Moderation Analyses Research Articles

Coastal communities’ participation in reducing single-use plastic bags: the role of awareness of harm and responsibility for environmental protection

PurposeThis research aims to explore the role of awareness of harm and responsibility for environmental protection in reducing pollution from single-use plastic bags (SPBs) in coastal communities (CCs). To this end, this study develops and tests a unique model that explains residents’ intention to reduce the use of SPBs in coastal regions.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was used to collect data from 721 coastal residents in Vietnam. Structural equation modeling and moderation analysis were applied to test the proposed hypotheses.FindingsThe results show that awareness of the impact of SPBs on the environment and human health and awareness of the responsibility to protect the coastal environment significantly affect attitudes and intentions to reduce the use of SPBs. Moreover, such awareness of responsibility strengthens the attitude-intention relationship.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that CCs should not receive a lower priority in campaigns and efforts to reduce SPBs. In this regard, providing residents with free environmentally friendly bags and education programs on the impact of SPBs could be implemented.Originality/valueCCs are directly impacted by pollution from SPBs. However, little is known about how this affects their polluting behavior. This study shows that CCs are not immune to polluting behaviors and that SPBs can be significant among residents. It also demonstrates that awareness of harm and feeling responsible for the environment are essential drivers of (intended) sustainable behaviors.

“Influencing the influencers:” a field experimental approach to promoting effective mental health communication on TikTok

A substantial body of social scientific research considers the negative mental health consequences of social media use on TikTok. Fewer, however, consider the potentially positive impact that mental health content creators (“influencers”) on TikTok can have to improve health outcomes; including the degree to which the platform exposes users to evidence-based mental health communication. Our novel, influencer-led approach remedies this shortcoming by attempting to change TikTok creator content-producing behavior via a large, within-subject field experiment (N = 105 creators with a reach of over 16.9 million viewers; N = 3465 unique videos). Our randomly-assigned field intervention exposed influencers on the platform to either (a) asynchronous digital (.pdf) toolkits, or (b) both toolkits and synchronous virtual training sessions that aimed to promote effective evidence-based mental health communication (relative to a control condition, exposed to neither intervention). We find that creators treated with our asynchronous toolkits—and, in some cases, those also attending synchronous training sessions—were significantly more likely to (i) feature evidence-based mental health content in their videos and (ii) generate video content related to mental health issues. Moderation analyses further reveal that these effects are not limited to only those creators with followings under 2 million users. Importantly, we also document large system-level effects of exposure to our interventions; such that TikTok videos featuring evidence-based content received over half a million additional views in the post-intervention period in the study’s treatment groups, while treatment group mental health content (in general) received over three million additional views. We conclude by discussing how simple, cost-effective, and influencer-led interventions like ours can be deployed at scale to influence mental health content on TikTok.

Intensifying and protective? – how organizational culture shapes the effect of work scheduling autonomy on the relationship between time pressure and self-endangering work behaviours

ABSTRACT A resource perspective suggests a protective direct effect of work scheduling autonomy (WSA) on self-endangering work behaviours (working harder, working longer). However, from a social exchange perspective deriving benefit from WSA could lead to the obligation to give something back when it is needed (e.g., high time pressure) and expected (e.g., work-home culture of the company). Despite the direct protective effect, we thus suggest that WSA acts as a moderator that, under certain organizational culture conditions, facilitates the positive relationship between periods of high time pressure and self-endangering work behaviours. In a five-weeks weekly diary study (N = 277) we examined whether WSA can act as a moderator creating an interactional pattern with time pressure, a hindering work-home culture or psychological ownership, in which the genuine protective effect of WSA can be undermined. The results of the multilevel analysis showed a negative direct relationship between WSA (within-persons) and working harder (protective main effect). However, moderation analysis showed that WSA (between-persons) could intensify the positive relationship between time pressure and working harder for employees working within a hindering work-home culture. We observed no such interactive pattern with psychological ownership, but report a positive relationship between psychological ownership and self-endangering work behaviours.

