Search Results (198)

Empowering leadership can provide more resource support for organizations and better match the characteristics of current knowledge employees, such as a high demand for autonomy and pursuit of value diversification. However, existing literature has not fully clarified the specific cognitive transmission mechanisms linking empowering leadership to knowledge workers’ job crafting, nor has it sufficiently examined the boundary conditions of this relationship under specific individual traits. This study aimed to explore the impact of empowering leadership on knowledge employees’ job crafting by constructing a moderated mediation model. This study introduces role breadth self-efficacy as a mediating variable and learning goal orientation as a moderating variable and collects questionnaire data to investigate the underlying mechanisms among 338 knowledge employees. Empowering leadership has a positive effect on knowledge employees’ job crafting. Role breadth self-efficacy mediates the relationship between empowering leadership and job crafting. Learning goal orientation positively moderated the impact of empowering leadership on role breadth self-efficacy. Building an empowering leadership model with empowerment and psychological safety at its core can stimulate employees’ job crafting. Role breadth self-efficacy can be improved by challenging tasks and systematic training. The implementation of differentiated management based on learning-goal orientation strengthens the empowerment effect. These measures provide feasible paths for organizations to drive adaptive changes. Full article

Mastectomy, while a life-saving intervention for breast cancer, often leads to profound psychological and emotional challenges for affected women. Feelings of loss altered body image, and anxiety about recurrence can significantly impact mental well-being. This study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of women after mastectomy at Mankweng Tertiary Hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa. In this study, a qualitative phenomenological design was used. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with women who had undergone mastectomy. Fifteen participants were purposively sampled, and thematic analysis was used to identify key patterns and meanings in their narratives. The findings revealed that the participants initially described feelings of being ‘disabled’, incomplete, and anxious about cancer recurrence or their ability to perform maternal functions such as breastfeeding. However, over time, many developed resilience and acceptance, seeing surgery as a life-saving measure and an opportunity for renewal. The adjustment of women after mastectomy is a complicated emotional transition from crisis and loss to adjustment and empowerment. The results identify the need for holistic psychosocial support that combines counseling, peer networks, and education for their family members addressing their emotional healing, body image, and social reintegration. Full article

Background/Objectives: Interventions promoting the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and healthy lifestyle behaviours are effective and cost-efficient in preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), yet sustaining adherence remains challenging. This study explored perceived health impacts on, barriers to, and facilitators of adherence among older Spanish adults participating in a randomised clinical trial (RCT) based on the MedDiet and lifestyle interventions. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted with 17 Spanish participants (aged 60–81 years) with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). In-depth, semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed through inductive thematic analysis with a gender-sensitive approach. Results: Participants identified several facilitators, including perceived improvements in vitality, psychological well-being, and physical performance, alongside enhanced nutritional literacy and confidence in orchestrating daily dietary practices. Women emphasised empowerment, autonomy, and the satisfaction of promoting family health. Main barriers included low motivation, disease burden, mobility restrictions, and limited partner support, with women particularly highlighting emotional and relational factors. A continuous, trust-based relationship with the research team acted as a strong external facilitator supporting long-term commitment. Conclusions: Perceived health gains, self-efficacy, social engagement, and research team support facilitated adherence, while low motivation, illness burden, and limited partner involvement hindered it. These findings highlight the importance of gender- and context-sensitive strategies to optimise adherence and the long-term effectiveness of Mediterranean lifestyle interventions. Full article

The proactive safety behavior of construction workers is crucial for accident prevention. This study examines the mechanism through which altruistic leadership influences such behavior, proposing a theoretical model grounded in social exchange theory, self-determination theory, and situational strength theory. The model positions psychological empowerment as a mediator and perceived organizational support as a moderator. Hypotheses were tested using survey data from 718 construction workers in China. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), complemented by a multi-group analysis based on the workers’ age and weekly working hours. The results show that altruistic leadership significantly enhances proactive safety behavior. Psychological empowerment partially mediates this relationship, while perceived organizational support positively moderates the link between psychological empowerment and proactive safety behavior. Furthermore, the positive effect of altruistic leadership was more substantial among older workers and those with longer weekly working hours. In contrast, the mediating role of psychological empowerment was more pronounced among younger workers. These findings reveal the dual influence of internal psychological mechanisms and external contextual factors in the relationship between altruistic leadership and proactive safety behavior. This study helps managers foster safety proactivity by promoting altruistic leadership and supportive organizational environments. Full article

