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Longitudinal associations between Big Five personality and insomnia: evidence based on a 4-year perspective cohort study among community residents

IntroductionWhile the association between personality traits and insomnia has been confirmed, the longitudinal relationship between them remains unclear.MethodsThis is a 4-year longitudinal cohort study conducted among rural community residents (N = 482) in Shandong Province, China.ResultsThis study found that neuroticism (β = 0.175, p < 0.001), extraversion (β = −0.146, p < 0.001), and conscientiousness (β = −0.168, p < 0.001) at baseline had statistically significant longitudinal associations with insomnia at follow-up. In addition, insomnia at baseline had statistically significant longitudinal correlations with neuroticism (β = 0.142, p < 0.01), extraversion (β = −0.209, p < 0.001), and agreeableness (β = −0.122, p < 0.01) at follow-up.DiscussionThis study showed that both neuroticism and extraversion had a bidirectional relationship with insomnia. Insomnia had a one - way longitudinal correlation with agreeableness, and conscientiousness had a one - way longitudinal correlation with insomnia. The longitudinal correlation between openness and insomnia was not supported in this study.

Utilizing ECG data in educational psychology research: insights and limitations

Meditating musicians: investigating the experience of music students and professional musicians in a brief mindfulness course to address music performance anxiety

Previous research shows that meditation practice helps reduce Music Performance Anxiety (MPA), positively impacting the musicians’ wellbeing and performative skills. Several meditation types have been explored, but further investigation into additional methods is warranted to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the impact and potential use of meditation to address MPA. The present work aims to provide novel insights into the perceived impact of three meditation types, namely: body-centered meditation, meditation on thoughts and affect-centered meditation. Qualitative data were collected from 12 musicians participating in two short introductions to mindfulness courses, held within a pilot study and a main case study, via diaries and open-ended responses. The findings suggest that a four-week mindfulness course can enhance wellbeing, boost emotional balance, and mitigate the occurrence of MPA.

University students’ resilience in post-pandemic period: a socio-ecological perspective

IntroductionThe psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on university students has become a significant concern, leading to increased attention on students’ mental health. In China, universities have recognized the importance of this issue and investigated students’ resilience in the post-pandemic world.MethodsThis study utilized a quantitate research method to examine university students’ resilience and the factors influencing it. Employed purposive sampling, 1735 students from 5 universities in China participated in the research. A comprehensive questionnaire was distributed to collect data on participants’ demographic information, socio-ecological factors, and resilience levels.ResultsUsing the data analysis approach of descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test and structural equation modeling, the results revealed the following findings: (1) The majority of students demonstrated a moderate level of resilience (M = 2.949 out of 5, SD = 0.569). (2) Significant differences in resilience levels were observed among students based on demographic factors of gender and students’ leadership experience. (3) Regarding ecological factors, individuals were identified as the most influential factor on resilience levels, followed by family, school, and social factors. Among Individual factors, emotional regulation and coping abilities are the greatest influence.DiscussionBased on the results, the study provides targeted recommendations and strategies and addresses the identified factors to enhance students’ psychological resilience in university settings in the post-pandemic era.

Hypnagogia, psychedelics, and sensory deprivation: the mythic structure of dream-like experiences

IntroductionDream-like and psychedelic experiences often display internally illogical structures. Recent theories propose that these experiences function as “spontaneous offline simulations” related to specific brain processes. This study investigates whether such perceived illogicality reflects a distinct, premodern mode of cognition—commonly referred to as “mythic” cognition—rather than a cognitive deficit.MethodsThirty-one participants underwent four 90-minute flotation REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique) sessions designed to induce altered, dream-like states. After each session, participants completed the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI) and additional questions targeting features associated with mythic cognition.ResultsParticipants showed significant phenomenological shifts toward experiences characteristic of mythic cognition. Specifically, their altered states during flotation exhibited ontological parallels with mythic conceptions of space, time, and substance.DiscussionThe findings support the hypothesis that the perceived illogicality in altered states arises from a distinct cognitive framework rather than from deficits.

