Search Results (319)

Relevant biopsychosocial factors, including testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) levels, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and difficulties in emotion regulation, have been implicated in IPV perpetration. However, further research is needed to clarify how biomarkers and psychosocial variables interact. The authors herein predicted that emotion regulation difficulties would moderate the association between ACES and IPV perpetration. The sample consisted of 30 IPV perpetrators aged 18 to 51 (M = 30.80, SD = 8.43) and 30 control non-perpetrator participants aged 18–35 (M = 24.13; SD = 4.28). All participants provided saliva samples to assess T and C levels and completed a sociodemographic questionnaire that included questions related to ACEs, and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Higher levels of T and T/C, greater difficulties in emotion regulation, and higher prevalence of ACEs were found to significantly differentiate the IPV perpetrators from the non-IPV perpetrators. However, difficulties in emotional regulation did not emerge as a significant moderator between these variables, and only one of four subscales of the DERS, emotional awareness, was significantly associated with both testosterone and IPV. These results are in accord with meta-analytic results which found that DERS scores are higher in IPV perpetrators than non-perpetrators but that there was a very small association between emotional dysregulation and IPV (0.14), and emotional awareness was not associated with IPV. Similarly, effect sizes for ER variables are strong as differentiators of perpetrators and non-perpetrators.. Given the relative strength of psychological variables as moderators of childhood trauma and IPV, anger would appear to be a much stronger moderator as it is a much stronger predictor of IPV than emotional dysregulation. Full article

With rapid global aging, the community environment has become a critical factor influencing cognitive health in older adults. However, most existing studies focus on single environmental attributes and rely on linear analytical methods, which fail to capture the complex and synergistic effects of community features. Guided by an integrated theoretical perspective on environmental psychology, aging, and cognitive health, this study examines how multiple community environmental factors jointly affect cognitive function in elderly people. A case study was conducted among 215 older residents in Shanghai, China. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified the following five key dimensions of community environment: pedestrian friendliness, blue–green spaces, infrastructure, space attractiveness, and safety. We then applied both Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to reveal linear and configurational relationships. The findings showed that pedestrian friendliness, blue–green spaces, and space attractiveness significantly enhance cognitive health, while fsQCA highlighted multiple pathways that underscore the non-linear and synergistic interactions among environmental features. These results provide theoretical insights into the mechanisms linking community environments and cognitive function and offer practical guidance for designing age-friendly communities. Full article

The green renovation of existing residential buildings is a key way for the construction industry to achieve sustainable development and the dual carbon goals of China, which makes it urgent to make collaborative decisions among multiple stakeholders. However, because of divergent interests and risk perceptions among governments, energy service companies (ESCOs), and owners, the implementation of green renovation is hindered by numerous obstacles. In this study, we integrated prospect theory and evolutionary game theory by incorporating core prospect-theory parameters such as loss aversion and perceived value sensitivity, and developed a psychologically informed tripartite evolutionary game model. The objective was to provide a theoretical foundation and analytical framework for collaborative governance among stakeholders. Numerical simulations were conducted to validate the model’s effectiveness and explore how government regulation intensity, subsidy policies, market competition, and individual psychological factors influence the system’s evolutionary dynamics. The findings indicate that (1) government regulation and subsidy policies play central guiding roles in the early stages of green renovation, but the effectiveness has clear limitations; (2) ESCOs are most sensitive to policy incentives and market competition, and moderately increasing their risk costs can effectively deter opportunistic behavior associated with low-quality renovation; (3) owners’ willingness to participate is primarily influenced by expected returns and perceived renovation risks, while economic incentives alone have limited impact; and (4) the evolutionary outcomes are highly sensitive to parameters from prospect theory, The system’s evolutionary outcomes are highly sensitive to prospect theory parameters. High levels of loss aversion (λ) and loss sensitivity (β) tend to drive the system into a suboptimal equilibrium characterized by insufficient demand, while high gain sensitivity (α) serves as a key driving force for the system’s evolution toward the ideal equilibrium. This study offers theoretical support for optimizing green renovation policies for existing residential buildings in China and provides practical recommendations for improving market competition mechanisms, thereby promoting the healthy development of the green renovation market. Full article

