Mental Changes Research Articles

Do adrenal incidentalomas have an impact on mental health? A comprehensive review.

Adrenal incidentalomas (AI) are increasingly detected during imaging performed for conditions unrelated to adrenal pathology. Numerous studies have shown that the presence of AI is associated with a higher frequency of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, and osteoporosis. This increased morbidity is mostly related to mild autonomous cortisol secretion, which is the most common hormonal abnormality in these patients. It is well known that glucocorticoid excess affects the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, brain structures involved in mood regulation and cognitive processes, leading to a wide range of psychiatric symptoms, including depression. While these effects are well-documented in patients with Cushing's syndrome, data on mental health changes in patients with AIs remain scarce. Additionally, the few existing studies have several limitations, leaving important clinical questions unanswered. Consequently, the extent to which AIs are associated with impaired mental health and whether patients would benefit from surgical treatment remains unclear. Addressing these challenges is crucial for developing adequate management strategies. This review explores potential psychological and psychiatric implications of AIs. By synthesizing existing literature, we aim to explain the relationship between AIs and mental health disorders, providing a background for future research and clinical practice guidelines.

Beyond fixed and growth mindsets: a holistic approach to growth and learning in education

Purpose This study aims to address the complexities of fixed and growth mindsets within educational settings and critique traditional assessment methods and interventions used in mindset research. It aims to develop a comprehensive approach – encompassing methodology, conception and practice – that incorporates mindsets within a broader growth orientation framework. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a holistic case study analysis of 14 higher education students, emphasizing their personal growth narratives. A uniquely designed course draws on person- and idea-centered principles that provide a rich environment to facilitate students’ growth. The analytical approach moves beyond standard mindset questionnaires by integrating self-awareness, cognitive biases and personal growth factors into a multidimensional growth orientation framework. Findings Results suggest that traditional mindset metrics may be indirectly related to actual growth orientations due to the influence of cognitive biases. This study finds that typical short, focused interventions may fail to reflect true changes in mindset, as they often do not engage with the broader personal growth orientations of the individuals involved. Originality/value This research is original in its application of a holistic and comprehensive approach to studying growth in education. By contextualizing mindsets within enriched learning environments that promote deep reflection and knowledge building, it provides new insights into how educational practices and research methodologies can better support authentic and sustained growth in learners.

Weber's Social Action Analysis on the Phenomenon of Millennial Generation Marriage Postpone in Al-Quran Perspective

The phenomenon of postponing marriage among millennials indicates a change in mindset and life priorities due to the influence of modernity. This study aims to investigate the views and definition of marriage according to the millennial generation, the social factors that influence the millennial generation's decision to postpone marriage according to Weber's social action theory, and the Quranic (Islamic) perspective on this phenomenon. This research uses a qualitative approach with a library research method. Data were collected from previous research results, scientific journal articles, survey reports, and official statistical documents that discuss the marriage patterns of the millennial generation in the 2018-2025 timeframe, the Quran, hadith, and tafsir relevant to the theme of marriage and family formation. Data analysis was conducted through data categorization based on Weber's four types of social action, data interpretation, comparative analysis between empirical findings and Quranic perspectives, and conclusion drawing that integrates the two perspectives. The results of the analysis show that millennials postpone marriage to achieve financial stability, self-development, and emotional compatibility with partners. Emotional factors such as relationship trauma and expectations of an ideal marriage also influence this decision. Meanwhile, religious values emphasize the importance of balancing worldly and spiritual demands, providing guidance on maintaining chastity and preparing for marriage thoroughly.