Perceived health, quality of life and happiness among older professional artisans in a UNESCO Creative City of crafts and folk art

Globally, it is a priority to understand how to improve health, quality of life, and happiness in a long-lived and rapidly aging population. Evidence on the health outcomes of working in later life is mixed, with some studies suggesting it benefits mental health by preserving identity, status, social participation, and a sense of purpose, while others highlight potential adverse effects. Research on aging at work has seldom focused on older adults professionally engaged in artistic activities, particularly across different craft sectors, in contrast to the extensive research on art-based interventions aimed at promoting well-being among older individuals. This study aims to describe the perceptions of health, quality of life, and happiness among older professional artisans from a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art in Portugal, and examine the associations with sociodemographic and professional variables. A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving primary data collection through a survey administered in the participants’ (N = 55) work environments. Eligible participants were individuals aged 55 or older, living in the community, and working in various craft sectors. The artisans completed the WHOQOL-BREF scale, were assessed for depressive symptoms with the PHQ-8 scale, and were inquired on happiness with life using an item from the European Survey on Aging Protocol (ESAP). Most artisans perceived their overall quality of life as ‘good’, with the psychological domain receiving the highest score (M = 84.92; SD = 10.98). Most artisans (56.4%) also reported feeling ‘very happy’ and being satisfied or very satisfied with their health (60%). Age was positively correlated with happiness (p = 0.020). A significant difference was observed in the WHOQOL-BREF environment domain between craft sectors (p = 0.023). An association was observed between different craft sectors and their perceived benefits, particularly regarding health, quality of life, and well-being. This study contributes to aging research by focusing on professional activity in the craft and folk art sector, highlighting the intersection of aging, work, and artistic engagement, and offering insights for policy development to support aging craftspeople and promote traditional crafts.

Protective and risk factors of social support for healthcare workers in high-pressure occupational settings

BackgroundSocial support is a critical factor in maintaining the mental health of healthcare workers in high-pressure occupational settings. However, few studies have systematically explored the different types of social support and their influencing factors. This study aims to investigate the current status of social support for healthcare workers under high pressure, along with the related protective and risk factors.MethodsThis cross-sectional study collected data through an online questionnaire involving 625 doctors and nurses from the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. The Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) was used to assess levels of social support, including objective support, subjective support, and support utilization. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0, employing univariate and linear regression analyses to examine gender differences and the impact of various factors on social support.ResultsThe study found that the total social support score was increased by factors such as family cohesion, living with others, older age, and professional identity (with doctors achieving higher scores than nurses), while insecure attachment and being an only child reduced the total social support score.ConclusionThis study reveals the multidimensional impact of various factors on social support for healthcare workers in high-pressure occupational settings. These findings provide a basis for promoting individual mental health and also highlights the need to pay more attention to the mental health of those healthcare workers with poor interpersonal relationships, younger individuals, and nurses in high-pressure environments.

How does digital government influence public policy compliance in public health emergencies? —A study based on mixed method

The evolution of digital government is reshaping the dynamics of government-citizen interactions, fostering new modes of engagement, co-creation, and participatory governance. This study explores the impact of digital government, administrative burdens, and violation costs on public policy compliance, with a focus on public health emergencies. In Study 1, a survey of 697 participants from regions with different levels of digital government (high, medium, and low) was conducted. The findings indicate that perceptions of the usefulness, ease of use, and transparency of digital government systems are significant predictors of policy compliance, mediated by the administrative burden experienced by citizens. Additionally, digital literacy was found to moderate the relationship between administrative burden and compliance, highlighting the role of digital skills in public policy compliance. In Study 2, an experimental survey with 312 participants examined how violation costs influence the impact of digital government on policy compliance. Results show that violation costs significantly moderate this relationship, aligning with the theoretical framework of loss aversion. The findings offer insights into the boundary conditions under which digital government initiatives can effectively enhance policy compliance in the context of public health emergency, contributing to the broader discourse on governance and public policy implementation in digital contexts.

