Search Results (190)

Background/Objectives Occupational burnout is a significant health concern among healthcare professionals, particularly among nurses working in anesthesiology and intensive care units who are exposed to high psychological workload. Previous studies indicate a relationship between burnout and deteriorating mental health; however, the role of individual burnout dimensions in shaping overall mental health remains insufficiently explored. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 842 nurses working in anesthesiology and intensive care units. Occupational burnout was assessed using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), while mental health was evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Sociodemographic variables and subjective assessment of work–life balance were also included. Statistical analyses comprised non-parametric tests, Spearman’s rank correlation, and multiple regression models. Results: The strongest correlations were observed between the exhaustion dimension and the overall GHQ-28 score (rS = 0.539; p < 0.001). Additionally, poorer work–life balance was associated with increased symptoms of mental health disorders (rS = 0.42; p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that gender, exhaustion, and work–life balance were significant predictors of mental health (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results indicate a significant relationship between occupational burnout and mental health in nurses working in anesthesiology and intensive care units. In particular, exhaustion and work–life balance were identified as important predictors of mental health outcomes. Full article

Background: Mental health problems often begin in adolescence, yet early detection and intervention remain limited. This study assesses the prevalence of psychological distress and its correlates among high-school students in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and explores whether specific symptom clusters of depression, anxiety and bipolar/mania can be identified using the General Health Questionnaire-30 (GHQ-30). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during the 2025–2026 academic year using stratified cluster sampling. A total of 535 students aged 15–18 years completed a questionnaire containing the validated Arabic GHQ-30 and demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle items. The GHQ-30 was scored with binary 0-0-1-1 scoring (cut-off ≥ 6) to define cases of psychological distress. Item clusters were used to screen for probable depression, anxiety and bipolar/mania. Descriptive statistics characterized the sample. Associations were examined using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression. Results: Overall, 70.5% of participants screened positive for psychological distress. The prevalences of probable depression, anxiety and bipolar/mania were 33.1%, 28.2% and 31.2%, respectively. In adjusted models, female gender, insufficient sleep, lack of physical activity and exposure to bullying were associated with increased odds of psychological distress; longer sleep was protective. History of mental health conditions was a strong predictor of probable depression, whereas medication use was protective. Older age and higher paternal education were protective for anxiety. Bullying was the most consistent predictor across all symptom clusters. Conclusions: Psychological distress is highly prevalent among Makkah high-school students. Key determinants include gender, sleep duration, lack of physical activity and bullying. Routine school-based mental health screening, sleep-hygiene education, anti-bullying initiatives and early referral pathways are warranted. Further research should examine and validate GHQ-30 item clusters for specific disorders. Full article

This study examined associations between problematic Internet use, video game addiction, physical activity, perceived physical fitness, and psychological distress in pre-service teachers. A cross-sectional survey was completed by 404 education students from the University of La Laguna using validated measures (CERI, Vela Test, IPAQ-short, IFIS, GHQ-28). Descriptive, correlational, group-comparison, and binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. The prevalence of video game addiction was low (4%), and problematic Internet use was rare (1%), although 25.3% showed moderate-risk Internet use. Within the small group of students with video game addiction, male students showed relatively higher risk scores; however, this was not significantly associated with physical or emotional well-being. Problematic Internet use was positively associated with psychological distress (r = 0.267, p < 0.001) and poorer physical health indicators. Perceived physical fitness was inversely associated with distress (r = −0.248, p < 0.001) and, together with problematic Internet use, emerged as the strongest predictors with clinically relevant distress (GHQ ≥ 13) in the logistic model. A focus group (n = 4) provided exploratory qualitative insights into participants’ perceptions of digital behaviours, particularly regarding perceived loss of control and its potential associations with academic, physical, and emotional well-being. Full article

Background/Aims: Resilience is a protective factor that helps nursing students manage the challenges of clinical education. However, the relationships between resilience, clinical internship satisfaction, and psychological well-being remain underexplored. To examine the associations between resilience, satisfaction with clinical internships, and psychological well-being among undergraduate nursing students across academic years and campuses. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted. A total of 302 undergraduate nursing students from four campuses of a northern Italian university completed three validated instruments: the 14-item Resilience Scale (RS-14), the Clinical Learning Quality Evaluation Index (CLEQI), and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Descriptive, correlational, and multiple regression analyses were performed. Results: Resilience was positively associated with clinical learning satisfaction and inversely associated with psychological distress. Regression models confirmed resilience as a significant predictor of both clinical satisfaction (p < 0.01) and psychological well-being (p < 0.05), adjusting for age and gender. Conclusions: Resilience plays a crucial role in improving both educational satisfaction and psychological outcomes in nursing students. Integrating resilience-building strategies into nursing curricula could enhance learning experiences and well-being. Full article

