mental health

Orphan students, a vulnerable group, are grappling with significant psychological, social, and behavioral challenges in educational settings.This study, conducted within primary and secondary schools in Hilla City, underscores the urgent need to address these issues.

Methods and Materials:

Employing a descriptive cross-sectional design, the research was conducted from October 1, 2023, to June 6, 2024.A total of 250 orphaned students were sampled using non-probability purposive sampling techniques· Data were gathered via structured interviews and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including correlation and regression analyses, to explore the relationships and impacts of various factors on the well-being of the orphans.

Findings indicate substantial psychosocial distress among the participants, with 60% reporting moderate psychological issues, 56·4% facing significant social challenges, 60·4% experiencing suicidal ideation, and 56% displaying notable behavioral disorders.The severity of these issues was positively correlated with the duration of orphanhood and age· Significant variations were also notedacross educational levels, income brackets, and family structures.

By incorporating the findings of the present study, one would understand how the issue of orphanhood has affected the mental and social well being of the students .These lessons summed up the possibility of enhancing the wellbeing status and academic performance among the orphan students if specific age differentiated intercessions are given a priority indicating the indispensability of this research.

Medicinal plants have been integral to healthcare throughout history, forming the basis of traditional healing systems worldwide. Cultures such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda have long utilized these plants to address both physical ailments and mental health conditions, recognizing the intrinsic link between body and mind. In recent decades, modern scientific research has begun to validate and elucidate the mechanisms behind these traditional practices, highlighting the potential of medicinal plants in holistic health improvement. This study aims to explore the therapeutic effects of medicinal plants on the simultaneous improvement of physical and mental health by examining both traditional and modern health management.

A comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on publications up to August 2024. Keywords such as "medicinal plants," "physical health," "mental health," "traditional medicine," and "modern medicine" were used. Inclusion criteria encompassed peer-reviewed articles discussing medicinal plants with reported effects on both physical and mental health. Data were extracted on traditional uses, phytochemical constituents, pharmacological actions, clinical evidence, and advancements in extraction and formulation technologies.

Traditional healing systems have effectively used medicinal plants like ginseng, turmeric, and ashwagandha to treat a range of physical and mental health conditions. Modern phytochemical studies have identified active compounds-such as curcumin in turmeric and ginsenosides in ginseng-that underpin these therapeutic effects. Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of certain plants, like St. John's Wort for depression and Rhodiola for stress and fatigue. Technological innovations have improved the extraction and standardization of herbal compounds, enhancing their safety and efficacy. The comparative analysis revealed significant convergences between traditional knowledge and modern science, although challenges persist in integrating these approaches due to differences in understanding and application.

Medicinal plants offer significant potential for the simultaneous improvement of physical and mental health. Integrating traditional wisdom with modern scientific advances can lead to more effective and holistic healthcare models. Continued research is necessary to address existing gaps, ensure ethical practices, and promote international collaboration, ultimately harnessing the full potential of medicinal plants in enhancing global health.

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of cultural silence and emotional suppression within Asian-American families.

This qualitative study utilized a phenomenological approach to investigate emotional suppression among 24 Asian-American adults residing in the United States. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure diversity across ethnic subgroups and generational backgrounds. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted via secure video conferencing platforms. Interviews lasted between 60 and 90 minutes and continued until theoretical saturation was reached. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using NVivo software. Thematic analysis was performed through an inductive coding process that emphasized participants’ subjective interpretations and cultural meaning-making around emotional expression.

Four major themes emerged from the data: family communication norms, cultural identity and emotional suppression, impacts on mental and emotional health, and pathways to emotional expression and healing. Participants reported indirect communication, emotional stoicism, and intergenerational silence as common patterns within their families. These dynamics were often reinforced by cultural expectations of respect, shame, and self-control. Emotional suppression was linked to internalized distress, difficulty in emotional identification, and barriers to help-seeking. Despite these challenges, participants also described transformative experiences involving therapy, peer support, and bicultural integration that facilitated emotional literacy and relational healing.

Emotional suppression and cultural silence in Asian-American families are shaped by deep-rooted cultural values and intergenerational practices. While these patterns may hinder emotional well-being, participants also demonstrated adaptive strategies and agency in redefining emotional norms. These findings underscore the importance of culturally responsive mental health practices that validate heritage while promoting emotional authenticity.

The present study aimed to model marital satisfaction and parental problem-solving on children's mental health with the mediating role of parental emotional support.

