Search Results (5,217)

Background/Objectives: This study examines prisoners’ quality of life by investigating which aspects of imprisonment conditions—including perceptions of the physical environment—best predict overall satisfaction with the prison (OSP). A key question is whether the staff–prisoner relationship is the single most important dimension, which is frequently emphasized in the literature but has scarcely been tested quantitatively. Methods: Data stemmed from a survey conducted in three closed prisons in Norway in 2022 (response rate: 63%, n = 163). The dependent variable was assessed by asking: “Generally speaking, on a scale from 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with this prison?” This outcome was regressed on seven subscales from the Prison Climate Questionnaire and four single-item measures of the physical environment that have been shown to influence health and well-being. Results: As expected, the quality of staff–prisoner relationships had a unique statistical impact on OSP. Ratings of the outdoor areas and the view from the cell were about equally strong predictors. No statistically independent effects were observed for perceived quality of relationships with fellow prisoners, reintegration measures, receiving visits, personal safety, autonomy, access to natural light and a global rating of the prison building (noise, temperature, layout, etc.). Conclusions: This study further emphasizes the importance of staff–prisoner relationships in shaping prisoners’ experiences and perceptions of imprisonment. Moreover, it provides new insights into the significance of the physical environment for prisoners’ overall perceptions of prison quality, which is likely to affect their mental health and well-being. These findings have potential implications for the design and siting of new correctional facilities and for improving the quality of existing ones. Full article

Mental disorders and impairments are part of the occupational risk for emergency personnel. This study examines the impact of a deadly knife attack on police officers’ mental health. Aims: We hypothesized that police officers who knew the deceased team member would report higher levels of psychological distress compared to those who did not, regardless of the deployment status. Methods: Six months after a fatal knife attack in which a police officer was killed, a total of N = 254 officers participated in the study. Of these, n = 115 reported knowing the victim personally, n = 126 did not (n = 78 deployed; n = 176 not deployed), while n = five did not provide any information. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), anger and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were assessed using questionnaires. Chi-square tests examined group differences in probable PTSD prevalence; t-tests assessed differences in anger and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition; DSM-5; PCL-5) symptom scores. Linear regression analyses tested deployment, acquaintance with the victim, gender, and childhood emotional neglect as predictors. Results: Police officers who personally knew the deceased colleague exhibited significantly higher PTSS scores. In addition, the deployed group showed significantly higher trait anger than the non-deployed. Acquaintance with the victim and emotional neglect in childhood were significantly related to negative cognitions, whereas deployment to the knife attack or gender were not. Discussion: Police officers with a personal connection to the deceased showed significantly higher mental health impact than those with direct exposure alone, placing them in a higher-risk group due to increased exposure to feelings of guilt and shame due to their professional role. Police officers who were emotionally neglected in their childhood may be more prone to negative cognitions in adulthood, when faced with critical events. These results underline the importance of addressing risk factors in both pre-deployment training and post-event debriefing, especially with regard to anger management after major critical incidents. Full article

With the increasing competition in elite sports, pre-competition anxiety has become increasingly prevalent among high-level competitive athletes, and high levels of such anxiety may impair sports performance and threaten athletes’ psychological health. Traditional psychological interventions (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy) are often poorly accepted and costly; however, pre-competition anxiety in these athletes may be alleviated through multiple pathways of traditional mind–body exercises like Tai Chi. Yet, the psychological mechanism by which mind–body exercises such as Tai Chi training influence pre-competition anxiety remains insufficiently explored, particularly the chain-mediating effect of the “flow experience → mental toughness” pathway. This study thus aimed to investigate the impact of Tai Chi training on pre-competition anxiety in high-level competitive athletes and verify the chain-mediating role of the “flow experience → mental toughness” pathway, thereby providing a theoretical basis and practical reference for sports psychology interventions. Using a randomized controlled experimental design, 86 high-level competitive athletes were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 43) and a control group (n = 43). The experimental group received standardized Tai Chi training for 8 weeks, while the control group maintained their regular training regimen. Data were collected at baseline, week 4, and week 8 of the intervention using the Competition State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2), Flow State Scale-2 (FSS-2), and Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), and chain-mediating effects were tested via hierarchical regression analysis and the bootstrap method with 5000 resamples. The results indicated that Tai Chi training could reduce pre-competition anxiety levels (β = −0.30, p < 0.5), and both flow experience (β = 0.38, p < 0.5) and mental toughness (β = 0.21, p < 0.5) exerted significant mediating effects. The chain mediation model further revealed that Tai Chi training alleviated pre-competition anxiety by enhancing flow experience and improving mental toughness sequentially (β = 0.01, 95% CI [0.00, 0.03]), accounting for 78.9% of the total mediated effect. In conclusion, Tai Chi training is associated with reduced pre-competition anxiety in high-level competitive athletes, and this relationship is statistically mediated by the sequential pathway of flow experience and mental toughness. These findings offer a new theoretical basis and practical direction for mind–body interventions in sports psychology. It should be noted that future research could further optimize and refine the intervention protocol, and explore the underlying mechanism of mind–body interventions at the neurobiological level. Full article

