Search Results (62)

Understanding the factors that promote positive affect and achievement in gifted students is essential for supporting their holistic development and success. This study aimed to explore the relationship among meaning in life (presence and search), character strengths (creativity, perseverance, social intelligence), social connectedness, positive/negative affect, and perceived academic achievement among gifted students in Hong Kong, China. A total of 348 gifted students participated in this study, comprising 196 males and 152 females, aged 10 to 18 years. The students completed a cross-sectional online survey in August and September 2024. Mediation analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling with bootstrapping to estimate indirect effects. The results indicated significant indirect effects of meaning in life (presence and search) and character strengths (creativity, perseverance, social intelligence) on positive affect (β = 0.15 to 0.32, p < 0.05) and negative affect (β = −0.15 to −0.26, p < 0.05) via social connectedness, with small-to-moderate effect sizes. Additionally, significant indirect effects were observed for meaning in life and character strengths on perceived academic achievement via social connectedness (β = 0.13 to 0.20, p < 0.05), with small-to-moderate effect sizes. This research highlights the significant role of character strengths, meaning in life, and social connectedness in enhancing positive affect and perceived academic achievement, and reducing negative affect among gifted students. Full article

Community gardening has become an important urban sustainability initiative that integrates ecological restoration with social participation. However, little is known about the psychological and social mechanisms that drive citizens’ willingness to engage in such activities, particularly in densely populated cities with limited green space. This study develops and empirically tests an integrative behavioral model combining environmental psychology, social cognitive theory, and environmental identity theory to explain citizens’ participation in community gardening in Tehran, Iran. Using survey data from 416 residents and analyzing results through structural equation modeling, the study evaluates the effects of six key predictors, including childhood nature experience, connectedness to nature, self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, psychological restoration, and collective environmental responsibility, on willingness to participate. The model explained 54% of the variance in participation, indicating high explanatory power. Five predictors significantly influenced willingness to participate: childhood nature experience, connectedness to nature, outcome expectancy, psychological restoration, and collective environmental responsibility, while self-efficacy was not significant. The findings reveal that engagement in community gardening is shaped more by emotional, restorative, and moral motivations than by perceived capability alone. Theoretically, this research advances understanding of pro-environmental participation by integrating memory-based, affective, and normative dimensions of behavior. Practically, it provides actionable insights for urban planners and policymakers to design inclusive, emotionally restorative, and collectively managed green initiatives that strengthen citizen participation and enhance urban resilience. Full article

This study examines how the education sector in one Canadian province has navigated post-pandemic recovery between 2023 and 2025, drawing on cross-sectional survey data from a convenience sample of sector employees in the 2023–2024 (n = 1411) and 2024–2025 (n = 742) school years. The findings revealed selective improvement over time, including increased organizational commitment among teachers and other education workforce members, alongside reduced perceptions of students’ academic, social, and behavioural needs. Teachers indicated no corresponding increases in their perceived frequency of meeting students’ needs, whereas other educator sector employees indicated improvement in this area. In contrast, no year-over-year differences were found in the education workforce members’ and teachers’ stress, coping, well-being or connectedness, and job search behaviours remained high, ranging from 14 to 43%. Guided by the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model, these findings suggest that post-pandemic recovery reflects the establishment of a new and complex baseline. The coexistence of improved commitment with persistent job strain signals a paradox of stability amid depletion. Qualitative responses reinforced this interpretation, revealing how educators adapt to ongoing organizational resource constraints and shifting student needs. Together, the findings extend JD-R-informed understandings of post-crisis workforce adaptation and identify implications for leadership and policy aimed at supporting organizational health and workforce sustainability. Full article

Gambling participation among women and older adults has increased, yet research on the psychosocial determinants of gambling in these groups remains limited. This study explored sex- and age-related differences in gambling frequency, the influence of psychosocial factors such as perceived social support, psychological well-being, social connectedness, perceived social approval, and exposure to gambling within one’s network, and how these factors interact with perceptions of the social environment. A community-based sample of 634 adults (69.1% women; 28.7% aged ≥ 60; mean age = 45.7 ± 18.4) completed a survey assessing gambling behaviours and psychosocial variables. Descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, and binary logistic regression were conducted. Regular gambling was reported by 12% of participants and was significantly more frequent among older adults and men. Higher psychosocial well-being was associated with reduced odds of regular gambling, while being female was also associated with a lower likelihood of regular gambling. Conversely, perceived social approval and an idealized view of the social environment were associated with higher odds of regular gambling, particularly among younger adults. Findings highlight the need for age- and gender-sensitive prevention strategies that strengthen meaningful social connections. Full article

