Mental Health Well-being Research Articles

In-person vs mobile app facilitated life skills education to improve the mental health of internally displaced persons in Nigeria: protocol for the RESETTLE-IDPs cluster randomized hybrid type 2 effectiveness-implementation trial

BackgroundInternally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria face a high burden of mental health disorders, with limited access to evidence-based, culturally relevant interventions. Life skills education (LSE) is a promising approach to promote mental health and psychosocial well-being in humanitarian settings. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of a culturally adapted LSE program delivered through in-person and mobile platforms among IDPs in Northern Nigeria.MethodsThis cluster-randomized hybrid type 2 effectiveness-implementation trial will be conducted in 20 IDP camps or host communities in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Sites will be randomly assigned to receive a 12-week LSE program delivered either through in-person peer support groups or WhatsApp-facilitated mobile groups. The study will recruit 500 participants aged 13 years and older. Intervention effectiveness outcomes include the primary outcome of change in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms assessed using the PCL-5 scale, and secondary outcomes of depression, anxiety, well-being, and life skills acquisition. Implementation outcomes will be assessed using the Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM), and Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM). Both sets of outcomes will be compared between the in-person and mobile delivery groups. Quantitative data will be analyzed using mixed-effects linear regression models, while qualitative data will be examined through reflexive thematic analysis. The study will be guided by the Reach-Effectiveness-Adoption-Implementation-Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework.DiscussionThe RESETTLE-IDPs study addresses key gaps in the evidence base on mental health interventions for conflict-affected populations. It focuses on underserved IDP populations, evaluates the comparative effectiveness of in-person and mobile-delivered LSE, and incorporates implementation science frameworks to assess contextual factors influencing adoption, fidelity, and sustainability. The study employs a community-based participatory approach to enhance cultural relevance, acceptability, and ownership. Findings will inform the development and scale-up of evidence-based, sustainable mental health interventions for IDPs in Nigeria and other humanitarian contexts.Trial sponsorDalhousie University, 6299 South St, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06412679 Registered 15 May 2024.

An Insight into the Lived Experiences of Medical College Women Post-pandemic

The purpose of this study was to document and analyze the narratives of college women pursuing medical-related courses in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the multifaceted challenges they encountered and the strategies they employed to navigate these difficulties. The research aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the pandemic has reshaped the educational landscape for these students, impacting not only their academic pursuits but also their mental health, social interactions, and overall well-being. Using a qualitative approach, the study employed in-depth semi-structured interviews with participants selected through purposive sampling, ensuring a diverse representation of experiences. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, allowing for the identification of key themes related to the academic, emotional, and social dimensions of their experiences. By capturing their narratives, this study sought to enrich the existing body of knowledge regarding the pandemic's effects on higher education, particularly within the realm of medical education, which demands a unique set of skills and resilience. The significance of this research lies in its potential to inform educational institutions, policymakers, and support services about the specific needs and experiences of college women in medical programs. It highlights the importance of acknowledging gender-specific challenges and the necessity for tailored support systems. Ultimately, the findings aim to guide the development of gender-sensitive policies and interventions that foster a supportive educational environment, enhancing the holistic well-being and academic success of these students. This research not only addresses immediate concerns but also contributes to a broader discourse on equity and inclusion in higher education, advocating for a more responsive and adaptive approach to the evolving needs of college women in medical fields.

Local Cultural Approach in Navigating Family Conflict: Understanding Cultural Strategies for Human Well-Being

Objective: This study explores the complexities of family conflict within a local cultural framework, focusing on its impacts on physical and mental well-being through mapping its intensity, root causes, and long-term consequences. The study aims to understand how unresolved interpersonal tensions can negatively impact emotional and social health, ultimately affecting harmony and balance within local communities. The approach uses a theoretical framework that underscores the importance of culture-based communication, negotiation skills that respect local norms, and appreciation for diverse perspectives as steps to reduce conflict and promote mental health. This research contextualizes conflict within various local cultural settings, specifically within families influenced by communal and intergenerational values. Through in-depth analysis of the family as the unit of study, variables such as communication and social relationships are examined with an emphasis on unique socio-cultural dynamics. The findings highlight the negative impact of unresolved family conflict on emotional well-being and the stability of social relationships within the family unit. Conflict can disrupt interpersonal dynamics, creating long-term disharmony that undermines family cohesion. These adverse effects underscore the need for systematic, ongoing interventions to support mental health and collective well-being. This study emphasizes the importance of addressing family conflict as a critical component in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of Good Health and Well-being. Interventions that adopt a local cultural approach—such as effective communication strategies and conflict resolution skills rooted in communal norms—are essential for fostering healthier and more harmonious family environments. By identifying three primary approaches—cultural rehabilitation processes, the development of communication that values local culture, and conflict management skills—the study provides practical insights aligned with global efforts to improve mental health and social well-being in accordance with the SDG framework.

