Search Results (1,110)

There has been a significant rise in the number of individuals searching for genetic relatives using home-based DNA kits alongside online historical records, archival sources, and family stories. Initial studies suggest that these experiences can have profound psycho-social and emotional impacts on self and identity. However, research to date has not examined the experiences of older adults who uncover previously unknown relatives and how these discoveries influence their identities in later life. To address this gap, this study draws on life course and identity theories. We conduct three ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analyses to examine how age, the context of discovery, and the subsequent relationship with the newly discovered family member (or proxy) affect three conceptual identity domains: familial belonging, cultural identity, and sense of self/uniqueness. Data are drawn from an international online survey of 293 amateur genealogists aged 55 years and older who located a previously unknown close genetic relative within the past five years using DNA testing. We also synthesize and integrate emergent themes from 50 in-depth qualitative follow-up interviews. Findings show that reported identity changes are associated with stronger relationship quality, more frequent contact, emotionally driven motivations (compared to curiosity), and more complex searches, net of covariates. Qualitative data elucidate the expansive, fluid, and sometimes ambiguous nature of identity reconstruction following unexpected family discoveries today. Full article

Background: Relapse risks and social reintegration after substance rehabilitation are not only influenced by the individual’s social context, but also by social, family, and socioeconomic circumstances. However, there is limited quantitative research that has studied the co-occurrence of these factors among persons who have been rehabilitated from substance dependence in the Chinese context. Methods: Administrative case narratives from the Legal Services Casebook Database of the Ministry of Justice of China from 2017 to 2021 were analysed. Of the 227 drug rehabilitation-related cases initially identified, 92 contained available and codable information for all variables required for Multiple Correspondence Analysis. Narrative data were coded and then re-categorised into indicators of age, gender, educational level, family relationships, social relationships, financial status, employment status, and recorded relapse history. MCA was not used to estimate the causal effects or prevalence of these categories across the nation, but rather as a method for exploring patterns of association. Results: For the retained complete-case subsample, characteristics of lower educational attainment, unstable employment, financial difficulty, poor family relationships, and poor social relationships tended to be positioned close together in the MCA space. This suggests a pattern of co-occurring psychosocial and socioeconomic disadvantage within the analysed records. Relapse history made a weak contribution to the main MCA dimensions, indicating that recorded relapse alone did not organise the principal structure of association in the data. Conclusions: The findings offer exploratory evidence that reintegration-related disadvantage in these records was configured across relational and socioeconomic domains. Caution should be used when interpreting the results, as they are from a selected, small, complete-case subsample and from variables recoded from administrative narratives. Future research should utilise larger-scale, longitudinal, and mixed-methods datasets to conduct validation studies, to investigate whether these findings are consistent with the remaining data, and to examine their association with long-term reintegration outcomes. Full article

Across the course of pregnancy, women undergo profound biological, psychological, and social changes, often accompanied by subjective memory complaints. However, evidence for objective memory problems remains inconsistent, revealing a gap between subjective and objective impairment. This narrative review aimed to (a) provide an overview of memory difficulties during pregnancy, with particular attention to the potential biological and psychosocial mechanisms underlying them, and (b) examine sleep health as a specific and potentially modifiable factor within this framework, adopting a multidimensional perspective. Findings indicate that pregnant women frequently report subjective memory difficulties, whereas objective impairment is generally subtle, domain-specific, and remains within normative ranges. Biological evidence suggests substantial hormonal fluctuations and dynamic brain reorganisation during pregnancy; however, consistent associations with memory decline have not been established, and some studies point to adaptive neuroplastic processes. At the same time, societal expectations and environmental factors may influence subjective memory functioning, contributing to the discrepancy between subjective and objective findings. Sleep is consistently compromised during pregnancy and plays a key role in memory processes. However, evidence linking sleep and memory during pregnancy is limited and heterogeneous, with predominantly correlational findings across different dimensions of sleep health. These results support the need for a biopsychosocial framework that incorporates a multidimensional conceptualisation of sleep and for overcoming simplified views of pregnancy psychophysiological processes. Future research should adopt longitudinal and multimodal approaches to clarify the role of sleep health and its interaction with biological and psychosocial factors, ultimately informing preventive strategies and more comprehensive models of maternal memory functioning. Full article

