proof-of-principle evidence that non-specialists can deliver a structured ACT-based group intervention with fidelity to protocol, and that both self-completed and observer-rated methods can feasibly assess fidelity. However, the small sample size means these results should be considered exploratory. The study highlights the potential value of these methods for informing training and fidelity assessment in future research. Full article

Background: The use of electronic cigarettes (ECs) has become a significant public health problem, especially among young people. EC use has been associated with increased nicotine exposure and other toxic substances, increasing the risk of early addiction and health problems. Recently, attention has focused on understanding the interplay between psychosocial stressors, exposure to violence, psychological distress, and an increased propensity to experiment with nicotine. Hence, the aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of EC use in the previous month and its associated factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study based on secondary data analysis of a nationwide survey conducted to monitor risk and protective factors for the health of school-aged adolescents (52.89% males; 55.97% aged up to 15 years old). Specifically, we analyzed data from adolescents aged 13–17 years who answered questions on EC use (n = 36,659). Results: The results show that the prevalence of EC use in this sample was 11.23% (IC95%: 11.23, 11.87). Logistic regression revealed several factors that increased the likelihood of EC use, such as alcohol use by friends, alcohol use in the past month, gender (male), intentional binge drinking, higher mental health symptoms, living in urban areas, experience of abuse at home, report of other drug use, and smoking friends, with the latter exerting a higher influence. Conclusion: Findings show the interplay of peers, family and environmental influences on youth risk behavior. Prevention strategies should therefore include school- and family-based interventions, trauma-informed approaches and anti-marketing campaigns to dispel misconceptions regarding EC. Full article

Background: Self-compassion has emerged as an important protective factor against eating pathology, yet evidence from community-based samples, particularly in Southern Europe, remains scarce. Methods: A total of 335 Greek adults (223 women, 112 men; aged 18–35 years, M = 26.2, SD = 5.1) completed validated measures of eating pathology (EAT-26), self-compassion (SCS), and affect (PANAS). Demographic variables (age, gender, education), BMI, and exercise frequency were also assessed. Correlational, group comparison, and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. Results: Higher levels of self-compassion were consistently associated with fewer disordered eating symptoms, even after controlling BMI, education, gender, exercise, and affect. Women reported higher levels of disordered eating than men, while no significant gender differences were observed in self-compassion. Age was positively associated with self-compassion, with older adults reporting higher levels compared to younger adults. Positive affect was strongly linked to greater self-compassion, whereas negative affect showed the opposite pattern. Conclusions: Self-compassion emerged as a robust protective factor against disordered eating, independent of demographic and affective variables. Women appeared more vulnerable to disordered eating than men. In contrast, although younger adults tended to report lower self-compassion, no significant gender differences emerged in self-compassion, underscoring its potential as a universal psychological resource for prevention and intervention. Full article

Purpose: Remote work continues to transform both organizational structures and individual work experiences, introducing new dynamics that can simultaneously enhance or undermine employees’ mental health and overall well-being. These evolving conditions influence levels of stress, resilience and burnout within increasingly digital and flexible work environments. The present study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how remote work affects occupational stress, mental health, burnout and employee well-being through a bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed literature complemented by a narrative synthesis of emerging research themes. Methods: A total of 185 peer-reviewed documents were retrieved from the Scopus database and analyzed using the VOSviewer software, version 1.6.20 (0) (Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands). The study employed performance analysis techniques to assess annual publication trends, identify the most influential authors and sources and evaluate citation impact. Furthermore, science mapping methods, including co-authorship, bibliographic coupling, co-citation, and co-occurrence analyses, were used to visualize the intellectual structure and thematic evolution of the field. Results: The co-occurrence analysis identified three major thematic clusters. We first explored how the abrupt shift to teleworking redefined employee well-being, the second examined the psychological consequences of evolving work environments on mental health and occupational stress and the third investigated the prevalence, determinants and contextual factors of occupational burnout across professional domains. Conclusions: The findings demonstrated complex interrelations among remote work, occupational stress, mental health, and burnout, highlighting that the accelerated adoption of remote work—especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic—has substantially reshaped employees’ psychological health and work experiences. Thus, remote work emerges as a double-edged phenomenon that can either foster resilience and well-being or heighten stress and burnout, depending on the availability of supportive organizational structures, psychosocial resources, and adaptive coping mechanisms. Full article

Background/Objectives: Self-compassion is a psychological construct that involves treating oneself with kindness, understanding, and mindfulness during times of failure or suffering. This study investigates the beneficial role of state self-compassion in relation to symptoms of anxiety and depression across different adult age groups in the Greek population. Grounded in positive psychology, the research highlights state self-compassion as a protective factor for mental health. Methods: A total of 1528 adults aged 18 to 65 participated by completing a set of self-report questionnaires, including the State Self-Compassion Scale-Long Form (SSCS-L) and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results: The results showed that age was positively correlated with state self-compassion and negatively with anxiety and depression symptoms. Furthermore, state self-compassion was negatively correlated with both anxiety and depression, indicating its protective association against psychological distress. Two-way ANOVA showed that state self-compassion levels, but not age groups, had a significant effect on anxiety and depression scores. No significant interaction effects were found between state self-compassion levels and age groups for either anxiety or depression, indicating that the protective association of state self-compassion was consistent across adulthood. Multiple regression analyses revealed that higher state self-compassion and older age were significantly associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. Moderation analyses demonstrated that age did not moderate the association between state self-compassion and either depression or anxiety symptoms, indicating that the protective association of self-compassion remained stable across adulthood. Thus, neither ANOVA nor PROCESS analyses provided evidence for moderation. Conclusions: These findings underline the importance of fostering state self-compassion to promote psychological well-being across adulthood. Implications for counselling psychology and age-sensitive mental health interventions are discussed, with recommendations for future longitudinal and intervention-based studies. Full article