Toxic romantic relationships, a popular term referring to intimate partner violence (IPV) characterized by psychological, physical, and sexual violence, are a growing concern among young people. This pilot study aimed to preliminarily validate the vignette task on IPV, the “Mind 4 partner abuse” task, and to investigate the cognitive patterns and emotional profiles concerning IPV. Our research involved 228 university students from the University of L’Aquila who participated in an online psychoeducational program to raise awareness of the risks of IPV. Participants completed the “Mind 4 partner abuse” task, which included five vignettes depicting escalating violence in relationships. The task assessed participants’ emotional responses (anger, anxiety/fear, sadness, shame/guilt) and cognitive responses (functional-assertive or dysfunctional) to each vignette. In addition, for convergent validation, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) was administered to assess empathic abilities. Five distinct factors were identified: active coping and legal awareness (ACLA), emotional distress (ED), assertiveness and autonomy defense (AAD), assertive reaction and self-empowerment (ARSE), and refusal of public humiliation and dignity assertion (RDA). One factor out of the five, emotional distress (ED), identified a dysfunctional cognitive pattern. The instrument showed a good convergent validity with the IRI. The correlation analysis showed that the IRI personal distress scale was negatively associated with ACLA and positively associated with ED. The IRI Empathic Concern scale was positively associated with RDA. In the dysfunctional cognitive pattern, as measured by the “Mind 4 Partner Abuse” vignette task, the ED factor was positively correlated with anxiety, sadness, shame, and guilt. The potential of the vignette task to identify high-risk cognitive profiles is promising, but it has yet to be confirmed. Given the limitations of the study, the findings offer only preliminary indications of cognitive patterns in young adults and their perceptions of romantic relationships, as assessed through a psychoeducational intervention. Further research with larger and more diverse samples, as well as more robust task designs, is necessary before firm conclusions can be drawn. Full article

Self-harm among young women has been rising internationally and in Australia, yet many are not in contact with formal services. Peer support may play an important role in managing self-harm; however, it remains under-investigated. This qualitative study explored how young Australian women perceive peer support for managing self-harm. Using purposive sampling, twenty-seven women (M = 20.9, SD = 2.1) with lived or living experiences of self-harm participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Five themes highlighted perceived benefits and risks of peer support: 1. Affirmation—peer support offers understanding and validation that reduce shame and stigma; 2. Connection to community—shared experience reduces isolation and supports learning; 3. Empowerment—peer support promotes hope, autonomy, and help-seeking; 4. Capacity matters—limited psychological knowledge and emotional resources can constrain or burden peers; 5. Perception can be distorted—in un-moderated online contexts, normalisation, glamorisation, and competitive dynamics of self-harm may increase risk. These findings offer insight into how young women understand the different aspects of peer support for self-harm and may inform the development of structured and moderated peer support options. Future research should focus on the design and evaluation of safe and effective peer support initiatives. Full article

Promoting empowerment regarding the SDGs among students requires teaching practices based on a student-centered approach. Storytelling has gained prominence as a tool to increase student engagement, critical thinking, and more equitable school environments. While its benefits for students are well documented, less is known about the factors influencing teachers’ willingness to adopt storytelling. The Erasmus+ project PLACES aims to support the implementation of the SDGs in Belgium, Denmark, Greece, and Italy. This study, conducted during the need analysis phase, investigates the psychological and contextual dimensions associated with teachers’ use of storytelling as a practice to promote the SDGs. Self-efficacy, attitudes, time-related, didactic barriers, and the perceived organizational climate for innovation within schools were investigated by 5-point Likert scales. A quantitative analysis was conducted using hierarchical regression and moderation models based on data collected through a questionnaire administered to 138 primary and low-secondary schools’ teachers from Italy, Belgium, and Greece. Results showed that teachers’ self-efficacy is significantly associated with storytelling use, and this relationship is moderated by perceived school climate for innovation. Moreover, the lack of didactic support is relevant. These findings underline the importance of strengthening individual and contextual enablers in teacher training and school leadership to promote the SDGs. Full article

The present study explores the role of food as a symbolic, material, and relational device in identity construction and community processes. This study draws on a qualitative case study of a community-based social restaurant located in a mid-sized city in central-northern Italy. The initiative’s objective is to promote the social and labor inclusion of migrant women through training and experiential programs. The research, conducted over a period of nine months from October 2024 to June 2025, was based on a participatory qualitative design, which integrated semi-structured interviews, ecological maps, photointervention, world café, and affective cartography, involving 35 participants including operators, trainees, local community members, and politicians. The results demonstrate the multifaceted role of food practices at the restaurant, which serve to strengthen internal relationships, regulate community life, construct intercultural narratives, and establish spaces of recognition and agency for the women involved. Moreover, the restaurant has been shown to have the capacity to influence the broader social representations of migration in the urban context, thereby promoting processes of cohesion and belonging. It is evident that food-related activities manifest as quotidian micro-political practices, which have the capacity to subvert stereotypes, recognize frequently unseen abilities, and generate new forms of inclusive citizenship. The present study underscores the transformative capacity of initiatives that employ food practices as innovative instruments for fostering empowerment; well-being; and social participation; through the third element of food. The limitations and future prospects of the present situation are discussed; with particular reference to the need to ensure continuity and institutional sustainability for similar experiences. Full article

