Search Results (2,357)

Objective: Pain is among the most common and debilitating symptoms experienced by oncology patients and has been associated with adverse mental health outcomes, including depression and suicide. Nevertheless, the relationship between pain and suicide in oncology populations remains insufficiently characterized. A clearer understanding of this interplay is essential to guide personalized approaches aimed at reducing cancer-related burden and improving quality of life. Methods: We searched PubMed and PsycInfo without imposing limits regarding publication date using pain* AND (suicid* OR “self-harm” OR “self-injurious behavior” OR “self-inflicted injury” or “self-killing”) AND (cancer* OR oncolog* OR tumor* OR neoplasm* OR metasta*). A total of 832 articles were identified, and 15 of them were included in our review. Results: Inadequately managed pain in cancer patients is associated with a significantly elevated risk of suicidal ideation. This association is further exacerbated in individuals presenting with depressive symptoms, advanced-stage disease, or limited access to timely psychological support. These factors may interact synergistically, intensifying the emotional and cognitive burden of pain, thereby increasing vulnerability in cancer patients. Conclusions: Cancer-related pain should be conceptualized as a highly variable indicator of psychological vulnerability. Factors influencing this variability include cancer type and severity, as well as the presence of past psychopathology. These findings support the need for a personalized medicine approach, whereby pain management and psychosocial interventions are tailored to patient-specific factors such as disease stage, psychological comorbidity, and access to supportive care. Full article

Objective: In the context of an aging population, the prevention and control of cognitive impairment is a key public health priority. This study aims to investigate the association between proactive health behaviors and the risk of AD8 screening positivity in older adults in China, providing an empirical basis for developing targeted intervention strategies. Methods: Based on health behavior data from 1110 older adults in China, the chi-square test was used to analyze the differences in proactive health behaviors (such as limiting salt and alcohol intake, smoking cessation, and vaccination) between the low-risk and high-risk groups for AD8 screening. Factor analysis was used to extract the main factors of proactive health behaviors. Firth penalized logistic regression models were used to analyze the impact of the main factors and sociodemographic factors on the risk of cognitive impairment. Results: The chi-square test showed that there were significant differences between the two groups in salt restriction behavior (χ² = 18.063, p < 0.01) and vaccination (χ² = 29.674, p < 0.01), with a higher proportion of salt restriction (34.7%) and vaccination rates (80.4%) in the low-risk group. Factor analysis extracted four main factors (psychological–social support, information–behavior execution, technology–environment promotion, and addictive behavior control), with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 58.45%. Among them, psychological–social support (31.42% explained variance) and information–behavior execution (28.04%) had the strongest explanatory power. Firth penalized logistic regression showed that psychological–social support (Firth-corrected OR = 0.072, 95% CI: 0.035–0.148, p < 0.01) and information–behavior execution (Firth-corrected OR = 0.008, 95% CI: 0.003–0.021, p < 0.01) had significant protective effects on AD8 screening positivity (standardized OR values indicated that each one-standard-deviation increase in these two factors reduced screening-positive risk by 39% and 53%, respectively), and the risk increased by 21.7% for every 5-year increase in age (OR = 1.217, p = 0.001). Technology–environment promotion (OR = 0.417, 95% CI: 0.250–0.691, p = 0.001) and addictive behavior control (OR = 0.709, 95% CI: 0.490–1.026, p = 0.068) showed no significant protective effects. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the four-factor structure and core conclusions. Conclusions: Among proactive health behaviors, psychological–social support and information–behavior execution are key protective factors in reducing the risk of AD8 screening positivity in older adults, and age is an important influencing factor. Strengthening psychological support and optimizing access to health information and behavior execution can serve as core strategies for cognitive impairment prevention and control, providing empirical support for the formulation of health policies for older adults. Full article

