Abstract: Background/Objectives: Suicidal ideation and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) represent major public health concerns among adolescents, yet developmentally appropriate, school-based interventions remain limited. This study reports findings from an explora-tory analysis of an early cohort of an ongoing randomized controlled trial evaluating Sandplay Therapy with Suicidal Ideation and Self-Injury–Focused Engagement (SPT-SAFE) compared with Treatment as Usual–Risk Management Counseling (TAU-RMC) in a school-based high-risk intervention setting. Methods: Adolescents aged 12–19 years presenting with suicidal ideation and/or NSSI were randomly assigned to SPT-SAFE (n = 31) or TAU-RMC (n = 30). Outcomes of interest were NSSI frequency, assessed using the Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation (FASM), and suicidal ideation severity, assessed using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire–Junior (SIQ-JR). Prespecified baseline-adjusted analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were conduct-ed as the primary analytic approach. Sensitivity analyses using linear mixed-effects mod-els (LMMs) were performed to examine outcome trajectories over time. Results: In the prespecified baseline-adjusted ANCOVA, suicidal ideation showed a be-tween-group difference favoring SPT-SAFE. For NSSI frequency, the between-group effect also favored SPT-SAFE but was small and did not reach conventional statistical signifi-cance. Sensitivity analyses using LMMs demonstrated directionally consistent patterns, with greater reductions over time observed in the SPT-SAFE group across outcomes. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Findings from this exploratory early cohort analysis suggest a preliminary and hypothesis-generating signal of benefit associated with SPT-SAFE in a school-based setting, characterized by directionally consistent patterns across complementary analytic approaches. Results should be interpreted as provisional pending completion of recruit-ment, longer-term follow-up, and further evaluation of comparative effectiveness, durabil-ity of treatment effects, and mechanisms of change.

Abstract:

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, motor hyperactivity and verbal and cognitive impulsivity. Impairments in executive functions (EFs), in particular working memory, monitoring and organization of daily life-are frequently observed in children diagnosed with ADHD, and are reflected in behavioural, social-emotional and learning difficulties. The development and use of technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) for ADHD have increased in recent years, using a variety of tools to support including PC, video games, wearable devices and tangible interfaces. Objectives: To systematically map the current state of research on the use of AR, VR and MR technologies to assess and/or enhance EFs in children with ADHD. To evaluate the effects on their quality of life and on families’ and caregivers’ burden reduction. To explore the interventions’ clinical validity. Methods: A scoping review according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines was conducted. A systematic search was carried out in the Scopus and Web of Science databases for studies published between 2015 and 2025.Empirical studies published in English that examined children with ADHD aged < 13 years were included. AR, VR, or MR-based interventions focused on EF were considered. For each study, the following features were recorded: year and country of publication, design, objectives, EFs considered, technology and hardware used, main results, and limitations. Results: Twenty studies were identified. The most frequently addressed functional domains were sustained and selective visual attention, working memory, and inhibition. Assessment interventions primarily involved the use of a head-mounted display (HMD) in conjunction with the Continuous Performance Test (CPT). Training interventions included immersive VR, serious video games, VR with motor or dual-task training, and MR. The results suggest that VR can enhance cognitive performance and sustained attention; however, longitudinal studies are required to evaluate its long-term effectiveness and integrate emotional skills. Conclusions: The use of these technologies is a promising strategy for assessment and training of EFs in children with ADHD. These tools provide positive, inclusive feedback and motivating tasks. Nevertheless, larger sample studies, longitudinal follow-ups to confirm the suitability and effectiveness of the technology-based programs are warranted.