Qualitative Survey Analysis of Higher Education Students' Experience of Mindfulness - Thematic Analysis

The main objective of this article was to explore in depth the subjective experiences of higher education students in their mindfulness meditation practice, with a particular focus on the mental and emotional changes they perceive through their mindfulness practice in their daily academic life, as well as the specific challenges they encountered in the process. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology through semi-structured interviews in order to collect detailed personal narratives from students about their mindfulness meditation practice for thematic analysis. The study was conducted with nine higher education students who were undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as students in the gap year between their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and all participants had either short- or long-term experience of mindfulness meditation. Interviews centred on how students began their mindfulness practice, the impact of mindfulness on their daily lives, and the challenges they encountered in their mindfulness practice. The results of the study revealed that students experienced two main themes in mindfulness meditation: the benefits of mindfulness and the challenges of mindfulness practice. The study showed that mindfulness meditation has significant positive effects among higher education students, such as reducing stress and anxiety, enhancing present moment awareness, and promoting self-reflection and emotional regulation. However, despite the multiple benefits of mindfulness, students still face many challenges in their practice, such as difficulties in sustaining a long-term practice, interference from environmental factors, and negative emotions arising from meditation. These challenges suggest that effective integration of mindfulness practices in higher education settings still needs to be further explored. The study suggests that future mindfulness intervention programmes should be more personalised, taking into account the actual experiences and feelings of students in mindfulness practice, and designing mindfulness programmes that can meet the needs of different students. In addition, future research should further explore gender and ethnicity differences in mindfulness experiences to improve the applicability and effectiveness of mindfulness interventions for different student populations.

Agingassociated challenges to persons living with HIV/AIDS in Vietnam: integrated perspectives from multiple stakeholders

ABSTRACT This study examined the aging-associated health and care needs among the HIV population in Vietnam, integrating perspectives from healthcare professionals, PLWH, and their caregivers. Qualitative data were collected through five focus group interviews involving ten PLWH, nine caregivers, and eight healthcare providers in Hanoi, Vietnam, in March 2023. Thematic analyses uncovered recurring patterns and themes across the three participant groups. PLWH reflected diverse experiences, showing mental health struggles, aging-related concerns, and a lack of preparation due to health challenges or unexpected longevity. Resilience and optimism are also manifested in PLWH. Caregivers demonstrated crucial roles, including bridging care, medication adherence, and financial and emotional support. Both PLWH and caregivers expressed a desire for education on HIV and aging. Healthcare providers reported mental and physical health changes among aging PLWH, such as insomnia, forgetfulness, and memory deterioration. They noted a lack of resources and called for comprehensive training across medical staff to enhance the well-being of the aging PLWH. This study demonstrates the complicated age-associated needs among PLWH in Vietnam and underscores the need for policy and practice innovations to address aging-related cognitive, mental health, and long-term care concerns.

Nature Tourism and Mental Well-Being: Insights from a Controlled Context on Reducing Depression, Anxiety, and Stress

Recent studies have underscored the importance of tourism in enhancing individuals’ mental well-being through engagement with nature. This article examines the impact of nature-based tourism on alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among a group of 67 university students who exhibited extremely severe levels of these disorders. Participants were assessed both before and after a nature tourism experience in the Tinajillas Río Gualaceño Protected Forest, Ecuador. Mental health changes were evaluated using the DASS-21 scale, with assessments conducted pre- and post-activity, revealing significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress levels, with large and clinically relevant effect sizes. However, a 6-month follow-up indicated that these long-term benefits diminished and no longer held clinical significance, suggesting the need for more frequent interventions to sustain positive effects. This study concludes that nature-based tourism serves as an effective non-pharmacological intervention for improving mental well-being in the short term, although its sustainability requires continuous interaction with nature. These findings provide empirical support for nature-based tourism as a mental health strategy and highlight the importance of integrating it into public health policies and tourism management strategies.

