Psychological Domains Research Articles

Participants' perspectives on a multimodal stress management and comprehensive lifestyle modification program for patients with Crohn's disease-A qualitative interview study.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is prevalent worldwide and associated with reduced quality of life for patients. Multimodal therapy approaches, which emphasize lifestyle modifications such as mindfulness and stress reduction, can be promising in enhancing health-related quality of life for IBD patients. However, research on multimodal therapy approaches for CD remains insufficient. This qualitative interview study is part of a mixed-methods approach that is embedded in a randomized controlled trial. It investigates the impact of a comprehensive 10-week day clinic lifestyle modification program on the health condition and quality of life of CD patients. Telephone interviews (n = 19) were conducted three months after the program to examine individuals' viewpoints on the intervention, including perceived changes and transfer of elements into daily life. Reflexive thematic analysis was performed using MAXQDA software. The results indicate that CD can have very individual and comprehensive impacts (psychological, physical, social), leading to reduced perceived quality of life and well-being. By participating in the program, patients wanted to find self-help options to complement conventional pharmacotherapy and actively manage their disease. Patients expressed high satisfaction with the program, feeling it provided valuable support for daily disease management. They were able to integrate adequate therapy elements into their routines to complement their care. Patients recognized significant improvements in various domains, mainly in the psychological domain, e.g., improved self-efficacy, symptom management, and, also partly physical/symptomatic and social improvements. A multimodal stress reduction and lifestyle modification day clinic appears to be beneficial as a complementary therapy for CD patients. It offers additional options and helps patients to address individual symptoms and needs, improve their understanding of the disease and their quality of life. Although promising, further research is needed to assess its long-term effects. ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT05182645.

Insights Into Minimally Invasive Aesthetic Procedures- Defining Demographic Factors and Impact of the Treatment on Self Perception: A Propensity Matched Cross Sectional Study

Abstract Background The lion´s share of the research on facial aesthetic procedures focuses on visual results and patient satisfaction. Objectives To characterize treated and untreated potential patients and the identification of determinants that influence the decision making as well as the impact of such treatments on patients’ self-perception. Methods A cross-sectional propensity-score-matched study on minimally invasive aesthetic procedures was performed through a survey comprising elements regarding demographics, conduct towards minimally invasive facial plastic interventions as well as psychological well-being and social self-esteem domains of the validated Face-Q module. Results Complete data was collected from 598 participants. Among those, 88% (n=529) were female and 12% (n=69) were male. Forty-six percent (n=277) of the participants were below the age of 30, and 39% (n=233) percent were between 30 and 45 years of age. Of the 598 participants, 22% (n=134) participants had undergone a minimally invasive aesthetic procedure of botulinum toxin and/or hyaluronic acid injection and 78% (n=464) participants had never received any aesthetical treatment. Female gender, 30-45 years of age, self-employment and an income over 75000€ were significant predictors of undergoing minimally invasive aesthetic procedures. Among treated participants, the overall Face-Q score as well as the scores for the social-esteem and the psychological well-being domains improved significantly with the aesthetic treatment. Conclusions This study highlights the major role of healthcare providers in better informing patients and the positive impact of facial aesthetic treatments on patients’ appearance as well as on psychological wellbeing and self-esteem.

The Association Between Temporomandibular-Related Quality of Life and Oral Behaviours: A Cross-Sectional Study in Patients With Temporomandibular Disorders.

Oral behaviours (OB) are some oral overuse behaviours which could be observed in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). This study aims to investigate the association between TMD-related quality of life and OB to enhance understanding of these behaviours. A total of 319 participants diagnosed with TMD were included in this research. According to the diagnostic criteria for TMD, patients were divided into three subgroups: pain-related TMD (PT, n = 71), intra-articular TMD (IT, n = 91) and combined TMD (CT, n = 157). Participants completed the oral behaviour checklist (OBC), the oral health impact profile for TMD (OHIP-TMD), the generalised anxiety disorder 7-item (GAD-7) and the patient health questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9), and demographic characteristics were collected from medical records. TMD patients with high OBC scores (25-84 points) had higher scores in six of the seven OHIP-TMD domains (all p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that OHIP-TMD scores (OR = 1.03), younger age (OR = 0.95), education (OR = 2.80-3.10), and PHQ-9 scores (OR = 1.14) were significantly positively correlated with OBC scores (p < 0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, the psychological discomfort (OR = 1.09) and psychological disability (OR = 1.10) domains of the OHIP-TMD were identified as independent factors associated with higher OBC scores. Patients with more frequent OB exhibited a lower quality of life across nearly all OHIP-TMD domains. Higher OHIP-TMD scores and specific psychological domains were independently associated with a higher frequency of OB. The causal relationship between quality of life and OB in TMD patients requires further investigation.

