<i>Habits – implicit associations between psychologically satisfying outcomes and the sequence of actions that repetitively produced these outcomes in a relatively stable environment – are crucial for human health, self-regulation, and day-to-day functioning. The present research claims that the primary function of habit mechanism is stress-reduction, associated with decision-making and environmental assessment. Next, addressing the theoretical contradictions of the traditional model of habit development, we propose a new two-phase model, differentiating the old-habit extinction phase and the new-habit formation phase and choosing appropriate cognitive strategies for each. The model was tested via 6-week longitudinal qualitative study, assessing its effectiveness and alignment with participants’ experience. Ten participants who expressed the wish to develop a habit of practicing mindfulness meditation, and who had never meditated regularly before, participated. The study protocol was designed to strategically increase their awareness of routine during the first two weeks of the study and decrease it during the remaining four weeks of the study, thus minimizing the stress entailed by the routine restructuring. All participants reported developing a meditation habit, and thematic analysis has shown that the experiences of 8/10 participants fit the two-phase model. Finally, participants’ accounts support the synthesis of outcome-insensitivity and cue-dependence issues in habit formation and initiate broader discussion about personal differences in routine following.</i>

Background: Interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional collaboration (IPC) are globally recognized as strategies for strengthening health systems and improving patient outcomes. Although frameworks and evidence have been well established in high-income countries, insights from low- and middle-income contexts remain limited. In the Philippines, studies on IPE and IPC are emerging but remain fragmented across disciplines and institutions. Objectives: This review aimed to synthesize international and Philippine literature on IPE and IPC, identify key frameworks, experiences, and challenges, and discuss implications for education, practice, and policy development in the Philippine context. Materials and methods: A narrative review approach was used to integrate diverse forms of evidence on IPE and IPC. Sources were identified through PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and relevant organizational reports using the keywords “interprofessional education,” “interprofessional collaboration,” “health professions,” and “Philippines.” Articles published in English between 2000 and 2024 were included if they discussed definitions, frameworks, implementation strategies, challenges, or outcomes. Extracted data were synthesized thematically to operationalize the review objectives, focusing on conceptual and policy foundations of IPE and IPC, evidence of effectiveness, international experiences, the Philippine context and local evidence, and challenges, barriers, and sustainability. Results: Global literature shows that IPE enhances teamwork, communication, and, in some cases, patient outcomes, though findings are often constrained by methodological heterogeneity. International frameworks from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States establish shared competency domains but highlight challenges in assessment and curriculum integration. Philippine studies demonstrate readiness among students and professionals, pilot initiatives in community and institutional settings, and recurring barriers such as faculty shortages, professional hierarchies, and limited policy support. Sustainability emerged as a major concern in both global and local contexts. Conclusion: IPE and IPC hold significant potential to advance collaborative health professions education in the Philippines and similar low- and middleincome countries. To strengthen sustainability, contextual adaptation of global frameworks, investment in faculty development, alignment of accreditation and policy standards, and longitudinal research are essential to building enduring models that enhance interprofessional collaboration and health system outcomes.

Dyadic associations between eating behaviors and body mass index in couples with a member living with overweight: A longitudinal study.

Identifying modifiable environmental factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in older adults is important for developing strategies to prevent CKD. This study aimed to investigate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of residential environmental exposure, including air pollution and walkability, with kidney function in older adults in the Netherlands. For the cross-sectional analyses, data from two cohorts of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam were used: 1992/93 (n=1182; mean age=72.3±8.5) and 2008/09 (n=741; mean age=71.6±7.8). Longitudinal analyses included 227 participants (mean age at baseline=62.6±5.4). Kidney function was assessed by calculating eGFR from serum creatinine measurements. PM10 and NO2 concentrations, along with an objectively measured walkability index within 500m of each participant's residential address, were linked to participants at baseline. Adjusted linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations of interest. Participants had healthy eGFR values of 70.9, 77.0, and 75.5ml/min/1.73m2 in the 1992/93 cohort, 2008/09 cohort, and longitudinal sample, respectively. After adjustment for age, sex, educational level, body mass index, smoking status, cardiovascular disease, walkability, and NO2, higher PM10 concentrations were cross-sectionally associated with lower eGFR in the 2008/09 cohort, but with higher eGFR in the 1992/93 cohort. In the fully adjusted model, NO2 exposure showed no association with eGFR in 2008/09, but was associated with higher eGFR in 1992/93. Higher levels of neighborhood walkability were associated with higher eGFR in cohort 2008/09, but with lower eGFR in 1992/93. No significant associations were observed between air pollution or walkability at baseline and changes in eGFR over the 16-yr follow-up. However, trends suggest potential longitudinal associations, with lower air pollution and higher walkability linked to higher eGFR. Overall, findings were inconsistent, indicating that larger longitudinal studies are needed to draw more definite conclusions.