The research method was descriptive-correlational and of the structural equation modeling type. The study population included all adolescent girls aged 15 to 18 years along with their parents residing in Tehran in 2024, from whom 258 adolescents and their parents were selected as the sample through convenience sampling. Data collection instruments included the Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire (EMSS, ENRICH, 1987) and the Problem-Solving Styles Questionnaire (PSS, Cassidy & Long, 1996) for parents, and the Emotional Atmosphere Questionnaire (FEA, Hilburn, 1964) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ, Goldberg, 1979) for adolescents. Parents responded to the Marital Satisfaction and Problem-Solving Styles Questionnaires, while adolescents responded to the Emotional Atmosphere and Mental Health Questionnaires.

The results showed that the proposed model had a good fit. Findings also indicated that the direct path of marital satisfaction, parental problem-solving, and parental emotional support to children's mental health was significant (P < 0.05), and the indirect path of marital satisfaction and parental problem-solving to children's mental health through parental emotional support was also significant (P < 0.05).

These findings suggest that marital satisfaction and parental problem-solving can affect children's mental health through parental emotional support.

This study aims to explore the psychological effects of chronic exercise on mood and well-being in adults.

A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 20 participants from Iran who engage in regular exercise routines for at least six months. Participants ranged in age from 22 to 58 years and represented a variety of occupations and exercise preferences. Data were collected until theoretical saturation was reached and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes and subthemes related to the psychological effects of exercise.

The analysis revealed several key themes: psychological benefits, barriers to exercise, motivational factors, and challenges in sustaining exercise. Participants reported significant improvements in mood, self-esteem, emotional resilience, and cognitive functions such as focus and memory. Barriers to exercise included time constraints, physical barriers, lack of motivation, environmental factors, and financial constraints. Motivational factors were primarily health benefits, personal goals, social influence, psychological benefits, and habit formation. Challenges in sustaining exercise included monotony, physical fatigue, balancing life demands, health setbacks, lack of immediate results, and accessibility issues.

Regular physical activity is associated with numerous psychological benefits, including improved mood, reduced anxiety, and enhanced cognitive function. However, barriers such as time constraints, lack of motivation, and financial constraints must be addressed to sustain these benefits. Community-based exercise programs, educational support for instructors, and public health campaigns can help overcome these challenges. Future research should include larger, more diverse samples and explore the long-term psychological effects of chronic exercise.

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between trauma exposure and suicidal ideation among adults in the United States.

Methods and Materials: 

A descriptive correlational design was used with a sample of 379 adult participants from the United States, selected based on the Krejcie and Morgan sampling table. Data were collected using standardized instruments: the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5, and the Self-Compassion Scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis using SPSS-27, and structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS-21 were employed to analyze the data and evaluate the proposed mediation model.

Descriptive results indicated moderate levels of trauma exposure (M = 12.47, SD = 4.63), moderately high self-compassion (M = 81.35, SD = 13.92), and low to moderate suicidal ideation (M = 8.23, SD = 5.41). Trauma exposure was positively correlated with suicidal ideation (r = .48, p < .001) and negatively correlated with self-compassion (r = −.41, p < .001). Self-compassion was negatively correlated with suicidal ideation (r = −.52, p < .001). SEM results confirmed that self-compassion significantly mediated the relationship between trauma exposure and suicidal ideation (indirect effect: β = −0.16, p < .01), with model fit indices indicating a good overall fit (χ²/df = 2.35, CFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.059).

The findings suggest that self-compassion plays a significant protective role in reducing suicidal ideation among individuals exposed to trauma. Interventions aimed at enhancing self-compassion may serve as effective strategies to mitigate the psychological effects of trauma and reduce suicide risk in diverse adult populations.

This study aimed to explore the emotional experiences of adolescent athletes participating in competitive sports.

Methods and Materials:

 This qualitative research employed a thematic analysis approach to investigate the emotional lives of adolescent athletes. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 26 participants aged 14–18 years, all of whom were active in competitive sports across various disciplines in the United States. Participants were selected using purposive sampling, and interviews continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using NVivo software to identify key themes and patterns within the data.

Three major themes emerged from the analysis: emotional responses to competitive pressure, coping strategies and emotional regulation, and external influences on emotional experiences. Participants reported intense emotional fluctuations, including performance anxiety, emotional highs and lows, emotional suppression, and burnout symptoms. Coping strategies included cognitive reframing, social support, and pre-competition rituals. External influences such as coaching style, parental expectations, peer comparison, and social media presence significantly shaped emotional responses. The findings highlight both the vulnerability and adaptive capabilities of adolescent athletes in emotionally demanding sport environments.