Assessment of Quality of Life and Determinants Among the Elderly Population in Rural Areas of Puducherry: A Mixed Method Study

Background: Elderly people living in rural areas often faces unique challenges that affect their quality of life (QOL), including limited access to healthcare and social support. Understanding the factors influencing their well-being is essential to improve the quality of life. The study aims to assess the QOL and its determinants among the elderly in rural areas of Puducherry. Methods: A community based sequential explanatory mixed method study was conducted among the elderly residing in the rural field practice area of a medical college in Puducherry district. 200 participants were recruited by simple random sampling from the family health records in the Rural Health Training Centre of a medical college. WHO QOL-BREF questionnaire was used to assess the Quality of Life quantitatively and an interview guide to explore its determinants. Data were entered in MS excel and analyzed using SPSS v16.0. Results: The mean age of the participants was 68.8± 2.5 years with majority being females. The environmental domain scored the highest mean QOL and psychological domain the lowest mean QOL. The overall mean QOL was 234.8 ± 65.4. The main determinants of poor QOL are age ≥ 75 years, lower socio-economic class, those who are widow/separated and presence of comorbid conditions. The binary logistic regression predicts the factor for poor QOL was age ≥ 75 years with OR (95% CI) as 6.23 (2.44-15.91). Conclusion: The overall mean QOL was moderate. The factors identified for poor QOL need to be addressed with key intervention strategies. Quality affordable medical services at door step to improve physical domain and targeted health education for family members and the community, who form the immediate environment around the elderly, can play a crucial role in enhancing the social domain.

Uncovering the Daily Experiences of People Living With Advanced Cancer Using an Experience Sampling Method Questionnaire: Development, Content Validation, and Optimization Study.

The experience sampling method (ESM), a self-report method that typically uses multiple assessments per day, can provide detailed knowledge of the daily experiences of people with cancer, potentially informing oncological care. The use of the ESM among people with advanced cancer is limited, and no validated ESM questionnaires have been developed specifically for oncology. This study aims to develop, content validate, and optimize the digital Experience Sampling Method for People Living With Advanced Cancer (ESM-AC) questionnaire, covering multidimensional domains and contextual factors. A 3-round mixed methods study was designed in accordance with the Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer guidelines. The study included semistructured interviews with 43 people with stage IV breast cancer or stage III to IV lung cancer and 8 health care professionals. Round 1 assessed the appropriateness, relative importance, relevance, and comprehensiveness of an initial set of ESM items that were developed based on the existing questionnaires. Round 2 tested the comprehensibility of ESM items. Round 3 tested the usability of the digital ESM-AC questionnaire using the m-Path app. Analyses included descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. Following the first round, we developed an initial core set of 68 items (to be used with all patients) and a supplementary set (optional; patients select items), both covering physical, psychological, social, spiritual-existential, and global well-being domains and concurrent contexts in which experiences occur. We categorized items to be assessed multiple times per day as momentary items (eg, "At this moment, I feel tired"), once a day in the morning as morning items (eg, "Last night, I slept well"), or once a day in the evening as evening items (eg, "Today, I felt hopeful"). We used participants' evaluations to optimize the questionnaire items, the digital app, and its onboarding manual. This resulted in the ESM-AC questionnaire, which comprised a digital core questionnaire containing 31 momentary items, 2 morning items, and 7 evening items and a supplementary set containing 39 items. Participants largely rated the digital questionnaire as "easy to use," with an average score of 4.5 (SD 0.5) on a scale from 1 ("completely disagree") to 5 ("completely agree"). We developed the ESM-AC questionnaire, a content-validated digital questionnaire for people with advanced breast or lung cancer. It showed good usability when administered on smartphone devices. Future research should evaluate the potential of this ESM tool to uncover daily experiences of people with advanced breast or lung cancer, explore its clinical utility, and extend its validation to other populations with advanced diseases.

