Search Results (58)

With the growing pressures of modern society, physical and mental health issues have emerged as critical global concerns. Forest therapy (FT), a novel health management model that integrates natural environments with physical and mental healing, has gained increasing attention in recent years. However, mainstream FT approaches often overlook the psychological value of interpersonal interaction. Building upon traditional FT, this study proposes a new framework called companionship-based forest therapy (CBFT), which emphasizes the importance of emotional support within natural settings. CBFT is not intended as a replacement for conventional FT, but rather as an optimized approach that enhances its therapeutic effects by incorporating the element of companionship. This study aims to evaluate the physiological and psychological benefits of a novel intervention model—companion-based forest therapy (CBFT)—compared to conventional forest therapy models. Grounded in psychological theories and supported by empirical analysis, this study presents an applied framework of CBFT grounded in established psychological theories and validates its effectiveness through a comparative intervention involving 30 college students. Interpreted from the perspectives of ecological and humanistic psychology, the results indicate that CBFT significantly improves emotional regulation, reduces physiological stress responses, and enhances overall mental well-being. These findings highlight the value of social connection in FT practices and offer new directions for the development and application of forest therapy. Full article

This paper examines the challenges of our hyperconnected society through the lens of Daoist philosophy, specifically drawing on the thoughts of Laozi and the Zhuangzi. This study begins by analyzing the broad implications of hyperconnectivity in contemporary society, highlighting how unprecedented levels of interconnection shape modern human experience. The analysis identifies three critical challenges in our hyperconnected world: the individual cognitive level (where connected subjects experience confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance); the structural level (where systemic forces diminish individual autonomy and create unpredictable outcomes); and the amplified social level (where the interaction between individual and structural factors intensifies social division, isolation, systemic risks, and cascading failures). This paper approaches these challenges through three key Daoist concepts: Dao as the foundational principle of reality, Qi as the underlying logic of interconnection, and the complementary principles of Wu-wei (non-action) and Ziran (self-so-ness) as frameworks for managing desire. These concepts yield two crucial insights: the need to deepen our understanding of connectivity’s practical dimensions and the importance of maintaining critical distance between means and ends through persistent questioning of fundamental principles. As technological advancement and material concerns increasingly dominate society, Daoist philosophy offers both a warning about the potential loss of human essence and practical guidance for maintaining purposeful awareness through Wu-wei and Ziran. The concept of Qi further illuminates humanity’s fundamental embeddedness in universal interconnection. This paper concludes by proposing ways to bridge theory and practice, emphasizing expanded awareness of connectivity, philosophical inquiry into essence, and the enduring relevance of humanistic wisdom. Full article

On behalf of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology, we are pleased to present the Abstracts from the 2025 Annual Conference, titled “Responding to the Human Experience of Cancer and Caring for the Soul: Building on 40 years of global leadership in psychosocial oncology”. The 40th Annual CAPO Conference was held in Toronto from 23 April 2025 to 25 April 2025. In an era marked by the rapid advancement of biologically focused precision medicine, it is imperative to redirect our attention towards the human experience of illness and the soul of medicine. Biomedicine has conceptualized illness in ways that have proved profoundly productive from a curative and biological point of view. But it cannot—and it does not pretend to—illuminate the experience of living with it. (Hurwitz 2009). This conference aims to delve into the intricate interplay between cutting-edge biomedical technologies inclusive of artificial intelligence and big data and the deeply personal narratives of individuals navigating illness. By shifting the focus from mere disease pathology to encompassing the holistic human experience, we aspire to foster a more compassionate and patient-centered approach to healthcare with psychosocial support at the core of humanistic care that can improve survival and well-being in all aspects of a whole-person approach to illness. Through interdisciplinary dialogue and introspection, we endeavor to illuminate the profound connection between mind, body, and spirit in the practice of medicine, reaffirming the timeless significance of empathy, understanding, and human connection in healing and psychosocial aspects of care as fundamental to living well with cancer. This conference brought together key stakeholders including multidisciplinary professionals from nursing, psychology, psychiatry, social work, spiritual care, nutrition, medicine, rehabilitation medicine, occupational health and radiation therapy for both adult and pediatric populations. Participants included clinicians, researchers, educators in cancer care, community-based organizations and patient representatives. Patients, caregivers and family members presented abstracts that speak to their role in managing cancer experiences and care. Over two hundred (200) abstracts were submitted for presentation as symposia, 20-minute oral presentations, 10-minute oral presentations, 90-minute workshops and poster presentations. We congratulate all the presenters on their research work and contribution. Full article

