اضطراب

This study examines the relationship between cognitive processes and job performance in teachers at the Cruz del Norte Educational Unit, focusing on attention, planning, organization, anxiety, and job stress. A mixed-method design was applied, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques such as psychometric tests, Pearson correlation, multiple regression analysis, Student’s t-test, the Delphi method, and the Ishikawa diagram. The results show that executive functions, particularly planning and organization, have a significant positive impact on job performance. Teachers with higher levels of these skills demonstrate better performance, with strong correlations (r = 0.72, p = 0.001; r = 0.65, p = 0.003). In contrast, anxiety and stress act as limiting factors. Multiple regression analysis indicates that anxiety (β = -0.4946, p < 0.0001) and stress (β = -0.3721, p < 0.001) negatively predict job performance. Additionally, job indiscipline—reflected in absenteeism and lateness—shows a strong negative correlation with performance (r = -0.74, p < 0.000). These findings highlight the importance of time management and organizational commitment, as well as the need to implement training and psychological support strategies to improve teacher performance and educational quality.

این مطالعه به بررسی رابطه بین فرایندهای شناختی و عملکرد شغلی در معلمان واحد آموزشی Cruz del Norte می‌پردازد و بر توجه، برنامه‌ریزی، سازمان‌دهی، اضطراب و استرس شغلی تمرکز دارد. از طرح پژوهشی ترکیبی استفاده شده است که تکنیک‌های کمی و کیفی مانند آزمون‌های روان‌سنجی، همبستگی پیرسون، تحلیل رگرسیون چندگانه، آزمون t استیودنت، روش دلفی و نمودار ایشیکاوا را ترکیب می‌کند. نتایج نشان می‌دهد که کارکردهای اجرایی، به‌ویژه برنامه‌ریزی و سازمان‌دهی، تأثیر مثبت معناداری بر عملکرد شغلی دارند. معلمانی که سطوح بالاتری از این مهارت‌ها را دارا هستند، عملکرد بهتری از خود نشان می‌دهند و همبستگی‌های قوی (r = ۰.۷۲, p = ۰.۰۰۱؛ r = ۰.۶۵, p = ۰.۰۰۳) مشاهده شده است. در مقابل، اضطراب و استرس به‌عنوان عوامل محدودکننده عمل می‌کنند. تحلیل رگرسیون چندگانه نشان می‌دهد که اضطراب (β = -۰.۴۹۴۶, p < ۰.۰۰۰۱) و استرس (β = -۰.۳۷۲۱, p < ۰.۰۰۱) پیش‌بینی‌کننده منفی عملکرد شغلی هستند. همچنین، بی‌انضباطی شغلی—که در غیبت و تأخیر منعکس می‌شود—همبستگی منفی قوی با عملکرد دارد (r = -۰.۷۴, p < ۰.۰۰۰). این یافته‌ها اهمیت مدیریت زمان و تعهد سازمانی و همچنین ضرورت اجرای راهبردهای آموزشی و حمایت روان‌شناختی برای بهبود عملکرد معلمان و کیفیت آموزشی را برجسته می‌کند.

This study examines the relationship between cognitive processes and job performance in teachers at the Cruz del Norte Educational Unit, focusing on attention, planning, organization, anxiety, and job stress. A mixed-method design was applied, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques such as psychometric tests, Pearson correlation, multiple regression analysis, Student’s t-test, the Delphi method, and the Ishikawa diagram. The results show that executive functions, particularly planning and organization, have a significant positive impact on job performance. Teachers with higher levels of these skills demonstrate better performance, with strong correlations (r = 0.72, p = 0.001; r = 0.65, p = 0.003). In contrast, anxiety and stress act as limiting factors. Multiple regression analysis indicates that anxiety (β = -0.4946, p < 0.0001) and stress (β = -0.3721, p < 0.001) negatively predict job performance. Additionally, job indiscipline—reflected in absenteeism and lateness—shows a strong negative correlation with performance (r = -0.74, p < 0.000). These findings highlight the importance of time management and organizational commitment, as well as the need to implement training and psychological support strategies to improve teacher performance and educational quality.

