Background: Adolescent depression patients who have experienced stressful life events usually have more severe symptoms. Existing treatment plans are not effective in reducing the high recurrence rate of adolescent depression. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an integrative therapy, can effectively alleviate depressive symptoms, but the evidence of its effectiveness in treating adolescent depression is still insufficient.Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of EMDR in combination with medication in treating depressed adolescents.Methods: A total of 30 adolescent patients with depression were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: EMDR co-treated with an SSRI medication or an SSRI medication used alone. The intervention group received standardised EMDR treatment. The primary outcome indicators were the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) and the Impact of Events Scale (IES-R), while the secondary outcomes were the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES).Results: In the end, 30 people completed the experiment, 15 from each of the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received EMDR treatment three times a week for 2 weeks, with a total of 6 sessions, each lasting 60 min. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between time and group on children's HAMD-17, IES-R, and RRS scores (all p < .05). Linear mixed models revealed that increasing the IES-R score was associated with an increase in depression levels (estimate value = 0.104, p = .019), while increasing the SES score was associated with a decrease in the depression levels (estimate value = -0.298, p = .021).Conclusions: Incorporating EMDR add-on therapy to medication for adolescent depressed patients with stressful life events can effectively reduce the degree of impact of stressful life events on patients, as well as reduce depressive symptoms and rumination thinking.

There is a lack of a synthesis of longitudinal studies that clarify the relationship between gaming disorder (GD) symptoms and mental health. To address this gap, we undertook a systematic review with meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. The study protocol was preregistered online on PROSPERO (CRD42023407665). We included studies analyzing the association between GD or problematic/pathological videogame use, and internalizing psychopathology (depression and anxiety), psychological distress (loneliness and stress), and well-being (life satisfaction, quality of life, and well-being). Research articles were searched in PsycInfo, PsycArticles, PubMed, and Web of Science up until December 29, 2022.30 articles were considered for meta-analysis (N = 28,782). Effect sizes (partial correlation) were pooled using random-effects models. Sensitivity analyses excluded studies rated as "poor" - using the National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool for observational cohort studies - and Chinese studies. The associations between GD and subsequent depression, emotional mixed symptoms (i.e., a combination of internalizing symptoms) and life satisfaction were statistically significant. GD was not associated with subsequent anxiety. On the other hand, depression, anxiety, emotional mixed symptoms, life satisfaction and loneliness were significantly associated with subsequent GD. Overall, sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of the main results. In conclusion, this study found reciprocal longitudinal associations between GD and depression, life satisfaction, and emotional mixed symptoms, an effect of anxiety on GD (but not the inverse), and of loneliness on GD. However, the causal nature and practical relevance remain uncertain because effect sizes were small - or medium, depending on effect size guidelines - and based on observational studies.

The study was designed to fully map and display the hierarchy of depressive symptomology among first-episode and recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) patients.

This cross-sectional study included 3249 MDD patients from the National Survey on Symptomatology of Depression (NSSD). The prevalences of 64 sets of depressive symptoms in first-episode and recurrent MMD were fully described and compared. Logistic regression and random forest models were used to assess the relative importance of the symptoms in distinguishing first-episode MDD from recurrent MDD.

The prevalences of the total 64 sets of the symptoms ranged from 5.7 % to 80.0 %, and depressed mood (80.0 %), pleasure loss (76.0 %), interest loss (72.0 %), low energy (72.0 %), later insomnia (65.0 %) were the top 5 symptoms. 24 symptoms that had a significantly higher prevalence in recurrent MDD patients than those of first-episode MDD patients were identified, especially memory loss (59.0 % vs. 49 %, p < 0.001), suicide history (17.9 % vs. 8.9 %), sense of decreased ability (69.7 % vs. 60.8 %, p < 0.001). The results from logistic regression and random forest analyses consistently indicated that the differences in the prevalences of suicidal behavior, memory loss, and late insomnia may be the most important distinguishing characteristics between first-episode and recurrent MDD.

The findings may help develop screening tools for MDD in clinics and provide clues for further mechanistic studies for the recurrence of MDD.

Because of the study's cross-sectional design, causal conclusions could not be drawn between the differences in the prevalences of symptoms and recurrence of MDD.

The Dark Triad (DT), including narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, represents the dark side of human nature and has been related to psychopathological symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, and stress). However, little is known about how the two constructs are related longitudinally. To fill this gap and to clarify the directionality between them, we conducted a longitudinal study.

We measured DT traits and psychopathological symptoms in a large sample of university students (NT1 = 1815) annually for 3 years. We implemented random intercept cross-lagged panel models in analysis.

Narcissism and psychopathological symptoms showed a reciprocal relationship at the within-person level: greater narcissism preceded a decline in psychopathological symptoms, while more severe symptoms preceded a decrease in narcissism. Within the same individual, increases in the DT, particularly psychopathy and Machiavellianism, were linked to concurrent escalations in the symptoms. Additionally, all DT traits were positively correlated with psychopathological symptoms as stable differences between individuals.

This study constitutes an important step in clarifying the directionality between the DT and psychopathological symptoms, and advances our understanding of the interplay between these two constructs at both the between-person and within-person levels.

When examining sexual assault, men are often hidden from the literature. The current study employed a mixed-methods, convergent parallel design to examine the experiences of 22 male survivors of sexual assault (mean age = 44.19, SD = 13.28, range 18-65; 91% European American; 50% heterosexual). Survivors were administered an online survey using quantitative and qualitative questions to assess rape myths, gender roles, self-esteem, self-efficacy, resiliency, coping, overall mental and physical health, and diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sexual dysfunction. Three key themes emerged from the integration of quantitative and qualitative data: (a) Help is Elusive, (b) Internal Struggles and External Strengths, and (c) Living with Clinical Diagnoses. This study adds to an important area of the literature that increases understanding of men's experiences with sexual violence and honors the voices of these survivors.

This study examined age- and gender-related differences in correlates of suicidal ideation (SI) and their interrelationships. We used data from a nationally representative sample of adults aged 19 years or older who participated in the 2021 Korea Welfare Panel Study (N = 10,364). We examined six networks of SI and its sociodemographic, physical health, and psychological correlates by age (young, 19-39 years; middle-aged, 40-64 years; and old, over 65 years old) and by gender. Depression, subjective well-being (SWB), and self-esteem were the key SI correlates across all groups. Depression had the strongest direct associations with SI in all groups (edge weights: 0.23 in old women to 1.00 in middle-aged men). SWB was directly associated with SI in middle-aged men (-0.26), middle-aged women (0.27), and old women (-0.37). Self-esteem was indirectly related to SI through depression and SWB. Age- and gender-specific correlates included chronic illness for young women, job satisfaction and subjective physical health for middle-aged women, and family relationship satisfaction for older men and women, each showing stronger associations with SI than other correlates within their respective groups. Suicide prevention efforts may benefit from addressing both common and age- and gender-specific correlates of SI.