Government budget management serves as a critical enabler for the development of a green economy and represents an essential pathway to promote sustainable urban development. The government budget delineates the scope and direction of governmental activities, while the advancement of a green economy heavily relies on the support of budgetary funds. Adopting the perspective of government budget management capabilities, this study examines the budget deviations across 288 prefecture-level cities in China from 2007 to 2021. By constructing a double fixed-effects model, we assess whether government budget management can effectively balance environmental governance with sustainable economic development, thereby fostering green economic growth. The findings indicate that government budget management indeed achieves this balance, with revenue management playing a more significant role compared to expenditure management. Mechanism analyses reveal that at the revenue level, government budget management regulates local economic behavior through tax constraints, while at the expenditure level, it drives green economic development by promoting technological innovation. Heterogeneity analysis further demonstrates that geographical differences, humanistic environment factors, and the degree of marketization significantly influence the development of the green economy. Based on these insights, this paper proposes targeted policy recommendations aimed at mitigating the tension between environmental governance and sustainable economic development and facilitating the attainment of green economic objectives ultimately. Full article

This article, via empirical studies, investigates the influences of facility accessibility, facility correlation, and resident satisfaction on urban spatial quality. It is discovered that these three elements are positively correlated with urban spatial quality. Excellent facility accessibility and rational layout can elevate urban spatial quality, and resident satisfaction reflects the outcome of environmental optimization. On this basis, this article puts forward strategies of intensifying infrastructure construction, using multi-source data to optimize the transportation system, implementing humanistic care and promoting community interaction, promoting digital and intelligent management of the city, and paying attention to the cultural aesthetics of the city, with the aim of offering theoretical support and practical guidance for enhancing urban spatial quality, facilitating sustainable urban development and the improvement of residents’ quality of life. Full article

Objective: This systematic literature review (SLR) evaluates the global burden of treatment-induced vasomotor symptoms (VMSs) in individuals with breast cancer receiving tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Methods: Embase and PubMed were searched for observational and interventional studies published between January 2010 and January 2023 reporting on adults who experienced moderate to severe VMSs after tamoxifen or AI treatment for breast cancer. Epidemiological, clinical, humanistic, economic, and treatment pattern data were extracted where available. Results: Of 694 unique publications identified, 37 independent studies (22 observational and 15 interventional) were included. The prevalence or incidence of treatment-induced VMSs was reported in 17 studies. The prevalence of hot flashes ranged from 32.5% to 82.9% in observational studies, while their incidence ranged from 2% to 60.0% in interventional studies. In four studies that reported data, individuals experienced VMSs with a frequency of 2 to 20 episodes per day. There were limited data on VMS timing (within a 24 h period or in relation to treatment dosing), duration, and correlations with clinical outcomes. Age, weight gain, body mass index, ethnicity, employment intensity, and certain genetic haplotypes were identified as risk factors for VMSs; however, these factors were often reported in only one study each. Notable evidence gaps in the literature included treatment options or management strategies for treatment-induced VMSs and the economic burden associated with treatment-induced VMSs. Conclusions: This SLR highlights the burden of treatment-induced VMSs in individuals with breast cancer receiving tamoxifen or AI therapy. Moderate to severe symptoms were reported in a large proportion of individuals across several studies. Evidence gaps were identified for economic burden and treatment patterns; further research is needed to understand the unmet needs for this population. Full article

Purpose: This article focuses on identifying cognitive behavioral (CB) techniques that can help nurse supervisors more effectively navigate interpersonal challenges, reduce workplace stress, improve team cohesion, and, ultimately, enhance overall organizational performance and staff well-being. Approach: Through a comprehensive review of leadership literature and clinical management practices, we determined that CB techniques could be integrated into nursing management. Two hypothetical scenarios within this context are offered, where CB techniques can enhance nursing leadership effectiveness. Conclusions and Recommendations: CB techniques offer a humanistic approach to nursing leadership through: (1) providing tools for leaders to reframe challenges and frustrations, particularly in resource-limited settings; (2) offering stress-management strategies for nursing leaders; and (3) enhancing communication skills, self-awareness, and team motivation. These applications can potentially improve both staff and management satisfaction, ultimately improving patient care quality. Healthcare organizations should consider incorporating CB techniques into their leadership development programs. We suggest practical ways to implement these techniques in daily nursing management, emphasizing the importance of creating supportive and safe work environments and provide recommendations for future research. This perspective extends the cognitive behavioral approach beyond its traditional therapeutic context into nursing leadership, providing a novel theoretical framework for understanding and enhancing leadership development in healthcare settings. Full article

