Search Results (52)

Background: Competitive esports represents a rapidly developing digital performance environment in which players must regulate attention, affect, psychophysiological activation, and performance under dynamic, high-demand conditions. Although cognitive overload and related states are increasingly relevant to esports research, these constructs have not been consistently defined, operationalized, or measured. Objective: This scoping review aimed to map empirical evidence on cognitive overload and related states in competitive esports, with emphasis on cognitive demands, psychophysiological and neurophysiological markers, coping and recovery approaches, game genres, and performance outcomes. Methods: The review followed Joanna Briggs Institute guidance and PRISMA-ScR reporting principles. Searches were conducted in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost on 5 May 2026. Eligible studies were peer-reviewed empirical articles involving ranked, collegiate, semi-professional, professional, elite, or otherwise competitive esports players and included at least one objective or semi-objective indicator relevant to overload-related states. Results: Forty-eight studies were included. Evidence was distributed across in-game performance, stress and arousal, cardiometabolic load, mental workload, sleep and recovery, perceptual-cognitive processing, neurophysiological markers, and intervention-oriented approaches. Heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), eye-tracking, sleep or wearable measures, electroencephalography (EEG), event-related potential (ERP), cortisol, pupil diameter, electrodermal activity (EDA), cognitive tasks, and in-game metrics were used across the literature. However, these measures were rarely integrated into unified, multimodal models. Conclusions: Cognitive overload in esports is best understood as a dynamic, multidimensional state emerging from interactions between game demands, competitive context, player regulation, and performance consequences. Future research should develop genre-sensitive, multimodal, and time-synchronized models that distinguish workload, stress, fatigue, arousal, tilt, and performance decline. Full article

Objective: The aim of the study was to devise and validate a new questionnaire—Psycho-Vox—for diagnosis of muscle tension dysphonia and develop normative data for Polish-speaking adults. The tool was designed to measure 10 key psychological and social dimensions that have a bearing on functional voice disorders (FVDs), namely perseverance, coping with stress style (task-oriented or avoiding-oriented), mental well-being, resilience, burnout, family and social relationships, and tendency to project a positive self-image, tendency to exaggerate symptoms. Methods: The validation study involved 164 participants (46.3% were patients with muscle tension dysphonia and 53.7% were in good health; 92.7% were women). Their ages ranged from 18 to 76 years (M = 40.2; SD = 13.1). The Psycho-Vox questionnaire comprised 80 items, which participants rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Construct validity was tested using factor analysis with principal component rotation and confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was determined using Cronbach’s α, and linguistic comprehension was assessed using the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES, Polish version) and the Jasnopis indicator. Sten norms were developed for the entire sample. Results: Factor analysis confirmed the 10-factor structure of the questionnaire, consistent with theoretical assumptions (KMO = 0.734; χ²(3160) = 8643.41; p < 0.001), with 89.2% classification agreement. Cronbach’s α for individual scales ranged from 0.705 to 0.837, confirming high internal reliability. The results of the FRES and Jasnopis tests indicate that the tool is understandable to adults with secondary or higher education. Significant differences were found between the patient group and the control group in terms of family relationships (p < 0.001), social capital (p = 0.003), mental well-being (p = 0.007), tendency to project a positive self-image (p = 0.004), and tendency to exaggerate symptoms (p = 0.005). A logistic regression model (χ²(10) = 62.27; p < 0.001; Hosmer–Lemeshow χ²(8) = 5.00; p = 0.757) showed that belonging to the patient group was positively associated with higher scores on the scales of family relationships, mental resilience, mental well-being, tendency to project a positive self-image, and symptom exaggeration, while negatively associated with perseverance and task-oriented coping with stress. The classification accuracy of the model was 73.2%. Sten norms were developed for all diagnostic scales. Conclusions: The Psycho-Vox questionnaire is characterised by good construct validity, high reliability, and practical clinical usefulness. The tool can be used in the differential diagnosis of muscle tension dysphonia and in monitoring the progress of treatment and rehabilitation. Full article