Experimental research of impact on psychological state for adolescents with high-intensity interval training intervention

IntroductionRising social pressures have exacerbated adolescent mental health challenges, evidenced by increasing prevalence of anxiety, depression, and related disorders. High-intensity interval training (HIIT), characterized by short bursts of intense exercise interspersed with recovery periods, has emerged as a time-efficient intervention for psychological well-being. This study quantitatively evaluated the efficacy of HIIT in improving adolescent mental health using the Multidimensional Scale of Adolescent Psychological State (MSAPS), which assesses seven domains: self-esteem, energy, tension, anger, depression, fatigue, and confusion.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted with 60 adolescents (aged 14–18 years) from Handan City Sports School. Participants were equally divided into an experimental group (HIIT intervention) and a control group (moderate-intensity continuous training). The HIIT protocol involved heart rate zones of 172 ±10 bpm, while the control group trained at 132 ± 10 bpm. Both interventions lasted 8 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention psychological assessments were performed using MSAPS, with statistical analyses employing paired t-tests for within-group comparisons and ANCOVA for between-group effects.ResultsThe HIIT group demonstrated significant reductions in negative affect: tension (Δ = 2.1, p = 0.002), depression (Δ = 1.5, p = 0.008), and anger (Δ = 1.9, p = 0.001), alongside a substantial increase in self-esteem (Δ = 1.7, p = 0.004). The control group showed modest improvements in tension (Δ = 0.9, p = 0.03) and depression (Δ = 0.6, p = 0.04), but effects were weaker and non-significant for anger and self-esteem. Between-group analyses revealed HIIT’s superiority in tension (Δ = 1.8, p = 0.00) and depression (Δ = 0.8, p = 0.017) compared to continuous training.DiscussionHIIT’s dual mechanism—stimulating endorphin/dopamine release and enhancing physical efficacy—likely underpins its psychological benefits. The findings support HIIT as a viable school-based intervention for mitigating anxiety/depression and boosting self-esteem in adolescents. These results provide empirical groundwork for integrating HIIT into physical education curricula and mental health promotion strategies, offering a practical alternative to traditional exercise modalities.

The influence of ego-involving climates on perceived competence and commitment for U.S. Masters swimmers

IntroductionThe climate adults experience in their sport and physical activity endeavors may be central for them staying active and promoting healthy aging. Researchers have focused on the adaptive effects of the task-involving climate on adults’ sport experiences, though little attention has been given to the maladaptive influences of an ego-involving climate.MethodsThe purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between Masters swimmers’ perceptions of an ego-involving climate, competence, and commitment, as well as investigate the moderating effect of perceived competence on Masters swimmers’ commitment within ego-involving climates. U.S. Masters swimmers (n = 566; Mage = 54.82; White 73.70%; female 67%) competing in coach-led programs completed an online survey.ResultsLatent moderated SEM analyses revealed that Masters swimmers’ perceptions of an ego-involving climate did not predict their sport commitment, although the interactive effect of an ego-involving climate and perceived competence was significant for commitment. Conditional effects further revealed that while athletes with higher perceptions of competence showed a positive relationship between ego-involving climate and sport commitment, a stronger negative association was observed for Masters swimmers with lower perceptions of competence in an ego-involving climate.DiscussionAdults, regardless of experience or expertise, can benefit from participating in physical activity and avoiding ego-involving tendencies is essential to fostering their commitment to staying active.

From intention to perception: emotional processes as a link between intended and perceived leadership styles

IntroductionResearch has shown that managers and employees often differ in their perceptions of leadership, and that agreement between them is essential for effective leadership. Leadership involves both the actions of leaders and the perceptions of followers who interpret those actions within organizational contexts. Thus, the extent to which intended leadership styles influence followers—and, consequently, organizations—may depend largely on followers’ perceptions. It is therefore important to analyze the relationship between leaders’ intended leadership styles, followers’ perceptions of leadership, and the mediation processes between them. This study explored the mediating effects of management team emotional intelligence (TEI), the discrete emotions of followers and work units, and their roles in linking intended and perceived leadership styles.MethodsData were collected from two sources: 1,566 managers organized into 188 teams, and 4,564 workers. Multilevel path analysis was used to examine the relationships among variables.ResultsThe findings showed that TEI and employees’ emotional states fully mediated the relationship between management teams’ intended transformational leadership and employees’ perceived transformational leadership.DiscussionThis study highlights the central role of emotional processes in leadership effectiveness. TEI in management teams enhances the impact of intended transformational leadership (TFL) by shaping followers’ emotional states and perceptions. Positive, high-intensity emotions strengthen perceptions of leadership, whereas low-intensity states, such as comfort, weaken them. These findings advance our understanding of how leaders’ emotional skills and group affect contribute to creating more transformational leadership processes.

