World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology

Authors: Kaitlyn Haase

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Abstract This meta-analysis examined the prevalence and types of psychiatric comorbidities in community-based populations diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). A systematic search of PsycINFO, Web of Science, and PubMed identified 16 peer-reviewed studies comprising 19 distinct samples (eight childhood, eleven adult) that met the inclusion criteria. Among 11,192 children, 62.2% had at least one comorbidity; among 43,141 adults, 60.6% had at least one. In studies reporting comorbidity breakdowns, 16.6% of children had two diagnoses, and 12% had three or more, while 30.3% of adults had two or more diagnoses. Studies including both ADHD and non-ADHD groups demonstrated the much higher average rate of comorbidity in ADHD (M: 65.7; SD: 9.9) compared to non-ADHD (M: 22.2; SD: 9.3). These studies also demonstrated a significant positive correlation between ADHD and non-ADHD scores (r = 0.83, p < .05), suggesting that studies reporting higher rates of comorbidity in ADHD participants also tended to report higher rates in non-ADHD participants. This may reflect that shared contextual or methodological elements influenced the comorbidity rates in both groups. The most common comorbidities in children were learning difficulties, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, speech problems, and anxiety disorders; in adults, insomnia, Substance Use Disorder, anxiety, and mood disorders were most prevalent. These findings reinforce the high burden of comorbid conditions in ADHD across the lifespan. The results also emphasise the heterogeneity of the outline of ADHD as a diagnosis, the large symptom overlap in different diagnoses and the variability in current assessment methods. Clinicians should consider overlapping presentations during diagnosis and tailoring individual interventions.

Keywords: ADHD, comorbidity, prevalence, heterogeneity of diagnosis, meta-analysis, psycho-diagnostics

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Authors: Raven C. Shea

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The present research explored the quarter-life crisis faced by emerging adults aged 24-35, focusing on its defining characteristics, psychological and emotional difficulties, and contributing factors. The study was structured in two parts: Study 1 identified the common features of developmental crisis that are congruent with emerging adults. Study 2 delved into the psychological and emotional challenges faced during the quarter-life crisis and identified prevalent factors that trigger the quarter-life crisis, as well as effective counseling interventions that may be deemed applicable for those going through a quarter-life crisis. A mixed-method research approach was employed, integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches to produce comprehensive knowledge about the quarter-life crisis. Study 1 used the developmental crisis questionnaire (DCQ) to identify participants who exhibited crisis symptoms, identifying six individuals with the highest scores for further analysis. Study 2 utilized focus group discussions (FGD) that explored themes related to the psychological and emotional difficulties experienced by these participants and the factors contributing to the crisis. Key findings revealed that transition or turning point is the most common feature of the quarter-life crisis, followed by lack of control, disconnection, and distress, characterized by notable adjustments across community-oriented, professional, and individual domains. Emotional challenges include feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, and isolation, while psychological issues involve persistent inadequacy, stress, and anxiety. Contributing factors to the crisis include the shift from education to early career, financial strain, personal aspirations, familial pressure, societal comparison, and career dissatisfaction. The study highlighted the need for targeted counseling interventions tailored to address specific psychological and emotional issues, such as anxiety, stress, and feelings of inadequacy. Recommended strategies include developing personalized coping mechanisms, fostering self-help, and providing social support for career planning and financial management. Additionally, establishing support networks to address the effects of peer pressure, career dissatisfaction, and familial expectations is crucial. The study provided coping strategies that may help emerging adults navigate this stage. More so, counseling interventions were presented in the recommendations emphasizing the importance of responding to the distinct challenges faced during the quarter-life crisis. By implementing these, emerging adults can better navigate transitions, enhance their resilience, and improve overall life satisfaction during this critical period of development.

Keywords: quarter-life crisis, emerging adulthood, coping, counseling interventions

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Authors: Mohammad Hosseinalizadeh, Hossein Ehsani, Kübra Akbaş, Alexandria Jean L. Rufin, Nima Toosizadeh

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Frailty is a common syndrome in older adults, marked by physiological reserve, which can lead to an increased vulnerability to stressors. This study aims to establish and validate a platform for simultaneous motor and cardiac function executionto evaluate motor and HR interaction, as a potential marker for frailty. Given the limitations of HR assessment during walking, such as motion artifacts, space constraints, and mobility restrictions, it utilized a validated upperextremity function (UEF) test. This test involves20-second rapid elbow flexion, to assess motor performance. the hypothesized that using motor and HR interaction we would identify frailty with 80% accuracy.Older adults were recruited from three diverse cohorts. Inclusion included ability to walk, and exclusions included severe motor or cognitive impairments (MMSE ≤23) and conditions affecting HR (e.g., arrhythmia and β-blocker). Frailty was classified using the Fried phenotype. For UEF, wearable motion sensors (100Hz) captured elbow angular velocity. HR was continuously recorded using a two-channel ECG system (1000Hz). The dynamic interconnection between angular displacement andHR was assessed, using convergent cross-mapping (CCM).CCM assesses the nonlinear directional interactions ofvariables in a complex dynamic system, based on state-spacereconstruction of time series, and it is less biased to systems being nonlinear and nonstationary. Logistic regression models with demographics and CCM as independent variables, combined with 10-fold cross-validation, were used to identify frailty (pre-frail/frail vs. non-frail). 140 participants were recruited, including 26 non-frail (age=71.61±9.88), 93 pre-frail (age=77.55±9.46), and 21 frail (age=78.81±9.56) older adults. Using CCM, along with demographics, pre-frailty/frailty was identified with accuracy of 0.85 (sensitivity=77%, specificity=81%). This approachcaptures both cardiac and motor function in a clinical setting within less than two minutes of physical task while seated.Thesemeasures could be incorporated into accessible devices like smartwatches, enabling frailty assessment and remote monitoring in clinical and home settings.

