Why do some people want to migrate while others do not, and why are only some willing to do so irregularly? Existing explanations emphasise socio-demographic characteristics, political and economic contexts, and access to migrant networks. This article tests socio-psychological factors as predictors of variation in migration aspirations, plans, preparations, and irregularity willingness. Using original, nationally representative survey data from Montenegro, it tests the effects of personal values, risk aversion, self-efficacy, interpersonal trust, behavioural inhibition, and personality traits. In particular, individuals who value openness-to-change and self-enhancement and are less risk-averse are significantly more likely to express a desire to migrate, even when controlling for conventional predictors. Psychological factors play a more limited role in explaining the more behavioural plans and preparations, where structural and enabling factors dominate, consistent with the aspirations–capabilities framework, though perhaps reflecting statistical power. Willingness to migrate irregularly displays a largely distinct pattern of associations, particularly higher interpersonal trust and lower conscientiousness. Overall, the results suggest that psychology is particularly well suited to explaining why people want to migrate and how they would be willing to do so, while migration behaviour depends more heavily on capabilities.

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in social life, understanding its interpersonal and psychological implications is urgent yet undertheorized. This article introduces the machine-integrated relational adaptation (MIRA) model, a transdisciplinary, middle-range theoretical framework that provides a foundational account of when, how, and why AI functions as a relational entity in human ecosystems. MIRA distinguishes two crucial roles of AI: relational partner (direct-interaction companion) and relational mediator (shaping human-to-human communication). Synthesizing psychosocial theories of human relationships, interpersonal communication theory, psycholinguistics, and human-computer interaction, MIRA structures AI's relational impact within antecedents, processes, moderators, and outcomes. Central to MIRA are four principles describing how AI fosters social adaptation: linguistic reciprocity, psychological proximity, interpersonal trust, and relational substitution versus enhancement. These principles illuminate how adaptive AI language and behavior can elicit emotional investment, simulate mutual understanding, or even supplant human interaction. MIRA integrates established theories-attachment theory, social exchange theory, and epistemic trust frameworks-and proposes a research agenda that bridges foundational psychology with emerging sociotechnical contexts. Rather than offering a deterministic view, MIRA provides a generative, testable structure for investigating the evolving role of AI in relational life and guiding future human-AI-connection research.

Social exclusion is a common yet understudied phenomenon from the observer's perspective. This study examines how witnessing exclusion affects individuals' willingness to self-disclose and explores the mediating role of interpersonal trust and the moderating role of attribution style. In Study 1, participants exposed to observed exclusion reported significantly lower self-disclosure than those in inclusion conditions. Studies 2a and 2b confirmed that interpersonal trust mediated this effect. Study 3 further showed that attribution style moderated the impact of observed exclusion on trust: trust declined more sharply under external attribution than internal attribution. These findings extend Communication Privacy Management Theory and the Social Information Processing Model, highlighting the cognitive mechanisms by which observers regulate disclosure following exclusion.

Context: The dairy sector contributes 24.3% to Colombia's livestock GDP, with Northern Antioquia serving as the country’s primary specialized dairy basin. This production system characterized by small-scale family producers organized into cooperatives faces critical structural challenges: trade liberalization (due to Free Trade Agreements in 2026), rural labor shortages, and a crisis of generational succession. While quantitative studies have previously characterized its productivity and competitiveness, there is limited research regarding how actors co-create value, and which formal and informal institutional configurations shape their economic practices. Methods: This qualitative study employs a sequential design grounded in two systematic literature reviews. Fifteen theoretical codes were derived across three core constructs: Value Creation, Institutional Framework, and Competitive Advantage. Data collection involved 24 semi-structured interviews with producers (small, medium, and large), processors, and cooperative representatives, complemented by 10 non-participant farm observations. A directed qualitative content analysis was conducted, combining deductive and inductive coding with methodological triangulation to ensure analytical rigor and credibility. Results: The analysis yielded 2,438 codifications. The central finding is the marked predominance of informal institutions over formal ones at a ratio of 2.4:1 (376 vs. 157 codifications), demonstrating that shared values, interpersonal trust, and generational tradition constitute the primary regulatory framework for economic behavior. Ten unanticipated themes emerged, notably: family structure as a source of competitive advantage (347 mentions), time/continuity as a dimension of value (206 mentions), and democratic participation in cooperatives as a mechanism for co-creation (154 mentions). Co-occurrence analysis revealed that cooperatives function as hybrid institutional spaces that bridge the formal-informal divide, mitigating institutional voids through volume aggregation, collective bargaining, and the provision of specialized technical services. Conclusions: This study offers four theoretical contributions: (1) it empirically documents the institutional predominance of the informal in traditional agro-industrial chains, extending institutional theory to the family-based dairy context; (2) it identifies emerging dimensions of value (temporality and ethics) previously overlooked in the literature; (3) it conceptualizes "economies of family scope" as an alternative source of competitive advantage that challenges traditional Porterian assumptions; and (4) it characterizes the cooperative model as an effective mechanism for reducing institutional voids. These findings have significant implications for public policy, suggesting that strategic interventions must align with, rather than oppose, existing informal institutional frameworks.