Health-related quality of life of people with depression: pre-post intervention compared with age-matched general population in Vietnam

BackgroundIn Vietnam, there is a paucity of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) research on people with depression as well as a lack of evidence on supported self-management (SSM) intervention for depression on HRQoL. This study aimed to compare the HRQoL of people with depression and age-matched people in the Vietnamese population, evaluate the effects of Tele-SSM intervention on HRQoL, and examine the association between the changes in HRQoL score and mental health well-being (depression, anxiety, and stress).MethodsThis study was a pre- and post-study involving Vietnamese adults aged 18–64 who had depression symptoms (score ≥ 5 points in the PHQ-9). Participants (N = 58) completed Tele-SSM—a supported self-management intervention incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy and non-violent communication and using a task-shifting approach. To compare with the general population, we conducted a 1-to-1 matching by age with an EQ-5D-5L valuation study with a nationally representative sample of the Vietnamese general population.ResultsHRQoL was significantly impaired in people with depression compared to the age-matched general population. Regarding health profile, participants reported the most difficulties in usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression dimensions. Significant improvements were observed in HRQoL scores post-intervention compared to pre-intervention in both EQ-VAS scores (from 59.84 to 79.48) and utility scores (from 0.79 to 0.90). These results remained lower than the age-matched general population (EQ-VAS score = 83.28, utility score = 0.96). Depression was associated with lower HRQoL while controlling for stress, anxiety symptoms and sociodemographic characteristics.ConclusionsThese results indicate that HRQoL is significantly impaired in people with depression and contribute to providing empirical evidence of Tele-SSM intervention in improving HRQoL. Further randomized controlled trials should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Tele-SSM intervention.

Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms in a Predominantly Hispanic/Latinx South Texas Community in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 has a lasting impact on mental health, particularly within the Hispanic/Latinx communities. This paper empirically investigates the post-COVID-19 presence and severities of depression, one of the most common mental health disorders, among adults in a predominantly U.S.-born Hispanic/Latinx community in South Texas composed primarily of Mexican Americans. Multiple statistic regression models were applied to data from 515 adults in Nueces County who completed all questions in a survey from convenience sampling between June 2022 and May 2023. Depression was assessed using both standard PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 measurements. Of the 515 participants, 377 (64.5%) were Hispanic, and 441 (85.6%) had a high school education or higher, reflecting the county's demographics. About half of the participants (47%) reported mild/moderate to severe depression. The regression model estimation results reveal that female participants, those not in full-time employment, and individuals with disabilities were more likely to feel depressed after COVID-19. Middle-aged adults demonstrated greater resilience to depression compared to other age groups. Notably, non-Hispanic participants in the study reported higher levels of depression compared to their Hispanic counterparts. Additionally, COVID-19-related experiences, such as testing positive for the virus, being hospitalized, or having a history of depression before COVID-19, were associated with higher levels of reported depression. COVID-19 has significantly impacted the mental health of this predominantly U.S.-born Hispanic/Latinx community. These findings can assist healthcare providers and policymakers in developing targeted strategies to tailor interventions aimed at enhancing mental health well-being, reducing disparities, and fostering overall improvement within the Hispanic/Latinx community.

