Abstract Books of the World Conference on Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
The World Conference on Psychology and Behavioral Sciences (WPBCONF) presents carefully peer-reviewed research presented at the annual Psychology and Behavioral Sciences conference organized by Proud Pen. This collection captures original work across the field of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, spanning theoretical frameworks to applied studies. Each volume serves as a reference for ongoing research and study in the discipline.
Beyond Trauma Exposure: Ecological Predictors of Resilience among Syrian Refugee Children
While war exposure places refugee children at high risk for psychological distress, less is known about the mechanisms that promote resilience. This study applies an ecological framework to examine how pre-trauma, trauma-related, and post-trauma factors jointly predict psychosocial adjustment among Syrian refugee children in Lebanon and Jordan. A sample of 1,000 school- aged children (7–18 years) completed structured assessments of trauma exposure, behavioral and emotional difficulties, neuroticism, coping strategies, family functioning, and school environment. Despite high levels of trauma exposure, most participants demonstrated psychosocial functioning within normative ranges, indicating substantial resilience. Regression analyses revealed that trauma exposure and older age predicted poorer adjustment. However, post-trauma variables accounted for significant additional variance: maladaptive coping strategies and family conflict were associated with increased difficulties, whereas cognitive coping, emotion regulation, family cohesion, and positive school environments predicted better adjustment. Time in the host country was linked to reduced neuroticism. Findings highlight that children’s outcomes are not determined by trauma alone but by modifiable ecological factors. Interventions targeting coping skills, family relationships, and school support systems may play a critical role in promoting resilience among refugee youth.
Copyright (c) 2026 Abstract Books of the World Conference on Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
The Relationship Between Coping Strategies and Types of Eating Behaviour in Students
The study examined the relationships between coping strategies and types of eating behaviour in first-year students enrolled in the Management programme at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. The aim of the study was to identify coping strategies associated with restrained, emotional and external eating. The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) and COPE-30, the Russian-language short version of the COPE inventory, were used in the study. The sample comprised 68 students. Spearman’s correlation analysis was applied to the data. The results showed that eating behaviour was most strongly associated with mental disengagement, behavioural disengagement, denial, lower levels of planning, and reliance on external means of regulating emotional state. Emotional eating was associated with mental disengagement, behavioural disengagement, denial, and lower levels of planning. External eating was associated with disengagement-based strategies, as well as with seeking social support for instrumental reasons, religion, and humour. Restrained eating was associated with behavioural disengagement and the use of ‘tranquillisers. The findings suggest that students’ eating behaviour may be understood as part of broader patterns of psychological self-regulation under stressful conditions.
Psychological Profile and Moral Values in Christian Identity: Between Faith, Cognition, and Behavioral Regulation
The relationship between psychological functioning and moral values represents a central theme in understanding religious identity. Within the Christian tradition, moral conduct is not only a normative framework but also a psychological process shaped by beliefs, internalized values, and self-regulatory mechanisms. This paper explores the psychological profile of the Christian individual, focusing on the interaction between faith-based values and cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes. Drawing on perspectives from moral psychology, personality theory, and the psychology of religion, the study examines how core Christian values—such as compassion, humility, forgiveness, and responsibility—are integrated into individual identity and influence decision-making and social behavior. These values function as internalized moral standards that guide behavior, contributing to self-regulation, emotional stability, and prosocial orientation. Particular attention is given to the role of moral internalization and conscience formation, highlighting how religious teachings shape cognitive schemas and moral judgments. The analysis also addresses the potential tensions between doctrinal norms and individual psychological needs, especially in contexts involving moral dilemmas, social pressure, or identity conflict. Empirical and theoretical insights suggest that individuals with a strong integration of religious values tend to demonstrate higher levels of behavioral consistency, moral commitment, and resilience in the face of adversity. At the same time, the study acknowledges variability in the degree of internalization, emphasizing the importance of personal meaning-making processes. The paper concludes that the Christian moral framework, when internalized at a psychological level, contributes not only to ethical behavior but also to the development of a coherent and adaptive personality structure. This interdisciplinary perspective offers valuable implications for education, counseling, and the promotion of prosocial values in contemporary society.
Cognitive and Behavioral Mechanisms of Risk Anticipation: The Role of Virtual Reality in Enhancing Decision-Making Under Uncertainty
Risk anticipation represents a core cognitive-behavioral process underlying effective decision-making in dynamic and uncertain environments. It involves the integration of perceptual cues, attentional allocation, and predictive processing, enabling individuals to identify and respond to potential threats before they fully materialize. Despite its importance, traditional training approaches often emphasize procedural knowledge rather than the psychological mechanisms that support adaptive responses under uncertainty. This paper explores the cognitive and behavioral mechanisms of risk anticipation and examines the role of immersive Virtual Reality (VR) as an innovative tool for enhancing decision-making performance. Drawing on theoretical frameworks from cognitive psychology and human factors research, the study focuses on how VR-based environments facilitate experiential learning, improve hazard detection, and accelerate the development of anticipatory skills. By simulating complex and high-risk scenarios in a controlled setting, VR allows repeated exposure to critical situations without real-world consequences, thereby supporting the calibration of perceptual and motor responses. Empirical findings indicate that VR training leads to significant improvements in both the accuracy of risk detection and the speed of behavioral responses, suggesting enhanced cognitive processing efficiency. Moreover, the results highlight the persistence of individual differences, particularly in relation to risk-related behavioral tendencies, which continue to influence performance outcomes even after training. This suggests that while VR enhances overall competence, it does not entirely eliminate variability rooted in cognitive and behavioral profiles. The paper concludes that immersive technologies such as VR represent a promising direction for advancing psychological training methodologies, offering both theoretical insights into risk-related cognition and practical applications in domains such as transportation safety, emergency response, and professional training under uncertainty.
