Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030248
Authors: Hanvedes Daovisan Ungsinun Intarakamhang
The purpose of this study is to carry out the scale development of occupational well-being (OWB) (affective, professional, social, cognitive, psychological and psychosomatic well-being) in Laos. Using multiple sampling data, we developed a valid OWB scale with a large Laotian sample (n = 1745). The validity of the OWB-47 scale was analyzed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Cross-validity, the initial model, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed using Stata 19 to assess the validity of the scale development. Consistent with the valid model, the CFA revealed a unidimensional structure in the OWB scale. The initial measurement of the OWB scale was significantly correlated with the measure of the six-dimensional model. Regarding the full model testing, the CFA model was developed to test the validity of the OWB-47 scale, suggesting the acceptability of the fit model.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030247
Authors: Michelle Boulanger Thompson Yaoying Xu Chin-Chih Chen Kathleen Rudasill
Constructive play is a creative process-oriented activity that promotes children’s engaged learning through building and designing with materials. This study investigated a parent-implemented intervention to promote active engagement in constructive play for preschool-aged children at risk for developmental delay. This study utilized a single-subject multiple-baseline across-participants design with four participants. Visual analysis of the data identified a functional relation between the temporal, physical, and social–emotional environmental support provided by the parents and the children’s active engagement in constructive play. Parents reported the intervention as meaningful to their lives, indicating strong social validity. These findings highlight the importance of centering and working with parents in their home environment and provide evidence that empowering parents to provide support and minimize barriers facilitates children’s active engagement in constructive play.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030246
Authors: Marina Kukla Alan B. McGuire Kenneth C. Weber Jessi Hatfield Nancy Henry Eric Kulesza Angela L. Rollins
Introduction: Employment is an important contributor to recovery in people with serious mental illness (SMI), yet studies have not explored how subjective elements of employment hope contribute to perceptions of global recovery in this population. Methods: The current study examined the relationship between employment hope and subjective recovery in 276 unemployed adults with SMI participating in a multi-site clinical trial of a cognitive behavioral group intervention tailored toward work and combined with vocational rehabilitation. Participants had diagnoses of schizophrenia spectrum, bipolar, depressive, and posttraumatic stress disorders, and were receiving services at three Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities in the United States. Data were collected at study baseline. Linear regression analysis examined the relationship between employment hope (Short Employment Hope Scale; EHS-14) and subjective recovery (Recovery Assessment Scale; RAS) after controlling for psychiatric symptom severity and mental-health-related burden on daily life. Results: After accounting for covariates, employment hope significantly contributed to the regression model explaining subjective recovery. The overall model of predictor variables explained 52.5% of the variance in recovery. The results further explore the relationships between EHS-14 and RAS subscales. Conclusions: The findings suggest that employment hope is a key intervention target to bolster subjective recovery in this vulnerable population.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030245
Authors: Lillian A. Hammer Aleksandr Karnick Kendall Beals Lauren Luther Kelsey A. Bonfils
Empathy is a multifaceted concept that is vital to effective social functioning; yet, it is impaired in high schizotypy groups. Furthermore, empathy has been found to be a mediator in the relationship between schizotypy and social functioning, highlighting the importance of empathy as a driver in social outcomes. Despite this, the four-factor structure of a widely-used measure of empathy—the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI)—has been found to be psychometrically weak in high schizotypy samples. As such, this study aimed to assess differences in the item-level network of the IRI between high (n = 427) and low schizotypy groups (n = 470). The results reveal that there are significant differences in the structure of these networks, though they evidence similar strengths. Within the high schizotypy group, the network structure was consistent with the four-factor structure of the IRI subscales; items from each subscale clustered together and were distinct from those in the other subscales. By contrast, the low schizotypy group evidenced six clusters that did not mirror the IRI subscales. These results suggest that the item-level structure of the IRI is dependent upon the level of schizotypy of the sample, with the high schizotypy group’s network functioning similarly to what would be expected from the original four-factor structure.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030244
Authors: Yuetan Wang Jingjing Liang Ziwen Zhu Jingyi Gao Qiuyan Yao Xiaobin Ding
Attentional bias towards threatening information is a crucial factor contributing to the development and persistence of social anxiety. However, the attentional bias towards threat information and the preferential processing pattern of emotional cues in individuals with social anxiety disorder during integrated facial and physical stimuli processing remain unclear. In this study, we employed a dot-probe paradigm to investigate the attentional bias towards integrated emotions (facial–body) among students with high and low levels of social anxiety (Experiment 1). Experiments 2 and 3 examined the attentional bias of socially anxious individuals when faced with conflicting emotional cues from faces or bodies in relation to integrated emotions. The data revealed that participants both high and low levels of social anxiety participants exhibited accelerated orienting and biased attention towards facial–body emotional processing. When there was inconsistency between emotional cues from faces or bodies and integrated emotions, higher levels of social anxiety were associated with increased vigilance towards threatening faces or bodies. These findings underscore that individuals with social anxiety possess an ability to rapidly capture threatening cues during the processing of facial–body emotional stimuli while also demonstrating a tendency to avoid relying solely on facial cues by compensating through bodily cues for emotion perception.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030243
Authors: Jie Chen Yangting Zhang Han Cai Lu Liu Miyan Liao Jiaming Fang
This research provides a comprehensive overview of micro-influence marketing, analyzing the characteristics of influencers and the mechanisms of their impact. A systematic review was conducted, encompassing 2091 citing articles and references across 74 studies involving 95 research institutions and over 12,000 samples. Employing an interdisciplinary approach that integrates insights from computer science, information science, communication, culture, psychology, sociology, education, business, and management, this study outlines the distinct features of micro-influencers. These features include performable authenticity, affinity expressed through consistency and transparency, musical and artistic media talent, and competitive individual traits. The research synthesizes antecedents of trust and attachment mechanisms commonly employed in influencer theory, taking an objective standpoint and minimizing emphasis on audience engagement and perception to trigger influence. The findings highlight that followers’ pursuit of self-branding, driven by self-consciousness, social consciousness, credibility, and social presence, significantly influences the impact of self-expressive products on the audience’s purchase intention. The research contributes to micro-influence marketing theory by integrating mechanics, offering practical implications for micro-influencers, and suggesting future research agendas.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030242
Authors: Stefanos Balaskas Maria Koutroumani Maria Rigou
Blood donation is essential in health-care systems worldwide, dealing with the demand for transfusions, and for the treatment of a variety of medical conditions. A major obstacle is raising the rate of blood donations by recruiting and retaining donors in an efficient manner. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of blood donation, utilizing an enhanced framework based on the theory of planned behavior with an emphasis on emotional arousal (positive and negative), attitudes towards advertisements, and blood donation anxiety, revealing critical psychological and communicative determinants of blood donation intention. To achieve this, a quantitative non-experimental correlational technique was employed to collect data from 414 individuals using an online questionnaire circulated across Greek society. The data were analyzed using structural equation modelling, with a focus on the direct impacts on donation intentions and the role of emotional arousal as a mediator. The findings indicate that attitudes and anxiety have strong direct impacts on the behavioral intention to donate, underlining the important barriers generated by donation anxieties as well as the efficacy of positive attitudes and successful advertising. Furthermore, the study demonstrates emotional arousal as a partial mediator, implying that both cognitive assessments and emotional responses play a role in influencing donation intentions. This study takes on a new approach to give emphasis and provide evidence of the mediating effect of emotional arousal on donation intention, utilizing structural equation modeling. Despite the critical role of marketing as a primary source of blood donors, the implementation of emotional marketing techniques has been one aspect less addressed throughout marketing professionals and communication efforts. Our results demonstrate the significance of emotional arousal on blood donation intentions, thus suggesting a more emotionally resonant approach of attracting potential donors.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030241
Authors: Hyesun Kim
Substance use among adolescents is a major emerging health problem worldwide. Although loneliness and depression are major risk factors for substance use, few studies have examined the relationship between loneliness, depression, and substance use in adolescents. This study aimed to determine the mediating effect of depression on the relationship between loneliness and substance use among Korean adolescents, based on the data from 53,310 adolescents from the 17th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey in 2021. Using a complex sample analysis module, hierarchical logistic regression analysis was employed to confirm the mediating effect of depression on the relationship between loneliness and substance use. The results showed that loneliness and depression have a significant effect on substance use (smoking, drinking alcohol, and drug use). Depression was found to have a partial mediating effect on the relationship between loneliness and substance use. Overall, the results suggested that loneliness and depression in adolescents increase substance use, and loneliness can affect substance use through depression. Therefore, proactive strategies to prevent and reduce loneliness and depression in adolescents can be effective in preventing substance use.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030240
Authors: Namki Lee Yucheon Kim
This study delves into the importance and consequences of gratitude promotion programs for South Korean college students. It uses meta-analyses to evaluate the effects of such programs on this demographic, shedding light on their significance and implications. To that end, we selected 11 papers in which 683 persons participated as study subjects, analyzing them using the PRISMA methodology. We observed an overall effect size of 0.6671, categorized as above medium. The effect sizes of the sub-areas were cognitive (d = 1.37), emotional (d = 0.60), and behavioral (d = 0.77), with the cognitive area exhibiting the largest effect size. When categorized by program type, the effect size (d = 0.85) for the program involving gratitude practice and gratitude recording surpassed the effect size (d = 0.77) of the programs where participants solely engaged in gratitude recording. According to program execution durations, the largest effect size (d = 1.61) appeared in the group that executed the program for the longest period of at least 16 weeks. This study highlights the areas where gratitude promotion programs for college students prove to be most effective. These findings offer valuable insights for tailoring and developing gratitude promotion programs in the future.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030239
Authors: Young-joo Ahn Katie Bokyun Kim
Increased awareness of negative psychological symptoms and the negative impact of the pandemic has led to a rising demand for wellness-related travel experiences. There is a need for research on tourists’ experiential and reflective engagement in order to maximize positive outcomes such as overall satisfaction, positive WOM, and recommendations. These positive outcomes are crucial for attracting tourists and strengthening destinations’ brands. As there are few empirical studies, research on the effects of engagement on satisfaction and behavioral intentions is necessary. This study aimed to examine the relationships between wellness motivation, engagement, satisfaction, and destination loyalty among wellness tourists. It also aimed to examine the mediating effects of two engagement factors, experiential and reflective engagement, between wellness motivation and positive outcomes. A total of 319 respondents were used for the analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted. The results found that wellness motivation is composed of six wellness motivation components, namely physical motivation, transcendence, relaxation, social motivation, self-esteem, and escape, each representing first-order factors. Wellness motivation is positively associated with reflective and experiential engagement. Engagement positively affects satisfaction and destination loyalty. This study provides several implications, theoretically and practically.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030238
Authors: Shuhan Yang Yizhen Ren Xi Song Jie Ge Yu Peng
Objective: The present study aimed to explore the relationship between insecure attachment (attachment anxiety and avoidance) and depressive symptoms in Chinese young adults as well as the mediating roles of positive and negative self-compassion. Methods: An online survey was administered among college students in mainland China. This involved their completion of questionnaires encompassing socio-demographic details, attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, self-compassion, and depressive symptoms. Results: Attachment anxiety and avoidance exhibited connections with depressive symptoms through increased negative self-compassion and decreased positive self-compassion. Attachment anxiety was associated with depressive symptoms primarily through the mediating effect of negative self-compassion. Conversely, attachment avoidance was related to depressive symptoms mainly through the mediating role of positive self-compassion. Conclusions: Attachment anxiety exerted a slightly stronger influence on negative self-compassion, whereas attachment avoidance exhibited a more prominent impact on positive self-compassion. Despite these differences, both attachment styles were comparable in their overall influence on depressive symptoms. This revelation provides fresh insights into the relationship between insecure attachment and depressive symptoms among young adults, underscoring the importance for intervention program development.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030237
Authors: Stefan Mestermann Laura Rudtke Razvan-Marius Brazdis Thanos Tsaktanis Johannes Kornhuber Norbert Thürauf
Self-induced bloodletting (SBL) is a very rare form of self-injury (SI) seen primarily in adolescents and young adults with personality and eating disorders. It can result in complications like malaise, fatigue, or iron-deficiency anemia (Lasthénie de Ferjol syndrome, LFS), and poses a risk of accidental death or suicide. The condition often goes undetected due to patient concealment. There is no specific treatment established, and pharmacological strategies remain uncertain. We discuss the case of a 22-year-old female patient treated at our Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Department following a suicide attempt via SBL. She self-administered a venous cannula, losing 1.5 L of blood. Diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia (LFS), she was initially treated with mirtazapine, risperidone, lithium, and later off-label high-dose clomipramine (300 mg/d). Clomipramine significantly reduced her SBL and suicidal thoughts, and her hemoglobin levels re-normalized under iron-substitution therapy. Despite improvement and later discharge, she attempted suicide by SBL again three months later, having stopped clomipramine due to adverse side effects. High-dose escitalopram was administered, leading to a decrease and eventual cessation of her SBL urges. This case demonstrates that patients with SBL/LFS can benefit from high-dose clomipramine or escitalopram. Despite its rarity, the consideration of high-dose serotonergic antidepressants is crucial in psychiatric diagnostics and treatment for patients affected by SBL/LFS.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030236
Authors: Siyi Zhang Haijia Wang Qi He
Due to the increasing competition in the market and the limited availability of high-quality employment opportunities, an increasing number of employees struggle to maintain a balance between their physical conditions and performance demands, resulting in a more widespread occurrence of “working while ill”. However, little is known about the controlled motivation behind the phenomenon under pressure. Drawing on self-determination theory, this study utilized 281 questionnaire data to examine the positive effect of performance pressure on employee presenteeism, and to explore the moderating role of authoritarian leadership and its joint moderation function effect with independent self-construal. The results indicated that performance pressure had a significant positive effect on employee presenteeism. Authoritarian leadership imposed an enhanced moderating effect between performance pressure and employee presenteeism, while independent self-construal diminished the augmentative moderating role played by authoritarian leadership in the relationship between performance pressure and employee presenteeism. This study reveals the controlled motivation of employee presenteeism under performance pressure, taking into account the cultural background and organizational context of China. Moreover, it also offers novel perspectives for effectively managing this phenomenon.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030235
