Search Results (2,330)

Background/Objectives: Depression and anxiety in children pose a significant public health concern, with long-term implications for well-being. Over 10% of children and adolescents are affected by emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety. African American youth face disproportionate exposure to mental health risk factors, including poverty, adverse childhood events, community violence, and racial discrimination, which elevate their vulnerability to these disorders. A particularly at-risk subgroup includes African American children in kinship care arrangements (e.g., grandparents raising grandchildren), who may face additional factors such as family disruption and separation from birth parents. Methods: This mixed-methods sequential study examined how caregiver stress and birth mother–child relationship quality relate to depression and anxiety symptoms in African American children in kinship care. Phase I included survey data from 58 caregivers of children aged 5 to 12; Phase II involved interviews with 16 of these caregivers. Results: Results indicated that lower caregiver stress was associated with reduced child depression and anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, findings suggest that a high quality of the birth mother–child relationship serves as a promotive factor, particularly for depressive symptoms. Qualitative findings highlighted two themes: (1) the weight of kinship care, marked by factors such as ongoing grief and financial strain; and (2) birth parent relationships, defined by a mix of connection, conflict, and loss that affects children’s mental health. Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for greater understanding of the strengths and resources within kinship families that support positive mental health outcomes and highlight the importance of targeted interventions to reduce caregiver stress and foster supportive parent–child relationships. Full article

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents unique challenges in social interaction, communication and emotional regulation. Recent research has explored the potential influence of anime consumption among children with ASD, and the current findings suggest both beneficial and adverse effects. This review examines the role of anime in fostering social learning, emotional resilience, and cognitive engagement while also addressing concerns regarding its cultivation of social withdrawal, unrealistic expectations, and over-reliance on fictional narratives. By analyzing existing literature, this paper provides insights into the nuanced relationship between anime and ASD, highlighting the possibility that patterns of engagement may be associated with both positive and negative outcomes. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for parents, educators, and clinicians seeking to support the well-being and development of children with ASD. Full article

Background/Objectives: Early identification of terminally ill patients is crucial for enhancing care, patient and care partner satisfaction, and healthcare staff confidence in discussing disease trajectories. Yet, timely recognition remains challenging. To address this, we developed a minimally invasive intervention (MINI) for general hospital wards. We aimed to evaluate the MINI’s feasibility in facilitating an earlier identification of terminally ill patients and improving patient reported outcomes in a hospital setting. Methods: This prospective, two-arm pre-post intervention study at a university hospital evaluated the MINI alongside usual care. Patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life (SF-12), palliative care needs (IPOS), and functional status (ECOG), were collected at baseline and every three months over 12 months. Participants were allocated to a control or intervention group. Results: Of 188 patients identified using the Surprise Question, 58 completed the baseline assessment. While physical functioning (SF-12 PCS) remained comparable, the intervention group experienced clinically meaningful improvements in mental health (SF-12 MCS) at three months, with positive trends at six months. This group also showed a decline in palliative care needs, reduced emotional symptoms, and improved performance status, evidenced by significant differences in non-parametric analyses. These findings underscore the MINI’s potential to significantly improve patient well-being. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of the MINI and suggests it may foster meaningful system-wide change in patient-centred care within acute hospital settings, leading to improved patient outcomes and more confident healthcare staff in identifying terminally ill patients. However, given the small sample size, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Future research with larger cohorts and extended intervention periods is warranted to fully elucidate the MINI’s impact and refine strategies for improving care for terminally ill patients. Full article

Depression remains a leading cause of global disability, yet scalable and objective diagnostic tools are still lacking. Speech has emerged as a promising non-invasive modality for automated depression detection, due to its strong correlation with emotional state and ease of acquisition. While convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have achieved state-of-the-art performance in this domain, their high computational demands limit deployment in low-resource or real-time settings. Spiking neural networks (SNNs), by contrast, offer energy-efficient, event-driven computation inspired by biological neurons, but they are difficult to train directly and often exhibit degraded performance on complex tasks. This study investigates whether CNNs trained on audio data from the clinically annotated DAIC-WOZ dataset can be effectively converted into SNNs while preserving diagnostic accuracy. We evaluate multiple conversion thresholds using the SpikingJelly framework and find that the 99.9% mode yields an SNN that matches the original CNN in both accuracy (82.5%) and macro F1 score (0.8254). Lower threshold settings offer increased sensitivity to depressive speech at the cost of overall accuracy, while naïve conversion strategies result in significant performance loss. These findings support the feasibility of CNN-to-SNN conversion for real-world mental health applications and underscore the importance of precise calibration in achieving clinically meaningful results. Full article