The Role of Spirituality in Psychological Well-Being: An Integrative Review
Psychological well-being has been increasingly conceptualized as a multidimensional construct encompassing emotional, cognitive, and existential dimensions of human functioning. Within this framework, spirituality has emerged as a central determinant of well-being, particularly through its role in meaning-making, resilience, and adaptive coping processes. In recent years, growing empirical attention has been directed toward understanding how spiritual beliefs, practices, and experiences contribute to individuals’ psychological adjustment across both clinical and non-clinical populations. This review synthesizes recent empirical and clinical findings examining the relationship between spirituality and psychological well-being across diverse populations and contexts. Evidence consistently demonstrates that spiritual well-being is positively associated with resilience, life satisfaction, and psychological adjustment, while inversely related to hopelessness, psychological distress, and maladaptive outcomes such as suicidal behavior (Kuang et al., 2026; Saedi et al., 2024; Hojatitabar et al., 2025). Moreover, spirituality appears to function as a protective resource in individuals facing chronic illness by enhancing coping strategies, emotional regulation, and perceived social support (Gkountinaki et al., 2025; Çakmak et al., 2024). However, the literature also highlights the complexity and multidimensionality of spirituality, as negative spiritual experiences—such as spiritual struggle or conflict—may increase vulnerability to psychological distress and poorer mental health outcomes (Hojatitabar et al., 2025). Overall, spirituality is best understood as an integrative system operating across personal, relational, and transcendental domains, contributing significantly to psychological well-being and offering important implications for future research and clinical practice.
Beyond the Steering Wheel: Characterising the Cognitive Determinants of Motorsport Racing
High-level driving performance relies on a complex integration of advanced visual processing, physical capacity, and rapid decision-making (Baur et al., 2006; Lappi et al., 2022). However, the specific cognitive skills underpinning elite performance remain insufficiently characterised, as previous research has focused more on the demands of driving than on the underlying physical and cognitive determinants (Reid et al., 2019). This study investigated the association between executive functions [EF], (specifically switching, updating, and inhibition) and driving performance in highly skilled drivers. Twenty-eight participants (single-seater: n=12; karting: n=12; endurance: n=4) completed a standardised 2.5-hour protocol, including 30 minutes of EF testing (Modified Flanker, N-back, and Stop Signal Task) and a 20-minute driving simulator session but also some strength testing. Driving performance was measured by the fastest valid lap time on the Red Bull Ring circuit (Austria), using the F1 25 game. Significant correlations were found between superior executive performance and faster lap times: switching (r = 0.522, p = .006), inhibition (r = 0.574, p = .002), and updating (r = 0.497, p = .008). For switching and inhibition, performance was quantified using the Inverse Efficiency Score to integrate both speed and accuracy. These findings suggest that executive functioning is a critical determinant of racing performance. Future research should investigate these functions during longer sessions and under conditions that more closely replicate the physiological strain of on-track driving (heat, vibrations, long stints) that are likely to affect the cognitive functions and the driving performance.
A Systematic Review of Adult Insecure Attachment Styles and Relationship Grief Experiences
Grief is a complex and multifaceted response to the dissolution of significant relationships, including loss through death, romantic breakup, or divorce. While grief is a normative experience, attachment-related differences in emotional regulation and coping may increase vulnerability to maladaptive outcomes, such as prolonged grief disorder (PGD). Although attachment theory has been widely applied to grief, existing findings remain fragmented across loss types and attachment dimensions. Guided by attachment theory, this systematic review examined how insecure adult attachment styles, specifically anxious and avoidant, shape emotional, behavioral, and physiological responses to both emotional and physical loss. A comprehensive literature search across psychology- and health-relevant databases yielded 2,737 records, of which 19 peer-reviewed sources met inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis. Across studies, anxious attachment was associated with heightened emotional distress, persistent yearning, rumination, and difficulty with self-soothing following both bereavement and relationship dissolution. In contrast, avoidant attachment was characterized by emotional suppression, withdrawal from social support, minimization of loss, and delayed or muted grief responses, often accompanied by somatic symptoms. Despite these distinct coping strategies, both insecure attachment styles demonstrated increased vulnerability to PGD, suggesting that insecure attachment functions as a transdiagnostic risk factor. Clinically, results highlight the importance of attachment-informed assessment and interventions to improve grief-related outcomes.
Threshold Transitions in Adult Development: Towards A Morphology of Personal Metamorphosis
Contemporary psychology of adult development primarily interprets life transitions through crisis, adaptation, and identity loss. However, many transitions in mature individuals unfold as nonlinear processes involving a systemic reconfiguration of the personality rather than incremental change. This paper conceptualizes such transitions as phase-like processes, including accumulation of internal tension, exhaustion of the prior life structure, passage through instability, and emergence of a new configuration. While similar dynamics are recognized in neurophysiology and complex systems theory, they remain insufficiently articulated within adult developmental psychology. The proposed framework, Age Architecture™, suggests that these periods represent transformations of the underlying organization of experience rather than content-level crises. These transitions follow a structured logic and are accompanied by identifiable somatic and cognitive markers. Methodologically, the model integrates neurophysiology, evolutionary biology, and complex systems theory with a long-term authorial investigation of the Scythian-Saka cultural tradition across textual, visual, and embodied registers, where artistic reconstruction functions as a mode of psychological inquiry rather than illustration, introducing nomadic identity as a model of stability-through-movement. The paper presents a preliminary morphology of personal metamorphosis and outlines its implications for adult psychology and counseling.