Effectiveness of augmented reality on EFL learner’s language gains: a meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Augmented reality (AR) is an immersive, interactive, and engaging advanced information technology and it is widely used in language learning. Although several studies have evaluated the effectiveness of AR in EFL learners’ language gains, these research findings are inconsistent. Therefore, this study conducted a meta-analysis to analyze to what extent AR intervention in the EFL context could affect EFL learners’ language gains and what variables may moderate its impact. The results showed that AR facilitated EFL learners’ language gains at a moderate level (g = 0.63). The moderator analysis indicated that participants’ educational level, instructional strategies, and target language learning skills significantly moderated AR’s impact on EFL learners’ language gains. This study provided systematic and empirical evidence for a strong causal inference of AR learning on EFL learners’ language gains.

Encourage Teacher Innovative Behavior : The Interaction Role of Cognitive Flexibility and Teacher Self-Efficacy

This study aims to analyze the interaction role of cognitive flexibility and teacher self-efficacy in teacher innovative behavior in the context of curriculum change in Indonesian schools. This study used a quantitative survey method. Three instruments were used, namely the Teacher Innovative Behavior Scale, the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, and the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale. Data were collected from 322 teachers from three educational levels in Jabodetabek. Descriptive analyses, correlation analyses, and moderation analyses were conducted. The findings revealed that cognitive flexibility, as a whole construct, and each dimension (the control and alternative dimension), positively predicts teacher innovative behavior. Specifically, only the alternative dimension that significantly interacts with teacher self-efficacy positively predicts teacher innovative behavior. In other words, teacher self-efficacy is significant as a moderator. The findings highlight the importance of addressing cognitive flexibility and teacher self-efficacy, which were not extensively researched before, in enhancing teachers’ innovative behavior. Innovative behavior is crucial for teachers, especially in the current era of change.

Accumulating burden: Exposure to interpersonal discrimination based on multiple attributes and allostatic load

Exposure to interpersonal discrimination is an acute type of social stressor. Extant evidence suggests a positive association exists between experiencing interpersonal discrimination and physiological dysregulation measured by allostatic load. However, research to date has overlooked the role of exposure to interpersonal discrimination based on multiple attributes. This is an important oversight because individuals who confront discrimination often accredit the experiences to more than one attribute, which may be associated with increased stress and adverse physiological functioning. Using data from the Wave V biomarker subsample of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), I investigate the relationship between reports of interpersonal discrimination based on multiple attributes and allostatic load among adults ages 33–44. I also consider the roles of frequency of exposure to discrimination and perceived stress in this relationship through moderation and mediation analyses. Results reveal a positive association between the number of forms of discrimination that individuals report and allostatic load. However, frequency of exposure to discrimination does not moderate this association. Moreover, frequency of discrimination did not mediate the association between the number of forms of discrimination and perceived stress only marginally mediated it. This study offers novel and important insight into the role of exposure to more than one form of discrimination and allostatic load. Given that heightened allostatic load is a precursor to the development of chronic conditions and a strong risk factor for mortality, efforts to reduce discrimination among Americans adults will work to improve physical health.

Learning ratio performance on a brief visual learning and memory test moderates cognitive training gains in Double Decision task in healthy older adults.

Cognitive training using a visual speed-of-processing task, called the Useful Field of View (UFOV) task, reduced dementia risk and reduced decline in activities of daily living at a 10-year follow-up in older adults. However, there was variability in the achievement of cognitive gains after cognitive training across studies, suggesting moderating factors. Learning trials of visual and verbal learning tasks recruit similar cognitive abilities and have overlapping neural correlates with speed-of-processing/working memory tasks and therefore could serve as potential moderators of cognitive training gains. This study explored the association between the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R) and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) learning with a commercial UFOV task called Double Decision. Through a secondary analysis of a clinical trial, we assessed the moderation of HVLT-R and BVMT-R learning on Double Decision improvement after a 3-month speed-of-processing/attention and working memory cognitive training intervention in a sample of 75 cognitively healthy older adults. Multiple linear regressions showed that better baseline Double Decision performance was significantly associated with better BVMT-R learning (β = - .303). This association was not significant for HVLT-R learning (β = - .142). Moderation analysis showed that those with poorer BVMT-R learning improved the most on the Double Decision task after cognitive training. This suggests that healthy older adults who perform below expectations on cognitive tasks related to the training task may show the greatest training gains. Future cognitive training research studying visual speed-of-processing interventions should account for differing levels of visuospatial learning at baseline, as this could impact the magnitude of training outcomes and efficacy of the intervention.

Waiting for the Boss's Blue Checkmark to Appear: Supervisor's Attentiveness, Negative Emotions, and Work Engagement During Instant Messaging at Work.

