Search Results (5,262)

Spirituality and religiosity are increasingly recognized as important factors influencing mental health, particularly among women exposed to diverse vulnerabilities such as interpersonal violence, trauma, HIV infection, homelessness, and socioeconomic disadvantage. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on the associations between spiritual or religious resources and mental health outcomes in these populations. A systematic search was conducted in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science to identify studies examining the association between spirituality, religiosity, and mental health outcomes in vulnerable women. A total of 28 studies were identified, including cross-sectional, longitudinal, and mixed-methods designs, which measured spirituality and religiosity using validated instruments such as SWBS, DUREL, FACIT-Sp-12, and Brief RCOPE, alongside standardized mental health measures. Narrative synthesis revealed that the majority of studies (n = 15) reported that higher spiritual well-being, intrinsic religiosity, and adaptive religious coping were associated with lower depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, and with higher resilience, quality of life, and post-traumatic growth. These associations appeared to be shaped by contextual factors, including the type and severity of trauma, cultural and religious frameworks, and the lived experiences of the populations studied. Negative associations were primarily linked to negative religious coping (n = 5 studies), rather than religiosity per se. Additional factors that attenuated or reversed the expected positive effects included higher trauma severity or ongoing adversity (n = 4), reactive patterns in which greater psychological distress was associated with increased use of religious coping (n = 3), maladaptive religious beliefs such as interpretations of trauma as divine punishment (n = 2), and cultural or contextual influences (n = 3). Overall, the evidence suggests that spirituality and specific dimensions of religiosity (e.g., intrinsic religiosity, religious coping) can support mental health among vulnerable women, though personal, cultural, and situational factors shape their impact. These findings suggest the potential value of integrating spiritual resources into interventions and the need for further longitudinal and culturally sensitive research. Full article

Urban parks, as essential urban green infrastructure, contribute significantly to public health, psychological restoration, and socially sustainable urban living. However, existing research has primarily emphasized landscape aesthetics while paying comparatively limited attention to routine landscape maintenance as an important component of sustainable urban park governance. Drawing on Stress Recovery Theory (SRT), this study examines how landscape maintenance quality influences perceived well-being through perceived safety and restorative experience. Survey data were collected from 278 urban park users in Wangjianglou Park, Chengdu, China, and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that maintenance quality positively affects perceived well-being both directly and indirectly through perceived safety and restorative experience, which serve as significant mediators. Multi-group analysis further reveals demographic differences, with female users demonstrating stronger safety-related responses and older users exhibiting stronger restorative and perceived well-being benefits associated with maintenance conditions. The findings highlight the importance of routine park maintenance in supporting perceived safety, psychological restoration, inclusiveness, and the long-term usability of urban public spaces. The study advances understanding of how maintenance practices shape psychological restoration and urban perceived well-being while providing empirical support for sustainable urban green space management and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 11. Full article

Personal growth is a central aspect of development and well-being during young adulthood, yet sexually diverse and gender-diverse (SGD; a more inclusive term for LGBTQ+) young adults navigate this process within unique contexts shaped by identity, stress, and varying levels of social support. Despite growing visibility and social recognition of SGD identities in the United States, SGD individuals continue to face prejudice and discrimination, which negatively affects their physical and psychological health. Research indicates that stigmatized and marginalized populations with greater psychosocial resources are better able to cope with identity-related stressors. Yet, scholarship on coping with stigma and discrimination remains largely disconnected from research on social support, personal growth, and thriving within close relationships. The present observational study of SGD young adults (N = 400) examines how identity-affirming support from close others contributes to positive well-being outcomes, specifically personal growth, self-concept clarity, and thriving. Whereas much prior work focuses on how support buffers stress, we examine its role across stressors and opportunities for growth, experienced broadly and in relation to SGD identity. Our findings underscore the critical role that close relationships play in fostering social safety and personal growth for SGD young adults navigating identity development. Full article