Keywords: aging, frailty, cardiac disease, nonlinear analysis

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Authors: Cecilia Cheng

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The current research sought to validate the motivation-cognition-behavior model by employing cross-lagged analysis to investigate the interrelationships among academic stress, gaming flow, maladaptive gaming cognition, and gaming disorder (GD) symptoms over two time points, three months apart. The study engaged 283 primary school students from Hong Kong, providing a diverse sample for analysis. The multi-group analysis revealed significant gender disparities in the dynamics of these variables. Among girls, one direct relationship was identified: maladaptive gaming cognition had a notable impact on academic stress. In addition, two bidirectional relationships emerged: one between maladaptive gaming cognition and GD symptoms, and another between maladaptive gaming cognition and gaming flow. In contrast, the analysis for boys uncovered four direct relationships: maladaptive gaming cognition influenced gaming flow, GD symptoms affected maladaptive gaming cognition, gaming flow had an impact on academic stress, and academic stress, in turn, influenced maladaptive gaming cognition. However, no bidirectional relationships were established for boys. These findings highlight the complex interplay of factors contributing to the development of gaming disorders in children and underscore the importance of recognizing gender-specific influences. The results suggest that interventions aimed at mitigating the risks associated with gaming disorders should be tailored to address these distinct patterns, ultimately fostering healthier gaming habits and academic outcomes among young students.

Keywords: gaming disorder, academic stress, maladaptive cognition, gender differences

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Authors: Xinghua Wang

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Background: Obesity has been identified to be a common risk factor for the development of depression, a prevalent and devastating psychiatric condition. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the performances of different anthropometric biomarkers of obesity for predicting depression. Methods: In this single-center study retrospectively included 412 patients who visited our psychiatry clinic between. Obesity biomarkers evaluated included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), conicity index (CI), a body shape index (ABSI) and body roundness index (BRI). The discriminative capabilities were evaluated and compared using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: There were 107 (25.97%) patients with depression among the 412 patients included. No significant differences with regard to patient age and sex were observed between those with and without depression (all P>0.05). Compared to those without depression, patients with depression had significantly higher BMI (26.98 ± 3.29 vs 23.98 ± 2.87 kg/m2, P < 0.001), WC (95.87 ± 5.63 vs 87.91 ± 4.80 cm, P < 0.001), WHR (0.55 ± 0.08 vs 0.50 ± 0.07, P < 0.001), CI (1.28 ± 0.11 vs 1.15 ± 0.09, P < 0.001) and BRI (5.87 ± 0.42 vs 5.11 ± 0.38, P < 0.001), but not ABSI (0.081 ± 0.007 vs 0.080 ± 0.005, P = 0.11). ROC curves showed that WC and BRI had the largest area under the curve for predicting depression, followed by WHR, CI, and BMI. Conclusion: This single center study indicated that WC and BRI appeared to be the most promising biomarkers for predicting depression among the obesity biomarkers evaluated.

Keywords: body roundness index, depression, obesity, ROC curve, waist circumference

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Authors: Jovana Vukovic

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Extensive international research has demonstrated that unresolved complex trauma underlies many chronic mental health conditions. Australian-based studies have shown that mental health service users prefer trauma-informed mental health care services and tools over other styles of care practice. The author seeks to explore trauma-informed mental health care services in Australia through online survey responses from service users and semi-structured interviews with trauma-informed mental health care providers. By gaining knowledge and insights from service users and providers, this research can illuminate the current efficacy of trauma-informed mental health care in Australia and how the services and tools can be improved. 20 survey responses were collected from mental health service users across Australia, and 8 interviews took place with Australian-based mental health practitioners. The research so far has illuminated several socio-structural barriers to the genuine implementation of trauma-informed mental health care across Australia and also highlighted the frustrations for many service users with a system that is struggling to address their trauma history and their need for trauma-informed care.

