Search Results (297)

(1) Background: Student burnout, widely regarded as a form of “hidden dropout” among adolescents, is associated with lower educational quality and mental health. Grounded in the Study Demands–Resources (SD–R) and Conservation of Resources (COR) theories, this study investigates the relationship between school-based resources, family dynamics, and personal resources by examining how teacher emotional support is associated with burnout through family cohesion and meaning in life; (2) Methods: a moderated mediation model was tested using a sample of 1224 adolescents (Mage = 14.27, SD = 1.72; 48% female); (3) Results: Analysis revealed that: 1. Teacher emotional support significantly and negatively predicted student burnout (β = −0.28, p < 0.001). 2. Family cohesion partially mediated this relationship, accounting for 36% of the total effect. 3. Meaning in life significantly moderated both the direct path and the second half of the mediation pathway (family cohesion → burnout). Notably, meaning in life was associated with a stronger negative association between teacher emotional support and student burnout, but a weaker negative association between family cohesion and student burnout, a pattern consistent with differential resource utilization; (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest a differentiated pattern of resource interplay: school-based emotional resources may connect to family-based relational resources, and the protective role of each external resource may be further moderated by adolescents’ internal meaning systems. These findings highlight the agentic role of adolescents in resource management and point to the value of multi-system interventions. Full article

Objectives: Food insecurity (FI) among college students is an emerging global public health concern. While the burden is international in scope, this systematic review evaluates the prevalence of FI in college populations in the United States (U.S.) and examines the suitability of commonly used FI assessment tools for this population. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted (up to April 2026) in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 Abstracts checklist. Eligible studies were peer-reviewed research articles published between 2005 and 2026, conducted in the U.S., written in English, and including college or university students with sample sizes ≥ 30. Studies were required to use validated FI assessment tools developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or Health Watch. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools and only studies rated as moderate or high quality were included. Results were synthesized by grouping studies according to the FI assessment tools used. Results: Thirty studies met the inclusion criteria (total n = 213,624 students surveyed). FI prevalence among U.S. college students ranged from 14% to 72.9%. Variability in estimates was influenced by the assessment tool used, demographic characteristics, institutional settings, and regional socioeconomic differences. Shorter screening instruments, including the USDA six-Item Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) Short Form and Hunger Vital Sign, demonstrated greater variability in reported FI prevalence (47% and 41%, respectively) compared with longer assessment measures. Higher FI prevalence was also more frequently reported among students of color, those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and female students. Conclusions: Findings demonstrate FI is prevalent among college students. Limitations of the current study include restriction to three databases, exclusion of pre-2005 studies, and inclusion of only U.S.-based studies. Variability in assessment methods, as well as consideration of confounding variables (e.g., socioeconomics, demographics and institutional settings), underscores the need for context-specific tools tailored to this population to inform effective interventions and policies globally. Full article

This study assessed physical activity (PA) levels and energy expenditure among students across various medical disciplines at Wroclaw Medical University. Data were collected in late 2024 using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) long-form. Statistical analysis, including Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to reveal significant differences based on gender, age, and field of study. While female students generally achieved higher metabolic equivalent (MET) MET-min/week values at home and in transport, male students demonstrated significantly higher scores in total physical activity, total vigorous physical activity, and vigorous activity in free time. Gender based analysis did not reveal any statistically significant differences. Significant variations across study programs were observed only in occupational PA, same as in age-related analysis. The findings highlight sedentary risks within specific student subgroups, which may contribute to professional burnout and diminished effectiveness as future health promoters. Consequently, the study suggests that medical institutions should incorporate lifestyle medicine and health promotion strategies into their curricula to foster the long-term well-being of future healthcare professionals. Full article

Background/Objectives: The signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can be similar to those of various other illnesses and conditions. To facilitate the detection and categorization of PMS symptoms, specific questionnaires have been developed. The aim of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) for the Serbian-speaking population and assess its validity and reliability. Material and Methods: Our convenience sample included 350 Serbian-speaking female health sciences students from one of the Serbian universities who had PMS symptoms at least once during the past 12 months. They completed a general socio-epidemiologic questionnaire, the PSST, and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). The PSST was translated according to the recommended methodology, and its psychometric characteristics (internal consistency, construct, discriminant validity and convergent validity) were tested. Results: There were no major changes in the items during the process of translation or validation. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the whole scale was 0.927, whereas if an item was deleted, it was >0.8 for all the items. The McDonald’s omega coefficient was 0.896, indicating good internal consistency. The CI–TC coefficients were greater than 0.40 for all the items, indicating that all items were significant elements of the PSST. Exploratory factor analysis extracted three factors. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed adequate values for all model fit estimators. The PSST significantly correlated with the DASS-21, which confirmed its adequate convergent validity. Conclusions: The Serbian version of the PSST showed good validity and therefore can be used as a screening tool for PMS in Serbian-speaking young women. Full article