Background/Objectives: There exist several interconnected issues that hinder the development of family medicine in Commonwealth realms such as the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. These issues affect both the medical and nursing professions. Family physicians, in most countries including the United Kingdom, are not considered “specialists” and are called “general practitioners” instead. The term GP is an outdated and potentially demeaning term relegated to the early 20th century when they did not receive any more than a few rotations as staff grades before being allowed to run their own community clinic. Registered nurses often cover a minor and subaltern role when working as practice nurses in the UK. They are often replaced by cost-effective, licensed practical nurses in most other English-speaking countries. Nurse practitioners in the UK, though being de facto entirely equal to family physicians in countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most US states, do not hold a special registration status. Their training is not defined in specific legislation, and they do not function as alternatives to general practitioners in the sense that patient may register with them alone which is often the case in Canada or the USA. Family medicine is, therefore, generally left lacking leadership with members of the medical and nursing professions often struggling for “power” in a way that undermines the foundation of family medicine which is to serve the health needs of a large population ranging from children to seniors. Methods: The purpose of this paper is to describe a solution to management in a Family Medicine Clinic in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Results: In this model, the physician-nurse team developed a highly trained role of Clinical Nurse Specialist which serves as an overall clinic manager. Conclusions: The implementation of the Clinical Nurse Specialist-led model in family medicine has improved clinic efficiency, patient access, and provider satisfaction. This approach demonstrates a viable framework for enhancing primary care management across Commonwealth realms. Full article

Human cultural complexity did not arise in a vacuum. This study employs agent-based modeling (ABM) and ecological modeling perspectives, combined with reinforcement-learning techniques, to investigate whether conditions that allowed for the lower spoilage of stored food, often associated with colder climates and abundant large fauna, might have indirectly fostered the emergence of cultural complexity. Specifically, we developed a mathematical framework to capture how spoilage rates, yield levels, resource management skills, and cultural activities interact within a multi-agent system. Under the restrictive constraints, we proved that lower spoilage and adequate yields reduced the frequency of hunting, freeing time for cultural pursuits. We then implemented a reinforcement-learning simulation to validate these predictions by training agents in different $(Y,p)$ environments, where Y is the yield and p is the probability of daily spoilage. Our regression analysis and visualizations showed strong correlations between stable conditions with lower spoilage and higher levels of cultural investment. While we do not claim to replicate prehistoric social realities directly, our findings highlight the potential of ABM and ecological modeling to illuminate how environmental factors influence the allocation of time to complex cultural activities. This work offers a computationally grounded perspective that bridges humanistic inquiries into the origins of culture with formal agent-based methods. Full article

The lack of evidence synthesis studies on the role of psychiatric mental health nursing in the context of psychiatric home hospitalization underscores the limited research on nurses providing care in these teams, particularly concerning their experiences and responsibilities and the actual role of nurses in this context. This knowledge has the potential to improve the quality of mental healthcare by guiding nursing practices. Objective: To map the concepts related to the role of mental health nurses in psychiatric home hospitalization. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the methodology proposed by the JBI, involving five methodological stages. No search limits were applied except for language. Results: The review identified five key dimensions of nursing in psychiatric home hospitalization: satisfaction; care models; the therapeutic relationship; the care environment; the organization of care. These interconnected dimensions influence quality care. Satisfaction among nurses, patients, and families is associated with improved outcomes and reduced stigma. The therapeutic relationship is characterized by a humanistic approach, emphasizing dialogue, empathy, and shared decision making. Additionally, the importance of care organization is highlighted, including individualized care plans, medication management, and intersectoral collaboration. Discussion: The five nursing dimensions align with the Quality Standards of the Portuguese Nursing Council and are consistent with the scientific literature. Conclusions: Although there is a shortage of studies on this topic, this review allows for the synthesis of nursing interventions and reflection on the paradigm shift in care within the scope of psychiatric mental health nursing interventions. Future studies highlighting the value of mental health nursing interventions, with a particular focus on nursing-sensitive indicators and employing quantitative or mixed methods, will be crucial to furthering the analysis conducted thus far. Full article

Native Hawaiians (NHs) are a historically oppressed population disproportionately burdened by diabetes and related complications. The Kilolani Project, a patient navigator-centered, chronic disease management program, targets upstream drivers of health among vulnerable NH adult patients with diabetes within an urban academic safety-net clinic. To investigate the impact of the Kilolani Project, we performed a qualitative study to examine patient perspectives. Our goal is to ensure that their values, needs, and priorities drive future navigator-based strategies and healthcare delivery. Fifteen current Kilolani Project patients participated in one of three focus group sessions. Each session followed a semi-structured format with open-ended questions regarding their experiences with the Kilolani Project, patient navigators, and healthcare in general. Iterative transcript readings and coding revealed seven core themes: (1) Humanistic approach, (2) Trusting relationships, (3) Improved access, (4) Trauma-informed care, (5) Self-efficacy, (6) Resilience, and (7) Ethnic concordance. The Kilolani Project created a safe and culturally relevant experience for NH patients. They felt seen, heard, and valued, which resulted in an improved healthcare experience, engagement, and empowerment. Importantly, trust was the cornerstone to building a provider–patient relationship. Such culturally informed approaches are necessary to close the gap in health disparities faced by our NH communities. Full article

