بهزیستی

Psychosocial risks are an important occupational health concern and may be associated with emotional exhaustion through psychological mechanisms related to employees’ appraisal of adverse working conditions. This secondary analysis used a quantitative, cross-sectional design and data from 458 university employees to examine the mediating role of perceived stress and the moderating role of resilience in the association between psychosocial risks and emotional exhaustion. Correlation, mediation, and moderation analyses were performed, with bootstrap estimation based on 10,000 resamples. Greater psychosocial risk was associated with higher perceived stress and emotional exhaustion, whereas resilience was associated with lower perceived stress. Perceived stress partially mediated the association between psychosocial risks and emotional exhaustion, accounting for approximately 32.5% of the total association. The stress–resilience interaction was statistically significant in the unadjusted model, although its incremental contribution was small (ΔR² = 0.004); after adjustment for sociodemographic and occupational covariates, the interaction retained a similar direction but did not reach conventional statistical significance (p = 0.058). The model accounted for 59.6% of the variance in emotional exhaustion. Given the cross-sectional design, these findings represent statistical associations and do not establish temporal or causal relationships. The results support considering organizational psychosocial conditions, perceived stress, and resilience jointly when examining occupational well-being among university employees.

The WHO Adolescent Well-being Framework identifies agency and resilience as a central domain of adolescent well-being, yet its expression from a health promotion perspective remains insufficiently understood. Although previous research has often focused on specific behaviours or isolated factors, less attention has been given to how interconnected personal and relational resources coexist as patterns reflecting the WHO domain of agency and resilience. This study explored such patterns among young Swedish persons aged 15–18 years and examined gender differences across these patterns. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 419 students in Swedish upper secondary schools. Agency and resilience were operationalised through measures of salutogenic health, positive youth development (PYD), playfulness, goal orientation, and physical activity. A person-oriented cluster analysis was used to identify patterns of interconnected resources, and gender differences between patterns. Three distinct resource patterns were identified: a low-resource group (26%), a high-resource group (28%), and an asymmetric-resource group (47%), characterised by relatively favourable intrapersonal resources alongside lower relational PYD resources. Girls were significantly overrepresented in both the low-resource and asymmetric-resource groups. Together, these findings suggest that young persons with seemingly favourable individual resources may nevertheless exhibit underlying vulnerabilities when resources are considered as interconnected patterns rather than isolated characteristics. This perspective contributes to the empirical understanding of the WHO domain of agency and resilience and may inform person-centred, relational approaches to promoting young persons’ well-being.

Recent research has demonstrated that self-report measures of experienced autonomy and external control relate to attitudes, behavior, and well-being consistent with self-determination theory (SDT) predictions. These motivational states have traditionally been inferred from reason-based measures of the SDT motivation types; inferences that may not be accurate, particularly when there are multiple reasons for engaging in an activity. In this research, we investigated whether self-report measures of the psychological states associated with the specific SDT motivation types might similarly eliminate the need for inference from reason-based measures and contribute meaningfully to the prediction of important outcomes. We developed a context-free measure of the type-specific motivation states - Motivational State Scales – Specific (MSS-S) – including separate approach and avoidance versions of external and introjected regulation. We administered the MSS-S along with measures of the global motivation states (autonomy, control, strength) and relevant outcomes (e.g., need satisfaction, well-being, attitudes, performance) to employees ( n = 500) and students ( n = 476). The findings supported a 9-factor structure, and the type-specific motivational states related to global states and outcomes largely in accord with SDT predictions, with meaningful differences for the approach and avoidance scales. The type-specific and global state measures contributed uniquely to outcome prediction, suggesting that both constitute meaningful ways to conceptualize the motivation quality distinction in SDT. We discuss implications for future research and practical applications of the MSS-S.

