Search Results (4,175)

Background: Despite evidence of potential benefits, variability in exercise types, psychological outcomes, and methods hinders comprehensive cost-effectiveness evaluation, framed through Stimulus–Organism–Response (S–O–R) theory. In this context, Workplace Physical Activity-Based Programs (WPABPs) serve as environmental stimulation that influences employees’ emotional states, which in turn shape mental health outcomes and behavioral responses. Research Purpose: This systematic review examines WPABPs through the social dimension of the Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG-S) framework, with a focus on their impact on employees’ mental health. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, eligibility was assessed via the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) framework. The ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases were searched using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) aligned keywords and Boolean operators. Results: Of the 961 articles identified, 15 studies (2021–2025) met the inclusion criteria. WPABPs were found to improve employee mental health, reduce stress, and enhance well-being. Individualized interventions supported targeted psychological benefits, while group formats promoted social cohesion and engagement. Variations in type, duration, and delivery, as well as accessibility barriers for underrepresented employees, were noted. WPABPs enhance employee well-being and organizational outcomes, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Conclusions: Hybrid models combining individual and group approaches with managerial and digital support are recommended. Integrating WPABPs within ESG-S and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) frameworks can institutionalize sustainable workplace health promotion, while future research should focus on standardized, inclusive, and long-term evaluations. Full article

The ability of large language models to recall human emotions provides a novel opportunity to investigate links among memory, affect, and mental health. This study explores whether the Emotional Recall Task (ERT), a free word-association paradigm, can reveal cognitive markers of distress in both humans and large language models (LLMs). Using spreading activation simulations grounded in cognitive network science, we examined how the recall of emotional concepts (e.g., stress, anxiety, and depression) relates to psychometric measures of well-being and personality. In Study 1, correlations were tested between activation dynamics and clinical scales (DASS-21, PANAS, and Life Satisfaction) in human participants (N = 1200) and artificial participants generated by GPT-4, Claude Haiku, and Anthropic Opus. For both human and LLM samples, spreading activation was modeled from participants’ ERT words within a human-derived semantic network, enabling a direct comparison of structural activation dynamics rather than psychological states. Humans with higher distress scores exhibited stronger, faster, and more persistent activation of negative concepts, supporting theories of rumination and memory bias. GPT-4 approximated human-like trajectories most closely, though with reduced variability. Study 2 linked recall dynamics with the Big Five traits, confirming that neuroticism predicted greater activation of negative concepts, while extraversion acted as a protective factor. While LLMs lack autobiographical memory, their semantic activation partially mirrored human associations. These findings demonstrate that network-based spreading activation analysis can reveal cognitive signatures of distress while also highlighting the limits of LLMs in modeling human affect. Full article

Background/Objectives: Despite extensive research on the outcomes faced by parents in contexts of political violence, as well as the protective factors that enhance their well-being, the experiences of single parents by choice (SPCs) in such circumstances have largely been neglected. This study sought to address this gap by examining the experiences of SPCs during the current phase of the Israel–Hamas war that began on 7 October 2023. Method: This qualitative study used a context-informed approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 Israeli SPCs (5 fathers and 6 mothers), including 2 displaced due to the destruction of their homes. All participants were secular Jews, predominantly middle- to upper-middle-class, aged 40–58, and had at least one child aged 15 months to 17 years. A thematic analysis method was utilized. Results: Two overarching themes emerged from the interviews, shaping participants’ wartime experiences: (1) the intensified challenges associated with parenting alone in the context of armed conflict and (2) the factors that mediated the impact of these challenges. Three key challenges identified by participants included: (1) persistent perceptions of danger and threat to life; (2) heightened financial insecurity; and (3) significant disruptions to daily routines. Three systemic-level protective factors were identified as instrumental in mitigating these challenges: (1) engagement in joint familial activities; (2) the presence of a supportive work environment; and (3) social and political engagement. These factors appeared to foster resilience and enhance participants’ psychological coping capacities amidst ongoing conflict. Conclusions: By highlighting the distinct stressors faced by SPCs in wartime and the factors mediating their impact on well-being, our findings extend the Stress Process Model to conflict settings, enhancing understanding of how single parenting is contextually shaped during major community crises. The findings may encourage clinicians and social workers to adopt a more nuanced approach when working with parents in conflict zones, enabling them to tailor interventions to the specific needs of different family structures. For SPCs, such interventions may include tele-counseling to provide psychosocial support and guidance for parents in supporting their children, without the need for childcare or travel, as well as advocacy for workplace policies that reduce financial and emotional vulnerabilities. Full article