Keywords: trauma, trauma-informed care, mental health care, trauma-informed mental health

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Authors: Deli Yang

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Objective: This study aims to explore the impact of children's psychological stress on parents' health-related quality of life based on symptom network models, providing a basis for improving the quality of life of children and their families. Methods: This study adopted a cross-sectional survey design and selected 146 parents of children (6-12 years old) with psychological stress symptoms from a hospital in Chongqing from January 2023 to December 2024 as the survey subjects. Collect children's psychological stress symptoms and parents' HRQoL through a questionnaire survey. Using network analysis methods to construct a symptom network and analyze the potential relationship between children's psychological stress symptoms and parental HRQoL.Results: The CSDC score of 146 children was (11.24 ± 2.07) points, with an acute response score of (6.211 ± 1.25) points. The emotional symptoms of children (such as anxiety and depression) are significantly negatively correlated with parents' HRQoL (such as mental health and social functioning) (P<0.01). Network analysis shows that various psychological stress symptoms of children are identified as important nodes affecting parents' HRQoL through mediating factors such as family environment and parent-child relationships, especially children's behavioral problems. Conclusions: Children's psychological stress symptoms may have a significant impact on their parents' HRQoL through a complex symptom network, and attention should be paid to changes in the family system and parents' health status to improve overall quality of life.

Keywords: psychological stress, children, parents, HRQoL, symptom network.

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Authors: Abbas Hamzavi

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This presentation introduces Mind-Body Active Movement Therapy (MBAMT), an integrative approach combining the ancient art of Tai Chi with evidence-based practices from positive psychology. MBAMT is designed to cultivate self-regulation, emotional balance, and somatic awareness through mindful movement, grounding participants in a body-centered therapeutic experience. Unlike traditional talk therapy, this embodied approach engages the nervous system directly, fostering flow states, attentional control, and inner calm. The therapy draws on principles from third-wave CBT, somatic psychology, and Eastern philosophies, and adapts them into structured Tai Chi-inspired movement sequences. Participants are guided to synchronize breath, movement, and intention, promoting greater harmony between mind and body. Initial qualitative feedback from clinical settings suggests improved mood, reduced anxiety, and enhanced resilience in both adolescents and adults. This paper will outline the theoretical foundation of MBAMT, offer sample movement protocols, and explore implications for practitioners seeking body-inclusive methods of promoting wellbeing and flourishing. Emphasis will be placed on the potential of movement to rewire emotional habits and support the goals of positive psychology.

Keywords: tai chi, mind-body therapy, positive psychology, psychology, emotional self-regulation

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Authors: Chizoba L. Obikwelu, Chioma G. Enebe, Grace O. Ugwonna, Augustina O. Ede

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Life as an undergraduate can be challenging and sometimes full of uncertainties such that navigating through it could be difficult and life-threatening. These challenges range from meeting up with assignments, attending classes, grappling with harassment from some mean lecturers, failures in examinations, clashes in lectures or even examinations, missing scripts, prompt and non-payment of school fees, and sundry. These problems can be debilitating, such that participating in or continuing with academic activities becomes bleak. As active humans, in order to maintain equilibrium, finding an adaptive escape route to wriggle out of these ego-threatening situations is a natural phenomenon; otherwise, a maladaptive measure like suicide can be an alternative. The objective was to find out the correlation between social media usage and suicidal behaviours among undergraduates in the public universities in the south east, Nigeria and whether gender will moderate the relationship between social media usage and suicidal behaviours. The design of the study is a correlation survey research design and focus group discussion (FGD). The method was apt because it seeks to determine the relationship between two variables. The sample size was 53 identified students from the population of 13,419 undergraduates from the two universities in Anambra state south, east Nigeria, using a snowball sampling technique. Two research questions were raised, and a corresponding hypothesis was formulated. The Gupta Savita and Bashir Liyaquat social networking scale was modified to serve as a data collection instrument for social media usage, and the suicidal behaviour identification scale was also employed for data collection. The instruments were subjected to face validity, and reliability indices of 0.88 and 0.87 were obtained. Data was analyzed using linear regression and t-test. The regression coefficient of 0.882 showed that there is a positive high relationship between social media usage and suicidal behaviors among undergraduates in the universities in southeast Nigeria. In addition, the relationship was not moderated by gender. From the findings, it was determined that social media usage significantly relates to suicidal behaviours among undergraduates and that gender significantly influences social media usage and suicidal behaviours; therefore, educational psychologists and counselors must advocate for reduced use of social media among youths in southeast Nigeria.

Keywords: gender, public universities, social media usage, suicidal behaviours

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Authors: Raigan Petersen

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Experiencing a traumatic event during childhood can lead to significant behavioral issues and the development of mental illnesses. This literature review focuses on psychotherapy options that include parents in the treatment, investigating the role of the child-parent dynamic in recovery. For this review, twelve articles are included from Google Scholar and PsycInfo. The findings indicate that child-parent psychotherapy (CPP) and parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) are effective intervention strategies. Both CPP and PCIT lead to decreased behavior problems and trauma-related symptoms. Future research may be needed to determine the extent of the parent-child relationship's effect on therapy outcomes. Ultimately, both CPP and PCIT can be effective in treating children who have experienced trauma, yielding positive results for both the child and the parent.

