Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8030053

Authors: Tom Ford Lisa Miller

Rationale/Aim: We aimed to identify potential latent profiles and factor structures that may reflect characterological differences in how transcendence is experienced and expressed in individuals and investigate the nature and structure of transcendence as a character virtue rooted in Awakened Awareness (as a tendency towards spiritual perception). Methods: Two studies were conducted on a multinational sample of 11,595 participants. Study 1 applied latent profile analysis (LPA) to the indicator variables Awakened Awareness, Achieving Awareness, Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, Hope, Gratitude, Humor, Spirituality, Interbeing, and Absorption; ANOVA was then used to compare profile means for authentic living, self-alienation, spiritual quest, and speciesism. Study 2 used exploratory factor analysis (principal component analysis, principal axis factoring, and maximum likelihood) to investigate Awakened Awareness, Achieving Awareness, Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, Hope, Gratitude, Humor, Spirituality, Interbeing, and Absorption. Results: Study 1 generated a best-fitting solution with four significant and distinct profiles, which we labeled Integrated, Embodied, Disembodied, and Low Transcendence (BLRT-p < 0.01). The Integrated Transcendence profile scored the highest on positive authenticity (M = 25.07; SD = 0.292) and spiritual quest (M = 57.46; SD = 6.51) and lowest on self-alienation (M = 9.93; SD = 6.44) and speciesism (M = 2.25; SD = 1.10). Study 2 generated a two-factor solution of Embodied Transcendence and Disembodied Transcendence factors in each exploratory factor analytic technique we utilized. Implication: These results suggest that transcendence is experienced and expressed in varied ways. It appears that individuals may either score highly in all transcendence-related strengths or low in all transcendence-related strengths, or exhibit a proclivity toward Disembodied Transcendence (i.e., relatively high Interbeing, Absorption, and Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence) or Embodied Transcendence (i.e., relatively high Gratitude, Hope, and relational Spirituality). These findings may encourage people to respect those who experience and express spiritual transcendence in different ways and cultures.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8030052

Authors: Stefanie Schauer Pamela Pensini

Zero-sum beliefs about nature–human relations (ZSB-NH) reflect viewing the relationship between nature and humans as competitive and antagonistic and constitute a significant barrier to pro-environmental behaviour. Conversely, environmental guilt, arising from recognising one’s or one’s ingroup’s contribution to environmental harm, is an important motivator of pro-environmental behaviour. However, ZSB-NH may attenuate feelings of environmental guilt as it legitimises environmental harm, suggesting a potential mechanism through which these beliefs reduce pro-environmental behaviour. Australian residents (N = 878, MAge = 54.17) completed a cross-sectional survey containing validated measures of these constructs. As expected, the findings showed that stronger zero-sum beliefs predicted lower environmental guilt and reduced engagement in pro-environmental behaviour. Environmental guilt, in turn, positively predicted pro-environmental behaviour and partially explained the relationship between zero-sum beliefs and environmental action. These findings suggest that zero-sum perceptions of the nature–human relationship can legitimise environmental harm and diminish the moral emotions that encourage environmentally responsible behaviour. Thus, environmental guilt and zero-sum beliefs are potential targets of intervention to promote greater engagement in pro-environmental behaviour.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8030051

Authors: Alexandre Dumais Sabrina Giguère Saïda Nabalma Alexandra Fortier Kingsada Phraxayavong Stéphane Potvin

Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly used in psychiatry to treat mental disorders. Virtual reality-based therapy (VRT) has been investigated across diverse clinical populations and therapeutic approaches. Because VRT replicates real-world environments, the sense of presence and appreciation of the immersive experience have emerged as key components that may influence treatment outcomes. Individual characteristics may contribute to these experiences. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine sociodemographic and clinical predictors of the sense of presence and appreciation of the immersive experience among users of two VR platforms, separately in 23 individuals with severe mental disorders (SMDs) and 20 individuals without a diagnosed mental disorder diagnosis. In this exploratory, crossover, double-blind study, 43 participants completed assessments of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, the sense of presence, and appreciation of the immersive experience. Multivariate linear mixed-effects models showed that among individuals with SMDs, employment status was significantly associated with appreciation of the immersive experience (B = −15.235; p = 0.026). No other sociodemographic or clinical characteristics were significantly associated with the sense of presence or appreciation of the immersive experience. Among individuals without a mental disorder diagnosis, no predictors were significantly associated with a sense of presence or appreciation of the immersive experience. Although most examined associations were not statistically significant, these findings may suggest that VR experiences are perceived relatively consistently across participants. However, this hypothesis should be interpreted with caution because of the limited sample size. Future studies with larger samples encompassing a broader range of clinical characteristics are needed, and these findings should be replicated in future studies of VRT.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8030050

Authors: Francheska Erotokritou Georgios Giannakopoulos

Adolescence is a critical developmental period marked by the interaction of health behaviors, psychosocial functioning, and peer relationships. This scoping review mapped quantitative evidence on the associations between health behaviors, emotional and behavioral problems, and peer-related factors among adolescents, accounting for sociodemographic characteristics. An electronic literature search was conducted in November 2025 using the ProQuest Summon Discovery Service, in line with PRISMA-ScR reporting guidance. Studies published between 2015 and 2025 that focused on adolescent populations and examined at least two key variables were considered; the included samples collectively spanned ages 10–18 years. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Across the included studies, health behaviors, particularly physical activity, diet, sleep, and screen use, were examined both individually and as co-occurring lifestyle patterns. Less favorable behavioral patterns were generally associated with poorer mental health and psychosocial indicators, whereas healthier patterns were associated with better well-being and quality of life. Associations with screen and internet use varied according to the type and intensity of digital engagement, with evidence of dose–response patterns for internet use and divergent associations across different screen activities. Peer relationships and related social factors were most often operationalized through social support, friendship quality, bullying, or victimization rather than through direct measures of peer attachment security. Within this limited and heterogeneous evidence base, supportive peer contexts were generally associated with more favorable behavioral and emotional outcomes, whereas bullying and victimization were associated with poorer outcomes. The mapped evidence is consistent with a biopsychosocial perspective but remains predominantly cross-sectional, underscoring the need for longitudinal research and more precise measurement of peer attachment processes.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8030049

Authors: Yukiko Yasumura Akira Yasumura

This study aimed to investigate left temporal lobe activity during Japanese reading by examining both task-dependent activity and activity associated with individual differences in reading-related cognitive abilities. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), we measured hemodynamic responses around the left temporal lobe during oral reading of words and nonwords in 27 adult female Japanese university students. Furthermore, the relationships of these responses with word rapid reading, Rapid Automatized Naming (RAN), and digit span tasks were analyzed. Uncorrected analysis revealed significant differences between the nonword and word conditions in oxygenated hemoglobin at Channel 12 and deoxygenated hemoglobin at Channel 9; however, these differences did not maintain statistical significance after False Discovery Rate (FDR) correction across the 17 channels. In contrast, activity at Channel 9 was correlated with the time required for word rapid reading and RAN, as well as performance on forward and backward digit span tasks, and these correlations remained significant even after FDR correction. In conclusion, while the extent to which task-dependent phonological decoding load is reflected in left temporal lobe activity warrants further verification, our findings suggest that hemodynamic responses around the left temporal lobe are associated with individual differences in reading speed, naming speed, and phonological short-term/working memory. These findings provide insights by comprehensively capturing neural activity during Japanese reading from the dual perspectives of task-dependent and individual difference-related activities.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8030048

Authors: Hannah K. Bailey Nuzhat Sultana Suzanne C. Purdy

Caregivers’ knowledge of language milestones and active engagement in responsive interactions are critical predictors of children’s long-term literacy and communication outcomes. Qualitative inquiry that captures caregivers’ personal perspectives and systemic barriers is essential in order to fully understand how these language-rich environments are created. This study examines caregivers’ perceptions of their natural everyday interactions with children under five, exploring their knowledge of resources and barriers to accessing speech–language support services. Eight primary caregivers of at least one child aged under five participated. After completing a brief demographic questionnaire each participant engaged in a semi-structured interview focused on their perceptions and knowledge of supporting children’s language development through everyday verbal interactions and navigating barriers to services. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings highlight the new insights that emerge when caregivers are asked to reflect on how they create language-rich environments. Participants valued Early Childhood Education (ECE) networks as a key source of information but reported a lack of reliable, accessible guidelines on language developmental milestones. Caregivers also expressed a need for practical strategies to enhance everyday interactions. Despite sample size limitations, these findings highlight challenges faced by caregivers and the critical need for further qualitative inquiry into how caregivers’ perceptions shape communication-supportive practices.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8030047

Authors: Nissa Yaing Torres-Soto Brandon Pérez-Zepeda Yann Alfredo Aguilar-Navarro Ana Luiza Corrales-Baldenebro Beatriz Martínez-Ramírez

Academic stress has been associated with psychological distress, unhealthy behaviors, and poorer academic functioning among university students, particularly in health sciences programs. This study examined the association between academic stress and perceived academic impairment, considering five eating behavior phenotypes as parallel indirect pathways. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with 225 undergraduate health sciences students from a public university in southeastern Mexico. Academic stress was assessed using the SISCO Academic Stress Inventory, eating behavior phenotypes using the Eating Behavior Phenotypes Scale, and perceived academic impairment using the recoded University Academic Performance Scale. Parallel multiple-mediator path analysis with bootstrap confidence intervals was performed, adjusting for relevant sociodemographic and academic covariates. Academic stress was positively associated with all five eating behavior phenotypes, which were, in turn, positively associated with perceived academic impairment. The total indirect effect was significant, and all specific indirect pathways were supported by bootstrap confidence intervals excluding zero. The direct association between academic stress and perceived academic impairment also remained significant. These findings suggest that multidimensional eating behavior may represent an important mechanism linking academic stress with perceived academic impairment. Given the cross-sectional design, the findings should be interpreted as indirect associations rather than evidence of causal or temporal mediation.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8030046

Authors: Sergio Da Silva

Why do humans produce dysphoric dreams and nightmares at all? This paper develops a cautious evolutionary theory of unpleasant dreaming by extending the logic of evolutionary psychiatry to dream life. Research on dream continuity suggests that dreams are not detached from waking mental life, but instead reflect current concerns, emotional preoccupations, memory fragments, and bodily states. Work on threat simulation, emotional processing during sleep, and the neurocognitive structure of nightmares further suggests that some disturbing dreams may not be mere malfunctions. Rather, they may be costly outputs of systems involved in salience tracking, threat rehearsal, emotional adaptation, or flexible model updating. At the same time, nightmare research shows that recurrent and trauma-linked nightmares can become clinically serious, producing sleep disruption, daytime distress, and functional impairment. This paper argues that the proper distinction is not between “useful dreams” and “pathological nightmares” in any simple sense, but between unpleasant dream processes that remain self-limiting and those that cross a threshold into maladaptive feedback loops. On that basis, dream engineering is defended not as routine suppression of unpleasant dreaming, but as a selective and limited intervention appropriate when recurrence, rigidity, carryover, and impairment indicate dysfunction. A structured research agenda is proposed to test this threshold model and to distinguish adaptive bad dreams from pathological nightmares.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8030045

Authors: Courtney N. Wiesepape Laura A. Faith Sarah E. Queller Soza Alex Ray Abigail Macomber Makenzie Dubas

Cluster A personality disorders, including schizotypal, schizoid, and paranoid personality disorders, remain among the least studied forms of personality pathology. Partly due to this lack of research, empirically supported interventions remain limited. Recently, the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD) has emerged as a dimensional approach to understanding personality disorders; however, treatment implications remain underdeveloped. We propose that the integrated model of metacognition may offer a clinically actionable framework for conceptualizing and measuring core self- and interpersonal disturbances that are central to the AMPD. In this conceptual review, we consider the following: (1) how the integrated model of metacognition aligns with dimensional models of personality pathology, (2) metacognitive functioning in Cluster A personality disorders with emphasis on schizotypal personality disorder, and (3) metacognitive treatments that could potentially have relevance for these presentations.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8030044

Authors: Simone Basili Marina Baroni Giulia Colombini Andrea Guazzini Mirko Duradoni

