Psychological Well-being Research Articles

The Progression of Modern Western Psychological Theories to Incorporate Religious Thought

The focus of psychology has shifted significantly throughout modern history and separate schools of thought have developed to explain this important topic. Four considerable trends in modern Western psychology have progressed research and understanding, with each trend starting through a mindset to compensate for weakness in preceding theories. Psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and humanistic psychology have facilitated a greater understanding of the human mind and experiences in a primarily constructive direction. However, these schools of thought intentionally excluded religious teachings and worldviews, despite the strong history of believers in religion and the positive benefits that religion can provide. Transpersonal psychology and positive psychology have explored religious experiences and practices, using this knowledge to advance psychology beyond the previous schools of thought and improving the psychological well-being of those who have gleaned from their findings. Analyzing and synthesizing these movements, as well as related fields of study, leads to recommendations for future directions to advance psychological research.

What is the role of cognitive-behavioral career coaching in mitigating work anxiety and depression among public employees?

This editorial explores the study by Mkpoikanke Sunday Otu and Maximus Monaheng Sefotho on the use of cognitive-behavioral career coaching (CBCC) to reduce work anxiety and depression among public employees. Public sector workers often face significant psychological stressors, leading to mental health issues that impair well-being and job performance. The study employed a group-randomized trial design, involving 120 public employees diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression. Participants were divided into a treatment group, receiving CBCC, and a control group with no intervention. Results showed a significant reduction in anxiety and depression levels in the treatment group, sustained through follow-up assessments. The findings underscore the clinical relevance of CBCC as an effective intervention for improving mental health among public employees. Future research should explore the scalability of CBCC across different sectors and cultural contexts, as well as its integration with other mental health interventions. This editorial advocates for the broader implementation of CBCC practices in public service to enhance employee productivity and psychological well-being. By addressing cognitive distortions and fostering adaptive coping mechanisms, CBCC can help public employees navigate complex professional environments, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more efficient workforce.

The underestimation of speed perception while walking in virtual reality with bodyweight unloading

As space agencies prepare for long-duration missions, such as establishing a permanent moon base, maintaining astronauts’ physical and mental health becomes crucial. Exercise is known to counteract the adverse effects of space travel, and virtual reality (VR) has the potential to enhance the psychological well-being of crew members. This study aimed to investigate the impact of bodyweight unloading on speed perception during treadmill walking in a VR environment. Eighteen participants walked on an AlterG treadmill while wearing a VR headset that displayed a moving virtual outdoor environment. The treadmill simulated different bodyweight conditions (100%, 60%, and 20%) to represent Earth’s gravity, intermediate, and lunar gravity, respectively. A staircase method was used to determine participants’ estimated threshold speed for perceiving visual speed equivalence. The results revealed that in all conditions, participants consistently underestimated their walking speed compared to the visual scene speed. No significant differences were found in estimated threshold speeds between the unloading conditions. Individual responses varied, possibly due to biomechanical differences and personal preferences. Participants reported no motion sickness symptoms, likely attributed to the short duration of speed mismatches and the use of high-resolution and high-refresh-rate VR equipment. This study provides insights into the combination of VR and treadmill walking, suggesting the importance of individual customization to enhance user experience and prevent motion sickness.

Exploring physical, subjective and psychological wellbeing profile membership in adolescents: a latent profile analysis

