Purpose:Adolescents are often the first to recognize emotional distress and suicidal warning signs among their peers, making their readiness to provide appropriate support an essential component of school-based suicide prevention. However, no validated Korean version of the Preparedness to Help Scale (PHS) is currently available for adolescents. This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the PHS into Korean and evaluate its validity and reliability among Korean adolescents. Patients and Methods:A cross-sectional psychometric validation study was conducted with 434 middle and high school students in South Korea. Construct validity was examined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Convergent validity was evaluated using standardized factor loadings, average variance extracted (AVE), and composite reliability (CR). Criterion-related validity was examined through concurrent validity and known-groups validity. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's α and McDonald's ω. Results:CFA yielded fit indices consistent with the hypothesized unidimensional structure, although these indices should be interpreted cautiously given the model's two degrees of freedom (χ2(2)=3.40, p=0.18; χ2/df=1.70; CFI=0.998; TLI=0.995; NFI =0.996; SRMR=0.012; RMSEA=0.040, 90% CI [0.000,0.111]). Standardized factor loadings ranged from.660 to.876, demonstrating satisfactory convergent validity (AVE=0.633; CR=0.872). Preparedness scores showed a small positive correlation with preventive suicide attitudes (r=0.221, p<0.001). Adolescents in the upper quartile of suicide attitude scores reported significantly higher preparedness than those in the lower quartile (t(196.19)=5.70, p<0.001; Hedges' g=0.76), supporting known-groups validity. The Korean version of the PHS demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.868; McDonald's ω=0.870). Conclusion:The Korean PHS demonstrated promising initial psychometric properties for assessing adolescents' preparedness to support peers at risk of suicide. It may provide a brief and feasible measure for school-based suicide prevention and peer gatekeeper program evaluation, although further validation in diverse samples and against behavioral outcomes is warranted.
Shengmei Xu,1,2,* Wenguang Wang,3,* Kang Cao,2 Congrong Shi41School of Education Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Art and Education, Chizhou University, Chizhou, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence, Chizhou University, Chizhou, People’s Republic of China; 4School of Education Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Wenguang Wang, Email wang0619@126.comObjective: Adopting a full crisis-lifecycle perspective, this study investigates the underlying mechanism through which social support influences college students’ mental health (with psychological symptoms as the core measurement indicator) via the mediating role of coping styles in major public health emergencies, and examines population-level cross-phase associations of this mechanism across three core phases of the crisis lifecycle: the emergency phase, adaptation phase, and reconstruction phase.Methods: Taking the COVID-19 pandemic as a natural experimental setting for the full crisis lifecycle, this study conducted a five-year, three-wave repeated cross-sectional survey with independent samples of participants in 2020, 2023, and 2025, enrolling a total of 2958 college students. Participants were assessed using the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), and Psychological Questionnaires for Emergent Events of Public Health, (PQEEPH). Structural equation modeling and multi-group analyses were applied to cross-phase validation of the dual-path mediating model of coping styles.Results: (1) The direct association between social support and mental health was statistically significant across all three phases (all p < 0.01), with no statistically significant difference among the three phases (p > 0.05). (2) The mediating effect of positive coping between social support and mental health was significant across all three phases (all p < 0.05), and the mediating effect of positive coping showed a progressive increasing trend across phases, with a marginally significant difference observed between the emergency and reconstruction phases (β = 0.081, p < 0.05). (3) The mediating effect of negative coping between social support and mental health was significant across all three phases (all p < 0.05), with no significant temporal difference among the three phases (p > 0.05).Conclusion: Throughout the full lifecycle of major public health emergencies, the effects of social support on mental health exhibit asynchronous cross-phase patterns at the population level: the direct effect remains stable across phases, the mediating pathway of positive coping shows a progressive increase across the three phases, with the largest effect observed in the reconstruction phase, while the mediating effect of negative coping remains stable across phases.Keywords: crisis lifecycle, public health emergency, COVID-19, coping styles, social support, mental health