Background: Occupational moral injury is associated with nurses’ psychological well-being, yet evidence linking it to professional quality of life remains limited, and no validated Greek version of the Occupational Moral Injury Scale (OMIS) has been available. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 301 nurses from two public hospitals in Greece. Using convenience sampling, 350 questionnaires were distributed, yielding an 86.0% response rate. Participants completed the Occupational Moral Injury Scale (OMIS) and the Professional Quality of Life Scale Version 5 (ProQOL-V). The OMIS was translated and culturally adapted into Greek through a forward–backward translation process, and its validity and reliability were assessed using confirmatory factor analysis and internal consistency testing. Results: The Greek OMIS demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.95). CFA provided preliminary support for the proposed factorial structure, although model fit indices indicated a marginal-to-moderate fit (CFI = 0.887, TLI = 0.866, SRMR = 0.070 and GFI 0.902). Participants reported relatively high compassion satisfaction (M = 37.30, SD = 7.35) and moderate levels of burnout (M = 23.36, SD = 5.06) and secondary traumatic stress (M = 22.13, SD = 7.28). Betrayal was negatively associated with compassion satisfaction (r = −0.151, p = 0.009) and positively associated with burnout (r = 0.427, p < 0.001) and secondary traumatic stress (r = 0.366, p < 0.001). Regression analyses showed that dimensions of moral injury were associated with burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction, with betrayal showing the strongest associations. Conclusions: Occupational moral injury was associated with poorer professional quality of life, underscoring the need for organizational support, ethical resources, and clinical supervision to promote healthcare professionals’ well-being and resilience. Full article

Sleep is a multidimensional health domain influenced by behavioural, psychological, and lifestyle factors. However, multinational evidence integrating insomnia severity and multiple sleep outcomes within the Mediterranean lifestyle framework remains limited. This study examined correlates of insomnia severity and key sleep outcomes in adults from Mediterranean and neighbouring countries participating in the MEDIET4ALL survey. Data were collected from 4010 adults (59.5% female) across 10 countries using a standardized multilingual e-survey. Insomnia severity was assessed as primary outcome using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), while sleep characteristics were assessed using sleep duration, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and subjective sleep quality. Regression analyses examined sociodemographic, health-related, Mediterranean dietary, movement-related, psychological, and social correlates. Exploratory statistical indirect association analyses involving life satisfaction were also conducted. Insomnia severity showed the highest explained variance among sleep outcomes (adjusted R² ≈ 0.29). Higher insomnia severity was associated with female sex, higher body mass index, and greater depression, anxiety, and stress (β ≈ 0.15–0.17), whereas lower insomnia severity was associated with older age, better self-reported health status, higher life satisfaction, and greater adherence to Mediterranean dietary consumption patterns (β ≈ −0.04 to −0.11). Models for secondary sleep outcomes explained more modest variance and should be interpreted as exploratory. Across these outcomes, psychological well-being and distress showed the most consistent associations, while Mediterranean dietary dimensions and social participation showed smaller and outcome-specific associations. Exploratory indirect association analyses showed small but statistically significant indirect associations involving life satisfaction between Mediterranean dietary dimensions, social participation, and selected sleep outcomes, particularly sleep quality and insomnia severity. The findings confirm and contextualize established associations between sleep, psychological well-being, distress, Mediterranean lifestyle-related behaviours, and regional context within a large multinational sample. Psychological well-being and distress emerged as the most consistent correlates. Insomnia severity was the most robustly explained sleep outcome, whereas secondary sleep dimensions reflected more modest exploratory correlational profiles. Full article

Background/Objectives: Medical students are frequently exposed to high levels of psychological stress due to demanding academic workloads and individual responsibilities. Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) have been increasingly explored as strategies to improve mental well-being of this population. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the effects of MBIs on psychological stress among medical students. Methods: A systematic search of three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) was conducted following PRISMA guidelines upon protocol registration in PROSPERO. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies assessing mindfulness interventions in medical students were included. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool for RCTs and the ROBINS-I tool for non-randomized studies. Results: Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria, including fourteen RCTs and seven non-randomized studies. The types of MBIs were variable between the included studies, including mainly Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) but also Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT). The interventions were also heterogeneous in what concerns duration and format. Conclusions: Although further research is required to address current methodological gaps, namely the variable types, formats, and duration of MBIs, this study suggests putative benefits of integrating mindfulness into medical education to promote psychological resilience. Full article