There is a lack of focus on psychological support for fathers in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), both in research and practice, with fathers receiving far less support from NICU providers as compared with mothers. This article aims to discuss the current literature and limitations related to providing psychological support to fathers in the NICU and proposes short- and long-term efforts for improving psychological care for NICU fathers. We conducted a narrative literature review to summarize interventions for supporting fathers in the NICU, including emotional support, educational support, social support, family-integrated care, and multi-component interventions. While initial work is promising, there are major limitations. Very few studies have examined interventions specific to providing support to fathers in the NICU, and little work has investigated differences in the support needs and responses to interventions for NICU fathers as compared with mothers. Fathers have historically been overlooked in the NICU. Given the growing recognition of paternal mental health challenges and their impact on infant development, there is a pressing need for efforts aimed at supporting fathers in the NICU. Efforts must consider system structure, policy, multidisciplinary training, and implementation protocols to improve the quality of care provided to NICU fathers. Full article

Background: Among many deleterious effects on the well-being of children and youth, the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a surge in youth mental health distress. This, coupled with pre-existing prolonged wait times for mental health care, highlighted the need for accessible community-based mental health supports. The Healthy Living Project (HELP) is a virtual lifestyle change support program aimed at promoting positive lifestyle changes and improved mental well-being among youth with mental distress. A pilot feasibility study explored youth engagement with HELP e-resources, and preliminary mental health and lifestyle measures over a 3-month period. Methods: Youth were enrolled in a 3-month pilot of the HELP e-resource. Feasibility metrics (recruitment, retention, and platform engagement) were documented, while exploratory self-reported data on emotional and behavioral difficulties, youth quality of life, sedentary behavior (screen time), sleep hygiene, and physical activity were assessed at baseline and 3 months. Results: Twenty-three youth (mean age 15.7 years, SD 1.7) completed baseline assessments and started the intervention, with ten participants retained by the end of the study. Compared with non-completers (n = 13), study completers (n = 10) tended to report higher quality of life and healthier habits (lower screen time, improved sleep hygiene, and higher activity). Ongoing access to HELP over 3 months was associated with suggestive trends toward improvement in emotional and behavioral difficulties and sleep hygiene. Engaged participants who received screen time education tended to report lower screen times as compared to unengaged counterparts. Conclusions: This study provides early insights into the implementation and acceptability of HELP e-resources among youth experiencing mental distress, with suggestive trends toward potential benefit. Low recruitment and high attrition preclude definitive conclusions, and the findings should be interpreted as exploratory. Lessons from this pilot will inform the design of a subsequent trial to more rigorously evaluate feasibility and the potential impact of HELP on youth with mental distress. Full article

Background: In recent years, the sociopolitical landscape in the United States has shifted due to an increase in state-level legislation regarding LGBTQ+ rights, a trend that has been particularly pronounced in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. While the mental health impacts of enacted laws are increasingly documented, a critical gap remains in understanding the psychological toll of the legislative debates themselves—the prolonged periods of public discourse surrounding the restriction of rights. Methods: Utilizing data from the 2025 Queer Kentucky Survey (N = 817), this exploratory study examined the association between LGBTQ+ community belongingness and acute suicidality attributed specifically to anti-LGBTQ+ legislative debates. Data were derived from a non-probability snowball sample. Binary logistic regression models that adjusted for age, race, gender identity, education, and income were utilized. Results: Prevalence of debate-attributed suicidality was alarmingly high: 59.7% of the sample attributed increased suicidal thoughts, and 44.1% attributed a suicide attempt, specifically to the legislative debates. LGBTQ+ belongingness was a robust protective correlate, associated with significantly lower odds of both suicidal thoughts (OR = 0.61, p < 0.001) and attempts (OR = 0.41, p < 0.001). Analyses further revealed divergent risk for suicidality across demographic characteristics. Conclusions: Findings are consistent with the interpretation that legislative debates may function as distinct structural stressors associated with suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. While community belongingness may offer a critical buffer, the elevated risks among Transgender and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) populations highlight the need for intersectional, structural interventions beyond individual resilience. Full article