Authors: Marin Mamić Tihomir Jovanović Slavka Galić Ivana Jelinčić Štefica Mikšić Božica Lovrić Ivanka Zirdum Kristijan Matković Goran Zukanović Goranka Radmilović Tihana Mendeš Mirela Frančina Ivan Vukoja
The purpose of this research was to examine whether demographic variables, personality traits, and workplace variables (working in shifts, job tenure, and perceived organizational justice) contribute the most to the prediction of job satisfaction in nurses. The survey included 161 nurses. The instruments used in this research were as follows: the Demographic Data Questionnaire, the Perceived Organizational Justice Scale, the Job Satisfaction Scale, and the NEO five-factor inventory. The study findings indicated that age, health status, distributive justice, and procedural justice positively contribute to job satisfaction among nurses, while neuroticism contributes negatively. Older nurses, those in better health, those who are satisfied with the organization’s decision-making process, and those who feel adequately rewarded for their contributions tend to be more satisfied with their jobs. Conversely, nurses with a higher level of the neuroticism personality trait tend to be less satisfied with their job. The strongest predictors of job satisfaction among nurses were found to be health status, the personality trait of neuroticism, and distributive and procedural justice, with the age of nurses being slightly less powerful but still significant.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030234
Authors: Sun-Hee Kim Joo-Bong Seo Byung-Yeol Ryu
This study, conducted on a group older than 60-years-of-age, sought to verify if healing garden activities control stress in older people. The experimental group performed garden activities once a week for 12 weeks, for 2 h each day, and the control group continued their daily lives. Each group’s cumulative stress at the beginning and end, along with total power (TP), the standard deviation of the normal-to-normal interval (SDNN), and the root mean square differences of successive R–R intervals (RMSSD), were measured using u-Bio MACPA, a stress index meter. The analysis showed that the experimental group had a statistically significant decrease in cumulative stress, compared to the control group; and also that TP significantly increased, compared to the control group. The SDNN and RMSSD of the experimental group increased, and decreased in the control group, but the changes were not statistically significant. The fact that cumulative stress decreased and stress evaluation indicators increased shows that daily stress can be controlled through healing garden activities. However, due to the small number of participants in the experiment, its ability to be generalized to all elderly people is subject to a number of limitations. Nevertheless, I think it is meaningful that the finding that garden activities are significant in mediating stress in the elderly was verified using a scientific measurement instrument. Future studies should explore the healing effectiveness of gardens in other age groups.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030233
Authors: Yinya Wang Zhi Ren Yaqi Yue Xi Zheng Xinyuan Zhang Lijuan Wang
Time-based prospective memory (TBPM) refers to the ability of an individual to successfully execute an expected plan in the future at a certain time point or after a definite period of time. This study investigated the potential developmental mechanism of school-age children’s TBPM ability from the perspective of time monitoring. Experiment 1 used a between-subjects design of three ages (7, 9, 11) × two TBPM types (time point, time period) to investigate the trends and characteristics of two types of TBPM in children aged 7–11 years old. Experiment 2 used a between-subjects design of three ages (7, 9, 11) × two monitoring conditions (free monitoring, fixed monitoring) to investigate differences in two types of TBPM and monitoring behavior among school-age children under different monitoring conditions. These results showed that the age effect of TBPM was affected by the type of prospective memory (PM) and that time-point PM performance was significantly better than time-period PM performance among school-age children. These findings indicate that clear and definite external cues are helpful for school-age children in performing TBPM tasks. Moreover, there were significant differences found in the TBPM performance of school-age children under different time monitoring conditions. The performance of older children was significantly better than that of younger children. This indicates that older children can better allocate their attentional resources and use time monitoring strategies to improve their performance in PM tasks. Accordingly, this study showed that the TBPM ability of 7- to 11-year-old children is in continuous development and that the time monitoring behavior in the TBPM task is affected by task type and monitoring conditions.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030232
Authors: Nonna Kushnirovich Sabina Lissitsa
This paper examines the relationships between the consumption of ‘bad’ or ‘good’ digital economic news and attitudes toward immigrant and ethnic minorities during the crisis that developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study considered attitudes toward two minority groups in Israel: immigrant citizens from English-speaking countries, and Israeli Palestinian citizens, an ethnic minority. The data were collected through an online survey of 866 respondents, who were members of the majority population group. The study found that, during the global crisis, exposure to bad digital news was associated with more positive attitudes toward both disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged minority groups. Moreover, in times of global crisis, people focused mostly on local rather than global digital news. In contrast to the idea of Intergroup Threat Theory, the study revealed that feelings of economic threat during the global crisis engendered higher cohesion between different population groups, and more positive attitudes toward minorities. In times of crisis, bad news for the economy brings good news for social solidarity—people tend to rally around the flag; this phenomenon even occurs between groups engaged in years-long, protracted conflict.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030231
Authors: Alexander L Wallace Kelly E. Courtney Natasha E. Wade Laura E. Hatz Rachel Baca Aaron Jacobson Thomas T. Liu Joanna Jacobus
Introduction: Despite evidence suggesting deleterious effects of cannabis and nicotine tobacco product (NTP) use on white matter integrity, there have been limited studies examining white matter integrity among users of both cannabis and nicotine. Further, updated white matter methodology provides opportunities to investigate use patterns on neurite orientation dispersion and density (NODDI) indices and subtle tissue changes related to the intra- and extra-neurite compartment. We aimed to investigate how cannabis and NTP use among adolescents and young adults interacts to impact the white matter integrity microstructure. Materials and Methods: A total of 221 participants between the ages of 16 and 22 completed the Customary Drinking and Drug Use Record (CDDR) to measure substance use, and underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) session. Participants were divided into NTP-control and NTP groupings and cannabis-control and cannabis groupings (≥26 NTP/cannabis uses in past 6 months). Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) and two-way between-subjects ANOVA investigated the effects of NTP use group, cannabis use group, and their interaction on fractional anisotropy (FA) and NODDI indices while controlling for age and biological sex. Results: NTP use was associated with decreased FA values and increased orientation dispersion in the left anterior capsule. There were no significant effects of cannabis use or the interaction of NTP and cannabis use on white matter outcomes. Discussion: NTP use was associated with altered white matter integrity in an adolescent and young adult sample. Findings suggest that NTP-associated alterations may be linked to altered fiber tract geometry and dispersed neurite structures versus myelination, as well as differential effects of NTP and cannabis use on white matter structure. Future work is needed to investigate how altered white matter is related to downstream behavioral effects from NTP use.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030230
Authors: Xuechen Ding Wan Ding
During the socialization process in family and school contexts, children display a wide variety of social behaviors with parents and peers. Yet the developmental trajectory, the predictors and outcomes, and the neural basis of those social behaviors are largely under-investigated. To address these problems, we invited experts in the field to submit their latest findings to tell this story. The current Special Issue is a collection of papers highlighting the complexity for various social behaviors, with a focus on the complex mechanisms that link social behaviors to child socio-emotional adjustment and mediating/moderating factors among the associations. Thirteen papers illustrate empirical work in the field, two papers present new methodological concerns, and one paper that provides a comprehensive review of the literature.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030229
Authors: Sara Martínez-Carrera Cristina Sánchez-Martínez Isabel Martínez-Carrera Miguel Ángel Díaz Dieguez
The problems that arise with coexistence between schoolchildren are a challenge when it comes to carrying out the teaching–learning process. In recent years, the presence of bullying has increased in schools. The aim of this study is to identify the perceptions of teachers regarding the problems of coexistence among schoolchildren, more specifically concerning bullying, as well as to identify their position regarding the prevention of bullying. Research was carried out using a mixed approach. A total of 225 education professionals from different schools in Spain took part. From the results and our conclusions, it should be noted that teachers consider themselves to have a high level of knowledge of the essential characteristics of the dynamics of bullying, of the actors involved, and of some preventive measures that can be carried out to avoid this type of behaviour as much as possible. On the other hand, a large number of teachers downplay the importance of the problem of coexistence in their fields, and/or are not able to identify it, which makes it impossible to act. Some schools hardly carry out any prevention work, which makes it difficult to eradicate bullying.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030228
Authors: Jun Wang Quanqi Yang Xian Yu Li Hu
Background: This study aims to investigate the role of empathy in fostering emotional resilience and the impact of social activity on adolescents’ mental health. Methods: A survey was conducted on 1666 adolescents aged from 11 to 15 across seven cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, etc. Results: Empathy is significantly positively related to emotional resilience (β = 0.128; p < 0.001). Moreover, depression acts as a mediator between empathy and emotional resilience (ab = 0.106, SE = 0.021, 95% confidence interval [0.065, 0.146]), while self-efficacy plays an incomplete mediating role (ab = 0.286, SE = 0.020, and a 95% confidence interval of [0.246, 0.326]). Additionally, social activity was able to modulate the relationship between empathy and depression (β = 0.004; p < 0.001), as well as the relationship between empathy and self-efficacy (β = 0.003; p < 0.001). Conclusion: For adolescents, (1) greater emotional resilience is associated with higher levels of empathy; (2) improving empathy can indirectly enhance their emotional resilience by reducing their depression level; (3) the relationship between empathy ability and depression is modulated by social activity, and the predictive effect of empathy on depression is reduced when adolescents have high social activity levels; and (4) the relationship between empathy and self-efficacy is also modulated by social activity, and the predictive effect of empathy on self-efficacy is enhanced when adolescents have higher levels of social activity.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030227
Authors: Hua Wei Lele Chen Lijun Zhao
Past studies have shown that spontaneous electroencephalography indicators—namely, the theta/beta power ratio and alpha oscillation—may measure individuals’ attentional control processes. However, there is lack of research distinguishing these differences. This study investigated whether the theta/beta power ratio and alpha oscillation were separately related to the objective and subjective criteria of attentional control in eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. The results showed two main findings: (1) In the eyes-open condition, the theta/beta power ratio at the Fz and Pz electrode sites were significantly negatively correlated with the attentional control scale score; the alpha power at the Pz electrode site was significantly negatively correlated with flanker RT interference effect; (2) In the eyes-closed condition, the alpha power at the Cz and Pz electrode sites were significantly positively correlated with flanker P3d. In summary, this study showed that the eyes-open spontaneous theta/beta power ratio may reflect individuals’ beliefs in their attentional control ability, and the alpha oscillation may be related to individuals’ attentional control ability.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030226
Authors: Yunsheng Shi Lei Gao Haibo Yu Shanghao Song
Learning from work failures is not only beneficial for individual development but also crucial for improving organizational performance and achieving sustainable development. We hypothesize that leader bottom-line mentality, which is commonly used by leaders to prevent profit and performance losses, may reduce subordinates learning from work failures. Drawing on social information processing theory, this paper examines how and when leader bottom-line mentality negatively affects subordinates learning from work failures. We tested our hypotheses through a three-wave survey of 245 employees from several high-tech companies in China. For data analysis, we used SPSS 26.0 and Mplus 8.0 to test the theoretical model and research hypotheses. The results indicated that leader bottom-line mentality has a negative indirect effect on subordinates learning from work failures through the mediating role of subordinates’ psychological availability. In addition, subordinate self-compassion can mitigate this negative mediating mechanism. The present study has several theoretical and practical implications for the current literature.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030225
Authors: Rong Huang Siqi Yi Jie Chen Kit Ying Chan Joey Wing Yan Chan Ngan Yin Chan Shirley Xin Li Yun Kwok Wing Tim Man Ho Li
Linguistic features, particularly the use of first-person singular pronouns (FPSPs), have been identified as potential indicators of suicidal ideation. Machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) have shown potential in suicide detection, but their clinical applicability remains underexplored. This study aimed to identify linguistic features associated with suicidal ideation and develop ML models for detection. NLP techniques were applied to clinical interview transcripts (n = 319) to extract relevant features, including four cases of FPSP (subjective, objective, dative, and possessive cases) and first-person plural pronouns (FPPPs). Logistic regression analyses were conducted for each linguistic feature, controlling for age, gender, and depression. Gradient boosting, support vector machine, random forest, decision tree, and logistic regression were trained and evaluated. Results indicated that all four cases of FPSPs were associated with depression (p < 0.05) but only the use of objective FPSPs was significantly associated with suicidal ideation (p = 0.02). Logistic regression and support vector machine models successfully detected suicidal ideation, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.57 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, FPSPs identified during clinical interviews might be a promising indicator of suicidal ideation in Chinese patients. ML algorithms might have the potential to aid clinicians in improving the detection of suicidal ideation in clinical settings.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030224
Authors: Heng Jiang Lili Liu Yonglin Zhang
Analyzing the sustainable decision-making mechanism between household consumption and education investment can theoretically develop education. This study uses the continuous-time utility model to demonstrate the independent characteristics of consumption and education investment, as well as the principle of decision incompatibility in the decision-making process of the utility maximization problem. Then, we establish a three-phase logarithmic utility model to obtain the intertemporal decision-making path of a family. The analysis shows that the investment allocation ratio between the two phases depends on the expected and discounted level of the offsprings’ abilities, while the total investment level is related to parental altruism. When parents, with foresight, factor in prospective transfer payments from progeny, the optimal decision is to maximize their children’s ultimate human capital within a given total investment. Education investment not only squeezes out consumption but also promotes consumption in various periods due to future transfer payments. The decision-making process of three typical growth stages indicates that as offspring mature and their human capital increases, parents’ willingness to invest in education decreases while self-consumption escalates. This study provides a new perspective and theoretical basis for studying household education expenditure, motivation, and related policy formulation.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030223
Authors: Jingyu He Ziming Wang Yue Zhang Shuo Feng Jinxia Han Hehong Quan Chun Li