Psychometric Validity of Personality Measures in Denmark: NEO-FFI and TIPI
Reliable and valid instruments for assessing personality traits are essential for research and clinical practice. The NEO Five-Factor Inventory-3 (NEO-FFI-3) is a widely used 60-item measure of the Five-Factor Model (FFM). Although FFM-based instruments are widely used internationally, the NEO-FFI-3 has not yet been validated in Danish. Furthermore, shorter alternatives, such as the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI), have recently become available in Danish, and evidence of their psychometric properties remains limited. This study evaluates the psychometric properties of the Danish version of NEO- FFI-3 (NEO-FFI-3-D) and examines the convergent validity and agreement of the Danish translation of the TIPI (TIPI-D) relative to the NEO-FFI-3-D. A total of 56,272 participants from the Danish Blood Donor Study completed the NEO-FFI-3-D; 26,193 also completed the TIPI-D. Structural validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha. Convergent and discriminant validity of the TIPI-D were assessed via correlations with NEO-FFI-3-D domains. Agreement was evaluated using Bland-Altman analyses. EFA supported a five-factor structure of the NEO-FFI-3-D consistent with the theoretical model. Internal consistency was acceptable (α = 0.71–0.89). Correlations between corresponding domains (r = 0.42–0.76) indicated acceptable convergent validity for most domains, with weaker convergence for some. Bland-Altman analyses showed small mean differences (−0.63 to 0.61) but wide limits of agreement (−2.45 to 2.14), indicating similar average scores but substantial individual-level variability. Apparent trends across score levels were attributable to differences in scale variance rather than true proportional bias. The NEO-FFI-3-D is a reliable and valid measure of personality traits. The TIPI-D is a pragmatic, brief alternative, but should be used with caution when precise individual-level assessment is required.
Advancing Psycho-Socio-Spiritual Recovery Post-Stroke: Results from a Quasi-Experimental Study of the Aspirational Rehabilitation Coaching for Holistic Health (ARCH) Intervention
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability among older adults worldwide. First-time stroke survivors and their families face profound living losses due to abrupt changes in their physical as well as psycho-socio-spiritual health. Yet, apart from traditional rehabilitation services, they receive limited support upon discharge. The Aspirational Rehabilitation Coaching for Holistic Health (ARCH) intervention was developed to empower stroke survivors and their families in addressing living losses, fostering positive adaptation, and cultivating effective coping strategies for community reintegration. A single-arm pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design with a built-in acceptability and feasibility study was conducted to assess ARCH's efficacy. ARCH comprises four-weekly 90-minute thematic coaching sessions that emphasize psychosocial support and psychoeducation to help survivors and caregivers navigate post-stroke losses, promote self-compassion, goal-setting, and dyadic coping. Psychometric assessments on wellbeing, quality of life, hope, resilience, community reintegration, and dyadic coping were conducted at baseline (T1) and post-intervention (T2). Thirty dyads of stroke survivors (mean age=54.7 years, 73.3% male) and family caregivers (mean age=56.5 years, 66.7% female) successful completed ARCH and all assessments (N=60). Upon intervention completion, survivors showed significant improvements in emotional well-being (t=3.95, p<.001, d=.72), ability to reintegrate to normal living (t=2.04, p=.05, r=.37), and spiritual wellbeing (t=2.10, p=.04, d=.38). Caregivers experienced significant enhancement in quality-of-life (t=2.23, p=.03, d=.41), with trends towards improvements in caregiving burden and spiritual wellbeing. Finally, gains in positive dyadic coping were observed for both survivors (t=2.11, p<.04, d=.39) and caregivers (Z=.88, p=.002, r=.16), with survivors also reported reduced negative coping styles (Z=2.10, p=.04, r=.28) Study findings indicate that a standardized, community-based, multimodal dyadic coaching intervention post-discharge effectively enhances psychosocial well-being and coping strategies among stroke survivors and family caregivers. Qualitative experiential narratives, which substantiate these findings with practice and policy implications, will be discussed.
Impact of Religion and Faith on Academic Stress among International Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
International student enrollment in higher education has seen a noticeable increase in the number who come to different countries outside of their origin. With this relocation, international students often face a lot of challenges, which may lead them to be mentally vulnerable. The primary aim of the study was to investigate the impact of religion and faith in relation to academic stress among international students in a British university. The cross-sectional study design collected data using a questionnaire, developed and circulated as an MS form among students who are currently enrolled in a full-time course at the University of Wolverhampton, aged more than 18 years. This study assessed academic stress, strength of faith, and locus of control using validated scales- Higher Education Stress Inventory, Santa Clara Strength of Faith, and Rotter's- External Locus of Control scale, respectively. A multifaceted statistical analysis was done using SPSS to determine whether either type of religious impact, and the strength of faith has on academic stress. Descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation, independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, and regression analysis were conducted to examine the associations between key variables. The findings revealed that for the present study's participants, strength of religious faith was not a significant buffer; rather, stress ran simultaneously among them with strong faith. However, differences were observed across religious subgroups, suggesting that the impact of faith depends on other confounding factors. based on their religion. Higher academic stress was more evident among those with an external locus of control. Overall, the multiple regression found that the impact of the strength of faith and locus of control could predict academic stress more than only demographic predictors. These results highlight that religious devotion alone may not safeguard international students from academic challenges, while other psychological constructs can play a more decisive role.