Background:Parental gaming has become increasingly common, yet its dose-response relationship with parental and adolescent Internet gaming disorder (IGD) remains unclear. Methods:A one-year, two-wave longitudinal study was conducted among parent-child dyads in Hong Kong. Adolescents completed anonymous questionnaires in classrooms, and parents completed online surveys. Generalized additive models (R version 4.1.3) were used to assess non-linear associations between parental gaming time and parental IGD symptoms/adolescent IGD, with the nadir defined as a "minimum-risk threshold". When no non-zero "minimum-risk threshold" was identified, parental gaming time was categorized into three groups (ie, non-gamers, below and over the selected cutoff) stepwise starting from the available smallest non-zero value (0.5 hours/day (h/d)). Mixed regression models were used to identify a "low-risk gaming level" where gaming above the cutoff showed a significantly higher risk than both lower categories. Gender-specific subgroup analyses were conducted. Results:A total of 712 parent-child dyads (50.4% girls; 80.8% mothers) were included (follow-up rate: 55.8%). Parental gaming time showed a monotonic positive association with parental IGD symptoms and an inverted U-shaped association with wide CIs at parental gaming times above 4 h/d with adolescent IGD, without showing a non-zero "minimum-risk threshold". Compared with non-gamers and gaming for 0.5 h/d, parents gaming exceeding 0.5 h/d was associated with higher parental IGD symptoms (>0.5 h/d vs non-gamers: b (95% CI) = 2.409 (2.280, 2.538); >0.5 h/d vs 0.5 h/d: 1.787 (1.603, 1.972)) and adolescent IGD (OR (95% CI)=11.124 (6.658, 18.584); 5.119 (2.684, 9.765)). Similar findings were observed in fathers, mothers, boys and girls. Conclusion:While no non-zero "minimum-risk threshold" was identified, limiting gaming to 0.5 h/d or less may be considered a pragmatic "low-risk gaming level" for parents. It preserves parents' enjoyment of gaming while maintaining a relatively low IGD risk across two generations. It is worth noting that the observed findings may primarily reflect female caregivers' gaming behaviors and may not be generalizable to male caregivers.
Cui-Xia Zhao,1,2 Shan-Shan Chen,1,2 Xin-Yi Qiu1,21Faculty of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, People’s Republic of China; 2Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Mental Health, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Cui-Xia Zhao, Faculty of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 13791040112, Email cuixiazhao@163.comAbstract: Drawing on the trade-off patterns of "smaller-sooner-loss for larger-later-gain” (SSL-LLG) and "smaller-sooner-gain for larger-later-loss” (SSG-LLL), this study proposes a hierarchical decision-making theory from a dual-system (cognitive-affective) perspective. The theory posits that decision quality arises from the synergy between cognitive maturity—the capacity to weigh long-term interests—and emotional maturity—the ability to maintain affective independence. This yields a four-type, three-level taxonomy of decision makers. We tested our hypotheses across behavioral experiments, eye-tracking, and large-sample surveys. Results show that cognitive maturity promotes long-term orientation and deeper information processing, with higher-maturity individuals re-representing choices and generating latent dimensions, thereby extending reaction time. Emotional maturity underpins decision stability, buffering external influences and sustaining rational expectations. The two systems interact dynamically: cognition guides state affect, while emotion modulates cognitive resource allocation. Among the high-cognition ("Chikui”) group, those with high self-differentiation focus on value dimensions and probabilities, showing greater positive affect and pupil dilation; those with low self-differentiation attend to both value and perceptual cues but neglect probabilities, accompanied by lower positive affect. The three hierarchical levels exhibit systematic differences in process indicators (reaction time, emotional stability) and outcomes (socioeconomic status), in the order high > middle > low. Theoretical contributions include (a) a novel typological framework that moves beyond trait-based models to quantify decision quality, (b) elucidation of the cognitive–emotional dynamic interplay, and (c) practical implications for talent evaluation, strategic management, behavioral intervention, and research on mixed intertemporal choice and social mobility.Keywords: chikui choice, cognitive maturity, emotional maturity, hierarchical decision-making theory, behavioral experiment
Jingwen Kang,1 Xinyu Zhang,1 Chunxiang Huang21Department of Nephrology, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Nephrology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Chunxiang Huang, Email 908894540@qq.comObjective: To explore the mediating mechanism of the Big Five Personality traits on the self-management behaviors of patients with chronic diseases.Methods: Searched nine databases (2015– 2025) for studies of adult chronic disease patients measuring both Big Five traits and self‑management. Two reviewers extracted data; narrative synthesis was performed.Results: Included 27 studies involving adults with chronic diseases. In summary, personality traits may be associated with self-management behaviors through three potential mechanisms, (1) Cognitive-emotional path: Neuroticism may weaken self-management by reducing psychological resilience and exacerbating cognitive biases; Conscientiousness is associated with high self-efficacy and may promote self-management. (2) Social resource path: Extraversion helps obtain social support and improve self-management; Agreeableness is related to better compliance, but it may weaken self-assertion in a group setting. (3) Individual-task matching path: Openness individuals is conducive to innovative health management, but it may not be beneficial for long-term repetitive tasks; excessive conscientiousness may have adverse effects.Conclusion: Personality may affect self-management through a series of malleable mediations. This review summarizes the interrelationships among personality, mediators, and behaviors, which can provide a reference direction for the subsequent construction of theoretical models and the individualized intervention research based on personality traits for patients.Keywords: big five personality, chronic disease, self-management, scoping review