(1) Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between mindful parenting and children’s creative tendencies and to investigate the mediating role of parent–child intimacy and connectedness to nature in the relationship between mindful parenting and children’s creative tendencies. (2) Methods: In this cross-sectional study, nearly 800 mothers of children aged 3–6 were enrolled. General sociodemographic data, the Mindfulness in Parenting Questionnaire (MIPQ), the Creativity Assessment Packet (CAP), the Child–Parent Relationship Scale—Short Form (CPRS-SF), and the Connectedness to Nature Index—Parents of Preschool Children (CNI-PPC) were all included in the questionnaire survey. (3) Results: There were significant positive correlations among mindful parenting, parent–child intimacy, connectedness to nature, and children’s creative tendencies. Mindful parenting had a positive predictive effect on children’s creative tendencies. Parent–child intimacy played a mediating role between mindful parenting and children’s creative tendencies. Connectedness to nature played a mediating role between mindful parenting and children’s creative tendencies. The correlation between mindful parenting and children’s creative tendencies may be impacted by the chain mediation effects of parent–child intimacy and connectedness to nature. (4) Conclusions: By promoting parent–child intimacy and connectedness to nature, and by utilizing the chain mediating effects of both, mindful parenting positively impacted children’s creative tendencies.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030222
Authors: Reza Jazemi Sajede Farahani Wilkistar Otieno Jaejin Jang
Panic buying poses significant challenges for individuals and societies. This paper provides a literature review on the process by which a pandemic crisis evolves into panic buying behavior. The review offers a comprehensive perspective on studies related to panic buying and mitigation efforts, categorizing them based on their contributions in three stages: factors influencing panic buying, the process of transforming panic into increased demand and stockpiling, and applicable intervention strategies to mitigate panic situations. The paper introduces the Socio-Economic Framework of Panic (SEFP) to illustrate the interaction between demand and supply during a panic. The review identifies a lack of quantitative models explicitly correlating influencing factors with panic and estimating panic demand. Additionally, it reveals that suggested intervention strategies often lack practical implementation guidelines. Using the SEFP, the importance of considering interventions at various stages is highlighted, ranging from controlling influencing factors and panic demands to overseeing stockpiling and supply-related activities. The paper also identifies research gaps in both qualitative and quantitative modeling, policymaking, and governance.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030221
Authors: Xiaoxia Gu Norlizah Che Hassan Tajularipin Sulaiman
This study aims to understand how socioeconomic status and the family environment impact students’ academic achievement through the mediation of parental involvement in rural China. To achieve this, a cross-sectional design was adopted, and a total of 525 parents of rural junior high school students from S province in southwest China were surveyed. The proposed conceptual framework was tested by structural equation modeling. The results claimed that both socioeconomic status and the family environment are important factors affecting the academic achievement of rural students, and the role of the family environment is more pronounced. Furthermore, parental involvement has a significant mediating effect between socioeconomic status and academic achievement, especially between the family environment and academic achievement. The findings highlighted the importance of the family environment and parental involvement to compensate for the negative impact of disadvantaged family socioeconomic status on academic achievement.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030220
Authors: Afra Masià-Plana Miquel Sitjar-Suñer Susana Mantas-Jiménez Rosa Suñer-Soler
Emotional intelligence is a health predictor as it has an effect on quality of life, given that it affects a person’s capacity to use and regulate emotions and consequently has an influence on their physical and mental condition. The aim of this study is to analyze emotional intelligence, quality of life, and associated correlation factors in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis, differentiating age and gender differences. A multicenter study of one hundred and thirty-eight hemodialysis patients was conducted using a quantitative, observational, and cross-sectional design. A battery of questionnaires, including Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24), Kidney Disease Quality of Life—Short Form (KDQOL-SF), and an ad hoc sociodemographic questionnaire, were administered. The Chi-squared test, the Student’s t-test, and one-way ANOVA were used to compare categorical, independent, and continuous variables, respectively. A linear regression model was used to compare variables associated with quality of life. Gender differences existed when assessing the three dimensions of emotional intelligence: ranked by order, the highest scores in males were in clarity, repair, and attention. However, in females, the highest scores were in repair, clarity, and attention. Males had higher scores than females in emotional roles (p = 0.045). Younger participants had better scores in all physical functions (p = 0.001) and vitality (p = 0.038). Participants who had a higher level of education presented better physical function (p = 0.027) and higher scores in emotional wellbeing (p = 0.036). Finally, in females, emotional attention (p = 0.046) and repair (p = 0.000) were strongly associated with general health perception. The assessment of emotional intelligence considering gender differences in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis can be an indicator of quality of life, including for use in health interventions.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030219
Authors: Hossam Elgendy Reham Shalaby Belinda Agyapong Deanna Lesage Lacey Paulsen Amy Delday Sherianna Duiker Shireen Surood Yifeng Wei Nnamdi Nkire Vincent Israel Opoku Agyapong
Background: Depression is highly prevalent and a significant cause of mortality and morbidity across the globe. Although antidepressants and/or psychotherapy are often used to treat depression, some recent studies indicate that exercise may play an important role in lowering depression symptoms among patients meeting the clinical criteria of a depressive episode. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the mental health and wellbeing of adult participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) after fourteen weeks of receiving a supervised physical exercise program. Methods: In a pre-post design, the assessments were performed at baseline, seven weeks and fourteen weeks following the exercise intervention program using facilitated self-reported psychometric scales. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-2) and Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation—Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) were used to assess depression. The short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used for the self-reporting of participants’ physical activity. Results: At the beginning of the study, the baseline total mean scores and standard deviations for the BDI-2, CORE-OM, and IPAQ in both genders did not differ significantly (p-value > 0.05). Patients showed significant improvement in all assessment scales after completing fourteen weeks of the physical exercise program. Based on the BDI-2, the baseline score dropped from 31.25 (indicating moderate to severe depression) to 14.25 (indicating mild to minimal depression), with a p-value of <0.001. The CORE-OM total mean score was reduced from 1.91 to 0.98 with a significant p-value < 0.005 indicating effective clinical improvement in depression symptoms. The IPAQ total MET-minutes/week mean score increased from 1713.22 to 4367.62, indicating an improvement in the participants’ weekly P.E. intake; however, the change was not statistically significant (p = 0.07). Conclusions: Exercise treatment is linked with considerable therapeutic improvement in patients with MDD, particularly when exercise is sustained over time. The BDI-2 and CORE-OM total scores significantly decreased after the fourteen-week P.E. programme, indicating a change from moderate and severe depression to minimal and mild depression. Our findings offer insightful information to primary care doctors and psychiatrists, indicating that prescribing exercise to depressed patients may be a helpful adjunctive therapy.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030218
Authors: Yang Gao Zhenbin Zhao Yaofeng Ma Ping He Yuan Li
Social trust is derived from the interaction of environmental and social factors, which has important significance for the sustainable development of society and social governance. In particular, in the post-pandemic era, tourist activity will receive special attention in terms of its role in the development of the public’s social trust. On the basis of the sample of big data, this research takes China as an example to study the influences of different geographical and environmental elements on individuals’ social trust as well as the common role played by the tourist activity. The research showed that the geographical environment and tourism activities have interacting effects on public social trust. This influencing mechanism is specifically manifested as the rice-growing ratio and tourist reception level can have interacting effects on the social trust of the residents in a tourist destination; pathogen stress and tourist supply level can exert interacting effects on the social trust of the residents in an area from which tourists originate; and economic development and tourist reception level can have interacting effects on the social trust of the residents in a tourist destination. By doing so, this research provides theoretical support and practical suggestions for the recovery of the public’s social trust from the perspective of tourism geography in the post-pandemic era.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030217
Authors: Samaneh Omranian Alireza Khoddam Celeste Campos-Castillo Sajjad Fouladvand Susan McRoy Janet Rich-Edwards
We investigated how artificial intelligence (AI) reveals factors shaping COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare providers by examining their open-text comments. We conducted a longitudinal survey starting in Spring of 2020 with 38,788 current and former female nurses in three national cohorts to assess how the pandemic has affected their livelihood. In January and March–April 2021 surveys, participants were invited to contribute open-text comments and answer specific questions about COVID-19 vaccine uptake. A closed-ended question in the survey identified vaccine-hesitant (VH) participants who either had no intention or were unsure of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. We collected 1970 comments from VH participants and trained two machine learning (ML) algorithms to identify behavioral factors related to VH. The first predictive model classified each comment into one of three health belief model (HBM) constructs (barriers, severity, and susceptibility) related to adopting disease prevention activities. The second predictive model used the words in January comments to predict the vaccine status of VH in March–April 2021; vaccine status was correctly predicted 89% of the time. Our results showed that 35% of VH participants cited barriers, 17% severity, and 7% susceptibility to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Out of the HBM constructs, the VH participants citing a barrier, such as allergic reactions and side effects, had the most associated change in vaccine status from VH to later receiving a vaccine.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030216
Authors: Shulan Yu Xinran Chen
Research indicates that music can influence human cognitive functions. Diverse musical settings can affect alertness, orientation, and executive control of attention in various populations. Exploring the relationship between designers with highly creative thinking and music environments can provide new research perspectives for the cognitive field. A total of 94 students, consisting of 61 design majors and 33 non-design majors, completed the Attention Network Test (ANT) on a computer under three test environments: cheerful music, melancholic music, and silence. The study results indicated that the alerting network effect between the design professional group and the control group was marginally significant. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in the orienting subsystem and the executive control subsystem. Within the design professional group, the attentional network data indicated that participants showed improved performance in alerting and orienting attention in a music-free environment compared to cheerful and melancholic music environments (pa = 0.028, po = 0.008). Nevertheless, executive control attention did not show significant differences across the music environments. In conclusion, existing research confirms that designers are more susceptible to distraction from external stimuli; thus, music-free environments assist them in concentrating.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030215
Authors: Luca Cerniglia
The genesis of dating applications can be traced back to the early days of the internet, where websites served as the primary medium for digital dating [...]
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030213
Authors: Zedong Zhang Ye Wang
A positive child–teacher relationship is a crucial means of addressing problem behaviors in young children. In recent years, there has been an increase in factors triggering problem behaviors in young children. It is particularly important to employ universally applicable and scientifically effective strategies to improve child behavior. Banking Time, as an emerging variant of play therapy, aims to enhance child behavior by establishing an intimate child–teacher relationship. This study conducted a multiple-baseline experiment involving eight four-year-old children and their teachers from China, exploring the effectiveness of Banking Time in enhancing child–teacher relationships and subsequently improving child behavior from dual perspectives, utilizing tools such as the Student–Teacher Relationship Scale and Conners’ Comprehensive Behavior Rating Scales-Teacher Assessment Report. Visual analysis and statistical analysis results indicate a strong positive impact of Banking Time on child–teacher relationships and a slight inhibitory effect on child problem behaviors. The implementation of Banking Time provides valuable insights into specific paths and strategies for promoting teachers’ professional development.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030214
Authors: Zhaochun Wang Haozhe Jiang Wu Jin Jin Jiang Jiahong Liu Jia Guan Yangxi Liu Enlin Bin
It is reported that teachers’ satisfaction levels are lower and stress levels are higher than other professional groups in many countries. This is especially true for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers. Considering job satisfaction has a direct impact on turnover intention, low satisfaction levels have led to high turnover rates and thus exacerbated the shortages of STEM teachers. Hence, there is an urgent need to explore the antecedents of novice STEM teachers’ job satisfaction. This study proposes a new model to show how novice STEM teachers’ personality traits and perceived social support influence their job satisfaction. A total of 2592 novice STEM teachers in eighteen randomly selected high schools in China were recruited. Data were analyzed using the structural equation modeling approach. The results illustrated that most novice STEM teachers had low levels of job satisfaction. Novice STEM teachers’ personality traits could directly and indirectly impact their job satisfaction. Meanwhile, novice STEM teachers’ job satisfaction was also directly influenced by work engagement and indirectly influenced by their perceived social support. Our findings theoretically contribute to the understanding of the determinants of STEM teachers’ job satisfaction and have important practical implications.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030212
Authors: Robert J. Bettis Laura A. Faith Ashlynn M. Beard Brailee A. Whan Ceouna M. Hegwood Mahogany A. Monette Evan J. Myers Imani S. Linton Bethany L. Leonhardt Michelle P. Salyers Kyle S. Minor
Disorganized speech is a critical barrier to recovery in schizophrenia, with profound negative impacts on one’s ability to engage with the world. Despite the limited efficacy of existing treatments in addressing disorganization, a qualitative analysis of what leads to disorganization in patient narratives has been lacking. This study addresses this gap through inductive thematic analysis of 30 narrative interviews with individuals with schizophrenia, matched based on whether Formal Thought Disorder (FTD) is present. Through this analysis, we identified four core themes (alienation, interpersonal tension, personal benchmarks, and adverse experiences) and eight subthemes. Our findings suggest that disorganization may serve as a protective mechanism against psychological distress and highlight how the severity of FTD influences these themes. Alienation, particularly due to illness-related stigma, emerged more prominently in those with FTD. The themes of personal benchmarks and interpersonal tension pointed towards a heightened sensitivity to social interactions and self-perception among those with schizophrenia. Adverse experiences, encompassing past challenges, suggest a potential link between trauma and symptom exacerbation. Our qualitative analysis of what themes precede disorganized speech has implications for tailoring psychotherapy. By considering an individual’s specific triggers and level of disorganization, therapy may be more effectively targeted to improve recovery-based outcomes. By identifying themes within patient narratives, this study advances our understanding of the qualitative aspects preceding disorganized speech in schizophrenia, paving the way for more personalized and effective recovery-focused interventions.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030211
Authors: Dario Esposito Katerina Bernardi Arianna Belli Valentina Gasparri Sara Romano Letizia Terenzi Maria Elena Zanatta Sara Iannotti Mauro Ferrara
Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), do often present in comorbidity among them and with other medical conditions, including sleep and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and somatic complaints. An anonymous online survey based on standardized questionnaires (SDSC, KL-ASD, APSI, ROME V CRITERIA, CPRS, CBCL) was completed by the parents of 46 preschoolers diagnosed with ASD. A high prevalence (47%) of ADHD symptoms in this population was found, surpassing previous estimates. Sleep disturbances, especially difficulties in initiating and maintaining sleep and sleep–wake transition, are more pronounced in ASD patients with comorbid ADHD. Additionally, in patients over 4 years old, there is a high prevalence of functional GI symptoms (Rome V criteria: 38%). Parental stress is significantly associated with ADHD symptoms, sleep disorders, and GI symptoms. Comprehensive assessments considering both core symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders and associated comorbidities are crucial for more effective treatment strategies and improved wellbeing in affected individuals and their families.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030210