Every day, people are exposed to social stressors and environmental stimuli, both online and offline, that may contribute to psychological distress (PD), a phenomenon that may be further affected by the pervasive diffusion of the Internet and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). In keeping with this, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of mattering and anti-mattering in both offline and online environments, as well as Social Media Capital on Distress Tolerance (DT). Data were collected through the administration of an online and anonymous survey among 252 participants (32.1% cisgender males; 63.1% cisgender females; 4.8% people belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community) aged 18 to 85 years (mean age: 40.5, SD = 17.0253). In line with the objective of the present study, correlation, multiple linear regression, and network analyses (NA) were performed. Overall, the results pointed out that offline mattering and anti-mattering and social media capital were associated with DT. Moreover, the NA suggested that offline relational experiences, particularly offline mattering and anti-mattering, were more consistently connected with DT within the overall network structure than online relational indicators. In conclusion, the study deepened the investigation of DT in relation to potential social antecedents (both offline and online), laying the groundwork for the development of further studies in this area.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8030043

Authors: Vered Ben David

This paper examines intensive parenting as a dominant cultural model within contemporary Anglo-American and Western European parenting cultures, situating it within late-capitalist demands for individual responsibility, optimisation, and future-oriented risk management. This theoretical and discourse-analytic paper advances a Lacanian account of intensive parenting as a libidinal formation structured through fantasy, desire, and jouissance. Drawing on Lacanian psychoanalysis, the analysis explores how parental investment in intensive parenting is sustained not only through social norms and institutional pressures but through affective and unconscious attachments that render these demands compelling even when they are experienced as exhausting and exclusionary. While existing feminist and sociological scholarship has documented the classed, gendered, and racialized dimensions of intensive parenting, less attention has been paid to the psychic mechanisms through which parents become attached to these norms. This paper addresses this gap by examining how fantasies surrounding the child’s future organise parental desire and enjoyment. Focusing on fantasy, the object-cause of desire, and jouissance, the paper shows how intensive parenting offers moral coherence and reassurance under conditions of uncertainty while remaining structurally impossible to fulfill. These libidinal investments translate market rationalities into intimate life, shaping parental subjectivity and sustaining intensive parenting as a dominant norm. The analysis suggests that this persistence is tied not only to social regulation but to the way desire is organised around an unattainable future object. The paper concludes by reflecting on how this analysis reframes relational modes of being in parenting, suggesting that attending to lack, contingency, and relational openness may support forms of care that move beyond imperatives of control, productivity, and future optimisation.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8030042

Authors: Laura A. Faith Courtney N. Wiesepape Jeremy M. Ridenour

Narrative psychotherapy focuses on jointly discussing life stories with patients to promote shifts in sense of self and narrative identity. Narrative approaches have roots in constructivism which requires various elements or cognitive processes necessary for meaning making, such as the discussion of thoughts and feelings, how thoughts and feeling change over time, and how the patient’s construction of meaning contributes to their sense of self and place in the world. Narrative psychotherapy may have unique elements that promote recovery for people with psychosis. For instance, narrative approaches may help to integrate narratives that are fragmented or focused on illness identity, though the research is limited. The current study is a narrative review that aims to (1) discuss current theoretical and research findings related to narratives and narrative identity in people with psychosis; (2) identify and describe psychotherapy approaches that focus on narratives. We summarize recent findings that highlight positive outcomes for people experiencing psychosis, and how people move towards more integrated and complex narratives. We found a range of therapeutic approaches that focus on narratives including metacognitive therapy (i.e., metacognitive reflection and insight therapy), trauma-based psychotherapy (i.e., trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy for psychosis and narrative enhancement therapy), treatment focused on self-stigma or illness identity (i.e., narrative enhancement and cognitive therapy and self-concept and engagement and life), and art and creative therapies. We discuss interpretation of findings and their implication for mechanisms of change.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8030041

Authors: Meg Kapil Allyson Hadwin Ramin Rostampour

Student mental health, stress, and success are interconnected, yet the mechanisms linking them remain insufficiently understood. Drawing on Stress Optimization and Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) theories, this study examined how stress appraisals and learning practices jointly contribute to student mental health and academic functioning in post-secondary students, supporting a view of student success that comprises both feeling well psychosocially and functioning well academically. Using a sample of 226 university students, the study replicated prior work on the predictive roles of coping self-efficacy (CSE) and stress mindset (SM) across indicators of student success, including flourishing mental health, motivation-related challenges, social-emotional challenges, and GPA. It extended this work by testing whether metacognitive monitoring and adaptation, and academic social engagement, mediated these relationships. Results showed that neither CSE nor SM significantly predicted GPA, suggesting that stress appraisals alone may be insufficient to explain academic achievement. However, both CSE and SM significantly predicted flourishing mental health, and CSE was additionally associated with fewer motivation-related and social-emotional challenges. Mediation analyses indicated that metacognitive monitoring partially explained the relationship between CSE and reduced motivation challenges, while academic social engagement mediated relationships between stress appraisals and social-emotional challenges and mental health. Findings underscore the value of integrating psychosocial and educational perspectives in promoting student success.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8030040

Authors: Dave Collins Robin Taylor

This study explored parental concerns regarding their sons’ experiences in a professional football academy, using a case study methodology over a twelve-year period. Drawing on over 60 interviews with parenting pairs, the research identified that concerns were shaped by internal (e.g., personal beliefs), semi-internal (e.g., peer influence, agent input), and external (e.g., social media, educational trends) information sources. These sources often led to misaligned expectations between parents and the academy. The findings highlighted the prevalence of misinformation. In response, a series of targeted interventions were implemented, including structured communication strategies, shared mental models (SMMs), and a refined parent–academy code of conduct. These changes facilitated more integrated parent–athlete–coach relationships and improved clarity around developmental processes. Although causality cannot be established, the frequency of parental complaints decreased over time. This study emphasizes the need for academies to proactively engage parents as key stakeholders through clear, consistent, and evidence-informed communication, ultimately supporting a more coherent developmental experience for athletes. These findings have broad implications for talent development environments aiming to balance athlete and parent welfare with high-performance goals.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8030039

Authors: Georgia Konstantopoulou Danai Grigoriou Efterpi Elpida Kyriazi Filio Zoupi Eleni-Zacharoula Georgiou

Population aging has increased the importance of identifying modifiable lifestyle factors that promote psychological well-being and support brain health in later life. Aerobic exercise has consistently been associated with positive mental health outcomes; however, further evidence is needed regarding its relationship with depressive symptoms, purpose in life, and quality of life among community-dwelling older adults. The present study aimed to investigate the associations between aerobic exercise, depression, purpose in life, and quality of life in older adulthood, as well as their implications for healthy aging and brain health. A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed involving 151 older adults aged 65 years and older. Participants were recruited from Open Care Centers for the Elderly (KAPI) in the Municipality of Corinth, Greece, and through home visits in nearby communities. Data collection was conducted using the Purpose in Life Questionnaire–Short Form (PIL-SF), the Geriatric Depression Scale–Short Form (GDS-SF), and the WHOQOL-OLD Brief Form. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, while non-parametric analyses were applied due to deviations from normality. The findings demonstrated that a higher frequency of aerobic exercise was significantly associated with lower depressive symptomatology, higher levels of purpose in life, and better quality of life. Participants who exercised almost daily reported significantly fewer depressive symptoms compared with those who exercised rarely or not at all. Furthermore, depressive symptoms were negatively correlated with both purpose in life and quality of life, whereas purpose in life was positively associated with quality of life. Gender differences were also observed, suggesting that the relationship between exercise and depressive symptoms may vary between men and women. Overall, the findings suggest that regular aerobic exercise may represent an important protective lifestyle factor associated with emotional well-being, psychological resilience, quality of life, and healthy aging among older adults. The study further supports the role of physical activity as a potentially beneficial non-pharmacological strategy for promoting mental health and supporting brain health in later life.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8020038

Authors: Tyrone B. Pretorius Anita Padmanabhanunni

The dimensionality of the Ego-Resilience Scale (ER89) remains contested, and little is known about the performance of the original and revised versions of the scale in South Africa. This study examined the psychometric properties of the 14-item ER89 and the 10-item ER89-R in 337 undergraduate students from a university in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Participants completed the ER89, the Sense of Coherence Scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The scales were evaluated using classical test theory, confirmatory factor analysis, bifactor modeling, parallel analysis, Mokken scale analysis, and Rasch analysis. For both versions, bifactor models fit better than one-factor models, but the specific factors showed anomalous loadings and accounted for little reliable variance. Parallel analysis and Rasch analysis supported an essentially unidimensional interpretation of both instruments. Although both versions showed acceptable internal consistency and expected associations with sense of coherence, depression, and anxiety, several findings raised concerns about their broader psychometric adequacy. Overall, both scales appeared to reflect a broad general factor of ego-resilience, but their performance in this context was mixed and, in important respects, problematic. Further refinement and validation are needed before either instrument can be recommended for confident use in South African research and practice.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8020037

Authors: Shu-Fang Kao Mei-Chen Tsou Luo Lu

The present study investigated the stress-reducing effect of emotional management (EM) for teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adopting the conservation of resources (COR) theory perspective, we employed a stratified random sampling design to conduct a survey of elementary school teachers in Taiwan with 211 valid responses. Questionnaires were used to assess EM, psychological capital (PsyCap), and perceived work stress. The moderated regression analysis indicated that EM was negatively related to perceived work stress, suggesting that teachers with better emotional management competencies experienced lower levels of work stress during COVID-19. Furthermore, we found a significant interaction between EM and PsyCap on perceived work stress. The interaction was significant for the overall PsyCap and all four components, namely, self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience. Although the simple slope test was not significant for hope, the pattern of interaction was consistent. Specifically, teachers with higher EM perceived lower work stress when they had higher overall PsyCap, self-efficacy, optimism, and resilience. These findings offer evidence to support the COR proposition, showing that PsyCap amplifies the benefit of EM and works together in alleviating teaching stress during the height of the pandemic. The present study contributes to theoretical development by integrating the EM and PsyCap research under a unified theoretical framework of COR. Our finding that teachers with an abundance of resources fared the best under stress also informs the practical training programs to foster teachers’ EM and PsyCap as personal resources for adaptive coping and thriving.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8020036

Authors: Mychaell França Samuel Santos Washington Allysson Dantas Silva Camilla Silva

Given the moral barriers that hinder critical analysis of pornography, this study aims, through a qualitative approach with 15 participants, to examine its impacts on the construction of masculinity and the social relationships of men from the semi-arid region of Paraíba, Brazil. Data were collected via an online form, which included a sociodemographic questionnaire and open-ended questions on the topic. The data were analyzed using dialogical maps within the framework of discourse analysis. Results show that pornography is a constant and influential presence in the participants’ lives, often beginning at an early age and reinforced by social interaction. Its consumption goes beyond personal satisfaction, also serving as a tool for social comparison, shaping male subjectivity and relational dynamics. In sum, the study highlights the cultural impact of pornography in a context where critical discussions about sexuality remain limited due to the prevalence of traditional gender norms and male chauvinism.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8020035

Authors: Seep Lassi Maira Niaz Zoya Navid Ansari Hamza Iftikar Shanzay Rizvi Hamna Amir Zain Hasnain Sidra Kaleem Jafri Jai K. Das

Background: Accurate child development assessment is crucial, particularly in developing countries where access to validated tools remains limited. Many assessment tools are adapted for local contexts, but their psychometric properties require evaluation. Objective: This systematic review examines the reliability, validity, and overall psychometric properties of new and adapted child development assessment tools used in developing countries. The focus on these settings stems from the need to assess tools that are culturally appropriate, feasible, and accurate in resource-constrained environments, where early identification of developmental delays can significantly impact long-term child outcomes. Methods: Descriptive and meta-analyses were conducted to synthesize findings from eligible studies. Psychometric properties such as internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, construct validity, sensitivity and specificity were assessed. This review is registered on Open Science Framework (OSF) doi:10.17605/OSF.IO/GU28K. Results: The findings indicate that although some adapted tools demonstrate strong reliability and validity, others exhibit inconsistencies, highlighting challenges in adaptation. The meta-analysis provided pooled estimates of key psychometric properties with a net sensitivity and specificity of 0.859 and 0.805, respectively, illustrating the validity of these local tools but also variability in performance across different tools. Conclusion: The results emphasize the need for rigorous validation processes to ensure that adapted tools maintain their psychometric integrity. Future research should focus on refining these measures to improve their applicability in diverse cultural and socioeconomic settings.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8020034

Authors: Ilias Vasileiou Georgios Polydoros Alexandros-Stamatios Antoniou Dimitra V. Katsarou Evangelos Mantsos Charis Polydoros Zoe Krokou