Abstract: Intimate relationships among contemporary emerging adults frequently manifest as situationships, characterized by emotional closeness in the absence of explicit commitment. Shaped by digital culture and evolving social norms, these relationships reflect heightened uncertainty and psychological tension within modern intimacy. The present study conceptualizes situationship as a multidimensional psychological construct, including commitment ambiguity, avoidance of emotional investment, and anxiety related to relationship uncertainty. Associations with attachment anxiety, trust, and subjective well-being are also investigated.To examine these dynamics, an integrated scale development and validation methodology was employed. The results indicated a stable three-factor structure. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that experiences of situationships were positively associated with attachment anxiety and psychological distress, and negatively associated with trust and well-being. Importantly, attachment anxiety partially mediated the relationship between relational ambiguity and relationship-related well-being.These findings establish relational ambiguity as a measurable psychological construct. The study contributes to positive psychology by enhancing understanding of relationship health and emotional regulation within contemporary intimate contexts. The results suggest that interventions promoting commitment clarity and emotional openness may enhance psychological well-being in emerging forms of intimate relationships.

Abstract:

The escalating prevalence of occupational burnout constitutes a global public health crisis, exacerbating the existing supply-demand disparity in mental healthcare provision. This paper investigates the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an adjunctive and autonomous modality in the treatment of burnout, employing a dialectical framework to assess the tension between algorithmic scalability and clinical nuance. We analyze the utility of Natural Language Processing (NLP) for sentiment analysis and the emergence of Digital Phenotyping as a mechanism for objective behavioral quantification. Furthermore, we critically evaluate the efficacy of CBT-based conversational agents versus the indispensable nature of the human therapeutic alliance. The analysis reveals that while AI significantly lowers barriers to entry and reduces stigma, it introduces profound ethical paradoxes regarding surveillance, algorithmic bias, and the ”Black Box” of machine cognition. We conclude that the future of psychiatric care lies not in replacement but in Augmented Intelligence—a ”Human-in-the-Loop” (HITL) hybrid model that synthesizes computational precision with intersubjective empathy.

Abstract: Adolescents with cognitive disabilities face unique developmental, social, and functional challenges that complicate their access to autonomy, education, and participation. Assistive technology (AT) has emerged as a powerful tool to support communication, learning, and daily functioning in this population. However, its deployment introduces complex ethical concerns. This narrative review critically examines the ethical considerations associated with AT use for adolescents with cognitive disabilities, focusing on five key themes: consent and decision-making, autonomy and independence, privacy and data protection, accessibility and usability, and equity in access and implementation.This review screened 50 documents, of which 20 were retained for full inclusion based on their relevance to ethical concerns in the use of assistive technology Key Themes in the Literature or adolescents with cognitive disabilities. Findings highlight the need for adolescent-centered approaches that respect evolving capacities, cultural contexts, and individual agency. Ethical AT implementation must move beyond procedural compliance to foster inclusive, responsive, and participatory practices. This review contributes a structured ethical framework specific to the use of assistive technology (AT) among adolescents with cognitive disabilities, an area that remains underexplored in current literature. While previous studies have discussed general ethical concerns related to AT or disability, few have integrated adolescent developmental theory, rights-based ethics, and practical considerations into a single, coherent review. By organizing ethical issues around five core themes consent and decision-making, autonomy, privacy, accessibility, and equity, this paper advances a more narrative review and adolescent-specific ethical lens for understanding AT implementation. It emphasizes adolescence as a unique developmental stage marked by emerging autonomy, evolving identity, and shifting capacities, all of which are critical to ethical decision-making but are often overlooked in existing research. The review concludes with recommendations for policy development, participatory research, and capacity-building among educators, developers, and caregivers. It calls for ethical reflection to be embedded not only in the design and deployment of AT, but also in training programs and institutional practices. As AT continues to evolve, ethical practices must evolve in tandem, ensuring that technological tools empower rather than marginalize adolescents with cognitive disabilities and that implementation is both developmentally appropriate and socially acceptable.