BackgroundUnderstanding wellbeing in adolescents and within education settings is crucial to supporting young people. However, research defining and exploring wellbeing has typically taken a focus on subjective, psychological, social and emotional domains and has failed to incorporate aspects of physical health and wellbeing. This study aimed to explore how both physical and subjective and psychological wellbeing can be combined to generate different profiles of wellbeing in adolescents, and to understand the characteristics associated with this profile membership.Methods366 adolescents aged 11-16yrs (mean age 12.75) from three mainstream secondary schools across England completed an online survey capturing demographic characteristics, physical, subjective and psychological wellbeing, physical activity, emotional literacy, school belonging, and perceptions of learning ability. Latent profile analysis used a data driven approach to explore profiles of wellbeing using physical wellbeing and positive emotional state and positive outlook as predictors of profile membership. To understand profile characteristics demographics, physical activity and educational variables were added as co-variates.ResultsThree profiles were identified, (1) low wellbeing (n = 68, 19%) displaying low scores across physical wellbeing, positive emotional state and positive outlook, (2) moderate wellbeing (n = 168, 46%) characterised by average levels across physical wellbeing, positive emotional state and positive outlook, and (3) high wellbeing (n = 128, 35%) showing high score across physical wellbeing, positive emotional state and positive outlook. Compared to the high wellbeing profile, the moderate and low profiles membership was characterised by being older, being a girl, lower perceived socio-economic status, fewer hours of physical activity a week, and lower emotional literacy, school belonging and perceptions of learning.ConclusionsThe results evidence that physical, subjective and psychological wellbeing are closely inter-related, this finding coupled with increased physical activity in the higher wellbeing group signify physical health and activity are important components of overall wellbeing and should form part of a holistic approach to school wellbeing curriculums.

I bought it and I feel good! An examination of fit factors and self-evaluation related to confident clothing decisions and psychological well-being

Clothing plays a crucial role in shaping a consumer's self-perception and identity, particularly through its fit, which influences how comfortable and confident one feels in one's appearance. Given the importance of fit, this study aims to examine how fit characteristics affect consumers' self-evaluations and how these evaluations influence confident clothing decisions and psychological well-being by applying the self-discrepancy theory. Data were gathered from a sample of 502 fashion consumers. The findings from the partial least squares structural equation modeling showed that self-discrepancy acts as a mediator between consumers' self-evaluation and their psychological responses. A multi-group analysis revealed the strong mediating role of self-discrepancy on the relationship between self-evaluation and body satisfaction for males. These findings have significant theoretical and practical implications for the fashion industry in the context of fit characteristics, offering valuable insights into consumer decision-making processes.

A GROUNDED THEORY OF EXPERIENCING AND PERCEIVING YOUTH MENTORING AS A PROCESS OF “MIXED EMOTIONS”

Many youths from disadvantaged backgrounds globally lack positive role models and meaningful relationships with supportive adults within their families and communities. Youths’ involvement in relationships with caring adults, such as mentors, promotes their well-being. However, little is known about youth mentoring relationships in some parts of the world, particularly Zambia. This constructivist grounded theory study aimed to develop a substantive theory that explains the experiences and perceptions of mentors and mentees in Zambia. The sample included mentors and mentees who had been in relationships for at least one year. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five mentors aged 31 to 68 and four mentees aged 18 to 20. The inductive, iterative and constant comparative method guided the coding, memoing, and theoretical sampling processes and led to the co-construction of four categories. This paper focuses on one category: “Experiencing and perceiving mentorship as a process of ‘mixed feelings’”. Mentees felt mentoring supported their emotional and psychological well-being, which enhanced their resilience and was perceived as a way of surviving. Mentors expressed that mentoring enabled them to support youths beyond their professional roles and enhanced their self-awareness, knowledge and reputation, which increased their self-worth and confidence and the desire to continue changing youths´ lives. Challenges included meeting time issues, ineffective communication, and confusion in differentiating between the mentor´s professional and mentoring roles, which caused difficulty in mentor-mentee interactions. They felt overwhelmed by their mentees´ difficult circumstances and worked with limited resources. They also felt unrecognised and unsupported. Findings suggest priority issues and potential logical solutions, such as preliminary and ongoing mentor training, recognising and supporting youth mentoring, and providing essential primary resources to disadvantaged youths in Zambia to enable effective mentoring.