Garbhini Paricharya and its Clinical Importance

Ayurveda refers to prenatal care as Garbhini Paricharya, a preventive healthcare system. Pregnant women should receive care from the start of their pregnancy until the baby is born. Given that the health of the mother affects the outcome for the fetus, pregnancy and childbirth are among the most important times in a woman’s life cycle and require special care. The rising incidence of congenital malformations in infants nowadays is a major source of concern for the medical community. These flaws might be mild, large, anatomical, or physiological in character. Prenatal care known as Garbhini Paricharya suggests Ahar, or a certain nutrition plan, Vihar, or a Garbhini way of life, and behavioral changes in the psychological domain. The right Garbhini Paricharya would lead to the fetus developing normally, to a healthy delivery, and to the mother’s ability to endure the hardship of childbirth. Garbhini Paricharya consists of Garbhasthapak Dravyas (substances favorable for maintaining pregnancy), Garbhopaghatakar Bhavas (activities and substances which are damaging to fetus), and Masanumasik Pathya (mouth smart food regimen). The primary goals of advising Garbhini Paricharya are Anupaghata (simple pregnancy), Paripurnatya (ensuring the fetus and mother grow properly), and Sukhaprasava (healthy delivery). Conclusion: Prenatal care should be provided in an integrated manner, that is, in accordance with both current science and Ayurvedic literature, as the ancient Ayurvedic literature detailed in the many Samhitas is not only unique but also scientific as modern medical sciences.

Not Like Everybody Else but We're the Same: Psychosocial Variables Compared Across Diverse Sexual and Gender Identities.

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) people are underrepresented in psychological research. Part of the underrepresentation of SGM people likely stems from potential participants' unwillingness to join a study, but more concerningly, researchers exclude data from SGM participants. Furthermore, much of SGM research focuses on existing health disparities and risk factors rather than wellness-framed and personality research. To fill in this gap, the current study aims to quantify effect sizes of similarities/differences across a broad range of psychosocial measures. Applying the framework of the Gender Similarities Hypothesis, we compare means, variances, and correlations across 34 psychosocial variables between categories of SGM, gender identity, sexual orientation, relationship status, and monogamy (N = 1743). Data was collected online mainly through paid ads on Instagram. Consistently, we find largely similarities across gender identity, sexual orientation, and relationship structure categories. These results support a general expectation that similarities are more common than differences in normative psychological domains, although clear differences in means and variances exist for specific experiences and outcomes. This work informs the inclusion of diverse identities in basic psychological research and further speaks to the generalizability of past findings to populations historically underrepresented in psychological science.

Employing Verbal Divergent Thinking to Mitigate Cognitive Decline: Current State of Research and Reasons to Support Its Use

Background/Objectives: Divergent thinking (DT), the ability to generate alternative responses to open-ended problems, has become an increasingly relevant topic in aging research due to its inverse relationship with cognitive decline. Methods: In this narrative review, we explore the latest evidence supporting DT training as a potential strategy for dementia prevention. Results: We identify two pathways through which DT may protect against cognitive decline: (1) by fostering creative cognition and (2) by stimulating DT-related domains. Our findings suggest that verbal DT remains relatively well preserved in older adults, although there is limited empirical evidence to support the idea that DT training enhances creative cognition or DT-related domains in this population. Conclusions: Therefore, while tools designed to enhance DT in older individuals seem promising, it is crucial to rigorously test their effects on the target population to maximize their impact on both the cognitive and psychological domains.

Quality of Life in Symptomatic Septal Perforation.