Background: The symptoms of chronic spontaneous urticaria can be exacerbated or even induced by psychological stress. Assessing the severity of symptoms using the recommended Urticaria Control Test is an important diagnostic step before deciding on the type of pharmacological treatment to be used. Due to the possibility of urticaria symptoms affecting patient’s emotional condition, the authors attempted to analyze if the way of coping with stress has an impact on urticaria symptom control as assessed with this questionnaire. Methods: The study included 61 (37 female; 60,6%;) patients with symptoms of chronic spontaneous urticaria without other coexisting diseases. All patients were treated with antihistamines. In the analyzed group of patients, the Urticaria Control Test and the Polish version of Endler and Parker’s Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations questionnaire were conducted. Results: The average score on the Urticaria Control Test in the analyzed group was 8.5 (±3.9) points. In our group, the most common coping style was a mixed style based on emotions and avoidance—32 (53%) respondents. Next, 11 (18%) patients reported an emotion-based style. A task-oriented style of coping with stress was observed in 8 (13%) respondents. In the study group, we found no statistical significance in the correlation between the UCT results and the patient’s coping style. Conclusions: Emotions play a significant role as a stress-coping style in chronic spontaneous urticaria patients. The lack of relation found between the Urticaria Control Test result and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations questionnaire confirms the objective usefulness of the Urticaria Control Test in assessing the control of spontaneous urticaria. Full article

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with long-term disturbances in stress regulation, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress and reduced psychological coping capacity. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between selected neurobiological biomarkers (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1—IGF-1; Caspase-9—CASP-9; Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase—nNOS; and Interleukin-10—IL-10) and coping styles evaluated using the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief-COPE) questionnaire in men with trauma experience. Particular emphasis was placed on analyzing the effect of PTSD chronicity (≤5 years vs. >5 years) on these relationships. The study included 92 adult men with a history of life-threatening situations. Participants were divided into three groups: PTSD within the past ≤5 years (n = 33), PTSD within the past >5 years (n = 31), and a No PTSD group (n = 28). Biomarkers were measured in blood serum. Coping strategies were assessed using the Brief-COPE questionnaire, which includes four subscales: task-oriented, emotion-oriented, avoidant, and general coping. Due to the lack of normal distribution, the Kruskal–Wallis test and Dunn’s post hoc test were used. Correlations between biomarkers and Brief-COPE subscales were calculated using Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient (Rho). Significant differences between groups were found in all four biomarkers (p < 0.001). IGF-1 and IL-10 reached the highest values in the No PTSD group and the lowest in the PTSD ≤ 5 years group, indicating neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory deficits in PTSD. Conversely, CASP-9 and nNOS levels (markers of apoptosis and oxidative stress) were highest in PTSD ≤ 5 years, with partial normalization in the PTSD > 5 years group. In terms of coping strategies, the No PTSD group displayed a highly adaptive profile (task-oriented: 30/32; emotion-oriented: 43/48; and avoidant: 12/32). Individuals with PTSD ≤ 5 years presented a maladaptive pattern (task-oriented: 13/32; avoidant: 26/32; and emotion-oriented: 27/48), while in PTSD > 5 years, a further decline in emotion-oriented (21/48) and general coping (59/112) was observed, suggesting progressive depletion of psychological resources. The strongest correlations between biomarkers and coping strategies occurred in PTSD groups. Low IGF-1 levels in PTSD ≤ 5 years correlated negatively with emotion-oriented coping (Rho = −0.39) and general coping (Rho = −0.35). High CASP-9 levels were associated with reduced task-oriented coping in PTSD > 5 years (Rho = −0.29). Similar trends were observed for nNOS and IL-10, indicating a disturbance in neurobiological balance that favors persistence of PTSD symptoms. PTSD, both in its acute and chronic phases, is associated with an abnormal profile of neuroprotective, apoptotic, and inflammatory biomarkers, which correlates with impaired adaptive coping capacity. Although partial normalization of biological parameters is observed in chronic PTSD, deficits in emotion-oriented and task-oriented coping persist. The Brief-COPE questionnaire, combined with biomarker analysis, may serve as a useful clinical tool for assessing psychophysiological balance and designing early interventions. These results highlight the potential of IGF-1, CASP-9, nNOS, and IL-10 as biomarkers of stress adaptation and therapeutic targets in PTSD. Full article