In organizations, employees actively manage the immediacy with which they respond to instant messages to cope with mobile connectivity overload caused by continuous interactions. This research conducted a naturalistic observational design to examine real-life mobile connectivity behaviors in organizations and measure their occupational well-being consequences. Specifically, we focused on the use of a feature (WhatsApp's blue checkmark) that enables senders to know precisely when recipients choose to read their messages. In the study, 192 participants sent important messages to their supervisors through WhatsApp. The study used Confirmatory Factor Analysis and moderation analyses to explore the relationship between supervisors' attentiveness (indicated by WhatsApp's blue checkmark), negative emotions, work engagement, and the quality of leader-member exchange (LMX). Drawing on the perspective of 'digital well-being,' we investigated the role of relationship quality between supervisors and employees (LMX) as a moderator. We hypothesized that relationship quality would buffer against negative feelings and decreased work engagement when employees await a response after sending important messages to their supervisors. Indeed, supervisor's inattentiveness was positively correlated with negative affect and negatively correlated with employee engagement. Surprisingly, we found that employees with strong relationship quality (high LMX) with their supervisors experienced lower work engagement while waiting for an indication that their message had been read. These results suggest that timely indications of message read by supervisors play an important role in mitigating negative emotions and fostering higher work engagement among employees.

Rank-order stability of domain-specific self-esteem: A meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis examined the rank-order stability of domain-specific self-esteem by comprehensively synthesizing the available evidence in eight domains of self-esteem (i.e., academic, appearance, athletic, morality, romantic, social, mathematics, and verbal abilities). The analyses were based on longitudinal data from 118 independent samples, including 107,550 participants aged 4-24 years. The time lag between assessments ranged from 6 months to 20 years. As effect-size measure, we used test-retest correlations that were corrected for attenuation due to measurement error. The results suggested that individual differences in domain-specific self-esteem are relatively stable over time, with mean effect sizes ranging from .65 to .84 across domains. Rank-order stability systematically increased as a function of age, from low stability in early childhood to high stability in young adulthood. Moreover, rank-order stability systematically decreased as a function of time lag between assessments, asymptotically approaching medium-sized stabilities (ranging from .36 to .62 across domains) when the time lag became very long. Moderator analyses indicated that the findings held across differences with regard to gender and measure. In sum, the findings suggest that rank-order stability of domain-specific self-esteem is relatively high, even over long periods of time, indicating that the eight investigated facets of domain-specific self-esteem should be considered trait-like constructs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Neural basis underlying the association between thought control ability and happiness: The moderating role of the amygdala.

Thought control ability (TCA) plays an important role in individuals' health and happiness. Previous studies demonstrated that TCA was closely conceptually associated with happiness. However, empirical research supporting this relationship was limited. In addition, the neural basis underlying TCA and how this neural basis influences the relationship between TCA and happiness remain unexplored. In the present study, the voxel-based morphometry (VBM) method was adopted to investigate the neuroanatomical basis of TCA in 314 healthy subjects. The behavioral results revealed a significant positive association between TCA and happiness. On the neural level, there was a significant negative correlation between TCA and the gray matter density (GMD) of the bilateral amygdala. Split-half validation analysis revealed similar results, further confirming the stability of the VBM analysis findings. Furthermore, gray matter covariance network and graph theoretical analyses showed positive association between TCA and both the node degree and node strength of the amygdala. Moderation analysis revealed that the GMD of the amygdala moderated the relationship between TCA and happiness. Specifically, the positive association between TCA and self-perceived happiness was stronger in subjects with a lower GMD of the amygdala. The present study indicated the neural basis underlying the association between TCA and happiness and offered a method of improving individual well-being.

Perceived Acceptability of Child Maltreatment as a Moderator of the Association Between Experiences of Child Maltreatment and Post-Traumatic Symptoms: A Cross-Cultural Study.