Background/Objectives: Frailty has been associated with various physical, psychological, and social factors; however, the influence of the residential environment—particularly walk-up buildings without elevators—remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between the floor of residence and frailty among functionally independent older adults. Methods: A total of 793 older adults (mean age: 76.46 ± 6.29 years; 58.83% women) living in walk-up buildings without elevators and not certified as requiring long-term care participated in a questionnaire survey. Frailty was assessed using the Kihon Checklist (KCL) and the FRAIL Scale (FS). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between floor of residence and frailty status (non-frail vs. frail), adjusting for potential confounders. Sensitivity analyses were performed using stratified models based on age group, functional status, and living conditions. Results: Frailty prevalence was 23.28% (KCL) and 16.88% (FS). Higher floor of residence was significantly associated with lower odds of frailty (KCL: odds ratio [OR] = 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69–0.97; FS: OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.65–0.97). Stratified analyses showed consistent associations in subgroups including those aged ≥ 75 years, with full Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scores, non-homebound status, poor subjective economic status, and living alone (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Living on higher floors in walk-up buildings without elevators may be protective against frailty among functionally independent older adults. While barrier-free environments are essential for those with functional decline or disabilities, moderate physical challenges such as stairs may contribute to frailty prevention in populations who maintain independence. Full article

As a distal factor influencing adolescents’ psychological development and behavioral adaptation, the question of whether and how childhood unpredictability is associated with smartphone addiction remains unclear. To address this gap, this study examined the mediating roles of self-concept clarity and self-control, as well as the moderating role of psychological resilience, in the relationship between childhood unpredictability and smartphone addiction. Using a random cluster sampling method, 2262 high school students (51.59% girls; M_age = 17.83, SD = 0.77) were recruited to complete relevant questionnaires. Correlation analyses revealed that childhood unpredictability was negatively correlated with self-concept clarity, self-control, and psychological resilience, and positively correlated with smartphone addiction. Mediation model results indicated that childhood unpredictability contributes to higher smartphone addiction both directly and indirectly through the independent mediating roles of self-concept clarity and self-control and a chained mediation pathway from self-concept clarity to self-control. Moreover, the link between childhood unpredictability and self-concept clarity was moderated by psychological resilience. These findings highlight the critical role and underlying mechanisms of childhood unpredictability in increasing adolescents’ risk of smartphone addiction and emphasize that fostering psychological resilience should be a key target for prevention and intervention efforts aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of childhood unpredictability. Full article

Background: The scalp represents a distinct ecological niche within the skin, and the structure of its microbiota, together with the factors shaping it, is considered important for the maintenance of scalp health. Methods: This study systematically analyzed the bacterial and fungal community structures on the scalps of 63 healthy Chinese women aged 18–25, and examined their associations with scalp type, sensitivity, and lifestyle factors. Scalp samples were collected, questionnaire surveys were administered, scalp physiological parameters were measured, and high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and ITS genes was performed. Results: The results showed that, in this unique scalp skin niche, the dominant bacterial phylum was Actinobacteria, while the dominant fungal phylum was Ascomycota. The predominant bacterial genera were Cutibacterium and Staphylococcus, and the fungal community was dominated by Malassezia. When scalp types were categorized according to sebum content, dry scalps showed enrichment of Micrococcus, Streptococcus, Delftia, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus hominis, whereas oily scalps, on the other hand, are primarily colonized by Cutibacterium and Staphylococcus species. In addition, we observed microbial interactions under different physiological conditions. The relative abundance of Cutibacterium decreased with increasing scalp sensitivity. Higher psychological stress, insufficient sleep, and high-sugar/high-fat dietary patterns tended to coincide with shifts in the relative abundance of Malassezia, implying that these influences may act through fungal rather than bacterial components of the scalp microbiota. Scalp sensitivity showed the strongest association with β-diversity among the variables examined, although the effect size was modest and did not reach conventional significance in the multivariable PERMANOVA. Conclusions: In young women, the scalp constitutes a distinct cutaneous niche whose microbiota is jointly shaped by sebum level, barrier sensitivity, and lifestyle factors, with sensitivity emerging as one of the more influential dimensions of community variation. These findings provide guidance for future in-depth research on the scalp microbiome network and offer a foundational reference for preventing suboptimal and pathological scalp conditions. Full article

