Search Results (149)

Background/Objectives: Mental health problems are common among university students and are more consistently associated with dissatisfaction with academic performance than with low grades alone. This study examined the prevalence and determinants of perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and low psychological well-being among university students in Punjab, Pakistan, and assessed their association with academic performance. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among students aged 15 to 29 years at three public universities in Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 1308 questionnaires were completed, yielding a response rate of 91.4%. This study uses data collected in 2015 as a pre-COVID historical baseline, providing valuable insights into student mental health before the global pandemic. This temporal context offers a benchmark for future comparative studies, especially when assessing the mental health impact of COVID-19 on university students. Data were analyzed using SPSS with descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, binary logistic regression, and multinomial logistic regression. Results: The findings revealed that perceived stress and depressive symptoms were prevalent, with 54.9% of students reporting high levels of stress (mean PSS score = 27.6, SD = 8.3), and 44.2% experiencing depressive symptoms (mean M-BDI score = 33.8, SD = 16.2). Female students exhibited higher stress and depressive symptoms compared to male students. Year of study was also a factor, with second- and third-year students experiencing more stress than their final-year counterparts (p < 0.05). Financial strain was associated with poorer mental health outcomes; 62% of students who reported inadequate financial support also reported higher stress levels (p < 0.05). In contrast, students with sufficient financial resources had lower odds of experiencing stress and depressive symptoms (AOR = 0.55, p < 0.05). Additionally, students living in university or private hostels reported better psychological well-being than those living at home (AOR = 0.47, p < 0.01). Mental health issues, particularly high stress and depression, were more strongly linked with academic dissatisfaction than low grades alone, with students in the “low grades and unsatisfied” group exhibiting higher odds of mental health problems (AOR = 2.30, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Mental health problems were common among university students and were associated with poorer academic experiences, particularly dissatisfaction with academic performance. Universities should strengthen accessible mental health support through counseling services, stress-management programs, and stigma-reduction initiatives. Full article

Waterfront brownfield urban public parks (WBUPPs) are complex regeneration projects that require comprehensive assessment of environmental remediation, climate resilience, urban connectivity, and social well-being. This study proposes a structured GIS-based spatial analysis protocol that operationalizes key attributes of brownfields, waterfronts, public parks, and sustainability, with the aim of examining how digital tools can support WBUPP planning processes. Using free and open source resources and datasets (QGIS and OpenStreetMap), the approach produces eight core thematic maps that spatially organize 39 of 50 criteria identified from the literature and classified under economic, environmental, and social sustainability dimensions. This mapping protocol streamlines navigation for planners through complex datasets and offers researchers a foundation for thematic spatial analyses aligned with these literature-based criteria. The protocol is illustrated with Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City—an 85-acre waterfront redevelopment that demonstrates heritage conservation, ecological restoration, and financial viability. The results highlight identifiable spatial patterns such as dual zones (urban buffer and recreation), winding pathways, and clustered amenities. At the same time, the analysis underscores the importance of data validation, as inconsistencies in volunteered geographic information require cross-referencing with multiple sources and field verification. The analysis shows that WBUPPs require tailored approaches that integrate land–water mobility, heritage adaptation, nature-based solutions, and equitable service distribution. This criteria-driven protocol offers adaptable guidance for future waterfront brownfield regeneration, while emphasizing that digitalization enhances the process, but it cannot replace hybrid analytical methods that combine quantitative spatial analysis with qualitative evaluations. Full article

Black children and youth in Canada often hold high educational aspirations; however, systemic biases, deficit-based perceptions, and structural barriers limit their opportunities. These challenges, linked to anti-Black racism, migration-related disruptions, and socioeconomic inequities, contribute to lower engagement, underrepresentation, and reduced access to equitable educational resources. This scoping review examines these intersecting factors to inform equity-focused policy and practice. Following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and reported according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines, this review analyzed 96 studies published from database inception to May 2024, including 55 qualitative, 37 quantitative, and 4 mixed-methods studies. Bibliometric analysis was used to summarize study characteristics, while a thematic synthesis guided by intersectionality identified patterns in barriers, experiences, and interventions. Findings indicate that Black children and youth face persistent barriers, including systemic racism, disproportionate disciplinary practices, and Eurocentric curricula, with inequities further shaped by intersections of race, immigration status, and socioeconomic position. At the same time, mentorship, sponsorship, and community networks support academic resilience. Reported interventions include anti-racism training for educators and school stakeholders, culturally responsive curricula, mentorship initiatives, mental health supports, and financial aid. Advancing equity for Black children and youth in Canada requires systemic reform, culturally responsive pedagogy, and intersectionality-informed policies. Future research should prioritize participatory and longitudinal designs to generate evidence on effective and scalable strategies that foster educational opportunity and well-being. Full article