Background: The psychosomatic effects of stress are risk factors for a range of dental and systemic diseases. This study used the massive Japanese national statistics database to clarify the association of psychological stress with subjective symptoms and conditions requiring hospital visits. Methods: Anonymized data from 93,690 respondents of the 2019 Japanese survey were provided for this study. From these data, those of 29,777 respondents aged 40–89 years were classified into stress groups based on their responses to the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). The response rates for symptoms and diseases were compared and analyzed using contingency tables and binomial logistic regression. Results: The items with the largest odds ratios in the univariate analysis were depression/other mental disease (7.60), followed by irritability (6.86) and health perception QOL (6.31). Among those with subjective symptoms, the proportion in the high-stress group was higher (15.1%), with a univariate odds ratio of 3.17. The results of the binomial logistic regression analysis, with subjective QOL as the dependent variable, were as follows: The explanatory variables with the highest adjusted odds ratios were stress group classification (3.14), followed by feeling physically tired (2.44) and sleep satisfaction (2.22). The stress group was associated with subjective symptoms, such as irritability and depression/other mental diseases, as well as with social factors, such as household structure and work hours. These results suggest the existence of specific symptoms, diseases, and environmental factors associated with high stress. Conclusions: The results suggest that stress may have a substantial impact on quality of life in later life. Therefore, healthcare measures for older adults should focus on the symptoms and diseases that tend to be associated with stress to mitigate their effects. Full article

Background/Objectives: Testosterone and cortisol are key regulators of metabolic, psychological, and physiological responses to environmental and lifestyle factors. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between free testosterone and cortisol concentrations and dietary patterns, stress levels, sleep quality, physical activity, and body composition in healthy young men (aged 18–35 years). Methods: This study included 40 volunteers who met our inclusion criteria. They underwent anthropometric measurements, body composition analysis, and biochemical determination of serum free testosterone and cortisol concentrations. Additionally, participants completed a set of validated questionnaires: a questionnaire regarding the frequency of consumption of specific foods and stimulants, a 3-day food diary, the PSS-10, the Holmes and Rahe Scale, the PSQI, and the Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: Free testosterone concentration in blood was negatively correlated with body fat content and positively correlated with the percentage of energy, protein, fat, sodium, and folic acid requirements. Morning blood cortisol levels negatively correlated with body weight and height. Higher intakes of cholesterol, folic acid, and vitamin A resulted in statistically significant reductions in cortisol levels. A significant correlation was identified between poor sleep quality and low cortisol levels, particularly among men aged < 26 years. A positive correlation was also found between leisure-time physical activity and testosterone levels, particularly in the older group. Furthermore, a higher body weight and greater muscle mass were correlated with lower cortisol levels. Conclusions: These results provide a starting point for further research on neuroendocrine mechanisms in active individuals exposed to environmental stress. Full article

Purpose: Remote work continues to transform both organizational structures and individual work experiences, introducing new dynamics that can simultaneously enhance or undermine employees’ mental health and overall well-being. These evolving conditions influence levels of stress, resilience and burnout within increasingly digital and flexible work environments. The present study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how remote work affects occupational stress, mental health, burnout and employee well-being through a bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed literature complemented by a narrative synthesis of emerging research themes. Methods: A total of 185 peer-reviewed documents were retrieved from the Scopus database and analyzed using the VOSviewer software, version 1.6.20 (0) (Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands). The study employed performance analysis techniques to assess annual publication trends, identify the most influential authors and sources and evaluate citation impact. Furthermore, science mapping methods, including co-authorship, bibliographic coupling, co-citation, and co-occurrence analyses, were used to visualize the intellectual structure and thematic evolution of the field. Results: The co-occurrence analysis identified three major thematic clusters. We first explored how the abrupt shift to teleworking redefined employee well-being, the second examined the psychological consequences of evolving work environments on mental health and occupational stress and the third investigated the prevalence, determinants and contextual factors of occupational burnout across professional domains. Conclusions: The findings demonstrated complex interrelations among remote work, occupational stress, mental health, and burnout, highlighting that the accelerated adoption of remote work—especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic—has substantially reshaped employees’ psychological health and work experiences. Thus, remote work emerges as a double-edged phenomenon that can either foster resilience and well-being or heighten stress and burnout, depending on the availability of supportive organizational structures, psychosocial resources, and adaptive coping mechanisms. Full article

