Mental Health: Global Challenges Feed

Teacher-Facing Generative AI and Workplace Mental Health in Higher Education: Perceived Demands and Resources

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionWorkplace mental health promotion in higher education requires attention to how digital technologies reshape teaching demands and resources.PurposeTo identify perceived demands and resources surrounding teacher-facing generative artificial intelligence (AI) and interpret their implications for teachers’ mental health promotion.MethodologyAn exploratory mixed-methods study combined a survey of 150 participants (56 English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers and 94 students/student-tutors) with 12 teacher interviews at two Ukrainian universities in January-February 2026. Descriptive statistics and four exploratory Fisher exact tests with Holm adjustment were integrated with thematic analysis of 30 selected translated interview extracts. Job Demands-Resources and self-determination theories informed a post-hoc interpretation.ResultsAmong teachers, 53.6% rated an AI platform for EFL teachers (Twee) very useful for preparation-time saving and 57.1% for task variety. Across the mixed sample, access (27.3%), quality assurance (22.0%), curriculum alignment (20.0%), and training/time (20.0%) were the leading constraints. Interview extracts linked anticipated workload relief to individual student support, while highlighting learning demands and the importance of professional judgment, empathy, and mentoring.ConclusionsThese perceptions identify work-design issues relevant to mental health promotion during AI implementation. Participatory decisions, protected learning and recovery time, and accessible psychosocial support are priorities for institutional consideration.

Reactive and Dissociative Psychosis Revisited: Trauma, Identity, and the Phenomenology of Collapse

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionDiagnostic differentiation between dissociative, reactive, and psychotic disorders remains conceptually and clinically challenging due to overlapping phenomenology and insufficiently specified psychopathological criteria. Existing classification systems often fail to adequately capture the dynamic and phenomenological complexity of trauma.PurposeThis article identifies key diagnostic gaps in the field of dissociative and reactive disorders and proposes a refined conceptual framework for their differentiation, including a novel diagnostic construct.MethodologyA conceptual and clinical-theoretical analysis was conducted based on accumulated clinical experience and integration of relevant psychopathological and phenomenological perspectives. Particular attention was given to the analysis of symptom structure, developmental dynamics, and differential diagnostic boundaries.ResultsThe analysis highlights persistent limitations in the current differentiation of dissociative and reactive conditions, particularly regarding their overlap with psychotic disorganization processes. In response, a novel hypothetical diagnostic category - schizo-dissociative reactive disorder - is proposed. This construct is defined as a clinical entity emerging at the intersection of dissociative fragmentation, trauma-related reactive mechanisms, and psychotic disorganization. Phenomenologically oriented diagnostic criteria are outlined to improve the identification of core features, including identity fragmentation, affective-cognitive disintegration, and dynamic trauma-related symptom modulation.ConclusionThe proposed model emphasizes the need for a trauma-informed, phenomenologically grounded, and dimensionally oriented approach to diagnostic classification. Introducing the concept of schizo-dissociative reactive disorder may contribute to improved diagnostic clarity and more precise clinical stratification of complex trauma-related psychopathology.

Educational Engagement as a Psychological Resource for Post-Traumatic Growth in Adults under Prolonged Crisis

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionPost-traumatic growth (PTG) manifests as positive cognitive, emotional, and behavioral adaptations emerging in response to acute or prolonged trauma. While clinical interventions are widely documented, the role of structural lifelong learning as a compensatory psychological resource under war-induced crisis remains insufficiently conceptualized.PurposeThis study provides a comparative empirical and statistical evaluation of the psychological potential of adult educational engagement as a catalyst for hardiness and post-traumatic growth.MethodologyA quasi-experimental design was deployed using a sample of 62 adults exposed to ongoing conflict contexts, equally distributed into an experimental group (n = 31, individuals pursuing a second higher education degree) and a control group (n = 31, individuals with a pre-war degree not engaged in further formal studies). Standardized psychometric auditing was performed utilizing the Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IES-R) and the Hardiness Survey. Quantitative data verification was conducted via correlation analyses to map neuropsychological resource compensation mechanisms.ResultsEmpirical data demonstrate a statistically significant positive correlation between continuous educational engagement and elevated hardiness scores. Adult learning operates as a structured self-regulatory mechanism that actively counters learned helplessness and accelerates cognitive flexibility, confirming that lifelong learning is a viable non-clinical asset for post-traumatic adaptation and resource recovery.ConclusionContinuous educational engagement serves as a critical, structured non-clinical resource that significantly amplifies adult hardiness and initiates post-traumatic growth under prolonged crisis. Integrating adult education tracks into post-war recovery policies is an essential step for building long-term, sustainable public resilience mechanism.