Knowledge is Power: An Explorative Study of Knowledge Work Among European Members of Parliament

The value of knowledge resources is widely recognized in both science and business, and knowledge management measures are increasingly being adopted in public authorities. However, parliaments, as core institutions of democratic systems, have thus far received scant attention in scientific studies. Furthermore, previous approaches fail to take into account the characteristics of the political system, such as elected offices, the relationship between government and opposition, or the lack of minimum qualifications for mandates. As a result, several studies consistently find that knowledge within parliament tends to be disorganized and lacking in transparency. This is unfortunate, as effective knowledge organization is crucial particularly for familiarizing oneself with unfamiliar topics without the necessary training. As part of an exploratory study, an international comparative study of knowledge management of all members of the 28 European national parliaments (including the EU Parliament) was initially carried out. Between May and June 2023, an online survey and several interviews were conducted as part of a mixed methods approach. Due to the very low response rate of only three percent, there is no claim to generalization and conclusions must be formulated with caution. Nevertheless, the results indicate that organizational and cultural barriers hinder effective knowledge work in parliament. The existing technical and human resources are insufficient to enable transparent and universal knowledge provision, while ideologies, career aspirations and electoral success further complicate the situation. A systematic approach to knowledge management has not yet been identified, leading to a shortage of resources and specialized knowledge to adequately process and utilize the vast amounts of information generated daily. Inexperienced MPs and opposition members, who are particularly dependent on reliable sources of information, are especially affected by these deficiencies. Without ignoring its limited power, this paper aims to make a modest contribution to the debate by presenting a first approach to a political knowledge management model. It highlights the need to raise awareness of knowledge management, develop a clear knowledge strategy and involve external expertise more. This research is of the opinion that a systematic approach to knowledge management can be established by integrating external expertise and IT-based solutions. Further research is needed, but knowledge management has the long-term potential to become a useful tool in parliamentary work by facilitating the necessary mentality change and thus contributing to a broader knowledge base.

Impact of Emergency Warning Nursing on CRP, PCT, TNF-α and Clinical Indicators in Patients with Acute Stress Disorder under Hierarchical Analysis.

In emergency warning nursing, the pre-alert system significantly influences the biochemical markers and clinical outcomes of patients with Acute Stress Disorder. Therefore, this study applies hierarchical analysis to explore the impact of early warning nursing on crucial indicators such as C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and assess their clinical efficacy. The study selected patients with acute stress disorder who were hospitalized in Southwest Hospital of Chongqing from December 2021 to December 2022, and collected data from 250 patients. Through PSM score matching, 170 patients were finally scored and grouped, 85 patients in each group, which were divided into routine group and stratified analysis group. The changes in serum inflammatory markers, psychological resilience, and post-traumatic growth were compared between the two experimental groups on day 1 of admission and after 14 days of intervention. After one day of admission, there was no significant difference in the serum factor levels, psychological resilience, and post-traumatic growth among the participants (p > 0.05). However, after 14 days of intervention, patients in the hierarchical analysis group showed better outcomes in serum inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 compared to the conventional group (p < 0.05). The hierarchical analysis group had higher psychological resilience scores regarding strength, optimism, and resilience compared to the conventional group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the hierarchical analysis group showed higher post-traumatic growth scores regarding mental changes, personal strength, appreciation of life, interpersonal relationship, and new possibilities relative to the conventional group (p < 0.05). Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)-based emergency warning nursing can help improve the serum inflammatory factor levels, strengthen psychological resilience, and enhance post-traumatic growth levels in patients with Acute Stress Disorder.

Programme Recipient and Facilitator Experiences of Positive Family Connections for Families of Children With Intellectual Disabilities and/or Who Are Autistic.

Family members of children with developmental disabilities on average report poorer family functioning and mental health. Positive Family Connections is a co-produced, positively-oriented, family-systems support programme for families of children with developmental disabilities aged 8-13. We investigated experiences of Positive Family Connections, and the processes involved in change. We conducted semi-structured interviews with eight family carers who took part in Positive Family Connections and nine facilitators. Data were analysed using framework analysis. Programme recipients' and facilitators generally reported positive experiences of Positive Family Connections and described beneficial effects on wellbeing and family relationships. We developed a model showing how the lived experience of facilitators and positive approach led to reductions in isolation and perceived changes in mindset that were described as improving family carers' wellbeing and family relationships. Positive Family Connections appears to be an acceptable programme which programme recipients and facilitators perceive to be beneficial.