Behavioral assessment of well-being in the naïve laboratory ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

Domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are an emerging model species in biomedical research. While behavioral studies are a critical translational tool for evaluating neurologic function in disease models and toxicology studies, there is a lack of ferret-specific behavioral assays and corresponding data on baseline behavior. Play behavior is a promising target for evaluation of psychological well-being, particularly because ferrets engage in solitary and social play well into adulthood. Therefore, in this study, an ethogram of behaviors associated with play, elevated mood, and environmental interaction was developed and applied in experimentally naïve juvenile and young adult male laboratory ferrets (3 and 6 months of age, respectively). Total play/positive affect behavior was significantly greater in adults relative to juveniles, mostly due to increased dook vocalizations. Juveniles also took significantly longer to first exit into the behavior suite than adults. This may be linked to contextual habituation or a developmentally associated shift in anxiety-like behavior. While the frequency of total environmental interaction did not differ by age, juveniles demonstrated increased exploration of objects whereas young adults engaged in more climbing onto/into objects. Overall, this study provides a simple and efficient method to assess psychological well-being and environmental exploration in both juvenile and young adult laboratory ferrets. Future studies are needed to determine the sensitivity of these measures to neurologic injury or disease.

Examining the Burnout of Audiologists in Türkiye: Relationships With Quality of Work Life and Psychological Well-Being.

Although burnout among audiologists has been studied in various countries, there is no research yet that examines this issue in Türkiye, where working conditions and sociodemographic factors may differ from those in other countries. Considering the unique working conditions and sociodemographic factors, this study aimed to investigate the burnout levels of Turkish audiologists. Additionally, this study will explore the impact of various sociodemographic variables on burnout, work-related quality of life, and depression to gain a deeper understanding of the specific challenges faced by audiologists in Türkiye. A total of 193 audiologists, with a median age of 27 (interquartile range: 25-29) years, working in different working areas, such as clinical practice, academic institutions, rehabilitation centers, and amplification services in Türkiye, were included. Audiologists were invited to participate in this study via several online forums and hospital notice boards. All participants completed the sociodemographic data form and then the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Work-Related Quality of Life Scale (WRQoL), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Differences between MBI, WRQoL, and BDI scores were analyzed according to gender, level of education, area of work, and title of audiologist. There are significant differences in the subscale scores of the MBI and WRQoL scales and in the BDI scores between groups according to gender, education, and area of work. There are also significant differences in BDI scores according to title. There is a significant correlation between the MBI, WRQoL, and BDI scores of audiologists. This study represents the initial exploration of burnout, quality of work life, and depression levels among audiologists employed in Türkiye. A low quality of work life can increase the risk of burnout and depression. Enhancements in the work environment can lessen burnout and depression while also improving employees' general quality of life.

The Role of Folk Art in Community Health Practices

This paper examines the often overlooked intersection between folk art and community health practices, emphasizing the transformative potential of folk art in fostering psychological, emotional, and physical well-being. By examining the historical and contemporary relevance of folk art as a medium for community healing, the paper discusses how cultural expressions of identity, resistance, and reintegration serve as natural therapeutic outlets. Case studies from arts-based health initiatives demonstrate the role of folk art in addressing social determinants of health, enhancing community resilience, and promoting holistic health. The review further proposes practical applications for integrating folk art into community health programs, emphasizing the need for culturally grounded, participatory, and sustainable approaches to health promotion. Keywords: Folk Art, Community Health, Cultural Healing, Emotional Resilience, Art Therapy, Social Determinants of Health.

The use of traditional and complementary medicine by cancer patients in SSA: A scoping review

Background: The rate of traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) use is increasing worldwide, including among cancer patients who are often willing to try alternate therapies. Despite TCM popularity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), there are limited data on its use with conventional treatments.Aim: This scoping review aims to describe the prevalence of use, reasons for use, most common types of TCM used, patient satisfaction with TCM and disclosure of TCM use to physicians among cancer patients in SSA.Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted for articles published from 2013 to 2022 across four databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and EBSCOhost. A scoping review approach was used to map relevant literature. Forty-six articles were assessed based on their titles and abstracts. After full-text screening, 10 articles were included.Results: Average TCM use was calculated to be 66.7%. Reasons for TCM use included: to improve psychological well-being, boost the body’s immunity and provide symptomatic relief. An average of 21.2% of TCM users informed their physician. Nine articles addressed patient satisfaction with TCM. An average of 39.1% of patients reported general TCM satisfaction.Conclusion: The use of TCM is common among cancer patients. It is important for healthcare providers to expand their knowledge in order to counsel patients and avoid potential hazards when combining TCM with conventional treatments.Contribution: These findings highlight commonly used TCM and provide insight on the portion of cancer patients informing their doctors about TCM use. This information will help understand the attitude cancer patients have towards TCM.