Dealing with Mental Health Problems and Work Performance Among Frontline Healthcare Workers Through the Influence of Digital Platform in Malaysian Private Hospitals: A conceptual analysis

The purpose of this study to examine mental health problems of frontline healthcare workers and their impact on work performance through exploring the influence of digital platforms in Malaysian private hospitals. This research is essential in addressing previous knowledge and theoretical gaps on the antecedents that denote to mental health problems and how digital platforms are used to improve mental health wellbeing. Basically, this study discusses the impact of four independent variables which are categorized as depression, anxiety, insomnia and distress factors whereas dependent variable is work performance. This study also will discuss problems concerning work performance of frontline healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, medical assistance, pharmacists and HR Management), specifically on poor service quality, turnover intention, work-related burnout, and exhaustion in Malaysian private hospitals. Hence, this study explores new solutions on the employees’ work performance related issues to create awareness for the Malaysian private hospitals in improving mental health issues among front-line healthcare workers to enhance their work performance through the influence of digital platforms. Private hospitals in Malaysia are experiencing critical situations related to poor employees’ performance which indirectly influence the overall productivity. Thus, private hospitals need to provide serious attention towards these related issues. A conceptual framework was formulated based on identified research gaps through the literature review. It is expected that this study will enhance the awareness for the management in Malaysian private hospitals on dealing with mental health problems which impacts work performance by exploring digital platforms as a solution.

Feature Contributions and Predictive Accuracy in Modeling Adolescent Daytime Sleepiness Using Machine Learning: The MeLiSA Study.

Background: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) among adolescents poses significant risks to academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being. This study examines the prevalence and risk factors of EDS in adolescents in Bangladesh and utilizes machine learning approaches to predict the risk of EDS. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1496 adolescents using a structured questionnaire. Data were collected through a two-stage stratified cluster sampling method. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS. Machine learning models, including Categorical Boosting (CatBoost), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), were employed to identify and predict EDS risk factors using Python and Google Colab. Results: The prevalence of EDS in the cohort was 11.6%. SHAP values from the CatBoost model identified self-rated health status, gender, and depression as the most significant predictors of EDS. Among the models, GBM achieved the highest accuracy (90.15%) and precision (88.81%), while CatBoost had comparable accuracy (89.48%) and the lowest log loss (0.25). ROC-AUC analysis showed that CatBoost and GBM performed robustly in distinguishing between EDS and non-EDS cases, with AUC scores of 0.86. Both models demonstrated the superior predictive performance for EDS compared to others. Conclusions: The study emphasizes the role of health and demographic factors in predicting EDS among adolescents in Bangladesh. Machine learning techniques offer valuable insights into the relative contribution of these factors, and can guide targeted interventions. Future research should include longitudinal and interventional studies in diverse settings to improve generalizability and develop effective strategies for managing EDS among adolescents.

The Online Cathedral: A Case Study Analysis of Egalitarian Music Outreach at Liverpool Cathedral for Mental Health and Spiritual Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Online Cathedral: A Case Study Analysis of Egalitarian Music Outreach at Liverpool Cathedral for Mental Health and Spiritual Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mental Health and Suicide Risk Among High School Students and Protective Factors - Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023.

Adolescent mental health and suicide risk remain substantial public health concerns. High pre-COVID rates of poor mental health and suicide-related behaviors have continued to rise, highlighting the need to identify factors that might foster positive mental health outcomes and reduce suicide-related behaviors at population levels. Using CDC's 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, CDC analyzed the prevalence of mental health and suicide risk indicators and their associations with individual-, family-, and school- or community-level protective factors. Prevalence estimates were calculated for each of the mental health and suicide risk indicators by demographic characteristic. Prevalence ratios adjusted for sex, sexual identity, grade, and race and ethnicity were calculated to examine the association between protective factors and mental health and suicide risk indicators. Overall, 39.7% of students experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, 28.5% experienced poor mental health, 20.4% seriously considered attempting suicide, and 9.5% had attempted suicide. Mental health and suicide risk indicators differed by sex, sexual identity, grade, and race and ethnicity. All protective factors were associated with lower prevalence of one or more risk indicators. Findings from this report can serve as a foundation for the advancement of research on protective factors and for the development and implementation of programs, practices, and policies that protect and promote mental health and emotional well-being among youth.

Career Counseling and Wellness: Recommendations for School Counseling Practice

Amid the escalating concern about students’ mental health and overall well-being within the K–12 educational settings, the role of the school counselor has prompted the examination of fostering positive outcomes. Research has indicated that challenges to students’ mental well-being lead to adverse consequences impeding students’ long-term growth, impacting college and career readiness. Thus, addressing these challenges is crucial for long-term student wellness and success. With the increasing complexities faced by students today, there is a pressing need for school counselors to equip themselves with tools to effectively promote child and adolescent well-being and career readiness. This article emphasizes how intentional and well-implemented programs within a comprehensive school counseling program can cultivate students’ career readiness while fostering positive mental health. By highlighting the importance of college and career literature, this article outlines a method for implementing interventions for mental wellness and optimizing student/human functioning. School counselors are uniquely positioned to provide such services and interventions to support the well-being of students, and this article outlines recommendations for implementation to enhance comprehensive school counseling programs.