Clinical Utility and Performance of the Traditional Chinese Version of the 4-As Test for Delirium due to Traumatic Brain Injury.

Delirium is a common symptom following a traumatic brain injury that is often overlooked by healthcare professionals. Early detection of posttraumatic delirium is crucial to improving patient outcomes and quality of life. The 4As Test (4AT: alertness, attention, abbreviated mental test-4, and acute mental changes) is a brief and rapid tool for delirium assessment with acceptable reliability and validity. However, the 4AT has not yet been translated for use in the Taiwanese population. To translate the 4AT into Traditional Chinese (TC-4AT), assess its reliability and validity, and explore the clinical effects of delirium in patients with a traumatic brain injury. This prospective observational study was conducted at the neurosurgery wards of 2 Taiwanese hospitals. Patients who were aged 20 years or older, were diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, and had a Glasgow Coma Scale score between 13 and 15 were included. Interrater reliability was assessed, and validity was verified using criterion-related comparisons with the Short Confusion Assessment Method. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria were employed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the TC-4AT for screening posttraumatic brain injury delirium. A total of 100 patients with an average age of 67 years were enrolled, of whom 10% were diagnosed with delirium based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria. The interrater reliability of the TC-4AT was 1.00. Patients with delirium tended to have a longer hospital stay than those without delirium (13 days vs. 7 days) although the difference was nonsignificant (P=0.28). In terms of criterion validity, patients diagnosed with delirium using the Short Confusion Assessment Method had a significantly higher score on the TC-4AT than those not diagnosed with delirium (P<0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that the optimal cutoff point was 4, with sensitivity, specificity, and area under the characteristic curve of 0.90, 0.94, and 0.96, respectively. The TC-4AT is an accurate tool for delirium assessment that aids early detection and in informed decision-making in preventive care.

Automated music therapy for anxiety and depression management in older people (AMITY)

The onset of old age is often accompanied by various physiological and mental changes, with anxiety and depression being prevalent mental health disorders that can exacerbate other medical conditions and significantly reduce life expectancy. Despite the growing need for effective treatment, the global shortage of mental health professionals, coupled with an ageing population and limited public awareness, has resulted in these disorders frequently going undiagnosed and untreated. Music therapy has emerged as a promising alternative for addressing the psychological, emotional, and cognitive needs of individuals, particularly older people. This paper proposes a novel approach for real-time monitoring of anxiety and depression symptoms using low-complexity body sensors. By employing automated, personalised music therapy based on the collected data, this system offers a scalable solution to enhance mental health care accessibility. It reduces the reliance on mental health professionals while providing tailored therapeutic interventions, thereby contributing to improved mental well-being and addressing the gap in mental health care services for the elderly population.

Occupational Therapists' Role in Maternal Health in the Home Environment After Cesarean Section.

Cesarean sections (c-sections) are the most commonly performed surgery in the United States, and the country is currently facing a maternal health crisis. Surprisingly, women do not receive rehabilitation services to support the acute stages of c-section recovery. When someone undergoes a knee or hip replacement, it is standard practice for the physician to order home health services, including occupational therapy, for a client before they are discharged from the hospital. The role transition to motherhood, which requires the provision of newborn care, physical limitations after surgery, and the associated mental health changes position occupational therapy practitioners as professionals who can provide essential services to mothers after a c-section. In this column, we argue for occupational therapy practitioners' important role in serving women in the home environment immediately after a c-section and provide a tangible action plan for implementing these crucial services to improve maternal health outcomes. This column gives a voice to the often-invisible struggles of mothers suffering in silence in the acute postpartum stage of c-section recovery in the hope of bringing positive change to maternal health outcomes through the provision of skilled occupational therapy services.