Excessive gaming (EG) is increasingly recognised as a modifiable behavioural risk among youth, with potential implications for mental health and well-being in digitally mediated environments. This study examines excessive gaming as a behavioural exposure and AI cyber-shielding (AI-CS) as a perceived digital protective factor among Generation Z university gamers. AI-CS is conceptualised as users’ perceived exposure to AI-enabled safety mechanisms embedded in gaming-related digital environments. The study investigates the associations of EG and AI-CS with four psychological outcomes: depressive symptoms (DEP), anxiety symptoms (ANX), hostile behaviours (HB), and personal well-being (PWB). Data were collected through a cross-sectional online survey of 983 university students aged 18 to 22 years from multicultural Middle Eastern backgrounds enrolled in Saudi universities. The sample included 54.2% males and 45.8% females. The proposed relationships were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The results show that excessive gaming is positively associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms and negatively associated with personal well-being. No significant association was found between excessive gaming and hostile behaviours. AI cyber-shielding is negatively associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms and positively associated with personal well-being, but it does not significantly predict hostile behaviours. These findings indicate that excessive gaming is primarily associated with internal psychological outcomes rather than external behavioural responses. They also suggest that perceived AI-enabled safety affordances in gaming-related digital environments are associated with lower psychological distress and higher well-being. The study contributes to research on digital well-being by introducing and empirically examining AI cyber-shielding as a perception-based environmental factor associated with psychological functioning among university students. Full article

Despite the increasing adoption of metaverse technologies, particularly in educational contexts, the cognitive impacts of students designing their own immersive experiences remain underexplored. This study addresses that gap by providing empirical baseline data on the cognitive load of students designing virtual worlds. All 100 participants were second-year undergraduate computer science students, aged 20 to 22, who completed a five-week virtual world development project using the Spatial.io platform. Cognitive load was assessed using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), which is a measure of six dimensions: Mental Demand, Physical Demand, Temporal Demand, Performance, Effort, and Frustration. The total weighted NASA-TLX showed moderate cognitive load (M = 48.42, SD = 12.18, 95% CI [45.99, 50.85]), with a percentage of 9% of respondents indicating high cognitive load (scores > 60). Temporal Demand was the highest-rated dimension (M = 14.32, SD = 3.84), followed by Mental Demand (M = 13.68, SD = 3.52), while Physical Demand was the lowest (M = 5.23, SD = 2.94). The Spearman correlation analysis indicated that there were strong correlations between Temporal Demand and Effort (ρ = 0.62, p < 0.001) and Temporal Demand and Mental Demand (ρ = 0.58, p < 0.001) with Frustration demonstrating moderate correlations with most cognitive dimensions. In this sample, the NASA-TLX showed a good internal consistency (0.82). No statistically significant difference was found in the overall workload scores or in individual subscales (p > 0.05), indicating that the cognitive load experienced by male and female participants in the development of a virtual world was similar, but the small sub-sample of female participants (n = 25) reduces the statistical power of the comparison. These results provide a descriptive baseline for cognitive workload in virtual world creation led by students and provide evidence-based guidance into how educators can develop immersive development programs. Full article

Objective: To investigate the relationship between physical exercise and emotional eating, as well as the chain mediating effects of dietary behavior and body satisfaction therein. Methods: A survey was conducted on 575 college students using the Physical Activity Level Scale, Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, Body Self-State Scale, and Eating Behavior Scale. Results: (1) Physical exercise does not directly influence emotional eating. (2) Eating behavior mediated the relationship between physical exercise and emotional eating; body satisfaction did not mediate this relationship. (3) Both eating behavior and body satisfaction mediated the relationship between physical exercise and emotional eating. (4) Subgroup analysis revealed gender differences across all paths: mediating effects were significant among female participants but not among male participants. Conclusions: Findings reveal that physical exercise influences emotional eating through dietary behavior and the dietary behavior–body satisfaction pathway. This research provides insights for promoting college students’ physical and mental health and exploring the internal mechanisms of reducing emotional eating among this population. Full article

This study examines the validity of the Spanish version of the Scientific Epistemic Beliefs (SEB) Questionnaire among university students in northeastern Mexico, considering multiple sources of evidence. The SEB measures four dimensions of epistemic beliefs: Source, Certainty, Development, and Justification. Data from pilot (n = 150) and main (n = 791) samples were analyzed using Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses (EFA, CFA), Item Response Theory (IRT), and Differential Item Functioning (DIF). The results provided evidence consistent with a four-factor model, with adequate internal consistency (α = 0.85) and acceptable-to-good fit indices (CFI = 0.944, TLI = 0.936, RMSEA = 0.067, SRMR = 0.071) for a 22-item scale. IRT analyses indicated strong item discrimination, with Source and Certainty covering a broad range of the latent trait, while Development and Justification were more informative at lower to moderate levels. DIF analyses indicated negligible differences in item functioning by gender and academic semester, with minor DIF detected across faculties. Non-parametric analyses identified statistically significant but small differences, with females scoring slightly higher across all dimensions and variations also observed across academic semesters and faculties. Descriptive comparisons with published international data provide contextual evidence within a broader cross-cultural framework. Full article