As artificial intelligence (AI) systems become increasingly embedded in social contexts, understanding how individuals develop trust in AI relative to humans is critical. This study investigates the relative levels of trust in AI agents (embodied and disembodied) versus human social targets (intimate, intermediate, and distant groups), the psychological mechanisms underlying these trust patterns, and the potential cross-cultural differences between China and U.S. Moderated mediation models were tested to gain insights into how deception experience may affect trust via risk and trust propensity, with perceived honesty norms moderating the mediator-to-outcome pathways. Across both cultures, a consistent trust hierarchy emerged—AI was trusted less than close others but more than distant others. It is likely that, in China, embodied AI was evaluated through interpersonal trust schemas, while in the United States, AI was treated largely as a functional tool regardless of embodiment. Together, these findings clarify both the structure and the processes of AI trust, advancing theoretical debates over whether AI trust mirrors interpersonal trust and offering practical insights for designing culturally adaptive, trustworthy AI systems.

This study examines how individual social capital relates to the well-being of divorced men and women, emphasizing gender differences. Divorcees consistently report lower well-being than other marital groups, and although social capital can function as a coping resource, it is both gendered and disrupted by divorce. Social capital is multifaceted, encompassing network resources, socioeconomic diversity, interpersonal trust, and potential relational strain. Using 2017 International Social Survey Programme data from 16 European countries, we estimate stratified multilevel regression models for divorced men and women and compare coefficients using z-tests. Results show that divorced women’s life satisfaction is particularly affected by limited access to socioeconomically diverse networks, which men are more likely to retain. Although women’s kin-centered networks provide support, they may also generate strain that undermines well-being. In contrast, an active social life, including frequent interactions with friends, is more strongly associated with life satisfaction among divorced women than men.

Examine the relationships between workplace trust, interpersonal trust, and nurses' physical and mental health, and specifically investigate the mediating role of resilience. Nurses are central to healthcare delivery but frequently experience workplace violence, adversely affecting their well-being. Trust represents a higher-order mechanism that fosters positive attitudes and professional growth, potentially safeguarding nurses' resilience in coping with adversity. However, research elucidating how trust influences nurses' health via resilience remains limited. A cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling. A total of 2855 clinical nurses from general hospitals in Fujian Province, China, were surveyed between August and October 2022. Workplace trust and interpersonal trust were served as independent variables, Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary scores as dependent variables, and resilience as a mediator. Mediation analysis was performed using Mplus 8.3. The study was prepared and reported according to the STROBE checklist. Mean scores were Physical Component Summary: 51.12 ± 8.90, and Mental Component Summary: 48.20 ± 10.18. Workplace trust had significant direct effects on both Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary. Interpersonal trust had no significant direct effects on Physical Component Summary or Mental Component Summary. Resilience demonstrated significant mediating effects: for workplace trust on Physical Component Summary and on Mental Component Summary; and for interpersonal trust on Physical Component Summary and on Mental Component Summary. Workplace trust directly enhances nurses' physical and mental health. While interpersonal trust lacks a direct link to health outcomes, both workplace and interpersonal trust significantly improve nurses' health indirectly by bolstering resilience. Resilience serves as a critical pathway through which trust fosters well-being. No patient or public contribution. Nurse managers and healthcare administrators should prioritise interventions to cultivate workplace trust (e.g., fostering trust among colleagues, and between nurses and the organisation/management) and strengthen interpersonal trust and psychological resilience. Enhancing these protective factors will better equip nurses to manage occupational and personal stressors, ultimately safeguarding and improving their physical and mental health.