Background: South African university students face escalating levels of psychological distress driven by academic overload, financial precarity, and social challenges. Health professions students are particularly vulnerable due to the demanding nature of clinical training and repeated exposure to human suffering. Aim: This study aims to propose an Integrated Student Well-being and Resilience Model tailored to the South African health professions education context. Methods: This conceptual paper draws on empirical evidence from South African studies on student mental health, global campus well-being frameworks, and socio-ecological theory. Bronfenbrenner’s Socio-Ecological Systems Theory and a tiered public health approach were synthesized to develop a multi-level model aimed at addressing the academic, financial, and social determinants of student mental health. Conceptual synthesis: The study unequivocally identified a syndemic of interconnected factors predisposing students to depression, which included the interplay of academic rigour and cognitive burnout, financial vulnerability as a determinant of mental health, the crisis of social connection and psychological safety, and institutional failure and the resilience fallacy. Conclusions: The Integrated Student Well-being and Resilience (ISWR) Model is a systemic architecture designed to coordinate institutional governance with the complex psychosocial needs of health professions students. The model provides a holistic, scalable framework for strengthening student well-being within health professions education. By shifting from reactive counselling to proactive, system-level interventions, the model offers a strategic blueprint for creating resilient, supportive learning environments capable of improving student mental health and fostering a healthier future healthcare workforce. Full article

Goal-based financial management and planning for future financial needs is a critical element for individuals’ wellbeing in the modern world. Lacking the ability to identify key financial needs may negatively affect one’s standard of living and lead to adverse consequences. Like other aspects of individuals’ lives, culture plays an important role in shaping attitudes and, consequently, financial planning practices. In this respect, the literature lacks studies from developing countries and south-east Asian cultures. This study aims to address this gap by undertaking an exploratory investigation of the personal financial practices of the emerging middle class in Bangladesh. Using surveys and interviews, we find that immediate financial needs and family financial wellbeing are central to the financial concerns of the middle class. We found previous financial hardship, along with perceived wealth, to drive savings and other financial planning practices. However, findings also suggest poor knowledge of and lack of trust in financial products and services which may jeopardize financial inclusion. Orchestrated efforts from professionals, advocacy groups, and regulators are needed to build trust in the financial system and facilitate financial inclusion—a key component for economic growth and societal advancement in a developing country such as Bangladesh. Full article

This paper examines the relation between transversal skills, economic education, and financial literacy in modern education. A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2022 methodology, resulting in the selection and analysis of 49 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus and Web of Science. The paper explores theoretical considerations, pedagogical strategies, and the possibility of integrating these fields into educational practice. It identifies three specific points of research interest: firstly, to identify trends in the integration of transversal competencies into economic education; secondly, to assess how transversal skills impact the development of financial literacy; and thirdly, to create recommendations for educational programs and teaching methods. The results highlight that transversal skills—particularly critical thinking, collaboration, being digitally literate, and problem-solving—play an indispensable role in both learning economics and building financial literacy. While students of economic education gain insight into issues such as resource management, market mechanisms, and labor economics, financial literacy provides them with knowledge on personal finance issues, sustainability, and informed decision-making. An original aspect of the research is the attempt to merge transversal skills with economic education and financial literacy within a single framework. The results also indicate future directions of educational reform and point to ways to enhance students’ financial well-being and entrepreneurial capacity. Full article

Student dropout in higher education remains a critical issue with far-reaching consequences for students, institutions, and society. This study aims to identify and analyse the criteria influencing student dropout and to propose strategies for improving student retention. A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA 2020 methodology, combined with thematic analysis, to synthesise recent research on academic, financial, behavioural, and personal university climate factors, as well as student attitude factors contributing to dropout. The findings indicate that dropout is a multidimensional and multicausal problem, affected by academic performance, financial challenges, psychological wellbeing, social integration, and institutional environment. Measurable factors, such as grades and attendance, can be used in predictive models and adaptive learning systems, while non-measurable factors, including motivation, engagement, and personal circumstances, inform the targeted student support system model. The study highlights the importance of early identification of at-risk students, holistic support programs, and the integration of both objective and subjective data to enhance student retention. Implementing these strategies can reduce dropout rates, improve student wellbeing, and support sustainable development in higher education. Future research should consider contextual differences across countries and explore adaptive, data-informed support systems to mitigate dropout risks further. Full article