Ke Hou,1,* Binxu Wang,2,* Yunyun Zhang,3 Yan Liu21Journal of Beijing Normal University, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Institute of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment for Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yunyun Zhang, Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment Toward Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, Email yyzhangff@bnu.edu.cn Yan Liu, Institute of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, Email yan.liu@bnu.edu.cnPurpose: This study investigated peer group socialization of problem behaviors and depression during early adolescence. The research specifically examined how the stability of group membership moderates the relationship between group-level behaviors and individual outcomes.Methods: A six-month longitudinal design was employed, involving 2526 Grade 7 students. The social cognitive map and multilevel modeling were used to identify peer group structures and analyze behavioral trajectories over time.Results: Peer groups demonstrated high stability, as 80% of groups maintained at least 50% of their membership and 42% maintained at least 70%. Longitudinal analysis revealed that individual depressive symptoms predicted an increase in problem behaviors for both genders. However, the reverse path (problem behaviors predicting depression) was significant only for boys. Regarding socialization, the average problem behaviors of a peer group significantly predicted an increase in individual problem behaviors for girls, regardless of group stability. For boys, this socialization effect was limited to those in highly stable groups. No evidence of peer group socialization was found for depressive symptoms in either gender.Conclusion: Early adolescent peer groups are stable social environments that primarily influence problem behaviors rather than depressive symptoms. The impact of peer socialization is gender-specific and, for boys, contingent upon the stability of their peer groups.Keywords: group processes, problem behaviors, depressive disorder, adolescent development, longitudinal study
Hongyu Li,1,2,* Wei Li,3,* Jie Deng,1 Huai Deng,4 Xinyu Wen,2 Yunxi Ping21Faculty of Education, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, 610066, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Education, MianYang Teachers’ College, Mianyang, 621000, People’s Republic of China; 3Faculty of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, People’s Republic of China; 4Student Affairs Department, Ganzi Vocational College, Ganzi, 626100, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Wei Li, Faculty of Education, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun, Jilin, 130024, People’s Republic of China, Email liwei529@nenu.edu.cn Hongyu Li, Faculty of Education, Sichuan Normal University, No. 5 Jing’an Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu City, Sichuan, 610066, People’s Republic of China, Email b20250401024@stu.sicnu.edu.cnIntroduction: Parenting practices are closely associated with children’s peer social competence. As a positive parenting approach, mindful parenting is relevant to children’s emotional development and social adjustment. However, the pathways linking mindful parenting to children’s peer social competence remain insufficiently understood.Purpose: In the context of Chinese culture, this study examined the association between mindful parenting and peer social competence among preschool children and investigated the mediating role of children’s emotion regulation and the moderating role of the parent-child relationship.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 531 families of kindergarten children. Parents completed the Mindfulness in Parenting Questionnaire (MIPQ), Child-Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS), Social Competence With Peers Questionnaire (SCPQ), and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ).Results: All study variables were at moderate levels and showed substantial individual variation. Mindful parenting was positively associated with peer social competence (beta = 0.672, p < 0.001). Children’s emotion regulation mediated this association, accounting for 33% of the total effect, and parent-child closeness moderated the association between mindful parenting and emotion regulation (beta = 0.031, p < 0.05).Conclusion: Mindful parenting was associated with peer social competence through the mediating role of children’s emotion regulation, and this indirect association varied according to parent-child closeness. The findings suggest that strengthening parents’ mindful awareness and parent-child closeness may support more adaptive emotional responses and, in turn, children’s peer interactions, providing a basis for family-based interventions.Keywords: mindful parenting, children’s social competence with peers, emotion regulation, parent–child relationship, mediating effect