Abstract:

Background/Objectives: Prosocial behaviors such as helping, sharing, and comforting constitute a core aspect of human sociality and emerge early in development. Understanding how early empathic responses are organized is central to current debates on the developmental foundations of prosociality, particularly beyond Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) populations. This study examined the developmental organization of early empathic responses and the contributions of age, sex, and socioeconomic context to variability in early prosocial behavior. Methods: Thirty-six Colombian children aged 14 to 30 months from three socioeconomic contexts (very low, low, and middle–high), including children from indigenous Wayuu communities, were observed during a simulated distress situation derived from the Échelle de Communication Sociale Précoce (ECSP). Empathic responses were coded using the expanded hierarchical classification proposed by Molina and Bulgarelli and summarized through an ordinal empathy score reflecting the highest level of empathic organization observed. Quantitative analyses were complemented by qualitative observations of interactional behavior. Results: Empathic response organization increased with age and was positively associated with overall socio-communicative development. No significant differences were observed according to sex or socioeconomic context. Qualitative analyses revealed a progressive organization of empathic responses, ranging from attention and discomfort to coordinated gestural and symbolic prosocial behaviors, consistent across sociocultural settings. Conclusions: Early empathy appears as an interactionally organized and developmentally robust foundation of prosocial behavior during the first three years of life. These findings contribute to ongoing discussions on the early bases of human prosociality and its expression across diverse sociocultural contexts.

Abstract: Parent-child interaction is a foundational component of language development. This study examined parent-child interaction in deaf and hard-of-hearing children 6 or 9 months after they received hearing aids or cochlear implants. Expressive, receptive, and overall language skill were probed 9 to 18 months later. Thirteen DHH children and their parents participated in a videorecorded, semi-structured play interaction. Items from an adapted version of the Joint Engagement Rating Inventory were used evaluate parent-child interactions (i.e., fluency and con-nectedness, shared routines and rituals, child joint engagement, and parental sensitivity). Language skills were assessed using the Preschool Language Scales-5th (Zimmerman et al., 2011). Results indicate statistically significant re-lationships between child-parent joint engagement and expressive (p = .004), receptive language (p = .043), and total language scores (p = .007). The shared routines and rituals item was significantly related to expressive language (p = .037) and approached statistical significance with total language (p = .076) but was not significantly related to receptive language. The fluency and connectedness item was significantly related expressive language (p = .008) and total language (p = .028) but did not reach statistical significance with receptive language (p = .077). A quantitative measure of parental language input (i.e., words per minute) was not significantly related to any language variables.

Abstract: Serious video games are digital games designed with purposes beyond entertainment, commonly used to support education, training, health interventions, and behaviour change. Within cyberpsychology, they offer controlled interactive environments for examining how digital technologies influence cognition, emotion, motivation, and behaviour. This entry outlines the historical development of serious video games, from early non-digital simulations to contemporary applications incorporating online platforms, artificial intelligence, and immersive technologies. It summarises key psychological theories underpinning their design, including self-determination theory, flow theory, learning theories, and social and emotional frameworks. The entry reviews major application areas such as education, healthcare, professional training, cybersecurity, and environmental education, alongside evidence regarding their effectiveness. Ethical, cultural, and accessibility considerations are discussed, particularly in relation to inclusivity, data privacy, and manipulative design. The entry concludes by highlighting future directions for research and development, emphasising the need for longitudinal evaluation, ethical design, and inclusive approaches as serious video games continue to evolve.

Abstract: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory condition commonly caused by prolonged exposure to harmful particles or gases. The literature on COPD patients is rich in reports of psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression, which often co-occur with the physical manifestations of the disease. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the role of the sense of coherence and family support in depressive symptomatology among patients with COPD. A total of 143 patients (107 men and 32 women) participated, completing the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Sense of Coherence-13 scale (SOC), and the Family Support Scale (FSS). Among the participants, 46.8% exhibited no depressive symptoms (BDI≤9), 29.5% had mild symptoms (BDI 10–15), 16.5% had moderate symptoms (BDI 16–23), and 7.2% had severe depressive symptoms (BDI≥24). Multiple regression analysis revealed that SOC accounted for 35.2% of the variance in BDI scores, with FSS contributing an additional 3.6%. Mediation analysis was conducted with BDI as the outcome variable, FSS as the mediator, and SOC as the predictor. The analysis confirmed the mediating role of family support in the SOC–BDI relationship, with the model explaining 10.3% of the variance in depressive symptoms. Based on these findings, future studies may benefit from exploring interventions that enhance perceived family support in COPD patients.