This study examined the integration of cultural accounting in the conservation of a traditional performing art called Bantengan in Malang Raya, Indonesia, that is rich in local wisdom and spiritual values. The study focused on exploring the values of local wisdom contained in Bantengan and analyzing accounting records in its financing, especially post-COVID-19 pandemic. Using a qualitative approach with an ethnomethodological paradigm, data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation from the Sukopuro Bantengan Association. This study revealed the importance of accountability in the management and conservation of traditional arts to ensure transparency, sustainability, and relevance of cultural values in an ever-evolving social context. Accounting, often associated with technical aspects, in this context also reflects humanistic and cultural values. The findings of this study are expected to provide a new perspective in the field of cultural accounting, especially related to the conservation and development of traditional arts in Indonesia, as well as provide a useful framework for the management of cultural assets in other regions that have similar contexts. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, degenerative brain disorder that impairs memory and thinking skills, leading to significant economic and humanistic burdens. It is associated with various neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) such as anxiety, agitation, depression, aggression, apathy, and psychosis. NPSs are common in patients with AD, affecting up to 97% of individuals diagnosed with AD. The severity of NPS is linked to disease progression and cognitive decline. NPS in Alzheimer’s disease leads to increased morbidity, mortality, caregiver burden, earlier nursing home placement, and higher healthcare costs. Despite their significant impact, clinical research on NPS in AD is limited. In clinical settings, accurately distinguishing and diagnosing NPS related to AD remains a challenge. Additionally, conventional treatments for NPS in AD are often ineffective, highlighting the need for new therapies that target these specific symptoms. Understanding these comorbidities can aid in early diagnosis and better management of AD. In this review, we provide a summary of the various neurological and psychiatric symptoms (NPS) associated with AD and new candidates under development for the treatment of NPS based on their therapeutic targets and mechanisms. On top of the conventional NPS studied so far, this review adds recent advancements in the understanding of social functional impairment in AD. This review also provides information that can contribute to the advancement of studies and translational research in this field by emphasizing therapeutic targets and mechanisms of action focused on AD-related NPS rather than conventional mechanisms targeted in AD drug development. Above all, considering the relative lack of research in this new field despite the importance of clinical, medical, and translational research, it may increase interest in NPS in AD, its pathophysiological mechanisms, and potential therapeutic candidates such as molecules with antioxidant potential. Full article

Tourists’ environmentally responsible behavior (TERB) is one of the key areas in tourism as it concerns tourism sustainability that further influences a destination’s competitiveness and image. This study sought to deepen the formation of TERB through tourists’ degree of environmental perception, mediated by their feeling of awe towards the environment, and moderated by their level of face consciousness. Data were collected from tourists in Tibet and the findings indicated that awe exerted partial mediation on the tourists’ perception-behavior relationship. Furthermore, face consciousness moderated the mediated relationship of humanistic environmental perception, awe, and TERB. This study adds value to existing tourism studies by revealing the influences of awe on constructing tourists’ attitude in sustainable tourism. From a practical perspective, the findings offer insights for destination management organizations (DMOs) in promoting tourists’ environmentally responsible behavior that fosters sustainable tourism development. Full article

As a carrier of cultural characteristics of historic districts, the soundscape has unique advantages in shaping regional cultural personality, and mastering its spatiotemporal characteristics is crucial for preserving soundscape heritage with natural and humanistic environments as its kernel. Focusing on the Three Square and Seven Alleys historic and cultural district in Fuzhou, this paper analyzes the spatial and temporal patterns of the physical acoustic indicators of the soundscape, the spatial dependence of the sound source harmony, and the spatial relationship between the two. It was found that the physical acoustic indicators showed dynamic changes in spatial and temporal scales and reflect specific human activity and behavioral patterns; sound source harmony showed spatial autocorrelation in both global and local models, with prominent spatial characteristics; and the physical acoustic indicators may negatively affect soundscape perception. The study emphasizes the importance of the regional cultural connotation of soundscape in urban planning. It provides a scientific basis for the planning, designing, and managing of soundscape resources in historic and cultural districts and world heritage sites. Full article