Empowering Adults to Support Youth Mental Health: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial of Youth Mental Health First Aid Training on Helping Behavior and Mental Health Literacy Outcomes

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionAlthough the positive impact of strong relationships with caring adults on youth mental health is increasingly recognized, adults may not be prepared to provide support. Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) teaches adults to understand, recognize, and assist youth ages 12–18 who experience mental health and/or substance use challenges, but prior studies identified a need for evaluation of helping behavior outcomes and inclusion of a control group.PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate whether in-person YMHFA training leads to participants’ use of MHFA skills and increased mental health literacy by comparing YMHFA (intervention) and control (no intervention) groups.MethodologyUsing a quasi-experimental design, mental health literacy was measured using the MHFA Opinions Quiz before and immediately after YMHFA training for the intervention group in two rural New York State counties in the U.S. The control group’s mental health literacy scores and helping behavior outcomes of both groups were measured 1 month after YMHFA training, and intergroup differences in helping behavior and mental health literacy outcomes were compared.ResultsThe intervention group participants reported significantly more youth helping behavior than the control group participants (16/17, 94.1% vs 12/18, 66.7%, p = 0.042), but the sample size for this outcome was not adequate. The intervention group participants’ Quiz scores improved significantly post-training vs pre-training (11.4 vs 9.4, p = 0.00001), and their mean post-training Quiz score was significantly higher than the control group (11.4 vs 9.2, p = 0.008, d = 0.8).ConclusionThe current study supports the effectiveness of YMHFA training in increasing adult participants’ mental health literacy, and thus presents a viable strategy to empower caring adults to support youth mental health. The tentative helping behavior outcomes call for future research with an adequate sample size and outcome measurement at two or more time points.

Psychiatric Symptomatology and Medication Adherence in Type 2 Diabetes: Cross-Cultural Insights from Greece

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionMedication adherence in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is influenced not only by clinical factors but also by psychological and interpersonal dimensions. Understanding the reasons for non-adherence is essential for designing individualized interventions.PurposeThis study aimed to investigate medication adherence and its association with psychiatric symptomatology among community-dwelling patients with T2DM, and to translate, culturally adapt, and preliminarily evaluate the Greek version of the Medication Adherence Reasons Scale (MARS).MethodologyA cross-sectional study was conducted with 107 adults with T2DM recruited from Primary Health Care services in Larissa, Greece. Data was collected through structured face-to-face interviews. Psychiatric symptomatology was assessed using the SCL-90-R, while medication adherence reasons were evaluated with the Greek version of the MARS. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, Cronbach’s alpha, and Principal Component Analysis were performed.ResultsParticipants reported generally low levels of reasons for medication non-adherence, with most MARS items concentrated at the lowest response category. PCA indicated a two-component solution explaining 51.5% of the total variance; however, the KMO value was marginally acceptable (0.50), suggesting cautious interpretation. Paranoid ideation showed the strongest and most consistent positive correlations with several MARS items. Depression, interpersonal sensitivity, phobic anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms were also significantly associated with selected non-adherence reasons, while somatization and hostility showed limited associations.ConclusionsMedication adherence in T2DM appears to be shaped by psychological and interpersonal factors. The findings support the integration of mental health assessment into diabetes care and highlight the need for further validation of the Greek MARS in larger samples.