Keywords: child-parent psychotherapy, parent-child interaction therapy, childhood trauma, child-parent relationship

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Authors: Alexandra Cazier

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This literature review examines how self-concept beliefs influence the well-being of adolescents and young adults across academic, relational, and clinical domains. Through a search on several databases–including Google Scholar, PsycInfo, and ERIC–research concerning each of these domains has been gathered and represents a collection of peer-reviewed literature. Findings indicate that the perceptions of authority figures, particularly parents and teachers, significantly affect the development of self-concept, which in turn influences behavioral and emotional outcomes. In academic settings, self-concept has proven to be a strong predictor of student performance, with studies demonstrating that academic success can often be anticipated based on students’ self-concept beliefs. The reviewed literature also suggests a direct correlation between decreased self-concept belief clarity and increased symptoms associated with mental health challenges. One of the primary limitations of the literature is a substantial reliance on self-reported methods of data collection. Future research could benefit from the expansion of self-reported methods of data collection to more objective measures of self-concept.

Keywords: self-concept, beliefs, self-concept beliefs, sense of self, self-perception, attitudes, adolescents, young adults, well-being

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Authors: Shania Hossain, David Day, Aaron Palachi

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Sexual assault (SA) is widely recognized as one of the most underreported crimes in Canada. This underreporting is often attributed to societal factors, including the prevalence of rape myths– false beliefs and stereotypes that shift blame from perpetrators to victims. Research has explored the link between personality traits and acceptance of rape myths, highlighting how individual differences can shape attitudes toward these harmful beliefs. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between personality factors and beliefs in rape myths and, as an exploratory question, examine these variables in relation to endorsement of drunk driving myths. For the present study, personality variables applied to this model include the dark triad traits (narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism) and risk-taking. Using a cross-sectional correlational design, 153 undergraduate university students (n = 30 men and n = 116 women, n = 7 non-binary/third gender, other, or preferred not to answer) completed measures assessing these personality traits alongside their beliefs in rape myths and drunk driving myths. A hierarchal multi-regression analysis indicated that younger participants were more likely to endorse rape myths and drunk driving myths. Fewer women than men were likely to hold these beliefs. Additionally, endorsement of rape myths was correlated with belief in drunk driving myths (r = .43, p > .001). Machiavellianism was the personality trait most strongly related to beliefs in rape myths, while risk-taking was most associated with beliefs in drunk driving myths. These findings aimed to fill a gap in the literature and highlight the importance of understanding how personality factors influence our beliefs in myths surrounding sexual assault and drunk driving.

Keywords: beliefs, rape myths, drunk driving, drunk driving myths, risk-taking, sexual assault, dark-triad

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Authors: Seunghyun Lee, Seungyeon Lee, Jinhee Lee

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Background: Adequate sleep and physical activity are crucial for maintaining mental health. While insufficient sleep and low physical activity have been linked to suicidal ideation (SI), prior studies mostly relied on cross-sectional data. This study utilized ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine the real-time relationship between subjective sleep assessment, physical activity, and SI. Methods: Thirty participants with mood disorders completed four daily self-report assessments over a 14-day period using the Mind Logger platform. Sleep efficiency was categorized as good (≥85%) or poor (<85%). Subjective sleep was rated on a 7-point scale and categorized as good (≥5) or poor (<5). Physical activity was classified as active or inactive. Suicidal ideation was assessed as a binary variable (yes/no). Statistical analyses included chi-squared tests and logistic regression. Results: A total of 1428 observations were analyzed. Subjective sleep rating and physical activity showed significant associations with SI (p < 0.05), whereas objective sleep efficiency did not. Individuals with poor subjective sleep or no physical activity were significantly more likely to report SI. Logistic regression analysis identified poor subjective sleep as the strongest predictor (OR = 7.53, p < 0.001), followed by no physical activity (OR = 1.74, p < 0.01). The sleep efficiency group was not a significant predictor (p = 0.59). Discussion: This study highlights the importance of subjective sleep perception and physical activity in identifying individuals at high risk for suicidal ideation. EMA proved effective in capturing dynamic, real-time assessments, underscoring its utility in early detection strategies. Enhancing subjective sleep quality and encouraging consistent physical activity may serve as promising intervention targets for suicide prevention.

Keywords: suicidal ideation, sleep quality, physical activity, ecological momentary assessment, mood disorders

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Authors: Lee Seung Hyun, Lee JinHee

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Methods: Participants diagnosed with mood disorders completed a battery of self-report assessments and interviews two times (Visit 1 and Visit 2) using the Mind Logger digital platform. The battery included validated instruments targeting depression (IDS), self-harm (SHI), suicidal ideation (C-SSRS), substance use (AUDIT-K, DAST), behavioral addictions (SAS-SV, IGDS), trauma history (ACE), and bipolar symptoms (CMRS). For each visit, symptom networks were constructed using partial correlation modeling. Centrality indices, including strength and closeness, were calculated to determine the most influential items within each network. Results: During both assessment visits, a small number of items, particularly those related to suicidal ideation and recent self-harm, exhibited strong correlations with other symptoms and demonstrated high centrality in the networks. These items consistently played key roles within the overall symptom structure, indicating their potential as efficient indicators of suicide risk. Discussion: The findings suggest that a reduced set of screening items can maintain high clinical relevance while minimizing the assessment burden. By applying network analysis, this study demonstrates a novel method for extracting core features from complex psychological data. The resulting tool may help clinicians detect suicide risk earlier and more efficiently, thereby supporting more personalized and timely mental health interventions in real-world settings.