Abstract Governments and organizations increasingly endorse the importance of mental health in all forms of policy, though emphasis in measurement still remains on indicators such as GDP, depression, and other common disorders. In this study of 92 countries ( n = 53,799), we assess the mental health of individuals around the world alongside measures of financial and social well-being. Findings include a trend of languishing mental health across many groups, particularly among younger adults and within higher-income countries. While positive trends are observed for education and income, a number of concerning trends also emerge, particularly the poor results for young adults and generally moderate results for employed individuals. In sum, we find an alarming but perhaps unsurprisingly low level of positive mental health in a substantial number of countries, but also identify specific economic, social, and other indicators that policymakers could target in improving the well-being of the populations they serve.

Background. Emotional adversities and social context may influence romantic relationships and psychological well-being, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. However, the present study does not directly measure stigmatization. Aim. The study aimed to evaluate the interplay between attachment styles, relationship satisfaction, and psychological well-being, while considering the distinctions between LGBTQ+ individuals and their heterosexual counterparts. Methods. A quantitative correlational methodology was employed for the study, utilizing a stratified sample of 100 participants: 40 LGBTQ+ individuals and 60 heterosexuals. Standardized instruments were utilized to assess attachment styles, relationship satisfaction, and psychological well-being (ECR-S, RSI, PWB). Statistical processing included MANOVA, correlation and regression analysis. Results. The findings revealed significant disparities in the distribution of attachment styles between groups. The LGBTQ+ group showed higher rates of anxious attachment (35% vs. 23%; p=0.046) compared to the heterosexual group. Secure attachment was positively correlated with both relationship satisfaction (r=0.72) and well-being (r=0.65), whereas avoidant and anxious-avoidant styles exerted a detrimental effect on these indicators. Discussion. The obtained results underscore the critical importance of secure attachment in fostering emotional stability and harmony within relationships. This is kept but moved slightly later and presented as a cautious interpretation, not a finding. Conclusion. The study emphasizes the significance of cultivating a secure attachment style by ensuring emotional safety and adaptive strategies in relationships. The findings contribute to the enhancement of psychological support programs aimed at enhancing relationship quality and well-being across diverse social groups.

Despite the recognized importance of youth participation in agricultural production for food security, Cash crop production and rural development, its engagement among youth in Tanzania remains remarkably low. In Badugu Ward, Bariadi District, for instance, only about 30% of youth participate in agricultural production despite abundant family land. This study explored the influence of land inheritance systems on youth participation in agricultural production in Badugu Ward, Bariadi District in Simiyu Region, Tanzania. Employing a qualitative research approach, the study focuses on the lived experiences of thirty (30) youth participants selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through interviews, Focus Group Discussions and observation, analyzed thematically following Braun and Clarke's (2006) six-step framework. Findings reveal that decisions are heavily influenced by elders authority, clan norms and gendered inheritance practices, where the credibility of family elders and the rigidity of cultural norms significantly shape youth access to land. Notably, social pressures, particularly from elders and male family members, discourage youth, especially women, from claiming land. Recommendations emphasize enhancing community engagement through consistent communication, education initiatives, and leveraging peer testimonials to foster trust and mitigate uncertainty about land transfer. Overall, the study highlights the complexity of socio-cultural dynamics in agricultural land access and suggests that effective strategies for promoting youth participation must address these collective influences.

