Front Psychol [JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Distinct neural mechanisms underlying the effects of agility and resistance-aerobic training on executive function and gait in young adults.
Huang SL, Liu YC
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359312 · Full text
INTRODUCTION: Executive function (EF) is essential for daily functioning. While exercise enhances EF, the specific effects of different training types remain unclear. Agility training (AT), which integrates cognitive and...
INTRODUCTION: Executive function (EF) is essential for daily functioning. While exercise enhances EF, the specific effects of different training types remain unclear. Agility training (AT), which integrates cognitive and motor demands, is a promising but understudied intervention. This study compared the effects of AT versus combined resistance-aerobic training (RAeT) on EF, dual-task walking, and their underlying neural mechanisms in healthy adults. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 26 healthy adults were assigned to either AT ( = 13) or RAeT ( = 13) group. Both interventions consisted of nine 50-min sessions over 3 weeks. Assessments were conducted at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up, measuring EF (working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility), dual-task walking, and brain activation via functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). RESULTS: AT and RAeT induced distinct behavioral and neural patterns. AT primarily enhanced executive function, significantly reducing Stroop incongruent response times (Pre: 1085.20 ms; Post: 907.96 ms; F/u: 843.00 ms; Pre-Post = 0.016, Pre-F/u = 0.002). Conversely, RAeT significantly improved cognitive processing speed during dual-task walking (Pre: 0.26/s; Post: 0.29/s; F/u: 0.28/s; Pre-Post = 0.018, Pre-F/u = 0.008). These behavioral changes were mirrored by different neural patterns: during EF tasks, the AT group exhibited lower brain activation in prefrontal and premotor cortices, suggesting a more economical neural recruitment pattern. During dual-task walking, the RAeT group also demonstrated lower brain activation, consistent with enhanced motor automaticity. CONCLUSION: These preliminary findings suggest that AT and RAeT may improve cognitive-motor function through distinct neurophysiological mechanisms. AT optimized efficiency in reactive cognitive control, while RAeT enhanced efficiency in integrated cognitive-motor activities. Agility training is thus a flexible, practical, and cost-effective option for improving brain and cognitive function, especially in settings with limited equipment.
Adaptive signal theory: an integrative evolutionary, ecological, and intergenerational framework for psychological distress.
Suncire-Nerison A
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359311 · Full text
Despite substantial increases in pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment availability, global rates of psychological distress continue to rise, a pattern existing frameworks, taken individually, cannot fully expl...
Despite substantial increases in pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment availability, global rates of psychological distress continue to rise, a pattern existing frameworks, taken individually, cannot fully explain. Current dominant models frequently conceptualize distress primarily as neurochemical dysfunction, emphasizing symptom reduction while leaving broader neurobiological signaling processes insufficiently addressed. For a clinically significant subset of individuals, this contributes to recurring symptom patterns, escalating treatment requirements, and eventual treatment resistance that existing literature has not yet fully accounted for. This paper introduces Adaptive Signal Theory (AST), an integrative evolutionary, ecological, and intergenerational framework proposing that psychological distress must be understood simultaneously across four nested levels: the evolutionary origin of distress signals, the autonomic mechanisms of their expression, the contemporary ecological conditions that chronically sustain them, and the intergenerational pathways through which dysregulation may transmit across generations. Critically, AST argues these levels are not parallel explanations for the same phenomenon; rather, they are nested layers of a single adaptive system, and failure to integrate them may produce predictable and clinically recognizable patterns of treatment limitation. Drawing on Polyvagal Theory (Porges, 2011), allostatic load theory (McEwen and Stellar, 1993), hormesis (Calabrese and Mattson, 2011), somatic trauma theory (Levine, 1997; van der Kolk, 2014), attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969), evolutionary psychiatry (Nesse, 2019; Hollon, 2020), and interpersonal neurobiology (Siegel, 2012), AST advances four central propositions: that psychological distress reflects functional neurobiological signaling; that exclusive symptom suppression may fail to resolve underlying threat-detection processes; that contemporary post-industrial environments may systematically deprive nervous systems of the relational, sensory, and co-regulatory inputs necessary for baseline neuroception of safety; and that chronic disruption of adaptive signal processing in caregivers may contribute to intergenerational consequences for infant neurobiological development. The perinatal period is examined as a clinically significant context in which all four propositions converge simultaneously, with implications for dyadic intervention, maternal regulatory restoration, and co-regulatory treatment approaches. A central clinical implication follows across populations and presentations: treatment effectiveness depends on alignment between the level at which a signal is generated and the level at which intervention is applied. Directions for future empirical investigation and interdisciplinary clinical application are discussed.
Ageism toward older workers and wellbeing at work: a systematic review.