The aim was to extend previous work on the identity disruption model (IDM) of adult psychological distress. According to the IDM, aversive childhood experiences (ACEs) disrupt the development of identity, resulting in an unclear sense of self and a reliance on external sources of self-definition, leading to psychological distress in adulthood. In line with this model, self-concept clarity (SCC) in parallel with self-esteem (SE) and intolerance of uncertainty (IU) has been shown to mediate the relationship between childhood adversity and depression and anxiety. The current study examined if SCC, SE and IU mediated the influence of childhood adversity on depression, anxiety and hypomania.

A community sample of 159 adults completed online measures of childhood adversity, self-esteem, self-concept clarity, intolerance of uncertainty, depression, anxiety and hypomania. Structured equation modelling using bias corrected bootstrapping was used to test the mediation model.

Direct effects of childhood adversity were found for depression and anxiety, but not hypomania. The influence of ACEs on depression and anxiety was mediated by self-concept clarity and self-esteem. Self-concept clarity also mediated the influence of ACEs on hypomania, which is an important novel finding. The indirect effect of childhood adversity via intolerance of uncertainty was limited to anxiety.

Results suggest that the identity disruption model generalizes to hypomania. The clinical implications are that interventions to improve clarity of the self-concept might be useful in reducing psychopathology.

This study primarily examines the mechanisms through which stress affects academic burnout.

A total of 428 university students from three undergraduate institutions in China-Anhui Normal University, Tourism College of Zhejiang, and Bozhou University-were surveyed using the College Students' Stress Scale, the Academic Burnout Scale, the Social Support Scale, and the Self-Esteem Scale.

The results showed that stress significantly positively predicted academic burnout among college students and significantly negatively predicted their perceived social support. Both social support and self-esteem independently mediated the relationship between stress and academic burnout, and also served as a sequential (chain) mediator in this relationship.

Stress can influence academic burnout both directly and indirectly. When individuals experience stress, their response to academic burnout is not only directly affected by the stress itself, but also indirectly influenced by two types of "psychological buffering resources": internal resources (such as self-esteem) and external resources (such as social support). We refer to this phenomenon as the "Dual Buffering Path Model of Academic Burnout." Based on these findings, it is necessary for educational authorities to take effective measures to reduce students' academic stress. In addition, friends, family, and teachers should offer emotional support, provide frequent positive feedback, and reinforce students' behaviors in order to foster their self-esteem and help them cope with academic burnout.

Bullying is a rising social concern and public health challenge, threatening the mental health of the youth. Existing evidence lacks comprehensive insight into the gender disparities in such association. This cross-sectional study aimed to elucidate the gender differences in the association between bullying victimization and depressive symptoms among children and adolescents.

A total of 21,654 fourth-grade and above students were recruited from the annual school-based survey "China Common Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance among Students" in Zhejiang Province, China, conducted in 2021. Six forms of bullying victimization were assessed with a self-administered questionnaire and further categorized into three subtypes, including physical, verbal, and relational bullying victimization. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. A multilevel generalized linear model was employed to analyze the gender-specific association of bullying victimization (in specific forms, subtypes, and cumulative measures) with depressive symptoms. Gender differences were tested by the girls-to-boys ratios of odds ratios (RORs) and the 95% confidential intervals (CIs).

The median age of recruited children and adolescents was 15.07 years. All specific forms of bullying victimization were significantly associated with increased odds of depressive symptoms. Girls who were mocked or teased (ROR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.05-1.56), body-shamed (ROR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.05-1.85) and experienced the subtype of verbal bullying (ROR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.01-1.46) exhibited greater depressive symptoms than boys. Concerning cumulative effects, girls who experienced two or more forms of bullying victimization (ROR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.09-1.84), all three subtypes of bullying victimization (ROR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.10-3.24) had more prominently increased odds of depressive symptoms than boys.

Bullied girls exhibited a higher susceptibility to depressive symptoms than boys with the same experience, especially when exposed to multiple bullying incidents. These findings underscore the need for developing gender-specific strategies to protect children from bullying, with an emphasis on safeguarding girls.

There is a close relationship between self-esteem and emotions. However, most studies have relied on self-report measures, which primarily capture retrospective and generalized emotional tendencies, rather than spontaneous, momentary emotional expressions in real-time social interactions. Given that self-esteem also shapes how individuals regulate and express emotions in social contexts, it is crucial to examine whether and how self-esteem manifests in dynamic emotional expressions during self-presentation. In this study, we recorded the performances of 211 participants during a public self-presentation task using a digital video camera and measured their self-esteem scores with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Facial Action Units (AUs) scores were extracted from each video frame using OpenFace, and four basic emotions-happiness, sadness, disgust, and fear-were quantified based on the basic emotion theory. Time-series analysis was then employed to capture the multidimensional dynamic features of these emotions. Finally, we applied machine learning and explainable AI to identify which dynamic emotional features were closely associated with self-esteem. The results indicate that all four basic emotions are closely associated with self-esteem. Therefore, this study introduces a new perspective on self-esteem assessment, highlighting the potential of nonverbal behavioral indicators as alternatives to traditional self-report measures.

According to the World Health Organization, cancer remains the primary cause of death of millions of individuals annually and the foremost cause of mortality worldwide. Cancer imposes substantial economic and mental challenges on patients and their families and strains healthcare systems. Depression, one of the most prevalent mental health conditions, affects approximately 3.8% of the global population and is a significant global health challenge. Research indicates increasing incidence rates of depression among patients with cancer. Depression also appears to influence cancer development and progression, worsening patient prognosis and quality of life, thereby creating additional challenges for clinical treatment. Correlation of depression and cancer is a complicated yet promising field with fast-paced progression and vital clinical values. Therefore, we discussed in this review the associations between depression and cancer and their potential mechanisms by analyzing the specific role of depression in the development and progression of tumors from the perspective of suppressing tumor immunity, inhibiting tumor cell apoptosis, inducing DNA damage, promoting tumor cell mesenchymal transition, enhancing tumor cell stemness, and promoting tumor angiogenesis. This review also discusses how tumors influence the development of depression via inflammatory factors and the significance of identifying and treating depression to enhance the quality of life and prognosis of patients with cancer. Promising biomarkers and effective treatments are also highlighted. Despite available data, limited research exists on how treating depression affects cancer prognosis, and whether timely treatment can reduce cancer risk remains unclear, which necessitates further investigation. This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms involved in the relationship between cancer and depression to help identify new biomarkers and provide precise medical care for patients with depression. We hope this review will lay the foundation for future research, advancing new biomarkers and therapies for early diagnosis of cancer and depression comorbidity.

Self-esteem is a key topic in psychology and health research. It influences well-being, happiness, and even medicine. However, existing studies on self-esteem have yielded conflicting results, suggesting that a global consensus remains elusive. This study examines how demographic and socioeconomic factors influence self-esteem in Japan. We analyzed panel data sampled from the entire Japanese population, with separate estimates performed for marital status and gender to account for potential differences in the impact of these factors. Using a Bayesian panel logit model with the Markov chain Monte Carlo method and the ancillarity-sufficiency interweaving strategy for efficient estimation, we found similarities and differences compared with studies from other countries. Furthermore, when comparing the overall data with data stratified by marital status and gender, we observed significant differences in how these factors influenced self-esteem, even among the same individuals. These findings underscore the importance of considering such variations when incorporating self-esteem into medical and healthcare contexts.