This study examines the perceived mental health of Ukrainian female forced migrants in Ireland through the lens of the socio-ecological model (SEM). Using binomial logistic regression on a 2023 online survey dataset (N = 656), it explores multi-level predictors across individual, relationship, community, and societal domains. Results indicate that individual-level factors explain the largest proportion of variance in perceived mental health (Nagelkerke R² = 0.399). Employment status, self-rated physical health, and coping strategies were key determinants: part-time employment and good physical health were associated with higher odds of good perceived mental health. In contrast, avoidant coping and worsening health were associated with poorer outcomes. Relationship-level factors (R² = 0.194) also contributed significantly; lack of social support and deteriorating family or friendship ties were linked to poorer mental health, whereas participation in refugee meetings was strongly protective. Community-level factors (R² = 0.123) revealed that unstable housing, living with strangers, and declining neighbourhood relationships were associated with reduced mental well-being. At the societal level (R² = 0.168), insufficient access to psychological support and excessive exposure to Ukrainian news were associated with poorer outcomes, while moderate news engagement was protective. The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of refugees’ perceived mental health, emphasising the interdependence of personal resilience, social connectedness, and systemic support. Full article

One of the challenges of settling on a universal definition of wellbeing is the significant cultural differences that influence one’s judgement about what it means to be well. This qualitative study investigated how adults conceptualise and experience wellbeing across four cultures, distinguished by differing social, political, and religious norms. We conducted interviews with 41 English speaking participants from Australia, India, Chile, and Russia, discussing the distinct dimensions that make up their wellbeing, including the psychological (e.g., perception), social (e.g., relational connections), emotional (e.g., how people perceive their emotional states in relation to wellbeing), spiritual (e.g., sense of meaning and worldviews), and expectation (e.g., resources required for optimal wellbeing) dimensions. Findings indicated the universal importance of social connectedness with others, happiness, and practices that nurture one’s physical and psychological health. There were cultural differences in how participants defined happiness and in the perceived importance of spiritual practices. The findings provide further insights into how wellbeing is understood and practiced across different cultures. Full article

This research examines how reminders of mortality influence prosocial behavior through the lens of terror management theory. We propose that these effects depend on individuals’ global–local identity—the degree to which they identify with the broader world versus a local community. In two experimental studies, participants were exposed to mortality salience manipulations and then reported their intentions to engage in prosocial behaviors. The results consistently showed that mortality salience increased prosocial intentions for individuals with a global identity but not for those with a local identity. This interaction was explained by differences in perceived social connectedness. Together, these findings highlight the role of global–local identity in shaping prosocial responses to mortality reminders, offering theoretical insights into terror management processes and practical implications for fostering prosociality in diverse social contexts. Full article

Urban year-round green exercise (YRGE)—defined as moderate to vigorous physical activity performed regularly in natural urban settings throughout all seasons and weather conditions—has the potential to promote health, well-being, and social connectedness. This study investigates the relationship between YRGE and individuals’ perceived health status, psychological well-being, and reasons for engagement. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 408 adult participants engaged in urban green exercise. The findings indicate that physical activity in adverse meteorological conditions, such as rain, cold, and wind, is positively associated with perceived current health, health over the past 12 months, and well-being. Social connectedness is particularly influenced by environmental factors like sun exposure and heat. The study also reveals key motivational factors for YRGE participation, including improving health and fitness, disconnecting from everyday life, enjoying nature, and experiencing tranquility, with significant variation depending on age and individual nature connectedness. These results suggest that YRGE serves as an accessible and inclusive public health intervention with consistent benefits across socio-demographic groups. Urban planning and health promotion initiatives should prioritize the maintenance and accessibility of urban green spaces and offer guided YRGE programs to encourage sustainable participation across the population. Full article