Building Boundaries While Bolstering Bridges: Mental Health Professionals’ Expressions of Compassion for Those Who Use Opioids

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionThe ongoing opioid crisis places significant demands on mental health professionals who work with individuals who use opioids. Compassionate care is essential in this context; however, research has primarily conceptualized compassion either as a client-directed intervention or as a protective factor for providers, with less attention to how compassion is experienced and enacted in everyday clinical practice.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore how mental health professionals express compassion in their work with opioid-using clients and how mindfulness is implicated in this process.MethodologyUsing an interpretive approach to qualitative research, ten mental health professionals from counselling, nursing, and psychology participated in semi-structured interviews focused on their experiences of compassion and mindful awareness while providing care within the opioid crisis. We then utilized reflexive thematic analysis for analysis of the qualitative data.ResultsThe results of the reflexive thematic analyses showed the central theme of balancing separation and connection, which reflected how participants described compassion for their clients in the emotionally demanding context of opioid use and abuse. Two sub-themes elaborated this balancing process. Building boundaries described how participants engaged in self-kindness and boundary-setting to protect emotional capacity while providing competent care. Bolstering bridges captured efforts to connect with clients through shared humanity and mindful presence without becoming overwhelmed. Mindfulness was a key resource supporting awareness of internal states and sustained professional responsiveness.ConclusionThis study uniquely positioned compassion as a dynamic process shaped by both connection and separation with clients and offers novel insight into sustaining compassionate care in high-demand contexts.

Mental Resilience and Community Connections: A Case Study of Ukrainian Scholars' Adaptation Experiences in Canada

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionWar and natural disasters have forced many people to migrate, requiring considerable adaptation of the migrants and the communities which receive them.PurposeThis case study explores the contributors to the mental resilience of Ukrainian scholars who fled Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine to take up temporary appointments at the University of Manitoba through supports via CUAET and Scholar-at-Risk pathways.MethodologyGrounded in appreciative inquiry, the study uses mixed qualitative sources. The empirical base includes the co-authors' reflexive accounts as displaced scholars, local media interviews, public social media posts, and institutional documents describing the University of Manitoba's initiatives.ResultsFindings identify multiple intersecting obstacles and the ways that the scholars attempted to navigate around and through them. Psychological strain was widespread, shaped by guilt and worry for family and colleagues in Ukraine, children's adaptation, and tensions around limited resources within newcomer networks. Identity negotiations often converged on an unresolved question about return or long-term settlement.ConclusionKey areas requiring enhanced newcomer support based on this group's experiences, include additional and more flexible language training opportunities, professional mentorship, and supports for single parents. While the scholars experienced precarity alongside significant adaptive capacity, their longer-term outcomes remain contingent on the course of the war and on permanent residency policy of the country receiving them.

Self-Esteem as a Moderator Between Cyberbullying Victimization and Depression in a Sample of Nigerian Youths

Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionCyberbullying victimization is a pervasive global problem among youths, with those in developing countries, particularly Nigeria, experiencing disproportionate exposure and vulnerability. Research has consistently demonstrated that cyberbullying victimization is associated with adverse mental health outcomes, especially depression. However, although the detrimental effects of cyberbullying victimization on youth depression have been well documented, there is limited understanding of the psychological factors that may moderate this relationship.PurposeGuided by sociometer theory, the present study examined self-esteem as a potential moderator of the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and depression among Nigerian youths.MethodologyA cross-sectional survey design was employed to collect data from 500 participants (220 males and 280 females) drawn from churches, secondary schools, and higher education institutions in Lagos State, Nigeria. Participants completed validated self-report measures. Hayes’ PROCESS macro for SPSS was used to test the study hypotheses.ResultsThe results revealed a significant positive association between cyberbullying victimization and depression. Self-esteem was negatively associated with depression and significantly moderated the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and depression.ConclusionThese findings suggest that self-esteem functions as a protective factor, buffering the adverse effects of cyberbullying victimization on depression. The results highlight the importance of developing and enforcing anti-cyberbullying policies, as well as integrating self-esteem enhancement interventions into mental health programmes aimed at mitigating the psychosocial consequences of cyberbullying victimization in Nigeria.