Background/Objectives: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent mental health disorder affecting women after childbirth, with significant adverse effects on both maternal and infant outcomes. Early detection and intervention are critical to improving health trajectories. Material and Methods: This narrative review compares the predictive validity of commonly used screening instruments for PPD, including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and brief tools like PHQ-2 and PHQ-4. It also examines the role of self-esteem, assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and coping mechanisms, evaluated through the COPE Inventory, in moderating PPD risk. Results: Validation studies reveal variability in the performance of screening tools across different populations, emphasizing the need for contextual calibration. Low self-esteem and maladaptive coping strategies are consistently associated with higher PPD risk, with socioeconomic status (SES) further influencing these relationships. Interventions focusing on enhancing self-esteem and promoting adaptive coping, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychoeducation, show promise in reducing PPD incidence. Conclusions: This review highlights gaps in existing research, particularly regarding screening during pregnancy, and calls for integrated predictive models incorporating psychosocial variables. Early, context-sensitive screening approaches are essential for effective PPD prevention and management.

There is evidence to suggest that individuals with the personality trait of shyness are more prone to depression, and a possible key factor in the process of shyness leading to depression is core self-evaluation. Given the prevalence and cross-cultural nature of shyness in humans, it is crucial to understand the factors that reduce shyness, enhance core self-evaluation, and ultimately lower depression. This study aims to examine whether mindfulness affects depression through sequential pathways involving shyness and core self-evaluation.

We adopted a two-phase sampling method, recruiting an initial sample of 646 college students (Sample 1). We conducted a questionnaire survey using the Chinese version of the Five Factor Mindfulness Scale, the revised Cheek and Buss Shyness Scale, the Core Self-Evaluation Scale, and the Chinese version of the Beck Depression Inventory-II. We constructed a chain mediation model to examine the relationship between mindfulness and depressive symptoms, with shyness and core self-evaluation as mediating variables. Subsequently, based on Sample 1, we purposively selected a subsample of 269 college students with higher shyness scores (Sample 2) and re-examined the chain mediation effect.

Higher levels of mindfulness were associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms, and this relation was mediated through shyness and core self-evaluation.

These results highlight that mindfulness can influence depression through the sequential pathway of shyness and core self-evaluation, and the importance of considering mindfulness practices in psychological interventions to help college students, especially shy college students, to reduce their shyness levels, improve core self-evaluation levels, and ultimately prevent and/or treat their depressive symptoms.

Mental health (MH) is one of the most important resources of human life, particularly during older adulthood. Self-esteem (SE) is related to mental health (MH), and loneliness may serve as a mediator in the relationship between SE and MH. However, the role of loneliness in this relationship is not well understood. This study aims to evaluate the association between SE and MH in older adults, specifically focusing on the mediating role of loneliness in this relationship.

This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in 2023 using structural equation modeling. Participants were 357 older adults selected through quota sampling from comprehensive urban healthcare centers in Urmia, Iran. Data collection instruments included a demographic questionnaire, the University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, the General Health Questionnaire, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Data were analyzed using the SPSS (v. 23.0) and the SmartPLS (v. 3.0) software.

SE had a significantly weak positive association with MH (ß = 0.095; P < 0.001) and a significantly weak negative association with loneliness (ß = -0.288; P < 0.001). Additionally, loneliness had a significantly strong negative association with MH (ß = -0.632; P < 0.001). The study confirmed that loneliness acts as a mediator between SE and MH (β = -0.688, 95% CI: 0.1427, 1.2958; P < 0.001).

Health assessments and loneliness screening programs are essential for older adults to identify symptoms early and prevent mental health issues. Governments should strengthen social connections among older adults through services and education. Urban healthcare centers can reduce loneliness by organizing community activities, encouraging pet ownership, and promoting participation in senior centers.

Not applicable.

Analyzing two-wave panel survey data from adolescents in South Korea, this study examined how instant messaging app use is associated with depression. Specifically, this study tested a moderated mediation model to determine between instant messaging app use and depression through self-esteem, and whether this pathway differs according to one's level of neuroticism. The results showed that instant messaging app use was positively associated with self-esteem, which was negatively related to depression. Furthermore, the indirect association between instant messaging app use and depression through self-esteem was stronger as adolescents' neuroticism level increased. These findings advance our understanding of the effect of instant messaging app use on depression among adolescents. The current study has important implications regarding the role of instant messaging app use in adolescents' psychological health.

Mental health is influenced by how we perceive ourselves and others. A person's conceptual structure and how he/she understands and makes sense of the world can be explored using the repertory grid technique (RGT), an assessment tool derived from personal construct theory. This review aimed to a) draw together relevant literature that had implemented the RGT to explore the conceptual system of a person diagnosed with a mental health condition necessitating psychiatric admission, b) synthesise research findings related to the structure and content of the conceptual system, and c) provide insights into how inpatient service users construed themselves and others to inform therapeutic practice.

A systematic search of five electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science) and thesis databases (EThOS and ProQuest), alongside manual searches in relevant articles and Google Scholar, was conducted. Included studies were appraised for methodological quality using the Quality Assessment Tool for Studies with Diverse Designs.

Twenty-one studies were identified and analysed using narrative synthesis. Of these 21 studies, 12 intentionally used a comparison group and compared the conceptual systems of people with different mental health diagnoses or compared conceptual systems of people with and without a diagnosed mental health condition. Findings from comparison group studies suggested that the self-esteem of a person diagnosed with a mental health condition was lower, compared to a person with no identified mental health diagnoses. Other people were typically idealised by people experiencing mental ill health; however, this finding was not observed in the experience of depression. Cognitive complexity, conceptual structure, and construing were variable across mental health conditions. Conceptual structures that were "simple" and characterised by "tight" construing were consistent with the profile of people with a mental health diagnosis, except for people with schizophrenia spectrum and psychotic disorders.

The structure of a conceptual system differed in people with and without a mental health condition and across mental health diagnoses. Considerations for how the review findings could inform psychological therapy and suggestions for future research are offered.

In the UK, girls are consistently found to have lower subjective well-being and higher rates of anxiety disorders/depression compared to boys. While the reasons for these gender disparities are complex, how girls conceptualize, experience, and "perform" femininity may be one pathway which exacerbates psychological stress. To explore this hypothesis, we conducted an in-depth exploratory study to examine how norms and experiences of femininity among seven adolescent girls aged 16-17 from London, England (external factors), relate to their behaviors and psychological experiences (internal factors). To do so, we conducted two online focus groups in July 2021, and conducted discourse analysis to explore their conceptualizations of femininity and its impact on participants. We identified two key discourses relating to the concepts and experiences around femininity among these girls: "Valued by Conformity to Femininity," or how girls are judged by others based on their presentation and performance of femininity, and "An Uncertain Perception of Self," relating to uncertain self-identity stemming from their performance of femininity. We reveal a potential social conditioning process of "performing femininity" experienced by our participants, leading to hypervigilance, anxiety, uncertainty, and confusion. Our results suggest that the paradoxical and conflicting expectations around femininity, reinforced by others, may cause cognitive distortions and dissonance, increasing vulnerabilities to low well-being and anxious cognition patterns. Thus, we believe that there are grounds for further research on a larger scale which explores whether there is a sociological mechanism which is creating the gender gap in mental health outcomes at adolescence in the UK.