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted healthcare systems globally, with Italian healthcare professionals experiencing heightened stress, organizational challenges, and a significant psychological burden. This study investigates the frequency of depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life (H-QoL) among outpatient healthcare workers in Italy, comparing pre-pandemic (2017) and post-pandemic (2025) periods. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025, including 97 healthcare professionals from five outpatient departments at the University Hospital of Cagliari. Participants completed demographic surveys, the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess H-QoL and depressive symptoms. Data were compared with previously published data from the same facility collected in 2017 and with pre-pandemic Italian community surveys. Results: Compared to 2017, there was a statistically significant increase in depressive episodes (38.1% vs. 33.2%, p = 0.01) and a higher proportion of individuals with low H-QoL (62.9% vs. 43.5%, p < 0.0001) in 2025. After age- and sex-standardization, both depressive symptoms and low H-QoL were significantly more prevalent among healthcare professionals in 2025 compared with the general population before the pandemic. Within the 2025 sample, non-medical healthcare workers showed a significantly higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than medical doctors, while female healthcare workers were more likely to report low H-QoL. Conclusions: Despite the pandemic’s end, healthcare workers, especially those in outpatient settings, continue to face elevated psychological distress. Specific professional and gender-related vulnerabilities persist, and structural challenges, such as staff shortages and organizational issues, may exacerbate this burden. Sustained mental health support and targeted systemic interventions remain crucial to mitigate the long-term impact on the healthcare workforce. Full article

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) offers over 99% protection against HIV when used consistently, but stigma continues to undermine persistence in care. While much research has described the external manifestations of PrEP-related stigma, less is known about how individuals cope with these stigmas and how such coping processes influence persistence. Guided by Social Cognitive Theory, this study examined the psychosocial strategies men who have sex with men (MSM) in Tanzania use to cope with PrEP-related stigma and sustain persistence in care. Methods: Thirty-two in-depth interviews were conducted with purposefully selected MSM aged 18–38 years at Ngamiani Health Centre in Tanga region. The sampling included both persistent and non-persistent PrEP users with variation in age and sexual position preferences. Participants were sampled for variation in persistence status (persistent and non-persistent), age, and sexual position preference to capture heterogeneity in stigma experiences and coping processes. Interviews were conducted in Kiswahili, audio-recorded, transcribed, translated, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Participants described PrEP-related stigma as socially constructed through narratives that equated PrEP with HIV treatment, labeled it a “gay pill,” associated it with promiscuity, or linked it to bodily harm or increased HIV risk. These stigmas impact persistence in care through discouraging clinic visits and daily pill taking. However, some participants remained persistent in care despite stigma by using protective mental strategies such as personal agency, mental time travel, and affirmation from supportive social connections, which buffered emotional impacts and sustained persistence. Conclusions: Persistence in PrEP care is shaped not only by stigma in the social environment but also by how individuals interpret and respond to it. Interventions should therefore combine structural stigma-reduction efforts with mental health-informed strategies that strengthen agency and supportive social relationships to sustain PrEP engagement among MSM. Full article

Background/Objectives: Meaningful social connections are critical for well-being in later life, yet older adults living with HIV frequently experience social isolation and loneliness, compounded by stigma, mental health conditions, and systemic inequities. This study aimed to explore how older adults living with HIV and a concurrent mental health diagnosis experience social isolation and cultivate meaningful relationships, situating these experiences within Social Convoy Theory. Methods: Using a Heideggerian phenomenological approach, we conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 33 adults aged 50 and older in Ontario, Canada, who self-identified as living with HIV and a diagnosed mental health condition. Participants were recruited through community-engaged strategies and snowball sampling. Data were analyzed iteratively, combining descriptive and interpretive coding to identify patterns in social isolation, relational meaning, and the influence of intersecting social, structural, and health determinants. Results: Participants described social isolation as both a physical and existential experience, influenced by stigma, mental health challenges, and contextual factors such as urban versus rural settings. Meaningful relationships were characterized by authenticity, trust, emotional safety, and reciprocity, often formed within peer networks sharing similar lived experiences. Community engagement and virtual platforms facilitated connection, while rural or suburban environments often intensified isolation. Relationships providing validation, agency, and continuity of experience were particularly impactful on participants’ well-being. Conclusions: Social isolation among older adults living with HIV and mental health conditions extends beyond objective network measures to include emotional and identity-related dimensions. Interventions should prioritize affirming, context-sensitive spaces that support disclosure, trust, and reciprocal relationships, recognizing the nuanced needs of this population for both social and existential connectedness. Full article