Despite the well-documented link between child maltreatment (CM) and mental health, evidence suggests substantial variability in the post-traumatic sequelae of CM across cultures. The perceived acceptability of CM in one's community might moderate the association between CM and mental health, but little research has been conducted on it so far. This study examined how the perceived acceptability of CM may influence the relationship between CM experiences and post-traumatic symptoms in individuals from four different continents and if the pattern of associations is the same across countries. We recruited a sample of 478 adults from Cameroon (n = 111), Canada (n = 137), Japan (n = 108), and Germany (n = 122). We administered online questionnaires and performed multiple group moderation analyses for total CM, neglect, physical abuse, emotional maltreatment, sexual abuse, and exposure to domestic violence (DV). A significant positive main effect of CM on post-traumatic symptoms was found in the overall sample and in Cameroon; in Germany, only neglect and emotional maltreatment were positively associated to post-traumatic symptoms. Moderation effects were identified; the perceived acceptability of neglect in Cameroon and Germany and of exposure to DV in Cameroon had a dampening effect on the relationship between CM experiences and post-traumatic symptoms. Our findings confirm that CM experiences entail long-term post-traumatic sequelae that can vary across cultures and CM subtypes and further our understanding of this issue by showing that the perceived acceptability of CM may be an understudied moderator.

Differences in pre-season balance among student athletes based on level of contact, age, and sex

BackgroundAssessing postural control is important for the assessment of motor function after concussion. Data used for postural control assessment typically do not take the sport played, age, or sex of the athlete into consideration. It is plausible these variables may be significant when making return-to-play decisions. Research questionThis study used the BTrackS database to examine differences in postural control in athletes playing different types of sports and across sex and age. MethodsBTrackS data from 9093 high school to college-aged athletes (aged 14–22 years) were examined employing a One-way ANOVA with a post-hoc test to compare CoP path length between sport types. A moderation analysis was used to test interaction effects of sex and age on a CoP/BMI ratio. ResultsSignificant differences were observed between sport types, F(3,9089) = 42.4, p <.001, η2 = 0.014. Post hoc tests indicated that collision (M = 25.0, SD = 7.6) sport athletes exhibited significantly higher CoP measures compared to the contact (M = 23.4, SD = 7.4), limited contact (M = 22.9, SD = 6.9), and non-contact (M = 23.0, SD = 7.4) athletes. There was no difference between other sport types (p >.20). A significant mean sex difference (Mmale = 0.924, Mfemale = 0.898, p <.001) and a quadratic association with age, (β = −0.042, p <.001) was observed. Further, magnitude of those age differences decreased with age (β = 0.011, p <.001). An interaction of age and sex was significant for linear (β = 0.020, p <.001) and quadratic terms (β = −0.006, p <.001). SignificanceAthletes exhibited different postural control when the type of sport, age, and sex was taken into consideration. This data possess clinical significance as this suggests that normative postural control data for collision sport athletes should be derived from data based upon type of sport played, age, and sex of the athlete.

Humoral immunosuppression of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the roles of oxidative stress and inflammation

Previous studies have indicated adverse health effects of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), but evidence on the association between PAH exposure and immunity is scarce and its underlying mechanism is largely unknown. This study assessed human exposure to PAHs by determining the concentrations of PAHs in serum and their metabolites in paired urine. The oxidative stress and inflammation levels were evaluated by urinary DNA damage biomarker 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, white blood cell counts and C-reaction protein. We investigated the relationship between PAH exposure and seven immunological components, and explored the indirect roles of oxidative stress and inflammation by mediation and moderation analysis. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that 1-hydroxynaphthalene and 2-hydroxyfluorene were negatively associated with immunoglobulin A, and 3-hydroxyphenanthrene was negatively correlated with complement component 3. Restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrated nonlinear relationships between some individual PAHs or their metabolites with immunological components. Bayesian kernel machine regression and quantile g-computation revealed significant associations of higher PAH exposure with decreased immunoglobulin G and kappa light chain levels. Phenanthrene was the compound that contributed the most to reduced immunoglobulin G. Mediation analysis demonstrated significant indirect effects of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and white blood cell counts on the association between higher PAH exposure and decreased immunological components. Moderation analysis revealed that PAH exposure and decreased immunological components are significantly associated with higher levels of C-reaction protein and white blood cell counts. The results demonstrated significant immunosuppression of PAH exposure and highlighted the indirect roles of oxidative stress and inflammation. Interventions to reduce systemic inflammation may mitigate the adverse immune effects of PAH exposure.