Left-behind children refer to children who have been separated from their parents for a long period of time because one or both parents have gone to work in cities and towns, and who stay in their hometowns or board with relatives in rural China. This study investigated the association between time perspective and aggression among left-behind children and examined the potential mediating role of self-esteem. The initial cross-sectional study (Study 1) involved a sample of 549 middle school students (Mage = 13.22 years, SD = 1.21) of whom 64.8% were classified as left-behind children. The results indicated that left-behind children exhibited higher levels of aggression, lower levels of balanced time perspective, and lower self-esteem compared with their non-left-behind counterparts. Structural equation modeling showed that balanced time perspective was inversely associated with aggression and that self-esteem partially mediated this relationship in both left-behind and non-left-behind children. Furthermore, Study 2 analyzed data from two waves of assessment involving left-behind children (N = 286; Mage = 13.30 years, SD = 1.01). This longitudinal analysis confirmed that balanced time perspective was a negative predictor of aggression in this group. Through the implementation of a cross-lagged panel model, it was found that balanced time perspective could predict lower levels of aggression in left-behind children by enhancing self-esteem over time. These findings illuminate the relationship between balanced time perspective and behavioral issues in left-behind children, suggesting the importance of interventions aimed at improving time perspective and self-esteem to mitigate aggression.

Self-esteem, crucial for psychological well-being, can be enhanced through targeted interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, traditional CBT faces various accessibility barriers. Digital health interventions such as computerized CBT and mobile health (mHealth) applications offer potential solutions. Recent research suggests that brain oscillations, particularly theta rhythms, play a key role in memory consolidation. Combining computerized CBT with post-learning theta rhythm modulation may optimize and stabilize improvements in self-esteem and promote neuro-wellbeing. This six-month longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effects of a computerized CBT intervention (GGSE) combined with post-training theta rhythm brain modulation on improving self-esteem in young adults with low self-esteem. Participants were randomly allocated to three groups: GGSE + theta audio-visual entrainment (AVE) with Cranio-Electro Stimulation (CES), GGSE + beta AVE + CES (active control), and GGSE only (control). The intervention lasted three weeks. Assessments of self-esteem, maladaptive beliefs, and mood were conducted at baseline, 21 days, 42 days, and six months post-baseline. Although post-treatment oscillatory entrainment did not enhance the long-term efficacy of the intervention, significant treatment effects persisted for six months across all groups. These results support the potential long-term efficacy of brief, game-like, digital CBT approaches for improving self-esteem.

Self-esteem and depression are variable and interrelated in children. However, it is unknown how they co-develop in the general child population and how their patterns of co-development may be related to environmental antecedents. The current study utilized a longitudinal dataset of 544 Chinese children ages 9-13 years to: (a) identify longitudinal associations and joint developmental trajectories of self-esteem and depression problems by CLPM, RI-CLPM, and parallel-process growth mixture models, and (b) investigate early environmental antecedents that might explain differentiated co-developmental patterns. We identified a reciprocal model and four subtypes of the dual-factor mental health framework, complete mental health group (37.6%), symptomatic but content group (16.2%), vulnerable group (38.3%), and troubled group (7.9%). Our study highlights the importance of risk factors (relational victimization and father-student conflict) rather than protective factors on the co-development of self-esteem and depression problems. These findings encourage the development of interventions to target children with both self-esteem and depression problems.

Depression is a serious mental health condition that can have a profound impact on the individual experiencing the disorder and those providing care. While psychotherapy and medication can be effective, there are gaps in current approaches, particularly in outpatient care. This phase is often associated with a high risk of relapse and readmission, and patients often report a lack of support. Socially interactive agents represent an innovative approach to the provision of assistance. Often powered by artificial intelligence, these virtual agents can interact socially and elicit humanlike emotions. In health care, they are used as virtual therapeutic assistants to fill gaps in outpatient aftercare.

We aimed to explore the expectations of patients with depression and health care professionals by conducting a qualitative survey. Our analysis focused on research questions related to the appearance and role of the assistant, the assistant-patient interaction (time of interaction, skills and abilities of the assistant, and modes of interaction) and the therapist-assistant interaction.

A 2-part qualitative study was conducted to explore the perspectives of the 2 groups (patients and care providers). In the first step, care providers (n=30) were recruited during a regional offline meeting. After a short presentation, they were given a link and were asked to complete a semistructured web-based questionnaire. Next, patients (n=20) were recruited from a clinic and were interviewed in a semistructured face-to-face interview.

The survey findings suggested that the assistant should be a multimodal communicator (voice, facial expressions, and gestures) and counteract negative self-evaluation. Most participants preferred a female assistant or wanted the option to choose the gender. In total, 24 (80%) health care professionals wanted a selectable option, while patients exhibited a marked preference for a female or diverse assistant. Regrading patient-assistant interaction, the assistant was seen as a proactive recipient of information, and the patient as a passive one. Gaps in aftercare could be filled by the unlimited availability of the assistant. However, patients should retain their autonomy to avoid dependency. The monitoring of health status was viewed positively by both groups. A biofeedback function was desired to detect early warning signs of disease. When appropriate to the situation, a sense of humor in the assistant was desirable. The desired skills of the assistant can be summarized as providing structure and emotional support, especially warmth and competence to build trust. Consistency was important for the caregiver to appear authentic. Regarding the assistant-care provider interaction, 3 key areas were identified: objective patient status measurement, emergency suicide prevention, and an information tool and decision support system for health care professionals.

Overall, the survey conducted provides innovative guidelines for the development of virtual therapeutic assistants to fill the gaps in patient aftercare.

Since the coronavirus pandemic outbreak, unemployment has become a widespread phenomenon in society, with notable consequences including the emergence of mental health problems. This study examined the influence of psychological capital on mental health issues among unemployed people in Vietnam as well as the moderating role of self-esteem in this relation.

The study adopted a quantitative, cross-sectional approach with 468 recently unemployed office workers in 2023. The participants ranged from ages 22 to 49 years and worked in different fields including technology, finance, consumer services, and infrastructure services.

The results indicated severe to extremely severe mental health symptoms, with 54.5%, 50.9%, and 38.9% of respondents reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Our results have shown that psychological capital can significantly predict mental health issues including depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidal ideation. Self-esteem was found to play a moderating role in the relation between psychological capital and stress, depression, and suicidal ideation but not anxiety.

Businesses or government agencies should provide mental health support for unemployed workers. Employees should realize that they must improve their psychological capital and self-esteem to propose mental well-being in the post-pandemic period.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) imposes serious effect on patient's psychosocial function, which hinders the full recovery from the disease and increases the risk of recurrence, although the participants had achieved clinical remission. To understand the relationship between psychosocial function and depressive symptoms could facilitate recurrence prevention. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the relation among psychosocial function and BDI score in Chinese patients with clinically cured depression within 1 year follow-up.

