Search Results (560)

Job stress and burnout are major challenges in today’s workplaces. While most interventions adopt a clinical or deficit-based approach, this meta-analysis takes a positive perspective by examining the effectiveness of Positive Psychological Interventions (PPIs). A total of 24 studies conducted in workplace settings were analyzed to assess the impact of PPIs on psychological well-being, subjective well-being, and job performance. The results showed significant and sustained improvements across all three outcomes, with moderate effect sizes: subjective well-being (g = 0.50, 95% CI [0.18, 0.81]), psychological well-being (g = 0.46, 95% CI [0.15, 0.78]), and performance (g = 0.42, 95% CI [0.21, 0.62]). Higher effects were found for in-person interventions and those conducted in Western contexts. No significant moderation was observed for structural factors (e.g., implementation level: Individual, Group, Leader, or Organization [IGLO]) or sample characteristics (e.g., gender), among other variables examined. These findings highlight the relevance of PPIs for promoting well-being and sustaining performance, which may reflect the preservation of personal resources in the face of occupational stressors. Regardless of type, well-designed interventions may be key to fostering healthier workplace environments—especially when delivered face-to-face. Full article

This case report presents a multidisciplinary forensic investigation into a cold case involving a missing person in Italy, likely linked to a homicide that occurred in 2008. The investigation applied a standardized protocol integrating satellite imagery analysis, site reconnaissance, vegetation clearance, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and cadaver dog (K9) deployment. A dedicated decision tree guided each phase, allowing for efficient allocation of resources and minimizing investigative delays. Although no human remains were recovered, the case demonstrates the practical utility and operational robustness of a structured, evidence-based model that supports decision-making even in the absence of positive findings. The approach highlights the relevance of “negative” results, which, when derived through scientifically validated procedures, offer substantial value by excluding burial scenarios with a high degree of reliability. This case is particularly significant in the Italian forensic context, where the adoption of standardized search protocols remains limited, especially in complex outdoor environments. The integration of geophysical, remote sensing, and canine methodologies—rooted in forensic geoarchaeology—provides a replicable framework that enhances both investigative effectiveness and the evidentiary admissibility of findings in court. The protocol illustrated in this study supports the consistent evaluation of large and morphologically complex areas, reduces the risk of interpretive error, and reinforces the transparency and scientific rigor expected in judicial settings. As such, it offers a model for improving forensic search strategies in both national and international contexts, particularly in long-standing or high-profile missing persons cases. Full article

The growing number of senior experts leaving the workforce (especially in more developed economies, such as in Europe), combined with the ubiquitous access to artificial intelligence (AI), is triggering organizations to review their knowledge transfer programs, motivated by both financial and management perspectives. Our study aims to contribute to the field by analyzing options to integrate intergenerational tacit knowledge transfer (InterGenTacitKT) with AI-driven approaches, offering a novel perspective on sustainable Knowledge and Human Resource Management in organizations. We will do this by building on previous research and by extracting findings from 36 in-depth semi-structured interviews that provided success factors for junior/senior tandems (JuSeTs) as one notable format of tacit knowledge transfer. We also refer to the literature, in a grounded theory iterative process, analyzing current findings on the use of AI in tacit knowledge transfer and triangulating and critically synthesizing these sources of data. We suggest that adding AI into a tandem situation can facilitate collaboration and thus aid in knowledge transfer and trust-building. We posit that AI can offer strong complementary services for InterGenTacitKT by fostering the identified success factors for JuSeTs (clarity of roles, complementary skill sets, matching personalities, and trust), thus offering organizations a powerful means to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of InterGenTacitKT that also strengthens employee productivity, satisfaction, and loyalty and overall organizational competitiveness. Full article