Urban park landscape design has significant potential to alleviate heat stress and promote public health, particularly during extreme summer heat. This study explores how the spatial configuration of landscapes within the Yanghu Wetland Park in Changsha, China, influences pedestrian thermal comfort and destination loyalty under hot summer conditions, and how these factors affect public perceived health. It enriches current research by examining the impact of landscape spatial configuration, thermal comfort, and destination loyalty on public perceived health from a psychological perspective. We identified connections between park users’ spatial perceptions and their psychological and health perceptions. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the relationships among visitors’ spatial perception, psychological perceptions, and health perceptions within this large urban wetland park. At the same time, we explored how landscape characteristics, thermal comfort, destination loyalty, and public perceived health interact. This research constructs a Spatial–Thermal–Perception–Behavior (SPB) theoretical framework for such complex blue-green spaces, providing a multidimensional perspective on the relationship between the environment and health. Based on a survey of 321 visitors, This study pioneers the SPB theoretical framework, clarifying how this wetland park’s landscape configurations impact public perceived health through the mediating pathways of thermal comfort and destination loyalty. It provides a scientific basis for heat-adaptive landscape design in similar wetland park settings, aiming to enhance resident well-being and improve public perceived health. Full article

Background: Aging is a multidimensional process influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Social support contributes to cognitive reserve by reducing stress, promoting mental engagement, and reinforcing a sense of belonging. Objective: To examine the association between perceived social support and cognitive functioning among older adults, and to investigate whether social support mediates the relationship between living arrangements and cognitive performance. Methods: The sample included 265 older adults aged 65 years and above, recruited using snowball sampling between March and July 2025 in rural communities. Instruments included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment for cognitive function and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support for social support. Results: In this study, higher perceived social support from family, friends, and significant others was associated with better cognitive performance. Multiple regression showed that all three dimensions of social support significantly predicted MoCA scores, with the strongest effect from friends’ support. Mediation analysis revealed that perceived social support mediated the relationship between living arrangements and cognitive functioning, while the direct effect of cohabitation alone was not significant. Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of perceived social support in preserving cognitive health in older adults. Full article

Background: Physiotherapy University students frequently experience psychological challenges such as depression, anxiety, and stress. These issues are shaped by various individual, health-related, and social factors. Understanding these influences is essential for identifying vulnerable subgroups and guiding effective support strategies. Aim and Objectives: This study aims to assess the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress among physiotherapy students. Specific objectives include (1) analyzing mental health variations across demographic variables such as gender, nationality, marital status, and year of study; (2) evaluating the impact of physical and mental health conditions on psychological distress; and (3) investigating the protective role of perceived social support from family, friends, and faculty. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 282 physiotherapy students at Kuwait University, focusing on students from the Physical Therapy Department in the College of Allied Health Sciences, of whom 89% were aged 18–22 years and 10% were aged 23–27 years. Participants were selected through purposive and convenience sampling, including second-, third-, and fourth-year students. Data were collected using the DASS-21 scale along with demographic, health, and social support information. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA tests were used to analyze associations between psychological outcomes and the studied variables. Results: Anxiety was the most prevalent condition, with 39.4% of students reporting extremely severe levels. Depression and stress affected 14.2% and 11.3% of students at the same severity level, respectively. Gender differences were examined among the participants (259 females and 23 males), with female students showing significantly higher stress levels than males and second-year students reporting greater depression and stress compared to their senior peers. Students who received support from family and friends exhibited lower levels of psychological distress. Conclusions: This is the first study in Kuwait to examine mental health among physiotherapy students, revealing a high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in this group. The findings highlight the unique academic and clinical pressures faced by physiotherapy students, including intensive coursework, frequent assessments, physically demanding clinical placements, close patient interaction, and the need to integrate theoretical knowledge with hands-on clinical practice, while also emphasizing the protective role of social support. These insights call for targeted mental health strategies and support systems within physiotherapy education to promote student well-being and foster a healthier learning environment. Full article