Latest Trends in Suicide Research: a Bibliometric Analysis from SCOPUS Database

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionAs a public health problem, suicidality is impacting the young generation significantly, considering the statistical prevalence. There are trends in researching suicidality from multiple perspectives.PurposeRecent trends in research impact a researcher’s intention to explore an aspect of suicidality. This bibliometric analysis aimed to identify the latest trends in suicide research.MethodologyA total of 296 results were obtained from the SCOPUS database whereby the search was delimited to 2025, with the aim of identifying the latest trends. Filter was applied, i.e., peer-reviewed articles only. VOS Viewer has been used to extract clusters from CSV files extracted from SCOPUS. Different clusters are discussed and contrasted with peer-reviewed literature.Resultswith 18 clusters, multifaceted dimensions of suicidality were researched in 2025.Conclusiondepression and childhood experiences are the core focus of researchers on suicidality in 2025 and can be labelled as the most recent focus of researchers. Proteomics and DNA-V have been found in separate clusters, indicating a focus on biological factors contributing to suicidality. Critically ill patients, i.e., cancer survivors, are at increased risk of suicidality which is focused on by researchers recently.

Rethinking Intersectionality in Immigrant Mental Health Research Through Qualitative, Reflexive, and Decolonial Frameworks

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionImmigrant mental health research continues to rely heavily on Eurocentric biomedical frameworks that inadequately capture the complex social, historical, and political forces shaping immigrant wellbeing. These models often obscure how migration, racism, gendered expectations, and colonial legacies intersect to structure mental health vulnerabilities among diverse immigrant populations. Intersectionality theory offers a corrective, yet its application remains limited by conceptual and methodological challenges.PurposeThis paper critically examines the applicability of intersectionality in immigrant mental health research, using South Asian immigrants in Canada as an illustrative example. The aim is to evaluate both the strengths and limitations of intersectionality and propose ways to strengthen its use in population health research.MethodologyThis is a conceptual and theoretical analysis grounded in Black feminist scholarship, critical public health literature, and decolonial epistemologies. An interpretive approach is applied to examine how intersectionality has been used in immigrant mental health research and where it requires expansion.ResultsFindings demonstrate that intersectionality illuminates layered forms of oppression but is often hindered by theoretical overload, methodological ambiguity, essentialism, and Western centric epistemic boundaries. These constraints risk flattening diversity within immigrant groups and overlooking colonial histories that shape mental health outcomes.ConclusionsAn expanded intersectional framework, integrating qualitative inquiry, reflexivity, and decolonial approaches can more effectively capture the lived realities of immigrants and support culturally responsive mental health research. Strengthening intersectionality in this way advances health equity and enriches global mental health scholarship.

The Pursuit of Happiness: Briefly on Positive Mental Health, Well-Being, Trauma, and Resilience

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionDespite centuries of attempts to clearly define what human happiness is and how to achieve it, no one has completely succeeded in defining happiness or showing the only one way to achieve it. But still, the pursuit of happiness as an unalienable right of human beings who have been striving for it for eons remains a relevant topic for everyone, including psychologists, psychiatrists, and mental health specialists. Nowadays, great importance is placed on the positive aspects of mental health, active functioning in the world, and overall well-being.PurposeIntegrating psychological and philosophical perspectives, this paper aims to explore the phenomenon of happiness as a core component of mental health and well-being.MethodologyThe authors conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar, using search terms: happiness; subjective well-being; experience of happiness; mental health; psychological well-being; eudaimonia; resilience; quality of life; traumatic experience; cultural trauma; sociocultural factors; culture. The authors used phenomenological philosophical, hermeneutic and inductive approaches, as well as the interpretive research paradigm.ResultsThe attention of contemporary researchers is focused on the place and role of happiness in mental health and well-being. Though ideas on happiness present a whole range of options, two main directions can still be identified, namely, eudaemonism and hedonism, in which happiness has been used to describe both momentary assessments of affect and life evaluations. Contemporary researchers have developed several approaches to well-being mainly emphasizing its eudaimonic character.ConclusionThe dramatic shift in approaches to mental health and well-being with an emphasis on positivity has expanded understanding of factors and conditions that promote or undermine our mental health and well-being. Such an understanding should lead to the creation of conditions for individual flourishing, social prosperity and overall well-being offering innovative solutions to complex individual, organizational, and societal problems.