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of septal perforation (SP) on quality of life (QoL). SP is compared to the general population and patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) using the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22). Prospective single-center study in a referral Rhinology Unit from January 2014 to March 2023. A total of 392 patients were included in three groups: controls (n = 141), CRSwNP (n = 118), and SP (n = 133). The mean score of the SNOT-22 was significantly higher in the CRSwNP group (42.4, SD = 24.4) and SP (46.5, SD = 22) compared to the control group (6.2, SD = 8.4). Scores by either items or domains were significantly higher in the CRSwNP and SP groups compared to the control group. There were no significant differences in the mean SNOT-22 between the CRSwNP and SP groups (p = 0.26; 95% CI -1.68-9.99). Domain-specific analysis of overall SNOT-22 scores revealed that patients with SP experienced higher levels of disturbances in sleep, function, and psychological domains (p ≤ 0.001). SP produces a negative impact on QoL similar to CRSwNP. Moreover, sleep, psychological, and function domains are significantly worse in SP. Etiology and area of SP influence nasal and emotion domain, though more studies on SP using SNOT-22 and specific questionnaires are needed. 3 Laryngoscope, 134:4480-4487, 2024.

Quality of life and spiritual needs of patients diagnosed with cancer in a tertiary hospital in southwestern Nigeria

ObjectiveIn Africa, cancer is considered a death sentence. Its impact can be debilitating for the patient and those who care for them. This study therefore assessed the spiritual needs and Quality of life of Cancer patients in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. MethodsThis study utilized a cross-sectional descriptive design. We systematically recruited 302 cancer patients who visited the cancer registry and outpatient departments. A standardized and validated Spiritual needs questionnaire (SpNQ) and WHO Quality of Life (WHOQL) were used to collect data. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 23 with a significance level set at p < 0.05. ResultsThe preponderance cancer among respondents was breast cancer 146 (48.4%) followed by prostate cancer 41 (13.6%). Most of the respondents admitted having “strong” spiritual needs. Categorization of the spiritual need score was below average in 20% of the respondents which indicated those with low spiritual needs and the majority 241 (79.8%) of the patients had high spiritual needs. Most respondents had poor quality of life in all four domains. The spiritual care needs of respondents were significantly associated with the quality of life of the respondents particularly in the psychological domain (p = 0.040) and social domain (p = 0.005). ConclusionThis study revealed high spiritual needs and poor quality of life among cancer patients. Healthcare practitioners should provide for the spiritual needs of cancer patients to enhance their quality of life.

Association between psychological traits and occlusal tactile acuity of healthy individuals.

Tactile acuity is a somatosensory measure of the extent to which humans can discern tactile stimuli. It is influenced by how peripheral signals are processed centrally. In the oral cavity, Occlusal Tactile Acuity (OTA) is the ability to perceive minimal thicknesses between antagonist teeth. The aim of the current study was to assess the association between psychological traits and OTA of otherwise healthy individuals. Sixty-three volunteers (32 males; mean age ± SD: 24.6 ± 2.7 years) participated in this study. Somatosensory amplification, anxiety, depression, physical symptoms and pain catastrophizing were scored using questionnaires, and subgroups of severity were created per variable based on cut-offs. OTA was measured using 9 aluminium foils with thickness (ranging from 8 to 72 μm) and one sham test (without foil). Each thickness was tested 10 times in random order, the participants were instructed to report whether they felt the foil between their molars and the mean percentage of correct answers was computed. A linear mixed model was used with OTA as a dependent variable and psychological domain as an independent variable. Significantly different OTA was observed among the anxiety subgroups (p = .003), supporting a decreased perception of thicknesses 24 and 32 μm (p = .018 and p < .001, respectively) in participants with moderate/severe anxiety compared to those with no/mild anxiety. Significantly different OTA was also observed among the pain catastrophizing subgroups (p = .008), showing decreased perception of thicknesses 32 and 40 μm (p < .001 and p = .007, respectively) in severe catastrophizing levels, compared to no/mild catastrophizing levels. No significant differences were observed for the other variables. Healthy adults with increased anxiety or pain catastrophizing levels show decreased interdental acuity as compared to participants with minor or no psychological impairment.