The spectrum of embodied intersubjective synchrony in empathy: from fully embodied to externally oriented engagement in Parkinson's disease

BackgroundParkinson's disease is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder that not only affects motor function but also impairs empathy. While the neurobiological changes underlying these deficits are known, the impact of PD on the lived experience of empathy remains poorly understood. This study investigates the lived experience of empathy for pain in individuals with PD, with a specific focus on embodied intersubjective synchrony.MethodForty-five patients with mild to moderate PD were exposed to videos of athletes suffering falls during extreme sports. Following exposure, participants underwent phenomenological interviews to explore their embodied experiences in connection with the other's suffering. Data were analyzed through an iterative process involving three independent analyses, triangulation, and the application of advanced analytical techniques (CAQDAS, inter-rater agreement index, interactive dashboards, spider graphs) to enhance the depth of the phenomenological analysis.ResultsThis study provides a nuanced view of empathy for pain in Parkinson's disease, uncovering a spectrum of embodied intersubjective synchrony. Two primary empathic structures emerged: Embodied Resonance Empathy, marked by strong bodily and emotional connections with temporal synchronization to others' suffering through internal sensations, and Marginal Embodied Resonance Empathy, where bodily and emotional resonance is reduced or absent, relying mainly on external visual cues. Substructures of Embodied Resonance Empathy include Other-Centered Empathy, driven by a motivation to help, and Self-Centered Empathy, focused on personal discomfort. For Marginal Embodied Resonance Empathy, substructures range from Transparent Resonance Empathy, involving emotional responses without bodily sensations, to Non-Resonance Empathy, characterized by a complete absence of bodily and emotional resonance.ConclusionThis study uncovers a spectrum of embodied intersubjective synchrony in empathy among individuals with PD, ranging from fully embodied synchrony, characterized by internal bodily and emotional resonance, temporally attuned to the other's suffering, to externally oriented synchrony, characterized by diminished or absent bodily and emotional resonance, relying primarily on external visual alignment with the other's suffering. These findings highlight the importance of embodied intersubjective synchrony in empathy, suggesting that targeted interventions could be essential for enhancing social cognition in PD.

Unraveling the pathways of sustainable music education: a moderated mediation analysis of environmental awareness, pedagogical approaches, and student engagement

IntroductionGiven the significance of fostering sustainable practices in music education, the study proposes a relation between sustainable music education (SME) and environmental awareness (EA) in music learning through a moderated mediation mechanism of student engagement (SE) and innovative pedagogical approaches (IPA).MethodsThe study employs a survey-based approach to empirically assess the hypothesized model. Data are collected through questionnaires from a sample of music students in China. Further, data are analyzed using multivariate analytical techniques to establish relationships among these variables.ResultsOur findings indicate that SME exhibits a significant influence on EA and consciousness among music students. Besides, SE significantly mediates the link between SME and EA. Furthermore, IPA moderates the association between SME and EA through the mediator effect of SE, such that at high levels of IPA, the associations are stronger (vice versa).DiscussionThis study contributes to the field of music education by unveiling the pathways through which SME can foster heightened EA. By establishing a moderated mediation model involving SE and IPA, this research highlights the interconnectedness of these variables in the context of music learning.