این مطالعه به بررسی رابطه بین فرایندهای شناختی و عملکرد شغلی در معلمان واحد آموزشی Cruz del Norte می‌پردازد و بر توجه، برنامه‌ریزی، سازمان‌دهی، اضطراب و استرس شغلی تمرکز دارد. از طرح پژوهشی ترکیبی استفاده شده است که تکنیک‌های کمی و کیفی مانند آزمون‌های روان‌سنجی، همبستگی پیرسون، تحلیل رگرسیون چندگانه، آزمون t استیودنت، روش دلفی و نمودار ایشیکاوا را ترکیب می‌کند. نتایج نشان می‌دهد که کارکردهای اجرایی، به‌ویژه برنامه‌ریزی و سازمان‌دهی، تأثیر مثبت معناداری بر عملکرد شغلی دارند. معلمانی که سطوح بالاتری از این مهارت‌ها را دارا هستند، عملکرد بهتری از خود نشان می‌دهند و همبستگی‌های قوی (r = ۰.۷۲, p = ۰.۰۰۱؛ r = ۰.۶۵, p = ۰.۰۰۳) مشاهده شده است. در مقابل، اضطراب و استرس به‌عنوان عوامل محدودکننده عمل می‌کنند. تحلیل رگرسیون چندگانه نشان می‌دهد که اضطراب (β = -۰.۴۹۴۶, p < ۰.۰۰۰۱) و استرس (β = -۰.۳۷۲۱, p < ۰.۰۰۱) پیش‌بینی‌کننده منفی عملکرد شغلی هستند. همچنین، بی‌انضباطی شغلی—که در غیبت و تأخیر منعکس می‌شود—همبستگی منفی قوی با عملکرد دارد (r = -۰.۷۴, p < ۰.۰۰۰). این یافته‌ها اهمیت مدیریت زمان و تعهد سازمانی و همچنین ضرورت اجرای راهبردهای آموزشی و حمایت روان‌شناختی برای بهبود عملکرد معلمان و کیفیت آموزشی را برجسته می‌کند.

Purpose: This study aimed to design and evaluate an artificial intelligence–based model for predicting the mathematics performance of twelfth-grade experimental sciences students based on individual, educational, and learning technology factors. Methods and Materials: This applied, quantitative, cross-sectional, and predictive study was conducted among twelfth-grade experimental sciences students in Isfahan, Iran. A total of 187 questionnaires were distributed, and after removing incomplete, inconsistent, and invalid records, data from 84 students were retained for analysis. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing individual factors, educational conditions, and learning technology variables, together with students’ recorded mathematics scores. The dataset was divided into training and testing subsets, and repeated five-fold cross-validation was used for internal model development. Multiple linear regression, ridge regression, lasso regression, elastic net regression, decision tree regression, random forest regression, gradient boosting regression, and support vector regression were compared. Model performance was evaluated using mean absolute error, root mean squared error, and the coefficient of determination. Findings: Previous mathematics achievement had the strongest positive correlation with current mathematics performance, followed by mathematics self-efficacy, study regularity, academic motivation, teacher feedback, instructional quality, and educational use of learning technologies. Test anxiety and digital distraction were negatively associated with mathematics performance. Among the evaluated algorithms, gradient boosting regression achieved the best predictive performance, with a test-set mean absolute error of 0.93, root mean squared error of 1.26, and coefficient of determination of .72. Previous mathematics achievement, mathematics self-efficacy, study regularity, teacher feedback, educational use of learning technologies, test anxiety, and instructional quality were the most influential predictors. Adding educational factors increased explained variance from .54 to .65, while including learning technology factors further increased it to .72. Conclusion: The findings indicate that mathematics performance can be predicted with acceptable accuracy by integrating students’ prior achievement, psychological and behavioral characteristics, instructional experiences, and learning technology use within an interpretable artificial intelligence model.