The present study focuses on investigating the contribution of puppetry as a pedagogical and psychosocial tool in special education, addressing the literature gap in the systematic documentation of the experiences of special education teachers, concerning its use in daily teaching practice. The main objective is to capture the way in which puppetry enhances the learning, social and therapeutic support of students with complex educational and psychosocial needs. The study employs a qualitative phenomenological approach, conducting semi-structured interviews with eleven special education teachers who integrate puppetry into their teaching. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings highlight that puppetry significantly enhances cognitive function, concentration, memory and language development, while promoting the active participation, cooperation, social inclusion and self-expression of students. In addition, the use of the puppet acts as a means of psycho-emotional empowerment, supporting positive behavior and helping students cope with stress and behavioral difficulties. Participants identified peer support, material adequacy and training as key factors for effective implementation, while conversely, a lack of resources and time is cited as a key obstacle. The integration of puppetry in everyday school life seems to ameliorate a more personalized, supportive and experiential learning environment, responding to the diverse and complex profiles of students attending special schools. Continuous training for teachers, along with strengthening the collaboration between the arts and special education, is essential for the effective use of puppetry in the classroom. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study explores the perspectives of mental health professionals on tailoring the Mentis Plus intervention to enhance positive mental health (PMH) in individuals experiencing First-Episode Psychosis (FEP). Although the Mentis Plus Program has been previously implemented in other contexts, it has not yet been applied to FEP care. Therefore, this study aimed to adapt the intervention for future implementation through expert consultation. Methods: A qualitative exploratory-descriptive design was employed. Data were collected via three focus groups comprising multidisciplinary professionals experienced in FEP care. Qualitative content analysis was used to examine the data. Results: Participants viewed the tailored Mentis Plus intervention as a valuable, recovery-oriented tool. Key recommendations included a flexible, group-based format with eight weekly sessions. Suggested intervention components encompassed gratitude journaling, emotional regulation techniques, and collaborative problem-solving exercises. Group delivery was highlighted as essential for mitigating isolation and promoting peer support. Practical implementation strategies included phased session structures and routine emotional check-ins. Identified barriers to implementation included the need for specialized training, limited therapeutic spaces, and the heterogeneity of participant needs. Facilitators included a person-centered approach, institutional backing, and sufficient resources. Conclusions: The findings support the feasibility and clinical relevance of a tailored Mentis Plus FEP Program—Brief Version. Expert-informed insights provide a foundation for adapting mental health interventions to early-psychosis care and inform future research and implementation strategies. Full article

Famed lawyer Clarence Darrow (1857–1938) argued strongly for an early-life public health approach to crime prevention, one that focused on education, poverty reduction, and equity of resources. Due to his defense of marginalized persons and his positions that were often at odds with his legal colleagues and public opinion, he was known as the Big Minority Man. He argued that the assumption of free will—humans as free moral agents—justifies systems of inequity, retributive punishment, and “unadulterated brutality.” Here, the authors revisit Darrow’s views and expand upon them via contemporary research. We examine increasingly louder argumentation—from scholars across multiple disciplines—contending that prescientific notions of willpower, free will, blameworthiness, and moral responsibility, are contributing to social harms. We draw from biopsychosocial perspectives and recent scientific consensus papers calling for the dismantling of folk psychology ideas of willpower and blameworthiness in obesity. We scrutinize how the status quo of the legal system is justified and argue that outdated notions of ‘moral fiber’ need to be addressed at the root. The authors examine recent arguments for one of Darrow’s ideas—a public health quarantine model of public safety and carceral care that considers the ‘causes of the causes’ and risk assessments through a public health lens. In our view, public health needs to vigorously scrutinize the prescientific “normative” underpinnings of the criminal justice system. Full article

Providing long-term care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease is associated with chronic stress and emotional overload. One of the key predictors of emotional burden is the amount of time devoted to caregiving, which intensifies the experienced stress. Additional risk factors include the stage of the illness, difficulties in the care recipient’s activities of daily living, the caregiver’s neglect of their own needs, and challenging behaviours exhibited by the person receiving care. Therefore, it is essential to identify the psychological protective resources of caregivers that can buffer the impact of stress. Background/Objectives: The objective of the study was to explore the psychological mechanisms underlying the involvement of caregivers supporting individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. A moderated mediation model was employed, in which stress indirectly affects caregiver involvement through a sense of coherence, and the strength of this relationship is moderated by the amount of time devoted to caregiving. Methods: The bootstrapping method was applied using 5000 resamples within a 95% bias-corrected confidence interval. The analysis accounted for variables such as stress levels, sense of coherence, involvement in caregiving, duration of care, education, gender, age, and stage of the illness. Results: The sense of coherence mediated the relationship between stress and involvement in caring (B = 0.0063, SE = 0.0031, 95% CI [0.0012, 0.0135]), and this indirect effect was contingent upon the amount of time devoted to helping. The relationship between sense of coherence and involvement in caring was significant at the mean level (B = 0.005, SE = 0.002, 95% CI [0.0004, 0.0101]) and became stronger at high levels of time devoted to caring (+1 SD; B = 0.009, SE = 0.003, 95% CI [0.0030, 0.0148]). These results indicate that the positive association between sense of coherence and caregiver involvement increases with the amount of time spent caring. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of strengthening caregivers’ resilience resources—such as a sense of coherence—in preventing overload. The model may serve as a foundation for developing interventions aimed at supporting caregivers’ mental health. Full article

