Search Results (275)

Background/Objective: Mind–body programs teaching mindfulness-based techniques have benefits for incarcerated people, as do programs in which individuals teach yoga to their incarcerated peers. However, there are no studies of comprehensive programs that combine a variety of self-care techniques with group support and enable people in prison to enhance their own well-being and then share what they have learned with their peers. This study evaluated the effects of such a training program in the United States. Methods: Thirty-eight incarcerated men and women began the 8-day mind–body medicine training and 31 completed the training. Mind–body techniques taught included soft belly breathing, meditation, autogenics and biofeedback, guided imagery, mindful eating, self-expression through drawings and writing, and genograms. Outcomes included resilience, depression, anxiety, stress, coping self-efficacy, optimism, meaning in life, and purpose in life. Outcomes were measured before and after the training, and at a 6-month follow-up. Results: There were significant improvements in resilience, depression, anxiety, stress, coping self-efficacy, optimism, the presence of meaning in life, and purpose in life after the training. All of these improvements were maintained at follow-up. The most frequently practiced skills both after the training and at follow-up were soft belly breathing, meditation, and mindful eating. Conclusions: The training provided participants with skills that had a lasting positive benefit on numerous aspects of their own well-being and trained them to teach the skills to their incarcerated peers. The results of this uncontrolled study suggest that the mind–body medicine training program may be helpful to incarcerated people in other prison systems. Full article

How students cope with academic stress is crucial for learning and well-being. The Multidimensional Measure of Coping (MMC) provides a comprehensive hierarchical assessment of academic coping; however, its length and adaptive–maladaptive distinction may limit practical use and constrain a more differentiated understanding of academic coping. This study aimed to refine the MMC and propose a differentiated higher-order structure for the MMC-Short Form (MMC-SF). Data were drawn from three adolescent samples from Northwest China (2024–2025): an exploratory sample (N = 1342), a confirmatory sample (N = 2037; test–retest N = 367; 4 weeks), and a longitudinal sample (T1 N = 948; T2 N = 760 at 1 month; T3 N = 893 at 6 months). Psychometric analyses (item analysis, exploratory structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis [CFA]) demonstrated that the 34-item MMC-SF reliably preserved the original 11-factor structure. Furthermore, a multi-method investigation integrating higher-order exploratory factor analysis and second-order CFA supported a hybrid higher-order structure, with proactive engagement and defensive disengagement as higher-order dimensions and escape coping as a distinct first-order factor. The predictive validity was examined in relation to academic self-efficacy and burnout. These findings support the reconceptualization of academic coping and provide a brief, psychometrically robust assessment tool. Full article

Background/Objectives: The mental health of Early Childhood Care professionals is of great importance to ensuring the quality of intervention and the well-being of families. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between coping strategies, perceived self-efficacy and levels of depression, anxiety and stress in Early Childhood Care professionals. Methods: A study was conducted with a sample of 125 professionals (87% women; M = 33.40, SD = 9.70). Participants completed the Coping Strategies Inventory, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the DASS-21. The sample was predominantly female, which should be considered when interpreting the findings. Results: Cognitive restructuring, positive restructuring, and social support were negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress, while social withdrawal was positively related to all these variables. Self-efficacy showed high negative correlations with psychological distress and was a strong protective predictor. Emotional expression showed a positive association with depression. Conclusions: Self-efficacy and adaptive coping strategies act as protective factors against psychological distress, while social withdrawal is a significant risk. These findings highlight the need to implement training and prevention programs primarily aimed at enhancing perceived self-efficacy, with adaptive coping strategies acting as behavioral mechanisms through which this protective factor is strengthened and maladaptive responses are reduced. Full article