Marrero-Vega AL, Yeves J, Bargsted M … +1 more , Saéz S
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359310 · Full text
INTRODUCTION: In the context of unprecedented workforce age diversity, workplace ageism is increasingly reported. This review synthesizes empirical evidence on the relationship between workplace ageism and workplace well...
INTRODUCTION: In the context of unprecedented workforce age diversity, workplace ageism is increasingly reported. This review synthesizes empirical evidence on the relationship between workplace ageism and workplace wellbeing among workers aged 50 and older, focusing on how these effects unfold (mediation) and the conditions under which they are amplified or buffered (moderation). METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Searches were conducted in major academic databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, Pubmed, among others. Of the 3,378 records identified, 22 met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Across studies, ageism showed a consistently negative and statistically significant association with workplace wellbeing outcomes, even though ageism and wellbeing were measured with heterogeneous indicators. Findings also suggest spillover beyond work, for example, via decreases in life satisfaction or subjective wellbeing. Moderation evidence was limited; when tested, social support (supervisor and coworker support) emerged as the only moderator in this association. Mediation evidence was more developed and clustered around three pathways: (1) cognitive processes (e.g., appraisals and rumination); (2) affective processes (e.g., aging anxiety); and (3) job demands-resources mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: By clarifying these moderators and mechanisms, the review points to leverage points for practices that foster inclusive, intergenerational workplaces and safeguard wellbeing.
Waiting in sport: a kinesiological perspective on a universal psychological experience.
Liu M, Wang Y, Li W … +2 more , Lei C, Guo X
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359309 · Full text
Waiting is a universal experience in sport, marked by distinct cognitive patterns and affective dynamics that carry psychophenomenological significance. This study investigates the psychogenesis of sport across three key...
Waiting is a universal experience in sport, marked by distinct cognitive patterns and affective dynamics that carry psychophenomenological significance. This study investigates the psychogenesis of sport across three key dimensions of sport-preparation for participation, competitive engagement, and spectatorship-through the lens of sport behavioral science. The findings reveal three major domains of psychological processing: (1) During preparation for participation, athletes engage in psychological preparation and emotional regulation during waiting periods. Goal orientation exerts neuromodulatory effects, linguistic self-regulation enhances neural plasticity, and neural motor coding supports a stable cognitive state of readiness. Emotional regulation draws on autonomic neuromodulation strategies, models of directed cognitive resource allocation, and mechanisms of social neuroendocrine regulation. (2) During competition, athletes experience waiting through psychological strategising and stress coping. Tactical neuromodulation under pressure, neuro-metabolic resilience mechanisms, and cognitive restructuring models inform strategising. Stress coping involves neural appraisal reconstruction, sympathetic-vagal balance paradigms, and coordinated social neuroendocrine responses. (3) Concerning spectatorship, spectators' waiting experiences encompass emotional engagement and psychological resonance. Anticipatory motivation aligns with neural coding theories, empathic stress maps onto neuro-resonance models, and emotional regulation follows neuro-metabolic balancing processes. Therefore, psychological resonance emerges through neurochemical models of group identity, neural embodiment simulations, and co-activation within the social brain network.
Talent environment development in Canadian female youth ice hockey: a first look into the Quebec developmental landscape.
Pelletier VH, Roy ÈA, Simard W … +1 more , Desgagné J
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359308 · Full text
INTRODUCTION: In the Canadian context, ice hockey functions as a fundamental agent of socialization and a catalyst for national identity. Despite the exponential rise of female participation-bolstered by the professional...
INTRODUCTION: In the Canadian context, ice hockey functions as a fundamental agent of socialization and a catalyst for national identity. Despite the exponential rise of female participation-bolstered by the professionalization of the Professional Women's Hockey League-a significant "gender gap" persists in sports science literature, which traditionally prioritizes male cohorts in talent development research. This investigation pursued three primary objectives: (1) to evaluate the structural validity and internal consistency of the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire-5 (TDEQ-5) within the Quebec female youth hockey context; (2) to examine variances in environmental perceptions based on competitive calibre (A, AA, AAA) and age category (U11-U18); and (3) to quantify the predictive contribution of TDEQ-5 dimensions in shaping athletes' long-term engagement intentions. METHODS: A sample of 473 female ice hockey players (N = 473) was recruited during a centralized provincial tournament. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analyses supported the five-factor structure of the TDEQ-5, although the Alignment of Expectations (AE) dimension exhibited lower internal consistency. MANOVA revealed no significant differences based on competitive caliber, suggesting a structural homogeneity of developmental standards. However, a significant multivariate effect for age was observed, characterized by an erosion of the Support Network (SN) and Alignment of Expectation (AE) among older players (U15 and U18). Regression analysis indicated that TDEQ-5 dimensions accounted for 29.1% of the variance in long-term engagement intentions, with Long-Term Development (LTD) and AE emerging as the most significant predictors. DISCUSSION: These findings highlight the critical importance of maintaining a supportive climate and ensuring clarity of pathways during the transition to adulthood to foster player retention.