Behavioral Dysregulation and Injury Vulnerability in Children: The Role of ADHD Symptom Domains
Behavioral dysregulation associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may increase vulnerability to injury during childhood. Hyperactivity and impulsivity are particularly linked to risk-taking behaviors and reduced inhibitory control. The aim of this study was to examine whether ADHD symptom domains are associated with increased injury vulnerability, operationalized as dental trauma, in a pediatric cohort. This study represents a secondary analysis of data derived from a previously published cross-sectional pediatric cohort. Eighty children (42 boys, 38 girls; mean age 8.37 ± 3.11 years) were assessed using the ADHDT caregiver questionnaire. Symptom domains of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention were analyzed as behavioral indicators of dysregulation. Associations between ADHD symptom domains and dental trauma were evaluated using chi-square tests and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), while continuous domain scores were examined using Pearson correlations. ADHD symptom domains were common within the cohort, with hyperactivity present in 72.5% of children, impulsivity in 83.8%, and inattention in 70.0%, and 60% of participants exhibiting all three domains. Hyperactivity and impulsivity were associated with a higher prevalence of dental trauma, indicating increased injury vulnerability among children with elevated behavioral activation. Domain scores were strongly intercorrelated (r = 0.636–0.852; p < 0.001), suggesting a shared dysregulation component underlying symptom expression. These findings indicate that ADHD-related behavioral dysregulation may represent a behavioral risk marker for accidental injury in children and highlight the potential relevance of behavioral factors in injury prevention.
Beyond Emotion Regulation: Reframing Emotional Containment as a Core Professional Disposition in Pre-Service Educator Preparation
Teaching is a highly emotional profession requiring sustained relational presence under conditions of affective intensity. However, models of teacher preparation inadequately theorize the developmental capacities that make such presence possible. This paper advances emotional containment as an integrative construct bridging emotion theory, relational psychology, and professional identity formation. Distinct from emotion regulation theory, emotional containment refers to the capacity to metabolize affect within relational systems while maintaining intentional professional enactment. Importantly, emotional containment does not eliminate emotional experience; it reorganizes it into reasonable professional action. I propose a dynamic developmental model in which emotional containment functions as a mediating capacity connecting affective activation to professional agency, relational safety, and identity consolidation. By articulating emotional containment as teachable and malleable rather than trait-based, this framework offers a unifying theoretical foundation for rethinking emotional readiness in pre-service educator preparation and establishes a programmatic agenda for future empirical research and investigation.
Coping Strategies and Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents with Cleft Lip and Palate
Cleft lip and palate (CLP) are a craniofacial anomaly with high prevalence, constituting a chronic condition that requires continuous follow-up. Its functional repercussions primarily affect speech, compromising social interaction and psychosocial adjustment. In this context, multidisciplinary care is essential to manage associated stressors. This study investigated coping strategies and health-related quality of life associations in children and adolescents with CLP, considering clinical and psychosocial variables. This quantitative, cross-sectional study included 10 participants aged 9 to 14 years treated at a public pediatric referral hospital linked to Brazilian Unified Health System in Espírito Santo. Post-hoc sensitivity analysis validated the sample size for large effect sizes. Data collection involved sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires and three validated instruments: the Orofacial Myofunctional Assessment Protocol for Individuals with Cleft Lip and Palate (PROTIFI), the Response to Stress Questionnaire – Cleft Lip and Palate (RSQ-CLP), and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Data were analyzed via descriptive statistics and simple linear regression (p≤0.05). Results showed significant associations between quality of life and school grade, timing of corrective surgery, speech therapy participation, and perceived stress. Fifth-grade students presented higher impairment scores than fourth-graders. Specific surgical timing was associated with lower difficulty scores, while speech therapy participation and higher perceived stress were linked to poorer quality of life. These findings indicate that school-related, treatment-history, and psychological factors significantly influence quality of life in children and adolescents with CLP. This reinforces the necessity of multidisciplinary approaches in clinical management to improve speech, social interaction, and psychosocial adjustment.
Psychological Effects of Kundalini-Based Practice: Stress Reduction and Emotional Regulation
Kundalini-based practices are increasingly explored as mind–body interventions aimed at improving psychological well-being and stress regulation. These practices typically combine focused attention, controlled breathing, bodily awareness, and relaxation techniques, which may influence emotional processing and autonomic balance. The present study investigates the psychological effects of a Kundalini-based facilitation, with particular emphasis on perceived stress, emotional state, and subjective vitality. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, participants attended three guided sessions over five days, while psychological indicators were assessed daily using standardized self-report measures. The findings demonstrate a substantial reduction in perceived stress and a marked improvement in emotional state among participants receiving active facilitation compared to control conditions. Participants also reported increased subjective energy, emotional stability, and improved daily functioning, without changes in sleep duration or external lifestyle factors. The results suggest that Kundalini-based practice may support psychological resilience by reducing stress-related load and enhancing emotional regulation. These effects are consistent with contemporary models linking mind–body interventions to modulation of autonomic and psychophysiological processes. The study supports the use of Kundalini-based practices as a complementary, non-pharmacological approach for improving psychological health and highlights the need for further research to clarify underlying mechanisms and long-term outcomes.