Stigmatization of Mental Self-Regulation under Ideological Governance: Transcendental Meditation and the Politics of Interior Life in Socialist Romania

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionMental self-regulation practices are not socially neutral; their legitimacy is shaped by political, normative, and institutional frameworks that define acceptable forms of interior life. Under ideological governance, practices oriented toward inner calm and attentional regulation may become objects of suspicion rather than care.PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine how mental self-regulation becomes stigmatized and pathologized under ideological governance, using the late socialist Romanian reception of Transcendental Meditation (TM) as a historically grounded case.MethodologyThe article employs a qualitative historical research design based on archival document analysis and critical interpretive methods. The empirical material consists of state-produced documents accessed through the archives of the National Council for the Study of the Securitate Archives (CNSAS), including informative reports, internal correspondence, and institutional assessments.ResultsArchival evidence shows that TM was framed as a “foreign ideological influence” and progressively reclassified through moralizing and medicalized vocabularies. Practitioners’ reports of calm, improved concentration, and emotional balance were recoded as passivity, instability, and diminished ideological vigilance, while universities emerged as key sites of surveillance and sanction.The findings indicate that stigma functioned preventively, marking inward-oriented autonomy as administratively unmanageable and therefore risky. Mental health language enabled ideological governance to appear scientifically neutral while regulating interior life.ConclusionThe study clarifies how mental health vocabularies can be mobilized for social control, contributing to debates on mental health governance and the legitimacy of self-regulation practices in contemporary societies.The Romanian case demonstrates how calm, introspection, and self-regulation become illegitimate when they escape institutional supervision, highlighting the political conditions under which interior life is governed.

The Paradox of Childhood Cumulative Adversity in Antisocial Personality Disorder: Reconsidering Trauma-Informed Approaches in Carceral Settings

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Introduction and PurposeHigh levels of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), is often associated with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) psychopathology. Our study investigates if childhood adversities directly manifest through the dimensions of emotion regulation, psychopathy, impulsivity, and aggression. Dimensions that are commonly addressed in carceral settings.MethodologyA retrospective study conducted in a carceral setting. We analysed records of male inmates with a clinical diagnosis of ASPD who consulted the prison psychiatric service from January to June 2025. Records with comorbid Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or active psychosis were excluded and only included medical records incorporating the relevant psychometric evaluations, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), and Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). Participants were stratified into High (ACE≥4) and Low (ACE <4) cumulative adversity groups.ResultsThe final sample comprised (N=47) participants. No statistically significant differences were found between the High and Low cumulative adversity groups on the total scores of the DERS (p=0.11), PCL-R (p=0.63), LSRP (p=0.55), BIS-11 (p=0.19), and BPAQ (p=0.64). ACE correlation with those psychological dimensions did not reach significance.ConclusionWithin a pure ASPD sample, a higher load of childhood adversity was not associated with greater deficits in emotion regulation, impulsivity, or overall aggression. This dissociation suggests that the phenotypic expression of ASPD in adulthood may represent a final common etiologic pathway, not necessarily associated with severity of childhood adversities. The findings invite reconsideration of current models and open insights to investigate the utility of integrating trauma-specific, explorative therapies to address deeply seated pathological schemas not addressed by classical Interventions with focus on the measured dimensions.