Background/Objectives: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic psychiatric condition associated with substantial emotional and psychosocial burden. Social media platforms provide an opportunity to examine how BD is discussed and emotionally framed outside clinical settings. Although Spanish-language public discourse on BD remains underexplored, this gap is particularly relevant given that linguistic and cultural factors may influence how mental health conditions are expressed, perceived, and communicated. Understanding these differences is essential for developing culturally sensitive public health strategies, improving mental health literacy, and addressing stigma in diverse populations. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using Spanish-language tweets referring to BD posted between 2007 and 2023. After preprocessing, 170,411 unique tweets were analyzed. Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) was applied to identify dominant thematic domains, and emotional tone was classified using a RoBERTa-based model adapted from Ekman’s basic emotions. Statistical analyses were performed to examine associations between topics, emotional categories, and the presence of clinical terminology. Results: Tweet activity related to BD remained low until 2019, followed by a marked increase peaking in 2020 and remaining elevated thereafter. Topic modeling identified seven main themes, predominantly centered on symptoms, illness-related life crises, social anxiety, help-seeking, and the impact of BD on romantic relationships, while diagnosis- and treatment-related topics were less frequent. Emotional analysis showed a clear predominance of sadness across all topics, accounting for approximately 75% of tweets. Anger, joy, and optimism were present at lower frequencies and varied across thematic domains. Clinical terminology was significantly more common in diagnosis- and treatment-related topics, whereas experiential and affective narratives dominated the remaining themes. Conclusions: Spanish-language discourse on BD on Twitter is largely characterized by emotional expression and lived experience rather than biomedical language. These findings highlight cultural relevance of social media as a complementary source for understanding public perceptions of BD and underscore the importance of culturally and linguistically specific analyses in digital mental health research. Full article

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome in which treatment effectiveness may be influenced by biological, psychological, social, and nutritional factors. This study aimed to identify clinical, psychosocial, nutritional, and selected individual factors associated with patients’ perceived overall treatment effectiveness among women with fibromyalgia. Specifically, we examined whether fibromyalgia symptom severity, psychological and social quality of life, diet quality, vitamin D₃ supplementation, treatment duration, and selected individual characteristics were associated with patients’ perceptions of treatment effectiveness. Methods: A cross-sectional online study included 195 women with physician-diagnosed fibromyalgia who reported using medications and/or supplements. Fibromyalgia severity (FAS, FIQR), quality of life in psychological and social domains (WHOQOL-BREF), diet quality (pHDI, nHDI, DQI), vitamin D₃ supplementation, and treatment duration were assessed. Cluster analysis and hierarchical linear regression were performed to identify factors associated with self-perceived treatment effects. Results: Women reporting lower treatment effects presented greater symptom severity, higher FIQR scores, and lower quality of life in psychological and social domains. No significant differences were observed according to age, BMI, diet quality, or self-reported daily vitamin D₃ supplementation. In the final regression model, treatment duration (β = 0.246; p < 0.001), quality of life in the psychological domain (β = 0.173; p = 0.035) and social domain (β = 0.158; p = 0.039), and symptom severity (β = −0.196; p = 0.041) independently predicted self-perceived treatment effects. Conclusions: Better psychological and social well-being, lower symptom severity, and longer treatment duration were associated with higher perceived treatment effectiveness, whereas neither diet quality nor self-reported daily vitamin D₃ supplementation was associated with this outcome. These findings support a multidisciplinary biopsychosocial model of care integrating nutritional, medical, psychological, and social interventions. Full article

Adolescence is a critical period for identity formation, a core developmental task that significantly influences psychosocial adjustment. Although person-centered studies based on Crocetti’s three-factor model have identified distinct identity statuses across several cultural contexts, comparable evidence from Chinese adolescents remains limited. The current study aims to explore whether the three-factor model of identity could be found in a Chinese adolescent sample and to examine the relationship between identity statuses and psychosocial adjustment. A sample of 4666 adolescents ($M_{age}$ = 18.37; 49.9% females) completed the Utrecht-Management of Identity Commitments Scale. Latent profile analysis revealed five distinct identity statuses: Searching Moratorium, Foreclosure, Avoidant, Undifferentiated, and Diffusion. These statuses differed significantly in levels of anxiety, subjective well-being, and resilience. Overall, identity statuses were significantly associated with psychosocial adjustment. Notably, adolescents in the Foreclosure status exhibited the most favorable psychosocial outcomes; however, this pattern may reflect an adaptive response to the Chinese educational context rather than indicating a more mature stage of identity development. Full article

