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Societies
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Innovative and Multidisciplinary Approaches to Healthcare
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Innovative and Multidisciplinary Approaches to Healthcare

A special issue of Societies (ISSN 2075-4698). This special issue belongs to the section "The Social Nature of Health and Well-Being".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 22 December 2026 | Viewed by 8417

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jeanette M. López-Walle

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Facultad de Organización Deportiva, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, Nuevo León, Mexico
Interests: exercise psychology; sports science; coaching; exercise science; physics education self-efficacy; health science; pre-service teachers; elementary education; motivational psychology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. María del Rocío Hernández Pozo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Regional Center of Multidisciplinary Research, National Autonomous University of Mexico, UNAM-CRIM, Chamilpa, Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico
Interests: positive psychology; behavior analysis; character strengths; subjective well-being; positive learning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Angélica Mendieta Ramírez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Facultad de Ciencias de la Comunicación, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza 72810, Puebla, Mexico
Interests: political communication; female participation in science; prevention of violence towards women
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In today’s complex and interconnected world, the integration of diverse areas of knowledge is essential for addressing health care challenges, as was proposed at the 1st Meeting of the International Network of Women Scientists (Red Internacional de Mujeres Científicas).

In response to this important issue, this Special Issue emphasizes the critical interplay between disciplines such as the following:

  • Engineering and Sustainable Development—contributing innovative solutions and technologies.
  • Health 1: Basic Research—uncovering foundational insights into biological and physiological mechanisms.
  • Health 2: Applied Research—translating findings into real-world applications.
  • Literature, Humanities, and Social Sciences (Law and Politics)—enriching ethical, cultural, and governance perspectives in health care.
  • Economy, History, and Information—providing socio-economic and historical contexts.
  • Education—fostering awareness and training for future professionals.
  • Motivation, Sport, Physical Activity, Well-being, and Violence—addressing the psychosocial and physical dimensions of health.

By uniting these fields, this Special Issue seeks to explore innovative and sustainable solutions for advancing health and well-being globally, such as the following:

  • Highlight the integration of diverse disciplines in addressing health-related challenges.
  • Promote innovative and sustainable practices in health care and policymaking.
  • Foster dialog between researchers and practitioners from various fields to improve societal well-being.

Our aim is to create a multidisciplinary platform for sharing groundbreaking research and critical reviews related to health care. The subject aligns with the journal’s focus on advancing knowledge through interdisciplinary approaches that address current societal and scientific challenges.

Original research articles and comprehensive reviews are welcome, such as the following:

  • Original studies
  • Clinical trials and observational studies
  • Literature reviews, systematic reviews and meta-analyses
  • Comparative or cross-sectional studies
  • Psychometric studies
  • Prevalence or trend studies
  • Qualitative and mixed studies

Suggested themes include but are not limited to the following:

  • Development of sustainable engineering solutions for health care.
  • Advances in basic and applied health sciences.
  • Ethical, legal, and political dimensions of health care.
  • Historical and economic perspectives on health policies.
  • The role of education in promoting health literacy.
  • Psychological and social dynamics of physical activity, well-being, and violence prevention.

We look forward to your contributions and are excited about the potential impact of your research in advancing interdisciplinary health care solutions.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Healthcare.

Prof. Dr. Jeanette M. López-Walle
Prof. Dr. María del Rocío Hernández Pozo
Dr. Angélica Mendieta Ramírez
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 conceptual papers 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 double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Societies is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 1600 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

  • multidisciplinary
  • engineering and technology
  • humanities
  • psychology
  • social and health sciences
  • physical activity science