Background:Negative self-perceptions of aging (SPA) have been identified as an important risk factor for depression among older adults. However, the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. This study examined whether cognitive function mediates the relationship between negative SPA and depression and whether socioeconomic status (SES) moderates this pathway. Methods:Data were obtained from 2583 Chinese older adults (Mage = 81.45 years, SD = 9.14) who participated in the 2011, 2014, and 2018 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Longitudinal mediation and moderation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships among negative SPA, cognitive function, SES, and depression. Results:Negative SPA was significantly associated with higher levels of depression over time. Cognitive function partially mediated the association between negative SPA and depression, suggesting that cognitive decline explains part of the effect of negative aging perceptions on depressive symptoms. SES was not found to significantly moderate this relationship. Conclusion:Cognitive decline represents an important pathway through which negative self-perceptions of aging contribute to depression in later life. Interventions aimed at improving cognitive function and promoting more positive perceptions of aging may help reduce depressive symptoms among older adults.
Background:As social media becomes deeply integrated into the daily lives of college students, concerns regarding its impact on psychological health and adaptive digital experiences have intensified. However, Current academic research mainly focuses on offline subjective well-being. Also, empirical research on the mechanisms between social media use and digital well-being is still insufficient. To address these gaps, the present study aims to unpack the sequential chain mediating mechanisms of two distinct forms of social capital and digital trust linking social media use intensity to digital well-being, and further verify the moderating roles of gender and origin in different predictive pathways. Methods:This study examined the relationship between social media use intensity and digital well-being among 414 Chinese college students aged 18 to 24. Anonymous structured questionnaires assessed social media use intensity, bonding and bridging social capital, digital trust, and digital well-being. Hayes' PROCESS macro was applied, with Model 6 for chain mediation analysis and Model 1 to test the moderating effects of individual background factors (gender and origin). Given the cross-sectional design, causal inferences should be made with caution. Results:The research results indicate that the intensity of social media use is positively associated with digital well-being through multiple indirect pathways. For college students, higher social media use intensity is concurrently correlated with greater social capital and elevated digital trust, which in turn show positive concurrent associations with digital well-being. Among them, the mediating effect of bridging social capital is more significant than that of bonding social capital. In addition, the gender and origin of college students also play a moderating role in different pathways. Conclusion:This study clarifies the positive relationship between social media use and digital well-being among college students by elucidating the different mediating roles of bonding and bridging social capital, digital trust, and the moderating effects of individual background factors. The findings offer theoretical insights for digital well-being research and practical guidance for mental health interventions, campus management, and the promotion of healthy online behaviors among college students.
Purpose:With increasing labor mobility between urban and rural regions, rural left-behind adolescents in China have become a group requiring attention in both educational and psychological domains. This study aimed to identify distinct psychological resource profiles among rural left-behind adolescents and examine their differences in learning engagement. Patients and Methods:This study employed latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify distinct psychological resource profiles based on four key dimensions: mindfulness, grit, growth mindset, and perceived social support. Results:Four latent profiles were identified among the participants: "High Mindfulness-High Support", "Isolated High Mindfulness", "Moderate Resource Integration", and "Low Mindfulness-High Motivation". Significant differences in learning engagement were observed across these profiles. Specifically, adolescents in the "High Mindfulness-High Support" and "Low Mindfulness-High Motivation" groups showed higher levels of learning engagement, whereas those in the "Isolated High Mindfulness" group showed the lowest level of engagement. Age was significantly associated with profile membership, whereas gender showed no significant association. Conclusion:These findings highlight the heterogeneity of psychological resource configurations among rural left-behind adolescents and suggest that different profiles are associated with distinct levels of learning engagement. The results may provide a descriptive basis for future longitudinal and intervention studies on learning engagement in this population.