Exploring the cross-cultural communication challenges of foreign students in China: the mediating effects of social media interaction and psychological resilience

With the development of international education, an increasing number of foreign students are choosing to study Chinese in China. However, due to cultural differences and adaptation challenges, enhancing these students’ Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) has become a pressing issue. Based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study aims to explore how autonomy, competence, and relatedness influence the ICC of foreign students studying Chinese in China through the mediating effects of social media interaction and psychological resilience. A survey was conducted, collecting data from 500 valid samples of foreign students from various universities in China, encompassing diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the data. The findings reveal that autonomy, competence, and relatedness significantly and positively influence social media interaction and psychological resilience, which in turn enhance ICC. Competence emerged as the most influential factor, while psychological resilience played a critical role in cross-cultural adaptation. The results suggest that fostering autonomy, competence, and relatedness effectively enhances students’ ICC. This study provides theoretical support for the field of intercultural education and recommends that educational institutions leverage social media platforms and strategies to cultivate psychological resilience, helping students better adapt to multicultural environments.

Can subordinate performance simultaneously reduce leader ostracism and promote leader recognition? A moderated mediation model

In recent years, the positive influences of leadership on subordinate performance have been extensively studied. However, whether high-performing subordinates can, in turn, change the way leaders lead them remains underexplored. Based on social exchange theory, this research examines the mediating role of subordinate contribution in the relationship between subordinate performance and leader ostracism and recognition, as well as the moderating role of the leader’s outcome dependence on subordinate. Results from a multi-wave and multi-source field survey comprising 245 subordinates and 68 leaders indicate that subordinate performance increases subordinate contribution, which in turn, reduces leader ostracism and promotes leader recognition. Moreover, outcome dependence on subordinate reinforces the positive impact of subordinate performance on subordinate contribution, and the mediating effect of subordinate contribution. These findings not only provide a theoretical explanation of how and under what conditions subordinate performance can be welcomed by the leader, but also offer valuable insights for organizations to mitigate negative leader responses and foster positive ones.

Social skill training and children’s cognitive concentration in rural China: the mediating effect of social information processing skills

BackgroundThe cognitive concentration refers to the learning orientation of children, encompassing the skills, attitudes, and behaviors exhibited by children in their pursuit of knowledge. Enhancing children’s cognitive concentration through targeted social skills training holds notable importance for improving their classroom performance and academic achievement.MethodsDrawing upon the social information processing (SIP) theory and the large-scale trial “Let’s Be Friends (Shaanxi)” program with a randomized controlled experimental design, we employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the impact mechanism through which social skills training influences children’s cognitive concentration and examine the mediating effect by SIP skills.ResultsThe findings revealed that social skills training significantly enhances both children’s SIP skills and cognitive concentration. SIP skills fully mediate the relationship between social skills training and children’s cognitive concentration. Furthermore, this mediating effect is more pronounced in enhancing boys’ cognitive concentration compared to girls.ConclusionSocial skills training programs focused on enhancing children’s SIP skills represents an effective strategy for augmenting their cognitive concentration.

Comparing factor mixture modeling and conditional Gaussian mixture variational autoencoders for cognitive profile clustering

IntroductionUnderstanding individual cognitive profiles is crucial for developing personalized educational interventions, as cognitive differences can significantly impact how students learn. While traditional methods like factor mixture modeling (FMM) have proven robust for identifying latent cognitive structures, recent advancements in deep learning may offer the potential to capture more intricate and complex cognitive patterns.MethodsThis study compares FMM (specifically, FMM-1 and FMM-2 models using age as a covariate) with a Conditional Gaussian Mixture Variational Autoencoder (CGMVAE). The comparison utilizes six cognitive dimensions obtained from the PROFFILO assessment game.ResultsThe FMM-1 model, identified as the superior FMM solution, yielded two well-separated clusters (Silhouette score = 0.959). These clusters represent distinct average cognitive levels, with age significantly predicting class membership. In contrast, the CGMVAE identified ten more nuanced cognitive profiles, exhibiting clear developmental trajectories across different age groups. Notably, one dominant cluster (Cluster 9) showed an increase in representation from 44 to 54% with advancing age, indicating a normative developmental pattern. Other clusters displayed diverse profiles, ranging from subtle domain-specific strengths to atypical profiles characterized by significant deficits balanced by compensatory abilities.DiscussionThese findings highlight a trade-off between the methodologies. FMM provides clear, interpretable groupings suitable for broad classification purposes. Conversely, CGMVAE reveals subtle, non-linear variations in cognitive profiles, potentially reflecting complex developmental pathways. Despite practical challenges associated with CGMVAE's complexity and potential cluster overlap, its capacity to uncover nuanced cognitive patterns demonstrates significant promise for informing the development of highly tailored educational strategies.