Evaluating executive functions in children and adolescents with epilepsy using the EpiTRACK tool: A 5-year longitudinal follow-up study.

Association between the C-reactive protein-triglyceride glucose index and incident sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly Chinese: A prospective nationwide cohort study in China.

The relationship between a frailty index and fall risk in middle-aged and older adults: Findings from three prospective cohort studies - CHARLS, ELSA and HRS.

To assess the 15-year cumulative incidence of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in an older Australian population. Population-based cohort study. Three thousand six hundred fifty-four Blue Mountains Eye Study participants from Australia 49 to 97 years of age were examined from 1992 through 1994. Of these, 2335 participants (75.8% of survivors) were reexamined after 5 years (1997-1999), 1952 participants (76.7% of survivors) were reexamined after 10 years (2002-2004), and 1149 participants (56.1% of survivors) were reexamined after 15 years (2007-2010). Goldmann applanation tonometry, stereoscopic optic disc photography, and automated perimetry were performed at baseline and follow-up studies. Participants with suspected glaucoma returned for perimetry, gonioscopy and repeat perimetry and tonometry. After excluding those with OAG at baseline, incident definite OAG was diagnosed when glaucomatous optic disc changes were congruous with visual field defects at any follow-up study. The incident probable OAG group included participants with structural glaucomatous optic disc changes with inconsistent visual field loss. Cumulative and age-standardized incidence rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Cumulative and age-standardized 15-year incidence of definite and probable OAG and associated risk factors. Incident definite OAG developed in 116 participants and probable OAG developed in 24 participants, for a total of 140 cases. The age-standardized 15-year incidence was 5.67% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.65%-6.68%) for definite and probable OAG, and 4.72% (95% CI, 3.79%-5.64%) for definite OAG. After adjusting for competing risks, incidence of definite and probable OAG was 5.57% (95% CI, 4.66%-6.47%) and that of definite OAG was 4.81% (95% CI, 3.96%-5.66%). Age, pseudoexfoliation, myopia (≥ 3 diopters), and intraocular pressure were strong risk factors for 15-year incidence of OAG. This study documented the 15-year incidence of OAG and associated risk factors in an older Australian population. These data are useful for long-term planning of glaucoma-related health services delivery. The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

The evolving impact of virtual reality-based cultural immersion: A longitudinal mixed-methods study on EFL learners' intercultural sensitivity, willingness to communicate, and L2 learning motivation.

School absenteeism, associated with social isolation and loneliness, may signal hidden risks that increase the likelihood of suicidal ideation and behaviors. Few studies have explored longitudinal associations between school absenteeism and suicidality. This study sought to examine longitudinal associations between school absenteeism (a potential early marker) and suicidality to identify other risk and protective factors of students and schools for suicide prevention. Retrospective longitudinal matched case-control study. We used the New Zealand Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) database to integrate mental health outcomes with educational data. Based on clinical International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes and descriptions, we identified 3042 cases from 562,455 students (school year 6-13) enrolled in the education system in 2018, who had a subsequent hospital admission due to suicidality (2019-2021). Cases were matched using a 1:4 ratio with 12,168 control students by sex, school year-level, and ethnicity. School absenteeism was significantly associated with subsequent suicidality (adjusted odds ratio (aOR: 2.21, 95% CI 2.02-2.41). Other significant factors included students' post-school activities and previous suicidality; the school's region (secondary/minor urban schools vs. main urban), decile (a socio-economic index), and availability of Māori language learning (level C/D & above vs. not available). School absenteeism is an early indicator of suicidality. Combined with other identified student and school factors, a risk stratification strategy for suicide prevention may be established to provide timely early prevention strategies for schools and students at high risk.