Background: Mental disorders are often associated with a high burden of physical comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular risk factors, which contribute to functional impairment. However, limited evidence exists regarding the multidimensional interaction between cardiovascular risk, cognitive function, and emotional symptoms in hospitalized psychiatric patients. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between cardiovascular risk and cognitive impairment and to characterize multidimensional health profiles through cluster analysis in hospitalized patients with mental disorders. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in Colombia (N = 50). Cardiovascular risk (Framingham score and anthropometry), cognitive performance (MoCA, DRS-2, FAB), emotional symptoms (BAI, BDI-II, Yesavage, GHQ-28), and functional status (Barthel, Lawton–Brody) were assessed. Hierarchical cluster analysis and Spearman correlations (rho) were used for data analysis. Results: Two distinct clusters were identified. Differentiation was primarily driven by emotional symptom severity and executive dysfunction rather than traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Cluster 2 represented a high-vulnerability profile, characterized by severe anxiety, depression, and significant cognitive impairment (MoCA: 10.3 +/− 5.1). Robust positive correlations were found between BDI-II and Yesavage (rho = 0.91; p < 0.001) and between MoCA and FAB (rho = 0.81; p < 0.001). Negative correlations confirmed that age (rho = −0.45) and depressive symptoms (rho = −0.32) significantly impacted functional independence (Lawton–Brody). Conclusions: In hospitalized psychiatric patients, multidimensional health profiles are defined by emotional burden and executive dysfunction rather than traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Identifying the high-risk Cluster 2 underscores the need for integrated, multidisciplinary care models that simultaneously address mental health, cognition, and functionality to improve clinical outcomes. Full article

Background: Burnout is a growing concern among medical doctors, particularly in high-pressure environments, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of burnout among physicians working in a large hospital in Southern Italy. Methods: This online cross-sectional survey evaluated burnout and emotional distress among physicians and trainees at Catania Hospital using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Data collection (July–August 2025) incorporated strict anonymity to mitigate social desirability bias. Statistical analyses, including chi-squared tests with Tukey adjustments and Pearson correlations, were stratified by sex and specialization area to identify significant psychological associations. Results: High levels of burnout were observed across all dimensions: 76.7% of respondents reported low personal gratification, 70.8% showed high depersonalization, and nearly 50% experienced high emotional exhaustion. Female physicians and recent graduates (after 2020) exhibited significantly lower levels of gratification and higher psychological distress. Service-area professionals reported lower emotional exhaustion, but also lower gratification compared to surgical specialties. Notably, otorhinolaryngology showed both the highest burnout risk and the highest gratification scores. Conclusions: Burnout is alarmingly prevalent among Italian medical doctors, and there is significant variation across sexes, graduation cohorts, and medical specialties. Despite the high burnout levels identified, the cross-sectional design and non-probability sampling necessitate a cautious interpretation of these findings. Future longitudinal research involving larger, more representative cohorts is essential to validate these results and inform targeted institutional interventions. Full article

Work-related stress is one of the most important health problems arising from the interaction between workers and the psychosocial conditions of their work environment. One of its most common physical consequences is musculoskeletal pain, especially in the back and neck. This study analyzes the effectiveness of an intervention program combining Global Postural Re-Education and Virtual Reality techniques to improve psychosocial working conditions and overall mental health. A quasi-experimental design was implemented with four independent groups: virtual reality alone, postural re-education with a hammock-type device, a combination of virtual reality and postural re-education, and rest break with music (placebo). The CarMen-Q questionnaire was used to assess psychosocial work factors, while the GHQ-28 was administered to evaluate general mental health. Forty-four participants completed ten intervention sessions over two consecutive weeks. The results showed a significant overall improvement in perceived work conditions and mental health after participation. The combined VR + RPG condition produced the greatest reduction in emotional demands and performance pressure, whereas the simple rest condition yielded the greatest improvement in psychological well-being. These findings suggest that brief interventions integrating physical and cognitive relaxation components can effectively reduce work-related stress and promote occupational well-being. Full article

Background: Prehospital emergency professionals are exposed to high psychosocial demands that may impact their mental health, but pre-COVID-19 baseline data from Spanish services are scarce. This study aimed to assess the general health and psychosocial risk factors in a regional prehospital emergency service before the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study (September–December 2019) including 51 physicians, nurses, and emergency medical technicians working at the 061 Health Emergency Center in Granada (Andalusia, Spain). General health and chronic problems were assessed with the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28/CGHQ-28), and work-related psychosocial risks were evaluated using the COPSOQ-ISTAS21 questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, group comparisons, and exploratory Spearman correlations between health indicators and psychosocial dimensions were performed. Results: Most participants reported good self-perceived general health, but the chronic coding of the GHQ (CGHQ-28) indicated long-term difficulties mainly related to social dysfunction, somatic symptoms, and anxiety/insomnia. Exposure to unfavorable psychosocial risk was frequent, particularly in psychological demands, double presence (work–family conflict), and low esteem, with intermediate–unfavorable patterns in active job/development, insecurity, and social support/leadership. Exploratory correlations suggested that double presence was the psychosocial factor most consistently associated with chronic distress. Conclusions: In this pre-COVID-19 cohort of prehospital emergency professionals, good perceived general health coexisted with chronic psychological strain and high exposure to adverse psychosocial work factors. These findings support the need for organizational measures to reduce psychological demands and work–family conflict and to strengthen social support and leadership in prehospital emergency teams. Full article