Keywords: suicide risk, mood disorders, network analysis, digital mental health, mind logger, self-report, early detection

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Authors: James McDowell

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Purpose: This conceptual paper investigates the ways in which cognitive biases (e.g., authority, reciprocity, and urgency) and features of social media platforms (e.g., algorithmic feeds and autoplay videos) are successfully exploited by the adversary to perpetrate social media-initiated scams. The goal of the paper is to provide a nuanced perspective into the ways in which psychology and technology interact in the context of cybercrime through the lens of forensic cyberpsychology. Design/Methodology/Approach: Grounded in theory synthesis, the methodology of this paper uses the multidisciplinary approach of forensic cyberpsychology to examine the ways in which cognitive biases and the structure of social media platforms are manipulated. By integrating findings from diverse domains, the paper provides a refined perspective bridging the gap between psychology and technology. Findings: Three primary cognitive biases were identified as foundational exploits in social media-initiated scams: authority, reciprocity, and urgency. A discussion highlighting the ways in which the design of social media itself facilitates this type of malicious activity by reducing friction and enticing engagement. Additionally, the paper explored three case studies of social media-initiated scams from the real world to apply the identified principles beyond theoretical discussion. Originality: The paper offers an original contribution by investigating social media-initiated scams through the interdisciplinary lens of forensic cyberpsychology. By uniquely combining the previously explored areas of cognitive biases and specific features of social media, this groundbreaking paper incorporates the perspectives of both technology and psychology to understand how the adversary manipulates targets in the virtual world and provides a multifaceted framework for understanding the foundational elements of manipulation on social media platforms.

Keywords: cyberpsychology, cybercrime, social media, scam susceptibility

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Authors: Primos Khatiwoda

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This study explores how fear shapes our superstitious behaviors by linking past beliefs to our daily habits. In old Europe, priests taught that faith and rituals could protect people from misfortune, driven by the fear of divine punishment. In India, scattering ashes in the holy river Ganga is believed to help the soul find peace, rooted in the fear of an unsettled afterlife. Our survey of 20 people shows that fear-based thinking is still alive and well. Many shared that if they did something -like listening to a particular song- before getting bad news, they would avoid it next time, just in case. It's like not using the same pen that you wrote your failed exam with, thinking it brings bad luck. The study highlights how fear creates superstitions. When faced with uncertainty, we stick to or avoid certain habits as if they hold magical powers, even when there’s no actual connection. It seems that whether it’s ancient rituals or modern quirks, fear has a way of making us believe in strange rules for survival.

Keywords: fear-based behavior, superstitious beliefs, ritualistic behavior, psychological conditioning, behavioral avoidance, cultural rituals, emotional responses and behavior

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Authors: Vivian Khamis

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Background: Since the outbreak of the conflict in Syria, many people have fled their homes to neighboring countries, including children. Surprisingly, little research exists on the psychosocial adjustment of refugee children. Objective: This study investigated the prevalence and predictors of PTSD and emotion dysregulation in Syrian refugee children who resettled in Lebanon and Jordan. Predictors included pre-trauma variables (age, gender, and geographic location), trauma-specific variables (war trauma severity and time elapsed since participants have fled their homes in Syria and resided in host countries), and post-trauma variables (coping strategies, family relationships, and school environment). Participants and Setting: Participants were 1000 Syrian refugee children aged 7 to 18 years attending formal and non-formal schools representing various districts in Lebanon and Jordan. Methods: Questionnaires were administered in an interview format with children at school by two trained psychologists. Results: Results indicated that emotion dysregulation is a central correlate of PTSD among refugee children. Approximately 45.61% of the refugee children developed PTSD with excess risk for comorbidity with emotional dysregulation. Older children were more likely to report more emotion dysregulation than children who were younger. While the prevalence of PTSD was higher in refugee children who resettled in Lebanon, children who resettled in Jordan reported greater emotion dysregulation. Refugee children who were exposed to higher levels of war atrocities evidenced the greatest prevalence of PTSD and emotion dysregulation. While children’s PTSD symptomatology and emotion dysregulation in children varied according to coping styles, family relationships, and school environment, children’s PTSD symptomatology and emotion dysregulation decreased significantly over time. Conclusions: Based on the current findings, interventions that empower refugee children with positive coping styles, promote behaviors that lead to emotional expressiveness in the family, and a positive school environment can lead to optimal developmental outcomes in Syrian refugee children. Building meaningful and genuine relationships with and among children is an essential aspect of creating a learning environment that supports learning and that promotes positive school environment.