Psychological well-being and the reversal of childhood overweight and obesity in the UK: a longitudinal national cohort study.

This study aimedto examine the prospective association between psychological well-being and overweight and obesity reversal. We analyzed data of UK children with overweight or obesity at ages 11 (n = 4556, baseline), 14 (n = 3791, baseline), and 17 years (follow-up). Psychological well-being-related measures were characterized into indexes of caregiver-reported child mental health and child-reported psychosocial well-being, with a higher score indicating better mental health or psychosocial well-being. Weight changes were presented as reversal versus persistence of overweight or obesity and residualized-change BMI z scores. Data were analyzed using regression analysis. Better child mental health and psychosocial well-being at age 11 years were independently associated with increased odds of reversal versus persistence (odds ratio [OR] = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.29; OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.44, respectively) and decreased BMI z scores (β = -0.08, 95% CI: -0.13 to -0.03; β = -0.07, 95% CI: -0.11 to -0.03, respectively) at age 17 years. However, neither of the indexes was associated with weight changes when measured at age 14 years. Analyses between psychological well-being-related measures and timing of measures indicated that psychological well-being-related measures were more likely to prospectively predict weight changes when measured at age 11 versus age 14 years. Better psychological well-being at age 11 years is a prognostic factor that may be associated with an increased likelihood of reversing childhood overweight and obesity by age 17 years.

Examining the Psychosocial Factors of Mental Health Well-being Among Medical University Students: Gender-based Analyses

The mental health of university students is a major concern due to the various stressors they face, including academic pressures, social dynamics, and personal development challenges. Previous studies have shown that gender differences significantly impact how students perceive and express psychological distress. This study aimed to identify these differences in the context of academic stress, social support, self-esteem, academic motivation, and family functioning, and their association with psychological distress. The study involved 2206 medical students in a cross-sectional study at a medical university in Ningxia, western China. The data analysis revealed significant gender differences in scores for academic stress, social support, and academic motivation. Academic stress, social support, and family functioning were found to be significantly associated with psychological distress for both genders. However, academic motivation was found to significantly influence psychological distress only among male students, while self-esteem had an impact on female students. These findings highlight the need for tailored mental health services in universities to address gender-specific needs, such as providing counseling services that focus on coping with academic stress and strengthening social and familial support networks to improve student well-being.

Factor Structure, Construct Validity, and Measurement Invariance of the Neuroception of Psychological Safety Scale (NPSS).

Psychological safety has recently emerged as a central construct, strictly implicated in mental health and emotional well-being. The Neuroception of Psychological Safety Scale (NPSS) is the first scale designed to assess feelings of psychological safety from a multidimensional perspective. However, the robustness of its factorial structure requires further examination in large community samples, and evidence of construct validity along with measurement invariance across genders is scarce. The present study aimed to address these gaps through a comprehensive cross-validation approach. A community sample of 660 Italian adults, aged 18-65, completed self-report questionnaires including the NPSS, the Compassionate Engagement and Action Scale (CEAS), the Sussex-Oxford Compassion for Others (SOCS), and the Body Perception Questionnaire (BPQ). A three-factor model, i.e., Social Engagement, Compassion, and Bodily Sensations, demonstrated a good fit to the data in two random subsamples. Moreover, the measurement model was factorially invariant across genders. Model-based omega coefficients supported the internal consistency of the NPSS scores (ω ranged between 0.879 and 0.918). Zero-order correlations between NPSS subscales and CEAS, SOCS, and BPQ provided construct validity evidence. Additionally, inter-correlations between latent factors and Harman's single-factor test supported the discriminant validity of the NPSS dimensions. Overall, this study provided compelling evidence regarding the psychometric properties of the NPSS, demonstrating for the first time the invariance of its factorial structure across gender.