Repurposing university library spaces for improved learning satisfaction: The moderating role of organizational size

This paper investigates the moderating influence of library size on the relationship between library space attributes and learning satisfaction. Employing a quantitative methodology, a sample of 196 university library users in Ghana was selected to investigate the perceived impact of repurposed library spaces on learning satisfaction. The author conducted an empirical analysis to examine how organizational size (the total number of workers at a particular location) moderates the association between library space attributes (including access and linkages [physical location and proximity to campus resources], usage patterns [highlights the hours when users are most active and displays when a specific app is utilized during the day], sociability [the propensity and corresponding abilities to look for friendship, interact with others, and take part in social activities], and comfort [a state of physically ease and freedom from pain or constraint]) and the learning satisfaction of users. The research, administered through a closed-ended questionnaire, underscored the significant influence of access and linkages, usage patterns, sociability, and the physical environment on users’ satisfaction levels. These four library space attributes together accounted for 13.1% of the variance in learning satisfaction, according to a multiple regression study conducted with SPSS version 27. Nevertheless, moderation analysis showed that there was no statistically significant relationship (p = 0.3370) between the characteristics of the library space and learning satisfaction through organizational size. The paper recommends adaptations to library designs to better align with the evolving learning needs of university library users in Ghana. A notable suggestion is the transformation of university libraries into dynamic physical spaces known as "learning commons" on campuses.

Effects of motion-sensing technology on language learning: evidence from a meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Motion-sensing technology (MST) is an emerging educational technology with great potential. However, the effects of MST on language learning are still controversial. This is the first meta-analysis to examine the effectiveness of MST-assisted language learning. This research integrates 31 effect sizes from 21 independent studies (2013-2022). The results suggest that MST has an upper-medium effect on language learning (SMD = 0.740, p < 0.000). Moreover, moderator analyses reveal that MST-assisted language learning has better effects (1) on affective and cognitive outcomes; (2) for 31–50 students; (3) on secondary school students; (4) for 1–3 months duration; (5) on sign language, Malay, and English; (6) with drama-based, activity-based, and game-based learning; (7) using mixed learning and group learning; (8) at middle or high embodiment level; (9) in the classroom; (10) using quasi-experimental design; (11) on Asian and European students; and (12) with increasing publication years. Lastly, discussion, implications, limitations, and future directions are provided.

Parent and community political orientation predicts children's health behaviours

AbstractDoes political partisanship extend to childhood? To what degree are children, a largely non‐political population, impacted by parents’ and communities’ political orientations? We examined children's behaviours and attitudes during a politically divisive event – the COVID‐19 pandemic. Children (4‐ to 12‐year‐olds; N = 313) of liberal (vs. conservative) parents reported greater preventive COVID‐19 behaviours, such as mask wearing and physical distancing, and responded more positively to these health behaviours. At the community level, children living in Democratic‐voting (vs. Republican‐voting) U.S. counties more strongly endorsed preventive COVID‐19 behaviours. Political orientation was a better predictor than education, income, religiosity, population‐density, and infection rates. Mediation and moderation analyses revealed that the parent–child political link was driven by children's perceptions of their parents' guidance, behaviours, and concern about COVID‐19, and that this link was attenuated in Democratic‐ versus Republican‐voting counties. Political orientation appears to play an unexpectedly prominent role, both at the intimate family and broader community level, in determining children's behaviours and attitudes.

Impact of the COVID-19-pandemic and perception of self-efficacy on the mental health of out-of-hospital emergency healthcare professionals by modality of care.

To analyse the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the perception of self-efficacy on the health professionals of the Spanish out-of-hospital emergency services. Observational, cross-sectional and descriptive with a survey methodology of 1710 participants from Spain (1 February-30 April, 2021). The mental health of healthcare workers was assesed in terms of stress, anxiety and depression, as well as their self-efficacy. Linear and logistic regression models were fitted to predict these variables. A moderation analysis was conducted to determine the effect of self-efficacy on mental health. The means of the sample for stress, anxiety, depression and self-efficacy were 20.60, 15.74, 13.07 and 70.87, respectively. In the regression models, being a woman was the most significant factor for severe mental health impairment. Female gender was also a relevant factor for self-efficacy. Self-efficacy had a direct effect on the mental health for working in patient care. Healthcare workers showed moderate stress, severe anxiety, mild depression and good self-efficacy. Direct patient care was associated with more stress and severe anxiety. Age, female gender, job changes and job adjustment were associated with levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Self-efficacy is a determining factor of mental health in the direct care modality. The mental health of healthcare workers has been of great importance in the aftermath of the pandemic, but out-of-hospital emergency workers have been neglected in research. The levels of stress, anxiety and depression during the pandemic justify the creation of prevention and early diagnosis programmes, as they are essential in a health disaster. Surprisingly, their high level of perceived self-efficacy directly impact on the mental health of patient helthcare workers, so improving it will reduce the psychological risk. We have followed the STROBE guidelines. It has been partially funded by the Asistencia Sanitanitaria Interprovincial de Seguros - ASISA Foundation (Spain). PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: 'No patient or public involvement'.