Background: Locally advanced rectal cancer is traditionally managed with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision, but radical surgery entails substantial morbidity, including bowel, urinary, and sexual dysfunction as well as permanent stomas. Organ-preserving strategies such as total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) followed by a watch-and-wait (WW) approach aim to reduce morbidity while maintaining oncologic safety. A recent study from the FOREST cohort confirmed favorable survival outcomes with WW but did not assess the patient-centered impact. Methods: This retrospective observational study included locally advanced rectal cancer patients treated at a tertiary hospital. Following TNT, patients who achieved a complete clinical response entered WW, while others underwent radical surgery (RS). Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using an 18-item questionnaire grouped into domains and transformed to a 0–100 scale according to EORTC scoring methodology. All patients underwent a shared decision-making process. Comparisons between groups used Pearson chi-square tests for clinical and demographics associations and Mann–Whitney U tests for ordinal outcomes. The protocol was integrated into Quirónsalud’s value-based healthcare framework. Results: Clinical and demographics characteristics did not differ between WW and RS groups. PROMs favored WW in multiple domains: Symptoms/Complications (87 vs. 66; p < 0.001), Psychosocial adaptation (90 vs. 66; p < 0.001), Mental health (90 vs. 78; p = 0.006), and Global quality of life (80 vs. 67; p = 0.011). Bowel and sexual functions were similar between groups, and Care satisfaction was very high for both. Conclusions: TNT plus WW appears to be oncologically safe and confers significant quality-of-life benefits across several domains. These findings support the theory that WW is a value-based, patient-centered strategy for rectal cancer, and this warrants validation in larger, randomized cohorts. Full article

Background: Suicide represents a challenging societal question. There is a correlation between multi-comorbidity (mental, addictive, social, and physical) and excess suicide. Aside from recognizing this correlation, our understanding of employment’s impact on psychache in adults with the multi-comorbidity of schizophrenia and multi-substance use disorders remains incomplete. Methods: This individual survey of 88 inpatients (with multi-comorbidity) examined the hypothetical impact of preadmission employment on psychache intensity. Fifty of them (56.8%) reported being employed prior to admission, while thirty-eight of them (43.2%) reported they were not. Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in this survey before inclusion. Results: The findings demonstrated that the connection between general self-efficacy and current psychache intensity is dependent on the subjects’ preadmission employment status, with a stronger negative correlation observed in subjects who worked prior to admission (p < 0.001). Employment status provided the moderator variable in the association between general self-efficacy and current psychache intensity (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These measures are crucial for balancing work and psychache as well as translating the findings regarding the social nature of health and well-being into real-world application of suicide prevention in individuals with multi-comorbidity. Full article

Background/Objectives: People suffering from mental illnesses are more likely to experience adverse social and health outcomes. Various interventions have been shown to help people with mental illness achieve better results in terms of symptom reduction, functional status, and quality of life. Psychiatric rehabilitation interventions integrate evidence-based practices, promising approaches, and emerging methods that can be effectively implemented to enhance health outcomes in this population. This study aims to examine whether the rehabilitative treatment provided to a group of patients with mental illness leads to improvements in health outcomes and psychiatric symptomatology. Methods: This study employed a retrospective quasi-experimental design. Data were collected between 2023 and 2025 within the Partial Hospitalization Program of the Psychiatry and Mental Health Service of Soria (Spain). The sample consisted of 58 participants who received rehabilitative treatment in this setting. Data were collected at the time of patients’ admission and at discharge. Gender, age, psychiatric diagnosis according to ICD-10, and the average length of stay in the rehabilitation program were assessed. The questionnaires administered were psychometrically validated scales related to heteroaggressiveness, perceived quality of life, global functioning, attitudes toward medication, and the risk of suicide. Results: A significant improvement was observed in the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale (t = −7.1, p < 0.001), with mean scores increasing from 42.17 at admission to 69.13 at discharge. Additionally, reductions in suicidal risk and hetero-aggressive behavior were noted, alongside improvements in quality of life and treatment adherence. Conclusions: The findings highlight the effectiveness of implementing activities and programs focused on psychiatric rehabilitation processes to promote positive health outcomes. Future research directions and practical implications are discussed to support the continued development and optimization of psychiatric rehabilitation programs. Full article