The role of noise as part of neighborhood quality and its impact on well-being in German preschoolers: Results from the Equal-Life project

Current research confirms the significant role of environmental quality in children´s well-being and mental health. Respective studies targeting young children focused on characteristics of the families´ immediate housing situation, e.g., household chaos. In the framework of the Equal-Life project, we investigated the relationships between neighborhood quality and mental health in preschoolers (N=111). Data were acquired through parent questionnaires. Stepwise regression analysis identified noise and air pollution as the most important predictors of overall neighborhood quality ratings. As expected, different components of neighborhood quality were significantly correlated, confirming a gap between favorable and unfavorable conditions in children´s environments. All components of neighborhood quality were significantly associated with children´s well-being (KIDSCREEN-10), but stepwise regression analyses identified noise and air pollution as the most important predictors. In contrast, children´s mental health problems (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire) were unrelated to all components of neighborhood quality. Furthermore, lower neighborhood quality was associated with higher parental stress, which in turn was a significant predictor of children´s mental health problems and well-being. These findings underline the interdependencies of psychosocial and physical exposures, and thereby the necessity to adopt an holistic (exposome) approach in order to design environments that foster children´s mental health.

Promoting mental health in higher education: towards a model of well-being factors in emerging adulthood

ABSTRACT Purpose This study aims to contribute to the development of a theoretical model that is useful for enhancing well-being/positive mental health with pedagogical resources that enable the acquisition of skills and knowledge, particularly during Emerging Adulthood. Methods This paper enquires into the role of well-being promotion in higher education following the dual-factor model of mental health difficulties and wellbeing. The study narratively reviews the main well-being models and presents a compared theoretical synthesis examining the dimensions that promote or facilitate the presence of well-being using a promotion approach. Results The study identifies 14 dimensions involved in wellbeing—emotional, psychological and social factors—that can be potentially improved through learning processes. Drawing on empirical and theoretical studies on emerging adult population, a factorial model is proposed. Preliminary factor interactions are examined paying close attention to the cognitive processes that explain or affect their relationship with well-being, the possible correlations between them and particularities of emerging adults. Conclusion Wellbeing factors can be particularly targeted by educational promotion, as they can be developed through learning processes. An integrative model that provides a broad perspective can assist in pedagogical design and defining educational goals for these learning processes involved in wellbeing promotion.

WAT’s up? Exploring the Impact of Wearable Activity Trackers on Physical Activity and Wellbeing: A Systematic Research Review

AbstractWearable activity trackers (WATs) can facilitate engagement in physical activity. Yet, there may be an additional psychological impact, which can influence their effectiveness. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to assess the impact of wrist-based WATs on physical activity and subsequent psychological wellbeing in healthy adults. The review was carried out using PRISMA guidelines and registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF). An initial search was conducted in December 2022 with a follow-up in October 2023. Databases included PsychInfo, PsycArticles, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus. Nine studies were selected for inclusion and reviewed. Most studies comprised white adults with an average age of 21.5 to 49 years. Participants were employed or students with a mostly normal BMI. Changes in self-efficacy for exercise, depressive symptoms, mental health and general wellbeing, quality of life and burnout were evaluated. Half the studies reported a WAT-related increase in physical activity engagement. Four studies assessed self-efficacy for exercise, with half observing an improvement post-intervention. Three studies assessed mental health and depressive symptoms with one observing improvement and two observing no change. The remaining studies included measures of burnout and quality of life, where only burnout scores improved 1-month post-intervention. Although the quality of the studies reviewed was acceptable, only 4 included a suitable control/comparison group. Further, the measurement of psychological wellbeing varied considerably. In sum, the results indicate that the effect of WATs on physical activity and subsequent psychological wellbeing is understudied. Further research is required to fully elucidate these relationships.

Follow Up Care After Penile Sparing Surgery for Penile Cancer: Current Perspectives.

Penile cancer (PeCa) is a rare urologic tumor worldwide. In 2024, 2100 new cases and 500 deaths are estimated in the United States. Radical surgery via total penectomy has historically been the cornerstone of treatment, since it provides excellent long-term oncological control. The rationale of surgery for penile cancer was to achieve a 2 cm macroscopic surgical margin that is historically advocated to reduce recurrences. Over time, numerous studies have demonstrated that resection margin status does not affect patients' survival. Different penile-sparing techniques are currently recommended in the European Association of Urology-American Society of Clinical Oncology (EAU-ASCO) guidelines for the treatment of localized primary PeCa. Centralization of care could yield multiple benefits, including improved disease awareness, higher rates of penile-sparing surgery, enhanced detection rates, increased utilization of less invasive lymph node staging techniques, enhanced quality of specialized histopathological examinations, and the establishment of specialized multidisciplinary teams. Compared to more aggressive treatments, the higher recurrence rates after penile-sparing surgery do not hamper neither the metastasis-free survival nor the overall survival. Repeated penile-sparing surgery could be considered for selected cases. The psychological impact of penile cancer is not negligible since the perceived loss of masculinity might adversely affect mental health and overall well-being. Quality of life may be compromised by sexual and urinary dysfunction which may be the result either of the loss of penile tissue or the psychological status of the patient. It is of utmost importance to offer rehabilitative treatment as sexual therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, family and peer counseling.