Navigating Adversity During Emerging Adulthood: Exploring the Interplay of Psychological Flexibility, Psychological Capital & Resilience

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionYoungsters, often seen as the promise of the future, constitute the largest demographic in India. Recent research and statistical reports revealed a shocking decline in the mental health status of Indian youth, who currently face an increase in mental health crises. As per the existing data, emerging adults in India and all over the globe are vulnerable to mental health problems compared to any other age group.PurposeThe present study aimed to explore the relationship and predictive pathways among Psychological Flexibility, Psychological Capital and Resilience, and to examine the mediating role of Psychological Capital in the link between Psychological Flexibility and Resilience among emerging adults.MethodologyThe study employed a cross-sectional correlational design and purposive sampling to recruit 149 emerging adults aged 18–24 years from a college setting. The Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Scale, the Compound Psychological Capital Scale-12 (CPC-12), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 (CD-RISC) were used to collect the data. The data were analysed using statistical techniques, including descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, regression, and mediation analysis (Hayes process macro).ResultsFindings revealed that global flexibility is positively related to PsyCap and Resilience, (r = 0.52, p <.01) & (r = .48, p<.01), whereas global inflexibility indicated negative correlation with both (r = −0.41, p <.01) & (r = −0.38, p<.01). Specifically, PsyCap was identified as a partial mediator, (B=0.060, 95% CI [0.032, 0.091]) indicating that flexibility enable individuals to develop internal psychological strength which in turn promote resilience.ConclusionBy integrating the theoretical formulation offered by COR and Broaden–and–Build theory, the findings provide a novel and comprehensive view of how adaptive cognitive-emotional mechanisms promote resilience during the critical developmental period. The existing body of research also validates these findings. Limitations, Implications and directions for future research were discussed.

Risk and Rescue: Psychometric Tools for Trauma-Related in Refugees in Europe (2014–2024)

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionRefugees in Europe face significant psychological burdens resulting from trauma, displacement, and post-migration stressors. This review examines the tools used to assess PTSD and related mental health conditions, highlighting the lack of standardization and the need for culturally sensitive approaches.PurposeThis systematic review examined psychometric instruments used to assess mental health among adult refugees in Europe, focusing on trauma-related disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).MethodologyPeer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2024 were retrieved from major databases (APA PsycInfo, PsycArticles, MEDLINE, among others) following PRISMA guidelines. Forty-six studies met inclusion criteria. Data extraction included assessed domains, instruments, and sample characteristics, and methodological quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist.ResultsGermany was the most frequent host country, followed by Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands. A total of 99 instruments were identified, with the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ), Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-25), and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) most commonly applied. PTSD (n=32), depression (n=30), and anxiety (n=19) were the predominant disorders assessed. Considerable variability in tool selection, limited cultural and linguistic adaptation, and frequent reliance on self-report measures were observed. Instruments addressing post-migration stressors (e.g., RPMS, PMLD) and resilience factors provided broader clinical insights.ConclusionsNo standardized European approach exists for refugee mental health assessment. A multifaceted strategy integrating validated tools, clinician-administered interviews, and culturally adapted measures is recommended. Future research should develop context-sensitive, multidimensional, and potentially digital assessment models to enhance diagnostic accuracy and care accessibility.