This study examined Black caregivers’ affective responses to racial discrimination (i.e., the extent to which they reported being bothered by discriminatory experiences) and how these responses were associated with stress associated with navigating racial socialization practices (i.e., stress during conversations about race and racism with children). We further tested whether coping self-efficacy beliefs (i.e., problem-focused coping, suppressing unpleasant emotions and thoughts, and seeking support from family and friends) moderated the association between racial discrimination and racial socialization stress. The sample included a socioeconomically diverse sample of 680 Black caregivers (M_age = 37, 55% mothers). A significant interaction indicated that among caregivers who reported being highly bothered by racial discrimination, higher levels of problem-focused coping were associated with greater racial socialization stress, whereas lower levels of problem-focused coping were associated with lower stress. Being highly bothered by racial discrimination and reporting high levels of stopping unpleasant emotions and thoughts as a coping strategy was associated with the lower levels of racial socialization stress in comparison to those with lower levels of stopping unpleasant emotions and thoughts. Black caregivers, under the conditions of reporting being bothered by racism, with higher levels of family and friend support had lower levels of racial socialization stress in comparison to those with lower levels of family and friend support. The findings highlight the need to support Black caregivers in building effective coping strategies and social support networks. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mental health challenges are increasingly prevalent among higher education students, with significant implications for academic success and personal development. Emerging research suggests that critical thinking dispositions may support psychological well-being by enhancing resilience and adaptive coping. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between critical thinking dispositions and psychological well-being and to identify key sociodemographic predictors in this context. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed from December 2024 to May 2025, recruiting 429 students from Portuguese higher education institutions via convenience sampling. Participants completed validated self-report measures: the Critical Thinking Dispositions Scale (CTDS) and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS), assessing seven critical thinking dispositions and six well-being dimensions, respectively. Sociodemographic data were also collected. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and hierarchical multiple regression were used for data analysis. Results: Students demonstrated moderate to high levels of critical thinking and psychological well-being, with higher scores associated with increased age and academic progression. Significant positive correlations were identified between critical thinking dispositions and all well-being dimensions; personal growth, purpose in life, and autonomy exhibited the strongest associations. Regression analysis revealed that confidence in reasoning, cognitive maturity, and open-mindedness were significant predictors of psychological well-being, explaining 28.7% of the variance. Conversely, inquisitiveness showed a negative association with psychological well-being in the multivariate model, an unexpected finding that warrants cautious interpretation and further investigation. Conclusions: Critical thinking dispositions reflect affective tendencies and habitual ways of engaging with thinking. These dispositions appear to protect psychological well-being in higher education students. Integrating the development of emotional awareness and reflective thinking into curricula may therefore foster resilience and academic success. Further longitudinal research is needed to explore causal mechanisms and intervention efficacy in broader academic contexts. Full article

Smoking cessation after a cancer diagnosis is a key determinant of prognosis, yet the psychological mechanisms underlying cessation remain poorly understood. Building on a recently validated Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) scale, this study examined whether baseline HAPA constructs predicted short-term smoking cessation and tobacco dependence in patients with head and neck cancer. Eighty-nine patients completed assessments at diagnosis (T0) and one-month follow-up (T1). Six HAPA constructs were measured at T0: Risk Perception, Outcome Expectancies, Recovery Self-Efficacy, Behavioral Intention, Coping Planning, and Action Control Efficacy. Smoking outcomes at T1 included cigarette dependence (CDS-12) and smoking status. Hierarchical linear regression showed that sociodemographic and clinical variables did not predict dependence, whereas adding HAPA constructs significantly improved prediction (ΔR² = 0.28, p < 0.001). Higher Risk Perception and Outcome Expectancies were associated with greater dependence, while logistic regression identified Action Control Efficacy as the only independent predictor of smoking cessation. These findings provide the first longitudinal evidence supporting the application of the HAPA framework to smoking cessation after cancer diagnosis and underscore the critical role of volitional processes in early cessation. Targeting action control may therefore enhance the effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions in oncology settings. Full article