PREDICTIVE ROLE OF MATERNAL DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND PERCEIVED QUALITY OF LIFE ON POSTNATAL MOTHER-INFANT BONDING

This cross-sectional study was focused on the predictive role of maternal depressive symptoms and perceived quality of life on postnatal mother-infant bonding. Research show that impaired postnatal bonding has a negative long-term effect on child’s development. Relevant literature also acknowledges a scientific gap in the understanding of the relationship between maternal mental health and the quality of postnatal mother-infant bonding. Respondents were 162 women in the first 12 months after childbirth, advising with gynecologist in maternity hospitals in the Republic of North Macedonia. Edinburgh postnatal depression scale, subscales of psychological and environmental domain of the WHO Quality of Life Scale-brief, and Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire were applied to measure study variables. Results from hierarchical binary logistic regression showed that psychological domain of quality of life significantly predicted quality of postnatal bonding in the first and second block. However, its effect was suppressed in the third block when depressive symptoms variable was entered. The presence of depressive symptoms and environmental domain of the perceived quality of life significantly predicted postnatal mother-infant bonding. Findings confirmed the significant predictive relationship of maternal depressive symptoms and of environmental domain of mother’s perceived quality of life on the quality of postnatal boding. This gives reason for increased attention on development of mother–infant dyads during the postnatal period and on the importance of social support.

Nutritional Status and Quality of Life: Urban–Rural Disparities and the Impact of Obesity

The shift in dietary habits has reshaped the population’s health profile, leading to a rise in overweight individuals and a subsequent decline in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study evaluated the correlations between demographic, social, and health-related factors and HRQoL in rural and urban areas of Bahia, Brazil. The cross-sectional study included 124 participants aged 18–60 who underwent interviews, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory tests. The WHOQol-BREF instrument assessed the HRQoL. The results showed that rural participants had lower educational levels, income, and access to sanitation. Despite these challenges, rural residents reported better HRQoL in psychological, social relations, and health satisfaction domains, although differences diminished after age adjustment. Urban participants, who had higher rates of obesity and related metabolic risks experienced a negative correlation between BMI and HRQoL, especially in the social relationships domain. The study highlights that environmental and social factors, such as weight-related stigma and social connections, significantly influence HRQoL in urban areas, emphasizing the need for public health interventions that address both nutritional status and urban-specific challenges.

Physical and psychological aspects of multiple sclerosis: Revisiting the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29)

Background: The MSIS-29 measures the physical and psychological impact of MS. Objective: The associations between MSIS-29 domains and demographic/clinical aspects were examined and trajectories analysed over time. Methods: Data were collected in the Trajectories of Outcome in Neurological Conditions study for a diverse population of people with MS, with follow-up for up to 5 years. Following Rasch analysis, minimal important change (MIC) was computed for ensuing total, physical and psychological domains. Results: Fit to the Rasch model using data from 5921 participants validated physical, psychological and total domains, and the conversion table transforms raw scores to interval-level metric equivalents. These domains showed significant differences across demographic (age, gender, employment, education, and marital status) and clinical (subtype, treatment, and duration) factors with large effect sizes. The MIC scores were physical: 9.1, total: 14.1, which were both above measurement error, and psychological: 5.5 which was not, so 1.6% of participants reported psychological change which was clinically important but not statistically significant. Trajectory analysis showed three groups, one stable and two with significant slopes, improving and deteriorating. Conclusion: The MSIS-29 has shown adequate fit to the Rasch model after accommodating problems with local item dependency, through a bi-factor solution. The domains showed good discrimination across key factors.

Utility analysis of outpatient hypertensive patients with and without comorbidities using the EQ-5D-5L instrument: A study at UPTD Puskesmas Pagerageung, Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java

Hypertension is a chronic condition often requiring lifelong treatment, which can impact patients’ quality of life (QoL) in physical, psychological, and social domains. The presence of comorbid conditions alongside hypertension can further deteriorate QoL. Health utility measurement, particularly in hypertensive patients with comorbidities, is crucial for understanding these compounded effects. This study aims to evaluate and compare the quality of life utility in hypertensive patients with and without comorbidities using the EQ-5D-5L instrument, focusing on how comorbid conditions influence overall QoL. A descriptive observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 100 hypertensive patients treated at UPTD Puskesmas Pagerageung, Tasikmalaya, from January to March 2024. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. The EQ-5D-5L questionnaire was used to assess utility scores, which were calculated using an Indonesian-specific value set. Chi-square and Post Hoc LSD analyses were applied to explore relationships between utility scores and demographic factors such as age, gender, and occupation. The average utility score for hypertensive patients without comorbidities was 0.669, higher than that of patients with comorbid conditions. Specifically, patients with diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, gastric conditions, heart disease, and severe comorbidities (e.g., kidney disease, cataracts, stroke) had average scores of 0.578, 0.640, 0.651, 0.537, and 0.148, respectively. Age was significantly associated with utility scores (p = 0.014), whereas gender and occupation showed no significant impact. Hypertensive patients without comorbidities had a better quality of life utility than those with additional health issues. Targeted management of comorbidities is essential to improve the quality of life among hypertensive patients, especially in those facing compounded health challenges.