One hundred nineteen valid participants were assessed at baseline(t1), months 6(t2) and months 12(t3). Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was used to assess depressive symptoms and indicate the possibility of depression level. Generic Quality of Life Inventory (GQOLI) was used to assessed the participants' psychosocial function(F), including body function (BF), psychological function (PF) and social function (SF). The application of a cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) approach revealed an association between BDI and psychosocial function.

The CLPM results showed total average score of psychosocial function have reciprocal influence on BDI score. The model analyzed by structural equation modeling satisfied all indices of goodness-of-fit (chi-square = 10.306, TLI = 0.959, CFI = 0.988 RMSEA = 0.115). And body function, psychological function, social function and BDI score also affect each other. Depressive symptoms and psychosocial function could predict scores of each other 6 months later. By comparing standardized cross-lagged path, only social function has a more pronounced impact on depressive symptoms, since the absolute effect of SFt1 → BDIt2 is larger than that of BDIt1 → SFt2 (a1 vs. b1 = -.267, SE = .108, P < 0.05, 95%CI[-.485,-.063]) and the absolute effect of SFt2 → BDIt3 is larger than that of BDIt2 → SFt3 (a2 vs. b2 = -.317, SE = .096, P < 0.01,95%CI[-.508,-.129]).

The current study showed a significant bidirectional association between depressive level and psychosocial function, and the social function exerted more effect on the depression.

Youth depression is a global emergency. Redressing this emergency requires a sophisticated understanding of the multisystemic risks and biopsychosocial, economic, and environmental resources associated with young people's experiences of no/limited versus severe depression. Too often, however, personal risks and a focus on individual-level protective resources dominate accounts of young people's trajectories towards depression. Further, studies of depression in high-income countries (i.e., "western") typically inform these accounts. This article corrects these oversights. It reports on the methodology of the Wellcome-funded R-NEET study: a multidisciplinary, multisystemic, mixed method longitudinal study of resilience among African youth whose status as "not in education, employment or training" (NEET) makes them disproportionately vulnerable to depression. Co-designed by academics, community-based service providers and youth in South Africa and Nigeria, with partnerships in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, the R-NEET study is identifying the physiological, psychological, social, economic, institutional, and environmental risks and resources associated with distinct trajectories of depression. Using the methodology of the R-NEET study as exemplar, this article advances an argument for understanding resilience as a contextually and culturally rooted capacity that draws on the multiple, co-occurring systems that young people depend upon to support their wellbeing. Acknowledging and harnessing the multiple systems implicated in resilience is critical to researchers and mental health providers who seek to support young people to thrive, and to young people themselves when protecting or promoting their mental wellbeing.

There is growing interest in measuring health outcomes associated with minimally invasive cosmetic procedures (MICPs), such as botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid injections. However, the EQ-5D may have limited content validity for this purpose. This study aims to psychometrically test five additional dimensions ('bolt-ons') for the EQ-5D-5L in individuals planning or undergoing MICPs.

In 2023, a cross-sectional, online survey was conducted with 149 women planning MICPs and 215 who had recently undergone them. Respondents completed the EQ-5D-5L, five bolt-ons (skin irritation, self-confidence, sleep, social relationships, tiredness), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale-Straightforward Items (BFNE-S). The following psychometric properties were tested for the EQ-5D-5L + bolt-on(s): ceiling, convergent and divergent validity, explanatory power and known-groups validity.

Adding tiredness (22%), self-confidence (23%) or sleep bolt-ons (27%) substantially reduced the ceiling of the EQ-5D-5L (47%). The self-confidence and social relationships bolt-ons showed a moderate or strong correlation with the RSES and BFNE-S total scores (-0.462 to -0.679). The tiredness and self-confidence bolt-ons improved the EQ-5D-5L's explained variance in EQ VAS scores from 37% to 45%. The self-confidence and social relationships bolt-ons improved the EQ-5D-5L's discrimination between known groups based on self-esteem and bodily appearance (relative efficiency: 2.72 to 2.82).

Relevant bolt-ons substantially enhance the psychometric performance of the EQ-5D-5L in MICP populations. The self-confidence and tiredness bolt-ons may be recommended as primary choices for use alongside the EQ-5D-5L, both in clinical studies and as part of sensitivity analyses in economic evaluations of MICPs.

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a feeding and eating disorder characterized by extremely restricted dietary variety and/or quantity resulting in serious consequences for physical health and psychosocial functioning. ARFID often co-occurs with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) and psychiatric conditions, but previous data are mostly limited to small clinical samples examining a narrow range of conditions. Here, we examined NDCs and psychiatric conditions in a large, population-based group of children with ARFID.

In 30,795 children born 1992-2008 in Sweden, ARFID was assessed using parent reports and clinical diagnoses from national health registers. Parents further reported symptoms of NDCs and psychiatric conditions at child age 9 or 12 years. Validated cutoffs were applied to the resulting symptoms scores to identify above-threshold conditions. We then examined whether ARFID was associated with higher symptom scores (19 outcomes) and higher likelihood of above-threshold conditions (15 outcomes) using linear and logistic regressions.

Most prevalent in children with ARFID were separation anxiety (29.0%), oppositional defiant disorder (19.4%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, 16.9%), panic disorder (15.3%), and tic disorders (14.8%). For all measured co-occurring conditions, ARFID was associated with significantly higher symptom scores (standardized beta range: 0.6-1.5) and higher odds of above-threshold conditions (odds ratio [OR] range: 3.3-13.7). The conditions with the highest increase in odds were autism (OR = 13.7) and ADHD (OR = 9.4). We did not find any sex-specific differences in co-occurring conditions.

This study highlights the co-occurrence of a broad range of NDCs and psychiatric conditions with ARFID in a large, non-clinical cohort. Our findings underscore that children with ARFID face significant burden from multiple co-existing conditions which should be considered during assessment and treatment.

Social media use among college students often leads to psychological dependence, resulting in a rising number of internet addictions. The link between social media dependence and addiction is garnering increasing attention.

The aim of this study was to analyze and discuss the research trends and hotspots on social media dependence and internet disorder among college students by bibliometric methods.

Relevant studies on social media dependence and online addiction among college students were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database spanning the years 2013 to 2024. We delineated the distribution of publications to identify the core productivity within the field. VOSviewer software was employed to conduct network visualization analyses of countries, authors, journals, and keywords, aiding in a comprehensive understanding of the research trends and hotspots in this domain.

From the WoS database, we retrieved 302 publications, and 167 publications were included after screening. The findings revealed: (1) a steady increase in publications and citations, particularly accelerating after 2019. (2) The most productive journal is Computers in human behavior, the most productive research area is Psychology, and the most productive author, institution, and country are Professor Griffiths MD, Nottingham Trent University and China, respectively. (3) Collaborative network analysis indicated that there were multiple research groups in this field, yet the connections among countries and authors remain relatively limited. (4) Co-citation analysis of journals revealed that this field was interdisciplinary, primarily integrating psychology, psychiatry, and behavioral science. (5) Keyword analysis identified two major research hotspots: the relationship between college students' social media dependence and internet addiction, and the mediating factors influencing college students' social media dependence and internet addiction. The mechanism of internet addiction is an emerging research frontier.

This analysis outlines the progress and directions of research on college students' social media dependence and internet addiction. It offers a comprehensive examination of the latest frontiers and trends, providing theoretical support for regulating the use of electronic products and implementing mental health interventions in college students.