Amid structural changes driven by the greening and digital transformation of the maritime industry, the demand for career transitions of seafarers with onboard experience to shore-based positions—particularly ship superintendents—is steadily increasing. However, the current lack of a systematic education and career development framework to support such transitions poses a critical challenge for shipping companies seeking to secure sustainable human resources. The aim of this study was to develop a competency-based training program that facilitates the effective transition of seafarers to shore-based ship superintendent roles. We integrated a developing a curriculum (DACUM) analysis with competency-based job analysis to achieve this aim. The core competencies required for ship superintendent duties were identified through three expert consultations. In addition, social network analysis (SNA) was used to quantitatively assess the structure and priority of the training content. The analysis revealed that convergent competencies, such as digital technology literacy, responsiveness to environmental regulations, multicultural organizational management, and interpretation of global maritime regulations, are essential for a successful career shift. Based on these findings, a modular training curriculum comprising both common foundational courses and specialized advanced modules tailored to job categories was designed. The proposed curriculum integrated theoretical instruction, practical training, and reflective learning to enhance both applied understanding and onsite implementation capabilities. Furthermore, the concept of a Seafarer Success Support Platform was proposed to support a lifecycle-based career development pathway that enables rotational mobility between sea and shore positions. This digital learning platform was designed to offer personalized success pathways aligned with the career stages and competency needs of maritime personnel. Its cyclical structure, comprising career transition, competency development, field application, and performance evaluation, enables seamless career integration between shipboard- and shore-based roles. Therefore, the platform has the potential to evolve into a practical educational model that integrates training, career development, and policies. This study contributes to maritime human resource development by integrating the DACUM method with a competency-based framework and applying social network analysis (SNA) to quantitatively prioritize training content. It further proposes the Seafarer Success Support Platform as an innovative model to support structured career transitions from shipboard roles to shore-based supervisory positions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Self-compassion, characterized by treating oneself with kindness during challenges, has been shown to alleviate anxiety and fear of recurrence in cancer patients by mitigating negative emotions such as depression and fatigue. Psychological flexibility and coping strategies have emerged as potential mediators in the relationship between self-compassion and emotional well-being, suggesting that these factors play a critical role in managing distress in cancer patients. However, further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms through which self-compassion, psychological flexibility, and coping interact to influence fear of recurrence and anxiety in cancer populations. Methods: Two hundred and ninety-six women who had completed cancer treatment completed self-report assessments of self-compassion, psychological flexibility, coping, fear of recurrence, and generalized anxiety. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to test a multiple-mediation model, including serial and parallel pathways among the study variables. Results: Self-compassion was positively associated with psychological flexibility and coping strategies, and negatively associated with fear of recurrence and generalized anxiety. Path analysis identified significant serial and parallel mediation effects, where both positive and negative self-compassion were associated with lower fear of recurrence and generalized anxiety through pathways involving psychological flexibility and emotion- and meaning-focused coping. The findings highlight the protective role of self-compassion in reducing psychological distress, suggesting that enhancing self-compassion may improve emotional adjustment in cancer patients. Conclusions: Attitudes based on self-kindness and a nonjudgmental approach have significant potential in reducing fear of cancer recurrence and generalized anxiety in female cancer patients, emphasizing the mediating role of psychological flexibility and coping strategies. According to the acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) model, these relationships highlight the important roles of personal resources and coping mechanisms in alleviating negative emotional states in women with cancer. Interventions focused on self-compassion and psychological flexibility could provide valuable support in coping with the emotional suffering associated with cancer. Full article