(1) Background: Psychological first aid (PFA) interventions are designed to tackle the effects of traumatic events on individuals to help them reach stability. (2) Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study. A total of 162 physicians in Jordan were conveniently selected between 28 November and 15 December 2023. We identified 82 participants by a simple random procedure to represent the control group = 42 and the experimental group = 40. The PFA intervention course was initiated from 18 December 2023 to 21 February 2024. (3) Results: We found significant differences (p < 0.001) between the control group and the experimental group based on knowledge, skills, and attitudes in terms of PFA; self-efficacy (SE); and professional quality of life (ProQoL). The experimental group demonstrated higher knowledge, skills, and attitudes in terms of PFA and improved SE compared to the control group. Physicians, before undergoing the PFA intervention and strategy training course, exhibited moderate levels of compassion satisfaction (CS), burnout (BO), and secondary traumatic stress (STS). After the training course, both BO (M = 3.14, t = 3.44, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.56) and STS (M = 2.01, t = 4.25, p = 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.65) decreased significantly in the experimental group, while there was no significant effect on CS (M = 4.29, t = 1.56, p = 0.12, Cohen’s d = 0.21) as a result of the PFA training course in the experimental group. (4) Conclusions: The PFA training course improves SE and ProQoL and increases knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward PFA. We recommend implementing PFA training courses for other healthcare professionals. Full article

Background/Objectives: Self-compassion is a psychological construct that involves treating oneself with kindness, understanding, and mindfulness during times of failure or suffering. This study investigates the beneficial role of state self-compassion in relation to symptoms of anxiety and depression across different adult age groups in the Greek population. Grounded in positive psychology, the research highlights state self-compassion as a protective factor for mental health. Methods: A total of 1528 adults aged 18 to 65 participated by completing a set of self-report questionnaires, including the State Self-Compassion Scale-Long Form (SSCS-L) and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results: The results showed that age was positively correlated with state self-compassion and negatively with anxiety and depression symptoms. Furthermore, state self-compassion was negatively correlated with both anxiety and depression, indicating its protective association against psychological distress. Two-way ANOVA showed that state self-compassion levels, but not age groups, had a significant effect on anxiety and depression scores. No significant interaction effects were found between state self-compassion levels and age groups for either anxiety or depression, indicating that the protective association of state self-compassion was consistent across adulthood. Multiple regression analyses revealed that higher state self-compassion and older age were significantly associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. Moderation analyses demonstrated that age did not moderate the association between state self-compassion and either depression or anxiety symptoms, indicating that the protective association of self-compassion remained stable across adulthood. Thus, neither ANOVA nor PROCESS analyses provided evidence for moderation. Conclusions: These findings underline the importance of fostering state self-compassion to promote psychological well-being across adulthood. Implications for counselling psychology and age-sensitive mental health interventions are discussed, with recommendations for future longitudinal and intervention-based studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Equine-assisted services are being increasingly utilized as complementary interventions for military veterans who have experienced trauma. However, rigorous research is lacking, and randomized controlled trials are needed. The H.O.O.V.E.S. Intensive intervention was developed for this population. This intensive program is an equine-assisted learning approach developed for veteran and active-duty military trauma survivors. The program integrates equine-assisted learning, peer mentorship and experiential learning in a residential retreat format. The primary aim of this pilot study was to determine if more rigorous studies of this intervention are warranted. Secondary aims were to assess preliminary outcomes and explore possible relationships between changes in outcome measures. Methods: This was a pilot prospective study. Inclusion criteria for the program included veteran or active-duty military status and a history of trauma exposure. Data were collected from April–October of 2024 in Ohio, USA. Six psychological instruments were administered to participants before, immediately after and 90 days and 120 days after the intervention. These were the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II (AAQII), the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Analyses were conducted to assess for significant changes across the study timeframe and for relationships among the changes in psychological instrument scores. Results: Study participants were 32 veterans with trauma histories ranging in age from 30 to 67 years old. There were statistically significant pre- to post-intervention improvements for all instruments except the PTGI, suggesting short-term increased psychological flexibility (AAQII) and positive affect (PANAS-positive) as well as decreased anxiety (STAI), negative affect (PANAS-negative), depression (BDI) and PTSD symptoms (PCL-5). Changes in BDI and PCL-5 scores persisted at 120 days post-intervention whereas changes in the AAQII, PANAS and STAI did not persist. Increased psychological flexibility was correlated with reductions in negative affect, PTSD symptoms and anxiety, as well as with increases in positive affect. Conclusions: Preliminary results reported herein suggest participation is associated with psychological benefits. Further, decreased experiential avoidance/increased psychological flexibility should be explored as an underlying mechanism potentially contributing to the benefits of participation in EAS. A randomized controlled trial of the H.O.O.V.E.S. Intensive program is warranted. Full article