Perceived discrimination constitutes an essential factor influencing the psychological crisis of college students. While prior research has examined the impact of discrimination on mental health in China, this study is the first to systematically investigate the chain mediating role of sense of life meaning and self-esteem in the relationship between perceived discrimination and psychological crisis. This approach not only enhances the theoretical framework of the relationship between discrimination and mental health but also offers a novel perspective for understanding discrimination-induced psychological crises in Chinese society.

The present study used a questionnaire survey to test whether perceived discrimination may be associated with psychological crisis in Chinese college students. The mediating roles of sense of life meaning and self-esteem were also examined.

In total, 514 college students were recruited to complete four scales, including the Perceived Discrimination Questionnaire, the Sense of Life Meaning Questionnaire, the Self-Esteem Scale, and the college student psychological crisis screening scale.

The findings are: (1) Perceived discrimination, sense of life meaning, and self-esteem have significant direct predictive effects on college students' psychological crisis; and (2) sense of life meaning and self-esteem play a chain-mediating role in the relationship between perceived discrimination and psychological crisis of college students. The mediating effect includes two paths: perceived discrimination → self-esteem → psychological crisis (effect size: 0.130) and perceived discrimination → sense of life meaning → self-esteem → psychological crisis (effect size: 0.030).

This research highlights that perceived discrimination can directly predict the psychological crisis of Chinese college students, and it can indirectly influence the level of psychological crisis of Chinese college students through the chain-mediating effect of sense of life meaning and self-esteem. The findings provide colleges and universities with valuable insights into the causes of students' psychological crises, aiding in the adjustment of mental health education strategies and formulation of effective support systems for discriminated students. Additionally, this study offers a robust scientific foundation for policymakers to develop and promote anti-discrimination policies, and foster social harmony.

Social evaluative feedback informs us about how others perceive us, constantly updates our expectations of what to receive, and simultaneously changes our view of the sender. However, little is known about the neuronal and behavioral responses when receiving incongruent positive or negative social evaluative feedback. This study (N = 40) investigated how receiving feedback from peers after a real-life interaction modulates behavioral responses and Event-Related Potentials (ERPs). Specifically, ERP modulations by feedback being incongruent with the self-view and incongruent with the feedback expectation were examined along the whole processing stream. Feedback was manipulated such that one peer provided overly positive feedback and the other overly negative feedback, with random computer feedback as a control condition. Behaviorally, participants updated their feedback expectations according to the feedback received from the 'negative' and 'positive' peers and rapidly changed ratings of the sender towards their positive or negative behavior. Concerning ERPs, separate effects of feedback incongruence based on the feedback expectation or self-view were found during the mid-latency processing stages. Subsequently, both types of incongruence increased late ERP amplitudes, which were also increased when participants substantially changed the ratings of the peer senders. This is the first study that combined neuronal and behavioral measures of evaluative feedback processing, emphasizing that incongruent feedback elicits mid-latency modulations and subsequent updating processes associated with increased late amplitudes. In addition, we find rapid behavioral changes in the ratings for the senders based on their feedback behavior.

Researchers have explored the direct association between self-esteem and depression as well as the factors that mediate it. The parallel mediating roles of life satisfaction and anxiety symptoms in the aforementioned direct link are, however, poorly understood, particularly in the Vietnamese context. This study investigated whether life satisfaction and anxiety symptoms mediate the association between self-esteem and depression symptoms among late adolescents in Vietnam. Using a cross-sectional survey, Vietnamese late adolescents (N = 408, 83.6% female; Mage = 19.95 years) completed questionnaires related to anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, and self-esteem. The results indicated that in the parallel mediation model, both direct and indirect effects were significant (β = -0.080, p < 0.05, and β = -0.391, p < 0.01). The association between self-esteem and depression symptoms was mediated by life satisfaction and anxiety symptoms. These findings suggest that to reduce the adverse impact of self-esteem on depression symptoms, effective measures should prioritize reducing anxiety symptoms and increasing life satisfaction among late adolescents.

Youth is a period of transition associated with immense biological, physical, and social changes, which increases the vulnerability to mental illnesses. The study aimed to establish the prevalence of severe and extremely severe levels of depression and anxiety symptoms among the youths in Singapore and identify the psycho-social factors associated with them. The National Youth Mental Health Study was a cross-sectional epidemiological study of Singapore Residents aged 15-35 years. The youths self-administered the survey on tablets containing the programmed questionnaires. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales Short Form (DASS-21) was used to assess youths' mental health. Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to examine the socio-demographic correlates and to identify factors associated with psychological distress. The prevalence of severe and extremely severe symptoms of depression was 14.9 % among youths in Singapore. Severe and extremely severe levels of depression symptoms were highest among those in the age group of 20-24 years (20.9 %). The prevalence of severe and extremely severe levels of anxiety symptoms among youths in Singapore was 27.0 %. The prevalence was significantly higher among females (28.9 %) than males (25.0 %). Severe and extremely severe symptoms of anxiety were highest among those in the age group of 20-24 years (34.1 %). Body shape concerns, daily smoking, and self-esteem were significantly associated with severe and extremely severe symptoms of depression and anxiety. The high prevalence of severe and extremely severe levels of depression and anxiety highlights the need for comprehensive and accessible mental health services tailored to the unique challenges faced by youths.

Depression of adolescents seriously affects their mental health as well as the formation and development of sound personality. According to Family Systems Theory, individuals' mental health is closely related with external (e.g. domestic violence) and internal factor (e.g. self-evaluation). The formation mechanism of depression needs deep investigation in order to provide better educational intervention for students and promote their healthy development.

The study examined the relationship among domestic violence, depression, and self-evaluation.

The data were collected from 1,011 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 12.04 ± 1.71) by the questionnaire of Family Violence Scale, Depression Questionnaire, and Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale.

We found domestic violence and depression were significantly positively correlated (r = .25, p < .001); self-evaluation was significantly negatively correlated with domestic violence (r = -.26, p < .001) and depression (r = -.50, p < .001). Moreover, domestic violence could directly and positively predict depressed psychology, and could also indirectly predict depressed psychology through the mediating effect of self-evaluation.

The level of depression of adolescents was closely related with domestic violence and self-evaluation. And self-evaluation played a mediating role between domestic violence and self-evaluation.

Self-esteem is a powerful protective factor against depressive symptoms, with cognitive vulnerability theory suggesting that early self-esteem more strongly predicts later depressive symptoms than vice versa. While some meta-analyses have examined these relationships, limited knowledge exists on the prospective relationship between self-esteem and depressive symptoms, particularly how it changes with age. This study conducted a longitudinal meta-analysis of nine studies (20,733 participants) on the prospective relationship between self-esteem and depressive symptoms in Korean children and adolescents. Relationships were analyzed by integrating the effect sizes of 22 zero-order correlations and 17 partial correlations and examining age-related changes. The results indicated significant negative correlations in both zero-order and partial correlations. Age-related changes showed a reverse U-shape trend in partial correlations, with the strongest negative association during childhood, weakening until age 14, and then strengthening again. Moderator analysis revealed no significant effect size variation based on publication type or gender proportion, but more recent birth cohorts exhibited a stronger negative relationship in zero-order correlations. Significant differences were also found based on the measurement instrument of depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of tailored interventions to enhance self-esteem and mitigate depressive symptoms, extending the cognitive vulnerability model within Korea's cultural context and providing insights into Korean youth mental health.