Writing is both a cognitive–linguistic activity and an emotional academic experience. For students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SLDs), written production may involve tension, anticipated failure, reduced confidence, and frustration, especially when handwriting demands compete with idea generation, spelling control, and text organization. These emotional responses are educationally important because they may influence persistence, written productivity, revision behavior, and academic participation. This study examined emotional responses to handwritten and digitally supported computer-based writing among 60 secondary education students, including 40 students with formally diagnosed SLD and 20 students without learning difficulties. Each participant completed two writing tasks, one handwritten and one digitally supported computer-based, in a counterbalanced order. The computer-based condition functioned as a digitally supported writing environment, with spell-checking and grammar-checking enabled. After each condition, students completed the Writing Emotional Response Scale (WERS), a 12-item study-specific instrument assessing writing anxiety, writing confidence, writing frustration, and perceived ease. The WERS was developed as a preliminary measure of immediate, task-specific emotional responses. Students with SLD reported lower anxiety, lower frustration, higher confidence, and higher perceived ease during digitally supported writing. The study contributes to educational psychology by linking writing modality, SLD, and emotional accessibility.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8020033

Authors: Georgios Giannakopoulos

Adolescent self-harm, particularly non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), is increasingly understood as a multidetermined behavior shaped by emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal processes. This focused, non-systematic narrative review examines cognitive–affective correlates of adolescent non-suicidal self-injury, while drawing on broader self-harm and suicidality-related evidence only where relevant to the cognitive–affective formulation. Particular attention is given to executive functioning, emotional processing, and social–emotional and interpersonal cognition. The evidence is strongest for emotional processing, especially difficulties in emotion regulation, rumination, cognitive reappraisal, alexithymia, and the identification and modulation of internal states. Executive functioning also appears clinically relevant, but the current findings support a selective rather than global impairment account, with the clearest evidence involving inhibitory control, impulsivity-related regulation, and decision-making under affective pressure. Social–emotional and interpersonal cognition is treated as an emerging and indirectly supported domain; much of the available evidence concerns interpersonal and relational constructs, such as interpersonal sensitivity, relational interpretation, emotional communication, and family–emotional context, rather than direct measures of theory of mind, social inference, or emotion recognition accuracy. Overall, adolescent self-harm is best understood as emerging from the interaction of emotional dysregulation, weakened behavioral control under distress, and difficulties in social–emotional meaning-making during a developmentally sensitive period. A cognitively informed developmental framework may help refine theory, improve clinical formulation, and guide future mechanism-oriented research.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8020032

Authors: Toshihiko Kuroiwa Akira Yasumura

Pupil area reflects not only the light reflex but also cognitive activity and arousal, and has been proposed as a non-invasive indicator of stress. However, the temporal characteristics of pupillary responses during cognitive stress tasks and their associations with other physiological and psychological measures remain unclear. This study examined cognitive stress responses during an N-back task using pupil area and changes in salivary alpha-amylase (sAA). Twenty-nine university and graduate students (mean age = 21.07 ± 0.91 years; 4 males, 25 females) participated. Pupil area was continuously recorded during a 2-back task. Salivary alpha-amylase was measured before (pre) and immediately after the task (post), and the change in sAA (post–pre) was calculated. Subjective stress responses and mood states were assessed using the SRS-18 and TDMS. A notable gender imbalance (predominantly female) limits the generalizability of findings, and future studies should aim for more balanced samples. Pupil area significantly decreased in the latter half of the task, consistent with a time-on-task effect. Although sAA showed no significant group-level change (BF10 = 0.25, indicating evidence for the null hypothesis), individual differences in the change in sAA (post–pre) were evident. Task accuracy and the change in sAA were associated with subjective measures of mood and stress. These findings suggest that cognitive stress is reflected differently across pupil area, changes in sAA, and subjective measures, highlighting the value of integrating multiple physiological and psychological indicators.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8020031

Authors: Yassine Chaibi Fatima Ezzahra Siragi Bouchra El Abbadi

Psychological capital (PsyCap), encompassing hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism, has established itself as a key psychological resource for individuals. However, research in this field remains fragmented, which limits a comprehensive understanding of its role in the psychological mechanisms underlying entrepreneurial behavior, particularly in terms of motivation, coping with stress, and resilience in the face of uncertainty. This study aims to examine and organize the intellectual landscape of PsyCap. A scoping review of 215 articles indexed in Scopus and Web of Science over nearly two decades was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR, using a co-thematic analysis based on text mining techniques. The results reveal a three-phase evolution of the field (emergence, growth, and maturity), built around individual functioning, entrepreneurial cognitions and attitudes, and psychosocial resources. The analysis also highlights unequal access to and use of PsyCap across contexts, as well as differences related to the specific characteristics of the populations studied, shedding light on underexplored groups such as women, refugees, rural and social entrepreneurs, migrants, and entrepreneurs with disabilities. These findings contribute to advancing knowledge in entrepreneurial psychology and offer a detailed analysis of future research avenues, including emerging research questions, methodological approaches, and theoretical interdisciplinary perspectives.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8020030

Authors: Germano Vera Cruz Clarice Da Rosa Eléonor Gilles-Noguès Yasser Khazaal Jean-Philippe Lanoix

Background: Forgiveness has traditionally been studied across psychological, relational, and sociopolitical domains, often emphasizing either its therapeutic benefits or moral complexities. However, this fragmented literature has limited the development of a unified understanding of forgiveness as a broader psychosocial phenomenon. Objective: This narrative review critically synthesizes 26 years of theoretical, empirical, and applied research to conceptualize forgiveness as a multidimensional framework of socio-psychological repair and mutual recognition across intrapersonal, interpersonal, developmental, organizational, and intergroup contexts. Methods: A systematic review approach was employed to integrate findings from experimental, longitudinal, clinical, and organizational studies selected for their theoretical and empirical relevance. Results: Findings indicate that forgiveness facilitates emotional regulation, cognitive restructuring, identity restoration, relational resilience, organizational functioning, and political reconciliation by transforming moral injury and social disruption into opportunities for healing and restored legitimacy. Across domains, forgiveness promotes emotional recovery, self-respect, social learning, institutional trust, and reconciliation when embedded in justice, accountability, and recognition processes. However, forgiveness is ethically and functionally conditional. In contexts of chronic abuse, coercion, structural inequality, or absent accountability, it may reinforce maladaptive dynamics or perpetuate injustice. Conclusions: Forgiveness is best understood not as an unconditional virtue, but as a context-sensitive, multilevel mechanism of socio-psychological restoration whose benefits depend on voluntariness, justice, accountability, and reciprocal recognition. This framework advances forgiveness scholarship by integrating moral repair with justice-sensitive reconciliation.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8020029

Authors: Olga Gavriilidou Stefanos Gritzalis

This study examines the psychological and contextual factors associated with True Self disclosure on Social Networking Sites (SNSs), with particular emphasis on the role of temporal immersion. Drawing on structured interviews with 121 participants, the findings suggest that SNSs may provide users with opportunities to articulate aspects of their True Self that are often difficult to express in face-to-face interactions. Time spent on SNSs emerges as a key contextual factor: prolonged engagement appears to enhance users’ familiarity with the platform environment, reinforce the internalization of platform-specific norms, and gradually normalize disclosure as an expected and socially reinforced behavior. Within this temporally shaped environment, peer dynamics also emerge, reflected in reciprocal disclosure tendencies that further consolidate these evolving norms. Overall, the results suggest that temporal engagement, rather than abstract notions of control, functions as a key contextual condition in the shift from general, everyday identity-sharing to more selective expressions of the True Self within digital environments.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8020028

Authors: Dimitrios S. Petrilis

Disability is frequently theorized through a polarized medical-versus-social binary that can obscure the developmental, relational, and sociocultural processes through which bodily difference becomes psychologically meaningful. This study examines how adults with congenital or early-onset physical disabilities narrate and negotiate disability in everyday life, using psychoanalytic concepts as a complementary heuristic lens within an explicitly interdisciplinary framework that integrates developmental resilience and disability theory. Thirty-five in-depth life-story interviews were conducted with seven adults (25–40 years) across approximately five sessions per participant over two months. Data was analyzed using thematic qualitative content analysis, combining systematic coding of manifest content with interpretive attention to symbolic and relational meanings, while cross-checking psychoanalytic interpretations against developmental and social-disability perspectives. Four recurring compensatory patterns were identified: (1) symbolic resignification and verbal normalization (discursive reframing and minimizing disability); (2) achievement-oriented self-positioning (performance and perfectionistic striving); (3) compensatory role assumption (caregiving/protector roles and mastery enactments); and (4) silent family dynamics (familial denial and narrative). Within the specific context of this study, these patterns appeared to function as regulatory efforts to sustain self-cohesion, agency, and belonging. However, the narratives suggest that when these strategies manifest as rigid ideals of ‘overcoming’ and hyper-competence, they may carry a significant subjective cost for participants. Compensatory behaviors are best understood as ecologically embedded regulatory processes shaped by relational resources (experienced as containing/“holding”) and by sociocultural devaluation linked to ableist norms. An integrated model is proposed in which body, self, and environment co-constitute disability across development, clarifying when compensatory strategies support creative adaptation versus defensive rigidity.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8020027

Authors: Claudio Lalla Fabio D’Antoni

Emergent Post-Loss Experiences (EPLEs) are reported in experiential grief therapies such as Reparative Experience-Based Grief Therapy (REGT) and Induced After-Death Communication Therapy (IADC). Through these experiences, such approaches have demonstrated notable effectiveness and efficiency in the treatment of complicated grief. Yet their phenomenology and structure remain poorly defined, and no validated instruments are available for their assessment. The present study aims to address this gap by examining the phenomenological characteristics of EPLEs and developing a brief instrument for their assessment. Using a cross-sectional mixed-method design, an 87-item EPLE questionnaire was administered retrospectively to 64 former REGT patients alongside the Near-Death Experience (NDE) Scale. A qualitative phase was subsequently conducted to identify phenomenological domains of EPLEs, which informed the derivation of a 22-item EPLE Scale. The scale was examined using exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency, convergent validity, and network analysis. High inter-rater agreement supported the organization of EPLEs into four phenomenological domains: Contact, Sensoriality, Space/Time, and Impact. EPLEs were characterized by relational presence, multisensory perceptual features, altered spatial–temporal experience, and predominantly comforting and meaning-related effects. The EPLE Scale showed satisfactory internal consistency (ω = 0.79). Exploratory factor analysis did not support a stable multidimensional structure, suggesting that the scale is more appropriately interpreted using a global score. Network analysis revealed a highly sparse configuration with selective conditional associations and two organizing nodes, indicating a policentric organization of the experience. Convergent validity was supported by a moderate-to-strong correlation with the NDE Scale (ρ = 0.62, p < 0.001). EPLEs appear to constitute complex and structured experiential configurations that may play a reparative role in relation to the loss and promote adaptive reorganization of the grieving process. The EPLE Scale provides a concise global measure for future research and clinical applications.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8020026

Authors: Alessandro De Santis Giusi Antonia Toto Martina Rossi Laura D’Amico Pierpaolo Limone

Emotional recognition relies on the integration of multiple affective cues. In everyday contexts, however, facial expressions, vocal prosody, and semantic content may convey incongruent emotional information, generating emotional conflict and increasing cognitive demands. The present study examined how multimodal emotional conflict affects emotion recognition during video viewing, focusing on short videos in which a single actor simultaneously conveyed incongruent emotional cues across facial, vocal, and semantic channels. Forty-seven undergraduate students completed a gaze-based response task in which, after each short video, they provided a single judgment of the overall emotion conveyed by the stimulus. The videos depicted either congruent or incongruent combinations of semantic content, facial expressions, and vocal prosody across six basic emotions and a neutral condition. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVAs and generalized linear mixed-effects models. Accuracy was consistently higher for congruent than incongruent stimuli across all domains, indicating a robust emotional interference effect. Critically, the magnitude of this effect differed by domain. Semantic content showed the largest performance reduction under incongruence, followed by facial expression and vocal prosody. Mixed-effects models confirmed these effects while accounting for participant- and item-level variability and revealed a significant Congruency × Domain interaction. In a gaze-based response task requiring a single overall emotion judgment, emotional conflict disrupted recognition in a domain-specific manner, with semantic information being particularly vulnerable to multimodal interference.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8020025