This study explores how Speech and Elocution Training (SET) activates language potential and fosters career-oriented development among higher vocational students through self-efficacy mechanisms. Through qualitative interviews with four vocational graduates who participated in SET 5 to 10 years ago, the research identifies three key findings. First, SET comprises curriculum content (e.g., workplace communication modules such as hosting, storytelling, and sales pitching) and classroom training using multimodal TED resources and Toastmasters International-simulated practices, which spark language potential through skill-focused, realistic exercises. Second, these pedagogies facilitate a progression where initial language potential evolves from nascent career interests into concrete job-seeking intentions and long-term career plans: completing workplace-related speech tasks boosts confidence in career choices, planning, and job competencies, enabling adaptability to professional challenges. Third, SET aligns with Bandura’s four self-efficacy determinants; these are successful experiences (including personalized and virtual skill acquisition and certified affirmation), vicarious experiences (via observation platforms and constructive peer modeling), verbal persuasion (direct instructional feedback and indirect emotional support), and the arousal of optimistic emotions (the cognitive reframing of challenges and direct desensitization to anxieties). These mechanisms collectively create a positive cycle that enhances self-efficacy, amplifies language potential, and clarifies career intentions. While highlighting SET’s efficacy, this study notes a small sample size limitation, urging future mixed-methods studies with diverse samples to validate these mechanisms across broader vocational contexts and refine understanding of language training’s role in fostering linguistic competence and career readiness. Full article

With the need to ensure equitable and inclusive computer science (CS) education for K-12 students, much effort has been devoted to promoting secondary CS teachers’ practices and pedagogies. However, there is a lack of focus on elementary teachers’ experiences, especially those of teachers of color. This study stands at the intersections of Black/African American teachers teaching at an elementary school with a majority of historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students (Black/African Americans and Hispanic/Latinx). Using a basic qualitative approach with constant comparative analysis, this study revealed important insights regarding the professional growth manifested by six teachers of color over the course of computer science professional development and classroom implementation. Data analysis revealed five main themes reflecting the teachers’ growth: (1) Teachers reported positive outcomes including improved understanding, confidence, and intentions regarding CS integration as a result of attending PD; (2) Teachers demonstrated enhanced abilities to use a variety of tools and resources in CS teaching after PD; (3) Teachers discussed various pedagogies, including culturally and personally responsive pedagogical practices, and racial awareness to promote inclusive instruction in the classroom and used strategies to promote personal relevance more than the collective cultural values or beliefs in CS teaching specifically; (4) Teachers reported having ongoing reflections on how they can implement successful CS-integrated instruction with their enhanced knowledge and beliefs; (5) Positive student outcomes were both reported by the teachers and observed by the researchers as a result of teachers’ experimentation, which gave the teachers more confidence to enact CS teaching. Areas for improvement were also identified. This paper discussed the important implementations of fostering professional growth in teachers of color for broadening minoritized students’ participation in computing. Full article

Returning to work after extended holidays poses significant challenges to employees’ psychological adjustment, yet this phenomenon remains underexplored in organizational research. Drawing on the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this study develops and tests a moderated mediation model to examine how pre-holiday work-related irritation influences post-holiday workplace vigor through heightened need for recovery, and how perceived organizational support buffers this process. Data were collected through a four-wave time-lagged design surrounding the Chinese Spring Festival, with a final sample of 349 employees across diverse industries. Results show that pre-holiday emotional strain increases employees’ recovery needs, which in turn undermines their workplace vigor. Moreover, boundary strength at home and perceived organizational support buffer the indirect negative pathway, highlighting the critical roles of both personal and organizational resources in the recovery process. By shifting attention from burnout to positive energy states such as vigor, this study advances theoretical understanding of post-holiday adjustment dynamics and offers practical insights for organizations seeking to foster employee resilience and sustained engagement after structured breaks. Full article