Modification in Quality of Life and Health in Medical Students across Graduation

Abstract Background Medical students experience numerous demands during the education process, determining their quality of life (QoL) and health status. POLLEK study aims to identify and evaluate the quality of life by simultaneously assessing their determinants in Polish medical students during long-term observation. We have also examined the prevalence of chronic diseases, specifically focusing on overweight and obesity, and identified their risk factors. Methods The POLLEK is the follow-up cohort study conducted among medical students at the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice. Students were followed during two observation periods: in their first year of studies, the academic year 2021/2022 (T1), and in their second year, the academic year 2022/2023 (T2). Results The total number of participants in the first year of observation (T1) was 427 while in the second year (T2) was 335. We identified that the QoL score significantly decreased in their second year of studies mainly in the somatic and psychological domain. The determinants of QoL domains common to T1 and T2 remained self-declared health status, frequency of physical activity, and current financial situation. In the initial year of evaluation, 56 students (13.10%) were overweight or obese, and 52 (15.8%) in the second. Regardless of the academic year, the increased risk of being overweight or obese was significantly associated with dissatisfaction with personal health, financial deficiencies, and a diet abundant in animal products. Conclusions The QoL of medical students and selected indicators of their health status deteriorated during the observation period. Our findings suggest that medical schools should actively promote the activity needed to achieve a balance between schoolwork and the personal life of medical students from the beginning of university study. Key messages • Medical students experience numerous demands during the education process, determining their quality of life (QoL) and health status. • Medical schools should actively promote the activity needed to achieve a balance between schoolwork and the personal life of medical students from the beginning of university study.

Harming the innocent: estimating the number of children affected by parental problem gambling

Abstract Background The impact of parental problem gambling on children and adolescents encompasses negative outcomes in psychological, financial, behavioral, physical health, and family relationship domains. For Germany, estimates on the number of co-affected minors are lacking. Methods Within the population-representative Germany-wide “Glücksspielsurvey 2023” (i.e., “Gambling Survey 2023”), we assessed parenthood in survey participants with gambling disorder (GD; according to DSM-5) as well as the number of minors (age &amp;lt;18 years) living a) together with a person with gambling disorder (shared household) or b) apart from a parent with gambling disorder (separate household). Using a “minimum maximum approach,” we performed a weighted extrapolation to estimate the number of co-affected minors in the German resident population (range 18 to 70 years of age) and the prevalence of parental GD among Germany-residing minors. Results 46.8% (n = 132) of survey participants with GD report shared households with minors and 16.3% (n = 46) separate households. The average number of minors concerned was 1.55 (SD = 0.07) in shared and 1.51 (SD = 0.13) in separate households. This translates into 480,294 to 701,766 co-affected children in shared households (3.4% to 4.9% of Germany-residing minors) and 91,742 to 124,618 co-affected children in separate households (0.6% to 0.9% of Germany-residing minors). Discussion and conclusions Taking shared and separate households into account, one in 20 Germany-residing minors is co-affected by parental GD. Acknowledging that impaired psychosocial wellbeing in the context of parental GD could persist into adulthood of co-affected minors, this issue ought to be recognized as a major public health concern. To reduce related harm, children of people with GD should be best possibly integrated into the care process by offering additional help and support strategies explicitly addressed at this vulnerable population. Key messages • Parental problem gambling significantly impacts a substantial portion of German minors, with approximately one in 20 being affected, highlighting the urgent need for attention to this issue. • Recognizing parental gambling’s long-term impact on minors, it’s crucial to implement support strategies in care to address their needs effectively.