The Emotional Quality of Situation Models and The Impact of Language Associated with Concentration
In a recent review of the literature, Zwaan (2025) discusses advances in situation-model research. Situation models are mental models formed during comprehension (Radvansky and Copeland, 2004). Comprehension of everyday events relies heavily on the proper construction of situation models. Our comprehension of everyday events often has an emotional quality, and this is heavily rooted in the language tags we use when describing (i.e., writing about) our everyday experiences. The affective quality of situation models has not been heavily researched. The current study provides insight into the emotional (affective) quality of situation models formed from life events, focusing on a time when the person had to recall a time when they had to think hard (concentrate) to solve a problem. The person’s level of negativity toward having to concentrate also correlates with certain words associated with the concept of concentration. The questions for this study were administered through Qualtrics, a software system designed to facilitate the online delivery of research surveys. Participants (N= 107) wrote a short narrative story about a time when they had to think hard or concentrate (to solve a problem in their life). This allowed the primary investigator to look at characteristics of situation models that students formed from past events when they had to concentrate. Each short essay was scored on a scale of 1 to 100 on how negative the tone or style of writing was regarding having to concentrate on solving the problem. Participants also provided the subjective ratings of their preferences for seven common English words associated with concentration. In addition, participants were asked to provide basic demographic information about themselves (i.e., age, sex, year in college). Results showed differences in the median preference score rating (on a Likert scale) for these seven close associates of ‘concentration’ (1 being low and 7 being high): ‘Rumination’ and ‘Deliberation’ (median rating = 4), ‘Focusing’, ‘Engrossed’, and ‘Contemplation’ (median rating = 5, ‘Reasoning’ and ‘Logic’ (median rating = 6). An Analysis of Variance was conducted on the seven words that are close associates of concentration and the negativity level of the written essays about concentrating to solve a problem, yielding a significant result, F (7, 97) = 3.01, MS = 7456, p < .01. A multiple regression analysis was conducted on the seven words that are close associates of concentration and the negativity level of the written essays about concentrating to solve a problem. It yielded interesting results. The word ‘deliberation’ was rated favorably by participants who wrote negatively about having to concentrate t = 4.0, p. < .001. In contrast, the words ‘engrossed’ and ‘reasoning’ were rated unfavorably by participants who wrote negatively about having to concentrate (t =-1.99, p. = .05 and t = -2.44, p. < .05, respectively). This research supports Zwaan’s (2025) conclusion that we understand the emotional components of events and situations in our lives through language. Future research will investigate the emotional impact of situation models and language when utilizing artificial intelligence to solve problems.
Prevalence and Patterns of Substance Use Among School-Going Adolescents in Malaysia
Drug addiction remains a significant global public health concern, with millions of individuals worldwide affected by drug use disorders and in need of treatment services. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to developmental, psychological, and social influences that increase their susceptibility to experimentation and substance misuse. In Malaysia, recent reports indicate that the majority of drug users are young people, particularly adolescents, and this troubling trend has increasingly extended into school settings, with reported cases rising annually. However, national statistics primarily rely on enforcement data such as arrest records and operational reports, which may underestimate the true magnitude of substance use among students. Moreover, there is a lack of recent nationwide data specifically examining the prevalence of drug and substance abuse among school-going adolescents in Malaysia. This study therefore aimed to determine the current prevalence of drug abuse among secondary school students through a nationwide representative survey conducted in identified hotspot areas. A total of 3,038 students were selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and analyzed descriptively using SPSS. The findings revealed an overall prevalence of 7.3%, with kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), hallucinogens, and cannabis being the most commonly reported substances. Most users were male, and the mean initiation age was 16 years. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted prevention and intervention strategies in Malaysian schools and communities.
Association Between Smoking and Vaping Status with Suicidality Among Malaysian University Students
Tobacco smoking and electronic cigarette (vaping) use remain prevalent among young adults, including university students, and have been associated with adverse mental health outcomes such as suicidality. However, limited evidence exists regarding this relationship among Malaysian university students. This study aimed to examine the association between smoking and vaping status and suicidality in this population. A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students from 31 Malaysian universities. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, current smoking and vaping status, and suicidality using the YATT Suicide Attitude Scale, which measures suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Simple and multiple regression analyses were performed to determine the associations, adjusting for sex, religion, and monthly household income. Of the 4,514 respondents, 4,030 valid responses were included in the analysis (89.3%). The majority were female (71.8%), 51.3% were Muslims, and 48.8% reported low monthly household income. The mean scores for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts were 4.52±5.11 and 2.37±4.24, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, current smoking and vaping were significantly associated with higher suicidal ideation (smoking: B=1.340, 95% CI 0.375–2.305, p=0.006; vaping: B=1.695, 95% CI 0.970–2.420, p<0.001) and higher suicide attempt scores (smoking: B=1.596, 95% CI 0.801–2.392, p<0.001; vaping: B=1.776, 95% CI 1.179–2.374, p<0.001). These findings underscore the need to integrate mental health screening and support into tobacco and vaping prevention programs within university settings.
