Although self-efficacy beliefs are an important predictor of physical activity, the origins of self-efficacy beliefs remain unclear, and a comprehensive joint perspective regarding the sources of self-efficacy is lacking. The present study investigates whether distinct profiles emerge in the sources of self-efficacy regarding physical activity. In a sample of 324 participants, latent profile analysis revealed that a five-profile solution fitted the data best. Significant differences were observed between these profiles concerning self-efficacy and physical activity. Discriminant analysis substantiated the profile assignments. Findings of this study suggest that multiple configurations of self-efficacy sources yield commendable levels of self-efficacy and physical activity. However, elevated levels of negative affect seem to have a detrimental effect on self-efficacy and physical activity, nearly irrespective of the other sources of self-efficacy. Implications of these findings for promoting self-efficacy in a person-centered manner to address the issue of physical inactivity and the concomitant health restrictions are discussed.

The Health-Esteem Model identifies four health-behavior motivational variables that involve thinking about self-determined ideals: health-esteem, goal alignment, goal feasibility, and goal investment. This study provides a psychometric foundation for using this model to understand motivation for exercise. A sample of 401 participants considering or pursuing exercise goals completed an online survey containing a new questionnaire assessing the four Health-Esteem Model variables, along with three measures of exercise and eight existing scales assessing types of personal motivation for exercise. The new scales each produced robust correlations with exercise, explained variance that could not be explained by existing scales, and demonstrated unique associations with scales involving similar types of evaluation. The sales had bell-shaped distributions with high ceilings, adequate test-information curves, and good fit to an expected factor structure. This study provides strong psychometric support for Health-Esteem Model variables which are theoretically important for health intervention research and distinct from existing scales.

Holographic Memory Resolution® (HMR®) is a mind-based intervention without somatic movement used to treat individuals with conditions including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic pain. No studies on the lived experiences of HMR exist. This phenomenological study explored the perspectives of a subset of participants undergoing HMR in a larger open-label trial for chronic pain, dysphoric memory, and accompanying biopsychosocial symptoms. Eighteen participants were interviewed one-month post-HMR regarding their lived experiences. Thematic analysis revealed HMR facilitated: (1) Awareness of Coping Strategies and personal creation of a safe place, visualization of color, and use of a metaphorical lockbox to store traumatic memories, (2) Reframing of the Memory, (3) Relief and Release of Pain, and (4) Life Integration, which involved getting their voice back and feeling empowered to strengthen connections with others. Findings highlight HMR as an impactful mind-based tool to control chronic pain and provide relief for associated biopsychosocial symptoms.

Living with long-term conditions requires adaptation and coping. It is unclear how young adults – often still in unstable social relationships – and their partners or friends cope with the challenges of a long-term condition. Our study aimed to explore how young adults and their friends or partners arrange themselves with this situation. In a comparative design, we interviewed 24 young adults with differing long-term conditions and 30 of their friends or partners in episodic interviews, which we analyzed with thematic coding. We identified four patterns of dyadic arrangements of coping for both sides: Joint Management and Supportive Arrangement show congruence and cooperation in dealing with the condition. Divergence and Diffusiveness illustrate conflicts and tensions. Our results show the importance romantic partners or close friends can have for dyadic disease management in young adulthood and suggest including friends and partners in training courses on long-term conditions and in professional support.

Background and Objective: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to influence social behavior and public well-being. This study investigates AI’s role in promoting kindness and identifies ethical strategies to foster empathy, support, and compassionate communities. Materials and Methods: This qualitative content analysis involved purposive sampling of 30 participants, including AI experts, social scientists, religious leaders, developers, and users. Semi-structured interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached. Data were analyzed using Granheim and Lundman’s method. Trustworthiness was ensured using Lincoln and Guba’s criteria: credibility (via member checking), transferability (detailed contextual descriptions), dependability (audit trail), and confirmability (researcher reflexivity and documentation). Results: Five key themes emerged: emotional well-being, social justice, behavioral change, ethical responsibility, and education. AI fosters prosocial behavior, enhances social inclusion, and promotes sustainable relationships. Conclusion: When ethically and thoughtfully applied, AI can support and complement, but not replace, human relationships, particularly in promoting kindness and prosocial behaviors. This approach can strengthen social cohesion, enhance public health, and improve community well-being. Explicitly acknowledging AI’s supportive role reinforces the manuscript’s ethical positioning and conceptual clarity.