Authors: Xuejiao Mi Huiying Zhang Fei Qu
In the realm of open innovation, users have emerged as a significant external source of innovation that enterprises cannot afford to overlook. Implemented ideas play a pivotal role in driving the iterative innovation of products within enterprises. However, the existing literature still lacks an exploration of specific impact mechanisms on contributions in idea implementation. This study presents a model that delineates the impact of user personality traits on idea implementation contributions, drawing upon theories such as personality trait theory, user engagement perspective, and trait activation theory. Empirical research was carried out by utilizing user data obtained from the Chinese high-tech company Xiaomi’s MIUI community. Personality trait indicators were developed through the application of text mining and machine learning techniques. To evaluate the models, a negative binomial regression model, which is well-suited for handling discrete data, was employed. The findings of this study indicate that user openness and conscientiousness positively influence their idea implementation contribution, whereas neuroticism has a negative impact on implementation contribution. Additionally, it is observed that user engagement plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between openness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and idea implementation contribution. Community incentives can positively moderate the impact of user engagement on the relationship between conscientious personality and idea implementation contribution. This study expands the analysis of the impact mechanism of user idea implementation contributions, which has important theoretical guidance and practical implications for accurately identifying leading users in open innovation communities and enhancing user innovation contributions.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030209
Authors: Wanying Mao Reham Shalaby Belinda Agyapong Gloria Obuobi-Donkor Raquel Da Luz Dias Vincent I. O. Agyapong
Background: Since March 2023, hundreds of fires have burned from coast to coast throughout the country, placing Canada on track to have the worst wildfire season ever recorded. From East to West, provinces such as Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta, and British Columbia have been particularly affected by large and uncontrollable wildfires. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression symptoms and predictors among residents living in extreme climate conditions during the Canadian wildfires of 2023 in Alberta and Nova Scotia and to update the literature with data related to those wildfires. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted in this study. REDCap was used to administer an online survey between 14 May and 23 June 2023. Through the Text4Hope program, participants subscribe to receive supportive SMS messages daily. As part of the initial welcome message, participants were invited to complete an online questionnaire, containing demographic information, wildfire-related information, and responses to the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression assessment. SPSS version 25 was used to analyze the data. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate regression analyses were employed. Results: A total of 298 respondents completed the survey out of 1802 who self-subscribed to the Text4Hope program in Alberta and Nova Scotia and received a link to the online survey, producing a response rate of 16.54%. Most of the respondents were females (85.2%, 253), below 40 years of age (28.3%, 84), employed (63.6%, 189), and in a relationship (56.4%, 167). A historical depression diagnosis (OR = 3.15; 95% CI: 1.39–7.14) was a significant predictor of moderate to severe MDD in our study. The unemployed individuals were two times more likely to report moderate to severe symptoms of MDD than employed individuals (OR = 2.46; 95% CI: 1.06–5.67). Among the total sample population, the moderate to severe MDD prevalence was 50.4%, whereas it was 56.1% among those living in areas affected by wildfires. Conclusion: Based on our study findings, unemployment and a history of depression diagnosis were independently significant risk factors associated with the developing moderate to severe MDD symptoms during wildfire disasters. Further research is required to identify robust predictors of mental health disorders in disaster survivors and provide appropriate interventions to the most vulnerable communities and individuals.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030208
Authors: Patrizia Calella Mirella Di Dio Concetta Paola Pelullo Gabriella Di Giuseppe Fabrizio Liguori Giovanna Paduano Giuliana Valerio Giorgio Liguori Francesca Gallè
The aim of this study was to analyze sedentary behaviors and dietary habits assumed by individuals regularly practicing exercise in a gym, sports athletes and inactive individuals. The Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire and the Healthy Dietary Habits Index were administered online to evaluate the time spent in sedentary activities during the week and the habits of food consumption among adult individuals from the Campania region, in the south of Italy. Of the 411 participants, 25% were inactive, 34% were gym practitioners and 41% practiced different sport disciplines. Significant differences were found for sedentary habits adopted during the week and diets between athletes and inactive participants. However, no significant differences were observed for sedentary activities on the weekend and some sedentary behaviors such as video gaming or working/studying during the week. With regard to diet, athletes showed healthier food choices, such as fruit and vegetable consumption. The findings of this study underline the need for enhancing the awareness of the local population regarding the detrimental effects of unhealthy dietary behaviors and sedentary time, especially but not exclusively among inactive individuals.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030207
Authors: Nuannuan Deng Kim Geok Soh Borhannudin Bin Abdullah Dandan Huang
Motor imagery training is a common mental strategy used by tennis players and coaches to improve learning and performance; however, the effect of motor imagery training on service performance in tennis players is questionable. This review aims to consolidate existing research regarding the effects of motor imagery training on the service performance of tennis players. A systematic search was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines, using PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and SPORTDiscus to identify articles published until December 2023. Eligible studies comprised controlled trials that investigated the impact of motor imagery on service performance outcomes in tennis players. The methodological quality of individual studies was assessed using the Cochrane RoB-2 and ROBINS-I tools. GRADE was applied to assess the certainty of the evidence. Nine trials including 548 participants met the inclusion criteria. The results indicated that motor imagery training improved service accuracy and technique but did not affect service speed or return accuracy in tennis players. In conclusion, the certainty of the evidence that motor imagery training may be effective in improving service accuracy and technique in tennis players is low to very low. However, more experimental work is needed to obtain stronger conclusions.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030206
Authors: Pablo Doménech Ana M. Tur-Porcar Vicenta Mestre-Escrivá
The feeling of emotional self-efficacy helps people understand how to handle positive and negative emotions. Emotion regulation is the process that helps people control their emotions so that they can adapt to the demands of the environment. This study has a twofold aim. First, it examines the relationships among emotion regulation, the personality traits of extraversion and emotional stability, and the feeling of emotional self-efficacy for positive and negative emotions in an adolescent population. Second, it examines the mediating role of personality traits (extraversion and emotional stability) in the relationship between emotion regulation and emotional self-efficacy for positive and negative emotions. The participants were 703 adolescents (49.9% male and 50.1% female) aged between 15 and 18 years (M = 15.86, SD = 0.30). Significant relationships were observed among emotion regulation, the personality traits of extraversion and emotional stability, and emotional self-efficacy for positive and negative emotions. The structural equation model confirmed the direct link between emotion regulation and emotional self-efficacy and mediation by the personality traits of extraversion and emotional stability. This study confirms that emotional self-efficacy is connected to the emotion regulation strategies that adolescents use. Effective emotion regulation encourages self-perception and emotional coping. The results are discussed in connection to previous research.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030204
Authors: Quan Tang Jing Han Xianglong Zeng
Loving-kindness meditation (LKM) has been widely used in promoting mental health, with positive emotions as an important mechanism. The current study explored the impact of background music on the effects and difficulties of LKM practice. Two hundred participants were randomly divided into six groups, wherein LKM plus music with harmony only, LKM plus music with harmony and melody, and LKM without music were presented in a different order during the intermediate three days of a five-day LKM intervention. Participants reported three types of positive emotions (pro-social, low-arousal, and medium-arousal positive emotions) and the difficulties during meditation (lack of concentration and lack of pro-social attitudes) after each of three sessions. The results of MANOVA indicated that compared to the session without music, incorporating music could evoke more low-arousal positive emotions and pro-social positive emotions without altering the difficulties. However, the results did not reveal significant differences in the effects of music with harmony and music with harmony and melody on both emotions and difficulties. Additionally, practice effects may have influenced the generation of medium-arousal positive emotions and the difficulty of concentration, but the results were inconsistent across groups. Our findings suggest potential benefits for practitioners of LKM in incorporating music during the meditation process, and the directions for future research were further discussed.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030205
Authors: Sahreen Anwar Junaid Zahid Cristina Ioana Alexe Abdullah Ghazi Gabriel Mareș Zainab Sheraz Rubén Sanchez-Gomez Wajida Perveen Dan Iulian Alexe Qais Gasibat
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Myofascial Release Technique (MRT) along with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on pain, craniovertebral angle (CVA), and neck disability in university students with chronic neck pain and forward head posture. A total of sixty-six eligible participants with chronic neck pain and forward head posture were randomized into the Myofascial Release Therapy (MRT) group (n = 33) and MRT and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) group (n = 33). Clinical outcomes included neck pain measured using the numerical pain rating scale, neck disability measured through the neck disability index, and forward head posture measured through the cranial vertebral angle. The outcomes were assessed at baseline and the four and eight weeks after the intervention. Both groups showed significant improvement in pain intensity, CVA, and neck disability after the intervention. However, the CBT group demonstrated greater improvements than the MRT group. The difference in outcomes between the groups was statistically significant. Myofascial Release Therapy combined with CBT is an effective treatment method for patients with chronic neck pain and forward head posture.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030203
Authors: Zerui Zhao Lu Huang
Against the backdrop of a global emphasis on supporting local businesses and fostering domestic consumption, this study aims to shed light on the influence of personal values on the intentions behind domestic-product consumption. Drawing from the Schwartz value theory, we explore how values of self-transcendence, which embody benevolence and universalism, versus self-enhancement, characterized by a focus on power and achievement, influence consumer behavior. Utilizing data from the Chinese Social Survey (CSS2021) and a survey of 316 participants, structural equation modeling and Dematel analysis are employed to reveal causal relationships between values and consumption intentions. We reveal a dichotomous impact of these value orientations. Self-transcendence values are found to positively affect domestic consumption intentions by enhancing awareness of consequence and ascription of responsibility, thereby strengthening personal norms. In contrast, self-enhancement values tend to impede these intentions. By integrating the Norm-Activation Model (NAM), this study comprehensively uncovers the unique mechanism through which values activate personal norms and subsequently encourage the consumption of domestic products. It enriches the body of research related to values and domestic consumption and offers pertinent recommendations for promoting local enterprises’ products.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030202
Authors: Deming Shu Gongliang Zhang Chang Xue Qiqi Lai Yueyao He Yifei Feng Jianxin Zhang Fengqin Jia Dianzhi Liu
The objective of this study was to examine the intervention effect of group sensory integration training on social responsiveness, and the latency and amplitude of N170 event-related potential of children with autism. The social responsiveness scale was employed to assess alterations in the social response of individuals with ASD before and after training, while event-related potentials were utilized to measure changes in N170 latency and amplitude. This study revealed that group sensory integration training can significantly enhance social responsiveness in children diagnosed with ASD. Children with ASD exhibit atypical N170 responses to faces in the right parietal region. The latency of N170 changes may serve as a valuable indicator for assessing the effectiveness of an intervention or diagnosing ASD.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030201
Authors: Min Zhu ShaoPeng Che
Objective: This study aims to identify content variables that theoretical research suggests should be considered as strategic approaches to facilitate science communication with the public and to assess their practical effects on user engagement metrics. Methods: Data were collected from the official Chinese TikTok account (Douyin) of the Nutrition Research Institute of China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation, China’s largest state-owned food processing conglomerate. Dependent variables included likes, shares, comments, subscription increases. Independent variables encompassed explanation of jargon (metaphor, personification, science visualization), communication remarks (conclusion presence, recommendation presence), and content themes. Descriptive analysis and negative binomial regression were employed, with statistical significance set at 0.05. Results: First, subscription increases were positively associated with personification (p < 0.05, 0.024) and science visualization (p < 0.01, 0.000). Second, a positive relationship existed between comments and communicator recommendations (p < 0.01, 0.000), while presenting conclusions negatively correlated with shares (p < 0.05, 0.012). Conclusions: Different strategies yielded improvements in various engagement metrics. This can provide practical guidance for communicators, emphasizing the need to balance scholarly presentation with sustaining appealing statistics.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030200
Authors: Massimo Marraffa Cristina Meini
Contemporary mind and brain sciences provide theories and data that seem to confirm a hypothesis about human nature that we might formulate as follows. Human life is conditioned by a need that is no less important than elementary biological needs (such as survival and reproduction) or universal forms of social competition: the need to build and, indeed, defend a subjective identity whose solidity and clarity are the foundation of our intra- and inter-personal equilibrium and therefore of psychological well-being and mental health. In this article, distancing ourselves from a neo-Cartesian position still prevalent in the philosophy of mind and approaching instead the outcomes of contemporary cognitive sciences, we sketch the complex interweaving of the cognitive, emotional, and affective elements that are constitutive of subjective identity, with a focus on the role played in self-identity construction by Theory-of-Mind abilities. We will suggest that, at every stage of self-construction, individuals engage in processes of understanding others that have a largely innate basis. In this perspective, a mature self-awareness is somewhat secondary to the knowledge of others, an evolutionarily refined acquisition primarily serving as a defense mechanism.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030199
Authors: Mario Muselli Martina Mancinelli Erika Limoncin Chiara Lolli Erika Pelaccia Maurizio Guido Leila Fabiani Stefano Necozione Vincenza Cofini
Unhealthy behaviors may contribute to the development and the progression of chronic diseases with negative consequences on patients’ quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between unhealthy behaviors (physical inactivity, tobacco consumption, and alcohol consumption) and health-related quality of life, measured with the SF-36 questionnaire, in women with endometriosis. To achieve this, data from a previous cross-sectional web survey among Italian adult women were analyzed. A total of 1045 responses were included in the analysis. Among the SF-36 subscales, the lowest score was recorded in the energy/fatigue domain: mean = 35.536 (Standard Deviation = 18.452). Smoking and physically inactive women had lower scores than non-smoking and physically active women, respectively, in each SF-36 domain. Women who drank more than one unit of alcohol a day, on average, reported lower scores than women with an alcohol intake <1 unit a day, for the following SF-36 domains: role limitations due to physical health, role limitations due to emotional problems, and emotional well-being. The multivariable analysis evidenced that employment, physical inactivity, and tobacco consumption were significant predictors for each SF-36 domain (p < 0.05). Physical inactivity and tobacco consumption had negative effects on the SF-36 subscales. Our results showed the need to monitor unhealthy behaviors to improve the overall well-being of women with endometriosis. Tailored strategies addressing smoking cessation, promoting physical activity, and moderating alcohol intake may aid in enhancing health-related quality of life in this vulnerable population.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030198