One of the challenges of settling on a universal definition of wellbeing is the significant cultural differences that influence one’s judgement about what it means to be well. This qualitative study investigated how adults conceptualise and experience wellbeing across four cultures, distinguished by differing social, political, and religious norms. We conducted interviews with 41 English speaking participants from Australia, India, Chile, and Russia, discussing the distinct dimensions that make up their wellbeing, including the psychological (e.g., perception), social (e.g., relational connections), emotional (e.g., how people perceive their emotional states in relation to wellbeing), spiritual (e.g., sense of meaning and worldviews), and expectation (e.g., resources required for optimal wellbeing) dimensions. Findings indicated the universal importance of social connectedness with others, happiness, and practices that nurture one’s physical and psychological health. There were cultural differences in how participants defined happiness and in the perceived importance of spiritual practices. The findings provide further insights into how wellbeing is understood and practiced across different cultures. Full article

Background: Mental health conditions are a growing public health concern among U.S. adolescents, particularly high school students. Emerging data show a strong link between exposure to neighborhood violence and increased risk of poor mental health outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, and persistent sadness. Objective: This study examined the relationship between neighborhood violence exposure and mental health outcomes among high school students. Method: This is a cross-sectional study using the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The sample included 19,910 students in grades 9–12 across gender and race. Mental health status and exposure to neighborhood violence were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression models. Results: Students exposed to neighborhood violence had significantly higher odds of reporting poor mental health outcomes (AOR = 1.789, 95% CI: 1.573–2.035, p < 0.001) than the unexposed. Additionally, female, Hispanic/Latino, and multiracial students reported higher rates of mental health disorders than the male students. Conclusions: Neighborhood violence exposure was significantly associated with poor mental health outcomes among high school students. These findings signify the need for targeted interventions to support affected students and reduce neighborhood violence exposure, particularly in marginalized communities. The findings will inform public health professionals, educators, and policymakers to make targeted school-based mental health interventions and community-centered policies addressing neighborhood safety and adolescent mental health. Full article

Individual beliefs are a critical factor in understanding human action and behavior. Certain beliefs, such as irrational beliefs and burnout, influence all forms of learning and social interaction within the school environment, primarily limiting both individual and collective development. The former are associated with the inherent human tendency to adhere to habits and behaviors not strictly dictated by rationality, often stemming from irrational thoughts held by the individual. The latter, examined within the framework of the Job Demands–Resources Theory, pertain to occupational characteristics that differentially affect employees’ well-being, job demands, and available resources. The present study aims to investigate the role of these variables in relation to teachers’ Innovative Work Behavior, a recurring, multi-stage process oriented toward the implementation of new ideas within the school context. The sample consisted of 337 preschool educators who completed self-report questionnaires. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that both irrational beliefs (positively) and the dimension of work disengagement (negatively) significantly influenced innovative work behavior, underscoring the distinct contributions of personal belief systems and burnout dimensions. Furthermore, a hierarchical cluster analysis revealed both heterogeneity among educators and common, distinct response patterns. The identification of five different clusters suggests that the examined characteristics and the underlying beliefs represent individual traits that change dynamically, leaving open the possibility of nonlinear relationships present in the workplace. Five profiles were identified, namely Disengaged-Low Innovators, Resilient-Balanced Innovators, Adaptive Innovators, Strained but Innovative Innovators, and Belief-Driven Innovators, which highlight the complex ways in which disengagement, exhaustion, and irrational beliefs combine to shape innovative work behavior. The findings are interpretable within the framework of contemporary theories in organizational psychology and management and can be utilized by educational principals to enhance school climate and teacher performance. Full article

The present study aimed to examine the role of character virtues in the quality of romantic relationships and friendships during emerging adulthood. The sample included 505 individuals, comprising 269 single and 236 partnered emerging adults. Participants completed three self-report instruments: the Values in Action-114GR (VIA-114GR), Sternberg’s Triangular Love Scale (STLS), and the Friendship Network Satisfaction scale (FNS). Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) applying ipsatization identified three distinct virtue profiles, which were not significantly associated with participants’ relationship status. Concerning friendships, analyses of variance revealed that emerging adults characterized by a balanced virtue profile reported significantly greater perceived closeness than those classified within profiles defined by lower levels of restraint and transcendence virtues. However, no significant differences were observed in the frequency of socializing. Regarding romantic relationships, it was found that different virtue profiles support different love dynamics. Specifically, the results showed that profiles differing in endorsing the knowledge virtue were overrepresented in love profiles characterized by low passion or low commitment. These findings offer significant theoretical contributions and practical implications for strengths-based interventions designed to enhance emerging adults’ social and emotional well-being. Full article

Fatal pediatric vehicular heatstroke occurs when a driver accidentally leaves a child in a vehicle, leading to death by overheating. Most such accidents are caused by simple cognitive errors. One aspect of these events, described anecdotally, is false memories: the driver has a conscious recollection of removing the child, despite knowing that, tragically, it did not happen. We systematically examined media reports of all cases in the USA over a five-year period, involving 164 separate incidents in which 166 children died. Although for many incidents insufficient information was available, with rigorous criteria, we identified cases that likely involved false memories. Tentatively, we suggest that these appear to be more common when a male child dies, and when more than one child dies, hinting that the severity of psychological trauma is a factor in their emergence. Possible explanations for these false memories are explored, with script/schema theory emerging as a reasonable explanation. This suggests that drivers fill in gaps in their memory for the journey, based on routine journey schemata. An example would be a memory gap filled with a default value of dropping the child at daycare, when in fact, they know they did not. In turn, this schema approach provides a framework for better understanding the reason that drivers sometimes experience cognitive slips, with fatal consequences for child passengers. Full article