Background: Chinese adolescents face a dual burden of malnutrition, yet the weight-status-specific mechanisms underlying physical activity (PA) participation remain underexplored. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 1573 adolescents (aged 9–15 years) in Shangrao City, China. Validated scales measured social-ecological factors (family/peer support, physical environment), psychological factors (stage of change, self-efficacy, decisional balance), and PA participation. Data preprocessing utilized full information maximum likelihood to handle missing values. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to validate the measurement model, followed by multi-group structural equation modeling to analyze pathway configurations across underweight (n = 187), normal-weight (n = 1070), and overweight/obese (n = 316) groups. Mediation effects were tested using bootstrapping with 5000 resamples. Results: Clear weight-specific patterns emerged. Normal-weight adolescents presented a fully functional comprehensive model where PA was predicted by the stage of change (β = 0.211, p < 0.001), friend support (β = 0.120, p < 0.001), self-efficacy (β = 0.092, p < 0.05), and perceived benefits (β = 0.095, p < 0.01). Underweight adolescents primarily relied on internal readiness driven by stage of change (β = 0.270, p < 0.001) and self-efficacy (β = 0.164, p < 0.05), with family support only indirectly influencing participation via psychological mediators. In contrast, overweight/obese adolescents showed a “socially dependent” pattern: friend support directly predicted PA levels (β = 0.136, p < 0.05), significantly enhanced self-efficacy (β = 0.370, p < 0.01), and effectively lowered perceived barriers (β = −0.165, p < 0.05). Additionally, the physical environment strongly impacted perceived benefits (β = 0.471, p < 0.01) but did not translate into action. Conclusions: These findings underscore the significant differences in PA determinants across the spectrum of malnutrition, necessitating targeted public health interventions to support the Healthy China 2030 initiative. Full article

In the face of rapid aging, depression in later life has become a prominent issue in urban public health and environmental research. As potential places for social activities and emotional healing, the social stayability of shaded community spaces is an essential environmental factor influencing the mental well-being of the elderly. In order to overcome the challenge of depression relief in later life, it is important to investigate what attributes of social stayability in shaded spaces influence the mental well-being of the elderly, as well as their gap structures. This study innovatively develops a fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making method and builds an analytical framework combining Fuzzy-BWM and VIKOR to comprehensively evaluate three dimensions of physical accessibility, facilities, and spatial conditions, and environmental comfort and safety of shaded spaces. Using the Pioneer community in Panyu, Guangzhou, and the Yuehan community in Macau as empirical cases, this study integrates expert judgment and residents’ perception data to identify the key attributes and gap structure of shaded space stayability in mitigating depression-related psychological risk and promoting emotional restoration and psychological well-being among older adults. The results show that facilities and spatial conditions have the greatest impact on social stayability. The two attributes of sitting comfort and public service facilities are the dominant factors that affect stay intention and emotional recovery. Environmental comfort and safety have a secondary but stable supporting effect on psychological security. This study reveals the coupling relationship between functional configuration and perceptual experience and advocates for the transformation of urban renewal thinking from spatial optimization to psychological health promotion. This study’s results offer theoretical support and policy implications for building restorative, inclusive, and age-friendly cities. The findings provide a quantitative basis for decision making regarding sustainable community space governance and intervention prioritization. Full article

The global issue of food waste is a significant concern due to its extensive social, economic, and environmental repercussions. To attain our sustainable future objectives, we must confront the food waste challenge directly. This study, grounded on the Stimulus–Organism–Response (S-O-R) theoretical framework, examines the impact of AI-based stimuli—passion, usability, perceived personalization, and perceived interactivity—on users’ intentions of minimizing food waste. Social presence and psychological engagement signify internal organism (O) states, while self-efficacy acts as the moderating factor between these organism states and intention (R). Data were gathered via Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) in a stratified quota sample of 315 participants in Lithuania, concentrating on Generation Y and Millennial Generation Z consumers of the Samsung Food app, aimed at promoting food waste reduction. Participants were pre-screened and recruited via several means to guarantee an adequate sample. The results indicate that passion, usability, and perceived interactivity substantially influence social presence and psychological engagement. Nonetheless, these organism-level variables did not have an immediate impact on behavioral intention, and all indirect (mediated) effects from stimulus response were significantly rejected. Conversely, self-efficacy considerably influenced the association between social presence and psychological engagement with intention, indicating that enhanced user confidence enhances the possibility of turning engagement into behavioral responses. This study features generational differences between Y and Z and only found significant interaction between perceived personalization and social presence in Generation Y, as compared to Generation Z. This work extends the literature on AI-driven behavior modification by asserting that mere involvement is inadequate. Enabling consumers by enhancing self-efficacy is crucial for developing viable AI-based applications that encourage sustainable customer behavior. Full article