Abstract:

Background/Objectives: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) affects 44-75% of cancer survivors, significantly impacting quality of life. While cognitive rehabilitation is recommended as a first-line intervention, implementation remains challenging, with high attrition rates. Acceptability is critical for implementation success yet remains understudied. This study developed and validated the Acceptability of Cognitive Rehabilitation Interventions Survey - Cancer Survivors (ACRIS-CS) and examined prospective acceptability among Portuguese cancer survivors. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 154 non-central nervous system (non-CNS) cancer survivors (94.8% female; 72.7% breast cancer; mean age 47.28 years, SD = 8.96). Acceptability was assessed using the newly developed 11-item ACRIS-CS, grounded in the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Psychometric properties were evaluated through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and internal consistency. Multiple regression analyses explored factors associated with acceptability. Results: EFA identified three factors explaining 68.70% of the variance: (1) affective attitude and perceived effectiveness, (2) perceived benefits and self-efficacy, and (3) perceived burden. Internal consistency was acceptable (α = 0.85). Survivors reported high prospective acceptability (mean = 67.36/100), with 21.4% scoring above 75. Affective attitude/effectiveness showed the highest ratings (mean = 75.43), whereas perceived burden was moderate (mean = 49.35). Being in active treatment and having prior knowledge of CRCI predicted higher acceptability (R² adjusted = 0.113). Conclusions: The ACRIS-CS is a valid and reliable measure of prospective acceptability for cognitive rehabilitation among cancer survivors. High acceptability indicates strong receptivity, while concerns about burden highlight the need for flexible delivery formats. By identifying survivors who may be less receptive before treatment begins, the ACRIS-CS can support the integration of cognitive rehabilitation into survivorship care and inform tailored strategies—such as targeted psychoeducation—to enhance adherence and improve clinical outcomes.

Abstract: Faced with the urgent challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, governments and frameworks like the EAT–Lancet Commission advocate for sustainable diets. Yet a persistent gap remains between individuals’ intentions to eat sustainably and their actual behaviour. Current approaches often attribute this gap to deficits in individual attitudes or motivation. In this paper, we challenge that view. We introduce the construct of dietary affordances to describe how opportunities for action emerge from the interplay between individuals and their environments. Crucially, we define this affordance as the synergistic product of value (goal alignment) and precision (reliability) thus implying that without sufficient reliability, high motivation (value) is mathematically insufficient to drive behaviour. Drawing on ecological psychology and contemporary active inference accounts of perception and action, we treat dietary choices not as an individual failure, but as the selection of “policies” (action sequences) that minimise risk and “expected surprise” given constraints on time, money and access. Within this framework, unsustainable eating is reframed as a rational and predictable response to a misaligned affordance field: for many, the safest, most predictable, and lowest-effort course of action is to choose foods that undermine climate goals. We argue that closing the intention–behaviour gap requires shifting the focus of interventions away from individual consumers and towards the institutions that design and govern food environments. We identify specific leverage points within the food system, including pricing, urban design and social protection, that researchers and policymakers can use to reshape the feasible behavioural policy set, ensuring that sustainable habits are not just intended but practically achievable. By reducing the expected risk and computational cost of sustainable diets, policymakers can align these options with the brain’s drive to minimize uncertainty, ensuring that sustainable habits are selected not through self-regulation, but as the natural outcome of a successfully optimized system.