High self-esteem promotes well-being and buffers against anxiety. However, state self-esteem (SSE) is not stable but rather is dynamically updated based on evaluations received from others. Particularly in men, decreased SSE is related to aberrant behaviors and clinical symptoms. A critical physiological mechanism that underlies these associations may involve a sex hormone, testosterone. However, the causal relationship between testosterone and the process of updating SSE in men remains unknown.

The study had a double-blind, placebo-controlled, between-participants design. First, we administered a single dose (150 mg) of testosterone or placebo gel to healthy young men (N = 120). Subsequently, the participants completed a social evaluation task in which they adjusted their prediction of potential evaluation by others and dynamically reported their SSE based on the social feedback they received. Meanwhile, we applied a computational modeling approach to investigate the dynamic changes in their SSE.

Exogenous testosterone significantly influenced the participants' expectation of receiving positive social feedback from raters with different approval rates and separately amplified the changes in average SSE when the participants received positive or negative feedback from the raters. Even more importantly, computational modeling showed that the participants who received testosterone (vs. the placebo) assigned a higher weight to expected social feedback and social prediction errors when updating their SSE.

The findings provide potential clinical implications for combining exogenous testosterone with interventions aimed at enhancing SSE through positive social feedback as a preclinical treatment for aberrant behaviors and clinical symptoms.

The aims of the present study were: (1) to examine the association between meeting the 24-h movement guidelines and depressive symptoms among U.S. adolescents; (2) to analyze the temporal trends of this association; and (3) to test whether sex, age, or race/ethnicity moderate these associations. This is a cross-sectional study using repeated data collection from the high school Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (YRBS), involving 45,297 adolescents in the US (49.7% females). Data were collected bi-annually between 2011 and 2021. These surveys represent cross-sectional snapshots rather than a longitudinal study, capturing data at distinct points in time across multiple years. The three 24-h movement guidelines, including guidelines for physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration were assessed by self-reported questions. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the question "During the past 12 months, did you ever feel so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that you stopped doing your usual activities?" with yes/no answer options. A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was employed to gauge the association between adherence to the 24-h movement guidelines (exposure) and the likelihood of having depressive symptoms (outcome). The year of data collection was included as a random intercept in the mixed-effects model to account for potential variations in depressive symptoms across different time points. The model was further adjusted for covariates, including sex, age, race/ethnicity, alcohol and tobacco consumption, school bullying, cyberbullying, and excess weight. Adolescents meeting all three 24-h movement guidelines (physical activity, screen time, and sleep) had the lowest probability of depressive symptoms (21.3%, 95% CI 17.3-25.3%) compared to those meeting none (37.6%, 95% CI 33.4-41.8%). Significant protective effects were observed across all adherence levels (p < 0.05). Over the 2011-2021 period, adherence remained consistently associated with reduced depressive symptoms, with the strongest effects seen in 2019 and 2021. Younger adolescents, males, and White individuals showed the greatest benefits, while females, older adolescents, Black, Hispanic/Latino, and individuals from other racial/ethnic groups exhibited weaker protective effects despite adherence. Findings from the present study highlight the importance of encouraging adherence to 24-h movement guidelines as a potential strategy to reduce depressive symptoms in adolescents. Notably, the protective effects of adherence varied across sociodemographic groups, with younger adolescents, females, and White individuals experiencing the greatest benefits.

Self-discrepancy, i.e., negative changes in self-concept, is a common post-stroke phenomenon which is closely associated with depression and quality of life. In earlier research, self-discrepancy has been measured with the 18-item seven-stepped Head Injury Semantic Differential Scale (HISDS-III), by comparing pre- and post-morbid self-concepts. As completing this scale may be demanding especially for cognitively impaired stroke survivors, a straightforward instrument is desirable. Therefore, the validity of the Inclusion of the Other in the Self Scale (IOSS), which measures self-discrepancy with a single visualized item, was cross-sectionally examined in 123 individuals three years after stroke. Results revealed a substantial correlation between the IOSS and the established HISDS-III (r = .47, p < .001) and a Gini Index corresponding to an AUC of 0.74, both indicating convergent validity. Both measures showed similar correlations with relevant covariates. Prediction of depressive symptoms using established predictors was significantly improved by the inclusion of the IOSS (ΔR² = .07, p < .001). The findings indicate the high validity of the IOSS as an economic measure of global self-discrepancy after stroke. In addition, the results confirm self-discrepancy as a relevant determinant of post-stroke depression and thus as a potential target for psychological interventions in stroke patients.

Self-esteem is a psychological outcome that is positively related to mental and psychological health, one of the most important elements in nursing. Developing strategies for self-esteem promotion is therefore of great importance in nursing practice. Previous reviews suggested that exercise interventions such as Tai Chi practice may confer both mental and physical benefits in humans, but reviews on the effect of Tai Chi exercise on self-esteem of adults are lacking. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi interventions in promoting self-esteem among adults.

We included randomized controlled trials that investigated Tai Chi interventions in adults, where self-esteem and/or self-confidence were reported as outcomes. The literature search was conducted in ten electronic databases. Two independent reviewers performed abstract and full-text screening using Covidence. These reviewers also independently extracted data from the included studies, and conducted critical appraisal of their methodological quality, using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB2).

Eleven studies were included in the review, of which all were rated as having high risk of bias or some concerns in their methodological quality. Our meta-analysis demonstrated that Tai Chi intervention can significantly improve self-esteem among adults, where the post-intervention self-esteem score was higher among the intervention participants compared to the controls (standardized mean difference: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.18-0.74; p = 0.001). Sensitivity analyses by excluding studies not reporting data using means and standard deviations revealed similar findings. One study also showed a positive effect of Tai Chi intervention on self-confidence perception.

Tai Chi interventions have a moderately positive effect on self-esteem among adults. Tai Chi exercise classes could be a potential strategy to implement within communities, especially among individuals in higher need to improve their self-esteem such as older adults and patients having chronic illnesses that have detrimental effects on their psychological well-being. However, given the high risk of bias in most studies, caution is advised before recommending widespread implementation. Further high-quality research, including qualitative studies exploring how Tai Chi can improve self-esteem, is needed to strengthen the evidence base.

Research to date has focused largely on the consequences of delayed parenting. However, little is known about the reasons and relevant mechanisms that are involved in people's decisions to delay parenthood. The aim of our study was to verify how anxiety about the future relates to the motives for deferred parenthood and how this relationship is mediated by generational time perspective and life satisfaction.

A total of 203 Polish adults between 18 and 40 years of age participated in the study. All of them were of reproductive age but did not yet have children. Respondents completed the following questionnaires: The Dark Future Scale, The Multidimensional Scale of Motives for Postponing Parenthood, The Generational Time Perspective Questionnaire, and The Riverside Life Satisfaction Scale.