On behalf of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology, we are pleased to present the abstracts from the 2026 Annual Conference, titled “A New Horizon: Expanding the Access and Impact of Psychosocial Oncology”. The 41st Annual CAPO Conference was held in St. John’s, Newfoundland from 8 June 2026 to 9 June 2026. As we stand at a new horizon in psychosocial oncology, we recognize the unprecedented opportunities to expand both the access to and the impact of comprehensive cancer care. This conference will explore innovative strategies for breaking down traditional barriers that have historically limited access to psychosocial support, including geographic isolation, resource constraints, cultural disparities, and systemic inequities in healthcare delivery. This expansion of reach and influence represents not merely growth in service numbers, but a fundamental transformation in how we conceptualize, design, and implement patient-centered psychosocial care across diverse communities and care settings. We will explore scalable solutions that amplify impact while maintaining the deeply personal, human-centered approach that defines excellence in psychosocial oncology. From telehealth innovations and peer support networks to community-based interventions and integrated care models, this conference will showcase evidence-based strategies that expand our collective ability to support individuals and families navigating the cancer journey, wherever they may be. This conference brought together key stakeholders including multidisciplinary professionals from nursing, psychology, psychiatry, social work, spiritual care, nutrition, medicine, rehabilitation medicine, occupational health and radiation therapy for both adult and pediatric populations. Participants included clinicians, researchers, educators in cancer care, community-based organizations and patient representatives. Patients, caregivers and family members presented abstracts that speak to their role in managing cancer experiences and care. Over one-hundred and fifty (150) abstracts were submitted for presentation as symposia, 20 min oral presentations, 10 min oral presentations, 90 min workshops and poster presentations. We congratulate all the presenters on their research work and contributions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) constructs are associated with adolescents’ eating habits. Validated surveys are needed to assess these constructs (in different populations and languages), considering both personal and socio-environmental factors, including peer influence. Therefore, the objective of this study was to validate the SCT-based Scale for Factors Influencing Eating Behavior in Adolescents (SCT-FIEBA), in Spanish. Methods: The scale was administered to 705 high school students from two schools in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Mexico, with randomized and stratified selection. Two weeks later, 43 participants completed the retest. Construct validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA); internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega; and temporal stability was assessed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Additionally, factor patterns influencing eating behavior were identified using hierarchical cluster analysis and discriminant analysis. Results: EFA (n = 353) showed an adequate structure with seven or eight factors (with 34 items). However, CFA (n = 352) showed a better fit with eight factors and 33 items (RMSEA = 0.073, SRMR = 0.083, CFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.90) than the other models. The scale’s internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.92, CI 0.92–0.93; McDonald’s omega = 0.93, CI 0.92–0.93), with all sections scoring from moderate to excellent. The reproducibility indices were good for the whole scale (ICC = 0.70, CI 0.50–0.82) and four sections; the other four presented moderate values. It is recommended to verify reproducibility in a larger sample. Hierarchical cluster analysis yielded better results with four patterns influencing eating behavior based on SCT, and the discriminant analysis results were satisfactory (Wilks’ lambda = 0.108; 87% of cases correctly classified). Conclusions: The SCT-FIEBA demonstrated validity and reliability for assessing SCT constructs applied to eating behavior among high school adolescents in a Mexican population, as well as for identifying four distinct psychosocial patterns that influence eating behavior. Full article

Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent among university students, yet the psychosocial correlates linking exposure to potentially traumatic or severe adverse events with depressive symptoms remain incompletely understood. This study examined the association between traumatic event exposure and depressive symptoms among Chinese university freshmen, focusing on the mediating role of interpersonal difficulties and the moderating role of only-child status. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 8079 freshmen from three universities in Shandong Province, China. Depressive symptoms were measured using the PHQ-9, traumatic event exposure was assessed using the Severe Traumatic Events Questionnaire, and interpersonal difficulties were evaluated using the Comprehensive Diagnostic Scale of Interpersonal Relationships. Mediation and moderated mediation analyses were performed using Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Model 15), controlling for sex, age, and residence. Results showed that traumatic event exposure was positively associated with depressive symptoms (β = 0.194, 95% CI [0.169–0.221]). A statistically significant indirect association through interpersonal difficulties was observed (indirect effect = 0.110, 95% bootstrap CI [0.097–0.124]). Only-child status moderated both the direct association between traumatic event exposure and depressive symptoms and the association between interpersonal difficulties and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that interpersonal difficulties may represent an important factor associated with the relationship between traumatic event exposure and depressive symptoms, and that only-child status may influence the strength of these associations among university students. Full article