Estilos de Crianza y Bienestar Psicológico en estudiantes universitarios de Extremadura

Introduction. The aim of this study is to identify which types of parenting styles are associated with optimal results in the psychological well-being of university students in Extremadura. The participants were 400 students from Extremadura, aged between 18 and 30 years, 80% of them women and 20% men. Parenting styles were classified into three types according to Darling and Steinberg: commitment, psychological autonomy, and behavioral control. For the dimensions of psychological well-being, six were used according to Ryff: positive relationships, self-acceptance, personal growth, purpose in life, mastery of the environment, and autonomy. Method. Regression analysis and discriminant analysis were performed to test the associations between students' parenting styles and psychological well-being. Results. The results show direct significant relationships between parenting styles and psychological well-being. Discussion or Conclusion. The commitment dimension of parenting styles interacted with a higher level of psychological well-being in young people. On the other hand, no significant relationships were found between behavioral control and psychological well-being.

Hubungan Antara Intensitas Penggunaan Aplikasi Tiktok dengan Psychological Well Being pada Gen-Z

With the rapid advancement of technology, social media platforms like TikTok have become significantly integrated into the daily lives of Generation Z. This study aims to explore the connection between the intensity of TikTok use and the psychological well-being of Gen-Z individuals. The research employs a quantitative design, analyzing data through Pearson's product-moment correlation test and simple regression analysis using SPSS version 26. A total of 161 respondents were selected via convenience sampling. The instruments used include a TikTok usage intensity scale developed by Izzatur Rayyan (2024) and Ryff’s 18-item Scales of Psychological Well-Being (Ryff et al., 2010). The findings indicate no significant relationship between TikTok usage intensity and psychological well-being, as evidenced by a significance value (Sig.) of 0.548 (p>0.05) between the TikTok intensity variable and psychological well-being.

Layanan Konseling Kelompok : Penerapan Teknik Relaksasi Otot Progresif untuk Mengatasi Stress Belajar Siswa SLTP

The purpose of this research is to (1) provide an overview of how progressive muscle relaxation techniques and group counseling services affect student learning stress, (2) provide an overview of students' learning stress levels both before and after progressive muscle relaxation technique treatment, and (3) determine How progressive muscle relaxation techniques affect student learning stress. This type of quantitative research, pre-experimental with a one group pretest-posttest design approach, consisting of one treatment group. The research sample was 15 class VIII Tahfidz students who were identified as experiencing learning stress. Data collection was obtained using observation and the student learning stress scale, then analyzed using the Shapiro - Wilk test analysis which is used to test the normality of data distribution in a sample, especially in small to medium samples. The results showed that (1) students used the progressive muscle relaxation technique for learning stress in accordance with procedures that had been designed with several implementation stages, (2) the level of student learning stress before using the progressive muscle relaxation technique was high, and the level of student learning stress after using it Progressive muscle relaxation technique is low, and (3) Progressive muscle relaxation technique has the effect of helping students reduce learning stress. The results of this study indicate that the application of progressive muscle relaxation techniques can significantly reduce students' learning stress levels, providing empirical evidence that group counseling interventions are effective in improving students' psychological well-being.