Authors: Slavka Demuthova Kristina Benova

Self-harm represents a significant mental health concern during adolescence and is associated with various psychological risk factors. The present exploratory probe examines the mediating role of perceived social support in the relationship between self-esteem and self-harm among adolescents. The sample consisted of 155 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years (M = 16.35, SD = 1.73). Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), self-harm was assessed using a modified version of the Self-Harm Inventory (SHI), and perceived social support was measured using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Data were analyzed using correlation analysis, linear regression, and mediation. More than half of the participants (53.5%) reported repeated engagement in self-harming behavior. Self-esteem was significantly negatively associated with self-harm (ρ = −0.508, p < 0.001) and explained approximately 22% of the variance in self-harm. Mediation analysis indicated that perceived social support partially mediated the relationship between self-esteem and self-harm. Lower self-esteem was associated with lower perceived social support, which in turn predicted higher levels of self-harm. The indirect effect was significant (B = −0.31, 95% BootCI (−0.63, −0.09)). These findings highlight the protective role of perceived social support and suggest that strengthening adolescents’ self-esteem and social support networks may contribute to the prevention of self-harm.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8020024

Authors: Tine Nielsen Laura Schou Jensen Line Toft Morten Pettersson

Do teacher education programs improve students’ confidence in their field practice teaching skills? Despite a growing interest in how student teachers’ practice self-efficacy (PSE) develops, we know little about the impact of the various components of teacher education programs on PSE. The present study examined whether the first year of teacher education, and particularly the field practice in schools which is directed at training and learning teacher practices, is associated with practice self-efficacy using a targeted measure of PSE for student teachers. Using independent sample t-tests and one-way analysis of variance with survey data from 338 students, we show that second-year students have higher PSE than first-year students on most PSE dimensions, with the largest differences being on the PSE dimensions of Planning and preparation, Teaching in itself, and Evaluation and development. In contrast, first-year students scored higher on Adult collaboration PSE. Further exploratory analyses showed that English majors had lower Planning and preparation and Teaching in itself PSE than other majors, whereas Mathematics majors had higher Adult collaboration PSE. We also conducted item analysis for the purpose of validating the PSE for both first- and second-year students. The findings advance our knowledge of differences in practice self-efficacy over the first year of teacher education.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8020023

Authors: Ryoichi Semba

Social support is generally assumed to buffer ego threat and reduce aggressive behavior in organizations. However, emerging research suggests that support may not always function as intended, particularly in contexts where support can also signal evaluation or control. Drawing on ego threat theory and a conceptualization of narcissism as a self-regulatory system, the present study examines when and for whom social support inhibits or facilitates workplace aggression. Specifically, the study investigates how perceived supervisor and organizational support moderate the relationships between ego threat and power harassment—a culturally institutionalized form of workplace aggression in Japan—and how the moderation effects differ across narcissistic self-regulatory strategies. Survey data of 600 Japanese employees were classified into distinct types reflecting narcissistic self-regulatory strategies, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted for each type. The results indicated that ego threat has no significant main effect on power harassment tendencies across any narcissistic type. However, among individuals characterized by superiority-based narcissistic strategies, a significant moderation effect emerged indicating that higher levels of perceived supervisor support amplified aggressive responses under ego threat. These findings challenge the universal assumption that social support is inherently protective and demonstrate that its effects depend on how support is interpreted within personal and cultural contexts.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010022

Authors: Alejandro Borrego-Ruiz Saulo Fernández

The emotional responses to bullying victimization are central to its impact on subsequent psychological consequences, but the role of specific emotions is insufficiently defined within a comprehensive framework. In order to enhance the understanding of the emotional experiences of bullying victims, the present review examines the role of self-conscious emotions (i.e., humiliation, shame, and guilt), the role of basic emotions (i.e., anger and fear), and various psychological consequences (e.g., anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation). A non-systematic, narrative approach was employed to synthesize the findings, with a total of 343 articles included in the review. Self-conscious emotions appear to be central to bullying victimization, with humiliation being particularly pivotal due to its link to internalized self-devaluation, perceived injustice, and attribution of cruelty to the perpetrator. In turn, anger and fear seem to constitute crucial basic emotions in response to bullying dynamics. Although anger may escalate aggression, it may also facilitate positive confrontational behaviors when properly channeled, whereas fear may contribute to avoidance and increased victimization if sustained. Adverse psychological consequences such as anxiety, depression, stress, low self-esteem, and suicidal ideation are prevalent among victims of bullying, potentially exacerbated in vulnerable groups. Future research should further explore the role of emotions in the context of bullying victimization, examining their impact on both mental health outcomes and behavioral patterns over time. Exploring how different emotional responses interact and influence each other within bullying dynamics could provide insights into effective intervention strategies, and a more comprehensive understanding of the sociocultural factors influencing emotional responses to bullying might help in customizing prevention and support measures across diverse contexts.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010021

Authors: Pål Arild Lagestad Marianne Granhus Bakken Arne Sørensen

The experience of being acknowledged by one’s coach has been highlighted as important, but the pedagogical approach of being seen has not been empirically explored within sport. The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which young Norwegian football players experienced being seen by their head coach in football, as well as to examine gender differences in these experiences with a previous validated questionnaire, originally developed for students within physical education, but adapted for football. Using a list of all teams participating in the Boys 19 league and the Girls 17 league in Trøndelag County, 7 boys’ teams and 9 girls’ teams were randomly selected. A total of 212 players (107 boys and 105 girls) responded to the questionnaire. Participants’ ages ranged from 15 to 19 years. The results showed that 83 percent of the boys and 87 percent of the girls agreed (slightly to strongly) that they experienced being seen by their head coach during training or football matches. There were no significant gender differences regarding this experience, nor in four of the five underlying factors contributing to being seen. However, a significant gender difference was found according to good dialogue, where girls scored higher than boys when rating their coaches. Finally, the results indicated that players perceived their coach as most competent in facilitating good dialogue, and least competent in involving players in assessment and goal setting, and in creating opportunities for players to showcase themselves. Based on these results, coaches should actively create opportunities for dialogue before, during, and after training or matches, signaling openness through body language, tone, and availability so players feel comfortable initiating conversation. Coach education programs should emphasize communication strategies that promote psychological safety and belonging, including practical steps such as brief one-on-one conversations during warm-up or cool-down to help players feel seen without disrupting team flow. The gender difference in good dialogue highlights the importance of tailoring communication strategies to individual needs while ensuring that dialogue opportunities are accessible to all players.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010020

Authors: Daniel R. Greene Jonathan J. Ruiz-Ramie Andrew Craig-Jones Mervin Jijika

Advances in technology have reduced opportunities for daily physical activity; however, emerging technologies may also create novel pathways for promoting exercise engagement. Purpose: This study compares affective responses before, immediately after, and 20 min following traditional moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise on a treadmill (MICE) and virtual reality boxing (VRB). Methods: Twenty adults (N = 20) completed two counterbalanced 30 min exercise sessions consisting of a standardized warm-up, a 20 min exercise bout, and a cool-down performed during either MICE or VRB. Affective states, including energy, tiredness, tension, calmness, and state anxiety, were assessed before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 20 min post-exercise in each condition. Results: Energy increased, and tiredness decreased immediately following exercise in both conditions; however, energy remained elevated, and tiredness remained lower 20 min after VRB only. Calmness decreased immediately following exercise but returned to baseline after 20 min in both conditions. Tension increased immediately following VRB but returned to baseline after 20 min, whereas no changes were observed following MICE. State anxiety decreased 20 min after VRB (p = 0.027) but did not change following MICE. Conclusion: Both modalities acutely improved affect; however, VRB produced stronger and more sustained psychological benefits, suggesting immersive exercise may promote exercise adherence better.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010019

Authors: Holmes Finch Brian French Jason Immekus

Interrater reliability is a critical aspect of measurement quality, particularly in assessments that rely on subjective judgment. However, interrater reliability estimates vary, and such variability can introduce bias or reduce the accuracy of observed scores, especially when comparing across groups or conditions. Understanding and accounting for these differences is essential when interpreting reliability in applied settings such as education, psychology, and performance evaluation. This study addresses the need for more nuanced approaches to evaluating interrater reliability across groups. Specifically, in this study, we examine generalizability theory (GT) and structural equation modeling (SEM) that enable direct testing of differences in reliability coefficients across groups. A simulation study compared a proposed method grounded in GT and SEM to the W statistic for reliability coefficient comparisons. Results demonstrate that the proposed method consistently outperforms the W statistic in terms of both Type I error control and statistical power, particularly when sample sizes are moderate to large or when variance in rater agreement exists across groups. These findings underscore the importance of explicitly modeling differences in interrater reliability and provide researchers with a more robust tool for evaluating the consistency of ratings across diverse contexts and populations.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010018

Authors: Katerina Nerantzaki Georgia Stavropoulou Athena Daniilidou

The present study aimed to examine the inter-relationships among trait-, class-, and study-related boredom, as well as their associations with self-efficacy, self-regulation, critical thinking, academic performance, and engagement among university students. The sample comprised 250 undergraduate psychology students who completed self-report measures assessing academic boredom, critical thinking, self-regulation, academic engagement, and academic performance. Using path analysis, the study revealed that academic boredom was negatively correlated with self-regulation, critical thinking, and self-efficacy. The results further revealed that academic boredom was negatively associated with both academic engagement and performance. However, class-related boredom was negatively associated with engagement but not with performance, whereas study-related boredom was negatively associated with both academic performance and engagement. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing specific types of academic boredom in higher education, as each type appears to play a distinct role in shaping students’ academic experiences and outcomes. The study also highlights the need for interventions that promote self-regulation, critical thinking, and self-efficacy as protective factors to mitigate boredom and enhance academic success. Implications for future research and university policies are discussed.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010017

Authors: Anas Al-Fattal

The rapid rise in cryptocurrencies has created an investment environment marked by unprecedented levels of information volume, fragmentation, and volatility. While prior research has examined drivers of trust and adoption in crypto markets, far less is known about the psychological consequences of information overload on investor decision-making. This study addresses this gap through nineteen semi-structured interviews with individual cryptocurrency investors, analyzed using an inductive, manually conducted thematic approach. Findings reveal four interconnected dynamics: decision fatigue and paralysis, heuristic reliance on influencers and peers, emotional strain characterized by anxiety and fear of missing out (FOMO), and diverse coping strategies ranging from selective filtering to withdrawal. These results demonstrate that crypto investing is not only a financial process but also a cognitively and emotionally taxing experience. By linking investor narratives to broader theories of decision fatigue, bounded rationality, and consumer vulnerability, the study contributes to interdisciplinary debates in marketing, behavioral finance, and consumer psychology. Practically, the findings highlight the need for clearer communication strategies, supportive platform design, and financial education initiatives that help investors manage cognitive strain and decision fatigue. In a market where credibility is fluid and decisions are often made under conditions of overload, understanding the psychological dimensions of investment behavior is essential.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010016

Authors: James J. Annesi

Coaction theory suggests improvement in one health behavior carries over to advancements in other health behaviors. There is evidence of increased exercise leading to improved eating; however, data on its psychosocial mechanisms required to adequately inform behavioral weight-management interventions are lacking. Theory suggests that self-regulation, and the relationship of self-regulation to self-efficacy, promote such carry-over processes. Participants in a community-based obesity program who completed no/minimal weekly exercise at baseline were randomized by participating facility using computer-generated random numbers into 6-month treatments emphasizing either weight loss education (n = 39) or self-regulation/self-efficacy (SR/SE) methods (n = 90). Improvements in exercise outputs, exercise- and eating-related self-regulation and self-efficacy, negative mood, dietary behaviors, and weight were significant overall, and significantly greater in the SR/SE group. Carry-over of increased exercise to improved dietary behaviors was suggested. Paths from the treatment group to dietary changes at 6 and 12 months were significantly mediated by associations of changes in (a) exercise-related self-regulation leading to eating-related self-regulation, (b) exercise-related self-efficacy leading to eating-related self-efficacy, and (c) exercise leading to improved mood. Identified relationships between self-regulation and self-efficacy changes were particularly relevant in the dietary-change context. Weight losses over 6, 12, and 24 months, associated with exercise and dietary changes, were 2.2×–2.7× greater in the SR/SE group than in the weight loss education group (−6.0% vs. −2.6%; −5.6% vs. −2.5%; and −5.1% vs. −1.9%, respectively). Advantages of treatment foci on self-regulatory skills and self-efficacy over typical weight loss education were supported. Clarification of psychosocial mechanisms of the increased exercise → improved eating-behavior relationship, including effects of increased exercise on mood, informed continued advancements in theory-driven obesity treatments.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010015

Authors: Claire Adshead David Sheffield Dean Fido Lukasz Lagojda Ioannis Kyrou Harpal S. Randeva Sophie Williams Chris Kite

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine condition affecting 8–13% of reproductive-aged women globally. Psychological features of PCOS are often overlooked despite their association with mental health complications. This systematic review synthesises existing evidence of psychological interventions for women with PCOS. Database searches returned 4982 articles, of which 20 papers were eligible; 12 studies were meta-analysed. Compared to control, psychological interventions had statistically beneficial effects on change from baseline values for depression, PCOS-specific quality of life, general health, and body image. Significant improvements were found in all PCOS Questionnaire (PCOSQ) domains except acne, yet the importance of these differences in clinical practice was indeterminable. Despite statistical effects, the quality of evidence was judged as low/very-low due to between study heterogeneity, risk of bias, and imprecision in effect estimates. Future studies should focus on rigorously designed, well-reported trials, in order to address the uncertainty around the effectiveness of psychological interventions. The protocol of this systematic review was prospectively registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42023472417).