Purpose:Although generative artificial intelligence (GAI) has become increasingly integrated into higher education, its potential psychological costs for teachers remain insufficiently understood. Drawing on the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (TMSC), this study examined how GAI use influences teachers' innovative behavior through sequential cognitive and emotional mechanisms while exploring heterogeneity in teachers' psychological responses. Methods:A three-wave time-lagged survey was conducted among 898 university teachers from public higher education institutions in Northeast China. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the proposed sequential mediation model, and latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed to identify distinct psychological response patterns. Results:Within the present study, greater generative AI use was associated with lower levels of teachers' innovative behavior. Job insecurity and AI anxiety independently mediated this relationship and jointly formed a significant sequential mediation pathway. In addition, five distinct psychological profiles were identified. Teachers characterized by lower job insecurity and AI anxiety exhibited significantly higher levels of innovative behavior than those experiencing greater psychological risks. Conclusion:By integrating variable-centered and person-centered approaches within the TMSC framework, this study advances understanding of the psychological mechanisms and heterogeneous responses underlying teachers' adaptation to generative AI. The findings contribute to the emerging literature on the psychological consequences of AI adoption and provide practical implications for promoting sustainable teacher innovation and effective psychological management during AI-enabled educational transformation.
Young-Ran Kweon,1 Youngmi Kwon,2 Hyunsoo Ryu11Department of Nursing, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea; 2Department of Education, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Young-Ran Kweon, Department of Nursing, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61469, South Korea, Email yrk@jnu.ac.kr Youngmi Kwon, Department of Education, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea, Email mezzang66@gmail.comPurpose: Adolescents are often the first to recognize emotional distress and suicidal warning signs among their peers, making their readiness to provide appropriate support an essential component of school-based suicide prevention. However, no validated Korean version of the Preparedness to Help Scale (PHS) is currently available for adolescents. This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the PHS into Korean and evaluate its validity and reliability among Korean adolescents.Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional psychometric validation study was conducted with 434 middle and high school students in South Korea. Construct validity was examined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Convergent validity was evaluated using standardized factor loadings, average variance extracted (AVE), and composite reliability (CR). Criterion-related validity was examined through concurrent validity and known-groups validity. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s ω.Results: CFA yielded fit indices consistent with the hypothesized unidimensional structure, although these indices should be interpreted cautiously given the model’s two degrees of freedom (χ2(2)=3.40, p=0.18; χ2/df=1.70; CFI=0.998; TLI=0.995; NFI =0.996; SRMR=0.012; RMSEA=0.040, 90% CI [0.000,0.111]). Standardized factor loadings ranged from.660 to.876, demonstrating satisfactory convergent validity (AVE=0.633; CR=0.872). Preparedness scores showed a small positive correlation with preventive suicide attitudes (r=0.221, p< 0.001). Adolescents in the upper quartile of suicide attitude scores reported significantly higher preparedness than those in the lower quartile (t(196.19)=5.70, p< 0.001; Hedges’ g=0.76), supporting known-groups validity. The Korean version of the PHS demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0.868; McDonald’s ω=0.870).Conclusion: The Korean PHS demonstrated promising initial psychometric properties for assessing adolescents’ preparedness to support peers at risk of suicide. It may provide a brief and feasible measure for school-based suicide prevention and peer gatekeeper program evaluation, although further validation in diverse samples and against behavioral outcomes is warranted.Keywords: helping behavior, peer gatekeeper, psychometrics, school-based intervention, suicide prevention program