Tinjauan Literatur Sistematis: Hubungan antara Technostress dengan Burnout

This systematic literature review investigates the relationship between technostress and burnout in various organizational and educational contexts. Technostress arises from excessive or imbalanced use of information technology in work or learning environments, which can adversely affect individuals' psychological well-being. Burnout, on the other hand, is a consequence of chronic stress experienced in work or educational settings. The study involves systematic steps in searching, selecting, evaluating, and synthesizing relevant literature from academic databases and other sources. Findings from the literature review reveal that technostress factors such as techno-overload, techno-invasion, techno-complexity, and others significantly contribute to individuals' levels of burnout. Recommendations for future research include the need for a mixed methods approach integrating quantitative and qualitative methods to gain deeper understanding, as well as longitudinal studies to track the development of technostress and burnout over time. This research provides a strong foundation for the development of effective policies and management practices aimed at reducing the negative impacts of technostress and enhancing individual well-being in modern work and educational environments.

Mechanisms of change in compassion-based programs for medical students

Medical practice exposes physicians to numerous stressors, leading to high rates of psychological distress and burnout, a problem that begins during medical school. Scientific evidence suggests that promoting compassion among physicians could improve their well-being and promote patient-centered care. However, the mechanisms underlying these benefits remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the mediators and moderators of changes in psychological distress and well-being following Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) among medical students. A randomized controlled trial with 40 medical students assigned to an 8-week CCT program or a waitlist control group was conducted. Participants were assessed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and a 2-month follow-up on measures of psychological distress, well-being, mindfulness, compassion, emotion regulation, and burnout. Results indicated that CCT led to significant reductions in stress and anxiety immediately after the program, mediated by improvements in emotion regulation and mindfulness skills. Gender moderated changes in stress, anxiety, depression, and well-being at post-intervention, with women benefiting more than men, though these differences were not sustained at follow-up. In conclusion, this study contributes to the growing body of literature on the benefits of compassion training in healthcare and provides insights into the mechanisms through which compassion could support physicians and medical students.

The Role and Function of Single Parents in Special Needs Children to Combat Loneliness

Introduction: Caring for children with special needs often poses various challenges, including coping with stress in parenting. Single parents have an even increased vulnerability to stressful conditions in parenting, especially from feelings of loneliness and alienation. This literature review aims to obtain an effective intervention model for overcoming loneliness for single parents with special needs children. Methods: Various studies were searched with the keywords “role of a single parent,” “function of a single parent,” “children with special needs,” and “loneliness.” Selected studies are evaluated and critically reviewed. Results: Various challenges of parenting children with special needs include stigma, efforts to overcome communication and behavior problems of children, adjustments to parenting according to special needs conditions, economic burdens, and intrapersonal problems of single parents. These challenges can be significant stressors that further degrade the quality of life of single parents and their children. However, they can be opportunities for personality development and parenting skills through self-care efforts and seeking psychiatric help, including efforts to find a community that understands the experience of being a single parent. Conclusions: Efforts to help single parents cope with loneliness include improving self-efficacy, emotional stability, positive parenting, and social intelligence by being part of a supportive community. Keywords: Single Parent, Children, Special Needs, Loneliness, Psychological Wellbeing

Exploring the determinants of happiness in Mexico: The interplay of social networks, psychological well-being, and socioeconomic factors

Over recent years, there has been significant growth in research on happiness. It is essential to understand the factors that affect people's well-being to develop effective government policies that aim to improve the quality of life for citizens in Mexico. Unfortunately, this subject has been under-explored, especially in the Mexican context, with limited studies focusing on the topic. This study aims to comprehensively review the current literature on happiness, social networking, psychological factors, and socioeconomic factors to identify the critical variables associated with the happiness of Mexican citizens. Further, based on data from Mexico's 2021 National Survey of Self-reported Well-being (ENBIARE), we conducted a rigorous examination of this dataset to identify the principal factors that impact the well-being of Mexican citizens, employing both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.