Cognitive insight in patients with depression and non-suicidal self-injury.
Li C, Chen C, Li H … +3 more , Li W, Zhu Y, Guo M
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359307 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Cognitive insight, a higher-order insight encompassing metacognitive processes, is directly linked to patients' help-seeking behavior and disease self-management. Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and depressio...
BACKGROUND: Cognitive insight, a higher-order insight encompassing metacognitive processes, is directly linked to patients' help-seeking behavior and disease self-management. Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and depression are closely comorbid major global public health problems. Existing studies show depressed patients with NSSI have executive dysfunction, which may further impair metacognitive abilities. However, research on cognitive insight in this population remains scarce to date. This study aimed to investigate cognitive insight deficits in these patients, to provide evidence for precise clinical evaluation, individualized treatment, and risky behavior intervention. METHODS: We enrolled 68 depressed patients with NSSI, 40 without NSSI, and 32 healthy controls. All completed the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS); depressed patients also completed the Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory (OSI) and 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-24). Participants were grouped by NSSI status, further divided into mild and severe NSSI subgroups, stratified by age into adolescent and adult subgroups. Data were analyzed via chi-square, -test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and stepwise multiple linear regression. RESULTS: In the total cohort, the severe NSSI subgroup showed lower self-reflectiveness and composite index, and higher total HAMD-24 score, cognitive disturbance and despair factors versus the mild subgroup (all < 0.05). Composite index was negatively correlated with total HAMD-24 score ( = -0.366, < 0.05). Regression revealed that cognitive disturbance factor independently predicted self-reflectiveness (β = -0.326, < 0.05), and total HAMD-24 score predicted composite index (β = -0.377, < 0.05). In adolescents, the severe NSSI subgroup showed lower self-reflectiveness and composite index scores, and higher total HAMD-24, cognitive disturbance, and diurnal variation scores versus the mild subgroup (all < 0.05). BCIS were negatively correlated with total HAMD-24 score and diurnal variation (r = -0.514, -0.559, -0.505, -0.538; all < 0.05). Regression showed total HAMD-24 score independently predicted self-reflectiveness (β = -0.734, < 0.05), and diurnal variation factor predicted composite index (β = -0.583, < 0.05). In adults, no significant between-group differences were found in BCIS ( > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that patients with depression and severe NSSI show impaired cognitive insight, which correlates significantly with depression severity. Notably, this association shows a clear age-dependent pattern, present only in adolescent patients. For adolescents with depression and NSSI, targeted interventions for depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, and circadian abnormalities may improve cognitive insight and reduce NSSI risk.
Modeling immersion pathways in XR-based cultural heritage IP narrative experiences: an integrated approach based on TAM, experience economy, and grounded theory.
Liu D, Jung J
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359306 · Full text
INTRODUCTION: Mobile extended reality (XR) heritage storytelling is increasingly experienced on smartphones in short, interruptible sessions, where behavioral intention may be shaped by immediate in-use responses rather...
INTRODUCTION: Mobile extended reality (XR) heritage storytelling is increasingly experienced on smartphones in short, interruptible sessions, where behavioral intention may be shaped by immediate in-use responses rather than extended post-experience reflection. Using the Great Wall E-tour () WeChat Mini Program as the research context, this study examines how technical appraisal, narrative design, and experiential value are associated with immediate post-experience behavioral intention through affective, cultural, and immersion-related mechanisms. METHODS: We adopted an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design. A grounded-theory-informed qualitative phase provided experience-near support for the mechanism account and helped contextualize the constructs. This was followed by a post-experience survey analyzed with confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and bias-corrected bootstrapped mediation tests. RESULTS: XR Technology Perception, Narrative Design, and Experiential Value were positively associated with Emotional Arousal and Cultural Value Identification. In the theory-specified model, Emotional Arousal and Cultural Value Identification were also associated with Psychological Immersion. At the outcome stage, Emotional Arousal showed the most consistent direct association with Behavioral Intention, while Cultural Value Identification was significant in the theory-specified model but less stable in the expanded direct-effects specification. Psychological Immersion showed a weaker and more model-sensitive role. Supplementary checks, including common-method-bias diagnostics, XTP measurement-model comparison, prior-XR-experience analyses, and alternative structural models, suggest that Emotional Arousal, Cultural Value Identification, and Psychological Immersion should be understood as closely related mechanisms rather than as a fixed causal chain. DISCUSSION: From a media-psychology and human-factors design perspective, mobile immersive heritage systems should prioritize emotionally engaging cues, meaningful story-task structures, low-friction interaction, and clear action bridges, while treating immersion as support for involvement rather than the sole route to intention formation.