Background: Cancer-related health outcomes are shaped by the interplay of aging, complex treatment exposures, and individual psychological characteristics. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated as an underlying biological process affecting cancer-related outcomes. This secondary, exploratory pilot analysis aimed to examine age- and treatment-related differences in fatigue, coping self-efficacy, resilience, and skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity, measured via phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (³¹P-MRS). Methods: Eleven cancer survivors (mean age 53.3 ± 12.7 years) were recruited from a larger symptom management trial. Participants underwent ³¹P-MRS to assess mitochondrial function via phosphocreatine recovery time constant (τPCr). Patient-reported outcome measures and physical function assessments were collected. Group comparisons and correlation analyses were conducted to evaluate differences and associations based on age (<65 vs. ≥65 years) and treatment. Because treatment categories were not mutually exclusive and the time since last treatment was not collected, treatment-related comparisons are descriptive only. Given the small available sample size, we conducted this study as exploratory and hypothesis-generating. Results: Older survivors (≥65) had longer τPCr (59.5 vs. 50.1 s), weaker grip strength, higher fatigue, and lower physical performance compared to younger participants, although differences were not statistically significant. Treatment-related patterns were descriptive; participants receiving multiple treatments had shorter τPCr but lower muscular strength, while immunotherapy recipients reported higher fatigue and lower physical activity. Among younger participants, a negative correlation was observed between τPCr and fatigue (ρ = −0.71), and positive correlations were observed with resilience (ρ = 0.61) and coping self-efficacy (ρ = 0.74), reflecting a pattern that warrants cautious interpretation in this small sample. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest age- and treatment-related differences in fatigue, physical performance, psychological factors, and skeletal muscle mitochondrial bioenergetics. These signals warrant further testing in larger, adequately powered cohorts to clarify mechanisms and inform the development of personalized survivorship care strategies. Full article

Rehabilitation programs by the Prisoner Rehabilitation Authority and the Israeli Prison Service are key in helping offenders transition from prison to society, aiming to reduce recidivism. Fraud offenders, however, face distinct challenges due to their personal and socio-economic backgrounds, including sophisticated and manipulative strategies, mechanisms of concealment and denial, as well as coping with a unique social stigma associated with belonging to higher socioeconomic strata. This study examined whether rehabilitation participation affects self-efficacy, sense of community, and belief in successful reintegration. Eighty-six released Israeli fraud offenders (42 program participants, 44 non-participants) completed self-report questionnaires on their sense of community, self-efficacy, and community integration. Group comparisons, correlations, hierarchical regressions, and mediation analysis were conducted. Analyses showed that released offenders who participated in a rehabilitation program reported higher community connectedness, greater self-efficacy, and stronger belief in reintegration capabilities than those who did not. Furthermore, the relationships between these factors were notably stronger in the rehabilitation program participant group. Mediation analysis demonstrated that self-efficacy fully mediated the link between sense of community and belief in successful reintegration. The findings emphasize the importance of combining institutional and community support for released offenders, with efforts to enhance their self-efficacy, thereby improving rehabilitation effectiveness and reducing recidivism risk. The results support the development of targeted rehabilitation policies for fraud offenders that enhance connections between formal programs and community support systems. Full article

This study examines the associations between participation in recycling-based STEM activities and secondary school students’ STEAM attitudes, recycling-related behaviours, and design thinking skills. A nested mixed-methods design was employed. The quantitative part used a one-group pre-test–post-test experimental design with 32 students, while the qualitative part included semi-structured interviews with 7 students selected through criterion sampling. Data were collected using a STEAM attitude scale, an attitude towards recycling scale, a design thinking scale and an interview form. Paired-samples t-tests were conducted for quantitative analyses, and the interview data were examined using content analysis. Statistically significant increases were observed from pre-test to post-test in students’ STEAM attitudes, recycling-related behaviours, and design thinking skills following participation in the recycling-based STEM activities. Qualitative findings indicated that students described coping with challenges in the design process by using problem-solving strategies and collaborating with peers. They also reported perceived increases in self-efficacy, creativity, and understanding of interdisciplinary (STEM) approaches. In addition, students reported greater awareness and described changes in recycling-related behaviours. Overall, the findings suggest that integrating recycling into STEM education may be associated with sustainability-oriented behaviours and higher-order thinking skills among secondary school students. Full article