Background: Sleep disorders are highly prevalent among healthcare workers (HCWs) globally, with occupational stress (OS) being a major underlying cause. Psychological capital (PsyCap) may serve as a protective resource, yet its combined relationship with OS and sleep quality remains underexplored. Objectives: We aimed to identify distinct OS-PsyCap profiles among HCWs, examine their associations with sleep quality, and investigate the mediating and moderating roles of PsyCap. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1046 HCWs in Shanghai in December 2024. The Job Content Questionnaire, Psychological Capital Questionnaire, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to measure OS, PsyCap, and sleep quality, respectively. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted to identify OS–PsyCap subgroups. Generalized linear models (GLM) and moderation and mediation analyses were performed to examine associations and to elucidate the role of PsyCap. Results: HCWs were divided into two distinct profiles: Class 1 (low OS and high PsyCap, 45.2%) and Class 2 (high OS and low PsyCap, 54.8%). HCWs in Class 2 had significantly poorer self-rated health and more sleep disturbances. Higher job demands and organizational support were associated with worse sleep outcomes, while higher autonomy and higher PsyCap were protective. In mediation and moderation analyses, PsyCap mediated 16.4–37.8% of OS–sleep relationships but also amplified OS effects on certain sleep outcomes under high stress. Conclusions: High OS with low PsyCap significantly increased sleep disorder risk among HCWs. PsyCap exhibited dual mechanisms, mediating stress effects while exacerbating sleep issues in high-stress contexts. Targeted interventions should address these HCWs in distinct profiles and pathways. Full article

Background/Objectives: Childbirth, although generally a positive life event, can sometimes be experienced as traumatic, leading to postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder. Emergency caesarean section and operative vaginal delivery are associated with elevated psychological distress, while factors such as lifetime trauma, domestic violence, anxiety, and coping strategies may further increase vulnerability. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 113 postpartum women who delivered via emergency caesarean section (73.5%) or operative vaginal delivery (26.5%) in two tertiary hospitals in Athens, Greece (March–July 2023). Data were collected at three time points: the second postpartum day, six weeks postpartum, and three months postpartum. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize sample characteristics. Chi-square tests were performed for categorical variables and independent sample t-tests for continuous variables. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder, with results expressed as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: At six weeks postpartum, 14.2% of participants met full diagnostic criteria for P-PTSD. Postpartum post-traumatic stress was strongly associated with higher state and trait anxiety, fewer positive coping strategies, and exposure to domestic violence (lifetime, during pregnancy, and in the past year). Women with traumatic childbirth experiences had a 14.7-fold higher risk of developing P-PTSD. Lifetime trauma, particularly physical or sexual abuse and exposure to disasters, further increased vulnerability. Over the last three months, 50% of those initially diagnosed continued to meet the diagnostic criteria. Multivariate analysis identified traumatic childbirth, state anxiety, and domestic violence during pregnancy as significant predictors of postpartum post-traumatic stress. Conclusions: Postpartum post-traumatic stress is a significant and underestimated consequence of high-risk deliveries. Screening for domestic violence and trauma history during pregnancy, assessing perinatal anxiety, and providing trauma-informed psychological support are critical to reducing maternal psychiatric morbidity and promoting maternal-infant well-being. Full article

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe psychiatric illness characterized by recurrent mood episodes and significant psychosocial impairment. Emerging evidence supports a bidirectional link between diet and mental health, with growing interest in nutritional psychiatry. This narrative review examines the psychological and psychiatric impact of diet in BD, focusing on biological mechanisms (gut–brain axis, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter synthesis, and HPA axis dysregulation) and the role of specific dietary patterns, including Western, Mediterranean, ketogenic, and anti-inflammatory diets. Key micronutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, B-vitamins, magnesium, and vitamin D are explored in relation to mood regulation. This review also addresses psychological factors, including emotional eating, disordered eating behaviors, and the symbolic meaning of food in BD. Furthermore, it highlights the integration of nutritional psychoeducation into psychotherapy, the impact of comorbidities (e.g., obesity, metabolic syndrome), and the role of lifestyle factors such as sleep and physical activity. Despite promising findings, current research is limited by methodological heterogeneity. Future perspectives should include interdisciplinary, personalized interventions that incorporate nutritional strategies into standard care for BD. Full article