Purpose When forming organizational culture in collaborative projects, special attention should be paid to developing trust. This study aims to understand how to strengthen trust as part of forming an organizational culture in temporary organizations. We examine which elements influence the development of trust and generate a conceptual model to strengthen the development of trust in the collaborative hospital construction projects. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts an inductive and qualitative research method. Using a theoretical framework for analyzing and developing organizational and interpersonal trust, we examined two large collaborative hospital construction projects in Finland and their respective elements and challenges influencing on trust-building. Findings In the formation phase of organizational culture, the elements to develop trust must be understood and intentionally enabled. Organizational and interpersonal trust can be intentionally strengthened as part of organizational culture when the elements influencing trust are recognized, implemented, managed and led in a project’s front-end and development phases by the project management office and project management team. Institutional trust had to become aware of, too. Trust enhances the elements of trusting behavior, creating a positive cycle of growing trust in a project. Originality/value Trust has been widely studied in various disciplines and in the construction project business, but less attention has been paid to how to foster trust as part of forming an organizational culture in temporary organizations. Classifying trust at institutional, organizational and interpersonal level and the emergence of relational contracts has introduced a new context for trust development. This research identifies managerial means to support trust development as part of forming organizational culture in projects.

Purpose This study aims to synthesize empirical evidence on the impact of physical activity and social support on clinical outcomes in adults with dual diagnosis, including psychiatric symptoms, substance use, craving and quality of life. Design/methodology/approach The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251041091). Searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and PsycINFO for studies published between January 2014 and April 2025. Eligible studies were randomized or quasi-experimental trials involving adults with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders (SUDs) who received structured physical activity or social support interventions. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated with GRADE. Given study heterogeneity, results were synthesized narratively. Findings Sixteen randomized controlled trials were included, covering diverse populations with mood, psychotic and trauma-related disorders. Physical activity interventions – particularly high-intensity or structured programs – showed significant reductions in craving, depressive and anxiety symptoms and substance use frequency. Social support interventions improved treatment adherence, emotional regulation and perceived well-being, though effects on social functioning were more variable. Combined interventions integrating both components produced the most consistent improvements across outcomes. Certainty of evidence was rated as moderate for psychiatric symptoms and substance use, and low for craving and social functioning due to heterogeneity and imprecision. Research limitations/implications This review was limited by the heterogeneity of interventions, outcome measures and study populations, which prevented quantitative synthesis. Some included studies had small samples and moderate risk of bias. Follow-up durations were generally short, and few trials evaluated long-term effects. Despite these limitations, the review provides a comprehensive synthesis of recent evidence. Future studies should use larger, multicenter samples and standardized intervention protocols to clarify causal mechanisms and strengthen the evidence base for physical activity and social support as adjunctive strategies in dual diagnosis rehabilitation. Practical implications The findings support integrating structured physical activity and enhanced social support into treatment programs for adults with dual diagnosis. These interventions can complement pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches, improving adherence, emotional regulation and relapse prevention. Their low cost and scalability make them feasible in both inpatient and community settings. Mental health professionals should consider individualized, culturally adapted programs that align with patients’ motivation and capacity, fostering sustainable recovery and quality of life improvements in clinical practice. Social implications Individuals with dual diagnosis often face stigma, marginalization and limited access to social networks. Interventions that promote physical activity and social connectedness may reduce isolation, enhance self-efficacy and rebuild interpersonal trust. Encouraging participation in structured group activities and peer-based programs can strengthen community reintegration and social functioning. These strategies contribute to greater inclusion and autonomy, supporting recovery-oriented approaches in mental health services for people with cooccurring psychiatric and SUDs. Originality/value This review is the first to synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials on the combined impact of physical activity and social support in dual diagnosis. It highlights the potential of nonpharmacological, person-centered interventions as protective factors that enhance mental health outcomes and quality of life. The review provides evidence to inform integrative and rehabilitative treatment approaches tailored to the needs of this underserved population.