Keywords: PTSD, emotion dysregulation, refugee children, coping, family relations, school environment

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Authors: Neo Lee Hong, Thio Wen Shun

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The negative impact of high conflict divorce on the mental health of children caught in such situations is well established. The consensus on the mental health impact for children in low conflict divorce is less clear. This study aimed to examine the local prevalence and severity of mental health difficulties in children of “low-conflict” divorce and to understand the salient family factors contributing to these difficulties. More than 4000 individuals with minor children who had filed for divorce between 2021-2024 were included in the study. Data on 5 key variables (Child Psychosocial Functioning, Parent Wellbeing, Parent Resilience, Child-Parent Relationship & Co-parenting Relationship) measured with standardized scales, were collected at point of finalizing divorce, 6 months post-divorce and again at 2 years post-divorce. Results indicated that 1 in 3 parents exposed their children frequently to overt conflict with their spouse. Exposure to covert conflict was much lower, affecting mostly school aged children. 1 in 3 children (primarily preschool-primary school aged) experienced mental health difficulties, with the aged 9-12 showing the highest comorbidities. Preliminary findings from the causal modelling of the 3-wave data suggested poor parent wellbeing and poor supportive coparenting contributed directly to child mental health difficulties. Notably, parent-child conflict was shown to mediate the relationship between supportive/conflictual co-parenting and child mental health. Implications of these results on practice is discussed.

Keywords: child psychosocial functioning, low conflict divorce, family processes, causal factors

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Authors: Tanya Murphy, Erik O'Hanlon, Aisling O'Neill, Mary Cannon

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Psychotic experiences (PE) are subclinical hallucinations and/or delusions that are highly prevalent during childhood and early adolescence. Detecting PE during this period has been found to be a useful predictor of future psychosis-related diagnoses. This study included 34 participants (13 females, 21 males) taken from the Adolescent Brain Development Study cohort at three time-points (tp1 mean age = 11.69years; tp2 mean age = 15.80years; tp3 mean age = 18.80years) (control group n=18, PE-group n=16). Motor dysfunction and processing speed impairment findings among this subclinical PE population prompted this investigation into finding a neuroanatomical correlate. We hypothesised reduced white matter (WM) tract volume and altered tract integrity. Advanced neuroimaging techniques were implemented to delineate the precentral gyrus termination points of the corticospinal tract. Linear effects modelling was the analytic method of choice. Significant Group x Time interaction effects were observed in tract volume (p = .0.02, d = 0.68) and integrity (p = 0.02, d = -0.28). Our findings advocate for trajectory-focused experimental approaches to fully capture the developmental nature of these WM abnormalities. Neuroanatomical, cognitive and motor dysfunction are interconnected; therefore, data should be investigated in conjunction to better understand the underlying psychopathology of these symptoms and provide future research.

Keywords: motor dysfunction, precentral gyrus, processing speed, psychotic experience, psychosis, white matter tract

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Authors: Kaye Laurice L. Mustaza

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This study explores the time management strategies of freshman athletes transitioning from high school to college. The transition from high school to college represents a significant shift in academic, athletic, and social responsibilities for student athletes. Time management skill is a critical capability in adapting and adjusting with these increased demands. This research aims to understand the challenges faced by student-athletes, focusing on how they prioritize their academic and athletic commitments, the scheduling adjustments they adapt and the tools and mechanisms they implement. The data in this research was conducted through interviews with freshman athletes from different universities, analyzing their time management strategies transitioning from high school to college. By examining the impacts of these transitions, the study seeks to provide insights into effective time management strategies for enhancing time management and overall college experience for student athletes.

Keywords: athletes, time management, transition, high school, college

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Authors: Ellaiza G. Nuguit

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This study examines the impact of Filipino rock songs on the creative cognitive processes of middle adolescents aged 15 to 17. Using an experimental quantitative research design, two groups were compared: one exposed to Filipino rock music and the other not exposed. Creativity was evaluated with the Alternative Uses Task (AUT), while motivation and engagement were measured by the Student Opinion Scale (SOS). The results showed no significant differences between the two groups in terms of creativity, motivation, and engagement, with all p-values exceeding 0.05. These findings suggest that Filipino rock music does not significantly influence these cognitive processes. The study recommends further research to explore individual musical preferences, environmental variables, and the efforts of various music genres on cognitive development.

Keywords: Filipino pinoy rock music, creative cognitive processes, alternative uses tasks, student opinion scale

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Authors: Olusola Ayandele

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AI-synthesized deepfake contents are being used to damage peoples' reputation and sway public opinion, especially during election seasons in Nigeria. To better understand the audience’s metacognition of deepfakes, we will conduct two experimental manipulations in which participants were randomly exposed to positive or negative deepfake videos on two divisive political figures in Nigeria. This study will investigate the impact of demographic variables, social media use, political polarization, echo chamber, deepfakes awareness, and media literacy variables on metacognition of deepfake videos. Elderly voters (60 years and above) in Southwest Nigeria who use WhatsApp and Facebook regularly would be the sample participants and an a-priori statistical power analysis will be conducted to estimate the sample size. Statistical analyses will be conducted using R 4.4 through Jamovi 2.6. We will inductively assessed (1) if social media usage will have indirect effects on the metacognition of deepfake videos with age and prior knowledge of deepfake as moderators, (2) the conditionally influence of echo chamber on the indirect effects of political polarization on the metacognition of deepfake videos through social media usage and (3) the intervention of media literacy on the metacognition of those in the two experimental groups and the control group. It is hypothesized that media literacy intervention will correspond to changes in metacognition of deepfake videos among elderly voters.