Childhood Experiences As Potential Pathways To Filicide Offending
Filicide—the killing of a child by their parent—has largely been examined through a criminological lens, primarily relying on secondary data sources. While these sources offer important insights for understanding and preventing filicide, research has tended to concentrate mainly on the perpetrating parent’s experiences in adulthood. Childhood experiences of filicide offenders from a psychological perspective are rarely discussed as possible pathways to murder. Filicide offenders’ childhood experiences are often characterised by multiple adversities which can include abuse and neglect. Adverse childhood experiences have negative physical and mental health outcomes throughout the lifespan. In this study we illuminate the filicide offender’s childhood experiences to highlight the contextual challenges that are associated with these crimes. Findings from interviews with filicide offenders from South African and eSwatini will be presented. Although this study cannot draw a causal link, it appears that childhood exposure to adversity amplifies the likelihood of negative outcomes such as poly-violence and criminality, in adulthood. We therefore propose early intervention strategies in schools and communities to mitigate the risks of violent offending later in life.
The Significance of The Motivation to Stop Drinking and Self-Regulation of Individuals Who Consume Alcohol on The Characteristics of Alcohol Use and Psychosocial Factors
Alcohol consumption is a major health and social problem both in Lithuania and globally. Self-efficacy and self-regulation are central psychological constructs in contemporary models of motivation and behavior change, yet their joint and conditional roles in alcohol use remain insufficiently understood. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory and Self-Determination Theory, the present study examined whether self-efficacy functions primarily as an antecedent to motivation or as a moderator of motivational and self-regulatory pathways predicting alcohol use among young adults. The study also analyzed how regulatory styles and satisfaction of basic psychological needs in the context of alcohol use were interrelated with self-efficacy, the use of self-control strategies, trait self-control, alcohol consumption, and psychosocial factors. A cross-sectional sample of 488 students aged 18–25 was used for the analyses. Multiple regression analysis with commonality and dominance analysis demonstrated that drinking control strategies, trait self-control, and self-efficacy emerged as the strongest predictors of alcohol use, jointly explaining substantial variance of alcohol use, beyond motivational variables. Kmeans clustering analyses revealed that clusters did not differ in self-efficacy or trait self-control, indicating that behavioral engagement and motivational quality, rather than internal capacity alone, distinguished risk profiles. Structural equation models consistently supported indirect pathways from motivation to alcohol use via self-regulation. Contrary to theoretical expectations, self-efficacy did not robustly moderate motivation and self-regulation or self-regulation and alcohol use pathways. Instead, models specifying self-efficacy as an antecedent demonstrated more consistent effects, with self-efficacy predicting competence satisfaction, trait self-control, and self-regulatory engagement. The results highlight the importance of targeting self-efficacy and behavioral self-regulation alongside motivation strategies in interventions aimed at reducing risky drinking among young adults.
The Burden of Care and Perceived Social Support Level of Family Members Caring for Cancer Patients
Cancer is a terminal and chronic disease with a pathogenesis that can affect other systemic functions affecting the patient’s health. During the course of diagnosis and treatment, families and loved ones are emotionally affected in different ways. The burden of care imposed on family members who assume the role of caregivers for cancer patients has garnered increasing interest and concern. This study provides an overview of the care burden and perceived social support level of family members caring for cancer patients, focusing on key aspects such as symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, nursing interventions, counseling, and nursing practice. Recognizing the significance of social support, healthcare professionals have developed nursing interventions to meet the unique requirements of family caregivers. Out of the articles, 168 publications met the inclusion criteria and were selected for inclusion in this review. Only 10 of these publications provided significant contributions to the overall findings and were deemed to be particularly informative. In conclusion, the care burden and perceived level of social support experienced by family members caring for cancer patients have significant implications for both caregivers and patients. Healthcare professionals can contribute to improving the well-being of family caregivers and optimizing patient care by recognizing the challenges encountered by caregivers, implementing appropriate nursing interventions, providing counseling support, and advancing nursing education.
Hypothetically Helpful: Motivated Reasoning, the Ideal Self, and Prosocial Decisions
Research into moral decision making often relies on hypothetical situations, but do these reflect real behaviours? Perspectives on motivated reasoning argue that people tend to reach desirable conclusions about the self (for example, that they are a moral person) but this is somewhat limited by reality. We posited, then, that hypothetically should increase (a) helping intentions and (b) belief these intentions reflect the ideal self. Three between-subject experiments tested these hypotheses. As predicted, in Studies 1 and 2, participants intended to help a charity more in the hypothetical than in the real condition. Moreover, people who intended to help in the hypothetical (vs. intended helpers in the real) gave more positive reasons for helping and viewed their decision as more idealistic (Study 2). In Study 3, hypothetical-real differences were stronger when the task was made more effortful (vs. less effortful). In the high effort condition only, hypothetical helpers (vs. real helpers) rated the decision as more idealistic. These results were not due to differences in concrete thinking (Study 2), time spent reading the instructions (Study 3) or a lack of information about the tasks (full context was given in all conditions across all studies). Theoretical and methodological implications are discussed.
Investigating The Relationship Between Parents' Attachment Styles, Quality of Life, And Severity of Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms in Children
The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the parents' attachment styles, quality of life, and severity of autism spectrum disorder symptoms in children. This study was conducted with a descriptive-correlational design and survey approach on 133 parents of children with autism who referred to Tehran welfare centers in the first three months of 2025. Sampling was done by convenience method with a sample size of 150 people (133 analyzable questionnaire). The research tools included the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2) to measure the severity of autism symptoms, and the Collins and Reed Attachment Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS-20 software and Pearson correlation and stepwise regression statistical methods. The results showed that there was a significant negative correlation between attachment styles (r = -0.263, p < 0.01) and quality of life (r = -0.379, p < 0.01) with the severity of autism symptoms. Quality of life explained 37% of the variance in symptom severity. (R2 = 0.144, B = -0.379, p < 0.01) These findings emphasize the importance of strengthening secure attachment and improving parents' quality of life in reducing the severity of autism symptoms. It is suggested that psychological interventions focusing on attachment and quality of life are designed for parents.