Technological innovation in immersive virtual reality is fostering the development of novel psychotherapeutic interventions in mental health, particularly benefiting populations with limited access to specialized services. This pilot study explores the feasibility, tolerability, and therapeutic potential of an immersive virtual reality-based psychotherapeutic intervention for adolescents and young people with eating disorders in a rural setting. A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design was used, with a control group (n = 5) and an experimental group (n = 5), applying weekly immersive virtual reality sessions focused on body perception and food exposure. Preliminary results showed good acceptance and a low incidence of cybersickness. However, a reduction in anxiety levels was observed in the experimental group after immersive virtual reality exposure, particularly in trait anxiety, suggesting a potential effect of the intervention on emotional regulation. While these changes were not statistically significant, the direction and magnitude of the effect warrant further investigation. Changes in body mass index were also noted during the intervention. The remotely guided sessions, conducted via fifth-generation mobile network connectivity, demonstrated technical feasibility and encouraging clinical outcomes, even in geographically isolated or underserved areas. These findings support the use of immersive VR as a complementary tool in the early stages of treatment for eating disorders, contributing to improved body perception and emotional self-regulation. This work not only reinforces the applicability of immersive technology in real-world clinical practice but also opens new avenues for the development of personalized, accessible, and emotionally meaningful interventions in child and adolescent mental health. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused lasting disruption to healthcare systems and the mental health of frontline workers. Though the acute crisis has passed, many healthcare workers (HCWs) continue to experience long-term psychological effects, including anxiety, grief, and burnout. This mixed-methods study investigates the enduring effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of physicians in a low-resource country. Methods: Drawing on data from the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) or otolaryngology department at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan, the study employed an explanatory mixed-methods design, combining structured surveys and semi-structured interviews. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Brief COPE Inventory were administered to 42 ENT specialists, trainees, and house officers, alongside semi-structured interviews with eight ENT physicians. Results: Survey results revealed moderate to high levels of anxiety, depression, and stress that persisted beyond the acute crisis phase of the pandemic. Interviews provided nuanced insights into the emotional burden experienced by physicians, including persistent concerns about contagion risk, professional isolation, and increased workload. Physicians described maladaptive responses and employed active coping strategies, such as seeking peer support and utilizing adaptive problem solving. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has had enduring effects on the mental well-being of physicians. Targeted interventions and policy reforms that address the ongoing pressures frontline physicians face in resource-constrained environments may help mitigate these burdens, support healthcare professionals more effectively, and improve their mental health. Full article

Psychological distress remains a significant public health concern, particularly among youth. With the growing integration of mobile and wearable technologies into daily life, digital phenotyping has emerged as a promising approach for early self-detection and intervention in psychological distress. Objectives: The study aims to determine how behavioral and device-derived data can be used to identify early signs of emotional distress and to develop and evaluate a prototype system that enables users to self-detect these early warning signs, ultimately supporting early intervention and improved mental health outcomes. Method: To achieve this, this study involved a multi-phase, mixed-method approach, combining literature review, system design, and user evaluation. It started with a scoping review to guide system design, followed by the design and development of a prototype system (ESFY) and a mixed-method evaluation to assess its feasibility and utility in detecting early signs of psychological distress through digital phenotyping. Results: The results demonstrate the potential of digital phenotyping to support early self-detection for psychological distress while highlighting practical considerations for future deployment. Conclusions: The findings highlight the value of integrating active and passive data streams, prioritizing transparency and user empowerment, and designing adaptable systems that respond to the diverse needs and concerns of end users. The recommendations outlined in this study serve as a foundation for the continued development of scalable, trustworthy, and effective digital mental health solutions. Full article

Basketball is a sport whose regulations require quick and complex refereeing decisions. Since the inception of sports, research on sports judgment and refereeing has been consistently present in the scientific literature. However, decision-making and the psycho-emotional factors that influence it remain somewhat unexplored in studies. The decision-making of the basketball referee has been analyzed using the DMQ II questionnaire. To achieve this, 58 referees from the Spanish Basketball Federation collaborated, comprising 45 men and 13 women, all between the ages of 18 and 38 (M = 26.5, SD = 5.5). Participants completed the 31-question DMQ II questionnaire online, yielding results with significant differences based on age and gender about stress in decision-making. A modification of the referee’s teaching methodology that includes psychological strategies is proposed both in the initiation course and throughout the refereeing career. The findings highlight the need for mental health support systems for referees, particularly addressing stress management in young and female officials. This aligns with global efforts to safeguard psychological well-being in sports professionals. Full article

