Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains a growing public health concern in the Philippines, where new infections rose by about 550% between 2010 and 2024 and diagnosis gaps persist in CALABARZON. Nurses are often the first and most sustained point of contact in HIV testing and care, yet knowledge gaps, stigmatizing attitudes, and procedure-focused training may limit their ability to provide compassionate, person-centered counseling. This study aims to develop and validate a Caring-Based HIV Counseling Training Program for Nurses in Laguna, Philippines, using a methodological research design and a modified Delphi technique. Registered nurses from selected government and private healthcare facilities in Laguna will complete a researcher-developed training-needs assessment questionnaire covering six competency domains: HIV-related knowledge; counseling and therapeutic communication; caring behaviors and person-centered practice; ethical and legal responsibilities; cultural sensitivity and stigma reduction; and linkage to prevention, treatment, care, and support. The questionnaire will undergo expert review, pilot testing, and reliability testing using Cronbach’s alpha. The needs-assessment findings, together with a review of current literature and guidelines, will inform a preliminary training program, which a multidisciplinary panel of approximately 15 to 20 experts will evaluate over successive anonymous Delphi rounds for relevance, clarity, comprehensiveness, cultural appropriateness, feasibility, and applicability. Consensus is defined in advance as at least 80% expert agreement, a median rating of at least 3.00, and an interquartile range of no more than 1.00. Content validity will be established through an Item-Level Content Validity Index of at least .78 and a Scale-Level Content Validity Index (average) of at least .90, overall agreement will be measured with Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, and the experts’ qualitative comments will undergo directed content analysis. The study is expected to produce an expert-validated, contextually relevant training program that strengthens nurses’ capacity to deliver compassionate, stigma-free HIV counseling, with its effectiveness to be tested in a future pilot or quasi-experimental study.
Background: Prolonged screen exposure, after-hours connectivity, and sedentary work are linked to poor sleep and occupational burnout among Indian working professionals. Ayurvedic Dinacharya regulates waking, Vyayama, Bhojana Vidhi, and Nidra Vidhi; however, digital-era disruption of these domains among working adults remains unstudied. This study aimed to assess digital lifestyle behaviours mapped to Dinacharya principles as behavioural markers of Pragyaparadha, in relation to sleep quality and occupational burnout among working adults, and to identify behaviours independently associated with poor sleep and higher burnout. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical survey (STROBE-reported) was conducted at the All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, during (January 2026 to July 2026), among 400 working adults aged 25-40 years with ≥1 year of occupational experience. A structured proforma captured sociodemographic details and Dinacharya-mapped digital behaviours across five domains (morning routine, bedtime device use, after-hours connectivity, screen breaks/sedentary time, mealtime practices). Sleep quality and burnout were assessed using the PSQI and Copenhagen burnout inventory. Results: Of 400 participants, 56.8% had poor sleep quality, 61% personal burnout, and 55.8% work-related burnout. Bedtime device use and inadequate screen breaks/sedentary behaviour independently predicted poor sleep (aOR 1.76 and 1.98). After-hours connectivity, sedentary behaviour, and mealtime digital engagement predicted personal burnout; bedtime device use, sedentary behaviour, mealtime digital engagement, and digital overload predicted work-related burnout (all p<0.05). Conclusions: Digital lifestyle behaviours reflect patterns of Pragyaparadha in daily digital conduct. Interpreted through Dinacharya and Nidra, the findings support a culturally grounded, preventive Digital Dinacharya framework for digital-era occupational health.
The present study investigated the mediating effect of spiritual wellbeing on the relationship between mindfulness and emotion dysregulation among young adults. The sample N=200 were selected for the present research. A cross-sectional correlational research design was used for the present study. Through the convenience sampling technique, data were gathered by using the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) by Baer et al. (2006), the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) by Paloutzian and Ellison (1982) Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) by Gratz and Roemer (2004). According to the results, spiritual well-being is positively correlated with mindfulness and its dimensions (observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-judging, non-reactivity). Emotional dysregulation is negatively linked to mindfulness. Mediation analysis showed a significant prediction by mindfulness of spiritual well-being and emotional dysregulation. It was also found that spiritual well-being predicts emotional dysregulation. In addition, spiritual well-being was found to be a mediating factor through which emotional dysregulation and mindfulness are linked. According to the study, interventions aimed at enhancing emotional resilience and well-being in people will be of interest for the mental health section.