Our study aims to understand the barriers and facilitators surrounding continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in adolescents experiencing diabetes distress from type 1 diabetes through a biopsychosocial lens. We qualitatively analyzed interviews of 21 adolescents and coded their emotional experiences. Findings show that biologically, adolescents noted improved mood with healthier glucose ranges and future health prospects. Psychologically, adolescents preferred a sense of control over when to use, and take a break from, their CGM. Socially, they described mixed feelings surrounding how CGM use impacts relationships with friends, with family, and at school. The biopsychosocial framework captures the complexity and interplay among these factors, highlighting the desire for identity exploration, sense of belonging, and good health as important themes in adolescent diabetes management with a CGM. Clinicians can play a crucial role by bringing a biopsychosocial understanding of the CGM experience into care conversations for adolescents and families to consider.

This study aimed to explore the challenges that patients faced when severely ill with COVID-19 and during their rehabilitation journeys following the first wave in Sweden. Eight patients that were treated in an intensive care unit were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Three themes were generated through thematic analysis: “transition into illness” (with subthemes: underestimated severity, uncertainty and worry); “to be cared for in a hospital setting” (with subthemes: loss of responsibility, loss of memory and time, contradictory feelings of being hospitalized, physical impact as frustrating); and “after care: managing on your own” (with subthemes: appreciation for care, care gaps and insufficient care, compromised ability, mental health, and self-efficacy for self-managed rehabilitation and post-traumatic growth). The findings indicated that the Swedish open strategy may be beneficial in other countries as it facilitated post-traumatic growth and that there should be a structured rehabilitation strategy in place in case of future pandemics.

Background: The Russian-Ukranian war (RUW) broke in 2022. Finland is a neighboring country of Russia. People in Finland could be assumed to be especially vulnerable to war-related stress. We examined the relationship between time spent following the RUW from media, sleep problems and psychological distress in university students. Methods: The participants were university students who responded anonymously to a questionnaire. They reported their age, gender, time spent following RUW, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep problems. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS and Mplus for structural equation modeling. Results: The time spent following RUW from media was associated with greater psychological distress, and more sleep disturbances. Sleep disturbances accounted for more than 12% of the association between time spent following RUW and psychological distress. Conclusions: Present findings suggest that sleep problems should be taken into account when supporting students. Support programs should emphasize the importance of sleep in psychological well-being.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) comprises a group of genetically and clinically heterogeneous disorders characterized by skin fragility and blistering. It is currently incurable, and care is complex because of the rarity of the disease. Epidermolysis bullosa has a major impact on the lives of people living with it and on their families. In this study, we aimed to explore health care professionals’ (HCPs) experiences of treating and following up on children with EB and their families. Nine HCPs from several health care disciplines participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis. Two main themes were identified: caring as an act of balance and facilitating collaboration. All participants experienced the following as challenging: (a) balancing between professional decisions and the provision of guidance to parents and (b) dealing with their own emotions. More systematic research is needed on the psychological impact of caring for children with EB and their families on HCPs.

This study explores how parents of adolescents perceive their children's eating behaviours and body image influences. Data collected through semi-structured interviews with 14 parent pairs were thematically analysed. Three themes were identified that contained ambivalences and contradictions in parents' perceptions: 1. Normalising weight loss while also questioning dieting, 2. Valorising but also criticising unrealistic beauty ideals, and 3. Pathologising the overweight seemingly only on a health basis, but also due to appearance. All themes were reflective of the influence that dominant social messages on body image have on parental perceptions, primarily sustaining problematic eating behaviours and beauty ideals. They are also illustrative of the challenges that parents face in navigating opposing societal messages about eating practices and body image, leading them to implicit and explicit ambivalences and contradictions. The implications of the findings are discussed, along with suggestions for the development of a socially sensitive and informed parent support program.