Objectives: To investigate whether a Multimodal Rehabilitation Program (MRP) affects the change in visual–spatial abilities, especially attention, information-processing speed, visual–spatial learning, the severity of depression, and strategies for coping with pain in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) participants. Methods: The study was conducted between October 2021 and February 2023, with a 4-week rehabilitation program that included individual physiotherapy, manual and physical therapy, and psychological intervention such as psychoeducation, relaxation, and Graded Motor Imagery therapy. Twenty participants with CRPS and twenty healthy participants, forming a control group, were enlisted. The study was a 2-arm parallel: a CRPS group with MRP intervention and a healthy control group matched to the CRPS group according to demographic variables. Before and after, the MRP participants in the CRPS group were assessed for visual–spatial learning, attention abilities, severity of depression, and pain-coping strategy. The healthy control group underwent the same assessment without intervention before two measurements. The primary outcome measure was Reproduction on Rey–Osterrieth’s Complex Figure Test assessing visual–spatial learning. Results: In the post-test compared to the pre-test, the participants with CRPS obtained a significantly high score in visual–spatial learning (p < 0.01) and visual information-processing speed (p = 0.01). They made significantly fewer omission mistakes in visual working memory (p = 0.01). After the MRP compared to the pre-test, the CRPS participants indicated a decrease in the severity of depression (p = 0.04) and used a task-oriented strategy for coping with pain more often than before the rehabilitation program (p = 0.02). Conclusions: After a 4-week MRP, the following outcomes were obtained: an increase in visual–spatial learning, visual information-processing speed, a decrease in severity of depression, and a change in the pain-coping strategies—which became more adaptive. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cerebral hemorrhage (CH) has physical, cognitive, and emotional consequences. Recovery requires a complex rehabilitation process in which coping strategies play a fundamental role in supporting psychological adaptation. The aim of this study is to investigate and understand the extent and manner in which coping strategies have been assessed in the CH population within the scientific literature. Methods: Studies were identified through searches in the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases. Eight studies published between 2014 and 2024 were selected. Results: The most frequently adopted coping strategies include task-oriented coping, avoidance, emotion-focused coping, acceptance, planning, and emotional support. Task-oriented strategies and acceptance are associated with better psychological outcomes. Conversely, avoidant and emotion-focused strategies correlate with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and poorer adaptation. Resilience and social participation emerge as protective factors. Finally, Action/Distraction is associated with a better quality of life, while Trivialization/Resignation is linked to lower levels. Conclusions: Coping seems to represent a modifiable, patient-centered lever that can mitigate the psychosocial sequelae of intracranial hemorrhage when assessed systematically and addressed through tailored rehabilitation programs. Our findings lay the groundwork for evidence-based, coping-focused interventions and highlight critical avenues for future longitudinal and mechanistic research. Full article

As mental health has gained prominence in recent years, elite ice hockey players have shared their experience of psychological problems, including adverse alcohol use, anxiety, depression, distress, eating disorders, and sleep disturbances. Mental health remains a sensitive issue for ice hockey players, as stigma, a strong hockey culture, lack of mental health literacy, and negative past experiences with seeking help constitute barriers to seeking support. This scoping review aims to identify the psychological factors contributing to elite ice hockey players’ well-being. After screening the titles and abstracts of three databases within a 2002–2025 timeframe, a total of 517 articles were retrieved. Seventeen articles targeting ice hockey athletes over 14 years of age competing at an elite level were selected. Three main categories emerged from the included studies: anxiety and depressive symptoms, motivational variables, and coping strategies at different career stages. Factors such as retirement, concussions, social support, parenting style, task-approach goals, and task-oriented behavior were influential components to the well-being and mental health of elite ice hockey players. Using the Lazarus and Folkman model, the identified psychological factors may help athletes and various actors surrounding them to better understand athletes’ well-being. Full article