Background: In an era characterized by rapid technological disruption and vocational uncertainty, Career Adaptability (CA) has emerged as a critical meta-competency for university students transitioning into the workforce. While the importance of CA is well-documented, the internal mechanisms that foster it remain under-explored. This research adopts a resource-based perspective to investigate how Mindfulness—a state of non-judgmental present-moment awareness—acts as a catalyst for career readiness. Specifically, this study examines a dual-mediation model, proposing that Mindfulness enhances Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Psychological Capital (PsyCap) (comprising hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism), which in turn bolsters an individual’s capacity to adapt to changing career landscapes. By integrating these four constructs, the study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how “being present” (Mindfulness) translates into “being prepared” (Career Adaptability) through the cultivation of emotional and psychological resources. Methods: The study collected data from 705 final-year students at Wollo University (male = 399 and female = 306). The study employed several well-established instruments: the Compound Psychological Capital Scale (CPC), the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLIES), and the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS). These instruments were rigorously evaluated for their psychometric applicability within the Ethiopian context. Results: PLS-SEM analysis revealed: (a) direct and positive influences of mindfulness, PsyCap, and EI on career adaptability; (b) partial and positive mediation effects of PsyCap and EI in the mindfulness-career adaptability link; (c) a serial mediation effect of mindfulness through PsyCap and EI; and (d) the proposed model explained a substantial amount of variance in university students’ career adaptability. Conclusions: Despite its strengths, the study acknowledged certain limitations and discussed potential implications for enhancing career adaptability, highlighting the benefits of cultivating mindfulness. Full article

This study investigated the adaptation of culinary culture and behavioral adjustment to Turkish cuisine among international students. The sample comprised 82 students (61.0% males; 39.0% females) from over 20 countries across Europe, Central Asia, South/Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, all enrolled at Erciyes University. Data collection involved a sociodemographic questionnaire, assessments of food consumption frequency and cooking methods, and the Culinary Culture Adaptation Assessment Inventory. Results indicate that adaptation to Turkish cuisine occurs through a selective and gradual behavioral process. Higher adaptation levels were observed for basic dietary components (bread, soup, rice, yoghurt, and tea), whereas adoption of starch- and sugar-heavy dietary patterns was more limited. Gender comparisons revealed significantly higher scores for meat-heavy and starch-heavy dietary patterns among males (p = 0.048 and p = 0.031, respectively). In contrast, regional origin, economic status, and language proficiency were not significantly associated with culinary acculturation levels. Comparisons based on length of residence identified significant differences in meat-heavy and starch-heavy dietary patterns (p = 0.034 and p = 0.008, respectively). Cooking behaviors remained stable for boiling, grilling, and baking, while frying and roasting decreased. Reported changes in portion perception and body weight suggest that culinary acculturation may extend beyond food choice to broader eating behaviors. Based on these results, an AI-supported interactive platform was developed to facilitate culturally comparable food matching between Turkish and global cuisines. These findings may inform the development of culturally sensitive strategies to support culinary adaptation among international students. Full article

Background/Objectives: Bullying victimization is a significant threat to adolescents’ psychological well-being and academic functioning. However, most prior research has relied on variable-centered approaches that may obscure meaningful heterogeneity in students’ victimization experiences. The present study aimed to identify latent subtypes of bullying victimization among adolescents in Saudi Arabia using nationally representative PISA 2022 data and to examine whether the structure and prevalence of these subtypes differed across gender. Methods: Data were drawn from the Saudi Arabian sample of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 and included 6709 adolescents. Bullying victimization was assessed using 11 categorical indicators representing different forms of victimization. Weighted descriptive analyses were first conducted to estimate the prevalence of specific bullying behaviors. Multigroup latent class analysis (LCA) was then applied separately across gender to identify victimization profiles and evaluate measurement and structural invariance. Sequential invariance testing was used to determine whether the latent classes had equivalent meaning and prevalence across males and females. This study involved secondary analysis of an existing large-scale educational dataset and did not require trial registration. Results: Weighted descriptive estimates showed that the prevalence of specific bullying victimization experiences ranged from 7.5% to 24.3%, with boys reporting greater exposure than girls on most overt and coercive forms. Class enumeration supported a parsimonious three-class solution for both genders, reflecting low, moderate, and high victimization severity. Approximately 71–79% of students were classified in the low-risk group, 14–18% in the moderate-risk group, and 3–14% in the high-risk group. Measurement invariance testing supported full invariance of item-response probabilities across gender, indicating that the latent classes represented substantively comparable victimization patterns for males and females. In contrast, structural invariance was not supported, as males were more likely to belong to the high-victimization class, whereas females were more likely to be classified in the low-risk group. Conclusions: The findings indicate that gender differences in bullying victimization are attributable to differences in the level of exposure rather than differences in the underlying structure of victimization experiences. Bullying victimization appears to be concentrated within a relatively small but highly vulnerable subgroup of adolescents. These results support the importance of universal school-based anti-bullying policies and prevention initiatives, while also highlighting the need for targeted psychosocial support and protective interventions for students experiencing chronic or multiple forms of victimization. Full article