Authors: Jori Grym Jaakko Aspara Monomita Nandy Suman Lodh
Tax evasion is a major issue for authorities worldwide. Understanding the factors that influence individuals’ intrinsic motivation to pay taxes, known as their tax morale, is important for improving tax compliance. This study investigated gender differences in judging tax evasion in the context of cryptocurrency trading. Specifically, a survey study explored whether different moral foundations, financial literacies, and political orientations among females vs. males might explain potential gender differences in judging tax evasion. In an online survey, 243 U.S. adults read a vignette about a friend evading taxes in a cryptocurrency trading context. In a correlational analysis, we found that females judged tax evasion harsher, as being more morally wrong than males. Of the psychographic factors, only individualizing moral foundation values (i.e., fairness and harm avoidance) explained the harsher moral judgment by females. That is, individualizing moral foundation values were at a higher level among females, which further predicted females’ harsher judgment of tax evasion. While females also had, on average, lower financial literacy and knowledge of cryptocurrencies than males, these did not predict their harsher judgment of tax evasion. The findings contribute to research on gender differences in moral judgments and highlight that a given transgression, or a specific crime, may violate different moral values in men and women. The results demonstrate to policy makers that it is important to take into account gender differences, in campaigns promoting tax morale and compliance.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030197
Authors: Selma Özdemir Yılmaz Aylin Ertekin Yazıcı Hamdi Yılmaz
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a high-suicide-risk mental disorder. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between temperament and character traits with suicide probability, suicide attempts, and perceived stress level in patients with BD. A total of 39 euthymic patients with bipolar disorder who had a history of suicide attempts and 39 euthymic patients without a history of suicide attempts were included in this study. The sociodemographic and clinical data form, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5-Clinician Version (SCID-5/CV), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Suicide Probability Scale were used to obtain the data. HDRS, PSS, and SPS scores of the group comprised of patients who attempted suicide were higher than the other group. There was no significant difference between the group of patients who had attempted suicide and the other group in terms of temperament characteristics. In the group of patients who had attempted suicide, self-directedness (SD) and cooperativeness (CO) scores were lower, and the self-transcendence (ST) score was higher than the other group. HA and ST were positively and SD negatively associated with SPS scores. In the regression analysis for suicide risk, the factors most associated with suicide risk were high HDRS and low CO score. Low SD in BD and high ST with CO may be associated with suicide attempts. Alongside low SD, high HA and ST may be associated with suicidal ideation. Treating residual depressive symptoms can reduce the risk of suicide.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030196
Authors: Conrad Baldner Antonio Pierro
This research investigated the relation between the need for cognitive closure (i.e., a desire for epistemic certainty) and attitudes toward women as managers among men and women. In a cross-sectional study (total N = 241) collected in Italy, we found that need for cognitive closure, controlling for participants’ gender, was related to having more prejudice toward women leaders. Furthermore, the results revealed that the positive relation between the need for cognitive closure and negative attitudes toward women as managers was sequentially mediated by belief in a just world (i.e., the belief that people get what they deserve and deserve what they get and other people do not) and gender essentialism (i.e., the belief that women and men are distinctly, immutably, and naturally different, and thus have complementary skills to bring to the workplace). We suggest that men and women who are characterized by a need for cognitive closure are more sensitive to stereotypes of women as being incompatible with leadership roles. Either priming a low need for cognitive closure or providing contrary stereotypes could obviate the effect on beliefs in a just world and in gender essentialism that impedes progress towards greater gender equality in the workplace.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030194
Authors: Tingting Pang Haiying Wang Xinran Zhang Xianbing Zhang
Self-concept clarity is considered a crucial indicator of mental health. Although several studies have examined the correlation between self-concept clarity and loneliness, few studies have investigated the underlying mechanism. Based on the evolutionary theory of loneliness and social penetration theory, this cross-sectional study focused on cognitive and behavioral factors in interpersonal communication situations, aiming to explore the relationship between self-concept clarity and loneliness as well as its internal mechanism. An online questionnaire survey comprised 1145 college students in China to assess their self-concept clarity, fear of negative evaluation, self-disclosure, and loneliness. After controlling for demographic variables, the results showed that self-concept clarity was not only able to directly and negatively predict loneliness but also indirectly predict loneliness through the independent mediating effects of fear of negative evaluation and self-disclosure, as well as the chain-mediating effect of fear of negative evaluation to self-disclosure. This study provides important implications for cognitive and behavioral intervention strategies to alleviate people’s loneliness and improve their mental health.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030195
Authors: Polychronis Voultsos Petros Galanis Marianna-Foteini A. Dafni Venetia-Sofia Velonaki Georgia-Neta Andreou Leda Kovatsi
The present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy—Student version (JSE-S) and its association with potential predictors among Greek-speaking undergraduate medical students. This study adopted a cross-sectional, comparative–descriptive research design. The study was conducted during October and November 2023. Cronbach’s α values for the JSE-S and the factors “perspective taking”, “compassionate care”, and “standing in the patient’s shoes” showed internal consistency. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the JSE-S score in the test–retest study indicated a high level of reliability. The participants showed moderate empathy levels. Females scored higher than males in the Greek version of the JSE-S. Moreover, students enrolled in the fourth academic year showed higher empathy mean scores than those enrolled in the first year. Statistically significant empathy differences by specialty preferences or faith in God/supreme power were not found. The present study provided satisfactory evidence that the Greek JSE-S is a psychometrically sound measurement instrument. Empathy differences by gender were found in line with prior literature.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030193
Authors: Tixiang Yang Xiaosong Gai Su Wang Stanley Gai
To evaluate the limitations of the traditional parenting model in the cultural transition period, this study investigated the relationship between parenting behaviors and adolescents’ well-being, in which the moderating role of consistency in parent–adolescent cultural orientation was also investigated. Six hundred forty-four parent–adolescent dyads completed self-report surveys. Parents completed the cultural orientation questionnaire (parental version), and adolescents completed the cultural orientation questionnaire (adolescent version), the adolescent-perceived parenting behavior scale, the adolescent basic psychological needs scale, and the adolescent well-being questionnaire. The findings were as follows: (1) Adolescent-perceived parental autonomy support positively predicted the satisfaction of adolescents’ basic psychological needs, thereby enhancing adolescents’ well-being levels. Conversely, adolescent-perceived parental control significantly predicted the frustration of adolescents’ basic psychological needs, thereby reducing their well-being levels. (2) When both parents and adolescents share a collectivistic cultural orientation, high parental control significantly frustrated adolescents’ basic psychological needs, but it did not negatively affect their well-being. However, when parents are collectivists but adolescents are individualists, high parental control would significantly induce the frustration of basic psychological needs, thus further impairing adolescents’ well-being. The results revealed that differences in cultural orientations between generations during cultural transition periods moderate the effects of parenting behaviors.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030192
Authors: Cassi R. Springfield Amy E. Pinkham Philip D. Harvey Raeanne C. Moore Robert A. Ackerman Colin A. Depp Kelsey A. Bonfils
People with schizophrenia-spectrum and bipolar disorders have difficulty accurately estimating their abilities and skills (impaired introspective accuracy [IA]) and tend to over- or underestimate their performance. This discrepancy between self-reported and objective task performance has been identified as a significant predictor of functional impairment. Yet, the factors driving this discrepancy are currently unclear. To date, the relationships between sleep quality and IA have not been examined. The current study aimed to explore the relationships between sleep quality and IA in participants diagnosed with schizophrenia (SCZ; n = 36), schizoaffective disorder (SCZ-A; n = 55), and bipolar disorder with psychotic features (BP; n = 87). Participants completed tasks of emotion recognition, estimated their performance on the tasks (used to calculate IA), and provided confidence ratings for their accuracy judgments. Participants also self-reported their sleep quality. These results suggest significantly greater discrepancies between self-reported and actual task scores for those with SCZ and SCZ-A compared to participants with BP. For those with SCZ, lower confidence on the tasks and underestimation of abilities were associated with lower sleep quality, while for those with SCZ-A, lower sleep quality was associated with higher confidence and overestimation of performance. Results suggest differential relationships between diagnostic groups. Future research is needed to further explore the factors driving these differing relationships, particularly the contrasting relationships between SCZ and SCZ-A.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030191
Authors: Romy Müller
Problem solvers often need to choose between adapting a current solution and exchanging it for a new one. However, previous studies have not considered how such decisions might depend on structural and surface features of the task. Therefore, the present study investigated the interplay between the costs of the two solutions (a structural feature) and the format in which this information is presented (a surface feature). In a computer-based modular plant scenario, participants chose between modifying process parameters (Adapt) and reconfiguring the module setup (Exchange). The solution costs were presented either as graphs depicting parameter relations, separate numbers for each parameter, or integrated numbers for each solution. It was hypothesised that graphs induce satisficing (i.e., basing decisions only on Adapt), whereas the numeric formats foster a comparison of the solutions (i.e., basing decisions on the Adapt/Exchange ratio). The hypothesised effects were restricted to situations with medium Adapt costs. A second experiment replicated these findings while adjusting the scale of the numeric formats. In conclusion, Adapt/Exchange decisions are shaped by an interaction of structural and surface features of the task. These findings contribute to a more detailed understanding of the influences on decision strategies in complex scenarios that require a balance between stability and flexibility.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030190
Authors: Jun Chen Junying Luo Tian Zhou
As an innovative marketing pattern, live-streaming e-commerce supplies advantages over traditional e-commerce in stimulating impulsive purchases. This study developed a theoretical model that examines how perceived live streamers’ abilities (perceived live interaction ability and perceived linguistic persuasion ability) affect impulsive purchase intention based on interaction theory, affective distance theory, trust theory, and Aristotle’s rhetorical appeals. We conducted empirical research through a survey questionnaire to verify the effectiveness of the model. A total of 330 valid samples were gathered from live-streaming users, and partial least squares–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed for data analysis. The results indicate that perceived live interaction ability, encompassing responsiveness, entertainment, and personalization, significantly impacts affective distance. Among the four dimensions of perceived linguistic persuasion ability, emotional contagion significantly influences affective distance, whereas expertise, logic, and morality significantly affect cognitive trust. Both affective distance and cognitive trust promote consumers’ impulsive purchases through affective trust. Our research findings provide theoretical and practical recommendations for live-streaming platforms and merchants engaged in live marketing.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030189
Authors: Gro H. Ramsdal Rolf Wynn
School dropout may have important negative consequences for the individual as well as for society. Because school grades in lower secondary education are essential for the completion of upper secondary school, remotivating demotivated ninth graders with an increased risk of dropping out seems vital. This study focuses on the experiences of Norwegian ninth grade boys at a learning camp aimed at preventing school dropout through increasing school engagement, learning, and well-being before tenth grade. We interviewed 17 of the 29 participants in one particular camp to study their experiences and analyze how they were related to the theoretical underpinning of the camp. The participants described the learning camp as a motivation boost, focusing on experiences with academic progress and increased self-regulation, factors aligning with central theoretical underpinnings of the intervention. The participants placed “connecting with others”, as in peers and teachers, among the top two factors that contributed to their re-motivation, well-being, and academic progress.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030188
Authors: Mari Salminen-Tuomaala Juha Tiainen Eija Paavilainen
The purpose of the study was to describe what types of abuse of older adults the healthcare providers in hospital emergency departments are currently able to identify. The study aimed at producing new information about the identification of abuse to enable the development of staff skills in the identification of abuse and in optimal interventions. The study is the first on the topic from the perspective of hospital emergency staff in Finland. The 76 participants represent 5 hospitals. The results are based on a statistical analysis of quantitative questions and on an inductive content analysis of participant experiences of suspected abuse. The inductive content analysis revealed that older adults subjected to abuse have narrowed social networks and many of them surrender to loneliness. Based on the relevant literature, the study discusses how the formal and informal social participation and mental health of this group of people could be promoted. Given the current limited resources, it is proposed that the idea of social prescribing might be applied informally, with help of a volunteer link person. Any interventions should be based on the older adults’ conceptions of what is meaningful to them.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030187
Authors: Paweł Larionow
Multidimensional models of perfectionism postulate the existence of various perfectionism traits, with different effects on mental health. In order to suggest parsimonious targets in psychological interventions for university students, this study aimed to explore whether, how, and which individual perfectionism traits are uniquely associated with stress and well-being. The participants were 253 students aged 18–30 who completed the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. Controlling for the common variance of perfectionism traits in statistical analysis, it was shown that (1) Personal Standards were associated with higher well-being and lower stress, (2) Concern over Mistakes and Doubts about Actions were related to lower well-being and higher stress, (3) Parental Expectations and Parental Criticism were not correlated with stress, and (4) Parental Criticism was associated with lower well-being. In the multi-predictor mediation model, with five perfectionism traits as predictors, perceived stress was a significant mediator between several perfectionism traits (i.e., Personal Standards, Concern over Mistakes, and Doubts about Actions) and well-being. Overall, Personal Standards, Concern over Mistakes, and Doubts about Actions seem to be parsimonious psychological targets, with Personal Standards expressing mental health-promoting effects, whereas Parental Expectations and Parental Criticism seem to be less important psychological targets.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030186
Authors: Franco Bastias Nadja Peter Aristobulo Goldstein Santiago Sánchez-Montañez Anette Rohmann Helen Landmann
Fifty years after Feagin’s pioneering 1972 study, we present a systematic review of the measurement of attributions for poverty and economic inequality. We conducted a search for articles published from 1972 to 2023 in APA PsycArticles, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, APA PsycInfo, PSYNDEX Literature with PSYNDEX Tests, and Google Scholar. We used the following English keywords: “poor”, “poverty”, “inequality”, “attribution”, and “attributions” and their equivalents in Spanish. Applying our inclusion and exclusion criteria led to a final sample of 74 articles. We report three main findings. First, the majority of studies classify attributions on the dimensions of individualistic vs. structural. Second, there is a clear tendency to measure attributions for domestic poverty without considering supranational factors or poverty as a global challenge. Third, studies focus almost exclusively on poverty rather than (economic) inequality. We identify potential for future development within the literature, namely, from a domestic to a global perspective, from locus to controllability, and from poverty to inequality.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030185