Background/Objective: With the rapid ageing of the global population, promoting mental health and well-being among older adults has become a key priority for healthcare systems. Social support is widely recognized as an important social determinant of health; however, the underlying psychological mechanisms through which it influences well-being in community-dwelling older adults remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to examine the association between social support and subjective well-being among community-dwelling older adults in urban China and to determine whether psychological resilience mediates this relationship after adjusting for key sociodemographic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between May and July 2023 among 1227 older adults aged ≥ 65 years in three urban communities in Dongguan, China. Stratified cluster sampling was applied. Social support was assessed using the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6), psychological resilience using the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), and well-being using the Elderly Well-Being Scale (EWBS). Pearson correlation and mediation analyses (PROCESS Model 4 with bootstrap resampling) were performed to examine the relationships among variables, adjusting for key sociodemographic factors. Results: A significant positive correlation emerged between social support and well-being (r = 0.410, p < 0.01), with psychological resilience exhibiting an even stronger correlation with well-being (r = 0.573, p < 0.01). Mediation analyses showed that psychological resilience partially mediated the social support–well-being relationship (indirect effect = 0.324, 95% CI: 0.262–0.391), explaining 38.5% of the total effect. Higher educational attainment and stable economic security (e.g., pension coverage) were significantly associated with better well-being outcomes. Conclusions: These findings suggest that social support is associated with better well-being both directly and indirectly through psychological resilience. From a healthcare perspective, community-based interventions that strengthen social networks and improve psychological resilience may represent effective strategies for promoting healthy ageing. Integrating psychosocial support and resilience-building programs into primary care and community health services could contribute to improving mental health and quality of life in ageing populations. Full article

Food allergy (FA) is a chronic condition that can affect adolescents’ emotional well-being, daily functioning, and psychosocial adjustment. Digital interventions based on serious games may support the development of socioemotional competencies in this population, although evidence remains limited. This study explored the psychological outcomes derived from emoTIChealth, a serious game designed to promote psychological adjustment and emotional competencies in adolescents with FA. A quasi-experimental longitudinal design with repeated measures and no parallel control group was conducted in 23 adolescents aged 11–17 years diagnosed with FA. Participants completed assessments at two pre-intervention time points and one post-intervention assessment. Outcomes included health-related quality of life, emotional competencies, socioemotional skills, self-concept, healthy habits, psychopathological symptoms, and perceived disease threat. A significant decrease in emotional awareness-related dimensions was observed, particularly in attention to others’ emotions and global emotional awareness. A significant decrease in Global Difficulties and the presence of psychopathology post-intervention was also observed. The participants’ emotional state and perceived difficulties during the intervention were associated with changes in some psychological outcomes. These findings provide preliminary evidence that emoTIChealth may influence specific emotional processes in adolescents with FA, although its impact on broader psychosocial and health-related outcomes appears limited. Further controlled studies with larger samples are warranted. Full article

Purpose: Breast cancer has been recognised as a chronic condition, with survivors experiencing long-term physical and psychosocial effects following treatment. Supporting breast cancer survivors to self-manage their health can optimise health-related quality of life and reduce symptom burden. Self-management education (SME) has been advocated at the policy and programme level in Australian primary care, but its uptake is often limited. This study explores healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) experiences and perceptions of SME in primary care, aiming to identify factors influencing its implementation and to support survivorship care for breast cancer survivors in Australia. Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach was adopted involving in-depth semi-structured interviews. Convenience sampling was used to recruit HCPs across the three primary care clinics in the Greater Brisbane area. The interviews were conducted based on an interview guide. Each interview was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Descriptive content analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: Fourteen participants were interviewed across three primary care settings, including five general practitioners and nine registered nurses. Three categories were synthesised from the data: (1) Meaning and role of SM/SME; (2) Suboptimal SME in current practice; (3) Perceived factors impacting SME delivery in practice. Each category had two to six subcategories for the participants. Conclusions: The findings highlighted the importance and perceived benefits of SME for breast cancer survivors and HCPs in Australian primary care. However, the integration of SME into primary care remained suboptimal due to a combination of systemic, organisational, and healthcare provider factors. Evidence-based resources, particularly guidelines and training, are essential to equip HCPs to effectively integrate SME into routine care for breast cancer survivors. Full article