Abstract: Background: A paediatric cancer diagnosis is a profound stressor for the entire family system. While coping strategies are well-studied, their link to the quality of the parent-child attachment relationship remains less explored. This study investigates whether dyadic attachment dynamics — specifically closeness and conflict between parent and child — are associated with the use of adaptive or maladaptive coping strategies in caregivers of children undergoing active treatment for oncohaematological diseases. Methods: A multicentre, cross-sectional study was conducted across three Italian paediatric oncohaematology centres. A total of 165 caregivers of 91 paediatric patients completed self-report measures assessing parent-child relationship quality (Child-Parent Relationship Scale - CPRS), coping strategies (COPE-NVI), perceived social support (MSPSS), and resilience (RS-14). The study aimed to test whether the quality of the parent–child attachment relationship is associated with caregivers’ coping strategies. We hypothesised that Attachment Closeness would be associated with adaptive coping (Positive Attitude, Social Support, Problem Orientation), whereas Attachment Conflict would be associated with maladaptive coping (Avoidance). Hierarchical multiple linear regressions, adjusted for key covariates and clustered by centre, were conducted to test these hypotheses. Results: Higher levels of emotional closeness (CPRS) were significantly associated with greater use of adaptive coping strategies, specifically Positive Attitude (β = 0.20, p = 0.049) and Problem Orientation (β = 0.26, p = 0.002), even after controlling for sociodemographic factors, social support, and resilience. Conversely, higher levels of relational conflict were significantly associated with greater use of the maladaptive Avoidance strategy (β = 0.14, p = 0.015). The hypothesis linking closeness to Social Support seeking was not supported. Conclusions: The quality of the parent-child attachment is significantly and independently associated with coping styles in caregivers of children with cancer. Interventions aimed at supporting the caregiver–child dyad by fostering emotional closeness and reducing conflict may promote more adaptive parental coping mechanisms, thereby enhancing family resilience and psychological adjustment throughout the treatment journey.

Abstract: This study examined Black caregivers’ experiences of being bothered by racial discrimination on racial socialization stress when having discussions about race and racism. The study also investigated how coping self-efficacy beliefs (i.e., problem-focused coping, suppressing unpleasant emotions and thoughts, and seeking support from family and friends) moderated the association between racial discrimination and racial socialization stress. The sample included a socioeconomically diverse sample of 680 Black caregivers (Mage = 37, 55% mothers). Black caregivers who were highly bothered by racial discrimination and who reported low problem-focused coping strategies had lower levels of racial socialization stress, in comparison to those highly bothered by racial discrimination and who reported high problem-focused coping strategies. Being highly bothered by racial discrimination and reporting high levels of stopping unpleasant emotions and thoughts as a coping strategy was associated with the lower levels of racial socialization stress in comparison to those with lower levels of stopping unpleasant emotions and thoughts. Black caregivers with higher levels of family and friend support under conditions of reporting being bothered by racism had lower levels of racial socialization stress. The findings highlight the need to support Black caregivers in building effective coping strategies and social support networks.

Abstract: During a separation or a divorce, the child can be caught in the parental conflict and a conflict of loyalties may develop. In this context, and more specifically in a custody dispute, some parents may brandish the term "parental alienation syndrome" (i.e., the conscious or unconscious influence of one parent leading a child to denigrate and exclude the other parent and the latter's social network), a concept developed by Gardner (1985). However, this concept has been the subject of significant controversy and criticism. Lack of scientific basis, insufficient empirical data, or lack of diagnostic validity have led international organizations to reject its existence. Nevertheless, the term is used in civil courts of some European countries, as well as in the USA, Brazil, and Australia. In Switzerland, a petition aimed at recognizing “parental alienation syndrome” as a form of family maltreatment is provoking political debate and raising concerns among socio-judicial professionals, the justice system, and clinicians. This work reviews the history of this concept, its (lack of) evidence, criticisms and limitations, and its use in clinical and legal practice. This work concludes that, supported by clinical observations and scientific literature, the notion of loyalty conflict or divided loyalty should be preferred.