هدف: این مطالعه با هدف طراحی و ارزیابی یک مدل مبتنی بر هوش مصنوعی برای پیش‌بینی عملکرد ریاضی دانش‌آموزان پایه دوازدهم رشته علوم تجربی بر اساس عوامل فردی، آموزشی و فناوری‌های یادگیری انجام شد. روش‌ها و مواد: این پژوهش کاربردی، کمی، مقطعی و پیش‌بینانه در میان دانش‌آموزان پایه دوازدهم رشته علوم تجربی شهر اصفهان، ایران انجام شد. در مجموع ۱۸۷ پرسشنامه توزیع گردید و پس از حذف داده‌های ناقص، ناسازگار و نامعتبر، داده‌های ۸۴ دانش‌آموز برای تحلیل حفظ شد. داده‌ها با استفاده از پرسشنامه ساختاریافته‌ای که عوامل فردی، شرایط آموزشی و متغیرهای فناوری یادگیری را ارزیابی می‌کرد، همراه با نمرات ثبت‌شده ریاضی دانش‌آموزان جمع‌آوری شد. مجموعه داده به زیرمجموعه‌های آموزش و آزمون تقسیم شد و برای توسعه داخلی مدل از اعتبارسنجی متقاطع پنج‌باره تکراری استفاده گردید. رگرسیون خطی چندگانه، رگرسیون ریج، رگرسیون لاسو، رگرسیون الاستیک نت، رگرسیون درخت تصمیم، رگرسیون جنگل تصادفی، رگرسیون گرادیان بوستینگ و رگرسیون بردار پشتیبان با یکدیگر مقایسه شدند. عملکرد مدل با استفاده از میانگین خطای مطلق، ریشه میانگین مربعات خطا و ضریب تعیین ارزیابی شد. یافته‌ها: پیشرفت قبلی در ریاضی بیشترین همبستگی مثبت را با عملکرد فعلی ریاضی داشت و پس از آن خودکارآمدی ریاضی، نظم در مطالعه، انگیزش تحصیلی، بازخورد معلم، کیفیت تدریس و استفاده آموزشی از فناوری‌های یادگیری قرار داشتند. اضطراب امتحان و حواس‌پرتی دیجیتال با عملکرد ریاضی رابطه منفی داشتند. در میان الگوریتم‌های ارزیابی‌شده، رگرسیون گرادیان بوستینگ بهترین عملکرد پیش‌بینی را با میانگین خطای مطلق ۰٫۹۳، ریشه میانگین مربعات خطا ۱٫۲۶ و ضریب تعیین ۰٫۷۲ در مجموعه آزمون به دست آورد. پیشرفت قبلی در ریاضی، خودکارآمدی ریاضی، نظم در مطالعه، بازخورد معلم، استفاده آموزشی از فناوری‌های یادگیری، اضطراب امتحان و کیفیت تدریس از مهم‌ترین پیش‌بین‌ها بودند. افزودن عوامل آموزشی واریانس تبیین‌شده را از ۰٫۵۴ به ۰٫۶۵ افزایش داد و افزودن عوامل فناوری یادگیری آن را به ۰٫۷۲ رساند. نتیجه‌گیری: یافته‌ها نشان می‌دهد که عملکرد ریاضی را می‌توان با دقت قابل قبول از طریق ادغام پیشرفت قبلی دانش‌آموزان، ویژگی‌های روان‌شناختی و رفتاری، تجارب آموزشی و استفاده از فناوری‌های یادگیری در یک مدل مبتنی بر هوش مصنوعی قابل تفسیر پیش‌بینی کرد.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Compassion-Focused Therapy and Existential Therapy in reducing death anxiety and increasing illness acceptance among patients with cancer in remission. Methods and Materials: This applied study used a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest-follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of patients with common cancers in remission who referred to hospitals in Tehran during 2025–2026. Using purposive sampling, 45 eligible participants were selected and randomly assigned to Compassion-Focused Therapy, Existential Therapy, and control groups, with 15 participants in each group. Both intervention groups received eight 90-minute weekly sessions, while the control group received no psychological intervention. Data were collected using the Templer Death Anxiety Scale and the Acceptance of Illness Scale. The data were analyzed in SPSS version 26 using repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons at a significance level of 0.05. Findings: Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed significant effects of time, group, and time-by-group interaction for death anxiety and illness acceptance (p < 0.001). Bonferroni comparisons indicated that both Compassion-Focused Therapy and Existential Therapy significantly reduced death anxiety and increased illness acceptance compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Compassion-Focused Therapy produced a significantly greater reduction in death anxiety than Existential Therapy (MD = 1.79, SE = 0.41, p < 0.001), whereas Existential Therapy produced a significantly greater increase in illness acceptance than Compassion-Focused Therapy (MD = 2.30, SE = 0.46, p < 0.001). The improvements were maintained at follow-up. Conclusion: Both Compassion-Focused Therapy and Existential Therapy were effective in improving psychological adjustment among patients with cancer in remission; however, Compassion-Focused Therapy was more effective in reducing death anxiety, whereas Existential Therapy was more effective in increasing illness acceptance.