Food Insufficiency Increased After The Expiration Of COVID-19 Emergency Allotments For SNAP Benefits In 2023.

In response to economic distress and food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress expanded the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by introducing emergency allotments to increase monthly benefits, starting in March2020. In March2023, emergency allotments expired in the thirty-five states and territories still offering them. We provide some of the first evidence of the impacts of this loss of nutrition support-in some cases, more than $250 a month-for economically disadvantaged households. Our quasi-experimental study examined the effects of the program's expiration on food insufficiency, mental health, and financial well-being, using data from the Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey. In difference-in-differences analyses, we compared pre-post differences among SNAP participants with pre-post differences among income-eligible nonparticipants. The emergency allotment expiration led to a substantial increase in food insufficiency (8.4percentage points) and greater food pantry use (2.1percentage points) and difficulty paying expenses (2.0percentage points). Non-Hispanic Black SNAP participants experienced a greater increase in anxiety symptoms compared with non-Hispanic White SNAP participants. This study has implications for ongoing policy making with respect to nutrition and safety-net programs to support vulnerable families, especially amid inflated food prices.

Self-realization as a Driver of Sustainable Social Development: Balancing Individual Goals and Collective Values

Self-realization is integral to the social aspect of sustainable development, as it enables individuals to boost mental health and personal well-being by achieving and enhancing their potential and life goals. This study explores how self-realization functions as a driver for sustainable social development in the face of adversity. The research, which involved 122 adult Ukrainians, utilized written surveys, statistical analysis, qualitative assessment, and ranking to collect data. Despite the persistent threats and crises, Ukrainians exhibit significant motivation and engagement in self-realization across various domains, including professional endeavors, family interactions, and parenting. The wartime environment has introduced new dimensions to self-realization, such as involvement in volunteering and charitable activities. Key areas of self-realization include professional and family roles, which highlight the effectiveness of personal fulfillment. Nonetheless, respondents encounter common challenges, such as procrastination, laziness, and emotional strain. The majority acknowledge the connection between their self-realization and sustainable social development, particularly its social dimensions. While self-actualization is essential for life fulfillment during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, it necessitates targeted psychological support to tackle individual-specific challenges. Self-actualization remains a vital process for life fulfillment in wartime Ukraine, yet it requires targeted psychological support to address individual challenges. Keywords: self-realization, personality, development, societal sustainable development, social component of societal sustainable development, adult personality, communication

The effect of a short mindfulness meditation practice on positive mental health: Self-transcendence as a mediating process

In two randomized controlled trials, we tested the effect of two attentional mindfulness meditation practices on positive mental health. We hypothesized that attentional meditation would increase various positive emotions (gratitude, interest, hope, pride, elevation, and awe) via three processes induced by mindfulness (body awareness, meta-awareness, and self-transcendence) and that positive self-transcendent emotions would in turn increase positive mental health (well-being and inner peace). This hypothesis was tested in two randomized online experiments. Participants were assigned to either a body scan meditation, a breath meditation, or a condition in which they listened to a story (active control). Various positive emotions, mindfulness-induced processes, and well-being/inner peace were assessed with self-reports. Experiment 1 (n = 166) revealed that practicing a 21-min body scan or breath meditation significantly increased positive emotions (in particular, elevation, gratitude, and pride) and that self-transcendence significantly mediated that effect. Experiment 2 (n = 127) replicated these findings in regard to positive emotions with a shorter, 11-min practice and revealed that two self-transcendent positive emotions (elevation and gratitude), but not pride—a more self-centered positive emotion—significantly mediated the effect of attentional meditation practice on well-being and inner peace. The implications of these results are discussed.