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010014

Authors: Fabio D’Antoni Claudio Lalla

(1) Background: Induced After-Death Communication (IADC) therapy is a brief intervention facilitating grief resolution through a perceived experience of communication with the deceased. Despite growing evidence of its efficacy, little is known about which individual characteristics may influence treatment responsiveness. (2) Methods: This pre–post study investigated psychological predictors of IADC outcomes in 73 bereaved adults. Standardized measures assessed grief severity, alexithymia, dissociation, attachment dimensions, and Big Five personality traits. Changes in grief-related distress and continuing bonds were analyzed using paired-sample t-tests and hierarchical regressions. (3) Results: IADC therapy produced substantial reductions in grief-related distress and enhanced continuing bonds. Dissociation, demographic variables, and most personality traits were unrelated to outcomes. Neuroticism showed a marginally negative association, whereas Openness predicted greater improvement. Alexithymia negatively predicted clinical gains, suggesting that limited emotional awareness may interfere with the therapeutic phase of abreaction and, in turn, limit access to the receptive state. Among attachment dimensions, only Need for Approval significantly predicted poorer outcomes, consistent with performance anxiety and self-evaluative control interfering with spontaneous mental processes. (4) Conclusions: IADC therapy appears highly effective across diverse individual profiles. Screening for alexithymia and Need for Approval may help identify these potential sources of therapeutic failure and be followed by targeted strategies aimed at counteracting their impact and mitigating their effects.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010013

Authors: Bénédicte Gendron

The present article explores how the development of inner resources can serve as a decisive lever to initiate and sustain individual, organizational, and societal transformations. (1) We first examine the concept of emotional capital, understood as the ability to mobilize emotional competencies defined by models of emotional intelligence, a capital that boosts other forms of capital and enables transformation. (2) We then link this to a capacitating approach, grounded in the work of Sen, which focuses on valuing and expanding human potential. (3) We will introduce the paradigm of bienvivance as an economic and social perspective that ensures a better way of co-vivance, a bienvivance economy; a societal model which proposes to reorient our systems toward a collective dynamic of vitality and meaning, shared living, sustainability, and regeneration. Taken together, these three dimensions pave the way for transformations that connect inner growth with outer change, across educational, organizational, and societal practices. In this article, (4) we will illustrate such a bienvivance approach focused on capacitating pedagogy and emotional capital development via collaborative learning and co-construction of competencies’ student portfolio exercises, as an intrinsic part of development of learners’ lifelong competencies and a lever of potentials’ unlocking, and recognition’s decolonization.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010012

Authors: Liselotte Visser Johan Lataster Ron Pat-El Jacques Van Lankveld Nele Jacobs

Self-esteem and attachment are core constructs in adult relational functioning, yet their interrelations across levels of cognitive processing have remained understudied. This study investigated how explicit and implicit attachment styles relate to self-esteem in individuals seeking a romantic partner (N = 399) and in a partnered sample (N = 108). Participants completed explicit attachment and self-esteem scales, along with three single-target Implicit Association Tests (IATs) assessing implicit self-esteem and avoidant and anxious attachment styles. Regression analyses were conducted using explicit and implicit attachment as predictors of explicit and implicit self-esteem while controlling for covariates. In singles, explicit anxious attachment was negatively associated with explicit self-esteem, while implicit anxious attachment and implicit avoidant attachment were negatively associated with implicit self-esteem. No cross-level associations were found, supporting a parallel-level interpretation in which explicit and implicit variables relate primarily within, rather than across, processing levels. The same regression models applied to the partnered sample showed generally similar trends, although the associations observed in singles for explicit anxious and implicit avoidant attachment were not detected in the partnered group. The inclusion of implicit measures provides new insight into non-conscious relational insecurity, with both implicit anxious and avoidant attachment showing negative associations with implicit self-esteem.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010011

Authors: Gaetana di Biase Davide Giusino

Student employment is an increasingly common feature of higher education, yet psychological research on students who combine paid work and study remains conceptually and methodologically fragmented. This scoping review mapped the extent, range, and nature of empirical evidence on working students’ psychological experiences, summarized key psychosocial correlates, and identified gaps for future research. Consistent with PRISMA-ScR guidance, we searched EBSCOhost, Scopus, and Web of Science using tailored Boolean title-field strategies without year limits, screened records against eligibility criteria, and charted and thematically synthesized extracted data. Forty-two peer-reviewed English-language studies were included. Evidence clustered into six recurrent domains, such as work–study interface processes, resources and supports, health, stress and recovery, academic engagement and performance, career development and employability, and identity and social relations. The literature was predominantly quantitative and cross-sectional, with comparatively few intervention studies. Findings suggest that psychological outcomes are frequently examined through, and may be more closely contingent on, the quality of the work–study interface and contextual supports than on employment intensity alone, highlighting the potential value of interventions and institutional/employer practices that enhance role fit, flexibility, and supportive climates, alongside more longitudinal and multi-level research.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010010

Authors: Irene Díaz-Portales Patricia Catalá Sergio Jesús González Castilla José San Martín López María Zapata-Cáceres Cecilia Peñacoba Puente

This study examines changes associated with a guided introspective intervention in self-reflection, introspection, and motivational competences among future teachers. Conducted within a Master’s course in Teacher Training, the ten-session program employed the “Casa Vital” framework, a metaphorical and visual model representing personal and professional development through structured introspective exercises. Eighty-two participants completed the Self-Reflection and Insight Scale (SRIS-SF) and selected subscales of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) in a pre–post quasi-experimental design. Findings reveal significant increases in introspection, intrinsic goal orientation, control of learning beliefs, and self-efficacy for learning and performance (small–moderate effects), while self-reflection, extrinsic goal orientation and task value remained stable. These results suggest that guided introspection enhances motivational competences by promoting self-awareness, value clarification, and alignment of personal and professional goals. The intervention also seems to support autonomy-oriented engagement and purpose-driven decision-making, contributing to the development of reflective and resilient educators. Integrating structured introspective practices into teacher education may strengthen professional identity, psychological flexibility, and internal-driven motivation. The study underscores the practical potential of reflective frameworks such as Casa Vital to foster meaningful, self-determined, and adaptive teaching practices, offering an accessible and scalable approach for enhancing teacher preparation programs. Within the limits of a single-group pre–post design, these findings provide descriptive, theory-consistent indications that introspection may be associated with the cultivation of purposeful, motivated, and competent educators.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010009

Authors: Paul Mansell Katie Clark Jordan Brookes Jason Wright Samuel Westley Katherine Sparks Matthew Slater

This study aimed to investigate whether a multimodal cognitive behavioural intervention could enhance academy athletes’ stress mindset, self-compassion, and performance, as well as reduce irrational beliefs and symptoms of anxiety and depression. We delivered 6 × 1 h group workshops at five different football (n = 4) and rugby (n = 1) academies in the United Kingdom. We hypothesised that there would be increases in stress mindset, self-compassion, and perceived performance coupled with decreases in irrational beliefs, anxiety, and depressive symptoms as a result of the intervention, and that such changes would remain evident one month later. Sixty-seven participants (n = 59 males, n = 8 females, Mage = 17.03 years, SD = 2.55) completed assessment at baseline, post-intervention, and at a follow-up. Through paired-sample t-tests, our results demonstrated support for the hypotheses with principally small effect sizes. Findings offer support for the use of a multimodal cognitive behavioural programme in academy athletes.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010008

Authors: Alexander Robitzsch

Sum scores are widely used in the social sciences, yet their appropriateness remains a topic of considerable debate in the psychometric literature. A recent article by Raykov and Zhang (2025, Struct. Equ. Model.) has cautioned against employing sum scores as predictor variables in subsequent analyses, as this practice may lead to biased estimates of regression coefficients. As an alternative, structural equation modeling (SEM) based on a unidimensional factor model—where the latent factor replaces the sum score—has been advocated. The present article argues that reliability adjustments can also be implemented without resorting to SEM, using reliability-corrected regression models designed for measurement error correction. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the SEM approach becomes inferior to measurement error correction methods when the assumption of a unidimensional measurement model is violated or when design-based reliability indices, such as Cronbach’s alpha, are preferred over model-based alternatives like McDonald’s omega. The article concludes that a fully integrated SEM approach, combining both measurement and structural components, is advantageous over measurement error correction approaches with reliability adjustment only under specific and limited conditions.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010007

Authors: Stace Kent Peter J. Jordan Ashlea C. Troth

This article sets out to investigate how individuals process their experiences of covert aggression in their workplace. Covert aggression is operationalized within this article as behaviors that are subversive, mal-intended behaviors which attempt to undermine an individual’s confidence within the social milieu of their workplace and their capabilities and knowledge within the context of their job role. Using the critical incident technique embedded in a semi-structured interview format, the findings pointed to the targets of covert aggression undergoing a process of realizing they are experiencing covert aggression, sensemaking of why this is happening to them, self-monitoring their behaviors and responses around the aggressor, and creating scripts as a way to manage their working relationship with their aggressor. This cognitive process that we unveil in this article establishes a baseline for further investigations into the experiences of being targeted by covert aggression.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010006

Authors: Aurélie Simoës-Perlant Sarah Benintendi-Medjaoued Camille Gramaje

Emotions are known to influence cognitive processes, yet the nature of this influence remains debated, particularly during childhood. According to the emotional congruence model, information congruent with an individual’s affective state is processed more efficiently than incongruent information. While this effect has been widely studied in adults, evidence in children is still limited. The present research investigates the influence of emotional congruence on selective attention in typically developing children from preschool to fifth grade, using a dual emotional induction paradigm based on music and color. In Study 1, classical music excerpts were used to induce pleasant or unpleasant emotional states and to validate the effectiveness of musical induction across age groups. In Study 2, this musical induction was combined with emotionally valenced color cues (yellow vs. gray) embedded in a visual search task to examine their impact on attentional performance. Results from Study 1 confirmed that music effectively modulated children’s emotional valence, although this effect was weaker in younger participants. In Study 2, attentional performance improved significantly when the task was presented on a yellow background, regardless of the valence of the previously induced musical emotion. No robust emotional congruence effect between music and color was observed, although performance was highest in the joyful music–yellow color condition. Overall, these findings suggest that perceptual emotional cues embedded in the task context, particularly positive color cues, exert a stronger and more persistent influence on children’s selective attention than transient affective states induced by music. This study contributes to developmental models of emotion–cognition interaction by highlighting asymmetrical valence effects and the predominant role of perceptual emotional signals in childhood attention.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010005

Authors: Emily Bosk Alicia Mendez Tareq Hardan Abigail Williams-Butler Thomas Mackie Michael MacKenzie

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010004

Authors: Chrysi Mouatsou Katerina Koutra

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010003

Authors: Stefanos Balaskas Ioanna Yfantidou

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010002

Authors: Xiao Yang Fang Fang Angela Ximena Babb

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint8010001

Authors: Mylène Cheng Tatiana Aboulafia-Brakha Albert Buchard Raya Boyanova Anastasova Lea Girani Anna Breitenmoser Sylvie Alaux Cedric Mabilais Caroline Amberger Federico Seragnoli Leonice Furtado Gabriel Thorens Daniele Zullino Louise Penzenstadler

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040103

Authors: Keisuke Kokubun

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040102

Authors: Roberta Matković Josipa Glavaš

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040101

Authors: Knut Skjesol Svein Olav Ulstad Arne Sørensen Pål Lagestad

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040100

Authors: Hannah Foote Audrey Bowen Sarah Cotterill Emma Patchwood

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040099

Authors: Olga Gavriilidou Stefanos Gritzalis

Missing Acknowledgments [...]