علی‌رغم اهمیت شناخته‌شده مشارکت جوانان در تولید کشاورزی برای امنیت غذایی، تولید محصولات زراعی پول‌ساز و توسعه روستایی، مشارکت جوانان در تانزانیا به‌طور قابل‌توجهی پایین است. برای نمونه، در واد بدوگو، منطقه باریادی، تنها حدود ۳۰٪ از جوانان در تولید کشاورزی مشارکت دارند، با وجود زمین‌های خانوادگی فراوان. این پژوهش تأثیر سیستم‌های ارث‌بری زمین بر مشارکت جوانان در تولید کشاورزی را در واد بدوگو، منطقه باریادی، در منطقه سیمییو، تانزانیا بررسی کرد. این مطالعه با به‌کارگیری رویکرد پژوهش کیفی، بر تجربیات زیسته سی (۳۰) شرکت‌کننده جوان که از طریق نمونه‌گیری هدفمند انتخاب شده‌اند، تمرکز دارد. داده‌ها از طریق مصاحبه، بحث‌های گروهی متمرکز و مشاهده جمع‌آوری و با دنبال کردن چارچوب شش‌مرحله‌ای براون و کلارک (۲۰۰۶) به‌صورت تماتیک تحلیل شدند. یافته‌ها نشان می‌دهد که تصمیم‌گیری‌ها به‌شدت تحت تأثیر اقتدار بزرگان، هنج‌های قومی و شیوه‌های ارث‌بری جنسیت‌محور است، جایی که اعتبار بزرگان خانواده و انعطاف‌ناپذیری هنج‌های فرهنگی به‌طور قابل‌توجهی دسترسی جوانان به زمین را شکل می‌دهند. به‌طور قابل‌توجهی، فشارهای اجتماعی، به‌ویژه از سوی بزرگان و اعضای مرد خانواده، از جوانان، به‌ویژه زنان، برای مطالبه زمین باز می‌دارد. توصیه‌ها بر افزایش مشارکت جامعه از طریق ارتباطات مستمر، ابتکارات آموزشی و بهره‌گیری از گواهی‌های همتایان برای تقویت اعتماد و کاهش عدم قطعیت درباره انتقال زمین تأکید دارند. در مجموع، این مطالعه پیچیدگی پویایی‌های اجتماعی-فرهنگی در دسترسی به زمین‌های کشاورزی را برجسته می‌کند و پیشنهاد می‌دهد که راهبردهای مؤثر برای ترویج مشارکت جوانان باید این تأثیرات جمعی را مورد توجه قرار دهد.

School violence continues to present serious challenges to teaching, learning, and teacher well-being in post-apartheid South Africa. Existing research has largely focused on the prevalence, causes, management, and disciplinary responses associated with violence in schools. Thereby positioning teachers as informants for experiences of school violence. Such a singular focus limits our understanding of how teachers interpret and make sense of these experiences within their professional lives. This paper attempts to fill this gap by using currere as a reflective, autobiographical approach to study lived educational experiences. I purposively selected two teachers from schools in the Mashishing Circuit of Mpumalanga Province to participate in the study. To collect data, I used reflective journals guided by the four stages of currere: regressive, analytical, progressive, and synthetic. Currere created a platform for teachers to revisit their past experiences of school violence and analyse how these experiences shape their current pedagogical choices and practices. The findings suggest that violence in schools is an ongoing emotional and structural condition. It influences teachers’ well-being, authority, pedagogical choices, and attitude toward learners. Currere enabled teachers to reimagine pedagogical approaches that balance classroom safety with meaningful learning. The study highlights the methodological value of currere for examining teachers' lived experiences in violent school settings. The paper recommends providing well-being support for teachers who experienced violence and adopting restorative approaches in schools.

Abstract : The Northeastern College–College of Liberal Arts (NC-COLA) is committed to uplifting community well-being through responsive extension programs. This study evaluated the community needs of Barangay Mabini across seven domains: Education and Parenting, Food Safety and Hygiene, Human Rights and Violence Awareness, Livelihood and Financial Literacy, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM), Environmental Conservation, and Organizational Planning and Management. Using a descriptive mixed-method design combining survey questionnaires and key informant interviews, results showed that Livelihood and Financial Literacy obtained the highest weighted mean (4.75), identifying economic vulnerability as the community’s most pressing concern. Food Safety and Hygiene (4.72), Organizational Planning and Management (4.68), Environmental Conservation (4.63), and DRRM (4.59) also registered high demand, reflecting gaps in public health, governance, and disaster preparedness. Human Rights and Violence Awareness (4.48) indicated greater preference for practical safety programs over formal legal education. It was concluded that Barangay Mabini requires coordinated, multi-stakeholder interventions targeting economic empowerment, institutional governance, and community resilience. Recommendations include financial literacy and livelihood programs, strengthening of the Barangay DRRM Council, systematic waste management, and capacity-building for local officials in partnership with relevant government agencies.