هدف: این پژوهش با هدف مقایسه اثربخشی درمان مبتنی بر شفقت و درمان وجودی در کاهش اضطراب مرگ و افزایش پذیرش بیماری در بیماران مبتلا به سرطان در مرحله بهبودی انجام شد. روش‌ها و مواد: این مطالعه کاربردی با طرح نیمه‌آزمایشی پیش‌آزمون-پس‌آزمون-پیگیری با گروه کنترل انجام گرفت. جامعه آماری شامل بیماران مبتلا به سرطان‌های شایع در مرحله بهبودی بود که در سال‌های ۲۰۲۵ تا ۲۰۲۶ به بیمارستان‌های تهران مراجعه کردند. با استفاده از نمونه‌گیری هدفمند، ۴۵ شرکت‌کننده واجد شرایط انتخاب و به طور تصادفی در سه گروه درمان مبتنی بر شفقت، درمان وجودی و کنترل (هر گروه ۱۵ نفر) گمارده شدند. هر دو گروه مداخله، هشت جلسه هفتگی ۹۰ دقیقه‌ای دریافت کردند و گروه کنترل هیچ مداخله روان‌شناختی دریافت نکرد. داده‌ها با استفاده از مقیاس اضطراب مرگ تمپلر و مقیاس پذیرش بیماری جمع‌آوری شد. تحلیل داده‌ها با نرم‌افزار SPSS نسخه ۲۶ و با استفاده از تحلیل واریانس اندازه‌گیری مکرر و مقایسه‌های پس‌آزمون با اصلاح بونفرونی در سطح معناداری ۰٫۰۵ انجام گرفت. یافته‌ها: تحلیل واریانس اندازه‌گیری مکرر اثرات معنادار زمان، گروه و تعامل زمان و گروه را برای اضطراب مرگ و پذیرش بیماری نشان داد (p < 0.001). مقایسه‌های بونفرونی نشان داد که هر دو درمان مبتنی بر شفقت و درمان وجودی به طور معناداری اضطراب مرگ را کاهش و پذیرش بیماری را نسبت به گروه کنترل افزایش دادند (p < 0.001). درمان مبتنی بر شفقت کاهش معنادار بیشتری در اضطراب مرگ نسبت به درمان وجودی ایجاد کرد (MD = 1.79, SE = 0.41, p < 0.001)، در حالی که درمان وجودی افزایش معنادار بیشتری در پذیرش بیماری نسبت به درمان مبتنی بر شفقت داشت (MD = 2.30, SE = 0.46, p < 0.001). این بهبودها در مرحله پیگیری نیز حفظ شد. نتیجه‌گیری: هر دو درمان مبتنی بر شفقت و درمان وجودی در بهبود سازگاری روان‌شناختی بیماران مبتلا به سرطان در مرحله بهبودی مؤثر بودند؛ با این حال، درمان مبتنی بر شفقت در کاهش اضطراب مرگ و درمان وجودی در افزایش پذیرش بیماری اثربخشی بیشتری داشتند.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of multicultural therapy in reducing anxiety and psychological distress and improving social well-being and social performance among international students in West Asia. Methods and Materials: This quantitative study was conducted in two descriptive and quasi-experimental phases. The statistical population consisted of 250 international students studying at Mohaghegh Ardabili University during the 2023–2024 academic year. In the screening phase, 124 students were selected through multistage cluster sampling and completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory, Keyes Social Well-Being Scale, Hadian-Nasab Social Performance Questionnaire, and Goldberg General Health Questionnaire. Following screening, 30 students who met the inclusion criteria, including a Beck Anxiety Inventory score greater than 17, were selected and randomly assigned to a multicultural therapy group and a wait-list control group, with 15 participants in each group. Both groups completed pretest and posttest assessments. The experimental group received multicultural therapy, whereas the control group received no active intervention during the study period. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance after examining the relevant statistical assumptions. Findings: After controlling for pretest scores, multicultural therapy produced a significant reduction in anxiety compared with the wait-list control condition, F(1, 27) = 44.83, p < .001, partial η² = .624. Significant group differences were also observed in social well-being, F(1, 27) = 35.63, p < .001, partial η² = .569, and social performance, F(1, 27) = 29.73, p < .001, partial η² = .524, with higher adjusted posttest scores in the experimental group. General psychological distress was also significantly lower in the multicultural therapy group, F(1, 27) = 40.25, p < .001, partial η² = .598. Conclusion: Multicultural therapy appears to be an effective culturally responsive intervention for reducing anxiety and psychological distress and enhancing the social well-being and social performance of international students.

هدف: این پژوهش با هدف ارزیابی اثربخشی درمان چندفرهنگی در کاهش اضطراب و پریشانی روان‌شناختی و بهبود بهزیستی اجتماعی و عملکرد اجتماعی در میان دانشجویان بین‌المللی در غرب آسیا انجام شد. روش‌ها و مواد: این مطالعه کمی در دو مرحله توصیفی و نیمه‌آزمایشی اجرا گردید. جامعه آماری شامل ۲۵۰ دانشجوی بین‌المللی مشغول به تحصیل در دانشگاه محقق اردبیلی در سال تحصیلی ۲۰۲۳–۲۰۲۴ بود. در مرحله غربالگری، ۱۲۴ دانشجو با روش نمونه‌گیری خوشه‌ای چندمرحله‌ای انتخاب شدند و پرسشنامه اضطراب بک، مقیاس بهزیستی اجتماعی Keyes، پرسشنامه عملکرد اجتماعی Hadian-Nasab و پرسشنامه سلامت عمومی Goldberg را تکمیل کردند. پس از غربالگری، ۳۰ دانشجویی که معیارهای ورود از جمله نمره بالاتر از ۱۷ در پرسشنامه اضطراب بک را داشتند، انتخاب و به طور تصادفی در دو گروه درمان چندفرهنگی و کنترل فهرست انتظار (هر گروه ۱۵ نفر) گمارده شدند. هر دو گروه ارزیابی‌های پیش‌آزمون و پس‌آزمون را تکمیل کردند. گروه آزمایشی درمان چندفرهنگی را دریافت کرد، در حالی که گروه کنترل طی دوره مطالعه هیچ مداخله فعالی دریافت نکرد. داده‌ها پس از بررسی مفروضه‌های آماری مربوطه با استفاده از تحلیل کوواریانس تحلیل شدند. یافته‌ها: پس از کنترل نمرات پیش‌آزمون، درمان چندفرهنگی منجر به کاهش معنادار اضطراب نسبت به گروه کنترل فهرست انتظار شد، F(1, 27) = 44.83, p < .001, partial η² = .624. تفاوت معنادار بین گروه‌ها در بهزیستی اجتماعی، F(1, 27) = 35.63, p < .001, partial η² = .569، و عملکرد اجتماعی، F(1, 27) = 29.73, p < .001, partial η² = .524، نیز مشاهده شد و نمرات تعدیل‌شده پس‌آزمون در گروه آزمایشی بالاتر بود. همچنین پریشانی روان‌شناختی عمومی در گروه درمان چندفرهنگی به طور معناداری کمتر بود، F(1, 27) = 40.25, p < .001, partial η² = .598. نتیجه‌گیری: به نظر می‌رسد درمان چندفرهنگی یک مداخله مؤثر و پاسخگو به لحاظ فرهنگی برای کاهش اضطراب و پریشانی روان‌شناختی و ارتقای بهزیستی اجتماعی و عملکرد اجتماعی دانشجویان بین‌المللی باشد.