Connecting urban green and blue spaces with children’ health: a bibliometric analysis in CiteSpace and VOSviewer

IntroductionRapid urbanization has increasingly restricted children’s access to natural environments, raising concerns about potential consequences for their physical, mental, and social well-being. Urban green and blue spaces are known to offer significant health benefits, including physical activity promotion, psychological restoration, and social development.MethodsThis study conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to examine the relationship between urban green/blue spaces and children’s health. A total of 575 relevant publications from 1981 to 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science database. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used for keyword co-occurrence analysis, co-citation mapping, and burst detection to visualize research trends and thematic evolution.ResultsThree major research phases were identified: (1) early focus on physical health outcomes, (2) a shift toward urban environmental contexts, and (3) emerging emphasis on sustainability, environmental quality, and walkability. While green spaces have been extensively studied, blue spaces remain underrepresented, especially in terms of their synergistic benefits when combined with green spaces. Key research themes include mental and physical health impacts, social skills development, and the educational functions of nature exposure.DiscussionThis study reveals the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of current research and emphasizes the importance of ensuring equitable access to high-quality natural environments in urban areas. The findings offer practical implications for urban planners and policymakers and establish a research foundation for promoting sustainable urban development that supports children’s health and well-being.

Trauma freed of the concept of determinism: is it possible to have a dialogue between psychoanalysis and neuroscience around the question of singularity?

This article introduces a model of dialogue between psychoanalysis and neuroscience that is based on an account of the economic dimension of trauma. From the outset Freudian theory took into account the singularity of each subject’s response to traumatic events, setting aside any linear paradigm in the causality of symptoms. In 1980, the introduction of the nosographic category of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) within the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) contributed to an increased social recognition for sufferers. Yet, it also resulted in a form of standardization in a clinical picture that hitherto had been heterogenous. The result was a deterministic and linear epistemological paradigm whose effects could be normative. Once we have defined the opposition between these two paradigms, we propose demonstrating that a dialogue is possible between psychoanalysis and neuroscience around the concept of ‘trauma’. To do this we will introduce an interdisciplinary approach that is free of the pitfall of determinism, and that seeks to promote the consideration of singularity in clinic practice. From that perspective, the post-traumatic symptom is no longer viewed as the consequence of a particular event, rather it is a construct produced by the subject in their effort to manage what overwhelms them.

Digital screen exposure and emotional symptoms in preschool children: mediation by parent–child relationship and moderation by peer relationships

IntroductionWith the rapid development of information technology, emerging electronic media are widely used in various settings where children are present. At the same time, excessive screen exposure has been associated with various emotional symptoms in preschool children.MethodsThis study employed a questionnaire survey to collect data from 7,239 parents of preschool children in Pu’er City, China. After rigorous data screening, 6,623 valid responses were retained for analysis. The collected data were then analyzed using SPSS 25.0 for descriptive and inferential statistics, and Hayes’ PROCESS 4.0 was used to test the mediation and moderation models involving digital screen exposure, the parent-child relationship, peer relationships, and emotional symptoms in preschool children.ResultsThe results indicated that digital screen exposure was significantly associated with emotional symptoms (β = 0.2351, p < 0.01). Specifically, higher levels of screen exposure were associated with more severe emotional symptoms, and this association was mediated by the parent-child relationship (indirect effect = 0.06, 95% CI [0.03, 0.08]). Peer relationships moderated the association between digital screen exposure and emotional symptoms (interaction effect = −0.22, p < 0.01) and between digital screen exposure and the parent-child relationship (interaction effect = −0.12, p < 0.01).DiscussionThis study provides a comprehensive theoretical framework to understand the associations among digital screen exposure, emotional symptoms, and social relationships in preschool children. It highlights the potential importance of the parent-child relationship and peer relationships in buffering negative associations related to digiatl screen exposure.