Authors: Leyu Huang Tongtong Zhu Jiaotao Cai Yan Sun Yanmei Wang
Recent research on intense real-life faces has shown that although there was an objective difference in facial activities between intense winning faces and losing faces, viewers failed to differentiate the valence of such expressions. In the present study, we explored whether participants could perceive the difference between intense positive facial expressions and intense negative facial expressions in a forced-choice response task using eye-tracking techniques. Behavioral results showed that the recognition accuracy rate for intense facial expressions was significantly above the chance level. For eye-movement patterns, the results indicated that participants gazed more and longer toward the upper facial region (eyes) than the lower region (mouth) for intense losing faces. However, the gaze patterns were reversed for intense winning faces. The eye movement pattern for successful differentiation trials did not differ from failed differentiation trials. These findings provided preliminary evidence that viewers can utilize intense facial expression information and perceive the difference between intense winning faces and intense losing faces produced by tennis players in a forced-choice response task.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030184
Authors: Chenggang Wu Xiaoyong Tian Hui Jin
The study of the relationship between key psychological attributes of learners and their engagement in second language (L2) learning helps to understand the critical personality mechanisms influencing language learning. The present study examined the L2 learning engagement from the perspectives of grit (i.e., consistent efforts and interests devoted to a long-term goal) and affect balance (a notion that takes into account both positive and negative emotions concurrently, assessing and evaluating which side holds more significance or influence). A cohort of English L2 learners (N = 394) participated in an online survey aimed at gauging their levels of grit, affect balance, and engagement in L2 learning. The results indicated that grit and affect balance were significantly correlated with behavioral engagement and affective engagement in L2 learning. However, among the two components of grit, namely consistency of interest, showed no significant relationship with L2 learning engagement, while perseverance of effort was significantly positively correlated with L2 learning engagement. Affect balance played a partially mediating and full mediating role between perseverance of effort and behavioral engagement as well as affective engagement respectively. These findings confirm the crucial role of perseverance of effort in second language learning and reveal the unique role of affect balance in their relationship.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030183
Authors: Zengjian Wang Ziying Yang
This study aims to explore the mediating role of mental imagery in the relationship between alexithymia and parental psychological control among Chinese university students. Conducted between March and April 2023, this descriptive study involved 282 volunteer participants from a university in southern China. Data collection included the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), the Parental Psychological Control Scale (PPC), and the Vividness of Visual Mental Imagery questionnaire (VVIQ). The results revealed that: (1) based on established cut-off, 81 students were identified as highly alexithymic; (2) the alexithymia group scored higher on both the TAS and PPC and lower on the VVIQ compared to the non-alexithymia and possible-alexithymia groups; and (3) mediating analysis demonstrated a strong and positive correlation between parental psychological control and alexithymia for all participants, with visual mental imagery mediating this relationship. This study underscores the interconnectedness of parental psychological control, visual mental imagery, and alexithymia among college students. The theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are also discussed.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030182
Authors: Lei Duan Zhong Wang Guanyu Zhu Yahui Zhang
In this paper, we use an evolutionary game theory approach to build a relationship model of students and clubs for the purpose of improving student enthusiasm for participating in club activities. First, the process of the model building is introduced, which mainly includes the basic assumptions and the equilibrium point stability analysis. Based on this analysis, we find that the motivation adjustment of students and clubs is a dynamic process and that unilateral efforts alone cannot achieve an ideal result. Then, we use real data from Yanshan University to evaluate the model, the results of which indicate that the model can analyze the relationship between students and clubs effectively. Finally, we provide relevant suggestions based on the model established in this study, whereby we contribute a theoretical basis and practical guidance for how students can actively participate in clubs, as well as how clubs can better develop themselves.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030181
Authors: Luis Miguel Fernández-Galván Noelia Belando-Pedreño Benito Yañez-Araque Jorge Sánchez-Infante
Annual age grouping is a common organizational strategy in academics and sports. This strategy could promote the relative effects of age, which refers to the (dis)advantages that subjects who were born in the first or last months of the year may suffer. The consequences could be minimized, resulting in better physical and/or academic results. The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of the quarter of birth and examine the correlation between physical condition variables and academic performance. The sample included 79 students (51.90% females) 13.46 ± 0.21 years old in the second year of Obligatory Secondary Education. The physical variables of this study were explosive power, cardiorespiratory capacity, speed, flexibility, and muscle strength. They were evaluated using the horizontal jump tests, Cooper test, 50 m sprint, sit-and-reach test, and medicine ball exercises, respectively. The academic variables were obtained from the average academic grade, grouped by key competencies. An Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for gender, body mass, and height, revealed significant differences between male students born in the first quarter compared to those born in subsequent quarters in all physical condition variables (except for cardiorespiratory capacity). For female students, significant differences were observed only in the explosive power variable. No statistically significant intra-sex differences were evident in academic performance at any time of measurement. Additionally, moderate to large correlations were found in the physical condition and academic variables. It is concluded in relation to the need to implement diverse strategies regarding the process of developing physical conditions in adolescence that satisfy the growth needs of students based on age and sex.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030180
Authors: Elisabeth M. Weiss Siegmund Staggl Bernhard Holzner Gerhard Rumpold Verena Dresen Markus Canazei
Passive psychoeducation is an easily accessible and cost-effective self-guided intervention that does not use elements of active psychotherapies or require homework. The present study aimed to investigate the acceptability and efficacy of a 7-week app-based passive psychoeducation stress management program to promote adaptive emotion regulation and coping skills in university students (i.e., 80% psychology students). Participants were tested via Lime-Survey® at pre- and post-test with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), the Response Styles Questionnaire (RSQ), and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). A stratified permutation block randomization by age, gender, and the DASS-21 stress subscale was performed. Each week, the psychoeducation group (n = 123) received different psychoeducation modules. At the end of each module, participants answered questions about their satisfaction with each module and adherence to psychoeducation. The control group (n = 130) received no intervention. The psychoeducation program led to a significant improvement in the adaptive emotion regulation strategy: “reappraisal” (p = 0.004) and a significant reduction in the dysfunctional coping style: “symptom-related rumination” (p = 0.01) but not to a significant reduction in depression, anxiety, and stress scores compared to the control group. Thus, the present study might demonstrate a preventive effect of an app-based passive psychoeducation program in students with low clinically relevant psychopathological symptoms.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030179
Authors: Hyunjung Im
This study investigates the impact of digital textbooks, which play an important role in post-COVID-19 digitalized education, on the development of elementary school students’ affective and social competencies. The study quantitatively analyzed three years of student panel data collected from 1,418 students in the third and fourth grades of a digital textbook pilot elementary school in South Korea. This study examined differences in the development of affective and social competencies between the treatment group (n = 708), who used digital textbooks for three years, and the control group (n = 710), who used digital textbooks for two years and returned to paper textbooks. Results showed that the affective competencies of self-efficacy, learning motivation, and learning attitudes were higher in the treatment group than in the control group, and the social competencies of communication, collaboration, and sociability were also higher. Implications for digital education research and related policies are provided, and limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030178
Authors: Ilaria Colpizzi Celeste Berti Claudio Sica Virginia Alfei Corrado Caudek
This study investigates individual differences in protective and risk factors among rescue workers (RWs), particularly Red Cross members, to optimize well-being and job performance under high-stress conditions. Employing a person-centered approach, two psychological profiles were identified: an adaptively resilient profile and a maladaptively vulnerable profile, characterized by distinct personality traits, coping methods, life events, and social support networks. A notable external criterion, self-compassion, discerned the profiles with maladaptively vulnerable individuals who exhibited higher self-judgment, social isolation, and emotional over-identification. The study also examined the impact of job roles on these profiles, discovering a prevalence of adaptive resilience among drivers, contrasting with team members who displayed maladaptive resilience and lower self-compassion scores. These insights suggest a nuanced method for identifying RWs who require specialized support, proposing tailored interventions, especially those enhancing self-compassion. The study, through an extensive psychological metric analysis, provides a deeper comprehension of resilience and vulnerability among RWs. This research highlights the importance of recognizing individual differences in protective and risk factors, thereby contributing to the enhancement of mental health and resilience in high-stress professions.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030177
Authors: Isabelle Evans Ria Patel Charlotte R. Stoner Mel Melville Aimee Spector
Objectives: With the increasing prevalence of dementia worldwide, there is a growing need for an integrated approach to dementia care. Little is known at present about the benefits of educational interventions for informal caregivers of people living with dementia (PLWD) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This review aimed to identify and synthesise the current research on these interventions. Method: Four databases (PsycINFO, Medline, Web of Sciences and Scopus) were searched, alongside Google Scholar and reference lists. The Downs and Black checklist was used for quality assessment and data relating to intervention characteristics, outcomes, and educational component features were compared. Results: Eighteen papers detailing 17 studies were included. All studies presented found at least one significant outcome/effect. Study comparison was difficult due to diverse methodologies, intervention structures, and outcomes. Study quality was also variable. Four studies had education as the primary focus, and most interventions utilised multicomponent and group-based designs. Interventions that included group delivery tended to find more significant results than individual approaches. Intervention length did not appear to influence efficacy. Regular delivery and an average intervention dosage of around 12 h appeared most effective. Conclusions: Research into educational interventions for caregivers in LMICs appears to be promising and can help guide future interventions towards clinical implementation. A multicomponent group intervention trialled in Egypt provided particularly favourable findings. Future studies should focus on understanding the active mechanisms within such interventions to optimize their effectiveness. Collaboration between LMICs, high-income countries (HICs), and caregivers is crucial in developing interventions tailored to meet caregiver needs whilst accounting for feasibility and equity for dementia care worldwide.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030176
Authors: Mayra Castillo-Gonzáles Santiago Mendo-Lázaro Benito León-del-Barco Emilio Terán-Andrade Víctor-María López-Ramos
The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between dating violence and emotional dependence in young university students in Ecuador by identifying differences based on sex. Using purposive non-probabilistic sampling, 3203 students were selected, of which 35.7% were men and 64.3% were women aged 16 to 48 (M = 21.50; SD = 2.82). Two psychological scales were applied: Questionnaire on Violence in Couples (CUVINO) and Questionnaire on Emotional Dependence (EDQ). According to the results obtained, based on sex, it was found that dating violence is a severe problem that both men and women experience. With regard to emotional dependence, women scored higher than men. In addition, emotional dependence was linked to dating violence. The implications of the results obtained for further research and for prevention and intervention programmes are presented, and the strengths and limitations of this study are detailed.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030175
Authors: Dongsheng Wang Liang Huang Xianhan Huang Meng Deng Wanying Zhang
This research examined the effects of principal transformational leadership on teachers’ inclusive teaching behaviour, with a particular inquiry into the mediating effects of teachers’ inclusive role identity and efficacy for inclusive practice, as informed by identity theory and social cognitive theory. Structural equation modelling with bootstrapping estimation was conducted using data from 712 teachers delivering inclusive teaching in primary or secondary schools in China. The results revealed the sequentially mediating mechanisms of teachers’ inclusive role identity and efficacy underlying the principal transformational leadership effects on teachers’ inclusive teaching behaviour. Research implications are also discussed.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030174
Authors: Ghadah Alkhaldi Afaf Alotaibi Rawan Alkasabi Nourah Alsadhan Samah Alageel
Physical activity (PA) is crucial for preventing chronic diseases, but in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), PA levels are lower than in developed countries. The Gulf Health Council’s social media PA awareness campaign responded to the public’s need for discussion and motivation on this topic. A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured Zoom interviews with 19 participants from GCC countries between 21 September and 21 October 2021. It aimed to explore PA barriers, facilitators, and perceptions of awareness campaigns. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically. Facilitators for PA included health value, self-efficacy, persistence, variety, familiar consequences, social support, behavior change techniques, time management, starting at young age, and enjoyment. Barriers encompassed outdoor restrictions, limited amenities, age and weight biases, gym-centric views, lack of proficiency, and injury risk. The study also examined social media awareness campaigns’ effectiveness, identifying themes like engagement, acceptability, reach, design, presentation, and perceived outcomes. Results underscore the complexity of PA facilitators and barriers in the GCC, highlighting the need for campaigns addressing values, perceptions, social connections, and practical challenges, emphasizing the role of research and public policy in boosting PA levels.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030173
Authors: Andrea González Rico Cristina Di Giusto Valle María-Camino Escolar-Llamazares Tamara de la Torre Cruz Isabel Luis Rico María Eugenia Martín Palacio
The repercussions of the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus over recent years have posed an unprecedented challenge for the whole of society, affecting the well-being of everyone. Among all the variables affected in relation to well-being, Anxiety, Emotional Intelligence, and Effective Personality (Self-Esteem, Academic Self-Realisation, Resolute Self-Efficacy, Social Self-Realisation) have been highlighted. The aim of this study is to assess the evolution of those variables across three temporal phases: pre-pandemic, during the pandemic, and up until the end of the study in April 2022. A study was conducted during these temporal phases with three cohorts from Spanish Universities. The cohorts were formed of people assessed for Anxiety (660 pre-pandemic, 460 during the pandemic, and 311 at the end of the study), Emotional Intelligence (355 pre-pandemic, 91 during the pandemic, 311 at the end of the study), and Effective Personality (708 pre-pandemic, 174 in 2018, 311 at the end of the study). Anxiety was assessed with the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, Emotional Intelligence with the Trait Meta-Mood Scale and TMMS-24, and Effective Personality with the Cuestionario Personalidad Eficaz-Universidad (the Effective Personality Questionnaire-University). The results showed a rise in the state of anxiety during COVID-19, with a subsequent reduction two years into the pandemic; however, anxiety rates remained higher than before the pandemic. Emotional intelligence increased in the emotional attention factor, but diminished as regards both clarity and regulation. Effective Personality was at lower levels for all factors (Self-Esteem, Academic Self-Realisation, Resolute Self-Efficacy, Social Self-Realisation). The main conclusion was the need for assistance with the dimensions under study, in order to improve the well-being of university students after the serious effects caused by COVID-19.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030172