Shared Reading (SR) is a communal well-being intervention in which a literary text is read aloud and discussed in a group. A form of emotion-centred close reading, SR emerged as a reaction against elitist academic norms and was developed in an attempt to emotionalise and democratise literary study by moving it outside of the confines of the university. This theoretical essay argues that humanities and social science lecturers might benefit from introducing SR praxis into their classes. Each section analyses an aspect of SR through emotionally engaged (hooks, Palmer), relational (Hickey, Riddle, Gravett), and critical (Freire) pedagogical and theoretical lenses, arguing that SR serves many of the aspirations of these pedagogies. I then consider how SR might be implemented in an academic setting and the kind of adaptations that might be necessary. This essay is a thought experiment which I hope will lay the groundwork for a more sustained and applied experiment in SR. Throughout, I argue that infusing SR into university settings has the potential to positively benefit student well-being and academic performance.

The Ig Nobel Prize, a spoof on Nobel Prize, has long performed a valuable service to science.It honours achievements that make people laugh and then think [1].Global Health, after several decades of earnest endeavour, would seem ready for similar recognition.I therefore propose, with all due humility, the establishment of an Ig Nobel Prize for Global Health.There is, of course, no intention to mock Global Health, which is too noble, and the inequalities it seeks to address too consequential.But, like most human enterprises, Global Health has acquired its own vocabulary, rituals, paradoxes and unintended ironies.The proposed Ig Nobel Prize for Global Health would therefore recognise such phenomena for their ability to make us laugh first, think second, and perhaps recognise a little of ourselves in the process.Five examples readily come to mind.

Human well-being has received increasing attention as an indicator of individual and social health and as a consideration in public policy. Gender differences in subjective well-being (SWB), a widely accepted indicator of human well-being, have long been documented. However, explanations of these gender differences remain varied and inconclusive. This study utilizes Gallup World Poll data comprising 1,911,212 observations from 2009 to 2022. Employing advanced machine-learning techniques within an Exogenous Switching Treatment Effect Model (ESTEM) framework, we decompose the gender gap in SWB into differences in characteristics and differences in regime-specific returns. Conditional on observed characteristics and under a common predictive regime, the model predicts higher SWB for men. In contrast, the regime-specific returns component is associated with lower predicted well-being under the male regime. This component also increases over time, widening the estimated gender gap in SWB, while its magnitude varies across countries. The results suggest the potential relevance of institutional flexibility and reduced gender-role pressures for addressing gender disparities in human well-being.

The aim of this systematic review is to comprehensively evaluate recent research examining the relationships between teachers’ psychological resilience, burnout, and related variables from a holistic perspective. In this context, empirical and review studies published between 2020 and 2025 and conducted with teacher samples were analyzed using a systematic review methodology. The literature search was carried out in the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), and Scopus databases, and studies were selected based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. As a result of this process, 23 empirical studies and 4 review studies were included in the systematic review.The findings indicate that teachers’ psychological resilience is negatively associated with the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization dimensions of burnout, while it is positively related to favorable outcomes such as professional efficacy, well-being, and work engagement. Teachers with higher levels of psychological resilience appear to be more resistant to occupational demands and experience lower levels of burnout symptoms. While some of the reviewed studies identified psychological resilience as a direct predictor of burnout, others revealed indirect effects through variables such as job stress, teacher self-efficacy, motivation, and organizational conditions. The findings of the review studies further support these results and emphasize the importance of conceptualizing teachers’ psychological resilience within a framework of individual and organizational resources.In conclusion, this systematic review demonstrates that teachers’ psychological resilience functions as a significant protective factor against burnout. The findings suggest that interventions aimed at strengthening teachers’ psychological resilience at both individual and organizational levels may play a critical role in promoting sustainable teacher well-being.