Bullying and cyberbullying are significant challenges faced by children and adolescents in their daily lives, often leading to severe psychological and physiological harm. A promising avenue of research in this area focuses on the physiological stress responses triggered by bullying experiences. This study aimed to examine the potential of group task-oriented physical education as a mediator between bullying and stress-related physiological responses, particularly in relation to heart rate variability. A secondary objective was to design and assess a program for stress management, named BOND (Building Opportunities through Networked Dynamics), tailored for physical education settings. The study employed a two-arm randomized parallel-group design, involving 160 students (average age = 14.67 years, SD = ±0.61) from two schools in southern Italy. The participants were split into two groups: one group attended the BOND program (held twice a week for 60 min), while the other took part in regular physical education classes, (conducted twice a week for 60 min). Measurements were taken both before and after the intervention. Students underwent assessments that included the Coping Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents, the Perceived Stress Scale, and measurements of vagus-mediated heart rate variability. The findings underscore the positive impact of the BOND program on the psycho-physiological well-being of students affected by bullying, highlighting the significant potential of a simple yet effective intervention in safeguarding student well-being and mitigating the adverse effects of bullying. However, future research is necessary to provide a more comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon. Full article

The Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement (DPM, by Stroebe and Schut) is a well-known framework in contemporary grief research and counselling. It depicts how mourners oscillate between various tasks and reactions. There is a need to engage more with the intense feelings of loss (Loss-Oriented tasks), but also with other things in life and other parts of the adjustment process after a loss (Restoration-Oriented tasks). This interdisciplinary article applies the framework to ecological grief and extends it to collective levels. While the DPM has been broadened to family dynamics, many subjects of grief are even more collective and require mourning from whole communities or societies. Religious communities can play an important role in this. This article provides a new application called the DPM-EcoSocial and discusses the various tasks named in it, which are ultimately based on the grief researcher Worden’s work. The particularities of ecological grief are discussed, such as the complications caused by guilt dynamics, climate change denial, attribution differences about climate disasters, and nonfinite losses. Grief and grievance are intimately connected in ecological grief, and (religious) communities have important tasks for remembrance, mourning, and witness. The collective processes can lead to meaning reconstruction, transilience, and adversarial growth. Full article