Background/Objectives: The long-term impact of intubation during infancy or early childhood on later childhood or adolescence remains unclear. This study investigates the association between early-life intubation and subsequent mental health outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using nationwide data on children born in Korea between 2002 and 2005. Those who underwent intubation (exposed cohort) were compared with 1:10 matched unexposed controls who did not undergo intubation. Results: The exposed cohort (n = 18,799) had a significantly higher incidence rate of mental health disorders than controls (28.2 vs. 13.9 per 1000 person-years; HR 1.82, 95% CI 1.74–1.93). Autism spectrum disorder (HR 3.09) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (HR 1.61) increased in early childhood, while bipolar disorders (HR 2.36), schizophrenia spectrum disorders (HR 2.27), depressive disorders (HR 1.94) and anxiety disorders (HR 1.84) increased in adolescence. Higher incidence was noted in females, children not admitted to intensive care units, and those without congenital heart disease or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (p < 0.05). Hospitalization length correlated with mental health outcomes (p < 0.001), but ventilator duration did not (p = 0.694). Conclusions: Early-life intubation is associated with an increased risk of mental health disorders, highlighting the need for long-term follow-up and support for these children. In particular, increased clinical awareness is needed during follow-up care for patients at higher risk, such as females, children without congenital heart disease or bronchopulmonary dysplasia, those intubated at an older age, and those with longer hospitalizations. Full article

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is commonly associated with psychological disorders, including depression and anxiety. Women with PCOS also tend to experience poorer sleep quality and greater daytime sleepiness than healthy individuals. To the best of our knowledge, no systematic reviews have investigated the impact of probiotic supplementation on mental health and sleep patterns in women with PCOS. Emerging evidence indicates that probiotic therapy may be a promising adjunct for enhancing mental well-being and sleep quality within this population. Objectives: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on depression, anxiety, and sleep quality in adult women with PCOS. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving women aged 18–45 years old, with diagnosed PCOS, who received probiotic/synbiotic supplements and enriched foods compared with placebo. Studies had to assess mental health, depressive symptoms, or sleep disorders using validated questionnaires. Five publications met the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome inclusion criteria (PICO) and were included in the final analysis. Results: Probiotic supplementation was associated with significant improvements in sleep quality (assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), depressive symptoms (assessed by Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, DASS 21) and quality of life (measured by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Health Related Quality of Life Questionnaire, PCOSQ-26). Conclusions: Although probiotic supplementation may benefit mental health and sleep parameters in women with PCOS, this evidence is limited due to the small number of studies, modest sample sizes, and methodological variability. Further research with larger, more rigorous studies is needed to confirm these findings. Full article

Introduction: Patients with colorectal cancer who undergo ileostomy surgery confront multifaceted challenges that significantly impact their daily lives and cause symptoms of anxiety and depression. The aim of this study was to explore the anxiety and depression experienced by colorectal cancer patients undergoing ileostomy with three assessments. Materials and Methods: This longitudinal study included 96 patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer who underwent scheduled ileostomy surgery at two public hospitals in Attica. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADs) was used, which included patients’ characteristics. Measurements were collected at three distinct time points: preoperatively (Time 1), postoperatively between the 12th and 14th day (Time 2), and after stoma closure, approximately one year later (Time 3). Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 26.0 statistical package and the statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: The proportion of participants reporting moderate levels of anxiety (scores 8–10) was 15.6% at Time 1, which increased to 27.1% at Time 2, and had a slight increase to 28.1% at Time 3. The increase was statistically significant between Time 1 and Time 2 and at Time 1 and Time 3 (p < 0.001). Regarding high levels of anxiety (scores >11), the percentage of affected individuals increased from 13.5% at Time 1 to 17.7% at Time 2 and reached 15.6% at Time 3. The comparison between Time 1 and Time 2 revealed a statistically significant increase (p = 0.016), while the subsequent decrease between Time 2 and Time 3 was not statistically significant (p = 0.508). In terms of depression, at Time 1, 84.4% of patients had low depression, which decreased significantly to 56.3% at Time 2 and 39.6% at Time 3 (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). The percentage of patients who were moderately depressed at Time 1 was 9.4%; this percentage increased significantly to 32.3% at Time 2 and remained high, reaching 29.2% at Time 3. Finally, the proportion of patients who had high levels of depression at Time 1 was 6.3%, a figure that rose to 11.5% and 31.3% for Time 2 and Time 3, respectively. Conclusions: Anxiety and depression experienced by colorectal cancer patients undergoing ileostomy surgery escalate postoperatively and remain at high levels after ileostomy closure. Understanding these mental health challenges is crucial for providing comprehensive patient care. Further research is needed on the early recognition and management of these emotional difficulties, which are key elements of holistic oncology care. Full article