Introduction: The main purpose of this study was to test a hierarchical model of motivation that integrates Achievement Goal Theory and Self-Determination Theory to explain and predict exercise adherence. Method: In total, 2180 exercisers (1020 female, 1160 male) aged between 18 and 60 years, from different gyms and health clubs, completed several scales validated in exercise settings, regarding perceived motivational climate, basic psychological need satisfaction, behavioral regulation, and exercise adherence. For the last measure, weekly computer access to a control system over a 6-month period before and after data collection was consulted. Results: Through structural equation models (SEM), it was verified that (1) task-involving climate positively predicted basic psychological needs. In turn, the satisfaction of these needs predicted autonomous motivation, which led to a positive prediction of adherence; (2) a small variation in exercise adherence was explained by the motivational model under analysis. Nevertheless, models significantly improved their analytical power when past adherence was inserted in the model increasing the explained variance in future behavior from 9.2% to 64%. Conclusions: In conclusion, autonomous motivation can predict people’s exercise adherence, and past behavior increases that predictive effect. The present study brings scientific evidence to the popular saying “tell me what you’ve done and, and I’ll predict what you’ll do”. Full article

Assessing teacher candidates’ self-efficacy in using reading strategies is essential for understanding their academic development. This study developed and validated the Teacher Candidates’ Self-Efficacy Scale for Informational Reading Strategies (TCSES-IRS) using a mixed-methods sequential exploratory design. Initial qualitative data from interviews with 33 candidates and a literature review guided item generation. Lawshe’s method confirmed content validity. The scale was administered to 1176 teacher candidates. Exploratory (n = 496) and confirmatory factor analyses (n = 388) supported a five-factor structure—cognitive, note-taking, exploration and preparation, physical and process-based, and reflective and analytical strategies—explaining 63.71% of total variance, with acceptable fit indices (χ²/df = 2.64, CFI = 0.912, TLI = 0.900, RMSEA = 0.069). Internal consistency was high (α = 0.899 total; subscales α = 0.708–0.906). An additional sample of 294 participants was used for nomological network validation. Convergent validity was demonstrated by significant item-total correlations and strong factor loadings. Discriminant validity was evidenced by moderate inter-factor correlations. Criterion-related validity was confirmed via significant group differences and meaningful correlations with an external self-efficacy measure. The TCSES-IRS emerges as a psychometrically sound tool for assessing informational reading self-efficacy, supporting research and practice in educational psychology. Full article

Genetic factors play an important role in the risk of developing lung cancer, a disease that disproportionately affects African American (AA) individuals who smoke. Accumulating evidence suggests that specific ancestry-informative genetic markers are predictive of lung cancer risk in AA individuals who smoke. Although testing for, and communication of, genetic risk to patients should impact health and screening, results are mixed. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of genetic risk communication that also included ancestry-specific risk information among African American individuals who smoke. Using an experimental design, African American individuals who smoke (n = 166) were assigned randomly to receive hypothetical genetic test results that indicated (1) low vs. high genetic risk for lung cancer (“Risk”) and (2) European vs. African Ancestry (“Ancestry”). We hypothesized that participants who had been told that they were both at high risk for lung cancer based on genetic markers prominent in African persons at risk of lung cancer, and that they have African ancestry, would exhibit increases in cognitive (perceived lung cancer risk), emotional (cancer worry and psychological distress), and motivational (motivation to quit smoking) factors shown to predict longer-term health behavior change. Results revealed significant and moderate-to-large effects of Risk for all outcomes. There was also a significant Ancestry effect on perceived lung cancer risk: increased risk perceptions among participants who learned that they have high African genetic heritage. Path analytic modeling revealed that cognitive and emotional factors mediated the effects of both Risk and Ancestry feedback on motivation to quit smoking. Findings further highlight the importance of incorporating ancestry-specific genetic risk information into genetic counseling sessions, especially in underserved populations, as doing so may impact key cognitive, emotional, and motivational factors critical to behavior change. Full article