Background/Objectives: Resilience, defined as the ability to adapt and cope effectively with stress, plays a crucial role in preparing candidates for the paramedic profession. This study aimed to assess the resilience intensity as a personality trait and identify stress-coping styles among paramedic candidates. Methods: A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted across multiple Polish universities offering bachelor’s degree programs in emergency medical services. The study included 138 participants (56 females, 82 males, aged 18–51). Data collection involved demographic surveys and standardized tools, including the Polish version of the Resilience Scale (SPP-25), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). Results: The study revealed a positive correlation between resilience and age (p = 0.002). Males exhibited significantly higher resilience compared to females (p = 0.0004). While both genders demonstrated average life satisfaction (SWLS), men scored significantly higher (p = 0.0082). Task-oriented coping strategies were predominant among all participants, but females scored higher in emotion-oriented coping (p = 0.0003). Resilience was positively correlated with task-oriented coping (0.4872) and negatively correlated with emotion-oriented coping (−0.4727). Conclusions: These findings emphasize the importance of resilience in paramedic training and selection, as it significantly influences stress management and professional performance in high-pressure situations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Through survey and analysis of pancreas cancer patient–caregiver dyads, we aimed to identify patient and caregiver characteristics that influence and determine the impact of caregiver coping strategies, self-esteem, and resilience on caregiver distress. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational study including pancreatic cancer patients and their caregivers. Demographics of patients and caregivers were collected. Caregivers completed validated instruments (National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Thermometer, Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA), Perceived Stress Scale 4 (PSS-4), Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Anxiety/Depression Short Form (PROMIS-Anxiety/Depression), Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (CBI-12), and Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE)) investigating anxiety, depression, perceived stress, caregiver burden, use of approach and avoidant coping, resilience, and self-esteem. Descriptive statistics, univariate, and multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the data. Results: One hundred and fourteen patient–caregiver dyads were included in this study. The majority of patients were male (55%), 65% of caregivers were female, and 64% of patients were receiving palliative intent treatment. Younger caregiver age, more personal care tasks, higher patient distress, and caregiving for a parent were characteristics related to caregiver avoidant coping. Fewer caregiving activities and early clinical stage were associated with caregiver approach coping. High caregivers’ self-esteem was significantly associated with fewer personal care tasks to perform and with caregivers of patients with higher levels of education. Avoidant coping and low resilience were both significantly correlated to distress, anxiety, depression, caregiver burden, and perceived stress. Additionally, low self-esteem was associated with a high perceived caregiver burden. Conclusions: Overall, caregiver factors such as age, relationship with the patient, and number of care tasks and activities influence caregivers coping and self-esteem. Additionally, patient education and clinical stage impacted caregiver coping and self-esteem. Developing interventions to address caregiver coping, self-esteem, and resilience will prove beneficial in improving caregiver distress, anxiety, depression, burden, and perceived stress. Full article

In an ever expanding railway network all around the world, the need for track maintenance grows steadily. Traditionally, one major part of track maintenance is ramming large vibrating steel picks into the gravel between and under railway sleepers to compress the gravel and generate a safe substructure. Even today, maintenance personnel still have to manually locate the sleepers if they cannot be detected by computer vision systems or visually by the operator. Here we developed a first of its kind magnetic sleeper detector, even able to find sleepers, buried in gravel, undetectable by vision based systems. Our approach of magnetic detection is based on a DC magnetic field excitation and a detector moving with respect to the rail system, including the sleepers and fasteners for mounting the rails. Due to railway application constraints a large air gap between the sensor and the sleeper structure is required, which significantly complicates the magnetic sensing task for robust sleeper detection. The design and optimization of the magnetic circuit was based on extensive 3D simulation studies to ensure highest possible variation in magnetic flux density at the sensor locations for absence and presence of a sleeper. Furthermore, a low noise and high sensitivity electronic circuit has been realized to cope with sensor signal offsets from unknown or changing sensor orientations with respect to the earth’s magnetic field, or magnetic interferences from other trains potentially passing by during active measurements. Since we only want to detect sleepers in close vicinity of the moving sensor system, digital signal processing of the acquired signals can easily compensate for disturbing slowly changing or static field components within real world application scenarios. We demonstrate that magnetic detection of even buried sleepers on railway tracks is possible for distances of up to 172 mm between the sensor and the sleeper. This enables an even higher level of railway maintenance automation previously impossible in certain scenarios. Full article