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis frequently experience physical and psychological complaints that may affect their sleep quality. Uremic pruritus, restless legs syndrome, anxiety, and post-hemodialysis fatigue are potential factors that may disrupt sleep quality. Objective: This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the sleep quality of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis at Bahteramas Regional General Hospital, Southeast Sulawesi Province. Methods: This study employed a quantitative analytical approach with a cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 83 respondents. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), 5-D Itch Scale, International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety (HADS-A), and a post-hemodialysis fatigue assessment instrument. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and binary logistic regression. Results: Bivariate analysis showed that uremic pruritus (p = 0.046), restless legs syndrome (p = 0.015), anxiety (p = 0.029), and post-hemodialysis fatigue (p = 0.049) were statistically significant factors associated with sleep quality. Simultaneously, the four variables had a statistically significant effect on sleep quality (p = 0.007), with a Nagelkerke R Square value of 0.217. In the multivariable analysis, only anxiety showed a statistically significant independent effect (p = 0.019). Conclusion: Uremic pruritus, restless legs syndrome, anxiety, and post-hemodialysis fatigue were statistically associated with sleep quality in the bivariate analysis. The four variables were jointly significant in the multivariable model, whereas only anxiety remained statistically significant after adjustment for the other variables.

This study investigated the implementation of a gamified English for Specific Purposes (ESP) speaking instructional framework using spinning wheel media among nursing students. A qualitative case study approach was conducted involving 25 nursing students at STIKES Bina Usada Bali. Data were gathered over five instructional sessions through classroom observations, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis, followed by thematic analysis. The analysis revealed five themes: students’ engagement, speaking anxiety, speaking confidence, the relevance of nursing-based communication tasks, and classroom participation. The findings suggested that students perceived the randomized speaking prompts as engaging and considered nursing-related scenarios relevant to their prospective professional communication needs. Some participants further described feeling more comfortable and confident through repeated opportunities to practice speaking. Drawing on the classroom implementation, the study identified six related instructional components: context-based nursing tasks, randomized prompts, individual speaking performance, peer interaction, constructive feedback, and repeated practice. This study offers practical insights into the integration of gamification in ESP speaking instruction for nursing students. Nevertheless, the findings represent students’ experiences and perceptions; they do not demonstrate a causal improvement in speaking proficiency or establish the formal validity of the framework. Future research should investigate the framework in diverse educational contexts and explore its association with objectively assessed speaking outcomes.

Experiences of bullying can have significant psychological consequences, including an increased risk of social anxiety. This study aimed to examine changes in social anxiety following Virtual Reality Social Exposure (VRSE) among bullying victims. A one-group pretest–posttest design without a control group was employed with 12 participants. The intervention consisted of three gradual exposure sessions in virtual environments representing social situations. Social anxiety was measured before and after the intervention, and the data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test. The results indicated a statistically significant decrease in social anxiety scores following the intervention (p = 0.002), with a reported effect size of 0.974. These findings suggest that VRSE may be a promising approach for reducing social anxiety among bullying victims. However, the absence of a control group and the small sample size limit conclusions regarding its effectiveness and safety. Further studies with larger samples, control groups, and systematic safety assessments are needed.