The results obtained in the study show that future anxiety correlates significantly and positively with all six motives for postponing parenthood, postponed parenthood overall, and generational affectivity. It is also associated with the generational cognitive perspective at the level of tendency, and negatively with life satisfaction. According to our findings, in all seven models, at least one of the factors mediated the relationship between future anxiety and motives for postponing parenthood/its total score.

The current study advances the understanding of how the subjective future time perspective is related to delayed parenthood through generational concern and reduced life satisfaction. Our findings may indicate that despite the importance of sociodemographic variables in postponing parenthood (e.g., lack of housing, financial instability, acquiring knowledge, education, etc.), variables related to personality and time perspective play a very important role in postponing the decision to have a child.

Adolescents are especially vulnerable to experiencing depression and anxiety. This longitudinal study, from within- and between-person perspectives, explores how self-esteem relates to depressive and anxiety symptoms in Chinese adolescents and identifies the mediating factors impacting this relationship. Data were collected from 1025 junior and high school students in Southwestern China at three points over an 18-month period. This study utilized both traditional and random-intercept cross-lagged panel models to understand the dynamic developmental relationships. The general occurrence of depressive and anxiety symptoms increased longitudinally, with a more pronounced upward trend among female students. Between-person level analyses indicated bidirectional associations among self-esteem, life satisfaction, and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Moreover, life satisfaction emerged as a significant mediator. At the within-person level, self-esteem uniquely predicted both life satisfaction and subsequent depressive and anxiety symptoms. This study clarifies the longitudinal interplay between these constructs. Self-esteem, which denotes internal self-assessments, and life satisfaction, which denotes external evaluations of life, both significantly buffer the emergence of depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Depression levels are significantly higher among people with substance use disorder (SUD) than in the general population; however, studies on the level of subthreshold depression in this population are scarce. Research shows a significant correlation between self-acceptance and depression, with social support playing a key role in the process of recovery and social reintegration for people with SUD. This study aimed to explore the effects of self-acceptance, perceived social support, and stereotype threat of people with SUD on their subthreshold depression, as well as potential mediating and buffering effects.

This study was conducted from January-March 2024. 1068 drug addicts (548 males and 520 females) were recruited in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. After signing informed consent, their psychometric data were obtained using the Self-acceptance Questionnaire (SAQ), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), Drug Use Stereotype Threat Scale (DSTS) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale(CES-D). Gender and group differences in relevant scale dimensions were explored. Linear regression models were used to assess the relationships between PSSS, SAQ, and DSTS scores and subthreshold depression in male and female participants. Bootstrap mediation effect tests were used to further test the mediation effect of drug use stereotype threat and perceived social support between self-acceptance and subthreshold depression. Line graphs were used to show the buffering effect of perceived social support on the relationship between self-acceptance and subthreshold depression in different groups.

The results showed that,gender, HIV-positive or not, education and monthly income level affect subthreshold depression in patients with SUD. Negative correlation between self-acceptance and subthreshold depression among SUD patients. Furthermore, perceived social support and substance use stereotypes threatmediated the relationship between self-acceptance and subthreshold depression, respectively, forming a parallel mediating relationship. Results exploring the buffering effect of perceived social support by subgroup showed that the buffering effect of perceived social support on subthreshold depression was most pronounced in the HIV-negative and and female groups. Social support, group stereotypes discrimination affect the mental health of sud patients.

Our study provides theoretical support for the alleviation of subthreshold depression among people with SUD, realizing that self-acceptance, perceived social support and reduction of drug use stereotype threat can be a psychoprotective factor for people with SUD.

Negative self-perceptions are implicated in the development and maintenance of depression in young people, but little is known about their receptiveness to change in response to treatment. This paper reports on a pre-registered meta-analysis examining the extent to which treatments for depression in young people aged 11-24 result in changes to self-perceptions. Controlled treatment trials examining outcomes related to self-perceptions were synthesised (k = 20, N = 2041), finding small reductions in both symptoms of depression (g = -0.30; 95 % CI: -0.52, -0.08) and self-perception outcomes (g = 0.33; 95 % CI: 0.16, 0.49) for interventions compared with control groups. Meta-regression analyses found no significant association between reductions in depressive symptoms and improvements in self-perception following treatment, suggesting that despite interventions generally improving both outcomes these changes may be unrelated to each other. Our results indicate that young people's self-perceptions are sensitive to change following treatment for depression, however effect sizes are small and treatments could be more effective in targeting and changing negative self-perceptions. Given the importance that young people place on integrating work on their sense of self into treatments for depression, future interventions could aim to support young people with depression to develop a positive sense of self.

Self-concept becomes reliant on social comparison, potentially leading to excessive self-focused attention, persistently negative self-concept and increased risk for depression during early adolescence. Studies have implicated neural activation in cortical midline brain structures in self-related information processing, yet it remains unclear how this activation may underlie subjective self-concept and links to depression in adolescence. We examined these associations by assessing neural activity during negative vs. positive self-referential processing in 39 11-to-13-year-old girls. During a functional neuroimaging task, girls reported on their perceptions of self-concept by rating how true they believed positive and negative personality traits were about them. Girls reported on depressive symptoms at the scan and 6 months later. Activation in the dorsomedial and ventrolateral prefrontal cortexes (dMPFC; VLPFC), and visual association area was significantly associated with subjective self-concept and/or depressive symptoms at the scan or 6 months later. Exploratory models showed higher activation in the dMPFC to Self-negative > Self-positive was indirectly associated with concurrent depressive symptoms through more negative self-concept. Higher activation in the visual association area to Self-positive > Self-negative was associated with lower depressive symptoms at follow-up through more positive self-concept. Findings highlight how differential neural processing of negative versus positive self-relevant information maps onto perceptions of self-concept and adolescent depression.

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and bullying victimization are well-established risk factors for deliberate self-harm (DSH) and suicidal ideation (SI). Research ties aspects of self-concept, such as self-esteem, with victimization and self-harm. Yet, there is limited evidence of the role of multidimensional self-concept in the victimization-self-harm association. Using a longitudinal sample of 422 adolescent girls from a large midwestern city, 35% with recently substantiated CSA-exposure and 51% with recent bullying victimization at baseline, we examined pathways from CSA-exposure and bullying victimization to subsequent DSH and SI, with global self-worth and five subscales of self-concept as mediators (social competence, close friendships, physical appearance, scholastic competence, and behavioral conduct). Data was collected from 2012 to 2015. CSA-exposure directly increased the risk of both SI (B .50, SE .23, p < .05) and DSH (B .53, SE .22, p < 5), while global self-worth fully mediated the relationship between bullying victimization, SI (B .21, SE .07, 95% BCB-CI 1.17-1.95, p < .01), and DSH (B .15, SE .06, 95% BCB-CI 1.10-1.69, p < .05), We found no evidence of mediation for the subscales model. Both CSA-exposure and bullying victimization directly reduced specific subscales of self-concept, while behavioral conduct increased the risk of DSH. The role of self-concept in the bullying/self-harm association and the direct effects of CSA-exposure on self-harm highlight areas of need in social work practice, specifically the need to incorporate an emphasis on trusting relationships, overall well-being, and the reduction of shame into trauma-informed therapy and bullying prevention efforts.