Critical windows and joint effects of prenatal heat and relative humidity exposure on stillbirth: A prospective longitudinal cohort study.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing public health concern among older adults worldwide including in Iran. Despite extensive research on the metabolic effects of dairy products, their association with T2DM remains inconsistent, particularly in non-Western populations. This study examined the relationship between dairy consumption including specific types, and T2DM among older adults in eastern Iran. This cross-sectional study utilised baseline data from the Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study (BLAS), which included community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and older. Dietary intake was assessed using structured questionnaires, and participants were categorised into tertiles based on dairy consumption (low, moderate, high). T2DM status was determined by FBS ≥ 126 mg/dL or a previous physician diagnosis. Logistic regression models estimated the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for T2DM across different levels of dairy intake, adjusting for potential confounders. Data from 1348 participants were analysed, with an overall T2DM prevalence of 27.15%. Individuals in the highest tertiles of yogurt and cheese intake had significantly increased odds of T2DM (OR = 1.454, 95% CI = 1.08-2.20, p = 0.08; OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.04-2.00, p = 0.029). No significant association was found between milk consumption and T2DM risk. Total dairy consumption showed no significant association with T2DM in the fully adjusted model (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.00-2.403, p = 0.05). This study reveals a complex association between dairy intake and the risk of T2DM in Iran, in which high consumption of yogurt and cheese was paradoxically associated with increased odds of disease. This finding may be explained by the high fat content of these products, residual confounding from unmeasured dietary patterns, or biological pathways related to diabetes pathology and gut microbiota modulation that were not captured in our analysis.

Postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder and health service use: A longitudinal cohort study.

Long-term immunity and IgG subclass response following Hepatitis E vaccination: A longitudinal cohort study in Matlab, Bangladesh.

This two-wave longitudinal study investigates how loving-kindness compassion is associated with employees' psychological well-being through intrinsic motivation and self-acceptance, and how these organismic states are linked to proactive coping and relationship-maintenance behaviors. Data were collected over a one-month period. Data from 386 Vietnamese employees and 355 American respondents indicate positive time-lagged relationships among loving-kindness compassion, proactive coping, relationship-maintenance behaviors, and psychological well-being in both cultural contexts. Self-acceptance, but not intrinsic motivation, serves as a partial mediator of these effects, while mindfulness further moderates the benefits. The findings highlight the longitudinal associations among compassion and relational behaviors for well-being and underscore the importance of culturally sensitive interventions. Taken together, these findings highlight the role of compassion, mindfulness, and relational behaviors in sustaining psychological well-being across time and cultures. By demonstrating these longitudinal effects, the study provides robust evidence that compassion-based practices can serve as a universal, yet culturally adaptable, pathway to employee well-being. These findings offer practical guidance for organizations to promote sustainable employee well-being through culturally sensitive compassion- and mindfulness-based initiatives that support self-acceptance and relational behaviors.

Impact of prenatal exposure to airborne particulate matter on local functional connections in the cerebral cortex of neonates.

Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of work-related disability. Comprehensive instruments such as the Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire (WORQ) capture multiple domains of functioning but are lengthy and impractical for routine use. To develop and evaluate a LBP-specific brief form of the WORQ. A secondary psychometric analysis of clinical cohort data using the LBP-validated version of the WORQ using Rasch analysis. Data analysis was conducted at the Spine Center of Southern Denmark. The cohort comprised 425 adults with LBP, aged 18-65, employed or seeking work. not applicable. Work-related disability was measured using the LBP-validated WORQ (psychological, physical, and cognitive subscales), the Oswestry Disability Index, a numerical pain rating scale, and a single-item Work Ability Index. Rasch analysis was applied at the subscale level to guide item reduction and evaluate model fit, item performance, unidimensionality, category functioning, and differential item functioning. The brief WORQ-LBP comprised 15 items: 6 cognitive, 4 physical, 3 psychological, and 2 additional items (fatigue and sleep disturbances). Rasch analysis confirmed good model fit for the physical and psychological subscales and acceptable fit for the cognitive subscale. All subscales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α ≥0.79) and reliability. Measurement precision was highest for individuals with moderate impairments, and minor disordered thresholds occurred mainly in lower response categories. No substantial item dependence or differential item functioning was detected. Transformed scores enable interval-level interpretation, supporting use in clinical and research contexts. The brief WORQ-LBP is a psychometrically robust, multidimensional instrument for assessing work-related disability in individuals with LBP. Because responsiveness and predictive validity were not evaluated, further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm evaluative applications.

Prolonged time spent on social media use (SMU) can negatively impact mental health. The present experimental and longitudinal study (randomized controlled trial design, RCT) on social media (SM) users in Germany ( N total = 443) investigated how to reduce this negative effect. For 14 days, the SM group ( N = 124) reduced its daily SMU by 30 minutes, the mindfulness group ( N = 100) engaged daily in mindfulness exercises, the combination group ( N = 115) followed both interventions, and the control group ( N = 104) did not change its behavior. Online surveys assessed SMU-related variables and mental health-related variables at six measurement time points (baseline, intermediate, post-intervention, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up). The three experimental conditions resulted in a significant decrease of fear of missing out (FoMO), SM flow, addictive SMU, and stress symptoms. The reduction of SMU time and its combination with mindfulness exercises contributed to a decrease of depressive symptoms and an increase of life satisfaction and positive mental health. Many of the positive effects were stronger in the long-term than in the short-term. Moreover, for most investigated variables, the positive effects were stronger in the combination group than in the single condition groups, especially in the long-term. The present findings reveal that a combination of a conscious and controlled reduction of daily SMU time and the engagement in mindfulness exercises could serve as a time- and cost-efficient low-threshold intervention in public mental health programs and therapeutic context.

This longitudinal study examined the developmental relations between first-order Theory of Mind (ToM), advanced ToM, and executive function (EF) from ages 4 to 7.5. Two-hundred-three German children were assessed at ages 4, 5.5, and 7.5 on measures of ToM, EF (working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility), general cognition, and language. Using regression, structural equation modeling (SEM), and latent class analysis, we investigated whether early ToM and EF predict advanced ToM performance and how the developmental pathways unfold. We found significant concurrent relations between ToM and EF at all time points, as well as a predictive relation from EF at age 4 to advanced ToM at age 7.5. ToM at age 4 also significantly predicted ToM at age 7.5, suggesting early ToM lays a foundation for later conceptual growth. Cross-lagged SEM revealed that EF at age 4-but not at 5.5-predicted advanced ToM, indicating EF may support ToM development at key transition points. Latent class analysis identified four ToM profiles: consistently high performers, late bloomers, partial achievers, and inconsistent performers. Early language skills and later inhibition differentiated these groups; general cognition played a lesser role. These findings support a hybrid account of ToM development: early conceptual understanding is foundational for later competence, but qualitative shifts are required to master more complex ToM forms. EF and language appear as critical supports for ToM development, especially during periods of conceptual change. This study contributes to a more nuanced view of how domain-general and domain-specific processes interact in the development of complex social cognition. SUMMARY: Longitudinal study of Theory of Mind (ToM), advanced ToM, and executive function (EF) from ages 4 to 7.5. ToM and early EF at age 4 significantly predicted advanced ToM performance at age 7.5, independent of general cognitive ability. Latent class analysis identified four distinct developmental ToM pathways, including partial achievers and inconsistent performers. Findings support a hybrid view: early conceptual continuity lays a foundation, but later conceptual change is needed for advanced mental state reasoning.

Long-term study retention of adolescents undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery: lessons learned from the Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery cohort.