Qian Li,1 Kylie Kai-yi Chan,1 Samuel Yeung-Shan Wong,1 Anise Man Sze Wu,2,3 Xue Yang11The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, People’s Republic of China; 3Center for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau, Macao SAR, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Xue Yang, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China, Email sherryxueyang@cuhk.edu.hkBackground: Parental gaming has become increasingly common, yet its dose–response relationship with parental and adolescent Internet gaming disorder (IGD) remains unclear.Methods: A one-year, two-wave longitudinal study was conducted among parent–child dyads in Hong Kong. Adolescents completed anonymous questionnaires in classrooms, and parents completed online surveys. Generalized additive models (R version 4.1.3) were used to assess non-linear associations between parental gaming time and parental IGD symptoms/adolescent IGD, with the nadir defined as a "minimum-risk threshold”. When no non-zero "minimum-risk threshold” was identified, parental gaming time was categorized into three groups (ie, non-gamers, below and over the selected cutoff) stepwise starting from the available smallest non-zero value (0.5 hours/day (h/d)). Mixed regression models were used to identify a "low-risk gaming level” where gaming above the cutoff showed a significantly higher risk than both lower categories. Gender-specific subgroup analyses were conducted.Results: A total of 712 parent–child dyads (50.4% girls; 80.8% mothers) were included (follow-up rate: 55.8%). Parental gaming time showed a monotonic positive association with parental IGD symptoms and an inverted U-shaped association with wide CIs at parental gaming times above 4 h/d with adolescent IGD, without showing a non-zero "minimum-risk threshold”. Compared with non-gamers and gaming for 0.5 h/d, parents gaming exceeding 0.5 h/d was associated with higher parental IGD symptoms (> 0.5 h/d vs non-gamers: b (95% CI) = 2.409 (2.280, 2.538); > 0.5 h/d vs 0.5 h/d: 1.787 (1.603, 1.972)) and adolescent IGD (OR (95% CI)=11.124 (6.658, 18.584); 5.119 (2.684, 9.765)). Similar findings were observed in fathers, mothers, boys and girls.Conclusion: While no non-zero "minimum-risk threshold” was identified, limiting gaming to 0.5 h/d or less may be considered a pragmatic "low-risk gaming level” for parents. It preserves parents’ enjoyment of gaming while maintaining a relatively low IGD risk across two generations. It is worth noting that the observed findings may primarily reflect female caregivers’ gaming behaviors and may not be generalizable to male caregivers.Keywords: internet gaming disorder, parent-child dyads, threshold, longitudinal
Abel Perez-Gonzalez,1 Amelia Lopez-Pelaez21Ortega-Marañón University Institute, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain; 2Center for Innovation in Digital Education "URJC Online”, Rey Juan Carlos University, Mostoles, 28933, SpainCorrespondence: Abel Perez-Gonzalez, Email perezgonzalezab@gmail.com
Hao Song,1 Huawen Cui21School of Public Administration, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 2Cheung Kong School of Journalism and Communication, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515821, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Huawen Cui, Cheung Kong School of Journalism and Communication, Shantou University, No. 5 Cuifeng Road, Chenghai District, Shantou, Guangdong, 515821, People’s Republic of China, Email huawencui12@gmail.comBackground: Negative self-perceptions of aging (SPA) have been identified as an important risk factor for depression among older adults. However, the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. This study examined whether cognitive function mediates the relationship between negative SPA and depression and whether socioeconomic status (SES) moderates this pathway.Methods: Data were obtained from 2583 Chinese older adults (Mage = 81.45 years, SD = 9.14) who participated in the 2011, 2014, and 2018 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Longitudinal mediation and moderation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships among negative SPA, cognitive function, SES, and depression.Results: Negative SPA was significantly associated with higher levels of depression over time. Cognitive function partially mediated the association between negative SPA and depression, suggesting that cognitive decline explains part of the effect of negative aging perceptions on depressive symptoms. SES was not found to significantly moderate this relationship.Conclusion: Cognitive decline represents an important pathway through which negative self-perceptions of aging contribute to depression in later life. Interventions aimed at improving cognitive function and promoting more positive perceptions of aging may help reduce depressive symptoms among older adults.Keywords: negative self-perceptions of aging, depression, cognitive function, socioeconomic status, older adults
Xinying Chen,1,2 Jialian Li,2 Yiwei Li,2 Siyu Tao,2 Qian Mei31College of Education for the Future, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Humanities and Social Science, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Marxism, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Siyu Tao, School of Humanities and Social Science, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China, Email ts_article@126.com Qian Mei, School of Marxism, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China, Email 24107892@qq.comPurpose: With increasing labor mobility between urban and rural regions, rural left-behind adolescents in China have become a group requiring attention in both educational and psychological domains. This study aimed to identify distinct psychological resource profiles among rural left-behind adolescents and examine their differences in learning engagement.Patients and Methods: This study employed latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify distinct psychological resource profiles based on four key dimensions: mindfulness, grit, growth mindset, and perceived social support.Results: Four latent profiles were identified among the participants: "High Mindfulness–High Support”, "Isolated High Mindfulness”, "Moderate Resource Integration”, and "Low Mindfulness–High Motivation”. Significant differences in learning engagement were observed across these profiles. Specifically, adolescents in the "High Mindfulness–High Support” and "Low Mindfulness–High Motivation” groups showed higher levels of learning engagement, whereas those in the "Isolated High Mindfulness” group showed the lowest level of engagement. Age was significantly associated with profile membership, whereas gender showed no significant association.Conclusion: These findings highlight the heterogeneity of psychological resource configurations among rural left-behind adolescents and suggest that different profiles are associated with distinct levels of learning engagement. The results may provide a descriptive basis for future longitudinal and intervention studies on learning engagement in this population.Keywords: Chinese rural adolescents, mindfulness, psychological development, learning engagement, latent profile analysis
Background:Psychological symptoms and impaired quality of life may persist after uterine artery embolization (UAE), while sustained in-person support can be difficult to access. We examined whether self-selected engagement with a WeChat-based counseling program was associated with patient-reported outcomes after UAE. Methods:This single-center retrospective cohort included 267 women who underwent UAE for uterine fibroids in China and selected WeChat follow-up. Engagement was classified by the 12-month mean completion percentage across individual counseling, educational messages, and professionally moderated support groups: low (<50%), medium (50-79%), or high (≥80%). The primary outcome was WHOQOL-BREF quality of life at 12 months; PHQ-9 depression, GAD-7 anxiety, and PSQI sleep scores were secondary outcomes. Mixed-effects models evaluated longitudinal associations. Results:At 12 months, mean WHOQOL-BREF scores were 74.2, 78.4, and 74.9 in the low-, medium-, and high-engagement groups. The adjusted medium-versus-low difference in change from baseline was 3.98 points (95% CI 3.39-4.57), within the 3-5-point clinical-importance range. PHQ-9 differences in change were statistically significant but smaller than the 5-point minimum clinically important difference. PSQI change did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusion:Within a self-selected WeChat cohort, engagement level was associated with change in quality of life, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms, but not sleep quality. Selection bias, reverse causation, residual confounding, and the absence of a non-WeChat comparator preclude causal or dosing conclusions. Prospective trials should test individualized intervention intensity and clinical benefit.
Objective:To systematically evaluate the efficacy of various forest therapy interventions for alleviating depressive symptoms using network meta-analysis, identify the optimal intervention pattern, and provide evidence-based guidance for clinical application. Eligibility Criteria:Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating forest therapy for depressive symptoms were included. Studies were limited to English publications with extractable outcome data; non-forest interventions, simulated nature exposure, and studies with severe comorbidities or incomplete data were excluded. Information Sources:PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL were searched from inception to May 2026. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods:Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane ROB 2.0 tool. Network meta-analysis was performed with a random-effects model; heterogeneity was quantified using I 2. Subgroup analyses were conducted by population, intervention mode, and assessment scale. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and the trim-and-fill method. Results:Eighteen RCTs with 2169 participants were included. Random-effects meta-analysis showed forest therapy significantly reduced depressive symptoms: SMD = -1.009, 95% CI (-1.411, -0.608), P < 0.0001. Severe inter-study heterogeneity existed (I 2= 90.1%, 95% CI [-2.765, 0.746], P < 0.0001). Leave-one-out sensitivity analysis confirmed stable pooled SMD ranging from -1.083 to -0.880 after removing any single trial. Trim-and-fill test detected publication bias; after imputing seven missing studies, the therapeutic effect remained significant yet slightly weakened. Subgroup analyses found significant antidepressant effects in healthy people (SMD = -0.642, 95% CI [-0.981, -0.303], P = 0.0002), chronic somatic disease patients (SMD = -1.431, 95% CI [-2.461, -0.400], P = 0.0065) and depressed patients (SMD = -1.187, 95% CI [-1.662, -0.712], P = 0.05), with no intergroup efficacy difference across populations (P = 0.1961). Both guided (SMD = -0.881, 95% CI [-1.344, -0.418], P = 0.0002) and unguided forest therapy (SMD = -1.134, 95% CI [-1.786, -0.482], P = 0.0007) worked comparably. Conclusion:Forest therapy is an effective non-pharmacological intervention for depressive symptoms. While forest therapy seems to offer benefits, the certainty of the evidence is constrained by significant heterogeneity, potential publication bias, a scarcity of direct comparisons among intervention models, and a lack of long-term follow-up studies. Future research should standardize protocols, conduct large-scale RCTs, incorporate long-term follow-up, and develop regionally adapted interventions. Registration:PROSPERO CRD420261402570.