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  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • 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 (4 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 444 KB  
Article
Balancing Unemployment and Psychache: An Individual Cross-Sectional Survey in People with Multi-Comorbidity
by Yuri Gimelfarb and Daniela Cojocaru
Societies 2026, 16(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc16010035 - 20 Jan 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 511
Abstract
Background: Suicide represents a challenging societal question. There is a correlation between multi-comorbidity (mental, addictive, social, and physical) and excess suicide. Aside from recognizing this correlation, our understanding of employment’s impact on psychache in adults with the multi-comorbidity of schizophrenia and multi-substance use [...] Read more.
Background: Suicide represents a challenging societal question. There is a correlation between multi-comorbidity (mental, addictive, social, and physical) and excess suicide. Aside from recognizing this correlation, our understanding of employment’s impact on psychache in adults with the multi-comorbidity of schizophrenia and multi-substance use disorders remains incomplete. Methods: This individual survey of 88 inpatients (with multi-comorbidity) examined the hypothetical impact of preadmission employment on psychache intensity. Fifty of them (56.8%) reported being employed prior to admission, while thirty-eight of them (43.2%) reported they were not. Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in this survey before inclusion. Results: The findings demonstrated that the connection between general self-efficacy and current psychache intensity is dependent on the subjects’ preadmission employment status, with a stronger negative correlation observed in subjects who worked prior to admission (p < 0.001). Employment status provided the moderator variable in the association between general self-efficacy and current psychache intensity (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These measures are crucial for balancing work and psychache as well as translating the findings regarding the social nature of health and well-being into real-world application of suicide prevention in individuals with multi-comorbidity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative and Multidisciplinary Approaches to Healthcare)
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26 pages, 2063 KB  
Article
A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Framework to Explore Determinants of Catastrophic Healthcare Expenses
by Savita Kumari Jarika, Shovona Choudhury, Sanjib Biswas, Biplab Biswas and Prasenjit Chatterjee
Societies 2025, 15(12), 353; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15120353 - 15 Dec 2025
Viewed by 862
Abstract
Despite significant advances in the medical sciences, out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare costs have remained a concern, especially for lower-middle-class and poor people. The current study aims to investigate the critical factors that notably contribute to catastrophic healthcare expenses (CHCEs). To this end, the ongoing [...] Read more.
Despite significant advances in the medical sciences, out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare costs have remained a concern, especially for lower-middle-class and poor people. The current study aims to investigate the critical factors that notably contribute to catastrophic healthcare expenses (CHCEs). To this end, the ongoing research is conducted through two phases. The first phase aims to identify the key determinants of CHCEs through expert and household evaluations. A multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) framework using the FullEX method is developed to analyze expert and household opinions. In the second phase, the experts investigate the hierarchical relationships among key determinants. Interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and MICMAC analysis are carried out to examine the structural relationships among the determinants. The findings of the FullEX analysis reveal that experts and households are in consensus. It is found that low-income level, number of dependable members, frequent birth rate, high child mortality, and lack of job security and risk pooling mechanisms notably contribute to the higher CHCEs. The ISM analysis indicates the strong driving power of income, education, and job security, leading to disparities in rural economic conditions, reflecting the need for holistic development. The MICMAC analysis confirms the hierarchical relationships among the key determinants of CHCEs. The findings necessitate formulating an inclusive strategy to reduce financial distress and improve the healthcare outlook for rural households, leading to sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative and Multidisciplinary Approaches to Healthcare)
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11 pages, 1460 KB  
Article
Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ): Validation in Mexican University Athletes
by Faviola Corvera-Velarde, Abril Cantú-Berrueto, Francisco Javier Mendoza-Farias and Jeanette M. López-Walle
Societies 2025, 15(9), 259; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15090259 - 16 Sep 2025
Viewed by 2035
Abstract
From the psychology of sport, the impact of group cohesion on sports performance has been studied extensively; therefore, it is considered important to measure this variable to design interventions that improve collective work to achieve goals together. This study adapted and validated the [...] Read more.
From the psychology of sport, the impact of group cohesion on sports performance has been studied extensively; therefore, it is considered important to measure this variable to design interventions that improve collective work to achieve goals together. This study adapted and validated the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) for Mexican university athletes. In a cross-sectional instrumental design, 226 athletes from various team sports completed the scale. Internal consistency statistics and confirmatory factor analyses Goodness-of-Fit Index (GFI), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) evaluated psychometrics. After removing three items with weak loadings, three structural models were tested as follows: (a) unidimensional, (b) task vs. social cohesion, and (c) attraction vs. integration. The unidimensional model showed the best fit (χ2 = 177.33; GFI = 0.90; CFI = 0.92; RMSEA = 0.07) and high reliability, indicating that cohesion can be treated as a single overarching construct. Task items exhibited higher consistency than social items. In conclusion, the adapted version of the GEQ is a useful tool for the evaluation of cohesion in Mexican university sports, although it is recommended to improve social items and expand its application in different disciplines and competitive levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative and Multidisciplinary Approaches to Healthcare)
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13 pages, 200 KB  
Article
Binge Eating Disorder and Fatphobia: Social Stigma, Exclusion, and the Need for a New Perspective on Health
by Alexandra Ainz-Galende, María José Torres-Haro and Rubén Rodríguez-Puertas
Societies 2025, 15(5), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15050115 - 23 Apr 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4376
Abstract
Binge eating disorder (BED) has long been an overlooked mental health condition, making its recognition and treatment more challenging. This study examines the impacts of social stigma and fatphobia on individuals with BED, exploring how these factors influence their well-being and perpetuate cycles [...] Read more.
Binge eating disorder (BED) has long been an overlooked mental health condition, making its recognition and treatment more challenging. This study examines the impacts of social stigma and fatphobia on individuals with BED, exploring how these factors influence their well-being and perpetuate cycles of exclusion and discrimination. Using a psychosocial approach, this research analyzes how societal misperceptions about BED foster harmful stereotypes, such as the belief that being overweight results from a lack of willpower or personal negligence. This study is based on a qualitative discourse analysis of 12 participants diagnosed with BED. The findings highlight the presence of compensatory behaviors, including fasting, excessive exercise, and laxative use, which challenge the conventional understanding of BED. The results reveal that BED affects not only individuals at a personal level, but also deeply impacts their social and family lives, reinforcing shame, guilt, and self-hatred. Diet culture and weight stigma contribute to social exclusion, further hindering access to proper treatment. This study provides a critical perspective on the need for a cultural shift in how society perceives weight and eating behaviors, advocating for a more inclusive health model that prioritizes mental well-being and body diversity over arbitrary aesthetic standards. These findings underscore the need for greater societal understanding, inclusive health narratives, and further qualitative research into the lived experiences of individuals with BED. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative and Multidisciplinary Approaches to Healthcare)
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