Background: Psychological stress is a common issue among faculty members due to increasing academic, administrative, and professional responsibilities. Prolonged stress negatively affect mental well-being, job satisfaction, and work performance. Therefore, assessing the level of psychological stress among faculty members is essential for identifying the need for stress-management strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the level of psychological stress among faculty members of colleges and universities. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 101 faculty members from colleges and universities. Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected through structured online questionnaire consisting of demographic information and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 101 faculty members participated in the study. The majority of participants were above 30 years of age (46%), female (64%), worked 40-50 hours per week (41%), and possessed a master's degree (68%). Assessment of stress levels using the perceived stress scale revealed 91% of participants experienced moderate stress, 6% experienced low stress, and 3% experienced high stress. Most respondents reported experiencing stress-related feelings such as being upset unexpectedly, inability to control important things in life, nervousness, and difficulty coping "sometimes," indicating a moderate level of perceived psychological stress. Conclusions: The findings indicate that psychological stress is prevalent among faculty members of colleges and universities, with moderate stress being the most commonly reported level. These results highlight need for effective stress-management interventions and workplace wellness programs to promote psychological well-being among faculty members.

The purpose of this study is to examine how parentification and perceived stress impact adolescents' psychological and behavioural adjustment. This study explored the associations between parentification, perceived stress, and disruptive behaviour, and the predictive and mediating effects of these variables. The method of the research was descriptive cross sectional, purposive sampling was used for gathering samples, the number of samples obtained was 250.The methods used were descriptive cross sectional design, purposive sampling was used for sampling. The Parentification Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Disruptive Behaviour Scale were used to collect the data. The SPSS Version 26 was used for descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, regression analysis and Hayes’ PROCESS Macro (Model 4). Results showed that parentification was not a significant predictor of perceived stress and disruptive behaviour. Perceived stress, however, was a strong predictor of disruptive behaviour. Indirect effect of parentification on disruptive behaviour via perceived stress was also non-significant. Impression of stress seems to be a key factor related to disruptive behaviour among adolescents, while the impact of parentification could differ based on contextual and cultural factors. The results emphasize the need for stress reduction and psychological health promotion initiatives for youth in Pakistan.

This study examined the association between intolerance of uncertainty and psychological distress among emerging adults aged 18-29 years. A quantitative, cross-sectional correlational design was used with online convenience sampling. Of 181 survey submissions, one record was excluded because age was missing and one because the respondent was aged 17 years; a further 18 respondents who reported a previous mental-health diagnosis were excluded. The final analytical sample comprised 161 participants (M age = 23.60, SD = 3.09; 67.1% women). Intolerance of uncertainty was measured with the 12-item Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12), and nonspecific psychological distress with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Mean IUS-12 and K10 scores were 32.11 (SD = 9.44) and 24.31 (SD = 8.09), respectively. Internal consistency estimates were .887 and .913. Pearson's correlation indicated a positive association between IUS-12 and K10 scores, r(159) = .632, p < .001, 95% CI [.529, .717]. Spearman's correlation was also positive and significant (rs = .595, p < .001, 95% bootstrap CI [.475, .699]). Higher intolerance of uncertainty was associated with greater self-reported psychological distress in this sample. The cross-sectional design, convenience sampling, self-report measures, and diagnosis-based screening limit causal inference and generalisability.

Emotional contagion refers to the process through which people's emotions may be influenced by the emotional states and expressions of others. This study examined self-reported responses to stress in other people and explored their association with perceived stress. A quantitative, cross-sectional online questionnaire was completed between October 25 and 27, 2026. Of 33 submissions, 32 participants consented and were included in the emotional-response analysis; 31 had sufficient responses for the preliminary perceived-stress analysis. The questionnaire included 15 researcher-developed statements about responses to others' stress and 10 perceived-stress questions resembling the Perceived Stress Scale?10 (PSS-10). Descriptive results showed that 90.6% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they could sense stress in people around them, while 75.0% reported that stress in family, workplace, or educational settings affected their emotional well-being. An exploratory Spearman correlation indicated a positive association between the emotional-response composite and perceived-stress scores (rs = .526, p = .002, n = 31). This association must be interpreted cautiously because the emotional-response questionnaire was not validated and the exact perceived-stress instrument requires confirmation. Findings provide preliminary descriptive insight but do not establish causation.

Abstract Background Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) is a transdiagnostic process relevant to common mental health problems in primary care. RNT-ACT is a brief acceptance and commitment therapy-based protocol targeting RNT in two sessions. This pilot study assessed the feasibility of RNT-ACT compared with therapist-supported internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) in Swedish primary care. Methods Thirteen participants were randomised: 7 to RNT-ACT and 6 to iCBT. The primary feasibility outcomes were recruitment rate, intervention non-completion, and patient satisfaction measured with the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8). Symptom and process measures were secondary outcomes. Secondary outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 1- and 3-month follow-ups. Analyses were descriptive and exploratory, based on available observations without imputation of missing data. Results Thirteen of 20 eligible individuals were enrolled (65%), corresponding to 35% of all 37 individuals screened. All participants in the RNT-ACT group completed the intervention, whereas 4 of 6 participants in the iCBT group did not complete the intervention. Mean CSQ-8 scores were 27.8 (SD 3.7; n = 5) in the RNT-ACT group and 23.0 (SD 0.0; n = 2) in the iCBT group. Conclusions The small sample size and high iCBT non-completion limit between-group comparisons. Further investigation of recruitment, treatment engagement, and patient and therapist experiences is needed before determining whether and how to proceed to a full-scale RCT. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05946382 registered July 14, 2023.