Introduction Adolescents’ subjective well-being has been widely studied across different family structures. However, little is known about the role of basic psychological needs in the subjective well-being of adolescents living in different family structures or in residential care. The present study addresses this gap. Methods The sample comprised 5,295 adolescents aged 10 -16 years ( M age =13.20, SD=1.50) living in intact families (65%), single-parent families (21%), stepparent families (12%), or residential care (2%). Participants completed self-report measures of basic psychological need satisfaction at home, subjective well-being (affective and cognitive components), and perceived family affluence. Results Structural equation modeling showed significant indirect associations between family structure and adolescents’ subjective well-being through basic psychological need satisfaction at home, including a sequential indirect association through perceived family affluence and basic psychological need satisfaction. Living in residential care was also indirectly associated with adolescents’ subjective well-being through basic psychological need satisfaction at home, whereas the direct association was not statistically significant. The results show that adolescents living in intact families reported the highest level of basic psychological need satisfaction at home, followed by those in single-parent and stepparent families, while adolescents in residential care reported the lowest level. Discussion The findings provide evidence that the association between family and care contexts and adolescents’ subjective well-being is statistically mediated by basic psychological need satisfaction at home. The results are discussed in light of the value of parental and caregiver support for adolescents’ basic psychological needs in different family types and care.

Background Rooted in positive psychology, human flourishing scholarship focuses on the presence of health and wellbeing beyond the absence of illness. Contemporary flourishing research has increasingly expanded its focus beyond individuals to larger systems, including families. Family flourishing is an emerging concept with limited clarity in its conceptualizations and measurements. This scoping review synthesized existing literature on the unit-level conceptualizations and operationalizations of family flourishing and wellbeing and examined the extent to which existing measures align with contemporary understandings of human flourishing. Methods Arksey and O'Malley's methodology and the PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines were followed. Searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC, PsycINFO, Social Work Abstracts, Academic Search Premier, and Web of Science. Eligible studies presented explicit unit-level conceptualizations or quantitative measures of family flourishing or wellbeing as a multidimensional construct. Only studies written in English and published since 2000 were included. Title and abstract screening, full-text screening, and data extraction were conducted by two independent researchers, while monitoring inter-coder reliability. Discrepancies were resolved through consensus in consultation with the PI. Data extraction utilized a standardized form for consistency, which was iteratively revised through discussion. Results The final sample included 13 studies, which represented diverse regions, including China, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and the United States. Studies were published between 2005 and 2025, with most studies published since 2020. Seven quantitative measures of family wellbeing were identified while no family flourishing measures were found. Conceptualizations represented diverse roots including Aristotelian eudaimonia, Indigenous cultural beliefs, and local spiritual teachings. While boundaries were often unclear, six broad categories of conceptualizations were identified, including relational/functional. eudaimonic/existential, hedonic/emotional, social/community, socioeconomic/environmental, and spiritual/religious domains. Relational/functional domains were most frequently covered while spiritual/religious domains were least frequently covered by existing measures. Most measures were developed more than a decade ago, and psychometric evidence beyond internal consistency was limited. Conclusion Family flourishing is an underdeveloped but promising area of scholarship. Further studies are needed to achieve greater conceptual clarity and to develop culturally responsive and psychometrically robust measures. Systematic review registration https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/E6WXM