Background: An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is one of the most psychologically demanding injuries in professional sport. This study aimed to describe a structured psychological intervention conducted during the rehabilitation process following an ACL rupture in a professional female futsal player. Methods: A single-case longitudinal design was implemented with three phases (pre-test, intervention, post-test) across a 12-month rehabilitation period. Psychological assessment was conducted at four key points: initial evaluation, rehabilitation follow-up, medical discharge, and three- and six-month follow-ups. The battery included perfectionism (FMPS), anxiety (STAI), depression (BDI-II), mental health indicators (DASS-21, GHQ-12), sleep quality (PSQI), pain perception and catastrophizing (VAS, PCS), mood states (POMS), psychological readiness for return to play (PRIA-RS), and perceived intervention effectiveness. The program consisted of 15 individual sessions plus a follow-up, combining cognitive–behavioral therapy principles, mindfulness-based techniques (relaxation, body scan, visualization), cognitive restructuring, sleep hygiene, goal setting, problem-solving, and emotional expression strategies. Results: Progressive and sustained improvements were observed in mood states and pain catastrophizing, along with enhanced sleep quality, psychological readiness, and reintegration into competition. Improved overall mental health indicators were also observed, supporting adherence to rehabilitation and return-to-play confidence. Conclusions: This case highlights the relevance of structured psychological intervention as an integral component of injury rehabilitation in professional athletes with ACL rupture, supporting its inclusion in multidisciplinary care and future research to optimize recovery and prevent maladaptive outcomes. Full article

Despite the censorship imposed by the GHQ in postwar Japan, the period saw the launch of numerous fetish magazines featuring explicit sexual expression. These magazines sometimes complied with the censorship of sexual expression and sexual norms and resisted it at other times. This niche print culture enabled the emergence of Japanese gay magazines like Sabu (1974–2002), the primary focus of this paper. Although previous studies have described Sabu primarily as a hardcore SM magazine, this paper argues that it also functioned as a space for articulating gay identities and resisting social discrimination. Through a close analysis of the magazine’s reader correspondence sections, the study demonstrates how Sabu emphasized personal acts of coming out and expressions of solidarity in response to the AIDS epidemic. Furthermore, it shows that Sabu sought to diversify stereotypical representations of gay men by attempting a crossover with the male–male romances created by and for women. By examining Sabu as a case study, this paper re-evaluates the magazine’s place in the history of Japanese gay magazines and explores how such publication employed erotic representations as a medium for the articulation and strengthening of minority identities. Full article

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) face severe physical, emotional, and social challenges due to conflict, climate change, and other crises. Ethiopia has the highest number of IDPs in Africa, primarily due to ethnic conflicts and climate-related disasters, placing them at a high risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychological distress (anxiety, emotional well-being, and depression, referred to as mental health (MH)). This study examines PTSD’s direct predictive role on IDPs’ (MH) in Debre Berhan Town, Ethiopia, the mediating role of psychological capital (PsyCap), and the moderating role of perceived social support (PSS). It also explores the interaction between PSS and PsyCap in the PTSD and MH relationship. A sample of 273 IDPs (129 females, 144 males) was selected using simple random sampling from a total population of 19,349 IDPs. Data were collected using validated instruments, including the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C), PsyCap, PSS, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). A structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis revealed that PTSD significantly and negatively predicts the MH of IDPs. Additionally, PsyCap positively influences their mental well-being and partially mediates the relationship between PTSD and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, PSS moderates the PTSD and MH relationship, reducing its negative impact. The finding concludes that despite PTSD directly predicting the MH of IDPs, PsyCap helps mitigate these effects. Key components of PsyCap, including hope, resilience, self-efficacy, and optimism, buffer the adverse effects of PTSD on MH. IDPs with stronger psychological resources are less likely to experience psychological distress. PSS further weakens PTSD’s negative impact, as individuals with higher PSS are less likely to suffer from trauma-related distress or depression after displacement. This study highlights the importance of PsyCap in enhancing the mental well-being of IDPs. Future research should expand on these findings and explore the integration of PsyCap-based interventions into IDP mental health programs. Strengthening social support can also provide vital support in helping IDPs cope with trauma and improve their overall psychological health. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aims to investigate the association between health literacy (HL) and stress among family caregivers of older adults with dementia. Methods: Older adults and their caregivers were recruited from the geriatric outpatient memory clinic of an Italian hospital. Caregiver stress was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire-12 items (GHQ-12). HL was measured using the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) and the Short Form of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA). Results: A total of 170 (71% females) caregivers, including spouses and offspring, were included in the analysis. According to the NVS, 53% demonstrated adequate HL, while 83% achieved adequate scores on the S-TOFHLA. The median GHQ-12 score was 15, with 48% presenting a score above 14, indicating higher stress levels; women reported significantly higher GHQ-12 scores than men. In a multivariate linear regression analysis adjusted for sex, education, and number of care tasks provided, the S-TOFHLA score showed a borderline association with the GHQ-12 score (B = −1.45; p = 0.064). When characteristics of the care-recipient were added to the model, the S-TOFHLA score emerged as an independent predictor of the GHQ-12 score (B = −1.41; p = 0.048), along with female caregiver sex and behavioral and psychological symptoms in the care-recipients. Exploratory analysis suggested that the association between HL and stress was present among male but not female caregivers. Conclusions: HL was associated with psychological stress in caregivers of older adults with dementia, with the relationship appearing more pronounced among male caregivers. Full article