Abstract: Parenting stress and parenting practices are key indicators of family relational well-being, yet less is known about these indicators among adolescent mothers in resource-constrained settings. This study draws on cross-sectional survey data from 931 adolescent mother–child dyads in the Eastern Cape, South Africa (first parity 11–19 years). Mothers completed an adapted Parenting Stress Scale and the Parenting Young Children (PARYC) measure, and children were assessed using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning. We examined associations between parenting stress, parenting activities, and developmental functioning using multivariate regression. Adolescent mothers reported elevated stress, shaped by child characteristics, intergenerational caregiving dynamics, and household resource strain. While mothers frequently engaged in playful and responsive activities, they reported greater difficulty with limit setting and proactive parenting behaviors. Children showing age-appropriate cognitive and socio-emotional development were more likely to have mothers who engaged regularly in playful activities and reported higher parenting enjoyment. Associations were small to moderate (ANOVA p<0.001, d=0.48). Findings highlight adolescent parenting as a site of both vulnerability and resilience, suggesting that interventions may be strengthened by addressing stress regulation, playful engagement, intergenerational support, and economic stability as interlinked indicators of family well-being.

Abstract:

Background: Midlife is a period of heightened vulnerability to menopausal symptoms and body image concerns. However, little is known about how the experience of menopausal symptoms relates to the awareness of and attention toward internal body signals. Taking a dimensional approach, this study employed network analysis to examine how menopausal symptom domains relate to dimensions of interoceptive sensibility and body image in middle-aged women and identified the most influential and bridging features within this interconnected system. Methods: Two hundred and thirteen cisgender women aged 40–60 years residing in Ireland completed online measures of body appreciation (BAS-2), state body satisfaction (BISS), interoceptive sensibility (MAIA-2), and menopausal symptoms (Menopause Rating Scale). Results: Attention Regulation, Trusting, Body Appreciation, and Body Listening showed the highest expected influence. Body Appreciation emerged as the strongest bridge node, connecting interoceptive sensibility, body image, and menopausal symptoms. Trusting was negatively associated with psychological symptoms, whereas Noticing was positively associated with somatic symptoms. Regression analyses showed that lower body appreciation predicted greater somatic, urogenital, and psychological symptom severity, and lower Trusting predicted higher psychological symptom severity. Older age was associated with higher somatic and urogenital symptoms, while younger age was associated with higher psychological symptoms. Conclusions: Findings suggest that body appreciation and interoceptive trust are central, bridging processes in women’s experience of menopausal symptoms. Interventions that enhance body appreciation and interoceptive trust may help reduce psychological and physical symptom burden during the menopausal transition.

Abstract: Background: Sleep disturbances are common in dementia and adversely affect both the person with dementia and their caregiver. Non-pharmacological options exist but are seldom dyadic or culturally tailored, limiting their reach and relevance across diverse communities. Objective: To co-develop DREAM (Dyadic Resilience, Engagement, Awareness &amp; Mind–body intervention)—an 8-week dyadic mind–body programme (mindfulness + gentle Tai Chi) for improving sleep and wellbeing in people with dementia and their caregivers. Methods: The process was informed by Intervention Mapping (Stages 1–4) and underpinned by established behaviour change frameworks, including the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW), the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation → Behaviour), and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), to systematically identify determinants of engagement. Co-design involved dementia–caregiver dyads, Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) contributors, clinicians, mind–body practitioners, and community stakeholders. Results: The intervention was co-developed and culturally grounded through engagement with White British, Caribbean, Chinese, and South Asian communities. Participants reported high cultural resonance, endorsing DREAM’s concise practices, caregiver-supported home routines, and delivery in trusted community venues. Behavioural insights highlighted the importance of motivational framing (perceived dyadic benefits, cultural meaning), practical enablement (simplified guidance, prompts/cues, environmental restructuring), and caregiver facilitation to support adherence. Conclusion: DREAM demonstrates the practicability of using Intervention Mapping to co-develop a culturally responsive, theory-informed dyadic mind–body intervention for people with dementia and their caregivers. This groundwork supports progression to a feasibility trial focused on implementation processes and preliminary sleep and wellbeing outcomes.