Background:Excessive time spent on social media and smartphones, as well as inappropriate use, has raised concerns about their potential impact on mental health. Many studies have shown that social media addiction and smartphone addiction are associated with poor sleep quality and increased risk of depression and anxiety. This study examined the mediating role of lifestyle on the relationship between social media and smartphone use addictions with poor sleep quality, anxiety, and depression. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1324 undergraduate and graduate students aged 20-40 years. Participants completed validated self-report measures assessing social media addiction, smartphone addiction, sleep quality, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and lifestyle behaviors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, eating behaviors, and physical activity. Results:The mean scores for sleep quality, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were 6.9 ± 3.4, 6.7 ± 5.4, and 8.6 ± 5.8, respectively. In this cross-sectional study, mediation analysis indicated statistically significant indirect associations through lifestyle between social media addiction and poor sleep quality (the indirect effects: unstandardized coefficient [B] = 0.006, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.002-0.014]), anxiety symptoms (B = 0.007, 95% CI [0.001-0.016]), and depressive symptoms (B = 0.013, 95% CI [0.006-0.025]). Similarly, lifestyle was observed to mediate the association between smartphone use addiction and poor sleep quality (the indirect effects: B = 0.005, 95% CI [0.002-0.010]), anxiety symptoms (B = 0.006, 95% CI [0.001-0.015]), and depressive symptoms (B = 0.012, 95% CI [0.005-0.020]). Although the indirect effects were statistically significant, their magnitude was small, indicating that lifestyle accounted for a limited proportion of the associations between technology-related addictions and sleep quality and mental health problems. Conclusion:Lifestyle behaviors statistically mediated the associations of social media or smartphone use addiction with poor sleep quality, anxiety, and depression. Although causal inferences cannot be made, these findings suggest that lifestyle practices may be important in understanding and addressing the mental health challenges associated with excessive technology use.
Background:For individuals suffering from schizophrenia, hope is a vital part of their treatment process. Hope prevents despair caused by a mental condition, which can lead to relapse or even death. Objective:This scoping review aims to synthesize qualitative evidence on the multidimensional strategies that foster and sustain hope among individuals with schizophrenia throughout the recovery process. Methods:This study utilized a scoping review method following the PRISMA-ScR framework. Literature searches were conducted on 4 electronic databases, namely Pubmed, Scopus, EBSCOhost, and ScienceDirect, with the publication period limited from January 2014 to December 2024, in English and full text. This study is confined to qualitative research findings. The primary keywords for this article are "Schizophrenia", "Psychotic Disorders", "Strategies", "Enhancing", "Maintaining", "Hope", and "Mental Health Recovery". This scoping review employs theme analysis. Results:Eight qualitative studies met the inclusion criteria. The thematic synthesis identified six interconnected themes that highlight the strategies employed by schizophrenia survivors to cultivate hope in their recovery journey. These themes encompass the crucial role of social support in fostering hope, medication adherence and education as a pathway to stability, the role of environment in building hope, self-management in building hope, enhancement of spirituality, and the significance of setting life goals along with meaningful engagement. Conclusion:A comprehensive mapping of the methods utilized by individuals with schizophrenia can provide a basis for healthcare providers to create suitable support models, thereby fostering and sustaining hope for recovery among schizophrenia survivors.