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, spasticity, tremors, and cognitive disorders. Individuals with MS may employ different coping strategies to manage these symptoms, which in turn can significantly impact their quality of life (QoL). This review aims to analyze these coping strategies and their impact on QoL. Furthermore, it seeks to identify the key factors that influence the choice and effectiveness of these coping strategies, providing insights into which strategies are most beneficial for enhancing QoL in people with MS. Methods: Systematic searches were performed in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. This systematic review has been registered in OSF with the number DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/QY37X. Results: A total of 1192 studies were identified. After reading the full text of the selected studies and applying predefined inclusion criteria, 19 studies were included based on their pertinence and relevance to the topic. The results revealed that emotional variables, demographic factors, personality traits, and family support significantly influence the choice of coping strategies used to manage the symptoms of MS. Problem-solving and task-oriented coping were prevalent among MS patients and associated with better QoL outcomes. Emotional-focused and avoidance strategies were generally linked to poorer QoL, though avoidance provided temporary relief in certain contexts. Social support, emotional health, and cognitive reframing were crucial in enhancing QoL. Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of tailored psychoeducational and therapeutic interventions focusing on emotional health, social support, and adaptive coping strategies. These interventions can significantly improve the long-term outcomes for individuals with MS. Future research should explore the dynamic interactions between coping strategies and QoL over time, providing a comprehensive understanding of how to best support MS patients in managing their disease. Full article

Background: Being an unexpected, undesired and life-threatening situation, preterm birth (PTB) is a stress-, anxiety- and depression-generating factor for women delivering prematurely. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between self-efficacy, coping strategies and perceived stress in mothers who experienced preterm birth and full-term birth, to determine the needs for personalized emotional support. Methods: The study was conducted among 251 women divided into the preterm birth group (PBG) and the full-term birth group (FBG). Data were collected using the following: (1) The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Questionnaire, (2) Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and (3) Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations Questionnaire (CISS), which were distributed online from January 2021 to June 2021. Results: Lower STAI scores were recorded in the preterm birth group (PBG) with high self-efficacy (HSE) when compared to the full-term birth group with HSE. CISS test scores were higher in PBG women with low self-efficacy (LSE) in comparison to women with LSE in FBG (p < 0.001). A positive and strong relationship (0.83; p < 0.05) was found between avoidance-oriented style and strategy of avoidance by engaging in surrogate activities and a positive moderate relationship (0.58; p < 0.05) with the style of looking for social contacts in PBG with LSE. Conclusions: The task-oriented coping style seems to be the most beneficial strategy for mothers, regardless of their preterm or term delivery, as focusing on specific activities increases the sense of self-efficacy and the anxiety level can decrease. Awareness of different styles of coping with stress and a sense of self-efficacy are necessary to plan personalized interventions for premature infants’ mothers. Full article

Background: In the contemporary world, a cult of perfection is being created, and deviations from such an ideal image are becoming socially unacceptable. A particular situation arises when a defect or symptoms of a disease appear on the skin, which, in the case of people suffering from psoriasis, are a source of stress, dissatisfaction with the disease, and a reduction in quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess whether the quality of life related to the occurrence of psoriasis and the level of acceptance of the disease affect coping strategies in stressful situations. Methods: The study involved 111 people with common psoriasis (46.8% women and 53.2% men). Inclusion criteria were as follows: a diagnosis of common psoriasis for at least 0.5 years, no other types of psoriasis, no mental illnesses, and an informed consent of the respondent to participate in the study. In order to compile the research input, a proprietary questionnaire was used along with the following standardised tools: the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). Results: The duration of the disease in the studied population varied and ranged from 0.5 years to over 50 years. Most respondents showed relatively low DLQI scores, with an average value of 10.8 points. In stressful situations (CISS), the respondents primarily used a strategy based on rational thinking (Task-oriented coping), with approximately 54 points on average; followed by an avoidant style (Avoidance-oriented coping), with approximately 50 points on average; and least often an emotional style (Emotion-oriented coping), with approximately 46 points on average. The average level of disease acceptance (AIS) in the studied group equalled approximately 26 points. Conclusions: Psoriatic lesions on the torso caused less rational behaviour in stressful situations (a decrease in the Task-oriented coping) in women but had the opposite result in men, whereas psoriatic lesions on the head stimulated the use of Task-oriented coping in women but had the opposite result in men. The higher the acceptance of the disease (AIS) presented by the respondents, the less often they used an emotional strategy (Emotion-oriented coping) in stressful situations. The higher the quality of life (DLQI) was, the lower the values of Emotion-oriented coping were noted. Full article