Final-year engineering students frequently face severe psychological stress driven by demanding capstone projects and rigorous accreditation standards. This research proposes a novel decision-support framework to objectively evaluate, categorize, and systematically manage academic stress among engineering undergraduates. By integrating automated non-parametric machine learning with a multi-criteria network decision model, the research bridges diagnostic psychological profiling and strategic institutional intervention. Data were gathered from six hundred eleven final-year students across four engineering departments using a validated psychometric questionnaire. The automated classification engine utilizes a nearest-neighbor algorithm based on spatial Euclidean proximity to categorize individual distress severity into depression, anxiety, and stress levels without relying on rigid parametric assumptions. Subsequently, a strategic situational assessment and a multi-perspective personal performance framework were established to translate abstract psychological findings into measurable indicators. Clinical experts and academic domain specialists evaluated these indicators using an analytical network process, incorporating complex interdependencies and feedback loops to compute steady-state priority weights. Empirical results revealed that over ninety percent of respondents experienced at least moderate psychological distress. Crucially, the mathematical prioritization demonstrated that the financial perspective holds the paramount priority weight, followed by internal cognitive resilience, continuous knowledge acquisition, and external social relationships. This proves that financial stability serves as a foundational prerequisite for academic recovery and intellectual execution. The primary contribution of this research lies in converting static psychometric evaluations into a dynamic, clinically validated decision-support tool. Higher education institutions and academic counselors can implement this prioritized framework to allocate institutional resources effectively, design targeted financial relief initiatives, and optimize student well-being alongside academic excellence.

Pesantren-based madrasahs may organize religious and general learning through two configurations, separated and integrated, yet students' experiences under the two configurations are rarely compared sequentially within one institution. Prior studies mostly address the epistemological and curricular dimensions of knowledge integration, while students' experiences under both configurations have not been compared directly. This study compares academic achievement, religious understanding, and student well-being between the cohort of students who studied under the separated system and the cohort who later studied under the integrated system at MA Khozinatul Ulum Blora, as reported by teachers and students. It uses an embedded case study with two units of analysis. Thirteen informants took part: five students from each cohort, one madrasah diniyah teacher, one general subject teacher, and one deputy head for curriculum. Data came from semi-structured interviews for both cohorts, along with observation and document analysis for the currently running integrated system, analyzed thematically with triangulation. Three differences emerged. Separated-system students described more structured learning, whereas integrated-system students described difficulty keeping focus as the scope of material widened. Broader religious understanding across subjects was described by integrated-system students, while separated-system students tied it to religion class hours. Fatigue was reported more often in the integrated group. The study contributes a comparison of two periods of learning systems within one institution.

Autoimmune conditions may affect wellbeing through symptoms, treatment demands, uncertainty and disruption to daily activities. This cross-sectional study examined subjective psychological wellbeing among adults living with autoimmune conditions and its association with illness-related factors. The project reports data from 21 participants. Wellbeing was measured using the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), scored from 0 to 100, alongside a researcher-developed illness-impact questionnaire. The reported mean WHO-5 score was 31.05 (SD = 21.61; median = 32; range = 0?88). Illness duration was not significantly associated with wellbeing (r = .043, p = .857; n = 20). Greater perceived severity (ρ = -.587, p = .005), treatment burden (ρ = -.519, p = .016) and interference with daily activities (ρ = -.754, p < .001) were associated with lower wellbeing. The gender comparison was not statistically significant (U = 53.0, p = .299). These preliminary results require verification against the anonymized dataset. The small, mixed-diagnosis sample and cross-sectional design limit generalizability and causal interpretation.