Keywords: metacognition, artificial intelligence, media psychology, deception, social psychology

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Authors: Yongning Song, Ziyun Nie, Jiatong Shan

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Comprehending irony is crucial for effective social communication, yet autistic children often struggle with nonliteral language comprehension. This study examines the roles of theory of mind (ToM) and executive function (EF) in irony comprehension among autistic children and explores their relationship with autism symptoms. A total of 25 autistic children and 25 typically developing (TD) children were assessed using an irony story task, ToM tasks, and EF tasks. Results revealed that autistic children exhibited significant impairments in irony comprehension compared to TD children, and irony comprehension showed a moderate discriminatory effect in identifying autistic children. Second-order ToM (2nd ToM) was significantly correlated with irony comprehension and predicted performance in irony tasks. Additionally, 2nd ToM mediated the relationship between autism symptoms and irony comprehension, whereas EF components did not show a significant correlation with irony comprehension. These findings suggest that irony comprehension may serve as a potential cognitive marker for assessing syndrome manifestations in autistic children, and 2nd ToM may be a key mechanism underlying their deficits in irony comprehension. This study provides distincts insights for early screening and intervention strategies for autistic children.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, irony comprehension, theory of mind, executive functions

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Authors: Z. Nie, J. Zhao, N. Wang, Y. Song

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Interpretation bias, the tendency to perceive ambiguous facial expressions as negative, may contribute to social difficulties in individuals with high autistic traits (HAT). This study investigates whether individuals with HAT exhibit a heightened interpretation bias toward negative emotions and explores whether reward learning can mitigate this bias. In the first experiment, 205 college students were assessed for autistic traits. A facial morphing task was used to examine interpretation bias, measuring the tendency to misinterpret neutral faces as expressing specific emotions. Results indicated that though under control of social anxiety, individuals with HAT still exhibited a stronger bias toward perceiving neutral expressions as anger and disgust compared to those with low autistic traits (LAT). The second experiment examined whether reward learning could modify this bias. Participants underwent a training phase where neutral faces were paired with positive rewards. Findings revealed that after reward learning, individuals with HAT showed a reduced tendency to interpret neutral faces as negative emotions, suggesting that cognitive biases in social perception can be adjusted through associative learning mechanisms. These findings provide evidence that individuals with HAT exhibit negative interpretation bias and that reward learning may serve as a potential intervention to improve social perception. This study offers distinct insights into the mechanisms underlying social difficulties in individuals with high autistic traits and suggests directions for cognitive training strategies.

Keywords: autistic traits, interpretation bias, facial recognition, reward learning

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Authors: Ozge Berfin Guney

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Adolescence is a critical developmental stage that requires significant adjustments in family relationships. This study explores the relationship between marital satisfaction, co-parenting, and the quality of parent-adolescent interactions. Specifically, it examines whether co-parenting mediates the effects of marital satisfaction on the parent-adolescent relationship. A total of 302 married individuals with adolescent children (aged 12-17) participated in the study. Data was collected using standardized psychological scales measuring marital satisfaction, co-parenting, and parent-adolescent relationship quality. The findings reveal that marital satisfaction and co-parenting are positively associated with parent-adolescent disclosure and positive interactions while negatively predicting conflictual relationships. Additionally, co-parenting plays a significant mediating role, indicating that a strong co-parenting relationship can buffer the negative effects of marital dissatisfaction on parent-adolescent interactions. These findings support the spillover hypothesis, demonstrating that experiences in one family subsystem influence others. This research contributes to the understanding of family dynamics and provides valuable insights for family therapy and parenting interventions.

Keywords: quality of the parent-adolescent relationship, marital satisfaction, coparenting, family systems theory, spillover hypothesis

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Authors: Tania Munoz

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This literature review looks at why some people justify cheating online vs in person. While cheating in person has been studied a lot, the rise of digital communication, artificial intelligence, chat rooms, and online pornography have made it easier for people to blur the lines of what counts as infidelity. This review explores how previous research of online infidelity or extradyadic relationships through the use of technology such as online websites and artificial intelligence was conceptualized in the past. Research suggests that factors like unclear digital boundaries, feeling anonymous, and being unhappy in a relationship make it easier for people to justify online cheating. Other factors that will be explored are attitudes towards emotional infidelity, attachment styles, and gender. This literature review hopes to explore what people define as infidelity online and future considerations. Although some people may not define their actions online as infidelity there are actions that can hurt the other partner in the relationship. More research is needed to understand the long-term effects of online cheating on trust and commitment, as well as the gender differences when it comes to infidelity. This review will help look at the gap in the discussion around infidelity more than when it comes to a physical affair, especially as technology changes and advances.