This study examined how resilience-based interventions enable rural older women living with HIV in Zimbabwe to confront stigma and sustain their quality of life. Guided by the 4S framework of resilience resources planning (social support, coping strategies, sagacity, and solution-seeking), the research explored how women apply these dimensions to navigate challenging life events. A purposive sample of 17 women (those not living with a spouse or in a socially sanctioned relationship), aged 40–65, all on antiretroviral therapy and drawn from rural Matabeleland South Province, participated through in-depth interviews. Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, four themes emerged: (1) Social Support and Social Networks as Foundations of Resilience, (2) Self-Efficacy and Coping Strategies in Managing Emotional Distress, (3) Spirituality and Sagacity as Sources of Strength and Meaning, and (4) Sense of Purpose and Solution-Seeking Behaviours. The findings highlight that resilience is actively mobilised through family ties, peer groups, and community initiatives, enabling women to adapt to socio-economic hardship and health-related barriers. This study concludes that empowerment strategies, especially community-based programmes focused on skills development and economic opportunities, are essential for enhancing resilience, reducing vulnerability, and improving health outcomes. Strengthening these resources not only equips women to manage HIV-related challenges but also contributes to sustainable development within their communities. Full article

This study examines why privacy concerns do not consistently deter online information disclosure by focusing on internal evaluative dynamics underlying privacy decisions. Drawing on theories of attitudinal ambivalence and cognitive–affective inconsistency, it investigates how internal tensions shape the translation of privacy concerns into disclosure behavior. Using two-phase data comprising a survey, the research distinguishes between threat-based and coping-based evaluative conflicts by operationalizing ambivalence and cognitive–affective inconsistency across privacy risks, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and response efficacy. Results from Phase 1, based on 540 Amazon Mechanical Turk participants, indicate that while privacy concerns generally reduce disclosure intentions, this effect is significantly weakened when individuals experience higher levels of cognitive–affective inconsistency and ambivalence. Although ambivalence significantly reduces the magnitude of inconsistency, it has a limited influence on the moderating role of inconsistency. Phase 2 findings further show that under conditions of high ambivalence, cognitive–affective inconsistency related to self-efficacy exerts a significant effect in situation-specific disclosure contexts. By elucidating the dynamic interplay of the internal tensions, this study clarifies when and why privacy concerns fail to predict disclosure behavior and highlights the importance of incorporating internal evaluative dynamics into models of digital privacy decision-making. Full article

Teacher well-being is increasingly shaped by rapid technological change in education. As digital innovation accelerates, teachers’ well-being is closely linked to technological self-efficacy, understood as confidence in using digital tools alongside a sense of professional meaning, agency, and control. This qualitative study explores the relationship between teacher well-being and technological self-efficacy through an examination of teachers’ experiences in the “Artificial Intelligence for Beginners” professional development program. Reflective narratives from 18 participating teachers were analyzed to examine how engagement in the program was experienced as supporting the development of techno-pedagogical self-efficacy, professional learning, and well-being. Thematic analysis revealed several interconnected themes, including increased technological confidence and reduced anxiety toward digital innovation, the development of practical applications for personalized learning, heightened awareness of ethical and privacy considerations, and the emergence of a collaborative professional learning community. Participants also reported developing strategies for coping with digital complexity and experiencing a renewed sense of professional identity. Overall, the findings suggest that structured professional development in artificial intelligence may contribute to teachers’ perceived competence, autonomy, and sense of purpose. Strengthening technological self-efficacy through such programs may support individual teacher well-being and the collective professional climate within schools in AI-enhanced educational contexts. Full article