The present study investigated the predictive role of trait mindfulness in relation to depression, anxiety, and stress among Pakistani young adults. The following hypotheses were formulated: H1: Trait mindfulness will significantly and negatively predict depression among Pakistani young adults. H2: Trait mindfulness will significantly and negatively predict anxiety among Pakistani young adults. H3: Trait mindfulness will significantly and negatively predict stress among Pakistani young adults. A sample of 405 participants (189 males, 216 females; aged 18–30 years, M = 22.39, SD = 2.823) completed an online survey including the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Reliability and normality assessments confirmed the adequacy of the measures. Linear regression analyses revealed that trait mindfulness significantly and negatively predicted depression (R² = .237, p < .001), anxiety (R² = .210, p < .001), and stress (R² = .201, p < .001). These findings were consistent with the hypotheses formulated and the theoretical perspectives. The study adds value to global evidence in relation to the Pakistani context, highlighting trait mindfulness as a preventive factor against negative emotions and emphasizing the need for culturally adapted mindfulness-based interventions to enhance psychological resilience among young adults.

Purpose: This study assessed the prevalence of sleep disturbance and associated factors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) combined with targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional survey enrolled 230 patients undergoing HAIC combined with targeted therapy and immunotherapy at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (July–November 2025). Sleep, psychological distress, pain, appetite, and quality of life were assessed using the PSQI, HADS, NRS, VAS, and EORTC QLQ-C30, respectively, along with prior HAIC cycles. Logistic regression identified factors associated with sleep disturbance. Results: The prevalence of sleep disturbance (PSQI > 5) was 72.6% (167/230). Univariate analysis identified a greater number of prior HAIC cycles, higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms, and lower quality of life and appetite as significant factors. In multivariate analysis, four factors remained independently associated with sleep disturbance: prior HAIC cycles (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.25– 2.20, P < 0.001), anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.12– 1.44, P < 0.001), depressive symptoms (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.03– 1.47, P = 0.021), and appetite sensations (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.91– 0.96, P < 0.001), which showed an inverse association with sleep disturbance. The model showed an apparent area under the ROC curve of 0.92 (95% CI 0.87– 0.96), with an optimism-corrected AUC of 0.91 after bootstrap resampling. Conclusion: Sleep disturbance was highly prevalent and was independently associated with cumulative treatment burden, psychological distress and impaired appetite. These cross-sectional findings support routine sleep screening together with psychological and nutritional assessment in this population; whether modifying these factors improves sleep quality requires prospective interventional studies. Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma, sleep disturbance, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy

Preparing for the Civil Services Examination is long, costly, and uncertain, yet little research has listened to aspirants in India's Tier 2 cities. This descriptive survey asked 523 aspirants enrolled in coaching in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, about their stress, coping, attitudes to professional mental-health support, and the support their institutions offer. More than half (55.8%) called the past month very or extremely stressful, and financial strain, family expectations, and fear of judgement were prominent. Aspirants coped through peers, breaks, and planning, yet 84.3% felt they had not found a strategy that worked. Most (90.6%) thought professional help reasonable, but only 23.9% had used it, mainly held back by fear of peer judgement, cost, and confidentiality worries. Most (84.1%) rated stress-related support from their institutions as inadequate or absent. The findings are descriptive, not causal, and suggest support should change the conditions of preparation as well as strengthen individual coping.