Workplace violence is a widespread issue affecting hospital nursing staff and significantly undermines their psychological well-being. Such violence originates from various sources, including users, colleagues, and supervisors. Psychological resilience has been linked to more favourable indicators of well-being. Background/Objectives: This study aimed to explore how different sources of workplace violence (users, colleagues, and supervisors) are related to psychological well-being and psychological resilience. Additionally, it examines whether resilience is statistically associated with a mediating role in the relationship between source-specific workplace violence and the psychological well-being of hospital nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional, multicentre, descriptive, and mediational study was conducted with a sample of 447 hospital nurses. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing workplace violence from users, colleagues, and supervisors, alongside measures of resilience, psychological well-being, and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Among all reported incidents of workplace violence in the previous year, 69.2% were attributed to users, with verbal abuse (68.7%) being more prevalent than physical aggression (24.1%). Additionally, 37% of nurses reported experiencing violence from colleagues, and 25% from supervisors. Workplace violence from all three sources was significantly associated with both psychological well-being and resilience. Resilience was statistically associated with a mediating role in the relationship between workplace violence and nurses’ psychological health, suggesting a potential mechanism of influence without implying causality. Conclusions: The prevalence of workplace violence from users, colleagues, and supervisors among hospital nurses is notably high. Findings indicate that violence from any of these sources is negatively associated with psychological well-being. However, resilience mitigates this impact by reducing psychological distress, positioning it as a crucial personal resource for nurses facing such adversity. These results underscore the need for interventions aimed at developing and strengthening resilience among hospital nursing staff. Moreover, the findings can inform the design of organisational strategies to prevent violence and to promote resilience and well-being within healthcare settings. Full article

With the increasing demands of long-term overseas assignments, workers in isolated environments, such as maritime crews, often experience heightened psychological stress and a lack of accessible emotional support. This study investigates the effectiveness of online song intervention program based on contextual support model in reducing work-related distress and enhancing psychological resilience among the ship crews dispatched for an extensive period for work. Eighteen overseas workers participated in a four-week intervention that included both individual and group sessions, where they engaged with songs to cultivate personal and interpersonal resources. A deductive content analysis following the intervention revealed 3 main categories, 6 generic categories, and 14 subcategories. The three main categories identified were relationships, autonomy, and mood regulation. The relationships category encompassed support systems and bonding, focusing on empathy, consolation, positive perspective, vicarious empowerment, trust, and changes of perspective. Autonomy involved fostering a sense of control and fulfillment through determination, anticipation, motivation, and achievement. Mood regulation was divided into grounding and emotional resolution, which included containment, sedation, externalization, and ventilation. The findings highlight that song lyrics offer valuable insights for developing resources aimed at mood regulation, social support, and self-efficacy, helping to alleviate work-related stress during dispatch periods. Songs also foster a sense of control, competence, and relational connectedness, with mood regulation emerging as a key feature of their emotional impact. These results suggest that incorporating songs with lyrics focused on personal and interpersonal resources could be an effective strategy to support remotely dispatched workers. Furthermore, this approach appears to be a viable and scalable solution for online programs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Work engagement is essential for quality care and workforce retention in professional nursing. While job demands–resources theory has guided extensive research on job-related antecedents, personal resources have received comparatively less empirical attention, primarily focusing on self-efficacy, self-esteem, and optimism. This study examined the unique association between ikigai—the Japanese concept of life purpose—as a novel personal resource and work engagement in professional nursing practice, controlling for established job resources, demands, and personal resources. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with vocational nursing trainees in Germany (N = 166). Data were collected via online questionnaire using validated instruments to assess ikigai, job resources (autonomy, interpersonal relations, professional resources), job demands (work overload, lack of formal rewards), other personal resources (self-efficacy, organization-based self-esteem, optimism), and work engagement. Hierarchical multiple linear regression examined ikigai’s unique association with work engagement. Results: The final model explained 40.3% of variance in engagement, with ikigai accounting for a statistically significant increase in explained variance (ΔR² = 0.033, p < 0.01). Ikigai demonstrated a unique positive association with work engagement (β = 0.24, p < 0.01), comparable in strength to job resources and other personal resources. Conclusions: Findings support ikigai as a distinct personal resource associated with work engagement among nursing trainees. This extends the job demands–resources model by highlighting the relevance of existential constructs. Supporting ikigai development may offer a complementary strategy for promoting engagement in professional nursing. Full article