Thesis advisee mistreatment and mental health: a cross-sectional study based on Structural Equation Models.
Mamani-Benito O, Ventura-León J
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359305 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Thesis advisee mistreatment is a phenomenon that has been increasingly documented in recent years. With the emergence of validated instruments, it is now possible to measure not only its prevalence but also i...
BACKGROUND: Thesis advisee mistreatment is a phenomenon that has been increasingly documented in recent years. With the emergence of validated instruments, it is now possible to measure not only its prevalence but also its association with the mental health of the university population. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between thesis advisee mistreatment and depression, anxiety, and stress in university students and graduates. METHODS: This was an explanatory study in which 514 undergraduate students and graduates from the three regions of Peru participated voluntarily. Data were collected using the Thesis Advisee Mistreatment Scale (EMAT) and the DASS-21 scale. Structural equation modeling was performed to analyze the relationship. RESULTS: The latent factor mistreatment, defined by the advisor (λ = 0.91), the committee (λ = 0.96), and the administrative staff (λ = 0.83), showed significant standardized associations with stress (β = 0.59), anxiety (β = 0.59), and depression (β = 0.61). In this regard, mistreatment explained 35% of the variance in stress (R = 0.349), 35% in anxiety (R = 0.346), and 38% in depression (R = 0.377). CONCLUSION: Mistreatment perpetrated by all authority figures involved in the thesis process showed positive and strong associations with mental health problems. These findings suggest that a climate of persistent threat affects the confidence of university students and graduates who are working on a thesis, activating mechanisms of uncertainty and worry that, if sustained over time, could derive into symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. On the other hand, given the cross-sectional design of the study, causal inferences cannot be drawn, for which reason longitudinal studies are recommended in order to establish the temporal directionality of these relationships.
Comparative effects of ball sports on executive function subdomains in children and adolescents: a network meta-analysis.
Zhang T, Zhang M, Wang Y … +3 more , Kabachkova AV, Luo Z, Ma R
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359304 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: Ball sports interventions have been shown to yield positive effects on executive functions (EF). The aim of this study is to use network meta-analysis (NMA) to evaluate the differences in the impact of differ...
OBJECTIVES: Ball sports interventions have been shown to yield positive effects on executive functions (EF). The aim of this study is to use network meta-analysis (NMA) to evaluate the differences in the impact of different ball sports on the subdomains of EF among children and adolescents. METHODS: Five databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus, were searched up to November 2025 to identify randomized controlled trials measuring the effect of different ball sports on the subdomains of EF among children and adolescents. Paired analyses and network meta-analyses were conducted using the random-effects model. RESULTS: This study included 12 studies with five ball sports interventions. Ball sports showed domain-specific effects on EF in children and adolescents. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) reveals that football may be a potentially effective intervention for improving the accuracy rate of inhibitory control (SUCRA = 76.69%). For working memory, ball sports did not consistently enhance accuracy, with the control condition showing the highest ranking (SUCRA = 80.93%). In contrast, tennis exhibited the greatest likelihood of improving reaction time (SUCRA = 99.99%). Table tennis may be a potentially effective intervention for improving reaction time of cognitive flexibility (SUCRA = 99.97%). Sensitivity analyses restricted to typically developing samples revealed notable changes in network structures and SUCRA rankings for inhibitory control accuracy, inhibitory control reaction time, and cognitive flexibility accuracy. CONCLUSION: Different ball sports demonstrated varying effects across executive function subdomains. However, the findings for inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility were highly dependent on sample composition and lacked robustness, whereas those for working memory were relatively stable. Due to limited evidence and high heterogeneity, the results should be interpreted with caution. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251038836.
Development and initial psychometric evaluation of the LA-Mental Health Scale in working adults.
Rosas-Carmona MJ, Jiménez S, Hernández-Moreno FP
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359303 · Full text
INTRODUCTION: Mental health is increasingly recognized as a critical determinant of both individual well-being and organizational productivity. However, existing assessment tools in Latin American workplace contexts ofte...