The present study aimed at examining relationship between sociotropy and autonomy with self-esteem and anxiety in adults in Pakistan and to test the moderation effect of perceived social support in the relationships between sociotropy and autonomy with self-esteem and anxiety. Methods: A quantitative correlational design was used. The sample consisted of 500 healthy unmarried individuals aged 18-29 years who were selected from government and private universities across the country, using a purposive sampling technique. The Personal Style Inventory, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the anxiety subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 were all filled out by the participants. Data were processed in SPSS version 26, descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation, Hayes' PROCESS Macro Model 1 and internal consistency analysis were used. Results: There was a significant correlation between sociotropy and anxiety (r=.22, p<.01) and with perceived social support (r=.29, p<.01), but not with self-esteem (r=-.05, p=.267). Self-esteem (r=.15, p<.01), anxiety (r=.12, p<.01) and perceived social support (r=.20, p<.01) were positively related to autonomy. Perceived social support was shown to be significantly positively related to self-esteem (r=.14, p<.01) and, surprisingly, not significantly related to anxiety (r≈0, p=.977). Sociotropy × perceived social support interactions were significant for self-esteem (B=.002, p=.026) and anxiety (B=.001, p=.010), but the autonomy × perceived social support interactions were not significant for self-esteem (B≈0, p=.750) or anxiety (B≈0, p=.569). Conclusion: The results suggest that the sociotropic orientation is related to higher anxiety and that perceived social support modifies the relationship between sociotropy and self-esteem and anxiety. A positive relationship was found between autonomy and self-esteem and autonomy and anxiety; and perceived social support did not significantly change these relationships. These findings underline the need for taking both vulnerability and inter-personal resources into account to comprehend anxiety in young adults in Pakistan.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about consequences extending beyond the health crisis itself, particularly affecting the mental health of the adult population in Latin America—a region where structural inequalities and healthcare deficiencies exacerbated the emotional impact of lockdowns, economic uncertainty, and the fear of infection. This study aimed to identify and analyze the psychological factors linked to stress levels experienced by adults in the region following the health emergency, utilizing a systematic literature review conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The process began with 543 records identified in databases such as PubMed, SciELO, and Elsevier, from which 30 publications covering the 2022–2026 period were selected. Findings revealed that anxiety, depression, emotional fatigue, and post-traumatic stress were the predominant manifestations, associated with social isolation, economic instability, academic and work-related overload, and low socioeconomic status. Resilience and family support served as protective factors against these manifestations. The study concludes that post-pandemic stress has a multifactorial origin and that its effects can persist over time, highlighting the need to strengthen public mental health policies for the adult population.

Anxiety and depressive symptoms frequently co-occur during adolescence. Physical activity is associated with adolescent mental health at the scale-score level, but its links with individual symptoms and their temporal ordering remain less clear. This study examined contemporaneous and one-year prospective associations between physical activity and individual anxiety/depression symptoms, evaluated the robustness of pooling three annual wave-pair cohorts, and compared network patterns between male and female adolescents. Three adjacent annual wave-pair cohorts (2020–2021, 2021–2022, and 2022–2023) from a Chinese national adolescent health survey were analyzed ( N = 13,785 wave-pair records). Physical activity was measured with the PAQ-A and anxiety/depression symptoms with the SCL-90. Gaussian graphical models and cross-lagged panel networks (CLPNs) were estimated. Annual-cohort invariance, missingness, centrality, bridge centrality, accuracy, stability, and male/female differences were examined. Annual-cohort comparisons showed no detectable network-structure differences (M = 0.07–0.08, p = 0.120–0.270) or global-strength differences (ΔS = 0.12–0.32, p = 0.150–0.320). Little’s test was nonsignificant (χ² = 79.39, df = 89, p = 0.531), providing no evidence against a completely-at-random missingness mechanism. In the pooled contemporaneous network, physical activity had negative partial correlations with low motivation (weight = -0.0732), low energy (-0.0651), and nervousness (-0.0532). Worthlessness (expected influence [EI] = 1.39), tension (EI = 1.38), and nervousness (EI = 1.34) were influential nodes. Panic had the highest reported bridge EI (0.659). In the CLPN, physical activity was prospectively associated with lower low motivation ( β = -0.0602) and low mood ( β = -0.0561), while nervousness was associated with lower subsequent physical activity ( β = -0.0539). Male and female networks differed in structure (M = 0.112, p < 0.001) but not global strength (ΔS = 0.19, p = 0.709). Physical activity occupied a peripheral position in the contemporaneous network but showed small prospective associations with selected anxiety and depressive symptoms. These temporal associations do not establish causality. The stable annual-cohort pattern and male/female-specific edge configuration support further confirmatory work using designs that can address unmeasured confounding and within-person change.

Introduction: Ecuadorian higher education has experienced different dynamics in scientific production, presenting a significant challenge regarding the integration and participation of university students. The problem lies in a lack of knowledge analyzing the correlation between academic anxiety and scientific production in a university context in the city of Ambato, Ecuador. Objective: To determine the correlational association between academic anxiety and scientific production among university students in the city of Ambato in 2025. Methodology: The research employed a correlational approach, a quantitative methodology, and a non-experimental design. Data was collected using a structured survey administered to 248 university students, selected through convenience sampling. Results and Discussion: The main results show that 31.45% of students experience physical fatigue when conducting research activities, 57.26% perceive that they are not meeting the demands of a research project, 47.58% avoid engaging in scientific research, and a Pearson correlation coefficient of -0.027 was obtained, demonstrating a negative association between the variables studied. Conclusion: The university students experience physiological, cognitive, and behavioral difficulties when producing a scientific product, where a lack of experience and student support makes scientific research a difficult and uninteresting field for university students to explore.