Background: Atherogenic dyslipidemia is defined by the coexistence of high triglyceride concentrations, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and an excess of small, dense particles of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). This lipid profile is strongly associated with an increased burden of cardiovascular disease and represents a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. To better capture this risk, composite lipid ratios—including total cholesterol to HDL-C (TC/HDL-C), LDL-C to HDL-C (LDL-C/HDL-C), triglycerides to HDL-C (TG/HDL-C), and the atherogenic dyslipidemia index (AD)—have emerged as robust markers of cardiometabolic health, frequently demonstrating superior predictive capacity compared with isolated lipid measures. Despite extensive evidence linking these ratios to cardiovascular disease, few large-scale studies have examined their association with sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and social isolation in working populations. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a large occupational cohort of Spanish workers evaluated between January 2021 and December 2024. Anthropometric, biochemical, and sociodemographic data were collected through standardized clinical protocols. Indices of atherogenic risk—namely the ratios TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, and the atherogenic dyslipidemia index (AD)—were derived from fasting lipid measurements. The assessment of lifestyle factors included tobacco use, physical activity evaluated through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern using the MEDAS questionnaire, and perceived social isolation measured by the Lubben Social Network Scale. Socioeconomic classification was established following the criteria proposed by the Spanish Society of Epidemiology. Logistic regression models were fitted to identify factors independently associated with moderate-to-high risk for each lipid indicator, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: A total of 117,298 workers (71,384 men and 45,914 women) were included. Men showed significantly higher odds of elevated TG/HDL-C (OR 4.22, 95% CI 3.70–4.75) and AD (OR 2.95, 95% CI 2.70–3.21) compared with women, whereas LDL-C/HDL-C ratios were lower (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.83–0.89). Advancing age was positively associated with all lipid ratios, with the highest risk observed in participants aged 60–69 years. Lower social class, smoking, physical inactivity, poor adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and low social isolation scores were consistently linked to higher atherogenic risk. Physical inactivity showed the strongest associations across all indicators, with ORs ranging from 3.54 for TC/HDL-C to 7.12 for AD. Conclusions: Atherogenic dyslipidemia and elevated lipid ratios are strongly associated with male sex, older age, lower socioeconomic status, unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, and reduced social integration among Spanish workers. These findings highlight the importance of workplace-based cardiovascular risk screening and targeted prevention strategies, particularly in high-risk subgroups. Interventions to promote physical activity, healthy dietary patterns, and social connectedness may contribute to lowering atherogenic risk in occupational settings. Full article

Choral singing is a widely practiced form of group music-making that has been associated with various positive well-being outcomes. While existing research highlights its benefits for adults and clinical populations, how choir participation affects healthy youth is explored to a lesser extent. This quantitative study examined differences in well-being between informal (extracurricular) and formal (school) youth choir singers in Slovenia and Serbia. A total of 274 choir members aged 15–24 completed an online questionnaire, including extracurricular (n = 77) and school (n = 197) singers. Standardized instruments tested general well-being (WHO-5), life satisfaction (SWLS), positive mental health (MHC-SF), emotional states in choir and in life (PANAS), social support (SPS-10), and perceived benefits from choral singing (CAPBES). Findings revealed that extracurricular choir singers reported significantly higher social connectedness and overall well-being subscales related to perceived benefits from choir participation, and passion in life, compared with school choir singers. School members had higher scores in subscale self-disgust within the negative affect in life scale. Positive and negative emotions within choir were similar for both groups. No significant differences were observed in life satisfaction, mental health, and social support in life. These results indicate that voluntary, informal (extracurricular) choir participation is associated with enhanced well-being, stronger social benefits, and higher positive emotions in life, compared with formal (school) choir participation. Integrating more voluntary choir opportunities into educational and community programs may increase inclusion and provide positive youth development. Full article

While social support is recognized as a protective factor against ostracism, its underlying psychological mechanisms remain unclear. This study empirically examined the relationship between social support and ostracism, and further tested the mediating role of social connectedness and the moderating effect of flourishing. A total of 723 college students (40.0% male) with a mean age of 19.39 years (SD = 0.91) were recruited in this study using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Ostracism Experience Scale for Adolescents, the Social Connectedness Scale, and the Flourishing Scale. The findings were as follows: (1) social support was significantly and negatively associated with ostracism; (2) social connectedness mediated the relationship between social support and ostracism; (3) flourishing moderated the relationship between social support and social connectedness; specifically, individuals with higher levels of flourishing may establish and maintain social connectedness using social support more effectively. This study contributes to the existing theoretical framework about the influencing factors of college students’ mental health but also provides new perspectives on mental health education and intervention strategies at school. Full article