Purpose Emerging technologies like augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping fashion retail. This study investigates how the source of social approval (human vs. AI) influences purchase intention in AR shopping, focusing on the mediating role of decision confidence and the moderating role of perceived privacy protection. Design/methodology/approach A series of four scenario-based experiments was conducted to test the proposed model. Studies 1 and 2 established the baseline effects and mediation. Studies 3 and 4 employed factorial designs manipulating approval source and privacy protection levels to examine boundary conditions, employing rigorous controls for algorithm aversion and individual traits. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA and moderated mediation analysis. Findings Results indicate that human-generated social approval significantly increases consumers’ purchase intention compared to AI-generated approval. Decision confidence mediates this relationship, demonstrating that human-generated approval enhances consumers’ certainty in their purchase decisions. Additionally, perceived privacy protection moderates this mediation; human-based approval has a stronger positive effect on purchase intention when consumers perceive privacy protection as effective. Originality/value Unlike the Computers As Social Actors (CASA) paradigm or source credibility frameworks, which imply that sufficient social cues or expertise can equalize influence, this study identifies a specific social validation deficit for AI in identity-relevant contexts. It establishes perceived privacy protection not merely as a safeguard but as a critical compensatory mechanism that substitutes for interpersonal trust, thereby extending social influence theory in the AI-AR domain.

Background: Subjective well-being (SWB) is an important outcome in healthcare. Identifying correlates of SWB among economically vulnerable populations can inform healthcare delivery and policy decisions. Objective: This study examines whether social capital is more strongly associated with evaluative SWB than mental health among financially insecure households in the U.S. South. Methods: Data were drawn from the SR-Stat Baseline Survey 2024. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relative associations of interpersonal trust, institutional trust, and mental health with evaluative SWB, while controlling for socioeconomic-demographic characteristics. Results: Interpersonal trust, institutional trust, and mental health were each significantly associated with evaluative SWB. Institutional trust exhibited the largest standardized association, followed closely by mental health and interpersonal trust, with differences in magnitude remaining modest across variables. Several control variables, particularly age, income, and health insurance coverage, were also independently associated with SWB. Healthcare systems and policymakers may benefit from incorporating trust-building practices, such as transparent communication and equitable service delivery, alongside mental health screening and support, to address multiple dimensions of well-being in economically vulnerable populations. Conclusions: Evaluative SWB among financially insecure households is associated with mental health and trust-based social capital at both interpersonal and institutional levels. These findings highlight the importance of addressing individual functioning and broader institutional contexts when designing interventions aimed at improving well-being.

Abstract Background In recent years, mental health problems among college students have intensified, with a rapid increase in the detection rates of anxiety and depression. Statistics show that approximately 38.2% of students experience psychological distress, and 11.6% require intervention. Traditional teaching emphasizes knowledge transmission while neglecting emotional support. Teacher-student collaborative teaching enhances emotional adjustment and social support through emotional participation, collaborative learning, and psychological feedback. Given that mood disorders are an early manifestation of mental health issues, and research indicates that proactive intervention can promote recovery, it is necessary to explore the positive impact of this teaching model on students' mental health. Methods A total of 412 undergraduate students from three universities were randomly divided into a mutual assistance group (n = 207) and a traditional group (n = 205). The study lasted for 16 weeks. The mutual assistance group implemented a "collaborative learning + teacher psychological support + weekly emotional feedback talks" model, while the traditional group used conventional teaching methods. The Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were used for statistical analysis. Paired t-tests and two-way ANOVA were used for statistical analysis, with a significance level set at p<.05. To control for factors related to teaching difficulty and academic performance, the course content and class hours were identical for both groups, and both the instructors and tutors participated in the psychological support process. Results Following intervention, the mutual assistance group showed a 12.8% reduction in total SCL-90 scores; anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and interpersonal sensitivity dimensions decreased by 14.3%, 11.7%, and 13.5%, respectively. The traditional group demonstrated a 3.2% total reduction, with no significant improvement in any dimension (p>.05). PSS scores indicated a 10.1% reduction in perceived stress in the mutual assistance group versus 2.8% in the traditional group. Positive affect improved by 15.6%, and interpersonal trust by 18.2% in the mutual assistance group, both significantly higher than in the traditional group (p<.01). Meanwhile, the proportion of students exhibiting emotional instability decreased from 9.7% to 3.4%, with a recovery rate of 64.5%, compared to 28.9% in the traditional group. Teacher–student interaction frequency was moderately negatively correlated with stress improvement (r = –0.41, p<.01), suggesting more frequent interaction predicts lower stress. Discussion Studies have demonstrated that the teacher–student mutual assistance teaching model significantly enhances students’ mental health. The mechanism is reflected in the creation of a supportive learning environment, reinforcement of positive attribution, and improvement of psychological safety, aligning with the principles of early detection and interpersonal connection emphasized in psychological interventions. The model may further be applied to high-risk groups and integrated with intelligent emotion recognition or dynamic psychological monitoring to realize a combined teaching–intervention system. As this study did not fully consider differences in academic disciplines or levels of teacher engagement, future research should enlarge the sample scope and implement long-term follow-up to verify the persistence of the effect. Overall, the teacher–student mutual assistance model demonstrates considerable practical value and theoretical innovation potential.