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040098

Authors: Guilherme Welter Wendt Bianca Ribeiro Pinno Paula Andrea Rauber Suzaki Iara do Nascimento Teixeira Washington Allysson Dantas Silva Felipe Alckmin-Carvalho Emerson Do Bú

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040097

Authors: Eirini Karakasidou Athina Komninou

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040096

Authors: Georgia Karakitsiou Spyridon Plakias Anna Tsiakiri Katerina Kedraka

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040095

Authors: Eirini Karakasidou Georgia Raftopoulou Christiana Koundourou

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040094

Authors: Ashley Humphrey Felipe Barahona Eden Bretherton Pushpinder Singh Margaret L. Kern

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040093

Authors: Krystina R. Hart Monique K. Swaby Austine Oniya Ebele Okoye Nwanne Onumah Diamond Bowens Elizabeth Jones

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040092

Authors: Angelos Gkontelos Konstantinos Mastrothanasis

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040091

Authors: Athena Daniilidou Katerina Nerantzaki

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040090

Authors: Graham Pluck Pavida Kittikamron Antonio Cerone María Sol Garcés

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

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040088

Authors: Tarid Wongvorachan Okan Bulut

Construct-irrelevant variance (CIV), defined as excessive variance that is unrelated to the intended construct, poses a significant threat to the validity of test interpretations and applications. CIV can arise from two notable sources: construct-irrelevant items, which include items with content unrelated to the construct being measured, and redundant items, which repeat information already captured by other items, leading to individual fatigue and inflated reliability estimates. This study explores the detection of CIV using network psychometrics in comparison with traditional psychometrics methods. The study utilizes the HEXACO-PI dataset, focusing on six personality dimensions, and applies network psychometrics techniques such as Exploratory Graph Analysis and Unique Variable Analysis. These techniques are compared against traditional methods, such as reliability and factor analysis, to assess their effectiveness in identifying CIV items. Results highlight the potential of network psychometrics as a complementary approach for enhancing the structural integrity of psychological instruments, with 89% agreement in the number of identified CIV items. This comparison provides insights into alternative methods for improving psychological instruments, with implications for the future of psychometric evaluation.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040089

Authors: Montana Taylor Pamela Pensini

Zero-sum beliefs about human–nature relations represent a relatively understudied psychological construct that can shape prosocial behaviours directed toward both the natural environment and humans. Yet, little is known about the individual difference factors that contribute to these beliefs. This study investigates whether Need for Cognition, Tolerance of Ambiguity, and Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) predict zero-sum beliefs about the human–nature relationship (ZSB-NH). A cross-sectional, online survey (N = 355 Australians, MAge = 52.77) assessed Need for Cognition, Tolerance of Ambiguity, SDO, and ZSB-NH, with hierarchical multiple regression revealing that together, Need for Cognition, Tolerance of Ambiguity, and SDO explained 29.9% of the variance in ZSB-NH. However, only SDO, and specifically SDO-Anti-Egalitarianism, significantly predicted ZSB-NH, with a positive and large effect. Need for Cognition and Tolerance of Ambiguity were not significant predictors of ZSB-NH, despite significant negative correlations with ZSB-NH, highlighting the importance of multivariate research to reveal the true effects of these predictors. The findings contribute to the limited research on ZSB-NH, suggesting that interventions should target hierarchical attitudes to influence zero-sum beliefs about the human relationship with nature.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040087

Authors: Maria Dimopoulou Aliki Dimopoulou Olga Gortzi

In a world increasingly characterized by rises in anxiety, depression, mood disorders and cognitive decline, our mental well-being often depends not only on our environment, but also on our food. In this systematic review, 25 clinical nutritional trials analyzed the relationship between dietary patterns and mental health across the lifespan. The PubMed-Medline, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant articles from 2013 published up to June 2025 and included studies with a minimum 3-month follow-up and a minimum of 50 participants. The results showed that, in most studies, the Mediterranean diet reduces depressive symptoms by 32–45%. It works because it is rich in polyphenols, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber; lowers systemic inflammation; promotes gut diversity; and improves dopamine and serotonin modulation. On the other hand, five studies have shown that the MIND Diet (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) (with daily leafy greens, berries at least twice a week, whole grains, legumes, olive oil and nuts) and a whole-food plant-based diet lower C-reactive protein and improve mood in patients with chronic stress and fatigue. Plants provide antioxidants and phytochemicals that neutralize oxidative stress in neurons. This report emphasizes the need to promote well-being and increase public demand for food that also improves quality of life and mental health.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040086

Authors: Nuša Lampe Florin Daniel Lascau Husnija Kajmović Maja Meško

This study examines job performance among judo referees through the lens of personality traits during World Judo Tour events from 2018 to 2022. Sixty-three referees completed an online questionnaire including the Big Five Inventory (BFI) and the Conditions for Work Effectiveness Questionnaire (CWEQ-II). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM). The measurement model showed acceptable validity and reliability, confirming the structural model. Support and resources emerged as the most influential factors affecting job satisfaction (JAS) and organizational role satisfaction (ORS). Incorporating refereeing experience at major events into the model indicated only partial model fit. Findings highlight the role of structural empowerment in mitigating job dissatisfaction among referees. Future research with larger samples should further strengthen the understanding of the relationship between personality traits, empowerment, and job performance.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040085

Authors: Kerem Kemal Soylemez Joanne Lusher Marina Rachitskiy

The aim of this study was to fill in the gap in the existing literature when it comes to investigating stigma towards naturism and the individuals who engage in it by creating a psychometric instrument that considers both the experiences of naturists and the beliefs of non-naturists. This quantitative study was cross-sectional in its nature. For the first part of the study, a total of 151 participants participated. After data cleaning, the final sample size was 126. The participants were aged between 18 and 69. The participants were asked to report their gender, sexual orientation, and previous engagement in naturist activities. For the second part of the study, 347 participants completed the survey. The participants in this section were aged between 20 and 76 years old. An explorative principal axis factor analysis was conducted on the 34 items of the developed beliefs about naturists scale (BANS). The analysis indicated that the items loaded onto three factors, with a total of 46.686% of the variance explained, which broadly related to the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour components of stigma. The first validation indicated that the BANS should be reduced to 29 items. The attitudes factor consisted of 13 items; the beliefs factor consisted of 10 items; and the behaviours factor consisted of six items. A further quantitative study was then carried out to re-evaluate the construct validity of the improved scale and to explore its concurrent validity. The revalidation of the BANS aimed to evaluate the concurrent validity, construct validity, and reliability of the scale. The correlation analysis indicated that the BANS has a high concurrent validity, as it was highly correlated with similar theoretical concepts and empirical predictors of stigma. Although more research is necessary to further evaluate the predictive validity, as well as the validity and reliability across different populations, this preliminary validation suggests a good concurrent and convergent validity, making this the most valid scale in existence to date when it comes to exploring the relationship between stigma and naturism.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040084

Authors: Xinya Liang Chunhua Cao Ji Li Ejike J. Edeh Jiaying Chen Wen-Juo Lo

Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) allows items to cross-load on nontarget factors and provides flexibility in modeling multidimensional survey data. However, this flexibility comes at the cost of increased model complexity due to the estimation of a significantly greater number of parameters than conventional SEM. This study systematically evaluated the model fit indices in ESEM through a Monte Carlo simulation. Design factors included model complexity,atent factor correlations, magnitudes and percentages of major cross-loadings, and sample sizes. Results showed that both the number ofatent factors m and the item–factor ratio p/m had distinct impacts on rejection rates, particularly in underspecified models. Among the fit measures, χ2 tests and Mc demonstrated high power for detecting misspecification while, in general, elevating false positives. CFI and TLI provided a more balanced trade-off between false- and true-positive rates. When evaluating ESEM, it is important to consider multiple fit indices and justify the cutoff criteria across models with different factor structures.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040083

Authors: Shu Xu Micahel F. Lorber Richard E. Heyman Amy M. Smith Slep

Prior work established the presence of six crosscutting patterns of clinically significant family maltreatment (FM) and psychological health (PH) problems among active-duty service members. Here, we develop a brief screener for these patterns via Classification and Regression Trees (CART) analyses using a sample of active-duty members of the United States Air Force. CART is a predictive algorithm used in machine learning. It balances prediction accuracy and model parsimony to identify an optimal set of predictors and identifies the thresholds on those predictors in relation to a discrete condition of interest (e.g., diagnosis of pathology). A 22-item screener predicted membership in five of the six classes (sensitivities and specificities > 0.96; positive and negative predictive values > 0.90). However, for service members at extremely high risk of clinically significant externalizing behavior, sensitivity and positive predictive values were much lower. The resulting 22-item brief screener can facilitate feasible, cost-effective detection of five of the six identified FM and PH problem patterns with a small number of items. The sixth pattern can be predicted far better than chance. Researchers and policymakers can use this tool to guide prevention efforts for FM and PH problems in service members.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040082

Authors: Sidonio Serpa

In recent years, the science of sustainability has evolved in alignment with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which aims to achieve a more just and sustainable world across various domains, including the environment, economy, society, and health and well-being. The International Olympic Committee has also established sustainability guidelines related to Olympic sports and athletes’ mental health. Additionally, the sustainability of sports training has already been explored, and the psychology of sustainability has generated a significant body of literature. This cultural and scientific movement has led to the emergence of the concept of psychological sustainability in elite sport, which can be defined as athletes’ capacity to maintain mental well-being, cognitive functioning, emotional resilience, and adaptive performance over time, particularly in response to environmental, social, training, and competitive stressors. This article revisits the existing literature to explore the connections between sustainability and elite sport psychology, resulting in the development of a model of psychological sustainability in sports training. This model aims to balance training procedures in a way that enhances athletic performance while safeguarding athletes’ mental health. Within this framework, an approach to psychological preparation for the Olympic Games is discussed, taking into account its various preparatory phases.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040081

Authors: Chan Hsiao Luo Lu

This study is guided by the pivotal yet underexplored question, “How does the resilience developed through the motherhood experience, particularly within the mother/child relationship, translate into a mother’s approach to her relationships with followers in a professional context?” This study delves into the impact of resilience fostered through motherhood on leadership styles, especially in professional interactions with subordinates. Adopting the grounded theory methodology, we collected qualitative data through in-depth interviews with 28 female leaders, each a mother of at least one child. We followed a grounded theory analytic procedure to systematically organize data and examine the intricacies of maternal leadership and its process-oriented resilience development. Our research uncovers a three-stage resilience-strengthening process among maternal leaders. The three stages involve the emergence of challenges, followed by the development of transformative resilience, culminating in the significant impact on inclusive leadership styles and the evolution of leader–follower relationships. This study contributes to the academic discourse in three key ways. First, it offers unique insights into how the challenges and adversities inherent in motherhood can be transformative for leadership development. Second, by identifying and detailing a three-stage process of resilience development in maternal leaders, the research provides a nuanced understanding of how personal experiences influence professional leadership capabilities. Third, the study broadens the current discourse on inclusive leadership by incorporating the maternal perspective, a relatively underexplored area, particularly in the context of transformed leader/follower relationships.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7040080

Authors: Charlotte Fooks Oliver Niebuhr

This research compared the cognitive effects of two interventions postulated to induce well-being, concentration, and relaxation: vibroacoustic stimulation and guided mindfulness meditation. Electroencephalogram (EEG) biosignals were used to quantify results and were collated together with subjective first-person verbal accounts. Participants were divided into three groups: guided mindfulness meditation (Group1), vibroacoustic stimulation (Group2), and a no-stimuli control (Group3). EEG results show that vibroacoustic stimulation and guided mindfulness meditation have different cognitive effects. Vibroacoustic stimulation increased concentration and well-being during exposure, with increased relaxation found to be the main effect of meditation. Verbal accounts reinforce these findings. Effects were short-term; practical future implications for vibroacoustic stimulation are discussed.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030079

Authors: Olga Gavriilidou Stefanos Gritzalis

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) have redefined the dynamics of self-disclosure, enabling users to share personal information in curated and highly visible ways. Existing research often frames this practice through the “privacy paradox,” yet such models overlook the deeper psychological motivations behind online disclosure. Drawing on more than 150 peer-reviewed sources, this paper advances a conceptual distinction between identity and the Self, with emphasis on the expression of the “True Self” in digital contexts. The discussion, informed by psychological perspectives of the self, examines how SNSs facilitate authentic dimensions of identity rarely expressed offline due to fear of judgment. Integrating theoretical frameworks such as Construal Level Theory, perceived control, digital nudging, and social conformity (lemming effect), the review demonstrates that online disclosure reflects not only strategic behavior but also an intrinsic drive for authenticity and self-verification. SNSs thus emerge as spaces of both social performance and authentic self-expression.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030078