Loneliness in Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a disorder of children’s growth and development with neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD in children can persist into adolescence in about 2.6% of the general population. About more than half of people with ADHD experience loneliness, a condition that is often not reported by patients but is evident in the negative emotions and behaviors they display. To explain the risk factors and impact of loneliness in adolescents with ADHD. Methods: Literature review. Results: The use of gadgets in today’s digital era increases the risk of increasing internet usage so that more contact is made online, which causes obstacles for adolescents in fostering social relationships and an increased risk of loneliness. Adolescents with ADHD have a negative assessment of themselves; they feel useless, lack confidence, and lack intelligence when compared to their peers. Economically, low-income family conditions and inappropriate parenting increase the risk of loneliness in ADHD adolescents. Adequate treatment will cause it to develop into other mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, defiant attitude disorder, and adolescent behavior disorder. Conclusions: Adolescents with ADHD are prone to experiencing loneliness. Parenting problems, family socioeconomics, past trauma, bullying, and several internal factors such as low self-confidence, insecurity, low adaptability, and lack of emotional control can cause loneliness. Keywords: ADHD, Adolescents, Loneliness, Mental Health, Psychological Well-Being

Looking into the black box of employer recommendations: the role of organizational identification and pride

The importance of word-of-mouth for employers (WOME) for the recruitment process, that is, employees recommending their company as an employer, is undisputed. Prior studies have ascertained the determinants and outcomes of WOME. However, little attention has been given to employees who engage in WOME. Which inner thought processes and emotions cause an individual to speak positively about an employer? We developed a model with internal corporate social responsibility (ICSR) as the strongest WOME trigger. ICSR reflects activities to enhance employees’ psychological and physiological well-being. So far, research on ICSR and its interaction with employee behavior is incomplete. Based on social identity theory, we hypothesize that organizational identification (OI) and organizational pride (OP) mediate the relationship between ICSR and WOME. We test our hypothesis using data from 136,478 participants and 13 German industries. Results reveal a sequential mediation of ICSR-OI-OP-WOME and a direct effect from ICSR to WOME, highlighting the formation and importance of employees’ bond with their organization. It adds to the employer branding literature, showing how ICSR fosters social identity and makes people talk positively about their employer. We demonstrate that practitioners develop positive employee attitudes by valuing their most important assets: their employees.

THE IMPACT OF NEUROSCIENCE-BASED MINDFULNESS TRAINING ON MENTAL HEALTH IN FUTURE PSYCHOLOGISTS

Purpose. This study investigates the effectiveness of a neuroscience-based mindfulness training program on emotional states, self-compassion traits and well-being status among psychology students during an 8-week intervention. The work focuses on developing emotional regulation, decreasing stress and depression, and increasing self-compassion and mindfulness — all of which are crucial skills for professional practice. Methods. This pilot study included fifty psychology students (M = 23.5, SD = 2.8) who were assessed using the DASS-21 for stress, anxiety, depression and Self-Compassion Scale for self-kindness, mindfulness and related traits before and after a special training program along with the BBC-SWB questionnaire for psychological, physical and subjective well-being. Statistical analyses such as paired t-tests, correlation analysis and hierarchical regression were used to assess the intervention's effectiveness and explore predictive relationships among variables. Results. The program was associated with significant reductions in anxiety, stress, and depression and increases in self-kindness, mindfulness, and psychological well-being. Given that emotional states and self-compassion traits function as mutually reinforcing factors, correlations provided evidence based on the holistic benefits of the program. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that both pre-intervention anxiety (β = 0.45, p < 0.001) and self-kindness (β = 0.35, p = 0.05) significantly predicted psychological well-being after the intervention. These variables combined explained 52% of the outcome variance (R² = 0.52, p < 0.001). Mindfulness explained an additional 17% variance beyond all other variables combined, affirming its role as a transformational variable within the model. Conclusions. This mindfulness training, based on neuroscience principles and research findings, is designed to decrease psychological suffering and enhance psychological resilience and self-compassion. The results call for incorporating such training within psychology educational programs, thus enhancing personal health and professional competence. Longitudinal studies investigating the long-term effects of mindfulness practices and their use in a broader range of populations are warranted for future research.