With the rise in short-term intercultural mobility programs, enhancing students’ adaptive capacity through structured experiential learning has become a key concern. Using constructivist grounded theory, this study draws on extending the situated learning and embodied cognition theories as analytical frameworks to explore international students’ cross-cultural adaptation within the context of study tours. It develops a three-phase framework (pre-departure, on-site immersion, and post-tour reflection) to trace their transition from cultural distance to adaptation. The findings reveal that the process through which international students shift from cross-cultural distance to multidimensional adaptation can be further accelerated by environmental settings, situational behaviors, and short-term emotional responses within study tour contexts. Moreover, culture-led and nature-led environments evoke distinct patterns of participation and emotional responses, facilitating varying degrees and dimensions of adaptation across psychological, social, and cultural domains. The study extends situated and embodied learning perspectives by conceptualizing study tours as dynamic, context-sensitive learning sites. By considering adaptation processes context-dependent, this study deepens the understanding of how learning, emotion, and environment interact to shape intercultural development and offers practical insights for designing responsive, stage-sensitive study tour programs. Full article

Introduction: Chronic alcohol use is a complex condition influenced by psychological, behavioral, and socio-demographic factors. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive psychosocial profile of individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) by examining associations between psychometric variables and relapse risk including repeated psychiatric hospitalizations. Methodology: A cross-sectional observational analytical study was conducted on a sample of 104 patients admitted for alcohol withdrawal management at the “Prof. Dr. Al. Obregia” Psychiatric Clinical Hospital in Bucharest between March 2023 and September 2024. Participants completed a set of validated psychometric tools: the Drinker Inventory of Consequences—Lifetime Version (DrInC), Readiness to Change Questionnaire—Treatment Version (RTCQ), Drinking Expectancy Questionnaire (DEQ), and Drinking Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (DRSEQ). Additional data were collected on the socio-demographic (education level, socio-professional category), genetic (family history of alcohol use), and behavioral factors (length of abstinence, tobacco use, co-occurring substance use disorders). Results: Higher alcohol-related consequence scores (DrInC) were significantly associated with lower education (p < 0.001, η² = 0.483), disadvantaged socio-professional status (p < 0.001, η² = 0.514), and family history of alcohol use (p < 0.001, η² = 0.226). Self-efficacy (DRSEQ) was significantly lower among individuals with co-occurring substance use (p < 0.001) and nicotine dependence (p < 0.001). Logistic regression showed that the DrInC scores significantly predicted readmission within three months (OR = 1.09, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Psychometric tools are effective in identifying individuals at high risk. Personalized, evidence-based interventions tailored to both psychological and socio-professional profiles, combined with structured post-discharge support, are essential for improving long-term recovery and reducing the readmission rates. Full article

Against the backdrop of evolving global climate patterns, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have increased significantly, posing unprecedented threats to agricultural production. This change has particularly profound impacts on agricultural systems in developing countries, making the enhancement of farmers’ capacity to withstand extreme weather events a crucial component for achieving sustainable agricultural development. As an essential safeguard for agricultural production, agricultural insurance plays an indispensable role in risk management. However, a pronounced gap persists between policy aspirations and actual adoption rates among farmers in developing economies. This study employs the integrated theory of planned behavior (TPB) and protection motivation theory (PMT) to construct an analytical framework incorporating psychological, socio-cultural, and risk-perception factors. Using Jiangsu Province—a representative high-risk agricultural region in China—as a case study, we administered 608 structured questionnaires to farmers. Structural equation modeling was applied to identify determinants influencing insurance adoption decisions. The findings reveal that farmers’ agricultural insurance purchase decisions are influenced by multiple factors. At the individual level, risk perception promotes purchase intention by activating protection motivation, while cost–benefit assessment enables farmers to make rational evaluations. At the social level, subjective norms can significantly enhance farmers’ purchase intention. Further analysis indicates that perceived severity indirectly enhances purchase intention by positively influencing attitude, while response costs negatively affect purchase intention by weakening perceived behavior control. Although challenges such as cognitive gaps and product mismatch exist in the intention-behavior transition, institutional trust can effectively mitigate these issues. It not only strengthens the positive impact of psychological factors on purchase intention, but also significantly facilitates the transformation of purchase intention into actual behavior. To promote targeted policy interventions for agricultural insurance, we propose corresponding policy recommendations from the perspective of public intervention based on the research findings. Full article