Academic acceleration decisions for gifted students require a shift from single-scale, grade-based approaches toward integrated, multi-domain assessments that consider cognitive abilities, academic performance, and psychosocial readiness together. This mixed-methods case study examines three Saudi students who experienced academic acceleration and who present distinct cognitive–academic profiles—designated as “Outstanding” (O.F.), “Inconsistent” (O.L.), and “Inconsistent and Regressing” (O.M.)—to explore how the congruence among cognitive abilities (measured by CogAT), academic performance (evaluated through predictive descriptive modeling), and psychosocial readiness (assessed by the modified PDAS) influences acceleration decision making. Data were collected from cognitive tests, academic records, PDAS scores, and semi-structured interviews with students, teachers, and parents. Findings indicate that strong convergence across the three domains was associated with successful whole-grade acceleration, whereas domain-specific mismatch and significant weakness in fluid reasoning were associated with academic decline, psychological distress, and social difficulties. Composite scores masked substantial variations within these asymmetric patterns, leading to potentially inappropriate classifications. Although parental support varied across cases and appeared associated with student outcomes, a causal relationship could not be established within this exploratory design. The study concludes that acceleration policies should move beyond general averages toward individualized, profile-based assessments that consider subject-specific acceleration and psychosocial support when needed. All findings are preliminary observations that require replication with larger samples and longitudinal designs before definitive conclusions can be drawn. Full article

Online food delivery services (OFDSs) have become an integral component of consumers’ daily dining habits, making it important to understand consumers’ continuance tipping intention toward OFDS couriers. On the basis of stimulus–organism–response theory and social exchange theory, the present study examined how service quality and psychosocial motivations influence consumers’ continuance tipping intention toward OFDS couriers in Taiwan. Purposive sampling was adopted, and an online questionnaire survey was administered to OFDS consumers who had recently tipped delivery couriers. In total, 845 valid questionnaires were collected, and structural equation modeling was employed to test several proposed hypotheses. The results indicated that past tipping behavior was significantly and positively associated with continuance tipping intention. Perceived value partially mediated the relationships between perceived service quality and tipping behavior, as well as between perceived service quality and continuance tipping intention. In addition, psychosocial motivations, including gratitude, social obligation, and helping couriers, were significantly and positively associated with continuance tipping intention. Finally, the findings highlight the roles of service evaluations and psychosocial motivations in explaining consumers’ continuance tipping intention toward OFDS couriers. Full article

Background: Adolescent substance abuse is a growing public health concern associated with poor mental health, unsafe sexual behaviour, violence, school dropout, and psychosocial dysfunction. In rural South Africa, peer influence, cultural practices, poverty, and inadequate psychosocial support may increase learners’ vulnerability to substance use. However, limited qualitative evidence exists on how these factors influence substance abuse among school learners in rural communities. Aim: This study explored peer-group and cultural influences on substance abuse among school learners in a rural community in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual design was adopted. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 30 learners from selected secondary schools in the DIMAMO area of the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province. Data were collected through semi-structured one-on-one interviews until data saturation was reached. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic analysis guided by Social Learning Theory. Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained prior to data collection. Results: Two major themes emerged: causes of substance abuse and factors maintaining substance use. Peer pressure and social influence contributed to the initiation of alcohol, cannabis, cigarette, and snuff use. Cultural practices and ancestral beliefs further normalised substance use behaviours. Psychological distress associated with poverty, family conflict, and inadequate parental support increased learners’ vulnerability. Continued substance use was reinforced by addiction, perceived emotional relief, social tolerance, and easy access to substances. Conclusions: Adolescent substance abuse in rural communities is influenced by interconnected social, cultural, psychological, and environmental factors. Integrated school- and community-based psychosocial interventions are needed to strengthen adolescent mental health and substance abuse prevention strategies. Full article