Concussion Recovery for Intimate Partner Violence Survivors
The current project aims to address a critical gap in healthcare services for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) who have experienced concussion (i.e., mild traumatic brain injury, mTBI). In Canada, over 100,000 women face IPV annually, often resulting in injuries to the head, face, and neck. Research indicates that many survivors of IPV may suffer from mTBI due to head impacts or strangulation, yet these injuries often go undetected and untreated. Concussion is often referred to as an invisible injury because symptoms may not be immediately apparent, leading survivors to forego medical help. Compounded by the challenges of fleeing violence and navigating complex systems (e.g., securing safe housing, education access for children, engaging with the criminal justice system), survivors may struggle to access appropriate care. This project seeks to bridge this gap by partnering with Muse, a Toronto-based neurotechnology company that works with clients to provide real-time biofeedback to help improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance calm and self-awareness. This study uses a repeated-measures method to have participants complete a comprehensive wellness survey including the opportunity to discuss their experience of violence/injury. Participants then receive online concussion recovery package of educational materials and a subscription to use the Muse meditation and wellness App. After approximately 6 weeks, participants complete a post-survey. Data collection is currently on-going and this project has been approved by our Research Ethics Board and is funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research. This project will help inform law enforcement and victim service providers about the specific physical and psychological symptoms of concussion experienced by IPV survivors, survivors’ path to wellness, and offer other trauma and violence-informed care approaches.
Aspirational Rehabilitation Coaching for Holistic Health (ARCH) for Post-Stroke Families: Protocol and Implementation Outcomes
Post-stroke hospital discharge holds complex psycho-socio-emotional disruptions for survivors and family caregivers, yet community services rarely extend beyond physical rehabilitation. To address this gap, Aspirational Rehabilitation Coaching for Holistic Health (ARCH) was developed as a strength-based dyadic intervention integrating psychoeducational coaching and blended learning resources, to enhance survivor-caregiver mutuality, resilience, and psychological wellbeing during this critical transition. This study reports the intervention protocol and evaluation outcomes of ARCH. Survivor-caregiver dyads were recruited within three months of discharge to receive the intervention. ARCH comprises four-weekly 90-minute coaching sessions with the following themes: Self-Compassion, Resilience, Goal-setting, and Fostering Mutuality. To examine implementation, 30 dyads completed semi-structured interviews analysed using Framework Analysis, with coding structured around the elements of (1) Acceptability, (2) Adoption, (3) Appropriateness, and (4) Sustainability in Proctor’s Taxonomy of Implementation Outcomes. Findings indicate strong adherence to (1) Acceptability: Participants reported that ARCH created structured and safe opportunities for emotional disclosure and dyadic communication, as well as restored meaning and agency in their lives, (2) Adoption: Participants emphasized the intervention’s value in bridging the post-discharge gap, and as an important complementary resource for recovery, (3) Appropriateness: Participants found the protocol’s structured yet flexible format relevant across diverse recovery trajectories, and (4) Sustainability: Participants described integrating self-compassion, reframing, and other ARCH-derived strategies into daily life. Findings support the robustness of ARCH as an acceptable and sustainable post-stroke dyadic intervention within the community, while pointing to its potential and scalability as a complementary family-centred, compassion-oriented stroke rehabilitation model in Singapore and beyond.
Knowing Who I Am to Lead a Meaningful Life: Differentiation of Self as a Predictor of Psychological Flexibility
Differentiation of Self (DoS) refers to an individual's ability to maintain a continuous understanding of who one is, regardless of internal or external stressful events, whether they’re social or emotions based. The DoS theory is presented by Bowen as the outcome of four traits: Emotional Reactivity (ER), I-Position (IP), Emotional Cutoff (EC), and Fusion with Others (FO). Psychological Flexibility (PF), elsewise, refers to one’s ability to stay open to new experiences in order to build a significant life, even when that involves tolerating discomfort. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) researchers have presented PF as the product of Openness to Experience (OE), Behavioral Awareness (BA) and Valued Action (VA). While DoS and PF overlap at times, empirical integration of these frameworks remains scarce. In this study, a sample of 494 Brazilian adults (372 women, 101 men, 21 non-binary) with a mean age of 32.88 years (SD = 11.82) filled a questionnaire containing the DSI-R-BR and CompACT. A quantitative design was employed using simple and multiple linear regressions, conducted to identify which DoS dimensions explain different facets of PF. A simple linear regression indicated that DoS significantly predicted PF (F(1, 492) = 329.81, p < .001, adjusted R2 = .400). Multiple linear regressions (Enter method, p < .001 for all models) showed that DoS factors accounted for 41.2% of the variance in PF, while specifically predicting OE (15.4%), BA (13.2%), and VA (32.8%). These findings contribute to an embryonic literature seeking to unify Bowenian theory with contextual behavioral sciences.