Authors: Alexios Brailas

This article examines the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into qualitative psychological research, focusing specifically on AI-assisted data analysis and its epistemological and ethical implications. While recent publications highlight AI’s potential to support analysis, such approaches risk undermining the reflexive, situated, and culturally sensitive foundations of qualitative inquiry. Drawing on relational and social constructionist epistemologies, as well as examining risks inherent in AI technologies, this work critiques the superficial outsourcing of analytical and interpretive processes to AI models. This trend reflects a broader tendency to regard AI as a neutral and objective research tool, rather than as an active participant whose outputs are shaped by, and in turn shape, the social, cultural, and technological contexts in which it operates. An alternative framework is proposed for integrating AI into qualitative inquiry, particularly in psychological research, where data are often sensitive, situated, and ethically complex. A list of best practices is also included and discussed. Key ethical concerns, such as data privacy, related algorithmic affordances, and the need for comprehensive informed consent, are examined. The article concludes with a call to nurture a qualitative research culture that embraces relational and reflective practices alongside a critical and informed use of AI in research.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030077

Authors: Georgios Polydoros Alexandros-Stamatios Antoniou Athanasios Drigas

The student–teacher relationship is widely acknowledged as a key factor influencing both academic achievement and emotional well-being. In Grade 12 mathematics, where academic demands and pressure are particularly high, the quality of this relationship can significantly affect students’ performance. This study investigates how students with different learning profiles perceive their relationship with their mathematics teacher and how this relationship correlates with their academic outcomes. Grounded in sociocultural perspectives on learning and psychological theories of motivation, the study explores dimensions such as closeness, support, and conflict. The sample included 120 Grade 12 students (aged 17–18) from seven state-funded high schools in Attica, Greece, evenly divided into two groups based on learning characteristics. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and official school records of mathematics achievement. Findings revealed clear and statistically significant differences between the groups. Students who reported more positive relational experiences also demonstrated higher academic achievement. Across the full sample, stronger relational bonds were associated with better academic performance, while conflict was linked to lower achievement. This study makes a novel contribution by offering a comparative perspective on how the student–teacher relationship functions in high-stakes mathematics education. The results underscore the importance of fostering supportive and inclusive classroom environments, and they highlight the need for targeted professional development to help teachers build effective relationships with diverse learners.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030076

Authors: Ana Alves Henrique Pereira Renata Della Torre

Background: Research shows that experiences of sexual violence and the use of substances hurt mental health, predisposing individuals to the development of psychological symptoms of somatization, depression, and anxiety. Objective: The main objective of this study is to assess substance use, sexual violence, and psychological symptoms (BSI-18) in a community sample of Portuguese college students. Participants: 459 college students aged 18 to 50 years participated in this study (mean = 21.55; SD = 3.15). Methods: A survey was created online and disseminated via mailing lists and social networks, and the measurement instruments used were an informed consent form, a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18), a Sexual Violence Questionnaire, and a Substance Use Questionnaire. Results: We found that men consume more substances, but women report more sexual victimization and psychological symptoms. Non-heterosexuals report significantly more sexual violence experiences and higher substance consumption and psychological symptoms than heterosexuals. Sexual victimization showed strong correlations with both substance use and psychological symptoms, while only some substances correlated with psychological symptoms. Age, gender, sexual orientation, sexual violence, and the substance “Hashish/Marijuana” were shown to be significant and strong predictors of psychological symptoms. Conclusions: As shown in previous studies, sexual and gender minorities are more at risk of experiencing sexual victimization and are more prone to consuming substances and developing psychological symptoms, except for men, who tend to consume more substances. Sexual violence and psychological symptoms are highly correlated, while the relation between substance use and psychological symptoms is not entirely clear. Our findings highlight the need for stronger educational and clinical interventions and increased mental health resources, with training on topics involving sexual violence, substance use, and addressing the specific challenges faced by minority groups, to create safer, inclusive, and more supportive Portuguese universities.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030075

Authors: Eftychia Ferentinou Ioannis Koutelekos Eleni Evangelou Afroditi Zartaloudi Maria Theodoratou Chrysoula Dafogianni

The Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue) is a tool that has been examined in a number of cultural and language variations in an effort to validate it across a range of demographics. The aim of this study is to test the robustness of the TEIQue-Child Short Form’s reliability and validity using a Greek-speaking sample. As a result, seven factors emerge from the analysis, explaining 52.4% of the variance in total. The first factor is named “emotional regulation”, the second factor is named “sociability”, and the third factor is named “positive mood”. The fifth factor is named “low impulsivity”, while the fourth, sixth, and seventh factors are named “lack of persistence”, “emotion perception”, and “adaptability”, respectively. The reliability indices of the factors “emotional regulation”, “sociability”, “positive mood”, “low impulsivity”, and “emotion perception” are all above 70, indicating acceptable reliability. The reliability indices of the factors “lack of persistence” and “adaptability” are almost at acceptable levels (α = 0.69). In conclusion, it seems that the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue) has undergone extensive validation across diverse linguistic and cultural populations, consistently demonstrating strong psychometric properties, and the TEIQue-CSF is a valid and reliable tool.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030074

Authors: Margaret E. Stone Pippa Chapman Urvi Khasnis David Collins

The aim of this scoping review was to identify the attributes that have led female leaders and coaches to be successful in high-performance (HP) sport and uncover what may be missing elements aiding women wishing to advance in HP sport. To date, most research has focused on addressing the shortage of women in sports from the organizational perspective. This study investigates the challenges, and coping skills women have encountered on an individual level. Drawing attention to the skills and experiences of women who have been successful in attaining and maintaining their role in HP sport has the potential to help others advance in the field. Abstract screening (n = 411) and full-text reviews (n = 25) resulted in the inclusion of 16 studies. Included studies were conducted in the UK, Canada, Australia, the USA, and Europe, giving this review broad worldwide scope. Several areas of interest were revealed during data analysis: the challenges these women face working in the male dominated world of sport, how they faced and overcame those challenges and have maintained their role in HP sport, and the connectivity that has been established as a support mechanism for women in a leadership role. Lastly, these women discussed competency and knowledge of the sport as an important aspect of their tenure. What is absent from the literature, and exemplified in these data, is a clearly defined pathway into HP sport for the competent and knowledgeable female leader. The specific steps she can take are yet to be defined.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030073

Authors: Anastasia Vatou

Teaching in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is a highly demanding profession, particularly in challenging educational contexts, such as Greece. This study aims to explore teacher resilience and examine its associations with self-efficacy and environmental chaos. Specifically, the study explores the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between teacher resilience and environmental chaos. Two hundred and six ECEC teachers from Greece were recruited via convenience sampling to participate in this study. The measures used were the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the Efficacy subscale of Teacher Subjective Wellbeing Questionnaire (TSWQ), and the Confusion, Hubbub, and Order Scale (CHAOS-D). The results of descriptive statistics showed that teachers’ levels of resilience were moderate to high. Correlational analyses revealed significant positive relationships between teacher resilience and self-efficacy, as well as significant negative relationships between both resilience and self-efficacy and a chaotic classroom atmosphere. The mediation analysis demonstrated that self-efficacy partially mediated the negative relationship between a chaotic atmosphere and teacher resilience. Taken together, the findings highlight the importance of mitigating environmental stressors and fostering robust self-efficacy beliefs in order to enhance the resilience and overall well-being of ECEC professionals.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030072

Authors: Stefanos Balaskas Ioanna Yfantidou Kyriakos Komis

Given the increasing prominence of sustainable tourism in light of climate change, this study investigates the sustainable tourist behavior of winter tourists through psychological and demographic factors in relation to climate change. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and a cognitive–affective combination of variables, we outline a structural equation model to investigate the direct and indirect effect of climate change awareness (CCA), environmental attitude (ATT), and perceived responsibility (PR) towards sustainable behavior (SB). Environmental concern (EC) and perceived behavioral control (PBC) are employed as mediators in a test. A total of 518 Greek winter tourists’ data were examined using SEM and multi-group analysis (MGA). It is indicated that CCA and PR directly predict SB with significant effects, and ATT’s influence is fully mediated. EC and PBC are used as significant psychological mediators, and PBC is indicated to possess a strong effect. MGA discloses significant gender, age, education, climate salience, and frequency of tourism behavior differences, provoking contextual differences that inform sustainability response. There is a theoretical contribution in the form of specification of dual roles played by cognitive control and emotional concern in determining sustainable tourism behavior. Practical implications inform the planning of interventions, particularly for policymakers, educators, and tourist managers. Future studies need to incorporate behavior information, examine causality, and carry out analysis to cultural and season levels.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030071

Authors: Rusi Jaspal Barbara Lopes

Breadcrumbing is a psychologically harmful dating behavior that involves sending non-committal signals to another person and periodically feigning interest in them, despite having no intention of taking the relationship forward. This is the first empirical study to examine the correlates of breadcrumbing experiences in the United Kingdom. A sample of 544 adults in the United Kingdom indicated their age, sex, sexual orientation, and relationship status and completed measures of social support and frequency of exposure to ghosting, gaslighting, and breadcrumbing. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that age and social support were negatively correlated with breadcrumbing, and that ghosting and gaslighting were positively associated with breadcrumbing. When ghosting and gaslighting were entered in the model as predictors, the effects of social support were no longer statistically significant. The findings suggest that there is a cumulative effect of exposure to victimization that can increase vulnerability to breadcrumbing and that, under these circumstances, social support may cease to operate as a protective factor. Coping may be impaired, heightening the risk of revictimization. Younger adults appear to be at higher risk of breadcrumbing.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030070

Authors: Sandra Silva Maria Manuela Martins Márcio Tavares

The experience of main informal caregivers during a loved one’s terminal phase and in the bereavement process involves significant emotional and physical challenges, affecting their adaptation after caregiving ends. These challenges highlight the need for support in transitioning to life post-caregiving. Health professionals play a crucial role in providing compassionate support, facilitating a dignified farewell, and connecting caregivers with bereavement support networks. To understand the experiences informal caregivers after the death of the individual they cared for, and their perspectives on nursing care, a combination of qualitative and quantitative studies was conducted based on Grounded Theory. The findings aimed to promote effective adaptive responses and multisectoral support, assisting in bereavement reorganization and improving caregivers’ health after their role concludes. A model emerged for end-of-life care and support for caregivers after their caregiving tasks end, framed within a systemic approach to healthcare. This model emphasizes the interconnectedness of the terminally ill person, their family, and the caregiver as stakeholders in care. Recognizing and supporting informal caregivers is essential to ensuring the quality of care provided during the caregiving process. Continuous support throughout the caregiving period and during the transition to post-care is vital for facilitating adaptation and recovery.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030069

Authors: Milen L. Radell

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and behavioral inhibition (BI) are personality traits associated with avoidance of the unfamiliar. Both are linked to anxiety and other disorders. However, most research on personality has relied on self-report, which may not correspond to actual behavior. An alternative is to observe behavior in computer-based tasks designed to assess personality. The current study sought to develop such a task, based on the conditioned place preference paradigm, which is sensitive to IU but not BI. Participants foraged for reward in a virtual environment consisting of multiple interconnected rooms. In the training phase, the rich room was paired with a higher number of wins than losses. The poor room was the opposite. In the test phase, participants could freely search any of the rooms, including a completely new room. Although most showed a strong initial preference for the new room, those with higher self-reported IU left this room faster, foraging there significantly less than those with lower IU. This preference also depended on information provided about the new room. There was a strong positive correlation between IU and BI; however, the latter was unrelated to behavior. Thus, the task captures a unique component of IU.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030068

Authors: Jaewon Lee Jennifer Allen

As the global population ages, older adults face growing psychological challenges such as loneliness, cognitive decline, and loss of social roles. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including chatbots and voice-based systems, offer new pathways to emotional support and mental stimulation. However, older adults often encounter significant barriers in accessing and effectively using AI tools. This review examines the current landscape of AI applications aimed at enhancing psychological well-being among older adults, identifies key challenges such as digital literacy and usability, and highlights design and training strategies to bridge the digital divide. Using socioemotional selectivity theory and technology acceptance models as guiding frameworks, we argue that AI—especially in the form of conversational agents—holds transformative potential in reducing isolation and promoting emotional resilience in aging populations. We conclude with recommendations for inclusive design, participatory development, and future interdisciplinary research.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030067

Authors: Jungyeong Heo Yaacov Petscher Insu Paek

In the original publication [...]