Background: Anxiety and stress are common mental health issues that affect both psychological and physiological well-being as well as quality of life. The Tibetan Singing Bowl, which combines sound and vibration, is often used in meditation and relaxation and may offer therapeutic benefits. However, current research findings are scattered and lack systematic integration and quantitative validation. Methods: This study is a systematic review that included 14 quantitative studies from the past 16 years investigating the effects of Tibetan Singing Bowl interventions on adult psychological and physiological health. Data were sourced from six major databases and supplemented through citation tracking. Inclusion criteria were adults aged 18 and over, with interventions primarily involving Tibetan Singing Bowls, and reporting quantitative outcomes related to psychological indicators (e.g., anxiety and depressive symptoms) and physiological indicators (e.g., Heart Rate Variability and brainwave activity). Study quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) criteria, and findings were synthesized narratively to identify patterns and trends. Results: Study populations included general adults, individuals with emotional distress, and patients with cancer or chronic illnesses. Interventions ranged from single sessions to multiple courses, with some incorporating breathing or other practices. Most studies reported significant reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms, improvements in well-being and quality of life, increases in Heart Rate Variability, and decreases in heart rate. Some studies also found increased Delta and Theta brainwave activity. Due to heterogeneity in study design and limited articles, no meta-analysis was conducted. Conclusions: Tibetan Singing Bowl interventions demonstrate potential for stress reduction and psychological well-being, offering a non-invasive, low-risk, and widely accepted complementary method supporting therapeutic processes, which can be suitable for clinical and community settings. Future research should focus on rigorously designed controlled trials and consider follow-up assessments to more accurately evaluate the effectiveness of TSB interventions. Full article

Background and Objectives: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex psychiatric condition characterized by emotional instability, impulsivity, a fluctuating self-image, and persistent difficulties in maintaining close interpersonal relationships. Among university students, these traits may be associated with social adjustment and academic functioning difficulties. The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of borderline traits within a Romanian student population and to investigate the associations between these traits and interpersonal difficulties encountered in family life, romantic relationships, and academic environments. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 151 undergraduate students enrolled in higher education institutions across Romania. Data were gathered through an online questionnaire available between March and May 2025. The instrument comprised items addressing socio-demographic characteristics, diagnostic criteria for borderline personality traits according to the DSM, as well as self-reported social behaviour patterns. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 9, version 9.3.1 for Windows, employing Fisher’s exact test and the odds ratio (OR), with a significance threshold set at p < 0.05. Results: Most participants reported experiencing affective instability (71.5%) and distorted self-image (58.9%). Fear of abandonment was present in 29.4% of the respondents, while impulsivity was identified in 37.7%. Borderline personality traits were significantly associated with a range of social difficulties, including relational anxiety, outbursts of anger, peer conflicts, social withdrawal, and dissociative symptoms. Individuals who exhibited impulsivity, self-injurious behaviours, or dissociative episodes demonstrated a markedly increased risk of social dysfunction, with odds ratios ranging from 3 to 10 (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The findings reveal a high prevalence of borderline traits within the analysed sample, along with statistically significant associations with social and emotional difficulties. These results underscore the importance of implementing psychological screening programs in universities, as well as early intervention strategies focused on the mental well-being of young adults. Establishing a supportive academic environment and fostering collaboration between faculty members and mental health professionals may play a key role in preventing symptom escalation and in promoting healthy personal and relational development. Full article

Background: Eating disorder (ED) symptoms and body image (BI) concerns involve serious risks to the physical and mental health of women and men. Social networking sites have amplified the promotion of idealised body images, contributing to this issue. Objectives: This study examines the link between personal and emotional factors, social media body image-related behaviours, BI concerns, and ED symptoms, as well as the differential role of these factors according to gender. Methods: A cross-sectional design was applied. The participants were 201 Spanish adults (mean age = 28.26; 76.6% women) who completed self-reported measures on BI (MBSRQ), ED symptoms (EAT-26), perfectionism (EDI-2), anxiety, depression, stress (DASS-21), emotional dysregulation (DERS), life satisfaction (SWLS), and social media BI-related behaviours. Results: Significant relationships between ED symptoms and BI concerns with personal and emotional factors and social media body image-related behaviours have been found. Women have scored higher in ED symptoms and social media BI-related behaviours than men. Multiple regression analyses showed that the difficulty in accepting emotions and not posting images due to BI dissatisfaction were risk factors for ED symptoms in both men and women. Furthermore, the adverse effect of perfectionism and low life satisfaction on women’s ED symptoms were demonstrated, whereas in men, goal-directed behaviours were associated with ED risk. Conclusions: These results suggest that prevention programmes focusing on emotional regulation and healthier social media use can be effective for ED symptoms and BI concerns. Full article