Focusing on the legend of Phaedra and Hippolytus as developed in Euripides and Seneca and especially in Racine’s Phèdre and taking into account as well its further development in works by Camillo Boito, Luchino Visconti, and Yukio Mishima, I make the following arguments: (1) Contrary to many theologians and philosophers of love, a pathological form of love that issues in murder and suicide should not be regarded as unworthy of serious attention. Racine’s tragedy provides a catharsis for universal experiences of unrequited love and jealousy, a major human phenomenon. (2) Contrary to Paul Valéry, Phèdre’s love cannot be called merely animal, since the analytical insight she develops into her morbid passion carries tremendous moral force and lies at the origin of the European psychological novel, as launched by Madame de La Fayette a year later. (3) Contrary to François Mauriac, even if she is a heroine of desire or concupiscence rather than of “true love” (in contrast to the relatively innocent affections of Hippolyte and Aricie), the incredible beauty of her language resists such an easy categorization. (4) Study of concrete presentations of “love” in literature confirms that the meaning and use of this word is marked by an irreducible pluralism. Philosophical and theological analysis of love has to come to terms with this. (5) The role of a work of art, in crystallizing archetypical emotions and situations in a way that carries authority, is to provide the middle ground between the abstractions of philosophy on the one hand and the uncontrollable diversity of the empirical on the other. Even psychologies or sociologies of love, which claim to be close to the concrete data, need to be anchored in and corrected by the special concrete vision that only great literature can bring. Full article

Visual perception is a complex psychological operation that is used to understand our environment. Its measurement gradually penetrates various areas of human life as well as the educational process. The presented study has a theoretical–analytical character; its aim was to identify the nature of publications that are devoted to the issue of eye-tracking focused on the educational process. The selection of the analyzed articles was carried out in the Web of Science database in January 2021, and all peer-reviewed articles (marked articles) that were in the Education category were included in the Educational Research database. Those texts were further analyzed with the use of the generally recognized PRISMA guidelines. The number of studies that are focused on eye-tracking had an upward trend, studies from Europe were the most often represented, the authors focused on reading comprehension, and the most common sample were university students. Implications for practice and suggestions for further research can be found in the conclusion. Full article

Public spaces are fundamental spatial units within cities, serving as essential venues for residents’ daily activities and as resilient environments for responding to emergencies. They play a crucial role in enhancing urban resilience and promoting sustainable urban development. However, existing research predominantly focuses on objective spatial entities, often neglecting users’ behavioral and psychological perceptions. Studies that incorporate perceived resilience typically necessitate extensive, time-consuming, and costly fieldwork. To address these gaps, this study innovatively integrates space syntax into the Public Space Resilience (PSR) analytical framework, thereby bridging the subjective and objective dimensions of resilience in the evaluation process. A comprehensive resilience measurement framework is developed, linking ‘material entities’, ‘spatial perception (via space syntax)’, and ‘spatial resilience’. Using the Yuzhong Peninsula in Chongqing, China, as a case study, this research employs indicators such as integration, connectivity, and comprehensibility to quantitatively evaluate PSR. Based on the findings, this study also proposes strategies and recommendations to enhance PSR. The results contribute to both a practical measurement method and a theoretical framework for advancing PSR in urban planning and design. Full article

Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent mental health disorders often associated with dysregulation of neuroendocrine and immune systems, particularly the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic–adrenal–medullary (SAM) system. Recent research highlights the potential of salivary biomarkers to serve as non-invasive indicators for psychological distress. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on key salivary biomarkers, cortisol, alpha-amylase (sAA), secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), chromogranin A (CgA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and salivary microRNAs (miRNAs), in relation to anxiety, depression, and stress. A comprehensive literature search (2010–2025) was conducted using multiple databases and relevant MeSH terms. The review reveals consistent associations between these salivary analytes and stress-related disorders, reflecting changes in neuroendocrine activity, immune response, and neuroplasticity. Cortisol and sAA mirror acute stress reactivity, while cytokines and CRP indicate chronic inflammation. BDNF and miRNAs provide insight into neuroplastic dysfunction and gene regulation. Despite promising results, limitations such as variability in sampling methods and biomarker specificity remain. In conclusion, salivary biomarkers offer a promising avenue for early detection, monitoring, and personalization of treatment in mood and anxiety disorders. Conclusions: Cortisol and alpha-amylase serve as the principal markers of acute stress response, whereas cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α, together with CRP, indicate chronic inflammation associated with extended emotional distress. Full article

The built environment is increasingly recognized as a critical determinant of human health, profoundly influencing neurophysiological and psychological well-being. Previous studies show that specific visual patterns can elicit cortical hyperexcitation and visual discomfort, particularly in individuals with a predisposition to cortical hyperexcitability. However, traditional approaches to examining visual stress have yet to capture the complexity of ways in which the built environment may contribute to visual discomfort. This study presents a novel, integrated analytical methodology that merges generative artificial intelligence (using Midjourney v6.1) with advanced Fourier-based computational analysis to quantify the impact of architectural façades on visual stress. By systematically varying contrast ratios, pattern periodicity, spatial frequency distribution, stylistic elements, and geometric curvature across nine façade designs, the research generated a diverse array of stimuli that were then analyzed using the Visual Stress Analysis Tool (ViStA). This tool employs Fourier spatial frequency decomposition to extract key metrics that are proxy indicators of potential cortical stress responses. The results revealed that façades with regularly spaced elements at approximately three cycles per degree exhibited the highest stress metrics, particularly when combined with high contrast ratios and consistent repetition. Vertical wooden slats and vertical metal screening elements produced the most pronounced indicators of visual stress, while more varied geometric compositions demonstrated substantially lower stress metrics. This methodology offers a scalable, reproducible approach for the evaluation of visual stress. The framework lays the groundwork for developing a more robust evidence base to support architectural design decision-making that proactively addresses the health impacts of the built environment. Full article

Management in the current era is strongly supported by a range of advanced technologies that enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness. One particularly promising technology is Virtual Reality (VR). This exploratory study investigates the perceived practicality of VR across the systems engineering project lifecycle, providing quantitative insights into how VR is valued at different stages and by various user profiles. Drawing on data from $n=56$ professionals, the study employs advanced analytical methods like GLM, CFA, SEM, CATPCA, and CHAID classification trees to extract insights from the dataset. Results reveal that the perceived utility of VR varies significantly across project stages, with the training and proposal phases receiving the highest ratings, and early planning stages such as specification and requirement definition rated the lowest. A unidimensional structure of VR practicality was validated, with strong factor loadings for stages involving prototyping and testing. Key predictors of perceived practicality included willingness to adopt VR (positive effect), familiarity with VR (mixed effects), and education level (negative effect). While traditional demographic variables had limited explanatory power, experiential and psychological factors—such as hands-on VR exposure and openness to innovation—emerged as critical determinants of perceived value. These findings offer an empirically grounded framework for the strategic implementation of VR in systems engineering. Practically, this research guides decisions on resource allocation by identifying the specific project stages (e.g., training, proposal development) and user profiles (e.g., those open to adoption, those with specific experiential backgrounds) where VR is likely to provide the most significant benefit and return on investment. Full article