Sexual cognitive schemas are central cognitive representations of sexual aspects of self that shape the interpretation of sexual experiences and may contribute to individual differences in sexual functioning. The present study aimed to validate the Questionnaire of Cognitive Schema Activation in Sexual Context (QCSASC) in a Hungarian sample and to examine whether sexual cognitive schemas mediate the relationship between personality traits and sexual functioning. A total of 256 university students (202 females) completed the QCSASC and the Zuckerman–Kuhlman–Aluja Personality Questionnaire. Moreover, the Female Sexual Function Index was administered. The factor structure was examined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and associations among personality, schemas, and sexual function were tested using correlational, regression, and mediation analyses. Results supported a five-factor structure of the Hungarian QCSASC, identifying Helplessness, Incompetence, Rejection, Unattractiveness, and Unlovability schemas, all showing good internal consistency. Sexual cognitive schemas were positively related to Neuroticism and negatively to Extraversion. Female sexual function was related to the Incompetence schema. Personality traits showed no direct link with female sexual functioning; however, through the sexual cognitive schema, there was a significant indirect link between personality (Extraversion, Neuroticism) and female sexual functioning. These findings suggest that sexual cognitive schemas can represent a pathway between personality traits and sexual functioning. Full article

Background: Self-criticism is a transdiagnostic factor associated with psychological distress and poorer outcomes in traditional psychotherapy, yet recent evidence suggests it may facilitate change in preventive and low-intensity interventions. This study examined the role of self-criticism in adherence, working alliance, and outcomes within NoiBene, a guided self-help program designed to promote well-being and prevent psychological distress among non-clinical university students. Methods: A total of 455 participants (82% female; M = 23.5 years) completed measures of internalized and comparative self-criticism, and key psychological processes (e.g., emotional awareness, rumination, worry, perfectionism, psychological inflexibility, and assertiveness) were assessed before and after the intervention. Adherence and working alliance were measured only after the intervention. Results: Contrary to evidence from clinical settings, severe self-criticism was not associated with increased dropout or weaker alliance. Instead, individuals with severe self-criticism exhibited the greatest improvements across multiple domains, suggesting a higher potential for therapeutic gain. Moreover, participants with moderate levels of both internalized and comparative self-criticism showed higher dropout and lower adherence. Conclusions: These findings indicate that, in preventive guided self-help contexts, self-criticism does not necessarily hinder engagement and outcomes and may, under certain conditions, function as a catalyst for change. Implications for tailoring digital preventive interventions and addressing dropout risk are discussed. Full article

Background: Spirituality and religious diversity are increasingly recognized as essential components of holistic nursing care in global healthcare systems. However, their integration into undergraduate nursing education remains heterogeneous and often insufficiently structured, creating a gap between professional values and students’ preparedness to address spiritual needs in culturally diverse clinical environments. This study aimed to explore nursing students’ perceptions, attitudes, and perceived competencies regarding spirituality, religion, and spiritual care. Methods: A descriptive exploratory survey was conducted on a sample of 69 third-year nursing students (69.6% female; majority aged ≤24 years) enrolled in two universities in Rome, Italy. Data were collected between May and July 2025 using the Nursing Care and Religious Diversity Scale (NCRDS), consisting of 31 items. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, internal reliability analyses, group comparisons, and multivariate regression models. Results: Students showed moderate levels of attention to patients’ spiritual needs (mean = 3.11, SD = 0.88) and integration of spirituality into care practice, while high importance was attributed to spiritual care skills. University education was perceived as only partially adequate. Multivariate analyses showed that students’ personal spirituality is positively associated with the assessment of spiritual needs and the perception of competence, while exposure to contexts characterized by greater religious diversity is associated with a lower perception of preparedness. Conclusions: The results highlight a discrepancy between professional values and perceived operational skills, suggesting the need to systematically integrate spirituality and religious diversity into nursing curricula. These findings highlight the need for a structured integration of spirituality and religious diversity into nursing curricula through targeted educational strategies in order to strengthen students’ competencies and promote truly holistic and person-centered care. Full article