Authors: Fredy Cea-Leiva Sonia Salvo-Garrido Sergio Dominguez-Lara
The Perception of Anomie Scale (PAS) is a measure used to evaluate the state of society and whether it is disintegrated and deregulated. Although widely used, the psychometric properties of reliability, validity, and measurement invariance according to sex have not been studied in the Chilean university population. To explore these properties, a cross-sectional study was carried out with 383 students from public (45.7%) and private (54.3%) universities, with a mean age of 21.5 years (SD = 3.3). A CFA and ESEM were performed, which confirmed the two-factor correlated structure, achieving better goodness-of-fit indices by eliminating five items (RMSEA = 0.09; CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.95). This also provided evidence of reliability and measurement invariance according to sex. This study provides evidence of the psychometric quality of the PAS scale, thus allowing its use in the Chilean university context.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030171
Authors: Pablo Mangas Mateus Egilson da Silva Alves Ludgleydson Fernandes de Araújo Juan Carlos Sierra
The subjective orgasm experience (SOE) refers to its perception and/or assessment from a psychological viewpoint. Few works have approached this construct from a qualitative perspective and have never taken a consolidated theoretical model as a reference. This study aims to provide qualitative validity evidence to the Multidimensional Model of Subjective Orgasmic Experience, derived from the Orgasm Rating Scale (ORS), to qualitatively address SOE in the contexts of sexual relationships and solitary masturbation, analyzing the terms self-generated by individuals and examining the coincidence with the semantic descriptions of orgasm proposed by the ORS. Four hundred Spanish adults aged 18 to 64 years participated. The Technique of Free Association of Words was applied, and prototypical, frequency, and similitude analyses were performed. A similar description was observed concerning the terms generated in both contexts, with a higher frequency and intensity in the context of sexual relationships. In the context of solitary masturbation, negative orgasmic descriptions were evoked. Participants were able to elicit the vast majority of ORS adjectives, with Affective being the most notable dimension, followed closely by Rewards, especially in masturbation. Most of the adjectives were evoked simultaneously with those of the Affective, with “pleasurable” standing out as the most predominant one. This work provides qualitative evidence to the SOE study, ratifying the semantic composition of the ORS and thus endorsing the Multidimensional Model of Subjective Orgasmic Experience as a good theoretical model from which to continue studying the subjective orgasmic experience.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030169
Authors: Yoshihiko Kadoya Sayaka Fukuda Mostafa Saidur Rahim Khan
Improvements in mental health through real-time feedback on emotions have consequences for productivity and employee wellness. However, we find few extant studies on how real-time feedback on emotions can influence subsequent behavior modification in the Japanese workplace. We conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 30 employees of an insurance company in Japan and observed their emotions for 10 working days using a wearable biometric device. We compared the emotions of employees who had access to real-time emotional states (treatment group) with those of employees who did not (control group). The results of the panel regression analysis showed that access to real-time emotions was negatively associated with happy emotions and positively associated with angry and sad emotions. The results indicated that even after having access to the objective statuses of emotions, participants were unable to continue with happy emotions and reverse angry and sad emotions to other comfortable emotions. Our findings imply that feedback on real-time emotional states should be associated with appropriate training and motivation to utilize feedback for behavioral modification.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030170
Authors: Hyun-E Yeom Da-Som Park
Uncertainty in cancer survivorship poses a substantial challenge to survivors’ coping mechanisms and psychological well-being. This study investigated the intricate interplay among family function, uncertainty, self-care, and depression in this context, with a primary focus on discerning the mediating and moderating roles of uncertainty in the relationship between family function, self-care, and depression among blood cancer survivors. Cross-sectional data from 147 survivors in South Korea underwent analysis using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlations, and the PROCESS macro in SPSS version 26.0. The results revealed that family function significantly predicted both self-care and depression. Notably, uncertainty mediated the relationship between family function and these outcomes. Furthermore, the impact of family function on depression was moderated by uncertainty, indicating a relatively weaker association in survivors facing higher uncertainty levels. This study contributes valuable insights by elucidating the role of uncertainty in regulating how family function influences self-care and depression among survivors of blood cancer. It emphasizes the critical need to enhance family function and alleviate uncertainty for the improved adjustment of cancer survivorship. The findings underscore the importance of targeted support for individuals grappling with different levels of uncertainty, aiming to prevent or mitigate depressive symptoms through the reinforcement of family function.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030168
Authors: Sara Veggi Marialaura Di Tella Lorys Castelli Georgia Zara
The COVID-19 outbreak has posed an unprecedented global challenge. However, despite the large amount of evidence on the psychological consequences of the pandemic, very few studies have focused on psychologists themselves. (1) Background: The present study aimed to characterise the professional and clinical profile of psychologists facing the COVID-19 outbreak and to investigate the relationship between psychological preparedness and a series of potential predictors (e.g., sociodemographic and professional variables and psychological distress). (2) Methods: A total of 1115 psychologists fully completed an online survey. The data collection period started with the first wave of the pandemic. Participants were asked to provide sociodemographic and professional data and to complete three questionnaires assessing psychological preparedness, worry, and anxiety symptoms. (3) Results: Descriptive results showed that the COVID-19 outbreak did not cause an interruption to the psychological practice of professionals (both in the public and in private sectors) and that psychologists accepted the introduction of technological devices within their regime of work in order to guarantee their service to clients. Only a minority of participants reported clinically significant levels of symptoms of anxiety and worry. Regression analyses revealed that being older, having taken part in training courses on the COVID-19 emergency, and experiencing lower levels of worry and anxiety were all significant predictors of both cognitive and affective psychological preparedness. (4) Conclusions: Taken together, these findings seem to highlight that specific factors can enhance psychological preparedness among psychologists. Therefore, it is vital to inform authorities about the importance of providing emergency programmes to train healthcare workers, especially psychologists, on how to develop psychological preparedness when facing the negative consequences of critical incidents at a universal level, given their crucial role in promoting mental health.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030167
Authors: Jaeyoung Lim Kuk-Kyoung Moon
Drawing on insights from the conservation of resources theory and the job demands–resources theory, our study investigates the association between two types of emotional labor—surface and deep acting—and the psychological well-being of firefighters. In addition, it investigates the moderating effect of transformational leadership within this context. To this end, this study utilizes ordinary least squares models to analyze survey data from 1453 firefighters in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea’s largest province by population. The findings reveal a negative association between both types of emotional labor and the psychological well-being of firefighters. The study further demonstrates that transformational leadership mitigates the adverse effects of surface acting on psychological well-being. Our research indicates that transformational leadership plays a pivotal role in replenishing lost emotional resources, thereby enhancing the mental and emotional health of those engaged in demanding roles such as firefighting and emergency medical services. Accordingly, the study highlights a vital strategy for maintaining the psychological well-being of firefighters.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030166
Authors: Martina D’Angelo Marta Valenza Anna Maria Iazzolino Grazia Longobardi Valeria Di Stefano Elena Lanzara Giulia Visalli Luca Steardo Caterina Scuderi Luca Steardo
Background: Patients with panic disorder (PD) may experience increased vulnerability to dissociative and anxious phenomena in the presence of repeated traumatic events, and these may be risk factors for the development of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD). The present study aims to find out whether the presence of cPTSD exacerbates anxiety symptoms in patients suffering from panic disorder and whether this is specifically associated with the occurrence of dissociative symptoms. Methods: One-hundred-and-seventy-three patients diagnosed with PD were recruited and divided into two groups based on the presence (or absence) of cPTSD using the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) scale. Dissociative and anxious symptoms were assessed using the Cambridge Depersonalization Scale (CDS) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), respectively. Results: Significant differences in re-experienced PTSD (p < 0.001), PTSD avoidance (p < 0.001), PTSD hyperarousal (p < 0.001), and DSO dysregulation (p < 0.001) were found between the cPTSD-positive and cPTSD-negative groups. A statistically significant association between the presence of cPTSD and total scores on the HAM-A (p < 0.001) and CDS (p < 0.001) scales was found using regression analysis. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential link between dissociative symptoms and a more severe clinical course of anxiety-related conditions in patients with PD. Early intervention programs and prevention strategies are needed.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030165
Authors: Yao Zheng Yubo Hou Zhiwen Dong
Positive psychology has attracted increasing attention from many scholars worldwide. There is a considerable body of knowledge on the relationship between optimism and subjective well-being (SWB). However, their mediation mechanism has not been fully studied, and most of the current conclusions were formulated within the context of Western culture, with a limited number of empirical studies specifically targeting Chinese people. Based on the theories of self-regulation and stress coping, our research aimed to validate the association between optimism and SWB among Chinese adults and further investigate the mediating effect of positive and negative coping in this relationship. In Study 1, using a national dataset from the Chinese General Social Survey (N = 12,582), we captured the direct positive relationship between optimism and SWB. In Study 2, taking a cross-sectional study (N = 272), we found the mediating effect of positive and negative coping in the relationship between optimism and SWB according to correlation and regression analysis. In Study 3, taking a cross-lagged study (N = 343), we reverified the results of Study 2 and found negative coping no longer played a role as a mediator after accounting for the factors of social desirability and state anxiety in the analysis. These findings are worthwhile for paying attention to Chinese people’s optimistic traits and the pathways to improving their subjective well-being using different coping behaviors.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030164
Authors: Mengmeng Yang Ji Wu Yigang Wu Xinxing Li
Background: Regular physical activity is an effective means to enhance university students’ subjective well-being. However, current research needs to understand how physical activity enhances the subjective well-being of Chinese university students. Therefore, the study investigated the mechanism of physical activity’s impact on university students’ subjective well-being and the mediating roles of cognitive reappraisal and resilience in this mechanism. Methods: The physical activity scale, subjective well-being scale, cognitive reappraisal scale and resilience scale were used to investigate 1350 university students, and the relationship between physical activity, cognitive reappraisal, resilience and university students’ subjective well-being was verified through correlation analysis, regression analysis and a Bootstrap method. Results: (1) There is a significant positive correlation between physical activity, cognitive reappraisal, resilience and university students’ subjective well-being (p < 0.01); (2) physical activity, cognitive reappraisal and resilience all have a significant positive effects on university students’ subjective well-being (p < 0.01); (3) cognitive reappraisal and resilience have significant mediating roles in the process of physical activity affecting university students’ well-being, with mediating-effect values of 0.052 and 0.285; (4) the chain-mediating role of cognitive reappraisal and resilience in the process of physical activity affecting university students’ well-being is significant, with the chain-mediating effect value of 0.062. Conclusion: Promoting university students’ participation in physical activity not only directly enhances university students’ subjective well-being but also indirectly improves university students’ subjective well-being through cognitive reappraisal and resilience.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030163
Authors: Ruihan Zhu Deze Zou Keji Wang Chunmei Cao
Volleyball spiking requires defenders to possess exceptional anticipatory skills. However, most volleyball defense video eye-tracking studies have used fixed or off-court perspectives, failing to replicate real-world environments. This study explored different visual search behaviors between elite and novice volleyball players from various viewing perspectives using video eye tracking. We examined spiking anticipation in 14 competitive elite, 13 semi-elite, and 11 novice players. We captured spiking videos from three on-court perspectives using GoPro cameras mounted on the defenders’ heads, closely replicating real game scenarios. For comparison, we recorded baseline videos using a fixed camera. The present study revealed that competitive and semi-elite players demonstrated higher accuracy than novices. Competitive elite players used fewer fixations, indicating that their superior performance was related to stable visual search patterns. All participant groups, regardless of skill level, showed similar visual allocation among areas of interest (AOIs). However, notable differences in visual search patterns and AOI allocation were observed between baseline and on-court perspective videos. From the baseline perspective, the participants primarily utilized global perception and peripheral vision, focusing more on the setter zone or the spiker’s trunk. Conversely, from the on-court perspective, they employed more fixations, focusing more intensely on the spiker’s detailed movements.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030162
Authors: Hong He Yunyun Chen Xuemin Zhang
Focus back effort, concentration effort, and focus back state are factors associated with mind wandering. Focus back effort, proposed in alignment with the definition of focus back state, has been previously regarded as one manifestation of concentration effort. The primary goals of the current study are to explore the relationship between concentration effort, focus back effort, focus back state, and mind wandering. To shed light on the issue, we assessed the level of each cognitive measure in a single task. The findings revealed significant correlations between concentration effort, focus back effort, focus back state, and mind wandering. Mediation analysis suggested that focus back effort played a mediating role in the relationship between concentration effort and focus back state. Additionally, we observed that these measures independently influenced task performance through their impact on mind wandering. Our results provide potential avenues for interventions aimed at addressing individuals’ mind wandering and enhancing task performance.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030161
Authors: Xingchen Guo Chenyu Hao Wei Wang Yongxin Li
Research on parental burnout has focused more on its antecedents than on its consequences. Burned-out parents may experience a series of behavioral changes, negatively affecting their children’s physical and mental development. This study examined the effects of primary caregivers’ parental burnout on adolescents’ development and the mediating role of negative parenting styles. This study used a time-lagged design, and data were collected at three different time points. Adolescents were asked to identify their primary caregivers, and parents were asked whether they were the primary caregivers of their children. Thereafter, paired data from the children and primary caregivers were collected. A total of 317 junior middle school students (178 boys, Mage = 14.20 ± 0.8 years) and primary caregivers (71 fathers, Mage = 42.20 ± 4.53 years) from Henan province participated. Primary caregivers’ parental burnout was positively associated with negative parenting styles, and negative parenting styles mediated the relationship between parental burnout and adolescent development. From the perspective of prevention-focused interventions, it is necessary to focus on preventing the occurrence of parental burnout. Further, parents should try to avoid using abusive behaviors toward their children and neglecting them.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030160
Authors: Suyeon Roh Woolim Mun Geunkook Kim