Abstract Background Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a severe mental illness whose treatment has long relied on specialized psychological and pharmacological interventions within hospitals. However, patients often experience high relapse rates upon returning to the community due to social dysfunction and weak support systems. In recent years, participatory governance models integrating community resources have demonstrated potential in mental health. However, research on their specific application and efficacy assessment for BPD patients remains limited. This study investigates a community-based participatory governance model grounded in the biopsychosocial framework. It aims to explore whether a novel approach—integrating patients, family members, community workers, and healthcare providers into a collaborative governance alliance—can effectively enhance patients’ long-term rehabilitation outcomes and social adaptation capabilities. This research seeks to provide crucial practical evidence and theoretical reference for optimizing the comprehensive management of BPD. Methods The randomized controlled trial was performed for 12 months. One hundred twenty BPD patients meeting diagnostic criteria were assigned at random to the experimental group (EG, n = 60) and control group (CG, n = 60). The CG received routine outpatient treatment and case management. The EG, in addition to routine treatment, implemented a structured community engagement intervention comprising: establishing a multi-stakeholder “Community Support Group” holding regular shared-decision case conferences, conducting family empowerment workshops, and organizing peer support activities led by recovering patients. All patients were evaluated at baseline, 6/12 months post-intervention by the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), Interpersonal Trust Scale, and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale. Repeated measures ANOVA was taken to compare group differences. Results After 12 months of intervention, data indicated that the community participation governance model were significantly positive on the recovery of BPD patients. The EG exhibited a mean reduction of 28.5 points in SCL-90 total scores compared to the CG (p<.01), with particularly pronounced improvements in the hostility, depression, and interpersonal sensitivity subscales (reductions of 4.2, 5.1, and 4.8 points, all p<.05). Regarding social functioning, the EG’s GAF score improved to an average of 68.3 points, obviously higher than the CG’s 59.7 points (p<.01). Specifically, 71.7% (43/60) of patients in the EG achieved a GAF score of “mild functional impairment” or better, whereas only 41.7% (25/60) of patients in the CG reached this level. Additionally, the EG exhibited a lower rate of emergency department visits (15%) compared to the CG (36.7%), and their interpersonal trust scores increased by 22.4%, both demonstrating obvious differences (p<.05). Discussion The findings confirm that the community-participatory governance model effectively alleviates core BPD symptoms, significantly enhances social functioning, and reduces crisis incidents, demonstrating clear practical value. By establishing an inclusive, empowering supportive environment, this model transforms external interventions into patients’ internalized social capital and self-management capabilities, serving as a potent complement to traditional medical approaches. Future research should focus on optimizing standardized operational procedures for this model, exploring its cost-effectiveness and long-term sustainability in broader community settings, and examining its differential effects on patients with different BPD subtypes. These efforts will advance the transformation of public mental health services from a “treatment-centered” to a “health management-centered” approach. Funding No. 21VMZ016.

Terrorism persists not simply because of its violence or ideology but because the networks that sustain it are embedded in the everyday relations of markets, politics and faith. This article analyzes the social logic of terrorism financing by integrating sociological theory with recent research on the misuse of charity, informal value transfer systems and digital currencies. Empirical evidence from Kazakhstan and Central Asia is combined with international examples of hawala systems, crowdfunding platforms and cryptocurrency campaigns. The study highlights three levels of analysis: micro-level interpersonal trust and kinship ties, meso-level religious and ethnic communities, and macro-level transnational networks supported by states and ideologues. The findings underscore the need for counterterrorism policies that address social and theological drivers alongside financial controls. Religious literacy, interfaith dialogue and inclusive economic development are identified as critical components of sustainable prevention. This study reconceptualizes terrorism financing as a morally legitimized social process by showing how religious obligation and social capital translate trust into transnational resource flows.