Nurses delivered much of the direct care to COVID-19 patients and were repeatedly exposed to death, infection risk, and shortages of equipment, yet little is known about how Pakistani nurses experienced and managed posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). This qualitative study explored PTSS, experiences of trauma, perceived psychological impact, and coping strategies among nurses who cared for COVID-19 patients during peak pandemic waves. Eight registered nurses working in COVID wards and intensive care units of public hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi were recruited through purposive sampling and took part in individual semi-structured interviews conducted in Urdu and basic English. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Four themes were generated: (a) symptoms related to trauma (altered sleep, changes in temperament, emotional reactivity, diminished interest in social life, flashbacks); (b) threats and stress due to COVID-19 (increased workload, direct threat to self and others, sense of isolation, lack of knowledge and equipment); (c) psychological impact of trauma (increased mental health concerns, burnout and compassion fatigue, elevated death anxiety, lack of optimism about the future); and (d) strategies to cope (sharing workload with the team, emotional support from colleagues). Seven of eight nurses described flashbacks, and accounts spanned several DSM-5 symptom clusters, although no diagnostic assessment was used. Peer teamwork and emotional support were the only coping resources reported, and no participant had received formal counselling. Peer solidarity seems to have been an informal resource of resilience where organizational support was absent and institutional psychological services should be built around it.
ABSTRACT Low Back Pain (LBP) is a disease caused by non-ergonomic working conditions during manual handling activities. LBP is a leading cause of activity limitations, disability, inability and absenteeism from work. The aim of this study was to analyze ergonomic risk factors for LBP complaints and their relationship to the two in charcoal briquette manufacturing industry workers at PT. Arkelindo Bara Sejahtera. This study was quantitative with a cross-sectional approach. The study was conducted from June to November 2025. The population and sample were 183 and 151 workers, respectively. Research data was obtained from questionnaires, interviews, diagnoses, and direct on-site observations. Data analysis was conducted using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate methods. The results showed that as many as 64.2% of participants experienced complaints of severe LBP. It was also found that awkward postures, static work positions, repetitive movements and excessive force use were at risk of 62.9%, 70.2%, 73.5% and 57.6%, respectively. There is a relationship between awkward postures (p = 0.023, OR = 2.843), static work positions (p =0.004, OR = 3.875), repetitive movements (p = 0.000, OR = 6.013) and excessive force use (p = 0.003, OR = 4.178) and NBP complaints. The dominant ergonomic risk factor for LBP complaints is repetitive movements with an OR value of 6.013. This study indicates that repeated exposure to sitting or standing for more than half the working day, combined with awkward postures such as bending and twisting, were the dominant contributing factors to LBP. It is hoped that companies can implement ergonomic work positions to ensure worker comfort. Keywords: Charcoal Briquette Industry, Ergonomic Risks, Back Pain, Occupational Health. ABSTRAK Nyeri punggung bawah (NPB) merupakan penyakit akibat kondisi kerja yang tidak ergonomis selama aktivitas manual handling. NPB merupakan salah satu penyebab utama keterbatasan aktivitas, kecacatan, ketidakmampuan dan ketidakhadiran dalam bekerja. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis faktor risiko ergonomi terhadap keluhan NPB dan hubungan keduanya pada pekerja industri pembuatan briket arang di PT. Arkelindo Bara Sejahtera.Jenis penelitian ini adalah kuantitatif dengan pendekatan cross-sectional. Penelitian dilaksanakan bulan Juni hingga November 2025. Populasi dan sampel berturut-turut adalah 183 dan 151 pekerja. Data penelitian diperoleh dari kuesioner, wawancara, diagnosa dan pengamatan langsung. Analisis data dilakukan secara univariat, bivariat dan multivariat. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa sebanyak 64,2% responden mengalami keluhan NPB berat. Itu ditemukan juga bahwa postur tubuh janggal, posisi kerja statis, gerakan berulang, dan penggunaan tenaga berlebihan masing-masing berisiko sebesar 62,9%, 70,2%, 73,5%, dan 57,6%. Terdapat hubungan antara postur tubuh yang tidak nyaman (p = 0,023, OR = 2,843), posisi kerja statis (p = 0,004, OR = 3,875), gerakan berulang (p = 0,000, OR = 6,013), dan penggunaan tenaga berlebihan (p = 0,003, OR = 4,178) dengan keluhan NPB. Faktor risiko ergonomi dominan terhadap keluhan NPB adalah pergerakan berulang dengan nilai OR 6,013. Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa paparan berulang terhadap posisi duduk atau berdiri selama lebih dari setengah hari kerja, dikombinasikan dengan postur tubuh janggal seperti membungkuk dan memutar badan, merupakan faktor utama penyebab NPB. Itu diharapkan bahwa perusahaan dapat menerapkan posisi kerja ergonomis agar pekerja nyaman saat bekerja. Kata Kunci: Industri Briket Arang, Risiko Ergonomi, Nyeri Punggung, Kesehatan Kerja.