Food insecurity is a considerable challenge for university students globally. While food pantries are a primary response, their impact on psychological well-being remains unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate effects of providing hot meals during community food-pantry events on participant satisfaction and self-reported loneliness among financially challenged university students in Tokyo. A non-randomized pre-post design was used to compare events with (n = 87) and without (n = 41) a hot meal. Participant satisfaction was assessed using a questionnaire; loneliness was measured using the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale. Hot-meal events had a 100% satisfaction rate. Notably, satisfaction with the café space was significantly higher in hot-meal events than in non-meal events (p = 0.003). However, analysis of covariance indicated that the adjusted mean difference in post-event loneliness scores was not statistically significant. Hot meals enhanced participant satisfaction and the perception of the venue, suggesting it is a key component of the food-utilization dimension of food security. Although a significant reduction in loneliness was not observed, the high appreciation of the dining environment suggests that future programs should integrate hot meals with strategies to maximize social interaction, aiming for a more holistic impact on student well-being. Full article

Sustainable development, with its three pillars (environmental, social, and governance, ESG), is crucial for human well-being. Climate change is occurring faster than expected. In 2015, 193 countries signed the United Nations’ Agenda 2030, which must be achieved by 2030 along with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. In the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) cycle, the Check phase is crucial—sustainability reporting (SR) is essential. This article provides an overview of existing SR standards (SRSs) and their future development but does not conduct a systematic review of the relevant scientific literature on the application of SRSs. The information review methodology shows that SRSs are already well-developed in large companies. The different standards are described, including voluntary ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, the mandatory European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). National SRSs are often aligned with the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards. Besides the corporate SRSs, public SRSs covering governmental and non-governmental institutions, universities, and associations are described. Public SRSs should be adapted to the needs of public institutions. Finally, the SRSs for individuals and communities is discussed to cover these important parts of humanity. The social and governance sustainability reports could be extended with annual personal or community Carbon or Ecological Footprint reports. Full article

This study proposes a two-stage structural model integrating financial literacy, education, attitudes, behavior, financial advice, and financial stress as predictors of financial capabilities. It examines the relationship between financial capabilities and financial well-being, highlighting financial resilience as a potential mediator. The main contribution is positioning financial resilience as a central explanatory mechanism, offering a holistic perspective that addresses theoretical gaps and provides empirical evidence in the context of an emerging economy. A non-experimental, quantitative, cross-sectional design was applied with a sample of 365 university students from Veracruz, Mexico. Data were collected via an online questionnaire and analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling (SEM), and mediation analysis with bootstrap procedures. The results indicate that financial literacy, education, attitudes, financial advice, and behavior positively influence financial capabilities, with financial advice being the strongest predictor. Financial capabilities strongly affect financial well-being, whereas financial resilience did not mediate this relationship. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and non-probability sampling. Future research could examine additional mediators and moderators and evaluate interventions in diverse socio-economic contexts. Full article

Background/Objectives: Stroke survivors require life-long secondary prevention to reduce recurrence, but they also often face long-term impairments that may limit medication adherence (MA) including cognitive, physical, and psychological effects. This updated qualitative meta-synthesis aims to descriptively explore and synthesise the experiences and perspectives of stroke/TIA survivors, informal and formal carers of stroke survivors, and healthcare professionals involved in post-stroke/TIA care, with a focus on factors influencing and hindering MA. Methods: A qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidance. Searches were undertaken across MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science for studies published from 1 January 2018. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist and data synthesised using Thomas and Harden’s method. Results: Of 5463 titles and abstracts screened, 212 underwent full-text review with 13 papers meeting inclusion criteria from eight countries with a total of 435 participants. Seven key themes were identified: knowledge and understanding, beliefs and attitudes, practical barriers, social support, healthcare system, psychological factors and medication characteristics. Survivors showed a varied understanding of their condition and prescribed medicines, with unclear communication often contributing to confusion. Beliefs and attitudes shaped adherence, ranging from confidence in treatment to scepticism. Practical barriers included financial costs, physical impairments, and limited access to services. Social support from family, friends, and healthcare professionals was also important. Psychological wellbeing, coping strategies, and medication side effects further influenced adherence, highlighting the challenges faced by this patient group. Conclusions: Medication adherence post-stroke/TIA is shaped by multiple complex factors including knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and lived experience. As a descriptive synthesis of qualitative evidence, these findings do not permit conclusions regarding causality or intervention effectiveness but provide insight into perceived barriers and facilitators that may inform future intervention development and clinical questioning. Full article

This study examines how employee benefit practices link employee well-being with financial sustainability in sustainable organization management. Focusing on Generation Z, it investigates the intersection between meaning attributed to employee benefits and managerial decision-making guided by financial rationality. Drawing on human resources management (HRM) and finance perspectives, employee benefits are conceptualized as mechanisms for balancing human-centered value creation and economic resilience. A qualitative design was used, based on semi-structured interviews with 15 Generation Z employees and 20 human resources (HR) and finance managers in Türkiye. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis and the Gioia methodology to develop an inductive, multi-level framework. The findings indicate that Generation Z employees view employee benefits as psychosocial resources reflecting justice, autonomy, psychological safety, and value alignment—core components of subjective and eudaimonic well-being—while managers assess them primarily through financial sustainability logics such as cost control and return on investment. Overall, meaning- and cost-oriented perspectives emerge as mutually reinforcing within sustainable organizational systems. The study proposes the Meaning–Cost Balance (MCB) Framework, conceptualizing employee benefits as a strategic management mechanism aligning employee well-being with financial resilience. Positioned at the intersection of HRM and financial sustainability, the framework contributes to sustainable organization management and offers a transferable basis for future comparative research. Full article