ABSTRACT This study examines how venture capital (VC) investors in Saudi Arabia evaluate, negotiate, and support entrepreneurial ventures in a rapidly developing yet institutionally young setting. Drawing on 21 semi‐structured interviews with 24 investors, it offers rare insight into VC practices in the Middle East. Saudi VC funds adopt globally recognizable structures—two‐tier decision‐making and rigorous due diligence—but their operations are shaped by local institutional and cultural dynamics. Deal sourcing relies heavily on personal networks and referrals, reflecting the emphasis on trust in Middle Eastern entrepreneurial finance. Valuation practices are pragmatic: multiples and the venture capital method dominate, while discounted cash flow models are rarely used. Valuation is less of a technical exercise than a negotiated process influenced by bargaining power, founder credibility, and sectoral context. Non‐financial factors, especially founder quality, team cohesion, and interpersonal trust often outweigh financial metrics in investment decisions. Beyond financing, Saudi VCs provide mentorship, strategic advice, and access to networks, taking on developmental roles within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The findings extend prior literature by showing how VC adapts to emerging institutional contexts, where cultural norms of trust and networks shape investment behavior and where VC firms act as both financiers and ecosystem builders.

Type of the article: Research ArticleAbstractThe rapid transformation of live streaming commerce in Indonesia highlights the need to understand the psychological factors that drive Consumer Engagement (CE) and Loyalty. Therefore, this study aims to examine the dual mediating role of seller trust and platform trust in bridging the influence of customer-perceived value (utilitarian, hedonic, and symbolic) on customer engagement. The method used was a quantitative survey with a purposive sampling technique in Indonesia. The survey was conducted in early 2025, targeting 300 active TikTok Shop users who had made at least one purchase in the past three months. This sample is relevant because Gen Z (59%) and women (75.3%), which are the dominant market segments in the social commerce ecosystem, dominate it. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) as an extension of the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework. The analysis results confirmed all significant hypotheses (p<0.01). This structural model explained 42.4% of the variance in Customer Engagement (CE). It was found that all three value dimensions had a positive direct effect, with utilitarian value (β = 0.250), hedonic value (β = 0.179), and symbolic value (β = 0.202). Crucially, seller trust (β = 0.239) and platform trust (β = 0.186) served as significant, complementary partial mediators, strengthening the value-engagement relationship. Furthermore, the strongest path relationship in the overall model was between utilitarian value and Seller Trust (β = 0.388), indicating that the foundation of interpersonal trust in sellers relies heavily on functional signals and transparent information.AcknowledgmentConflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Abstract Research Summary We examine how entrepreneur‐expressed humility affects early stage investors' willingness to fund new ventures. In pitching contexts where investors rely on relational cues and implicit prototypes of entrepreneurs, we theorize three distinct pathways through which expressed humility shapes funding decisions. First, building on research regarding interpersonal signals in early stage valuation, we propose that humility fosters perceptions of interpersonal affect and trust and team‐building qualities, increasing investors' willingness to fund. Second, drawing on implicit leadership theories, we argue that humility may trigger negative perceptions regarding the entrepreneur's ability to make rapid and risky decisions. Across a videometric analysis of 140 real‐world pitches and a randomized experiment with French early stage investors, we show that expressed humility elicits both pathways, but investors prioritize positive attributions. Managerial Summary Although humility is often regarded as a positive leadership trait, it contradicts implicit prototypes of successful entrepreneurs, who are typically seen as dominant and assertive. We examine how early stage investors perceive and respond to displays of humility during pitches. We propose that entrepreneur‐expressed humility produces ambiguous effects: It enhances perceptions of interpersonal affect and trust and team‐building qualities, but raises doubts about the entrepreneur's ability to make rapid and risky decisions. Using a videometric analysis of 140 pitches from the French version of Shark Tank and a randomized experiment with venture capital investors, we find evidence for these competing pathways. Overall, investors prioritize the positive attributions of interpersonal skills, suggesting that entrepreneurs benefit from expressing humility when pitching.