Against the backdrop of growing concerns over university students’ mental health worldwide, campus environments play a crucial role not only in shaping spatial experiences but also in influencing psychological well-being. However, the psychosocial mechanisms through which campus landscapes affect well-being remain insufficiently theorized. Drawing on survey data from 500 students across two Chinese universities, this study employs structural equation modeling (SEM) and interpretable machine learning techniques (XGBoost-SHAP) to systematically examine the interrelations among landscape perception, place attachment, perceived social acceptance, school belonging, and psychological well-being. The results reveal the following: (1) campus landscapes serve as the primary catalyst for fostering emotional identification (place attachment) and social connectedness (perceived social acceptance and school belonging), thereby indirectly influencing psychological well-being through these psychosocial pathways; (2) landscape perception emerges as the strongest predictor of well-being, followed by school belonging. Although behavioral variables such as the green space maintenance quality, visit frequency, and duration of stay contribute consistently, their predictive power remains comparatively limited; (3) significant nonlinear associations are observed between core variables and well-being. While the positive effects of landscape perception, place attachment, and school belonging exhibit diminishing returns beyond certain thresholds, high levels of perceived social acceptance continue to generate sustained improvements in well-being. This study advances environmental psychology by highlighting the central role of campus landscapes in promoting mental health and provides actionable strategies for campus planning. It advocates for the design of balanced, diverse, and socially engaging landscape environments to maximize psychological benefits. Full article

This exploratory pilot study examined how Latine adolescents’ ethnic–racial identity (ERI)—specifically, centrality, private regard, and public regard—was shaped by parents’ gender role socialization (GRS) beliefs and perceptions of neighborhood connectedness and problems. Sixty Latine parent–adolescent dyads living in a Northeastern new destination context participated. Hierarchical regression models were used to test whether GRS beliefs moderated the effects of neighborhood on adolescents’ ERI. Traditional GRS beliefs moderated associations between neighborhood problems and ERI dimensions, such that adolescents whose parents endorsed stronger traditional GRS beliefs reported lower ERI centrality, private regard, and public regard in neighborhoods with more problems. These associations were not significant for neighborhood connectedness and did not differ by child gender. Findings suggest that parent beliefs about gender may shape identity development in environments perceived as risky or under-resourced. The context-dependent nature of socialization and the adaptive nature of parenting processes in emerging Latine communities are discussed. Full article

Despite the growing number of older adults engaging in voluntary migration, there is a lack of knowledge about their psychological well-being in cross-cultural contexts. This cross-sectional study investigated factors associated with psychological well-being among older Chinese migrants residing in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Between December 2024 and February 2025, 204 Chinese migrants aged 60 and above who had resided in Chiang Mai for at least six months participated in a survey in Chinese. The survey measured sociodemographic and psychosocial factors including perceived health, income, marital status, number of co-residing family members, social support, acculturative stress, sense of mastery, and loneliness. Multiple regression analysis showed that gender (female) (p = 0.006), better perceived health status (p = 0.021), higher income (p = 0.007), more co-residing family members (p = 0.037), a greater sense of mastery (p = 0.009), and lower levels of loneliness (p < 0.001) were each independently associated with better psychological well-being. In contrast, neither general family support nor acculturative stress was a statistically significant predictor. These findings highlight the significant roles of financial security, family co-residence, personal empowerment, and social connectedness in shaping overall well-being. Strategies to improve psychological well-being in this population should focus on strengthening emotional connectedness, supporting the development of meaningful family and social relationships, and supporting economic stability. Full article

Meaning-centered coping is regarded as an effective strategy for managing stress and preventing mental disorders. However, it remains unclear how it influences mental health by affecting both the self and social connection dimensions. This study investigated 856 college students through a questionnaire, examining how meaning-centered coping affects their mental health (depression and anxiety). Additionally, this study explored the roles of interdependent self-construal and school connectedness as mediators in this process. The results indicate that meaning-centered coping influences mental health either via the mediation of school connectedness alone (indirect effect for depression: β = −0.08, 95% CI [−0.11, −0.04]; for anxiety: β = −0.06, 95% CI [−0.10, −0.03]) or via the sequential mediation of interdependent self-construal and school connectedness (indirect effect for depression: β = −0.08, 95% CI [−0.11, −0.05]; for anxiety: β = −0.06, 95% CI [−0.10, −0.04]). This study reveals that college students who are skilled at seeking and reconstructing their sense of meaning can effectively cope with stress and alleviate related depression and anxiety. This coping mechanism operates through perceived school connectedness or through activated interdependent self-construal followed by perceived school connectedness, subsequently reducing anxiety and depression induced by chronic stress. This study theoretically deepens the comprehension of the mechanism on meaning-centered coping, while practically, the findings provide valuable insights for educating training college students to leverage the wisdom of meaning theory to sustain their mental health in future challenges. Full article