Background: Insomnia is an important public health concern and may be particularly relevant among security personnel because of irregular work schedules, occupational demands, sustained vigilance, and inadequate rest. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of insomnia and its association with selected sociodemographic and health-related factors among security personnel in a tertiary care government hospital in south India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 security personnel. Sociodemographic characteristics, including age, gender, income, education, and marital status, and health-related characteristics, including body mass index, diabetes, and hypertension, were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Insomnia was assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Associations between insomnia and selected variables were examined using the chi-square test. Results: Sub-threshold insomnia was present in 32% of participants, while no cases of moderate or severe insomnia were identified. Significant associations were observed between insomnia and gender (p=0.019) and income level (p=0.020). No significant associations were observed with age, education, marital status, or metabolic health status. Self-reported Diabetes and Hypertension were present in 10% and 4% of participants, respectively, while 74% were classified as obese. Conclusions: Although moderate or severe insomnia was not observed, nearly one-third of security personnel had sub-threshold insomnia. Workplace-based sleep hygiene interventions may be beneficial, particularly among women and lower-income employees. Further studies incorporating objective sleep assessments and detailed evaluation of shift schedules are warranted.
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that typically develop during adolescence or early adulthood and may have a significant adverse impact on both physical and mental health. The main types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, all of which are characterized by altered eating behaviours and associated health problems (Robatto et al., 2024). Eating disorders may be associated with a range of psychological and somatic complications, including depression, anxiety, cardiovascular and endocrine disorders, as well as an increased risk of mortality (Mushtaq et al., 2023). The effects of these disorders may also manifest in the oral cavity. Therefore, in dental hygiene practice, particular importance should be placed on the early recognition of potential oral health changes, individualized assessment of the patient’s oral health status, and the selection of appropriate preventive measures. Dental hygienists may play an important role not only in the prevention of oral diseases but also in the early recognition of oral manifestations potentially associated with eating disorders and in encouraging patients to seek timely multidisciplinary professional care.
Purpose: This study aims to develop and evaluate an adaptive ergonomic framework for reducing Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) risks among pre-elderly workers in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Methodology: This study adopted a sequential quantitative design consisting of two consecutive phases. The first phase involved a cross-sectional ergonomic assessment of 50 pre-elderly MSMEs workers using the Nordic Body Map (NBM), Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and Quick Exposure Checklist (QEC). Based on the integrated assessment results, an adaptive ergonomic framework incorporating administrative controls, engineering controls, ergonomic personal protective equipment (PPE), and anthropometry-based workstation redesign was developed. The second phase evaluated the framework through a 14-day before–after intervention study in five selected MSMEs. Results: Most workers were exposed to moderate-to-very high ergonomic risks, with musculoskeletal complaints predominantly affecting the lower back, back, wrists, neck, and lower extremities. Following implementation, QEC exposure scores decreased across the five MSMEs from 68.7–84.5% before intervention to 46.3–63.2% after intervention, accompanied by reductions in REBA/RULA risk classifications and lower NBM complaint levels. Conclusion: The proposed framework effectively reduced ergonomic risks and musculoskeletal complaints among pre-elderly MSMEs workers through practical and low-cost interventions. Originality: This study contributes a comprehensive and context-specific adaptive ergonomic framework that integrates risk assessment, workstation redesign, administrative controls, and ergonomic PPE recommendations tailored to the characteristics of pre-elderly workers in resource-constrained MSMEs.