The increasing crackdown on illegal cigarettes at the regional level demands cross-institutional synergy. This study aims to analyze the collaboration process between the Bayur Port Customs Office and the Local Government of Padang Pariaman Regency in tackling the circulation of illegal cigarettes. The analysis is based on the five dimensions of collaboration framework by Thomson and Perry (2006), which include governance, administration, autonomy, mutuality, as well as norms of trust and reciprocity. This research employs a descriptive qualitative method. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews with stakeholders from the Bayur Port Customs Office, the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), and the Regional Financial Management Agency (BPKD) of Padang Pariaman Regency. The findings indicate that the collaboration operates pragmatically and functionally asymmetrically. Weaknesses in governance and administrative dimensions, characterized by the absence of written agreements (MoU/SOP) and the dominance of informal communication, are compensated by strong institutional autonomy and interpersonal trust between actors. The mutuality formed is calculative, driven by the need to absorb 10% of the Tobacco Excise Revenue Sharing Fund (DBHCHT) for law enforcement. Supporting factors include the complementarity of resources, where the Bayur Port Customs Office provides legal authority, while the Local Government of Padang Pariaman Regency offers social legitimacy and sociological proximity to the community. In contrast, inhibiting factors to collaboration include the lack of formal institutionalization and regional fiscal rigidity. The conclusion of this study indicates that although the collaboration is effective in practice, it faces collaborative fragility that could stagnate if there is a change in officials. Therefore, institutionalizing the cooperation through an Annual Work Plan (RKT) and intelligence data exchange is necessary for the effectiveness of socialization activities.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the potential psychological mechanisms that may link childhood psychological maltreatment to loneliness among Chinese college students by testing a dual-path mediation model involving trust in others and positive coping styles.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted with 603 college students using self-report measures of childhood psychological maltreatment, trust in others, positive coping styles, and loneliness. Data were analyzed using correlation analysis and structural equation modeling with bootstrapping.ResultsChildhood psychological maltreatment was positively correlated with loneliness and negatively correlated with trust in others and positive coping. Trust in others and positive coping styles were negatively correlated with loneliness. The structural equation model revealed significant indirect effects: childhood maltreatment was associated with loneliness both through reduced trust in others (indirect effect = 0.063, 12.07% of total effect) and through weakened positive coping styles (indirect effect = 0.084, 16.19% of total effect). The total indirect effect accounted for 28.26% of the total variance.ConclusionThe findings support the proposed dual-path model, suggesting that the association between childhood psychological maltreatment and later loneliness may operate through eroded interpersonal trust and impaired development of adaptive coping strategies. This underscores the importance of integrated interventions targeting both trust reconstruction and coping skills training in mitigating the long-term impacts of early adversity.

This study investigates the mechanisms driving users' transitions from knowledge seeking to knowledge contribution behaviors in social question-and-answer communities, with the goal of advancing theoretical understanding and promoting the sustainable development of these platforms. Grounded in motivation theory and trust theory, this study develops and tests a research model using covariance-based structural equation modeling and bootstrap method with 452 valid samples. The results reveal that knowledge seeking behavior positively influences both intrinsic motivations (altruism, self-efficacy, emotional empathy) and extrinsic motivations (platform reward, social need, group identity), with all motivations except emotional empathy significantly promoting knowledge contribution behavior. Furthermore, intrinsic (altruism, self-efficacy) and extrinsic motivations (platform reward, social need, group identity) partially mediate the relationship between knowledge seeking and contribution behaviors. Moderation analysis indicates that platform trust and interpersonal trust strengthen this relationship, with interpersonal trust having a stronger effect. Notably, moderation analysis indicates that platform trust and interpersonal trust strengthen this relationship, with interpersonal trust exhibiting a stronger effect. By integrating motivation theory and trust theory, this study provides a unified framework to examine the transition from knowledge seeking to contribution behaviors from theoretical, behavioral, and contextual perspectives. The findings offer practical implications for social question-and-answer community managers, including strategies to diversify reward systems, enhance users' self-efficacy and group identity, foster meaningful social interactions, and establish multi-level trust mechanisms to promote long-term platform engagement and growth.