Differentiation of Self Inventory - Revised
Honoring Elders Lived Experiences Through Their Stories of The Past
Elders are holders of knowledge and keepers of secrets, rituals, stories, customs, and folklore. They hold stories that are often not written down but are usually transmitted verbally through generations. Simultaneously, they are often the only holders of truth, since those who are in authority or power frequently produce a sanitized version of the truth or “their” truth. Most elders frequently are fearless and so are known to speak their truth unapologetically. They have lived and deserve the right to speak their truth without fear, intimidation, or harassment. At their stage of life, most have acquired individuation, according to Carl Jung, and are focused on life’s spiritual journey. The goal of this presentation is to share the story of three amazing elders with whom I was privileged to speak during the summer of 2022. They spoke their truth quite candidly, eloquently, and respectfully about colonialism and the period prior to their country’s independence in 1962. The powerful stories were impactful and provided historical context to some generational trauma experienced. James Hutton, an18th century Scottish geologist, coined the phrase “the past is the key to the future.” Thus, to prevent future errors, we need to know the past. Equally, to better understand the present, we also need to look to the past. Elders can assist in these areas. Elders are essential to life’s journey. Elders are often known to provide wisdom, knowledge, and guidance. Allow me to share these elders’ lived experiences that often go unheard.
BASC-3 Profiles of College Students Likely Faking ADHD symptoms
College students diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often receive academic accommodations and therapeutic interventions designed to help them perform in their academic activities. Given the support, some individuals may consider falsifying or exaggerating symptoms to obtain benefits. The Behavior Assessment System for Children – Third Edition, College Form (BASC-3-Col; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2015) is a widely used self-report tool to evaluate a broad spectrum of psychological functioning in young adults. Unfortunately, little is known about how individuals who intentionally exaggerate ADHD-related difficulties perform on this measure. Specifically, no studies have examined the overall psychological profile of individuals whose responses meet F- scale Extreme Caution criteria—suggestive of faking bad. This current study compared BASC-3-Col profiles of college students classified by the BASC-Col F scale as Extreme Caution responders compared with those of students classified as Acceptable and Caution responders. A total of 67 college students were asked to complete the BASC-3-Col and were told that they would receive a $20 gift-card if their profile suggested meeting the criteria of ADHD. A total of 36 participants scored within the Acceptable range, 10 were classified as Caution, and 21 were classified as Extreme Caution. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) results indicated no statistical differences for the Inattention or Hyperactivity scales. Instead, differences were found between groups on the following BASC-3-Col scales: Atypicality, Depression, Sensation Seeking, Social Stress, and Ego Strengh (p< .01). Games-Howell Post-Hoc test indicated a dose-response effect in that those in the Extreme Caution scores significantly higher than the Acceptable range but not from the Caution group. This study contributes to the relatively limited literature on BASC-3-Col response distortion, enhances the interpretive utility of this measure in ADHD evaluations, and advances the broader goal of improving the detection of ADHD symptom exaggeration.
Utilizing Clinical Intake Data to Streamline Comprehensive Personality Assessment for DSM-5 AMPD Personality Vulnerability: A Descriptive Case Series
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (DSM-5 AMPD) offers a robust framework for conceptualizing personality pathology through Criterion A (impairment in self and interpersonal functioning) and Criterion B (maladaptive personality traits). While comprehensive psychometric assessments are essential for formal classification, the initial intake and screening process within a busy community mental health service often yields rich, yet underutilized, descriptive preliminary data. This descriptive cross-sectional case study presents a detailed analysis of three new client presentations at a community mental health service. Data was extracted from standard, point-in-time intake/screening questionnaires administered at initial presentation, identifying severity of personality vulnerability. This initial descriptive data was subsequently cross-referenced and integrated into a comprehensive psychometric assessment protocol designed to systematically evaluate Criterion A and B of the DSM-5 AMPD. The case series demonstrates how themes and specific indicators within the routine intake documentation successfully flagged core components of personality pathology (e.g., identity disturbance, interpersonal difficulty, negative affect, detachment, disinhibition, psychoticism) consistent with emerging AMPD Criterion A and B profiles. These preliminary insights allowed the clinical team to tailor and prioritise sections of the formal psychometric assessment, optimizing clinical efficiency without compromising diagnostic rigor. Routine clinical intake data serves as a valuable initial screen for DSM-5 AMPD personality vulnerability, streamlining and enhancing the efficiency of comprehensive psychometric assessments. Integrating intake data into formal assessment pathways has facilitated earlier identification of personality pathology and allowed for more timely and targeted therapeutic interventions.
The Impact of Loneliness and Social Isolation on the Mental Health of Older Adults
According to the World Health Organization, the global elderly population is expected to triple by 2050, reaching 16% of the world’s inhabitants. In this scenario, understanding the emotional and social challenges experienced in old age becomes increasingly relevant. This study aims to analyze the effects of loneliness and social isolation in older adults, highlighting how these phenomena influence mental health and the experience of aging. The aging process is shaped by subjective and contextual factors that determine how individuals reorganize their social roles and respond to transitions in this stage of life. As a result, some older adults remain actively engaged, while others may experience different degrees of loneliness or isolation. Loneliness is a subjective experience arising from the perceived gap between desired and actual social relationships, often generating emotional discomfort, dissatisfaction, and a sense of disconnection. It has become more evident due to population aging, changes in family structures, and shifts in societal organization. Social isolation, on the other hand, is defined by an objective reduction of social contacts, characterized by limited interactions, a weakened support network, or scarce participation in social activities. Although distinct, loneliness and isolation are interrelated processes. Scientific evidence indicates that both are associated with increased morbidity and mortality among older adults, linked to systemic inflammation, autonomic dysregulation, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases. Understanding these dynamics is essential to guide interventions, promote healthy aging, and strengthen mental health strategies for the elderly population.