Enhancing E-Government Proactive Services Through Advanced Data Processing Technologies

The approach of citizens to the digital world allows the public sector to provide services that cross the frontiers of traditional citizen-administration relationships. Anticipating consumer needs, fostering more satisfying relationships, and reducing resolution times are some of the goals for a new era of electronic public sector services. A concise set of proactive systems is compiled to illustrate and analyse these options. This paper focuses on analysing the key role of Big Data and Digital Twin in public administrations as tools for providing Proactive Services (PAS). It is common for government administration to consider the use of disruptive technologies to enhance services designed to improve relationships with citizens. This paper explores the use of innovative technologies to increase the number of proactive services available within public administration (Proactive Public Services - PPS), the challenges they face, and the technical limitations that arise. A change in mindset is necessary. Paraphrasing an illustrious United States president in his inaugural address: “Ask not what citizens can do for administration – ask what administration can do for its citizens.”

Visual Campaign Strategies and Positive Narratives to Improve Student Character in Elementary Schools: Community Service Study in Mataram

The problem of students who tend to have negative narratives about themselves is a challenge in character development. This community service activity aims to create a visual campaign strategy and positive narrative to strengthen the character of students in elementary schools in Mataram. The methods used include workshops on creating positive narratives and visualizations, teacher training, and collaboration with parents. The results show that students are starting to be able to describe themselves as honest, disciplined and caring individuals. Teachers and parents also make significant contributions in supporting program implementation. The impact can be seen in changes in students' mindsets that are more positive and increased collaboration between the school and families. This activity provides a strategic model to be applied in various other educational institutions.

English Challenges for Romanian prosecutors in exercising their duties of defense during pre-trial stage

Current paper aims to emphasise that, over the time, it has been proven that the accuracy of an analysis of criminal procedural law is accomplished only whether it is certified by the conviction that norms and decisions of national and European courts enshrine and guarantee human rights. Thus, the legislation in criminal procedural matters can be rationalized compulsorily starting from European premises – “the unit of European conventionality” – and going further to constitutional, organic and ordinary normative requirements. In the same time, from a methodological point of view, for reaching the human rights goals in criminal procedures, it is crucial to be adopted an approach which includes the requirement for the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code to be interpreted in the light of the general principles of the criminal trial – many of these principles being principles of human rights, in fact. Equally, indispensable appears the feature of the principle of subsidiarity of European protection of human rights which underlines the role of the main guarantees of the European Convention on Human Rights for national judicial authorities. Whether a hierarchy of the rights relevant for criminal procedures is established, the right to defense should be one of the most important rights to discuss. This traditional approach underlines the horizontal effects of the right to defense, like the need to have regulated the defense of the suspect or the accused by Code of Criminal Procedure. Alike, the vertical effects of the right to defense complete the challenges for national judicial authorities. In this context, it has to be accentuated the role of the prosecutor within the criminal investigation and prosecution phase, respectively the prosecutor must defend the legal order and fundamental rights. Beyond legal techniques, an exquisite study of the right of the defense must contain interdisciplinary references which value the current requirements for emancipation in criminal procedural matters focused on the legal education of civil society and the change of mentality of judicial authorities.

Mental health dynamics between mothers and siblings of children with disabilities.

When a child has a disability, their families face significant challenges that also impact parents' and siblings' mental health and adjustment. We examined the potential bidirectional relationships between parental mental health and sibling mental health and adjustment in families of children with a disability. We utilized baseline and 12-month follow-up data from a randomized controlled trial of a brief intervention designed to enhance parent-sibling communication in families of children with a disability. The sample comprised 214 siblings aged 8-16 years and their parents (N = 203 mothers, N = 124 fathers). We estimated bivariate latent change score models to examine the longitudinal cross-domain associations between changes in parental mental health and changes in sibling mental health, and changes in parental mental health and sibling adjustment. The results showed that changes in maternal mental health and sibling adjustment over the 12-month period were correlated (r = 0.22). The cross-domain associations between changes in maternal mental health and sibling mental health and adjustment were not statistically significant in any of the two models. However, baseline sibling mental health had nearly doubled impact on changes in maternal mental health (Β = 0.232, p = 0.061) compared to maternal health's impact on sibling mental health (Β = -0.134, p = 0.289). Models with paternal mental health data unfortunately did not run due to low paternal response rate at 12-months. The findings suggest that whereas maternal mental health and sibling adjustment changes are correlated over time, the relationship between maternal and sibling measures does not necessarily operate bidirectionally. Future studies on family mental health dynamics should include data from fathers that may contribute to a broader understanding of these complex relationships.