Background: Nurses experience substantial anxiety and depression; robust, validated instruments are needed. We aimed to identify tools used to assess these conditions in nurses. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in December 2024 and registered in OSF and PROSPERO. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched for quantitative studies (2014–2024) in English/Spanish that included nurses only and used standardized measures. Two reviewers screened and extracted the data; quality was appraised with JBI checklists, narrative synthesis only. Results: Twenty-two studies (n = 10,710 nurses) met the criteria. Most were cross-sectional with non-probability sampling; the overall risk of bias was moderate in 19 studies and high in 3. The most frequently used instruments were PHQ-9, GAD-7, GHQ-28, and BDI; across versions, PHQ (PHQ-2/PHQ-9) predominated. Heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis. Discussion: The available tools support routine screening in nursing populations, but reliance on self-reports and scarce formal cross-cultural validation in practicing nurses limit inference and generalizability. Conclusions: Screening programs in nursing should pair brief self-report instruments with objective indicators and standardized protocols; future studies should prioritize contextualized validation and robust longitudinal designs. Full article

Background: Equine-assisted interventions have shown positive effects on psychoemotional well-being. However, little is known about their effects in populations with chronic pain such as fibromyalgia. Objective: This pilot study evaluated the impact of an equine coaching program with and without a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Methods: The sample consisted of 20 adult women (mean age = 32 years), 12 with fibromyalgia and 8 without a clinical diagnosis. Instruments used included the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). Results: The findings indicated significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and general health in both groups, suggesting benefits for women with and without fibromyalgia. Conclusions: These findings suggest potential benefits of equine coaching as a complementary approach to psychoemotional wellbeing, although causal conclusions cannot be drawn. Full article

Objectives: The relationship between preoperative psychological distress and weight loss following bariatric surgery remains limited in Asian populations. This study aimed to investigate whether preoperative psychological distress, as a general screening measure, predicted weight loss following bariatric surgery in a Thai population. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 464 patients who underwent bariatric surgery at a university hospital between 2020 and 2023. Preoperative psychological distress was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), with a score of ≥6 indicating high psychological distress. The primary outcome was successful weight loss (SWL), defined as achieving >50% excess weight loss at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. We used multivariable logistic regression models, adjusted for age, sex, surgery type, obesity-related comorbidities, and baseline body weight, to analyze the association between psychological distress and SWL outcomes. Results: Patients with high psychological distress (n = 270) demonstrated significantly higher rates of SWL compared to those with low distress (n = 194) at both 6 months (59.7% vs. 43.5%, p = 0.003) and 12 months (83.6% vs. 74.6%, p = 0.068). In adjusted regression analyses, patients with high distress had approximately twice the odds of achieving SWL at 6 months (adj. OR 1.99, 95% CI: 1.25–3.17, p = 0.004), with this association persisting at 12 months (adj. OR 1.86, 95% CI: 1.02–3.39, p = 0.044). Subgroup analyses revealed consistent associations across both sexes, with no significant interaction effects. Conclusions: Contrary to traditional assumptions, higher preoperative psychological distress was associated with greater odds of achieving successful weight loss after bariatric surgery. This suggests that psychological distress may not be a barrier to successful outcomes but could, when supported appropriately, be a predictor for significant weight loss. These findings highlight the value of psychological assessment in optimizing, rather than restricting, bariatric surgery candidates. Full article