This study aims to identify the current status and relationship between physical activity (PA), mental health, and suicidal behavior among Korean adolescents and recommend appropriate PA types and levels to lower the risk of mental health problems and suicidal behavior among adolescents. This study used the frequency of participation, three mental health factors, and four suicidal behavior factors, according to the seven types of PA, Vigorous PA (VPA), Strength training, Walks, PA on the move, and Physical education questions that 51,636 Korean adolescents responded to in the data of the 18th Korean Youth Health Behavior Survey in 2022. The results showed that physical activity levels and the mental health of female adolescents were the lowest, and the experience rate of suicidal behavior was the highest. Physical activity level and mental health were negative in the upper grades, and the experience rate of suicidal behavior was higher in the lower grades. Thus, the study proposes the following: To lower the overall risk of mental health and suicidal behavior experienced by adolescents, it is effective to encourage them to participate in physical activities which have higher exercise intensities than the Low-level Physical Activity (LPA) type of Walks and PA on the move.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030159
Authors: Qin Zhang Mei Zhao
Adolescence has always been regarded as a period of rapid psychological and behavioral change. Adolescents are subject to more difficult behaviors, and those difficult behaviors have a great impact on co-parenting and parenting burnout. In order to reveal the relationship between these factors, this study investigated the mediating effect of difficult adolescent behaviors on that relationship by constructing a theoretical model and examined the moderating effect of family functioning. In order to provide a scientific basis for preventing and intervening in adolescents’ problematic behaviors and improving parents’ parenting burnout, we conducted a study on the parents of 1638 teenagers in a junior high school in Huanggang City, China in May 2023, with a questionnaire filled out by the parents. The research tools included a parenting burnout questionnaire, Parental collaborative parenting Scale (PPCR), Adolescent Strengths and Difficult Behaviors Questionnaire (Parental Version), Family Function Scale, etc. An independent sample t test and ANOVA test were used to analyze whether there are certain demographic variables in parenting burnout, and SPSS27.0 was used for descriptive statistics, reliability and validity tests, correlation analysis and common method deviation tests. The adjusted mediation model was tested by using the SPSS macro program Process4.0. Results: The variance in the explanatory capacity of the largest factor in this study was 21.955%, which did not exceed the critical value of 40%, so there was no obvious common method deviation in the data of this study. The independent sample t test and ANOVA test showed that there are certain differences in parental rearing burnout dependent on parental gender, the main caregivers, family economic income and demographic variables. The results of the adjusted mediation model test by Process4.0 show the following: (1) Adolescent difficult behavior plays an intermediary role between parental collaborative parenting and parenting burnout; (2) the indirect effect of collaborative parenting on parenting burnout through adolescents’ problematic behaviors is regulated by family functions; (3) the relationship between adolescent difficult behavior and parenting burnout is regulated by family function; (4) the direct influence of collaborative parenting on parenting burnout is also regulated by family function. Conclusion: Adolescents’ difficult behavior partially mediates the influence of parents’ collaborative parenting on parenting burnout. In addition, family function not only mediates the front and back ends of mediation, but also mediates the direct influence of collaborative parenting on parenting burnout. These findings are instructive for improving family parenting problems and promoting adolescent development. The results of this study may be helpful in enhancing parents’ awareness of parenting of adolescents in China, which will provide reference for some teachers in China to understand adolescent behavior. At the same time, the results may provide new enlightenment for mental health professionals and enable them to fully understand the parenting contradictions between parents and adolescents in China.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030158
Authors: Yumi Jang Seongcheol Kim
With the explosive pace of mobile over-the-top (OTT) video content streaming services, mobile network traffic has seen unprecedented growth in recent years. However, the limitation of antenna performance, the burden of investment cost, and restricted resources hinder improving the current mobile networks’ functionality. Accordingly, wireless device-to-device (D2D) caching networks came to the fore as one of the competitive alternatives for alleviating the overloads of mobile network traffic. Wireless D2D caching networks can be a desirable alternative for OTT service providers and telecommunication operators, but the problem is user resistance. User participation is imperative to deliver wireless D2D caching network functionality successfully. Thus, to gain a deeper understanding of user resistance toward wireless D2D caching networks and their underlying sources, this study introduces two perceived cost factors contributing to this resistance and one perceived benefit that mitigates such resistance. Based on an online survey, this study found new theoretical links among perceived costs and benefits, resistance, and participation intention. The findings reveal that user resistance is predicted by perceived costs, encompassing resource sacrifices and privacy concerns, whereas perceived benefits—specifically, perceived usefulness—did not significantly influence resistance. This implies that telecommunication operators should prioritize market requirements over technological advantages, emphasizing the potential for successful commercialization of wireless D2D caching networks.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030157
Authors: He Yin Xin Huang Guangming Zhou
Social media fitness influencers are driving the maturation of online fitness, which is especially significant in the current era of globally decreasing levels of physical activity. However, there is a paucity of research on online fitness videos, and the mechanism of influence of fitness videos on exercise intention is not well understood. Therefore, based on the stimulus–organism–response (S-O-R) theoretical framework, this study extends the source credibility theory to the field of fitness and adds an examination of the content quality and electronic word-of-mouth of fitness videos to explore how fitness videos motivate users to participate in physical exercise. Through an online survey, 367 valid samples were collected and validated using a structural equation model. The results showed that the three elements contained in source credibility theory have inconsistent importance in the fitness field, with trustworthiness being the most important, followed by attractiveness, and the influence of expertise is not significant. In summary, the attributes of social media fitness influencers, including trustworthiness and physical attractiveness, as well as the content quality and electronic word-of-mouth of their fitness videos, may lead to viewers’ trust and perception of the usefulness of the videos and, furthermore, lead to exercise intention.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030156
Authors: Sebastian Hoffmann Sajid Anwar
In the contemporary globalized landscape characterized by international and intercultural decision-making processes, interconnected supply chains, and diverse customer relations, susceptibility to biases and heuristics poses a substantial threat to the efficiency of decision making. This research explores the relatively understudied influence of culture on individuals’ susceptibility to concepts derived from behavioral economics. Employing the Individual Cultural Values Scale (CVSCALE), we examine the impact of culture on the allure of choice, mental accounting, and overconfidence among 837 participants from Australia (AU), China (CN), Germany (GE), and the United States (US) through logistic regression analysis. At the individual level, discernible interactions between power–distance, allure of choice, and overconfidence are observed. On the national scale, power–distance (AU, US), uncertainty avoidance (US), and masculinity (CN) significantly impact the allure of choice, while overconfidence is influenced by power–distance (US) and masculinity (US). Our analysis shows that culture plays a pivotal role in shaping susceptibility to biases and heuristics, thereby influencing decision-making processes. The findings advocate for a culturally differentiated approach to behavioral economics, emphasizing the need to tailor strategies and interventions based on cultural nuances.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030155
Authors: Antonio Iudici Lucia Colombo Simona Carla Silvia Caravita Paolo Cottone Jessica Neri
The complexity of migration flows across the world has led to a redefinition of psychological and social services users. The access of migrants from different cultural backgrounds to clinical services or social health services has diversified the demand for concomitant help. Biases and misinterpretations have been created by unaccustomed professionals in this field, which could lead to serious consequences and invalidate diagnostic and treatment procedures. The purpose of this study is to summarize the evidence about errors or prejudices observed in clinical practices regarding the provision of social health services to people from different cultural backgrounds. Results show three main types of biases: racial stereotype activation, ethnocentrism and micro-aggressions. Some implications on the clinical setting were discussed, as being aware of these biases can help mental health professionals manage communication more consciously with users.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030153
Authors: Jongchul Park Jooyoung Kim
As sports activities have recently become socio-culturally important in South Korea, the roles and functions of public sports organizations are attracting attention. In this situation, perceived organizational support is considered one of the significant variables to explain the attitudes and behaviors of employees within the organizations. Hence, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between perceived organizational support of public sports organizations, work engagement, organizational citizenship behavior, and customer orientation and examine the mediating effect of work engagement. This study collected data from 248 employees working for public sports organizations, and data were analyzed with SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 26.0. The results showed the following. (1) Perceived organizational support has a significant positive effect on work engagement but does not affect organizational citizenship behavior and customer orientation. (2) Work engagement significantly positively affects organizational citizenship behavior and customer orientation. (3) Work engagement has been shown to fully mediate the relationship between perceived organizational support, organizational citizenship behavior, and customer orientation. This study suggests that public sports organizations need an efficient support strategy that can maximize employees’ work engagement. For example, organizations should increase their sense of unity with employees and understand the importance of their work to strengthen perceived organizational support. Lastly, organizations need to create an environment where employees can devote themselves to and focus on their work.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030154
Authors: Paula Lizana-Calderón Jesús M. Alvarado Claudia Cruzat-Mandich Fernanda Díaz-Castrillón Mauricio Soto-Núñez
This study investigates the relationship between body image, eating disorders, psychological characteristics, and mood and anxiety symptoms in Chilean youth, with nutritional status, particularly overweight and obesity. With a sample of 1001 participants from five regions of Chile, aged 15 to 23 years. The Eating Disorder Inventory 3 (EDI-3), the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire Appearance Scales (MBSRQ_AS), and the Symptom Inventory Derogatis Revised (SCL90-R) and a sociodemographic questionnaire were used to analyze these variables. A model including nine exogenous (independent) variables and ten endogenous variables, based on a literature review, was evaluated by path analysis. The results show a significant association between factors such as sex, family history of overweight, self-classification by weight, and body dissatisfaction with body mass index (BMI). Eating behaviors such as overeating, and lack of appetite were also found to be influenced by interpersonal sensitivity, overweight preoccupation, and drive for thinness. The study underscores the importance of promoting a positive body image and addressing overweight/obesity from a combined health psychology and public health perspective, highlighting the need for interventions that consider nutritional status, and in particular overweight and obesity, as a phenomenon with multifactorial causes and maintainers.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030152
Authors: José Luis Álvarez-Sánchez Ángel Pérez-Pueyo David Hortigüela-Alcalá
The ‘Attitudinal Style’ (AS) enhances the democratic and engaging learning process by improving student motivation and attitudes. Its adaptability, transferability, and applicability make it suitable for hybridization with other pedagogical models (PMs). This study explores the possibilities of blending AS with other PMs for classroom applications, emphasizing the use of formative and shared assessments to maximize efficiency. Adopting a Narrative Review methodology, the research delves into ten academic databases, identifying seven publications that meet the inclusion criteria for a detailed analysis. These publications propose pedagogical approaches for sports, body expression, natural environments, and physical conditioning. They highlight the potential of integrating AS with other PMs to not only enrich physical education (PE) experiences but also introduce innovative teaching methods for various physical activities. The evidence from these sources suggests that combining AS with other PMs serves as a robust strategy to enhance the overall educational experience in PE.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030151
Authors: Joaquín R. Puerta Gómez Pedro Aceituno-Aceituno Concepción Burgos García Aitana González-Ortiz-de-Zárate
Research on university education and its role in developing personality traits essential to achieving success in entrepreneurship is required because of the significance of entrepreneurship for advancements in the economic, social, technological, and environmental spheres. Additionally, the value of a university education in shaping an individual’s personality, and the necessity of emphasizing entrepreneurship in higher education for students to achieve real success, should be a priority in our society. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to explore how university education influences personality traits that are key to success in entrepreneurship in Spain. To achieve this objective, a qualitative methodology based on the study of 11 cases has been adopted. The results allow us to conclude that university education has a decisive influence on the development of the personality traits that integrally determine entrepreneurial success as the culmination of the final stage of the maturation process; however, a university education is not fundamental to the development of these traits. Nevertheless, entrepreneurs emphasized that the personality traits analyzed need to be reinforced explicitly in university education since they effectively positively impact the success of entrepreneurial initiatives.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030150
Authors: Lingruina Xu Jinshan He Xuejiao Wei Yunyun Zhang Li Zhang
This study examined the multiple mediating roles of achievement goal orientation between three parental psychological control (PPC) strategies and adolescents’ academic achievement. The study sample consisted of 2613 Chinese middle school adolescents (52.6% boys) who were followed for one and a half years; they completed questionnaires on PPC (including love withdrawal, guilt induction, and authority assertion), achievement goal orientation (involving the mastery approach, the performance approach, and performance-avoidance goals), and academic achievement. We found that (1) the direct effects of the three strategies on academic performance differed, with love withdrawal directly and negatively predicting adolescents’ academic achievement and guilt induction and authority assertion not being significant direct predictors. (2) The mediating role of achievement goal orientations differed across the psychological control strategies. Specifically, love withdrawal led to adolescents’ academic achievement through their performance-approach goal orientation, performance-avoidance goal orientation, and mastery goal orientation. Moreover, guilt induction and authority assertion had impacts only on adolescents’ performance-approach and performance-avoidance goal orientations. This study highlights the negative impact of love withdrawal on adolescents’ internal motivation and academic achievement by warning parents not to use this strategy to influence their children’s thoughts and feelings.
]]>Behavioral Sciences doi: 10.3390/bs14030149
Authors: Michela Balconi Laura Angioletti
Background: Within the social interoception field, little is known about the impact of interoception on autonomic system reactivity during synchronization tasks. The impact of social framing manipulation and Interoceptive Attentiveness (IA; defined as concentrated attention on the breath for a specific time interval) on autonomic responses during interpersonal synchronization was investigated in this research. Methods: Under two experimental interoceptive conditions—the concentration and no focus on the breath condition—participants completed two synchronization tasks. A social framing was given to participants by informing them that they needed to complete the tasks in unison to improve their collaboration abilities. Autonomic responses (electrodermal activity and cardiovascular indices) were collected throughout task performance. Results: Two orders of results were observed: high cognitive engagement was detected during the focus on the breath condition and for the social frame. This effect was specifically observed for the motor compared to the linguistic synchronization task. Meanwhile, a potential lack of emotional control was observed in the no focus on the breath condition when the synchronization tasks were not socially framed. Conclusions: Such results encourage the use of the hyperscanning paradigm to deepen the impact of IA in real-time and ecological interpersonal synchronization dynamics.
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