Evaluating the safety and efficacy of wormwood vaginal cream on sexual satisfaction and quality of sexual life of postmenopausal women: a randomized, triple-blinds, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

The physical and mental changes created during menopause cause sexual dysfunction, which affects the quality of life, self-esteem, and emotional relationships. Wormwood cream contains tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids, phytosterols, and alkaloids. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of wormwood vaginal cream on the sexual satisfaction and quality of sexual life of postmenopausal women. This study was a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted on 112 postmenopausal women (45-65years old) in 2021. The studied women were randomly assigned to two wormwood cream or placebo groups. Wormwood cream or placebo was used for 4weeks and 3 times a week. The main data collection tools included the Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (LSSQ) and the Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire (SQOL-F). SPSS software version 26 and independent t, Mann-Whitney, paired t and Wilcoxon tests were used for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Before the intervention, the mean and standard deviation of sexual satisfaction was 73.57 ± 3.84 in the intervention group and 73.16 ± 4.52 in the placebo group. After the intervention, the mean and standard deviation of sexual satisfaction in the intervention group was 75.34 ± 3.85 and in the placebo group was 72.82 ± 4.32. The quality of women's sexual life before of the intervention in the intervention and placebo groups was 59.16 ± 14.10 and 57.18 ± 12.38, and after the intervention, it was 83.00 ± 11.51and 69.64 ± 12.97, respectively. At the end of 4weeks, participants in the wormwoodcream group showed a significant improvement in sexual satisfaction and the quality of women's sexual life (P < 0.001). It was meaningful. Based on the findings of this trial, wormwood vaginal cream can be used as an uncomplicated topical supplement to improve sexual satisfaction and quality of sexual life in postmenopausal women with low sexual satisfaction and quality of sexual life.

Smartphone-Based Psychological Sensing: A Large-Scale Study on the Impact of Extreme Isolation

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated isolation measures have greatly impacted mental health, especially among students. Previous attempts at using mobile sensors to analyze users' emotional states faced barriers including insufficient data and limited modalities. This study aims to address these limitations and derive insights on psychological changes under extreme isolation. We collected a large-scale multivariate dataset from 725 undergraduate students during the complete COVID-19 campus lockdown period. To our knowledge, this is the largest dataset on this population during an extended isolated period. Features were engineered from mobile sensor data to capture modalities including physical activity, sleep patterns, and social interaction. Additionally, self-reported assessments related to mental health conditions were compiled. This rich dataset was leveraged to develop a machine learning model based on autoencoders to detect emotional states. Comprehensive experiments indicate the model can accurately predict mental health changes using mobile sensor data. Our work has unique contributions in collecting large-scale isolated data, engineering informative modalities for modeling mental health, and providing a validated detection method. This can support rapid screening and intervention for mental health crises, especially those emerging from extreme events. The dataset and models open promising directions for big data analytics in mobile health and psychological research.

Pendampingan Pembuatan dan Pengelolaan Akun Bisnis Media Sosial untuk Penetrasi Pasar

The low market penetration and narrow market reach have limited the development and growth of UMKM Batik Sekar Rinambat. This community service aims to enhance and develop UMKM's ability to penetrate and expand the market. The method involves providing intensive assistance in several stages, including mindset changes, behavioral adjustments to be open to technology facilities and features, and direct practice and implementation. The target of this service includes business accounts, business pages, and proof of marketplace usage on one of the social media platforms used. It is hoped that this will provide a wider market potential.

Prospective study of food intake changes in adolescent elite athletes

BackgroundInadequate energy intake among athletes can lead to low energy availability (LEA) which in turn can result in negative effects on athletic performance and physical and psychological health. This syndrome...