Background Yoga is a multidimensional mind–body practice, yet little is known about whether the weekly practice frequency of its individual components is differentially associated with subjective wellbeing (SWB). This study examined the associations between the weekly practice frequency of asana, pranayama, relaxation, and meditation and SWB among Hungarian yoga practitioners. Methods A cross-sectional online survey based on convenience snowball sampling was conducted in April–May 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, among 379 adult yoga practitioners (44.31 ± 10.12 years). SWB was assessed using the World Health Organization-Five Wellbeing Index (WHO-5). Associations between participant characteristics and SWB were examined using one-way ANOVA and Pearson’s correlations. Separate ANCOVA models examined associations between the weekly practice frequency of each yoga component and SWB after adjustment for place of residence, other physical exercise, yoga practice duration, and yoga expertise (Holm–Bonferroni corrected). Independent associations were examined using multiple linear regression, with a dummy-coded sensitivity analysis. Results Place of residence, yoga expertise, other physical exercise, and, weakly, yoga practice duration were associated with SWB. After adjustment, all four yoga components remained significantly associated with higher SWB (corrected p ≤ 0.029), with medium effect sizes for asana (ηp 2 = 0.070) and meditation (ηp 2 = 0.061) and small effect sizes for pranayama (ηp 2 = 0.050) and relaxation (ηp 2 = 0.024). Daily practice was consistently associated with the highest SWB. The regression model explained only 12.9% of the variance in SWB (Cohen’s f 2 = 0.15), and only asana ( B = 0.69, 95% CI [0.22, 1.17]) and meditation frequency ( B = 0.61, 95% CI [0.21, 1.00]) remained independently associated with SWB, as supported by the sensitivity analysis. Conclusion In this predominantly female, highly educated convenience sample, more frequent weekly practice of all four yoga components was associated with higher SWB. However, after accounting for participant characteristics, yoga experience, and the overlap among components, only asana and meditation frequency remained independently associated with SWB. These associations were small, and most of the variance in SWB remained unexplained. Given the cross-sectional design, causal conclusions cannot be drawn and generalization should be cautious; longitudinal and intervention studies of individual yoga components are needed.

It has also taken over a century for science to fully realize that oxytocin is far more than a “female reproductive hormone.” Both the measurement and interpretation of the biochemical and functional properties of oxytocin have raised controversy and remain works in progress. However, oxytocin is now recognized as a pleiotropic molecule that sits at the center of an extended system which includes vasopressin, the autonomic nervous system, the immune system and more. This larger system affects essentially every bodily function and helps to coordinate these with social context, the history of each individual and perhaps the existence of humans as a species. Together these support survival, reproduction and wellbeing, allowing mammals to manage and benefit from various forms of hormetic challenge. Here we suggest that oxytocin, viewed as a system, in turn acts as a keystone capable of connecting mammalian regulatory physiology to the benefits of social connection.

Background Psychedelic retreats are increasingly used to promote wellbeing outside clinical settings, yet the psychological processes associated with sustained improvements in wellbeing remain poorly understood. From a public mental health perspective, identifying mechanisms that support positive mental health beyond symptom reduction is of growing importance. Methods This naturalistic longitudinal study followed 173 participants attending guided psilocybin retreats conducted within a structured framework of preparation, dosing, and integration. Mental wellbeing was reported before the retreat and across a 12-month follow-up period. Longitudinal changes were examined using linear mixed-effects models. Mediation analyses investigated whether changes in connectedness, neuroticism (anxiety facet), spiritual transcendence, and absorption were associated with changes in wellbeing. Mystical-type experiences were examined as potential predictors of these psychological changes. Results Participants reported substantial and sustained improvements in mental wellbeing over 12 months, moving from levels below Swedish population norms at baseline toward comparable levels at follow-up. Connectedness showed the strongest statistical association with improvements in wellbeing and accounted for the largest proportion of variance in wellbeing change, followed by reductions in the anxiety facet of neuroticism and absorption. Spiritual transcendence was associated with wellbeing improvements when examined separately but did not retain unique effects in the multiple mediation model. More intense mystical-type experiences predicted greater increases in connectedness, spirituality, and absorption, as well as greater reductions in neuroticism (trait anxiety). The association between mystical experiences and wellbeing was substantially attenuated when connectedness was included in the model, suggesting that connectedness may act as a candidate mediator linking mystical-type experiences to longer-term wellbeing, though the observational design precludes causal inference. Conclusions These findings extend prior work on psychedelic-assisted therapy to naturalistic retreat settings, suggesting that connectedness may represent a key psychological process linking psychedelic retreat experiences to sustained improvements in mental wellbeing. From a public mental health perspective, the results highlight the potential importance of social and relational factors in promoting wellbeing beyond the treatment of mental illness. Future controlled studies are needed to clarify the relative contributions of psychedelic, social, and contextual components.