Experiencing Yourself: Existential Well-Being as a Pathway to Inner Growth

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionPositive mental health has been recognized as a key element of well-being; therefore, mental health professionals increasingly focus on its positive dimensions – optimism, life satisfaction, happiness, self-acceptance, purpose in life and self-efficacy. However, interpretation of mental health and well-being through this lens faces challenges, since humans still cannot solve complex existential problems and overcome painful human experiences as they are a part of human life.PurposeThis paper aims to explore the concept of existential well-being from the perspective of philosophy and mental health.MethodologyThe study adopted a desktop research methodology. We conducted a systematic search in the electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Relevant studies were identified using search terms: well-being, existential well-being, existential positive psychology, mental health, philosophy, existentialism, culture, death anxiety, meaning in life, existential loneliness, social exclusion, existential guilt, identity, happiness. The authors used phenomenological philosophical and hermeneutic approaches, as well as the interpretive research paradigm.ResultsBeing a human, it is impossible to avoid existential challenges and to maintain unchanging positive mental and emotional states. Facing and dealing with a borderline situation such as illness, suffering, struggle, guilt or death, people tend to reflect more intensely on existential questions. Within the framework of existential psychodynamics, the basic conflict of an individual is determined by his/her confrontation with the givens of existence: death, freedom, isolation, meaninglessness, identity, pursuit of happiness. Existential conflicts, which are linked to depression, anxiety, stress, addiction, personality disorders, are generated by the individual’s confrontation with any of these givens. Thus, the search for existential well-being has become inevitable, as existential well-being can act as a predictor of quality of life and may be seen an internal coping resource to deal with borderline life situations.ConclusionIn the modern world, in which the aggravation of existential problems has reached monstrous proportions, and more and more people, terrorized by wars, catastrophes, economic, environmental, social, political, cultural problems, reject traditional ideas and feel cut off from the integral fabric of existence, existential well-being becomes especially important. The concept of existential well-being expands our understanding of overall well-being, enhances our abilities to achieve sustainable well-being by addressing the deepest layers of human nature and providing awareness of the need for existential growth.

From Distress to Systemic Resilience: Strengthening MHPSS in Conflict Settings – Insights from Ukraine

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionThe full-scale war in Ukraine has significantly increased the need for coordinated and accessible mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services. However, there remains limited empirical evidence on how civilians experience psychosocial distress during conflict and how institutions are responding to these needs across different service sectors.PurposeThis study assesses the psychosocial well-being of civilians and the institutional capacity to deliver MHPSS in conflict-affected such as the Kharkiv region. The research seeks to inform both national and international actors on existing gaps and opportunities for strengthening support systems in wartime contexts.MethodologyA cross-sectional survey was conducted in July 2023 across Kharkiv oblast. Data were collected from 13,343 service recipients and 3,183 service providers working in the healthcare, education, social protection, and NGO sectors. Quantitative analysis focused on indicators of emotional well-being, coping strategies, service satisfaction, institutional capacity, staff well-being, and information trust.ResultsFindings revealed high levels of psychological distress among civilians, including symptoms of panic, apathy, and hopelessness. Service satisfaction varied by sector, with non-governmental organizations receiving higher ratings. While basic MHPSS services were moderately available, primary and specialized care remained limited. Institutional staff reported significantly increased workloads and limited access to psychological support or supervision. Most respondents trusted official government sources and professionals for mental health information.ConclusionThe results indicate an urgent need to expand low-threshold, community-based psychosocial services and to improve institutional readiness across sectors. Strengthening workforce well-being, integrating MHPSS into sector-specific practices, and aligning communication strategies with trusted channels are key to building a sustainable response. The proposed conceptual framework offers a multilevel roadmap for MHPSS system development in conflict-affected settings.

From Physical Frailty to Psychosocial Maladaptation: Predicting Mental Reserve and Quality of Life in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionInflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a serious challenge for global health care systems, as they affect not only the physical condition but also the psychological resilience and social adaptation of patients. Frailty syndrome, traditionally considered a problem of geriatrics, is increasingly being diagnosed in adult patients with chronic conditions such as IBDs, acting as a critical predictor of depletion of mental reserve and significant deterioration in quality of life (QofL).PurposeTo evaluate the possibilities of the adapted use of the “Clinical Frailty Scale” as a tool for predicting psychosocial well-being in adult patients with inflammatory bowel diseases by verifying its prognostic significance in comparison with the comorbidity level and indicators of quality of lifeMethodologyThe study included 248 patients with IBD: 117 with Crohn's disease (Group I), 131 with ulcerative colitis (Group II) and 82 healthy volunteers (Control group). The average age is 43.34 ± 21.57 years. A multidisciplinary assessment approach was used: “Clinical Frailty Scale” (CFS) to determine functional reserve; the CIRS scale for assessing the severity of comorbidity; and the SF-36 questionnaire for QofL analysis, with a particular focus on the relationship between physical and mental health components.ResultsThe obtained data confirmed a significant depletion of functional and psychoemotional resources in patients with IBD compared to the control group. The average CFS score in patients with ulcerative colitis (4.2±0.6) and Crohn's disease (3.1±1.2) was 1.5–2.0 times higher than in healthy subjects (2.1±0.97, p<0.05). A high level of comorbidity (according to the CIRS-IS and CIRS-CI scales) showed a strong correlation with a decrease in mental health scores according to the SF-36 questionnaire. The results of the correlation analysis show that frailty in IBD is not just an isolated physical symptom, but a complex psychosocial burden caused by a long-term chronic disease that leads to the loss of “mental reserve”.ConclusionThe obtained results emphasize the urgent need to implement an integrated approach in managing IBD. The use of frailty assessment in routine clinical practice enables the timely detection of risks associated with psychological maladjustment in patients. To overcome the challenge of IBD, medical systems must focus on holistic care models — this involves a transition from purely biological treatment to taking into account all aspects of a person's life. Such models should be aimed at preserving both physical functionality and mental well-being and QofL of patients.

Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Female Undergraduate Students: Physical Health Concerns as Influencing Determinants

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionMental health concerns are on the rise in the Philippines, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Several factors, including sex and physical health concerns, contribute to this rise. However, there has been limited available research on the influence of physical health concerns on mental health concerns, particularly among Filipino female undergraduate students.PurposeThe study investigated the influencing role of physical health concerns, particularly sleep disturbances, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, and respiratory infections, in the experience of depression, anxiety, and stress among Filipino female undergraduate students enrolled in a state university. The participants were freshman and sophomore undergraduate students enrolled during the first-ever semester of residential classes after the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of the investigation can be used in the crafting of a contextualized mental health program.MethodologyThe study employed a quantitative method of research. A total of 976 female undergraduate students (mean age of 18.87, representing 23 programs) from a state university in the Philippines were asked to respond to the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale and to the Physical Health Questionnaire. Both descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were used to analyse responses from the research instruments.ResultsUsing the responses of the female undergraduate students, descriptive statistics revealed that, as a group, they experienced severe depression, extremely severe anxiety, and moderate stress. Also, it was further revealed through multiple regression analysis that sleep disturbances, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, and respiratory infections significantly influenced stress, while sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal problems, and respiratory infections significantly influenced depression and anxiety.ConclusionThe study highlights the importance of physical wellness in understanding mental health concerns. Therefore, understanding mental health concerns, particularly depression, anxiety, and stress among female undergraduate students, also requires understanding physical health concerns, which is necessary in contextualizing mental health programs.

A Quantitative Study on Vietnamese University Students’ Perceptions of Mental Illness

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionMental illness is a global issue that affects various population groups, including university students. Gaining insights into students’ perspectives on mental illness plays a vital role in fostering mental health awareness and combating stigma in educational environmentsPurposeThe present study aimed to investigate Vietnamese undergraduate students’ knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of mental illness by focusing on the dimensions: (i) the level of knowledge students possesses about the causes and manifestations of mental illness, and (ii) their attitudes towards individuals experiencing mental health problems.MethodologyUsing a descriptive cross-sectional design, this study involved 350 undergraduate students from five universities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Data collection was conducted between June and July 2024 and utilized the Perception Towards Persons with Mental Illness (PWMI) Scale adapted from previous studies. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science software, version 25 (IBM SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA).ResultsThe results indicated that approximately 80.6% knew about mental illness, and 70.5% perceived mental illness as a common or quite common phenomenon in Vietnam. Regarding the aetiology of mental illness, a significant majority identified "bad things happening to you" as a cause (73.3%), followed by substance abuse (51.4%) and brain disease (50.0%). The findings also revealed that, despite some positive perceptions and attitudes, many responses clustered around the neutral option, particularly for controversial or personal items.ConclusionsThe findings of this study underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to foster more informed and compassionate attitudes towards individuals with mental illness among undergraduate students.