Background Sleep problems are common among university students due to academic stress, lifestyle factors, and psychological distress and may adversely affect physical and mental health, academic performance, and social functioning. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have increasingly been used as a non-pharmacological approach to improve sleep health; however, previous findings remain inconsistent, and evidence specifically addressing sleep quality in university students remains limited. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of MBIs on sleep quality in university students and explore factors that may account for variations in intervention effects. Methods We searched seven databases—PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, and ScienceDirect—from inception to June 26, 2026. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating MBIs for sleep quality in university students were included. Two reviewers independently conducted study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment using the RoB 2 tool. Meta-analysis was conducted in Stata 17.0 using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, publication bias assessment, and GRADE assessment were also performed. Results Ten RCTs involving 638 university students were included, with 335 participants in the intervention groups and 303 in the control groups. MBIs significantly improved sleep quality [SMD = −0.97, 95% CI (−1.43, −0.51), p < 0.001], although substantial heterogeneity was observed ( I 2 = 85.1%). Subgroup analyses revealed statistically significant between-group differences with respect to sleep-outcome measurement instrument ( p = 0.001), intervention type ( p = 0.009), and session duration ( p = 0.030), indicating that these variables may partially account for the observed heterogeneity. Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of the pooled results. Egger’s test revealed no evidence of significant publication bias ( p = 0.270). The certainty of the evidence was rated as low according to the GRADE framework. Conclusion MBIs may improve sleep quality in university students. However, given the substantial heterogeneity and low certainty of evidence, further high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm these findings. Systematic review registration CRD420261458068, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261458068 .
Background Trans, non-binary and gender diverse (TNBGD) sexual function has historically been narrowly defined as physical capacities following medical and surgical gender affirming (GA) interventions; and this population's sexual health has been researched more in terms of external influences considered risky rather than being founded in individuals' desires and needs. This can produce discrepancies between services and people who access them. This study explores the service-related barriers, facilitators and compensatory strategies for TNBGD people seeking healthcare related to sexual function. Methods Based on qualitative interview data from n = 19 TNBGD adults in the UK, the dataset was deductively analyzed using Levesque's framework of healthcare access. Results TNBGD people face barriers in distance and transport to appropriate sexual health services, overlaps between sexual healthcare and GA services, and limits in professionals' TNBGD specific knowledge and cultural competence. To navigate these TNGBD people pursued independent knowledge acquisition, were selective during clinical interactions and access, and sought to meet their needs outside clinical settings. The analytical themes demonstrate varied barriers and their interrelatedness. For example, acceptability of a service was informed by the appropriateness of clinician's knowledge and interactions. In turn, TNBGD people's anticipation of un (der) met needs motivated compensatory measures, such as seeking information online or from peers before approaching formal services or sometimes instead of approaching them. Conclusions Healthcare services' design and delivery can present significant barriers to TNBGD adults seeking healthcare to support their sexual function. Providers' ways of interacting may offset some of the barriers and TNBGD adults may deploy strategies that enable them to access care that leads to satisfactory health outcomes. However, while significant barriers persist, TNBGD adults are liable to have unmet needs and consequent health inequalities.
Stress is a major contributor to physical and mental health disorders, underscoring the need for reliable and interpretable detection systems. We present an interpretable multimodal deep learning framework that integrates electrocardiogram (ECG), electrodermal activity (EDA), and respiration signals using modality-specific neural architectures complemented by feature-based classical models. To ensure robustness and generalizability, the framework was evaluated under both subject-independent and subject-dependent protocols. Results show that multimodal fusion consistently outperformed single modalities, achieving 94.8% accuracy, 93.9% F1-score, and 0.97 AUC under subject-independent validation, compared with 86–91% accuracy for individual signals. In subject-dependent experiments, performance reached 97.2% accuracy and 96.8% F1-score. Comparative analysis with recent state-of-the-art methods demonstrated the competitiveness of our approach, while ablation studies confirmed the contribution of each modality and fusion strategy. Statistical significance testing with ( p < 0.05) further validated the reliability of these gains. Importantly, interpretability analyses using Grad-CAM and attention visualization provided physiological insights, revealing that the model emphasizes clinically meaningful regions such as ECG R-peaks and phasic EDA fluctuations. By uniting high performance, robustness, and interpretability, this work advances stress detection research and offers a physiologically grounded framework for continuous mental health monitoring.