Intervening Effect of Maladaptive Personality on the Relationship Between Defense Styles and Psychiatric Symptoms Among Prisoners

Background: Prison settings are stress-inducing environments that make individuals more vulnerable to psychopathology. Defense styles and personality traits have long been associated with psychopathology. The current study aimed to explain the intervening role of maladaptive personality domains on the relationship between defense styles and psychiatric symptoms among male convicts imprisoned in nine Central Jails of Punjab, Pakistan. Method: Through cross-sectional design, data was collected through purposive sampling. 509 respondents (who were serving their sentence for the crime committed) with a Mean age of 35 years (10.21) provided data on self-reported translated versions of the Cross-Cutting Symptoms Measure, Personality Inventory for DSM 5 - Adult version (Short Form), and Defense Style Questionnaire. Results: Findings of the mediation analysis showed that negative affectivity, disinhibition, and psychoticism mediated the relationship between immature defense style and psychiatric symptoms whereas moderation analysis showed a significant interactional effect of antagonism with mature and neurotic defense style on psychiatric symptoms exclusively. Implication: Findings have highlighted that defense styles and certain personality domains intervene to have a combined indirect effect on psychiatric symptoms. The study also contributes to the literature by specifying the interactional effect of antagonism and mature defense style on predicting psychiatric symptoms.

The role of lifestyle factors in the association between early-life stress and adolescent psycho-physical health: Moderation analysis in two European birth cohorts

ObjectiveEarly-life stress (ELS) is an established risk factor for a host of adult mental and physical health problems, including both depression and obesity. Recent studies additionally showed that ELS was associated with an increased risk of comorbidity between mental and physical health problems, already in adolescence. Healthy lifestyle factors, including physical activity, sleep and diet have also been robustly linked to both emotional and physical wellbeing. However, it is yet unclear whether these lifestyle factors may moderate the association between ELS and psycho-physical comorbidity. MethodsWe investigated whether (a) participation in physical activity, (b) sleep duration, and (c) adherence to a Mediterranean diet, moderated the relationship between cumulative ELS exposure over the first 10 years of life and psycho-physical comorbidity at the age of 13.5 years. Analyses were conducted in 2022–2023, using data from two large adolescent samples based in the UK (ALSPAC; n = 8428) and The Netherlands (Generation R; n = 4268). ResultsExposure to ELS was significantly associated with a higher risk of developing comorbidity, however this association was not modified by any of the three lifestyle factors investigated. Only physical activity was significantly associated with a reduced risk of comorbidity in one cohort (ORALSPAC [95%CI] = 0.73 [0.59;0.89]). ConclusionsIn conclusion, while we found some evidence that more frequent physical activity may be associated with a reduction in psycho-physical comorbidity, we did not find evidence in support of the hypothesised moderation effects. However, more research is warranted to examine how these associations may evolve over time.

College music students during COVID-19: Examining the moderating effect of access to resources and stability of living on the relationship between perceived social support and mental health

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived social support (PSS) and general mental health in collegiate music students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, perception of access to academic resources and stability of living was analyzed as a moderator in the relationship between PSS and general mental health. Participants completed a survey that included the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and questions adapted from the “access to necessary resources” and “stability of living” section of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) COVID Survey. In the final sample, PSS explained a statistically significant amount of the variance in general mental health. Moderation analysis was conducted using PSS as the predictor variable, mental health as the criterion variable, and access to resources and stability of living as a composite variable as the moderator. The interaction between PSS and the composite variable was statistically significant. Access to resources and stability of living proved a positive moderator between PSS and general mental health. PSS positively predicted general mental health in collegiate music students during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, access to resources and stability of living (composite variable) were positive moderators, with a higher perception of both creating a stronger positive relationship between PSS and general mental health.