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030066

Authors: Claudio Lalla Fabio D’Antoni

Background: Induced after-death communication (IADC) experiences have been reported to share many phenomenological features with Near-Death Experiences (NDEs). This study aimed to empirically test the hypothesis that the majority of IADC experiences manifest a phenomenology that largely overlaps with that of NDEs. Methods: A cross-sectional observational design with retrospective data collection was employed. Fifty-nine participants (M = 56.25 years, SD = 10.18) who had previously undergone IADC therapy completed the Italian version of the Near-Death Experience (NDE) Scale. Descriptive analyses and repeated measures ANOVA were conducted to examine total scores and differences across subscales. Results: A total of 51 participants (86%) exceeded the established NDE threshold (≥7), with a mean total score of 14.69. The highest scores were observed on the Transcendental and Affective subscales, whereas the Paranormal subscale showed the lowest average scores. The Cognitive subscale exhibited intermediate values. Item-level analyses confirmed the high intensity of core NDE features, such as perceiving otherworldly environments, encountering deceased loved ones, and experiencing profound peace. Conclusions: This study provides the first empirical evidence of phenomenological overlap between IADC experiences and NDEs. These results shed light on the processes underlying the effectiveness of IADC therapy.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030065

Authors: Kulsum Patel Emma-Joy Holland Caroline Leigh Watkins Audrey Bowen Jessica Read Shirley Thomas Temitayo Roberts Catherine Elizabeth Lightbody

Background: Psychological problems post-stroke can negatively impact stroke survivors. Although general psychological services exist (e.g., NHS Talking Therapies), access remains limited, particularly for individuals with post-stroke communication and cognitive impairments. Stroke service staff report low confidence in managing psychological distress. This study is the first to explore the barriers and facilitators to implementing a novel intervention package comprising a cross-service care pathway and staff training to enhance post-stroke psychological provision. Methods: Staff from stroke and mental health services in four UK regions, recruited through purposive sampling to ensure diversity of services and professional roles, participated in semi-structured interviews or focus groups, guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), before and after implementation of the intervention package. Pre-implementation interviews/groups identified anticipated barriers and facilitators to implementation and training needs, informing the development of site-specific intervention packages; post-implementation interviews/groups explored experienced barriers, facilitators and perceptions of the intervention. Interviews underwent thematic analysis using the TDF. Results: Fifty-five staff participated pre-implementation and seventeen post-implementation, representing stroke (e.g., nurse, physiotherapist, consultant) and psychology (e.g., counsellor, psychological therapist) roles across acute, rehabilitation, community, and voluntary services. Challenges anticipated pre-implementation included: limited specialist post-stroke psychological support; low staff confidence; and fragmented service pathways. Post-implementation findings indicated increased staff knowledge and confidence, enhanced screening and referral processes, and stronger inter-service collaboration. Implementation success varied across sites (with some sites showing greater ownership and sustainability of the intervention) and across staff roles (with therapy staff more likely than nursing staff to have received training). Conclusions: Effective implementation of an intervention package to increase psychological provision post-stroke requires staff engagement at all levels across all services. Staff investment influenced ownership of the intervention package, beliefs about priorities and overall enhancement of service capability.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030064

Authors: Eleonora Cova Maria Luisa Farnese

Reflexivity is a metacognitive process traditionally applied to tasks and actions. Although emotions are a significant component of work life, the application of reflexivity to the emotional domain has received limited attention. This study addresses this gap by critically reviewing empirical evidence on reflexivity and emotions, aiming to understand this relationship and its outcomes in the workplace. A systematic literature review on Scopus and PsycINFO identified 722 records resulting in a final sample of 15 studies that met the PICO inclusion criteria and were included. These studies were analyzed according to recursively developed criteria. The findings showed that reflexivity affects emotions by considering them as the application domain; emotions, in turn, can trigger reflexivity. The outcomes of this relationship concern organizational learning and the workers’ role and identity. This relationship was more frequently investigated in high-emotion professional contexts and with a focus on specific professional roles. Due to the limited number of studies, the findings cannot be generalized. However, this study helps to define the role of reflexivity as a metacognitive competence applicable to emotions. Developing reflexivity within professional and organizational settings may help professionals regulate their own and others’ emotions by learning to detect, make sense of, and question critical emotional episodes.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030063

Authors: Rebecca Ciacchini Andrea Piarulli Bianca Bottai Graziella Orrù Angelo Gemignani Ciro Conversano

This study explored psychological distress and gender differences among couples diagnosed with unexplained infertility (UI) and undergoing evaluation for assisted reproductive treatment at the AOUP Santa Chiara Hospital in Pisa, Italy. A total of 21 heterosexual couples (N = 42) completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), Defeat Scale (DS), and Core-Fertility Quality of Life questionnaire (Core-FertiQol). Women reported significantly higher levels of anxiety and stress compared to men, as confirmed both by DASS-21 and PSS scores. No significant gender differences emerged either in depressive symptoms or defeat. In the Core-FertiQol, women scored higher in the Mind–Body component. Within-couple comparisons mirrored between-gender findings, with women showing higher distress. Despite elevated distress levels, women also demonstrated relatively preserved quality of life, possibly reflecting more adaptive coping strategies. The study provides preliminary support for the development of mindfulness-based interventions tailored to couples coping with UI. Further research with larger samples is needed to clarify gender-specific mechanisms and inform integrated psychological care in fertility settings.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030062

Authors: Charalambos Costeris Maria Petridou

Objective: This study aimed to examine whether perceived social support, appearance satisfaction, and self-esteem mediate the relationship between the type of dermatological condition and psychological distress among dermatological patients. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study utilizing self-report measures. The sample consisted of 108 dermatological patients aged 18 to 35 years. Participants were divided into two groups based on their diagnosis: Group A included 54 individuals with visible facial cystic acne, and Group B included 54 individuals with non-visible psoriasis or eczema. Assessments were conducted following their initial dermatological consultation and prior to the commencement of pharmacological treatment. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires including the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), the Multidimensional Body–Self Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Scale (MBSRQ–AS), the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL-40), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Results: Mediation analyses indicated that perceived social support and appearance satisfaction significantly mediated the relationship between dermatological group and psychological distress. Self-esteem did not emerge as a significant mediator. Conclusions: The findings suggest that differences in psychological distress among dermatological patients can be partially explained by their perceived social support and satisfaction with physical appearance. These psychosocial factors should be considered in the psychological assessment and treatment planning for individuals with dermatological conditions.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030061

Authors: Akhila Reddy Yadulla Guna Sekhar Sajja Santosh Reddy Addula Mohan Harish Maturi Geeta Sandeep Nadella Elyson De La Cruz Karthik Meduri Hari Gonaygunta

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a widely used non-invasive method for capturing brain activity, offering valuable insights into cognitive and emotional states relevant to mental health. With the growing complexity and volume of EEG data, machine learning (ML) techniques—particularly deep learning—have become integral in extracting meaningful patterns. While much of the current literature focuses on supervised learning methods that rely on labeled data, unsupervised learning offers an alternative approach capable of discovering hidden structures and novel biomarkers without requiring predefined labels. This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesize recent peer-reviewed research that applied unsupervised or self-supervised learning techniques to EEG data in the context of mental health monitoring, diagnosis, or analysis. A comprehensive search was conducted across six major databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar, covering literature from January 2018 to March 2025. Following PRISMA guidelines, predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to screen and assess the relevance and quality of studies. From 512 initial records, 403 unique articles were screened, and 20 underwent full-text review. Ultimately, no studies met all the inclusion criteria. Most were excluded for employing only supervised methods, being review articles, or focusing on non-mental-health applications. The absence of eligible studies highlights a significant gap in current research and emphasizes the need for future empirical work exploring unsupervised techniques in EEG-based mental health applications. Such efforts could pave the way for more scalable, label-free approaches to understanding brain dynamics in psychological conditions.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030060

Authors: Jordan S. H. Thomson Stephen C. Van Hedger

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been previously linked with improved cognition and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. Yet, traditional MBIs are lengthy and resource intensive. Brief and online MBIs represent a bridge into more extensive practice—but questions of whether these protocols improve cognition and affect remain. The present experiment used a randomized longitudinal design to assess the effects of a 31-day, 15 min daily mindfulness program compared to a podcast control on a battery of cognitive and self-report measures in a sample of university students. Results indicated that, over the course of the study, the MBI group found their intervention less challenging, more enjoyable, more relaxing, more engaging, and more useful compared to the podcast control group. MBI participants also increased in state and dispositional mindfulness and state metacognition following the intervention relative to the Podcast group. However, both groups scored comparably on all cognitive and affective post-intervention measures, with equivalence testing suggesting that the observed effect sizes in the present study were significantly smaller than in some previously reported effects. Taken together, the results suggest that while brief online MBIs can elicit near transfer to proximal domains (e.g., mindfulness, metacognition), more work is needed to make strong claims that these MBIs elicit far transfer to cognitive and affective domains.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030059

Authors: Tine Nielsen Morten Pettersson Line Toft

Developing a strong sense of self-efficacy is thought to be decisive for student teachers to help them prepare for challenges in the profession. However, while most recognize that confidence in teaching involves multiple and interrelated dimensions, we know little about the interplay between dimensions, hindering our understanding of how self-efficacy is nurtured and affected. This study examines how different self-efficacy dimensions relate, using a recently developed and targeted measure of Practice Self-Efficacy (PSE) for student teachers. With chain graph models, used on survey data from 405 first-year student teachers from a Danish University College, we find that most, but not all, PSE dimensions are related, with the strongest associations found among dimensions within the Teaching-related domain. Most PSE dimensions were not associated with student teachers’ background characteristics, except for Differentiation PSE and Teaching in itself PSE. Thus, teaching experience prior to teacher education was negatively associated with Differentiation PSE, whereas it was positively associated with Teaching in itself PSE and with differing strengths dependent on chosen teaching major. The results point to possible areas in teacher education where interventions may effectively enhance practice self-efficacy among first-year students.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030058

Authors: Katerina Koutra Georgios Mavroeides Sofia Triliva

Burnout and work-related stress are extensively studied among mental health professionals (MHPs) in countries around the world, but there is a paucity of research emanating from Greece’s hybrid healthcare system. In Greece, MHPs may encounter unique challenges with economic obstacles and in putting ongoing community-oriented mental healthcare policies into practice. This study aims, first, to assess the prevalence of burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction among Greek MHPs; and second, to examine the sociodemographic and work-related factors influencing these dimensions of professional quality of life. A total of 287 Greek MHPs (25.4% male, 74.6% female; M = 39.85 years, SD = 9.52) completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Professional Quality of Life Scale-5 (ProQOL-5). Sociodemographic and occupational data were also collected. Findings revealed that 11.8% of participants reported high emotional exhaustion, 19.9% high depersonalization, and 35.9% a high risk of reduced personal accomplishment. Almost half of the participants (48.8%) reported high levels of compassion satisfaction, suggesting that many MHPs continue to find fulfillment in their work. Notably, none of the participants reported high levels of compassion fatigue. Sociodemographic characteristics, such as gender, ethnicity, and marital status, as well as work-related factors, including employment sector, specialization, and years of experience, were related to MHPs’ professional quality of life. These results highlight the need for targeted strategies to address burnout and promote positive professional experiences among MHPs in Greece. Interventions should support well-being and enhance the rewarding aspects of mental health practice.

Psychology International doi: 10.3390/psycholint7030057

Authors: Fadi Sofi Anas Al-Fattal Ip-Shing Fan

Human Resource Information Systems (HRISs) have become integral to contemporary organizational life, yet their successful adoption remains uneven and poorly understood. Existing models often focus on cognitive or technical determinants, overlooking how emotional and social factors shape user behavior in real-world settings. This study explores HRIS adoption through a psychosocial lens, centering the experiences of business line managers, key users who are often excluded from HRIS design, training, and research. Drawing on 25 qualitative interviews across five large UK-based organizations, this paper identifies six emergent themes related to interpersonal trust, role identity, leadership influence, organizational culture, emotional resistance, and the gap between expected usefulness and daily utility. Findings reveal that approaches which account for user emotions, perceived role clarity, and social context offer a more complete understanding of HRIS adoption than those based solely on intention or usability. By highlighting the role of interpersonal dynamics and subjective experience, this study challenges dominant technology adoption models and contributes to more human-centered perspectives in HRIS research and practice. This paper concludes by offering theoretical implications and practical guidance for designing HRIS strategies that reflect the psychosocial realities of implementation across diverse organizational environments.