This study evaluated the implementation and operational viability of the LGU Malay Mental Health Ordinance using the seven-component Project EMBRACE framework. The study addressed a local evidence gap by examining not only whether ordinance activities were implemented but also whether the workforce, referral, infrastructure, monitoring, and partnership conditions required for sustained delivery were present. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used. Quantitative data were obtained from 50 program implementers through a validated researcher-developed questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha = 0.962), while qualitative data were collected through Focus Group Discussions with 10 adult mental health service clients from Mainland Malay and Boracay Island. Means and standard deviations summarized five-point viability ratings, and qualitative transcripts were thematically analyzed; the two strands were integrated by comparing convergent, complementary, and divergent findings. The ordinance obtained an overall viable assessment, but component results were uneven. Wellness of Daily Living (M = 3.75), Mental Disorder (M = 3.65), Substance Abuse and Other Forms of Addiction (M = 3.72), and Provision of Services for Mental, Neurologic, and Substance Disorders (M = 3.45) were rated Viable. Extreme Life Experience (M = 3.11), Neurologic Disorders (M = 3.37), and Enhancement of Mental Health Facilities and Partnerships (M = 3.29) were Moderately Viable. Service-user accounts generally supported these patterns and highlighted limited specialist access, psychosocial workforce gaps, dependence on external referrals, and infrastructure constraints. The findings indicate that Malay has established a functional community mental health foundation, but long-term viability requires prioritized investment in crisis-response personnel, neurologic referral capacity, facilities, formal partnerships, continuity-of-care mechanisms, and integrated monitoring.
Objective This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among orthopedic nurses, identify demographic, occupational, and lifestyle characteristics associated with WMSDs, and explore whether routinely collected characteristics could discriminate nurses with WMSDs from those without. Method A single-center cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses at a tertiary orthopedic specialty hospital in China between March and November 2023. Conventional analyses included multivariable logistic regression, modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors, and negative binomial regression. Logistic regression as a benchmark, elastic-net logistic regression, random forest, XGBoost, and support vector machine were compared using repeated 5-fold cross-validation with fold-specific preprocessing. Prediction performance was assessed using AUC with bootstrap 95% CIs, PR-AUC, Brier score, calibration intercept and slope, and descriptive threshold metrics; TreeSHAP was used for model interpretation. Result Among 948 nurses with valid questionnaires, 654 reported musculoskeletal symptoms in the previous 12 months, irrespective of work attribution (68.99%). After excluding 44 participants with uncertain work-related attribution, 604/904 participants were classified as having work-related WMSDs (66.81%). Each 1-point increase in the strict ergonomic risk score was associated with WMSDs in logistic regression (adjusted OR = 2.631, 95% CI 2.039–3.432; p < 0.001) and modified Poisson regression (adjusted PR = 1.283, 95% CI 1.203–1.369; p < 0.001). The highest observed AUC was 0.752 (95% CI 0.721–0.791) for the domain random forest model; the domain XGBoost model had the highest PR-AUC (0.841). Conclusion Musculoskeletal symptoms and WMSDs were common among orthopedic nurses in this single-center sample. Occupational exposure and postural load were associated with WMSDs. The exploratory prediction models showed limited-to-moderate discrimination and warrant prospective multicenter external validation before practical application.
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.
Introduction Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) older adults in the United States (U.S.) face barriers to accessing health information and resources they need to make informed healthcare decisions. More resources are needed to promote their agency and preparedness to navigate an increasingly complex healthcare system and sociopolitical landscape. The purpose of this study was to develop a testable web-based resource to support informed healthcare decision-making for TGD older adults. Methods This multimethod co-design study integrated a human-centered design approach that centered the perspectives of TGD older adults in the research process. In the prototyping and testing phases of the study, TGD adults and multidisciplinary professionals from across the U.S. were enrolled to co-develop a web-based resource with the research team during individual and paired interviews. Participants also completed a demographic questionnaire and a website usability survey. Thematic analysis of qualitative data was used to identify design themes, which guided iterative prototyping of the web-based resource. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively. Complementary data from the usability survey and participant interviews were integrated in a joint display. Results A total of 27 participants, of whom 14 (52%) were TGD older adults, enrolled in the prototyping and testing phases. Analysis of qualitative data across both phases yielded five design themes that structured the development of a functional web-based resource: (1) Facilitating healthcare decisions through information and resources; (2) Organizing complex content with clarity and inclusivity; (3) Maintaining security, accessibility, and navigability; (4) Phasing rollout to communities and organizations; and (5) Planning for leadership, stewardship, and partnership. In the prototyping phase, three low- and mid-fidelity prototypes of a health information and resources website for TGD older adults were developed. In the testing phase, participants trialed a mid-fidelity prototype of the website, and their recommendations for improvements were integrated into a high-fidelity prototype for dissemination. Conclusion This study is one of few studies using participatory methods to engage TGD older adults in public health research. Through the development of a health information and resources website, this study demonstrates an innovative and feasible community-based co-design approach to addressing barriers affecting healthcare decision-making for TGD older adults.