Keywords: infidelity, couples, technology, relationships

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Authors: Yu Li, Ruiliang Zhao, Daniel Huada Ruan, Sabrina Yanan Jiang

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Previous studies have provided evidence that environmental noise exposure contributes to mental health problems. However, it remains unclear the association between noise exposure and mental health symptoms. Network analysis, a distinct approach to exploring symptom-level interactions, can be used to address this question. Using network analysis, this study aimed to investigate which depressive and anxiety symptoms are associated with environmental noise exposure. The seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were administered to 5141 adult residents to estimate their depressive and anxiety symptoms. Participants also self-rated their noise exposure in the past week. Network analysis with graphical LASSO and extended Bayesian information criterion was applied. Noise exposure was directly linked to two depressive symptoms, ‘sleep’ and ‘fatigue’, and two anxiety symptoms, ‘trouble relaxing’ and ‘irritability’, and further indirectly linked to other symptoms through these four. These findings suggest that noise exposure contributes to depression and anxiety by influencing some specific symptoms first. Future studies could examine the generalizability of these findings by other noise measures such as noise annoyance.

Keywords: mental health, noise, noise exposure, network analysis

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Authors: Yu Li, Ruiliang Zhao, Daniel Huada Ruan, Sabrina Yanan Jiang

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Environmental noise is a significant global health burden in urban areas. Early epidemiological studies have revealed associations between noise exposure and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and mental health problems. This study aimed to determine the possible mediating role of positive psychological capital, an important protective factor, in the relationship between noise annoyance and mental health (i.e., depression and anxiety). Questionnaires assessing noise annoyance, positive psychological capital, depression, and anxiety were administered to 4847 adult residents living in urban areas. Mediation analysis methods were used to determine possible mediating effects. Noise annoyance was significantly correlated with positive psychological capital and mental health (p < 0.001). More importantly, positive psychological capital partially mediated the relationship between noise annoyance and mental health. Specifically, the mediating effects accounted for around half of the total effects (52% for depression and 49% for anxiety). These findings highlight the roles of positive psychological capital in mitigating the negative influences of noise annoyance on mental health. Future studies should elaborate on the underlying behavioral mechanisms.

Keywords: noise, noise annoyance, psychological capital, mental health

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Authors: Mahsa Ebadi

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Teenage years are a period of rampant biological, psychological, and social growth, marked by heightened stress. The convergence of school pressure, peer relationships, parental pressures, and social media exposure all lead adolescents to feel emotional distress. Chronic stress, if left unchecked, may have negative impacts on mental health, school achievement, and future well-being, with the possibility of the onset of anxiety, depression, and maladaptive behaviors. This article explores the multi-faceted nature of teenage stress by examining its developmental roots, psychological impact, and evidence-based coping strategies. Developmental psychology teaches us that teenage stress has complex associations with brain development, hormonal fluctuation, and identity formation. Brain and emotional regulation processes are still developing at this age, rendering teens vulnerable to stress but also providing avenues for interventions that can help build resilience. The article emphasizes psychological resilience studies as a key determinant of stress reduction, highlighting self-efficacy, emotional intelligence, and coping behaviors. Effective interventions like cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness-based treatments, and exercise have proven to enhance stress regulation. Parental support, peer social networks, and school intervention programs are also noted in the paper in the promotion of adolescent well-being. Furthermore, the growing impact of technology and digital media on adolescent stress is discussed, particularly in relation to cyberbullying, social comparison, and sleep disturbance. The review highlights the importance of promoting positive digital habits and self-care practices in an effort to enhance stress resilience. It is essential to know the developmental roots of stress in teenagers to develop interventions aimed at developing psychological well-being. By developing effective coping skills and social support, teenagers will be able to resist stress and develop resilience in the long term. This review attempts to provide recommendations for policymakers, teachers, and psychologists to enhance adolescent mental health outcomes.

Keywords: adolescent mental health, emotional regulation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, social media impact, stress reduction techniques

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Authors: Ajayi Olubukola, Olofin Mary Oluwafunmilayo

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Cyberchondria, an excessive online health information seeking that intensifies health anxiety, has become a growing concern, particularly among older adults who may lack robust digital literacy. Health locus of control (HLC), which reflects individuals’ beliefs about the determinants of their health (internal vs. external), is theorized to influence these behaviors. This study examines the relationships among cyberchondria severity, HLC, and health-seeking behavior (differentiated into online, professional, and traditional searches) among elderly individuals in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was administered to one hundred and fifty elderly participants. Standardized instruments were used: the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-twelve; possible range twelve–sixty), the Health Locus of Control Scale (comprising three subscales with a combined maximum score of one hundred and eight), and a Health-Seeking Behavior Questionnaire that distinguishes online, professional, and traditional health search behaviors. Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were computed, and multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify significant predictors of cyberchondria severity. Cyberchondria severity was strongly and positively correlated with online health search behavior and moderately correlated with overall. In the regression model, professional health search and health locus of control emerged as significant predictors of cyberchondria severity, collectively accounting for less than fourteen percent of the variance. In contrast, the traditional health search subscale did not significantly predict cyberchondria. The findings indicate that excessive online health information seeking is associated with increased cyberchondria among older adults, especially for those with a more external HLC. These results underscore the need for interventions that enhance digital health literacy and foster a stronger internal locus of control to alleviate health-related anxiety in this vulnerable population. Future research should employ longitudinal designs to further elucidate the causal pathways among these variables.

Keywords: cyberchondria, anxiety, health locus of control, elderly, health seeking behavior

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