Whistleblowing is a key mechanism of financial governance; however, its effectiveness varies across institutional and cultural contexts. This study examines the factors influencing whistleblowing effectiveness in Qatar’s banking sector, employing an integrated model grounded in the Stimulus–Organism–Response framework and Prosocial Behavior theory. A mixed-methods design combined survey data from 354 banking employees with qualitative text analysis. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) revealed that Training and awareness were the strongest predictors of whistleblowing effectiveness, followed by Transparency and Accountability, and Reporting and Monitoring Mechanisms. At the same time, Legislative and Policy Framework were not significant. Fear of Retaliation partially mediated these relationships, underscoring the importance of psychological safety and trust. Thematic analysis confirmed these findings, highlighting leadership credibility, anonymity, and independent reporting as key enablers, while cultural norms such as hierarchy and loyalty remained barriers. The results indicate that effective whistleblowing in Qatar is less dependent on formal regulation and more on cultivating trust, transparency, and credible protection mechanisms. The study extends behavioral theory to financial ethics, offering practical insights for strengthening integrity systems in emerging financial sectors. Full article

In recent years, organizations have increasingly promoted and integrated employees’ environmentally sustainable behaviors and practices as part of a strategic approach to enhance corporate reputation, demonstrate environmental stewardship, and respond to pressing ecological imperatives. This study explores the psychological factors that motivate employees’ intentions to engage in green behaviors within organizational settings, following the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). We extend the model by incorporating a conceptually multilevel perspective, examining antecedents at the organizational, team, and employee levels: perceived organizational support, perceived colleague support and workplace attachment. Data were collected from a sample of 286 public employees. Our findings indicate that, among the behavioral antecedents proposed by the TPB, only some were validated as significant predictors of employees’ intentions to engage in green behaviors within their organization. The results further show that each organizational, team, and employee level antecedent included in this study significantly influenced the constructs of the TPB. Implications and suggestions for future research are also discussed. Full article

Cultural tourism has emerged as a key factor in destination development, but moving from growth-oriented expansion to sustainability necessitates a better comprehension of the psychological processes influencing visitor involvement. Existing studies insufficiently integrate destination-level diversification with tourist psychological identity, particularly within emerging economies. Drawing on a diversified development framework, this study constructs a theoretical model linking economic, cultural, social, and environmental dimensions with tourist psychological identity and sustainable destination development. Questionnaire data from 300 respondents were analyzed using regression analysis to examine direct and indirect effects across influencing factors. Economic development (β = 0.45), government policy support (β = 0.23), and investment orientation (β = 0.32) significantly strengthen sustainable cultural tourism development. Cultural resources (β = 0.51), cultural exchange (β = 0.27), and creative industries (β = 0.18) also exhibit strong positive effects. Tourist psychological identity is shaped by personal economic status (β = 0.42), cultural experience (β = 0.33), and social recommendations (β = 0.35). Moreover, psychological identity exerts a substantial influence on sustainable development (β = 0.56), indicating a reinforcing mechanism between destination diversification and long-term sustainability. Findings demonstrate that diversified development pathways enhance both destination sustainability and tourists’ psychological attachment, offering actionable implications for destination marketing and management. This study contributes to shifting tourism development from a growth paradigm toward a sustainability paradigm, supporting SDGs 8, 11, and 12. Full article

This study investigates why Generation Z in Surabaya remains reluctant to live in vertical housing despite strong urbanization pressures and policy promotion. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach with 340 respondents aged 18–27, the research identifies five key factors influencing preferences: physical environment, psychological-social concerns, social status and stress, economic considerations, and cultural accommodation. Factor analysis explains 45.1% of total variance, while structural equation modeling reveals that physical environment preferences play a central mediating role. Economic factors affect psychological-social concerns both directly and indirectly, and cultural accommodation strongly shapes social status perceptions but does not directly influence physical preferences. Qualitative analysis of 411 statements shows consistently negative psychological themes, predominantly negative economic sentiments, and more balanced views of physical attributes. Subgroup analysis reveals stronger economic effects among early-career professionals than students. The findings challenge purely rational housing choice models, demonstrating that cultural and economic factors shape psychological acceptance through indirect pathways. Recommendations include culturally sensitive designs (flexible guest rooms, communal gathering spaces), innovative ownership schemes (rent-to-own, cooperative models), and reframed marketing emphasizing lifestyle enablement rather than amenity features. Full article