Retirement marks a pivotal transition not only for individuals but also for their families. Existing research has examined relational aspects of retirement but primarily focuses on how family members influence the retiree’s well-being rather than on the impact of this transition on other family members and the broader family system. To address this imbalance, the present review synthesizes evidence drawing upon Family Life Course Theory and Family Systems Theory. Using a well-established five-stage framework, we conducted extensive database searches and refined our guiding research question. Of the 4034 studies identified, 61 were selected for detailed analysis. Data extraction and thematic coding, supported by MAXQDA 24 software, revealed eight interconnected themes: marital quality and conflict; dyadic adjustments between partners; financial impacts and concerns; time use and leisure; redistribution of domestic roles; health outcomes; emotional and psychological effects on the family unit; and intergenerational dynamics. Across these domains, gender consistently emerged as a central, asymmetrical determinant of adaptation. Ultimately, this review demonstrates that retirement constitutes a relational turning point within families and calls for future research to adopt inclusive, longitudinal designs, and for practitioners and policymakers to develop family-centred interventions that recognize the systemic impact of retirement. Full article

There is an increasing number of academic and regulatory investigations into the behavioral and psychological implications of using Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services due to their rapid growth. There have been extensive investigations into impulse purchases using BNPL services; however, there has been relatively little focus placed upon examining post-purchase regret associated with BNPL service use. The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review of the extant literature investigating how BNPL service use relates to both impulsive purchasing behavior and post-purchase regret. A total of ten empirical studies were identified through a comprehensive search of the Scopus database according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, which were all published between 2018 and 2025. The results indicated that BNPL features, including deferred payments, perceived affordability, and urgency cues, are consistent predictors of both greater impulsive purchasing and lower levels of payment salience. The results of this review, however, reveal that many existing studies have failed to directly measure post-purchase regret and instead rely on proxy indicators, including financial distress, emotional discomfort, and decreased well-being. These findings, therefore, highlight a major theoretical and methodological void in the existing literature. In addition, by providing a synthesis of the current evidence base, this review aims to provide a clearer understanding of how BNPL features influence both consumer decision-making processes and post-purchase emotional responses; additionally, this review highlights the necessity for future research to utilize valid measures of regret, longitudinal designs and ethically informed analytical frameworks when investigating the psychological impacts of adopting BNPL services. Full article

Background/Objectives: Family members are the principal providers of home-based care for migrant older adults. Linguistic, cultural, and structural barriers within health systems exacerbate the caregiver burden across emotional, physical and financial domains. Although home healthcare services may alleviate this burden, variability in access, cultural safety, and care coordination can also intensify it. This scoping review maps the evidence on the burden experienced by family caregivers who deliver home-based healthcare to migrant older adults and examines how these arrangements affect caregivers’ health and well-being. It synthesizes the literature on facilitators and barriers—including access, cultural-linguistic fit, coordination with formal services, and legal/immigration constraints—and distills implications for policy and practice to strengthen equitable, culturally responsive home care. Method: The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review framework was used to conduct the review. A comprehensive search was performed across six databases (CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and Sociological Abstracts) for articles published between 2000 and 2025. Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria focusing on the family caregiver burden in providing home healthcare for migrant older adults. Data extraction and thematic analysis were conducted to identify key themes. Results: The review identified 20 studies across various geographical regions, highlighting four key themes: (1) Multidimensional Caregiver Burden, (2) The Influence of Gender, Family Hierarchy, and Migratory Trajectories on Caregiving, (3) Limited Access to Formal and Culturally Appropriate Support, and (4) Health Outcomes, Coping, and the Need for Community-Based Solutions. Conclusions: System-level reforms are required to advance equity in home healthcare for aging migrants. Priorities include establishing accountable cultural-safety training for providers; expanding multilingual access across intake, assessment, and follow-up; and formally recognizing and resourcing family caregivers (e.g., navigation support, respite, training, and financial relief). Investment in community-driven programs, frameworks and targeted outreach—co-designed with migrant communities—can mitigate isolation and improve uptake. While home healthcare is pivotal, structural inequities and cultural barriers continue to constrain equitable access. Addressing these gaps demands coordinated policy action, enhanced provider preparation, and culturally responsive care models. Future research should evaluate innovative frameworks that integrate community partnerships and culturally responsive practices to reduce the caregiver burden and improve outcomes for migrant families. Full article