INTRODUCTION: Mental health is increasingly recognized as a critical determinant of both individual well-being and organizational productivity. However, existing assessment tools in Latin American workplace contexts often lack an integrated approach that captures both psychological distress and positive functioning. METHODS: This study describes the development and initial psychometric evaluation of the Latin American Mental Health Scale (LA-MHS), a 30-item multidimensional instrument assessing Anxiety, Stress, Subjective Well-being, and Sleep Problems in working adults. A non-probabilistic sample of 308 workers from multiple Latin American countries completed the scale online. The internal structure was evaluated through theory-driven and data-driven phases, consistent with recommended practices for scale validation. RESULTS: In the theory-driven phase, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; WLSMV estimator) supported a four-factor correlated structure with acceptable fit, χ (395) = 1025.76, < 0.001, CFI = 0.933, TLI = 0.926, RMSEA = 0.072, SRMR = 0.062. Internal consistency was excellent for Anxiety and Stress (α = 0.91, ω = 0.93 for both), acceptable for Well-being (α = 0.74, ω = 0.84), and below recommended thresholds for Sleep Problems (α = 0.68, ω = 0.69). A preliminary brief version (LA-MHS-12) was derived, showing acceptable fit in the same sample, although results should be interpreted cautiously due to potential overfitting. In the data-driven phase, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) in a training subsample identified a three-factor structure (Anxiety, Stress including sleep problems, and Well-being), which was subsequently supported in an independent testing subsample (CFA: CFI = 0.927, TLI = 0.920, RMSEA = 0.083, SRMR = 0.078). Reliability estimates were excellent for Anxiety (α = 0.91, ω = 0.93) and Stress including sleep problems (α = 0.91, ω = 0.93) and good for Well-being (α = 0.80, ω = 0.81). Competing models (higher-order and bifactor) were also examined but did not provide clear advantages in terms of interpretability. DISCUSSION: Overall, the LA-MHS demonstrates promising initial psychometric properties, particularly for anxiety and stress. However, further refinement of the well-being and sleep dimensions and additional validation in independent samples are required.
Bridging traditions: a template analysis of Buddhist and Western psychological approaches to mindfulness.
Boxer A, Shawyer F, Coghlan I … +1 more , Meadows G
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359302 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: Over recent decades, Western psychology has drawn extensively from Buddhism to create effective mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). To identify opportunities for deeper integration, this study compared th...
OBJECTIVES: Over recent decades, Western psychology has drawn extensively from Buddhism to create effective mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). To identify opportunities for deeper integration, this study compared the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta, a foundational Buddhist text on mindfulness, with two established MBIs for mental health. METHODS: Template analysis was used to systematically compare the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta with Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MiCBT) using Anālayo's breakdown of the Sutta into 15 subcategories as a framework. Similarity between MBIs and the traditional text was assessed using a seven-point Likert scale, with inter-rater reliability employed to examine validity and reliability. RESULTS: Findings indicate that MBCT and MiCBT align more closely with the first two foundations of mindfulness - awareness of the body and feelings. However, as the Sutta progresses into feeling tones, cognition, and ethics, the alignment diminishes. MiCBT demonstrated slightly greater similarity with Buddhist principles than MBCT (3.4 versus 2.7) but both MBIs largely omit states of mind and the philosophical and liberative dimensions central to Buddhist mindfulness. DISCUSSION: Feeling tone was identified as a key area for development: improving the differentiation between sensory experiences and interpretations by incorporating Buddhist cognition (e.g., mental states and factors) offers a nuanced two-stage framework for emotion regulation. The omission of mindfulness of mind and dhammas in both MBIs risks neglecting the ethical and wisdom-based elements central to Buddhist practice, potentially narrowing their transformative scope. Future research might explore how these adaptations could be applied in secular therapeutic contexts.
The effects of solution-focused group therapy on peer friendship quality in adolescents with anxiety disorders.
Zhuang Q, Zhang S, Gu Y … +7 more , Wang X, Zhang C, Zhang B, Yang Z, Li L, Li M, Zhang L
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359301 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of Solution-Focused Group Therapy on peer friendship quality in adolescents with anxiety disorders. METHODS: Eighty adolescent patients (aged 12-18) with anxiety disorders treated at the...
OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of Solution-Focused Group Therapy on peer friendship quality in adolescents with anxiety disorders. METHODS: Eighty adolescent patients (aged 12-18) with anxiety disorders treated at the hospital outpatient department from September 2024 to October 2025 were selected. According to the principle of random allocation, they were divided into an experimental group and a control group. The control group received conventional medication and psychological interventions. The experimental group additionally received 8-week, short-term Solution-Focused Group Therapy (one 90-min session per week). Statistical analysis was performed using the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), 24-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24), and Friendship Quality Questionnaire (FQQ) to assess patients' mental health status and friendship quality before intervention (Week 0), after intervention (Week 8), and at an 8-week follow-up (Week 16). RESULTS: Before the intervention, there were no statistically significant differences in scores between the groups ( > 0.05). After the intervention and at follow-up, HAMA, and HAMD-24 scores at each time point in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (s < 0.05), the FQQ scores were significantly higher than those in the control group (s < 0.05). CGI assessment confirmed that the overall efficacy in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group ( < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Solution-Focused Group Therapy may effectively enhance peer friendship quality in adolescent patients with anxiety disorders and simultaneously alleviate their anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Why does feedback work? Unpacking the serial mediation of emotion regulation and discourse skills in mathematics.