Gathering spaces within urban parks serve as primary outdoor leisure venues, playing a critical role in facilitating social interaction and restoring the physical and mental well-being of this demographic. This study uses the example of Pipa Mountain Park in Chongqing, China to explore the psychological and physiological perceptual effects of spatial environmental characteristics on young adults in four typical gathering spaces: path platform, elevated point, viewing boundary, and key node. To this end, we employed onsite experimental methods using wearable ergonomic devices to collect participants’ physiological data, including electrophysiological, electroencephalogram (EEG), and eye-tracking data. Visual and auditory psychological perception evaluation data were obtained through on-site questionnaires. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed differential trends in participants’ psychological perceptions and physiological responses across distinct gathering spaces. The elevated point demonstrated the most favorable ratings for the psychological dimension “comfort” (M = 1.63, SD = 2.09). Subsequent principal component analysis elucidated key psychological perception indicators in mountainous settings, while Friedman test, Kruskal–Wallis tests, and random forest modeling quantified the effects of specific spatial environmental indicators on perceptual responses. Results indicated significant differences in psychological perceptions and physiological responses across gathering space typologies (p < 0.05). Influenced by the preferences and behavioral habits of young adults, environmental element complexity significantly enhanced attentional engagement (χ² = 68.428, p < 0.01) and facilitated positive perceptual responses. The synergistic effects of the visual and auditory elements significantly enhance the restorative benefits of space; however, poor accessibility weakens this advantage. This study provides evidence for the in-depth analysis of the intrinsic mechanisms between the spatial environment and multisensory perception in urban mountain parks. Full article

Background: Maternal identity is the perception and recognition of a woman as a mother. Within this emerging identity, the maternal role takes on special importance as a manifestation of the set of responsibilities that a woman assumes in the care and upbringing of her baby. Respectful professional accompaniment during the period of maternal role acquisition is key to perinatal mental health and secure bonding with the baby. The main objective of this systematic review with narrative synthesis was to analyze the effects of psychological support programs aimed at maternal role acquisition during the transition to motherhood. Methods: Studies with experimental and quasi-experimental designs addressing maternal role acquisition in pregnant or postpartum women were included. A systematic search was conducted in PsycINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed and SCOPUS from inception to March 2025 following PRISMA recommendations. Due to the heterogeneity in study designs, interventions and outcome measures, a narrative synthesis was performed instead of a meta-analysis. Results: A total of 11 studies were extracted with a total sample of 1244 women, including five randomized controlled trials and six quasi-experimental studies. Psychological support programs focusing on maternal role acquisition generally showed improvements in maternal identity construction, self-efficacy and maternal competence, although not all findings reached statistical significance. In addition, several studies reported reductions in postnatal depressive symptoms, as well as improvements in subjective well-being and maternal role perception. Conclusions: results suggest that psychological support programs targeting maternal role acquisition may represent a promising approach for supporting perinatal mental health. However, the evidence should be interpreted with caution due to methodological limitations and heterogeneity across studies. In fact, most included studies were conducted in Eastern cultural contexts (Iran, China), limiting generalizability to Western populations without further adaptation and validation. Additionally, incomplete reporting of standardized effect sizes and precision measures across studies limits the quantitative interpretation of the findings. This review was not prospectively registered, and title/abstract screening was conducted by a single reviewer, increasing the risk of selection bias. Further research using rigorous and standardized designs is needed to clarify the effectiveness and generalizability of these interventions. Full article

Purpose: This study aimed to determine levels of stress, anxiety, depression and digital fatigue among nursing students and to examine the associations between digital fatigue components and these psychological outcomes. Methods: This descriptive and correlational cross-sectional study was conducted with 543 nursing students from a nursing faculty in Türkiye in June 2025. Data were collected face-to-face using a Personal Information Form, the Digital Fatigue Scale (DFS) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Descriptive statistics, t-test, Mann–Whitney U, ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, correlation, and multiple regression analyses were performed. Results: Students reported elevated levels of depression, anxiety and stress, and a moderate level of digital fatigue (DFS total mean = 2.82 ± 0.68). Female students had significantly higher anxiety, stress and digital fatigue scores than males. Daily internet use of ≥6 h was associated with higher depression, stress and digital fatigue. DASS-21 total scores were positively correlated with DFS total and all subscales. In multivariate models, digital addiction (β = 0.178), online pressure (β = 0.104), and psychosomatic problems (β = 0.174) significantly predicted depression. Psychosomatic problems (β = 0.236) and physical–mental fatigue (β = 0.156) predicted anxiety, while digital addiction (β = 0.180), psychosomatic problems (β = 0.210) and physical–mental fatigue (β = 0.157) predicted stress. These models explained 16.2%, 17.6%, and 20.1% of the total variance, respectively (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Digital fatigue is positively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress in nursing students. High daily internet use and female gender relate to higher symptom and fatigue scores. Incorporating digital well-being, screen-time management, and mental health support into curricula, along with institutional strategies to reduce digital burden, may protect future nurses’ psychological well-being. Full article

Survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) are at risk of developing long-term adverse effects after survival. This study examined observed proportions of perceived mental distress, fatigue, and executive function (EF) impairment in adult childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) of ALL, AML, and NHL. Secondly, it examined the association between perceived EF impairment and mental distress or fatigue. Participants (n = 132; 57% female) were recruited from two major Norwegian hospitals. Self-report questionnaires included the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Adult Version, the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25, and the Fatigue Severity Scale. Proportions exceeding established clinical thresholds were calculated, and groups were compared using Pearson’s chi-squared test and Newcombe confidence intervals. Overall, 49% and 41% of participants met the clinical thresholds for depression and anxiety; 43% for fatigue; and 28% for EF impairment. Perceived EF impairment was significantly associated with mental distress and fatigue. Mental distress, fatigue, and EF impairment are commonly reported and distressing late effects among CCSs of ALL, AML, and NHL. Follow-up care focusing on neurocognitive and psychological outcomes is important for the long-term functioning and well-being of this survivor group. Targeted neurocognitive rehabilitation may represent a key component of follow-up care. Full article

Blue spaces (BS) are increasingly recognized for their potential to support mental health and well-being, yet the specific role of physical activity (PA) within these environments remains underexplored. This narrative review aimed to synthesize empirical evidence on the relationship between different types and intensities of PA in BS and mental health outcomes. Twenty studies published since 2010 were included, selected based on validated psychological measures and clearly reported PA types. Literature research in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted, and methodological quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) tool. Data extraction captured study characteristics, PA type and intensity (categorized according to the 2024 Compendium of Physical Activities, where no direct measurements were taken), and mental health outcomes. The results indicate that PA in BS is generally associated with improved psychological well-being. Light-intensity activities showed consistent positive effects on restorative and affective outcomes, while moderate- to vigorous intensity activities demonstrated variable results. Mechanisms underlying these benefits appear multifactorial, including neurobiological responses, social interactions, and cultural attachment to water. These findings underscore the contribution of both the type and intensity of PA in BS to mental health outcomes. Full article

Objectives: This study was conducted to develop and evaluate a personalized, home-based metronome-cued walking mHealth system, tailored to individual exercise capacity, and assess its effects on physical activity and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: A single-center prospective study was conducted in 40 patients with stable COPD, who were assigned to an intervention group (IG, n = 28) and a control group (CG, n = 12). The IG received a 12-week metronome-cued walking training through the mobile health system. The initial walking intensity was set at 70% of the patient’s baseline level, as determined by the 6 min walking distance (6MWD) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). The duration of the training was adjusted according to the Borg scale score and was conducted at least three times per week. The CG received standard care, including lifestyle advice, medications and dietary guidance. Outcomes, including the 6MWD, the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ), the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), were recorded at baseline and week 12. Results: Among 40 enrolled patients, the IG showed improvements compared with the CG. The mean 6MWD increased by 35.32 m (95% CI: 27.84–42.80, p < 0.001) in the IG, with 68% of participants achieving the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of +35 m. The CAT, the CCQ, the mMRC dyspnea scale, and the HADS also improved in the IG. These findings suggest that the intervention may improve exercise capacity, dyspnea, health-related quality of life and psychological well-being in this patient population. No intervention-related adverse events were observed during the study period. Conclusions: In this small, non-randomized pilot study, a personalized, home-based metronome-cued walking program supported by mHealth technology was feasible and showed preliminary signals of benefit for exercise capacity, dyspnea, quality of life and psychological well-being in patients with COPD. Full article