The Problem of Scale Contamination and Construct Validity in Mental Health, Social Science and Spirituality-Related Research

This article explores the pervasive issue of scale contamination and its impact on construct validity in mental health, social science, and spirituality-related research. Scale contamination occurs when measurement tools designed to assess one specific domain inadvertently incorporate elements from unrelated constructs, leading to confusion regarding what the scale is actually measuring. The blending of distinct psychological domains, such as depression, anxiety and well-being, undermines measurement precision, leading to skewed research conclusions and misguided clinical practices. The failure to detect or address contamination can perpetuate errors in treatment efficacy, particularly in areas such as mental health and spirituality, where precise measurement is crucial. This article emphasizes the importance of ensuring construct validity, which refers to the accurate measurement of specific concepts such as moral injury or posttraumatic stress disorder, and it highlights the risk of conflating distinct constructs. The widespread use of contaminated scales, often adopted without critical evaluation, poses a significant threat to the integrity of research outcomes. In order to address these challenges, this study advocates for rigorous scale development and validation processes, encouraging researchers, peer reviewers and journal editors to scrutinize the psychometric properties of scales. By ensuring that scales measure only the intended constructs, future research can produce more accurate and meaningful results, leading to improved clinical interventions and policy decisions.

Beyond borders: The effects of perceived cultural distance, cultural intelligence, cross-cultural adaptation on academic performance among international students of higher education

Perceived cultural distance (PCD) has been established as a significant factor influencing academic performance; however, limited knowledge exists regarding the intricate mediating and moderating mechanisms that underlie this relationship. The present study seeks to contribute to the existing literature by exploring the potential mediating role of cross-cultural adaptation and the moderating influence of cultural intelligence (CQ) in the relationships between PCD and academic performance among international students in China. The theoretical model was tested using survey data that measured international students' PCD, CQ, and cross-cultural adaptation in academic, psychological, and sociocultural domains, along with their academic performance. The findings revealed that (1) PCD exhibits a direct and negative influence on academic performance; (2) Three dimensions of cross-cultural adaptation, namely academic, psychological, and sociocultural adaptation, operate as mediators in the link between PCD and academic performance; (3) CQ, functioning as a moderator, weakens the negative association between PCD and academic performance. These results underscore the pivotal role of PCD in the realm of cross-cultural learning for international students, particularly those engaged in educational pursuits within the Chinese higher education landscape. The study also highlights the protective effects of all four aspects of CQ (metacognitive, cognitive, motivational, and behavioral CQ) on the adaptation processes and academic performance of these sojourning students in the face of cultural differences.

Relationship between Physical Activity, Physical Literacy Elements, and Gender among Senior Students

The aim of research is to assess the relationship between physical activity, Physical Literacy (PL) and gender among senior students. The research was conducted in 2022 in Lithuania with five city schools. Research participants were selected using a convenience sampling method: grade 10 to 12 (n=287) students 148 boys and 139 girls. A questionnaire survey was used for data collection: Portuguese Physical Literacy Questionnaire for Adolescents (PPLA-Q) to assess the psychological domain of PL (motivation, self-confidence, emotional and physical regulation); Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) Questionnaire - RAPA1 part, which allows to assess the level of physical activity. After analysing the psychological aspects of PL related to physical activity by gender, the obtained results suggest that boys’ motivation for physical activity, self-confidence, emotional stability, assessment of physical limits score higher compared to the group of girls (p&amp;lt;0.01). PA motivation has a strong positive correlation with self-confidence (p&amp;lt;0.01) and a moderate correlation with physical regulation (p&amp;lt;0.01). Physical regulation has statistically significantly correlated with self-confidence (p&amp;lt;0.01) and better emotional regulation (p&amp;lt;0.01). Statistically significant differences by gender were found with all indicators of the psychological domain: PA motivation, self-confidence, emotional regulation, and physical regulation. Mean ranks of boys were higher in all variables; however, the major differences were found in the areas of self-confidence and physical regulation. PA had a direct correlation with all psychological PL elements (PA motivation, self-confidence, emotional regulation, physical regulation) and an inverse correlation with gender.