Wu M, Liu Y, Guo J … +1 more , Talib O
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359300 · Full text
INTRODUCTION: Cultivating mathematical higher-order thinking is a paramount pedagogical objective. While student feedback literacy has gained attention, its longitudinal mechanisms on complex cognitive outcomes remain un...
INTRODUCTION: Cultivating mathematical higher-order thinking is a paramount pedagogical objective. While student feedback literacy has gained attention, its longitudinal mechanisms on complex cognitive outcomes remain underexplored. This study investigates the sequential mediating roles of emotion and motivation self-regulation and mathematics discourse feedback skills in the relationship between feedback literacy behavior and mathematical higher-order thinking. METHODS: A three-wave longitudinal design with a 3-month interval was employed. A total of 1,795 Chinese high school students completed surveys assessing feedback literacy behavior at Time 1, emotion and motivation self-regulation at Time 2, and mathematics discourse feedback skills alongside mathematical higher-order thinking at Time 3. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling, controlling for autoregressive effects. RESULTS: Feedback literacy behavior at Time 1 was significantly and positively associated with mathematical higher-order thinking at Time 3. Both emotion and motivation self-regulation and mathematics discourse feedback skills independently mediated this relationship. Furthermore, the serial mediation pathway was significant: feedback literacy behavior enhanced emotion and motivation self-regulation, which subsequently fostered mathematics discourse feedback skills, which were concurrently associated with mathematical higher-order thinking. DISCUSSION: Feedback literacy behavior acts as a developmental catalyst for cognitive restructuring. This trajectory is sequentially mediated by intra-individual psychological regulation and interpersonal social interaction. Educators should transcend traditional corrective feedback by actively cultivating feedback literacy and facilitating dialogic feedback environments.
Exercise, vagal regulation, and inflammatory symptom clusters in breast cancer survivors: a structured mini-review and hypothesis-generating framework.
Feng Y, Wei J
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359299 · Full text
Breast cancer survivors frequently experience co-occurring fatigue, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and pain. These symptoms may partly reflect a shared psychophysiological state involving autonomic dysr...
Breast cancer survivors frequently experience co-occurring fatigue, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and pain. These symptoms may partly reflect a shared psychophysiological state involving autonomic dysregulation, impaired stress recovery, and low-grade inflammatory activity. Exercise is increasingly recommended as a supportive care strategy for cancer-related fatigue and functional recovery, but the psychophysiological mechanisms linking exercise to symptom improvement remain incompletely understood. This structured mini-review proposes a hypothesis-generating framework in which heart rate variability (HRV), particularly vagally mediated indices such as the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and high-frequency HRV (HF-HRV), may represent a candidate indicator of autonomic flexibility linking exercise, inflammatory activity, and symptom clustering in breast cancer survivors. The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) signaling are discussed as biologically plausible neuroimmune mechanisms, but direct evidence for this pathway in breast cancer survivorship remains limited. Exercise-related changes in HRV may be consistent with improved vagal regulation and inflammatory moderation; however, HRV is influenced by multiple clinical and behavioral confounders, including cancer treatment exposure, medication use, sleep, comorbidities, and baseline fitness. Therefore, HRV should be interpreted as an adjunctive psychophysiological marker rather than as direct evidence of a causal mechanism. Future trials should combine standardized HRV monitoring, inflammatory biomarkers, and validated symptom-cluster outcomes to test whether changes in autonomic regulation mediate the effects of exercise on inflammation and symptom burden in breast cancer survivors.
Digital application competence among adults with disabilities in South Korea: associations with latent profiles of digital attitudes and digital self-efficacy.
Yue J, Kim KO, Yeo YH
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359298 · Full text
INTRODUCTION: As public services in South Korea rapidly digitalize, adults with disabilities remain at heightened risk of digital exclusion beyond access barriers. This study aims to identify joint profiles of digital at...