South Africa is facing serious challenges in addressing the needs of women survivors of human trafficking. Trafficked women often experience health issues, physical, sexual, psychological, economic, and social abuse. Women trafficking is a multidisciplinary problem that needs the involvement of a wide range of actors to intervene and render holistic services. Based on a qualitative study conducted at five residential facilities for women in South Africa, this article highlights best practices in rendering services to women survivors of human trafficking. Data was collected from social service providers using one-on-one interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that the best practices for rendering effective services to women survivors of human trafficking include rendering services that have an emphasis on emotional containment, prevalence of basic counselling, active referral for medical and other services, and ensuring accurate assessment of the needs and concerns of women survivors of human trafficking. Furthermore, the best practices include establishing a one-stop, all-inclusive service centre; engaging women in skills development and empowerment activities; and ensuring collaboration between all stakeholders involved in rendering services to women survivors of human trafficking. The conclusion is that best practices in rendering effective services to women survivors of human trafficking require an interplay of systems and the presence of sufficient institutional and infrastructural arrangements. Full article

Bullying and cyberbullying constitute urgent public health challenges, contributing to significant psychological, social, and developmental harms among youth worldwide. While schools have traditionally served as the primary context for prevention, these efforts are often limited in scope, duration, and systemic integration. Healthcare and public health professionals are uniquely positioned to contribute to early identification, prevention, and resilience-building, but their roles are not consistently integrated into bullying prevention frameworks. This systematic review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, synthesized 12 empirical studies published between 2013 and 2023 that examined healthcare- and public health–led interventions addressing bullying and cyberbullying among children and adolescents. Using a narrative synthesis mapped onto the SHIELD framework (Strengths, Healing, Interventions, Empowerment, Learning, Development), six themes emerged: (1) screening and early identification protocols, (2) family and community involvement, (3) variable focus on mental health and well-being, (4) multi-component, school-based interventions, (5) cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused interventions, and (6) online and digital interventions. Findings highlight the potential of health professionals to deliver trauma-informed, empowerment-based, and culturally responsive approaches that extend beyond traditional educational settings. Recommendations emphasize cross-sector collaboration, integration of digital tools, and equity-centered practices to strengthen prevention, intervention, and resilience-building. This review underscores the critical role of healthcare and public health professionals in creating safer, more supportive environments for youth. Full article

This conceptual article introduces Perceived Cognitive Assistance (PCA)—a novel psychological construct capturing how interactive support from Large Language Models (LLMs) alters investors’ perception of their cognitive capacity to execute complex trading strategies. PCA formalizes a behavioral shift: LLM-empowered retail investors may transition from intuitive heuristics to institutional-grade strategies—sometimes without adequate comprehension. This empowerment–distortion duality forms the theoretical contribution’s core. To empirically validate this model, this article outlines a five-step research agenda including psychological diagnostics, trading behavior analysis, market efficiency tests, and a Behavioral Shift Index (BSI). One agenda component—a dual-agent simulation framework—enables causal benchmarking in post-LLM environments. This simulation includes two contributions: (1) the Virtual Trader, a cognitively degraded benchmark approximating bounded human reasoning, and (2) the Digital Persona, a psychologically emulated agent grounded in behaviorally plausible logic. These components offer methods for isolating LLM assistance’s cognitive uplift and evaluating behavioral implications under controlled conditions. This article contributes by specifying a testable link from established decision frameworks (Theory of Planned Behavior, Technology Acceptance Model, and Risk-as-Feelings) to two estimators: a moderated regression for individual decisions (Equation (1)) and a composite Behavioral Shift Index derived from trading logs (Equation (2)). We state directional, falsifiable predictions for the regression coefficients and for index dynamics, and we outline an identification and robustness plan—versioned, time-locked, and auditable—to be executed in the subsequent empirical phase. The result is a clear operational pathway from theory to measurement and testing, prior to empirical implementation. No empirical results are reported here; the contribution is the operational, falsifiable architecture and its implementation plan, to be executed in a separate preregistered study. Full article