Abstract: Work-related wellbeing research is increasingly constrained by conceptual and terminological clutter. Labels such as worker wellbeing, employee wellness, wellbeing at work, occupational health, quality of working life, and other terms are often treated as synonyms, defined at different levels of abstraction, or operationalised through proxies, limiting cumulative theory and cross-study comparability. This conceptual paper traces the historical evolution of work/er wellbeing across three overlapping strands—occupational safety and risk mitigation, a remedial organisational/occupational psychology focus on distress, and contemporary holistic and positive approaches, synthesises how semantic drift, interdisciplinary language gaps, and recurrent category errors contribute to conceptual and definitional disarray, and proposes an integrative meta-framework and conceptual map to help resolve this state of affairs. The framework distinguishes overall wellbeing from work-related wellbeing domains, separates domain labels from wellbeing components, clarifies population segmentations, and offers unified set of definitions to these wellbeing constructs. This conceptual work is intended to improve construct selection, specification, and measurement in both research and applied settings. The paper concludes with a forward agenda.

Abstract: This study investigates the interplay between insecure attachment styles, materialism, and phubbing behaviors. Phubbing, the act of ignoring a partner in favor of smartphone use, is influenced by individual differences and societal norms. We hypothesized that attachment anxiety and avoidance would be positively associated with both enacted and perceived phubbing, and that materialism would mediate these relationships. Data were collected from 213 participants using validated scales for attachment, materialism, and phubbing. Results confirmed that attachment anxiety is positively associated with both enacted and perceived phubbing, while attachment avoidance is positively associated with perceived phubbing but not enacted phubbing. Materialism was found to mediate the relationship between attachment insecurity and phubbing behaviors. Specifically, materialism significantly mediated the positive relationships between attachment anxiety and both enacted and perceived phubbing, as well as between attachment avoidance and perceived phubbing. These findings suggest that materialistic values amplify the effects of insecure attachment on phubbing, highlighting the role of materialism as a compensatory mechanism for attachment-related insecurities. Future research should explore interventions targeting materialism and attachment anxiety to mitigate phubbing behaviors and improve relationship quality.

Abstract: Background: Parents play a central role in shaping children’s eating behaviors. While previous research has documented associations between parental attitudes and feeding practices, fewer studies have examined how mothers’ own eating styles may contribute to their perceptions of their children’s eating attitudes and behaviors and how these may influence subsequent feeding practices. Objectives: To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine whether mothers’ eating styles predicted their self-reported restrictive feeding practices indirectly through their perceptions of their children’s appetite and subsequently through their concern about their children’s weight. Methods: A total of 488 mothers (M_age = 33.87 years, SD = 4.81, range = 20–49) of children aged 2–7 years (M_age = 3.85 years, SD = 1.33) completed self-report measures, including the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) for maternal eating styles, the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) for parental concerns and restrictive practices, and the Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) for perceptions of child eating attitudes. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the hypothesized mediation model, with model fit evaluated using CFI, TLI, RMSEA, and SRMR indices. Results: Our proposed model demonstrated good fit (CFI = .94, RMSEA = .07) and showed that maternal eating styles were positively associated with perceived child appetite (β = .44, p < .001). Perceived appetite predicted both maternal concern about child weight (β = .39, p < .001) and restrictive feeding practices (β = .28, p < .001), while maternal concern strongly predicted restriction (β = .65, p < .001). The total indirect effect from maternal eating styles to restriction was significant (β = .23, p < .001), and the model explained 56% of the variance in restrictive feeding. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that maternal eating styles may bias mothers’ perceptions of their children’s appetite and indirectly influence restrictive feeding practices primarily through increased concern about child weight. Given the cross-sectional design, reliance on maternal self-report, and online convenience sampling, results should be interpreted cautiously. Nonetheless, the study provides the first evidence for a sequential pathway linking maternal eating styles, child appetite perceptions, and weight concern to restrictive feeding, highlighting cognitive and perceptual processes as intervention targets.