INTRODUCTION: As public services in South Korea rapidly digitalize, adults with disabilities remain at heightened risk of digital exclusion beyond access barriers. This study aims to identify joint profiles of digital attitudes and digital self-efficacy among adults with disabilities and examine their associations with digital application competence. We further test whether these associations differ by disability type. METHODS: This study used nationally representative data from the 2024 Digital Information Divide Survey (DIDS; 2,155). We employed latent profile analysis to identify digital attitudes-digital self-efficacy profiles and regression models to examine their associations with digital application competence, including tests of disability type moderation while adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and disability-related covariates. RESULTS: First, latent profile analysis identified five profiles: Low Attitudes-Low Self-Efficacy, Moderate Attitudes-Moderate Self-Efficacy, High Attitudes-Low Self-Efficacy, High Attitudes-High Self-Efficacy, and Very High Attitudes-Very High Self-Efficacy. Second, relative to the Low Attitudes-Low Self-Efficacy profile, all other profiles were associated with higher digital application competence, with the largest advantages observed for the High Attitudes-High Self-Efficacy and Very High Attitudes-Very High Self-Efficacy profiles. Finally, disability type did not significantly moderate the association between psychological profiles and competence, although baseline digital application competence differed across disability types. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore meaningful psychological heterogeneity among adults with disabilities and show that attitude-self-efficacy configurations are systematically linked to task-oriented digital competence. Digital inclusion efforts should combine profile-informed support, especially strengthening digital self-efficacy, with accessibility-oriented design and structural supports in digital service environments.
The impact of mandatory physical fitness testing on students' intrinsic motivation and sustained participation in physical activity: a self-determination theory perspective.
Chen Y, Jiang J, Liu W
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359297 · Full text
INTRODUCTION: With physical education included in China's high school entrance examination, the high-stakes Physical Education Entrance Examination (PEEE) has altered school physical education arrangement. Previous studi...
INTRODUCTION: With physical education included in China's high school entrance examination, the high-stakes Physical Education Entrance Examination (PEEE) has altered school physical education arrangement. Previous studies mainly focus on physical fitness outcomes but lack in-depth exploration of motivational mechanisms from Self-Determination Theory (SDT). This research aims to examine how PEEE influences students' sport motivation and sustained physical activity participation by affecting their three basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness. METHODS: A qualitative approach was employed. Twenty-four junior high students and eight PE teachers from four geographically diverse middle schools were selected via purposive sampling. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews, focus group talks and classroom observations, and thematic analysis based on Braun and Clarke's framework was conducted with NVivo 12 software. RESULTS: The PEEE increases institutional and parental attention to PE and improves short-term physical fitness and self-confidence for part of students. However, rigid exam-oriented courses limit students' autonomous choices; individual physical gaps result in polarized feelings of competence; score competition erodes supportive interpersonal relatedness. Most students form extrinsic exercise motivation instead of internalized interest, and teachers face persistent conflicts between educational ideals and exam assessment pressure. DISCUSSION: Although the PEEE partially achieves fitness promotion goals, it distorts three core psychological needs proposed by SDT and blocks the internalization of sport motivation. To foster lifelong exercise behavior, future PE reform should replace unified high-stakes testing with diversified process evaluation and adopt autonomy-supportive teaching strategies.
Visual search behavior and decision-making in expert and less-experienced football referees across different foul situations: an eye-tracking study.
Zhou Z, Tao R, Huang K … +1 more , Zhou C
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359296 · Full text
INTRODUCTION: Modern football imposes considerable demands on referees' rapid foul judgements, yet the dissociation between accuracy and efficiency of officiating expertise across different foul situations remains poorly...
INTRODUCTION: Modern football imposes considerable demands on referees' rapid foul judgements, yet the dissociation between accuracy and efficiency of officiating expertise across different foul situations remains poorly characterized. METHODS: The present study compared 15 national-level and 15 Class-3 male football referees in three typical situations: ball-contesting, tactical foul and handball. Participants viewed 30 real-match video clips and made one technical and one disciplinary decision per clip while an EyeLink 1000 Plus eye tracker recorded global eye-movement indices and area-of-interest (AOI) measures. Data were analyzed with 2 (group) × 3 (situation) mixed-design ANOVAs and independent-samples -tests. RESULTS: Decision accuracy did not differ between groups for either technical or disciplinary judgements, although a robust situation main effect was observed [technical accuracy = 116.45, < 0.001, η = 0.81; disciplinary accuracy = 13.73, < 0.001, η = 0.33]. For decision efficiency, disciplinary reaction time showed a Group × Situation interaction [ = 4.16, = 0.021, η = 0.13]; simple-effect analysis indicated that national-level referees responded faster than Class-3 referees in ball-contesting situations [ = 6.07, = 0.020, η = 0.18]. Pupil diameter showed an analogous interaction ( = 0.026), although within-situation simple effects did not reach significance. AOI analyses revealed that national-level referees fixated the upper body of the fouling player earlier in ball-contesting situations [(26.02) = -2.38, = 0.024, = 0.87] and revisited the attacker's lower body and the defender's upper body less often in handball situations (both < 0.05, ≥ 0.80). DISCUSSION: Within this video-based task, expertise-related differences emerged primarily in efficiency-related indices rather than overall accuracy; sample size, the simulated nature of the stimuli and ceiling-or-near-chance effects in some conditions limit generalization, and the findings warrant validation in real-match settings.