Background: Physical exercise is key to good health, but during the transition to university, levels of physical activity often decline. In this context, resilience and emotional intelligence are important psychological resources that may support sustained participation in sport, while exercise-related emotional processes, including affective experiences such as enjoyment, boredom, and anger, may also influence engagement in physical activity. Objective: to analyze the relationship between adherence to sports-related physical activity and psychosocial variables such as resilience and emotional processes among university students. Methods: This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025641102). The search was conducted in January 2025 in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. Quantitative and qualitative studies evaluating sporting engagement related to resilience or emotional components among university students were selected. Risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results: five studies with sample sizes ranging from 72 to over 48,000 participants were included. High levels of resilience were associated with more frequent participation in recreational activities and acted as a protective factor against academic stress. Enjoyment is the strongest predictor of behavioral and emotional commitment to sport. Conversely, boredom and negative emotions predict lower levels of future participation. Students with higher emotional responses coped better with psychological barriers and reported greater satisfaction with their performance, which ensures the habit is maintained. Conclusion: Resilience and emotional processes appear to be associated with physical activity engagement among university students. However, given the limited number of studies and their heterogeneity, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary and hypothesis-generating. The results suggest the potential relevance of fostering these psychological capacities as part of broader strategies aimed at reducing sedentary behavior and promoting mental wellbeing in university populations. Full article

Background: Suryanamaskar (Sun Salutation) is a dynamic sequence of yoga that incorporates movement, breath and mindfulness, and is known for its many potential multidimensional health benefits. Despite the increasing volume of research, a comprehensive and domain-specific synthesis examining the multidimensional effects of Suryanamaskar and yoga-based interventions incorporating Suryanamaskar remains limited. Hence, the present study was designed to systematically review and synthesize the existing evidence related to the effects of Suryanamaskar and yoga-based interventions using Suryanamaskar sequence on various populations and outcome domains. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement and Cochrane Handbook recommendations. Literature searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from database inception to 31 December 2025. Studies involving human participants and Suryanamaskar-based interventions reporting measurable physical, physiological, or psychological outcomes were included. Fourteen studies met the eligibility criteria. Study characteristics, intervention protocols, and outcome measures were extracted. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 for randomized studies and ROBINS-I for non-randomized studies. Due to substantial heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively. Results: A total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, Suryanamaskar and yoga-based interventions incorporating Suryanamaskar were associated with improvements in physical fitness, physiological health, psychological well-being, and body composition across diverse populations. Most included studies reported favourable changes in physical fitness, physiological, psychological, and body-composition outcomes; however, the magnitude and consistency of findings varied substantially across study designs, participant populations, intervention protocols, and outcome measures. Conclusions: Promising but heterogeneous evidence suggests that Suryanamaskar and yoga-based interventions incorporating Suryanamaskar may contribute to improvements in physical fitness, physiological function, psychological well-being, and body composition across diverse populations. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution because of variability in study designs, intervention protocols, participant characteristics, and risk of bias. Although Suryanamaskar appears to be a practical, low-cost, and holistic intervention with potential applications in educational, sports, and health-promotion settings, further high-quality randomized controlled trials with standardized protocols and larger sample sizes are required to strengthen the evidence base. Full article

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART), particularly in vitro fertilization (IVF), are characterized by substantial emotional burden, uncertainty, and repeated decision-making under probabilistic conditions. Although psychological distress is common among individuals and couples undergoing ART, psychosocial care remains inconsistently integrated into fertility pathways and is rarely tailored to individual needs. This narrative review synthesizes evidence concerning infertility-related distress, anxiety and depressive symptoms, couple functioning, treatment discontinuation, psychosocial screening, and psychological interventions across the IVF trajectory. Key phases of treatment, including pretreatment assessment, ovarian stimulation, embryo transfer, the waiting period, cycle outcome, and decisions regarding repetition or discontinuation, are described, and phase-specific psychological vulnerabilities are identified. On the basis of the available literature, we propose a conceptual stepped-care framework ranging from universal psychoeducation and routine monitoring to structured psychological interventions, couple-based care, and specialist psychiatric management. Practical screening thresholds, referral criteria, reassessment intervals, and a safety pathway for suicidal ideation are outlined. Particular attention is given to male-factor infertility, strategies for engaging male partners, and the ethical and data-governance requirements of digital mental health tools. Current evidence supports psychosocial interventions for improving emotional well-being and quality of life and suggests a potential role in treatment continuation, but their effects on pregnancy and live-birth outcomes remain uncertain. The proposed framework should therefore be regarded as a clinically informed conceptual model rather than a validated prediction algorithm. Prospective studies are required to assess its feasibility, predictive performance, cost-effectiveness, and impact on patient-centered outcomes. Full article