The burden of depression is a public health concern, and traditional treatment approaches to mental health alone may be insufficient. The effects of contact with nature on wellbeing have been shown to reduce stress and improve mood, emotional wellbeing and mental health difficulties. Thus, self-guided nature-based interventions (NBIs) present a promising approach to improving mental health and wellbeing. However, there is limited evidence on the development of such interventions. This two-armed pilot randomised controlled trial aimed at determining the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a novel, 4-week, self-help NBI (Roots and Shoots©). Forty-seven participants were randomised (1:1) to either receive the Roots and Shoots intervention or a waitlist control. Participants in both conditions completed measures including wellbeing (primary outcome) and depressive symptoms, rumination, sleep and nature relatedness (secondary outcomes) at three timepoints: baseline (T0), 2 weeks (T1) and 4 weeks (T2). Those who completed the intervention period reported high acceptability and satisfaction with the intervention. The findings from this pilot study indicate potential for improvements in wellbeing following the intervention, which appears reasonably feasible and acceptable. Future research is warranted to further investigate the efficacy of this novel NBI in a larger, powered clinical trial. Full article

Background and Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which is becoming increasingly common in contemporary society, is recognized for its considerable psychosocial impact on pregnant women throughout the perinatal phase. The purpose of this research was to explore the possible links between mental health status and dietary habits among pregnant women diagnosed with GDM, alongside examining how these factors correlate with clinical indicators like HbA1c measurements and the necessity for insulin therapy. Materials and Methods: The study included 82 pregnant participants, 37 with gestational diabetes mellitus and 45 without. Blood samples were collected from all participants for biochemical analysis, including fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, and HbA1c levels, which can be clinical indicators for the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus, and the need for insulin treatment was recorded. Then, participants completed a questionnaire collecting sociodemographic and clinical data as well as the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Salzburg Emotional Eating Scale (SEES), and REZZY Eating Disorders Scale (REZZY). Data were statistically analyzed. Results: A previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes was more frequent in the case group (18.9%) than in the control group (2.2%) (p = 0.020). OGTT positivity was detected in 56.8% of the case group, whereas all control participants had negative results (p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in psychological symptom scores or eating behavior assessments (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus were observed to score higher on measures of anxiety, depression, and emotional eating, particularly in response to negative emotions. These findings may indicate a potential association between gestational diabetes and psychological or behavioral factors related to metabolic regulation during pregnancy. Full article

Background/Objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder mainly affecting young adults and can greatly impair quality of life (QoL). Among its often overlooked but significant symptoms are bowel dysfunctions (BD), such as constipation and fecal incontinence, which can impact physical, emotional, and social well-being, especially in younger patients. This study aims to investigate the impact of BD on the QoL in young adults diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and mild disability. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study examined the effect of BD on QoL in 110 young adults with RRMS and mild disability (EDSS ≤ 3.5). Bowel symptoms were assessed using the Wexner Incontinence and Constipation Scales, while QoL was measured with the MSQoL-54 questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed to examine correlations between BD severity and QoL domains. Results: Our findings showed significant correlations between the severity of intestinal symptoms and different domains of QoL, like physical functioning, emotional well-being, and social functioning. Abdominal pain and liquid fecal incontinence were especially linked to lower mental and physical health scores. Subgroup analyses also indicated gender-specific vulnerabilities, with women showing distinct effects on social and emotional dimensions. Conclusion: BD represents an important burden on bowel dysfunctions for young people with MS, deeply impacting various dimensions of QoL. This underscores an urgent need for an integrated, multidisciplinary care model that tackles physical symptoms but also psychological and social challenges. A holistic clinical strategy is vital to improving the overall well-being of this population. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on nurses’ mental health and overall wellness, both during and after the crisis. Objectives: This study aims to explore overall wellness during and after the pandemic, and the long-term psychological effects of the relationship between psychological distress and the eight dimensions of well-being among nurses in the post-pandemic era. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used to conduct the study among 288 nurses from two regional hospitals in Albania. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling, selecting nurses based on availability and relevance to the study criteria. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires using the DASS-21 scale and the Personal Assessment of the Eight Dimensions of Wellness. Descriptive statistics and Kendall’s Tau-b correlation were used to assess associations, followed by ordinal regression to explore the influence of demographic and professional variables. Results: Findings revealed persistent levels of psychological distress among nurses, especially related to anxiety and stress. Significant negative correlations were found between wellness dimensions particularly emotional and occupational wellness and psychological distress. Age and department assignment emerged as predictors of post-pandemic stress and depression. Conclusions: The study highlights the need for institutional strategies to support mental health and promote comprehensive well-being among nurses in the post-COVID-19 period. Investing in long-term psychological support and wellness training is essential for building a resilient nursing workforce. Full article