Adolescent developmental task accomplishment: a descriptive analysis of Havighurst's framework among secondary-school students.
Ofem UJ, Anake PM, Anyin NN … +6 more , Mpoun Obibessong V, Abuo CB, David Ahmed E, Amushe J, Esther-Wanibokom Otu P, Ukatu J
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359295 · Full text
Adolescence represents a critical stage for the acquisition of key developmental competencies essential for personal, social, and civic functioning. This study, adolescent developmental task accomplishment: a descriptive...
Adolescence represents a critical stage for the acquisition of key developmental competencies essential for personal, social, and civic functioning. This study, adolescent developmental task accomplishment: a descriptive analysis of Havighurst's Framework among Secondary-School Students, investigated the extent to which Nigerian adolescents achieve Havighurst's developmental tasks across multiple domains. Employing a descriptive research design, data were collected from 2,287 secondary-school students using the validated Adolescents' Developmental Task Accomplishment Scale (ADTAS), demonstrating high reliability across subscales. Results revealed that adolescents generally accomplished most developmental tasks, including Peer Relationships, Body Acceptance, Emotional Independence, Family Life Preparation, Career Preparation, Value Orientation and Ethics, and Social Responsibility, while Gender Role Identification was least achieved. Career orientation and social responsibility were the most strongly accomplished domains, whereas peer relationships, emotional independence, family life preparation, and body acceptance were moderately attained. Analyses further indicated gendered patterns, with males excelling in autonomy, career engagement, and social participation, and females performing better in relational, ethical, and family-oriented tasks. Family structure favored adolescents from monogamous households in relational, emotional, and social tasks, while older adolescents (17-19 years) outperformed younger peers in autonomy, ethical reasoning, and family preparation. These findings underscore the relevance of Havighurst's framework in diverse cultural contexts and highlight the need for targeted interventions to support holistic adolescent development.
Multidimensional structure, measurement of patient capital, and its impact on team innovation performance.
Qiao R, Qiao Y, Qiao Y
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359294 · Full text
INTRODUCTION: This study aims to explore the multidimensional structure of patient capital, develop a standardized measurement tool, and reveal its mechanism of influence on team innovation performance. METHODS: Based on...
INTRODUCTION: This study aims to explore the multidimensional structure of patient capital, develop a standardized measurement tool, and reveal its mechanism of influence on team innovation performance. METHODS: Based on classical grounded theory, NVivo 12 software was used to conduct a three-stage coding analysis of qualitative research data. Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, a second-order five-factor measurement model of patient capital was established, and its reliability and validity were verified via large‑scale surveys. Finally, a multilevel structural equation model (MSEM) was employed to examine the cross-level mediating role of patient capital in the relationship between transformational leadership and team innovation performance. RESULTS: Five core dimensions of patient capital were identified: self-control and patience, persistence and resilience, long-term goal drive, emotional intelligence and interpersonal relationships, and adaptability and flexibility. The findings indicate that patient capital plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between transformational leadership and team innovation performance. DISCUSSION: The results suggest that transformational leadership contributes to the cultivation of patient capital, which in turn is positively associated with enhanced team innovation performance. This study provides a validated measurement tool for patient capital and reveals its cross‑level mediating mechanism in organizational contexts.
Effects of hue and orientation on naturalness and preference: evidence from concrete and abstract art.
Wang X, Zhang Y
Front Psychol · 2026 · PMID 42359293 · Full text
INTRODUCTION: In previous research, we found that visual features such as hue and orientation can modulate individuals' aesthetic preferences. Concrete art contains real world referential representations, whereas abstrac...
INTRODUCTION: In previous research, we found that visual features such as hue and orientation can modulate individuals' aesthetic preferences. Concrete art contains real world referential representations, whereas abstract art lacks specific referential information. However, it remains unclear whether this modulatory effect differs between these two categories of art. METHODS: The present study employed a three-factor repeated-measures design, manipulating painting category (concrete vs. abstract), hue (original vs. rotated), and orientation (upright vs. inverted), to examine the effects of hue and orientation on perceived naturalness and aesthetic preference across different image categories(concrete art vs. abstract art). RESULTS: The results showed that: (1) the effect of hue on naturalness and aesthetic preference ratings was stronger for concrete images than for abstract images; (2) the effect of orientation on naturalness and aesthetic preference ratings was stronger for concrete images than for abstract images; (3) perceived naturalness might indirectly moderate the effect on aesthetic preference. DISCUSSION: Overall, the present study found that the category of artworks (concrete vs.abstract) determines the presence or absence of real-world referential structures, thereby governing the pathway and strength through which visual features influence aesthetic judgment. At the same time, this study also revealed a functionaldissociation between perceived naturalness and aesthetic preference at the psychological mechanism level.
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