Background Diabetes frequently co-occurs with depression, anxiety, and diabetes-related distress, and psychological status directly influences glycaemic control and the risk of complications. Traditional mental health assessment relies on subjective scales. With the growth of digital health, digital phenotyping offers a new paradigm for real-time, objective mental health monitoring and prediction. However, the pathways through which these technologies perform monitoring and prediction remain unclear. Objective This scoping review aimed to systematically map the application pathways of digital phenotyping for mental health monitoring and prediction in people with diabetes, and to use machine learning-assisted text mining to analyse the main research themes and hotspots, thereby informing the future development of individualised risk prediction models and monitoring systems. Methods A scoping review search was conducted in six English databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library) and four Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and China Biomedical Literature Database[CBM]), covering studies published from database inception to 10 September 2026. The search strategy was built around terms related to diabetes, digital phenotyping, and mental health. Machine learning-assisted literature mining was used to identify thematic patterns in the included studies. The study selection process and overall workflow followed the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Results A total of 2,968 records were retrieved. After screening, 10 studies were included. The evidence indicated that digital phenotyping mainly enables real-time monitoring of mental health in people with diabetes through signals such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), passive smartphone sensing, voice, and ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Machine learning methods were widely used for risk prediction modelling, but most studies built models at the group level, with only a few adopting n -of-1 analysis or subgroup prediction to achieve individualised risk prediction. External validation of models was generally lacking, and no intervention studies were identified. Conclusions Preliminary evidence suggests that digital phenotyping has exploratory potential for mental health monitoring and prediction in people with diabetes, but research that genuinely achieves individualised risk prediction remains limited. Closed-loop monitoring-intervention design and multicentre external validation are the main directions for future research. Systematic Review Registration https://osf. io/6wsaj/ .
Background: Mothers of young children with neurodevelopmental disorders may experience substantial parenting demands, but their recent positive mental well-being varies. Objective: To examine the association between parenting stress and psychological well-being among mothers of children aged 0?6 years diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders. Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional correlational study analyzed 85 mothers using the 18-item Parental Stress Scale (PSS-18) and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and a Spearman sensitivity analysis were reported. Results: Mean PSS-18 was 67.55 (SD = 4.73), and mean WHO-5 transformed score was 64.85 (SD = 12.92). Parenting stress was negatively correlated with well-being (Pearson r = -0.675, 95% CI [-0.777, -0.540], p < .001). Spearman correlation was also negative (? = -0.634, p < .001). Conclusion: Greater reported parenting stress was associated with lower recent subjective well-being in this sample. The cross-sectional design does not establish causation. These findings underscore the relevance of attending to caregivers? psychological experiences alongside child-focused services.
Mental healthcare needs are growing, yet awareness of available services remains limited, even in Houston, Texas. This study examined relationships between having experienced or been diagnosed with mental illness and awareness of community-based mental health or crisis services. Approximately 1,000 Houston-area adults were surveyed in 2024 and 2026. Chi-square and multivariable regression analyses showed that experience with mental illness was associated with SGM populations, race/ethnicity, and age after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics. SGM participants had greater odds of reporting mental illness, whereas Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian, and older adults had lower adjusted odds relative to their reference groups. Awareness of community-based services was independently associated with gender, SGM populations, race/ethnicity, age, and annual household income; females had greater odds of awareness, whereas Hispanic/Latinx, Asian, and older adults had lower odds. Findings highlight sociodemographic differences in reported experience with mental illness and awareness of community-based services. Longitudinal research is needed to further examine these relationships.