Entrepreneurship aims to contribute significantly to economic development, a trend that has been progressively growing over time. Nonetheless, female entrepreneurs continue to face substantial challenges, including limited access to financial resources and sociocultural barriers. The influence of Entrepreneurial Coaching (EC) offers a valuable perspective for analysing entrepreneurial self-efficacy and business growth. Grounded in Systems Theory, the research examines how EC interventions can bolster the confidence of women entrepreneurs and facilitate adaptive responses to business challenges. Utilising a quantitative, explanatory research design, the study employed convenience and snowball sampling to recruit 257 women entrepreneurs who received coaching. The relationships among EC, the six dimensions of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE), and business growth outcomes were analysed utilising Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Although seven hypotheses were proposed, only four were supported, whereas three were refuted. The findings show a positive correlation between EC and business growth. The supported hypothesis concerning coping with unexpected challenges, investor relations, and core purpose (value proposition) was accepted. Conversely, hypotheses regarding new product and market development, innovative environments, and the development of critical human resources were not supported. This research extends the existing literature on Entrepreneurial Coaching by demonstrating that the capacity to navigate unforeseen challenges, manage investor relations, and adhere to core purposes is correlated with business growth among women entrepreneurs. Thus, the significance of the study lies in the integration of Entrepreneurial Coaching, Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy, and Business Growth. Full article

Background: Food allergy [FA] is a growing public health concern among school-age children, with schools and childcare/daycare settings representing high-risk environments for accidental exposure and anaphylaxis. Objective: To systematically review evidence on digital health interventions supporting FA education, prevention, and management in school settings. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL was conducted to identify studies published between January 2015 and December 2025 [PROSPERO CRD420251185553]. Eligible studies evaluated e-learning, mHealth, or web-based programs targeting school staff, parents, or students. Results: Sixteen studies met inclusion criteria. Digital health emerged as a catalyst for professional development, interprofessional communication, and health equity within school communities. Interventions consistently improved knowledge, preparedness, and self-efficacy in anaphylaxis management among school staff, strengthened parental empowerment and communication with schools, and supported coping and inclusion among allergic children. Evidence on clinical outcomes; however, remains limited. Conclusions: Digital health can meaningfully enhance school preparedness and reduce inequalities in allergy management. Integrating digital tools into national school health frameworks—particularly where school nursing is not yet institutionalized—may represent a pivotal step toward safer, more equitable inclusion of children with food allergy. Full article

Background/Objectives: Medical device-related pressure injury (MDRPI) is a significant patient safety issue associated with increased morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and healthcare costs. Although evidence-based guidelines for MDRPI prevention exist, nurses’ prevention performance remains suboptimal, and the mechanisms linking workload to preventive practice remain insufficiently elucidated. Within a patient safety and quality improvement framework, this study aimed to examine whether occupational coping self-efficacy (OCSE) is statistically consistent with an indirect association linking nurses’ workload and MDRPI prevention performance across the nursing practice continuum. Methods: This descriptive correlational study used a mediation model with data from 181 registered nurses working in intensive care units, general wards, and integrated nursing care wards in South Korea. Workload, OCSE, and MDRPI prevention performance were measured using validated instruments. Mediation was tested using hierarchical regression and bootstrapped analysis (PROCESS macro Model 4, 5000 resamples), controlling for demographic and work-related variables. Results: Higher workload was associated with lower OCSE, while higher OCSE was associated with better MDRPI prevention performance. When OCSE was included in the model, the direct association between workload and prevention performance was no longer significant. Bootstrapping confirmed a significant indirect association through OCSE, consistent with a full mediation pattern. Conclusions: Nurses’ workload appears to be indirectly associated with MDRPI prevention performance through OCSE. These findings suggest that strengthening nurses’ coping self-efficacy, alongside organizational strategies, may be essential for sustainable MDRPI prevention and patient safety improvement. Full article