Remote, self-managed neuroempowerment protocols are emerging as promising tools for promoting psychophysical well-being in healthy individuals through scalable, home-based interventions. Rooted in positive psychology, applied psychophysiology, and embodied awareness practices, these protocols increasingly leverage wearable technologies and digital platforms to support self-regulated training in cognitive, emotional, and physical domains. This scoping review explores the current literature on such interventions, guided by a triadic model of subjective well-being encompassing neurocognitive efficiency, psychological balance, and physical fitness. A systematic search across major scientific databases identified 28 studies meeting inclusion criteria, with a focus on home-based interventions targeting healthy adult populations using embodied awareness practices, applied psychophysiology techniques, and empowerment-based strategies. Findings indicate that these interventions yield improvements in attention regulation, stress reduction, and subjective well-being, particularly when combining digital feedback systems with embodied practices. However, significant methodological limitations persist, including the overreliance on self-report measures, lack of longitudinal follow-up, and insufficient integration of objective, multimodal assessment tools. Moreover, few studies explicitly address the role of participant engagement and agency—key elements in neuroempowerment frameworks that conceptualize the individual not as a passive recipient of treatment, but as an active agent in the training process. This review highlights the need for more rigorous and theoretically grounded research, advocating for integrative, adaptive intervention models supported by wearable neurotechnologies. Such approaches hold the potential to enhance motivation, personalize feedback, and promote sustainable well-being in ecologically valid, participant-centred ways. Full article

This qualitative study explored physically fit women’s physical, psychological, and societal reasons for engaging in exercise through the lenses of objectification theory and self-determination theory. A phenomenological approach enabled an in-depth examination of the complexity of women’s experiences, including the challenges and successes associated with physical exercise. The participants’ narratives ranged from accounts of perseverance in exercising, despite societal expectations and gendered stereotypes, to expressions of a desire to live long, happy, and healthy lives. Eight key themes were identified: initial motivators for physical exercise, benefits of physical exercise, perseverance, definition of a successful workout, gendered barriers to physical fitness, physical fitness identity, cost of physical fitness pursuit, and appearance motives. The findings highlight how physical exercise fosters empowerment and psychological well-being, with benefits such as self-assurance and self-love supporting sustained motivation over time. This study deepens understanding of how women navigate fitness within a broader sociocultural context and illustrates how external motivators can evolve into intrinsic motivation centered on autonomy, competence, and personal well-being. Full article

This article explores how gender stereotypes and institutional practices influence the development and public image of women’s football in Romania, framing the case within debates on social sustainability (SDG 5), media representation, and sports governance. Using a mixed-methods approach, we triangulate (1) a qualitative content analysis of DigiSport online coverage (n = 57 articles; 2022–2025), (2) public testimonies collected at a national conference on gender and sport held in Timișoara in 2025 and (3) two in-depth, semi-structured interviews with one professional player whose multi-club career offers cross-organizational insights and one professional player who is still a student at the start of her career. The findings reveal systematic symbolic exclusion: in our sample, stories about women’s football make up approximately 2% of total football coverage and are mostly limited to results-only briefs, with little contextual information about athletes, resources, or structures. Historically, post-socialist policy changes have led to formal recognition but limited material support, resulting in symbolic compliance, such as UEFA/FRF mandates without corresponding investments. Current initiatives, like FRF’s Modele de Femeie campaign and UEFA-supported GOALSCORE, increase visibility but coexist with persistent gendered framings in media narratives and public discourse. The interviews support the media findings, highlighting recurring barriers—such as precarious funding, limited pathways, gendered disrespect in stadiums, and the psychological impact of marginalization—alongside stories of resilience and agency. We argue that achieving sustainable inclusion in women’s football requires more than regulatory measures; it calls for media parity, stable resources, and gender-competent leadership. Aligning policy with cultural change through equitable coverage standards, transparent funding, and accountability measures can transform football from a symbol of inequality into a space of social empowerment. Full article

The rapid popularization of digital technology is profoundly altering the employment landscape; especially in rural areas, the digital economy has opened up unprecedented channels to narrow the gender gap in non-agricultural employment. This study utilizes data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) from 2014 to 2020, employing a two-way fixed effects model to systematically examine the impact of digital literacy on the non-agricultural employment transition of rural women. The findings demonstrate that integrating social learning theory with digital empowerment theory establishes a dual-pathway analytical framework for examining psychological capital and information environments. Through skill development and resource optimization, digital literacy significantly enhances rural women’s employment participation and occupational re-adaptability, with these effects varying across regions and generations. Furthermore, the study reveals how household economic resources and regional development levels exert differential influences on these outcomes by affecting the acquisition and application of digital skills. These findings expand theoretical understanding of non-agricultural employment mechanisms in the digital era and offer practical policy insights. They also provide evidence-based strategies for enhancing women’s employment quality, advancing gender equality, and promoting rural revitalization, offering valuable guidance for developing countries navigating employment challenges through digital transformation. Full article