The current systematic review modified the Enduring Vulnerability Stress Adaptation model of relationship functioning and the Attachment System Activation model of individual functioning to incorporate various aspects of orgasmic functioning within the broader context of sexual health and sexual satisfaction. This provided conceptual frameworks for integrating the findings on a wide range of correlates of orgasms, sexual satisfaction, and other components of sexual health into comprehensive models of individual and interpersonal functioning to guide future research. A systematic search of the ProQuest, PubMed, and Web of Science databases (through September, 2025) for records linking sexual satisfaction with at least one other component of sexual health or at least one correlate (distress, well-being, physical health, relationship satisfaction, attachment avoidance, or attachment anxiety) yielded 3369 unique records, resulting in a final set of 228 records, representing 281 independent (sub)samples and a final combined sample of 248,021 participants. A total of 1201 effects were extracted, yielding 44 meta-analytic effects (using random effects modeling). Path analyses of meta-analytic correlation matrices revealed that dimensions of sexual health (i.e., sexual satisfaction, orgasms, sexual desire, lack of sexual pain, vaginal lubrication) demonstrated unique links to greater health, interpersonal functioning, and individual functioning (i.e., higher psychological well-being, physical health, and relationship satisfaction; lower psychological distress, attachment anxiety, and attachment avoidance). Meta-regression moderation analyses revealed that the effect linking orgasms to higher sexual satisfaction was especially pronounced for women and for individuals in clinical (sub)samples. In addition, the link between orgasms and lower distress was especially pronounced for older individuals. The findings were limited by the cross-sectional nature of the vast majority of the findings (96%), leaving the directions of causality unclear. Taken together, these results highlight the central role that sexual health might play in individual and relationship health, supporting the proposed conceptual models and highlighting directions for future research. Full article

Background/Objectives: Psychiatric nurses are constantly exposed to physical and verbal violence from patients with mental illnesses, which can lead to post-traumatic stress (PTS). This study investigated the correlations among psychiatric nurses’ experiences of violence, cognitive-emotion regulation strategies, and PTS and sought to identify factors associated with PTS. Although workplace violence and its psychological effects have been examined among nurses, little is known about how cognitive-emotion regulation influences PTS in psychiatric nurses who are frequently exposed to violence. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing interventions to support their mental health. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive correlational study. Participants were 140 psychiatric nurses with more than one year of clinical experience working in psychiatric wards at university, general, and psychiatric hospitals in South Korea. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 25.0. A hierarchical regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing the nurses’ PTS. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed in three steps: demographic variables were entered first, followed by violence experience, and finally cognitive-emotion regulation strategies. All assumptions of linearity, normality, and homoscedasticity were satisfied. Results: In Model 3, after controlling for demographic and work-related variables, maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, experiences of violence, and education level emerged as significant predictors of PTS among psychiatric nurses. These variables together explained a substantial proportion of the variance in PTS. Conclusions: To reduce PTS among psychiatric nurses, it is necessary to develop and implement violence prevention and coping programs, stress and mental health management initiatives, and educational programs. Based on the findings, hospitals should strengthen organizational systems by establishing structured mechanisms for reporting and debriefing after violent incidents. In addition, hospitals should provide regular training on cognitive-emotion regulation and enhance institutional support to help nurses manage the psychological impact of workplace violence. Such interventions may not only minimize violent incidents but also reduce reliance on maladaptive cognitive-emotion regulation strategies. While the findings provide important insight, the cross-sectional design limits causal inference. Further longitudinal research is recommended to verify these relationships. Full article

A growing body of evidence highlights the beneficial role of physical activity in supporting cognitive functions and learning outcomes. Yet, recent studies indicate that these effects may be shaped by environmental conditions, conceptualized within the framework of the urban exposome. The present study explores the interaction between physical activity, cognitive enhancement, and environmental exposures such as air pollution, noise, sensory overstimulation, and access to green spaces. A multi-method experimental design was implemented with 60 participants randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The experimental group engaged in moderate-intensity physical activity across diverse urban settings, including green parks, high-traffic streets, and indoor facilities, while the control group performed the same activity in a stable indoor environment without environmental variability. Cognitive performance was assessed before and after physical activity through standardized measures of attention, memory, and executive function. Psychological and physiological stress responses were also monitored using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and heart rate variability (HRV). Results suggest that the cognitive benefits of physical activity are not exclusively attributable to internal physiological mechanisms but are significantly moderated by environmental exposures. These findings underscore the relevance of considering contextual factors when examining the links between physical activity, cognition, and academic performance. Full article