Adolescent athletes face a complex emotional landscape in competitive sports, influenced by internal expectations and external pressures. While many develop effective coping mechanisms, others struggle with emotional suppression and burnout. Supporting emotional awareness and regulation within youth sports is essential for promoting long-term psychological well-being and sustained participation.

This study aims to examine the relationship between self-control, emotional processing, and psychological well-being among young adults in Tabriz.

Methods and Materials:

A cross-sectional design was employed, involving a sample of 385 young adults aged 19 to 30 from Tabriz, selected through convenience sampling. Participants completed standardized questionnaires measuring self-control, emotional processing, and psychological well-being. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analysis were conducted using SPSS version 22 to assess the relationships between the variables.

Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between psychological well-being and both self-control (r = .45, p < .001) and emotional processing (r = .38, p < .001). Multiple regression analysis indicated that self-control (B = .48, β = .39, p < .001) and emotional processing (B = .32, β = .27, p < .001) were significant predictors of psychological well-being, explaining 27% of the variance in well-being (R² = .27, F(2, 382) = 72.85, p < .001).

The findings suggest that both self-control and emotional processing are significant predictors of psychological well-being among young adults, with self-control playing a slightly more substantial role. These results underscore the importance of developing interventions aimed at enhancing self-control and emotional processing to promote mental health and well-being in this population.

 The present study aimed to determine the relationship between mental health and mental toughness with the meaning in life in families of children with autism.

 The statistical population included all families with children with autism registered in the Autism Society of Tehran in 2022 (totaling 2,040 individuals). From this population, 322 participants were selected using convenience sampling based on Morgan's table. Participants were assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) by Goldberg (1999), the Mental Toughness Questionnaire by Clough, Earle, and Sewell (2002), and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire by Steger, Frazier, Oishi, and Kaler (2006). Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regression tests via SPSS version 23.

 The findings revealed a significant relationship between meaning in life and both mental health and mental toughness in families of children with autism. The dimensions of mental health significantly predicted the presence of meaning and the search for meaning in life. Furthermore, the dimensions of mental toughness were also significant predictors of the presence of meaning and the search for meaning (P < 0.001).

 Based on the results, the role of mental health and mental toughness is crucial in fostering a positive experience of meaning in life for families of children with autism.

 This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of attachment-based, brain-based, and mindful parenting training on reducing parental stress in mothers of children exhibiting symptoms of social anxiety.

 A quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages was used, involving 60 mothers from three elementary schools in Felard city. Participants were divided into four groups: attachment-based parenting, brain-based parenting, mindful parenting, and a control group. Each experimental group received eight 90-minute training sessions. Parental stress was measured using the Parenting Stress Index before and after the intervention and during follow-up. Data were analysed using SPSS-26 and analysis of variance with repeated measurements method.

 The brain-based parenting training significantly reduced parental stress in the post-test and follow-up stages compared to the control group. The attachment-based and mindful parenting trainings did not show significant effects on parental stress. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated significant within-group effects over time and interactions between time and group. The brain-based training had a notable impact on the mothers' ability to manage parenting stress effectively.

 Brain-based parenting training is an effective intervention for reducing parental stress among mothers of children with social anxiety symptoms. The findings highlight the importance of understanding brain functions in parenting strategies. Further research is needed to explore the potential long-term benefits of attachment-based and mindful parenting methods on parental stress.

Infertility can cause feelings of inadequacy and social isolation, which can lead to depressive mood states and lowered self-esteem among women. Such emotional problems are typically augmented by social pressures surrounding motherhood. This study investigates the relationships between psychosexual disorders, depression, and self-esteem among infertile women to improve psychological support interventions. A non-experimental correlational design was employed, with data collected from 290 married women aged 18 to 55 diagnosed with primary infertility in Kerman City between mid-2022 and mid-2023. Validated instruments, including the Sexual Functioning Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, were used for data collection. Data analysis was performed using SPSS and Smart PLS software. The analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between psychosexual disorders and depression (path coefficient: 0.68, p<0.001), and a significant negative correlation with self-esteem (path coefficient: -0.55, p<0.001). Mean scores for self-esteem (3.21) and depression (3.41) indicated moderate levels of both constructs. These findings underscore the critical need for psychological interventions targeting psychosexual disorders in infertile women. Integrating such support into infertility treatment programs could significantly improve mental health outcomes and overall quality of life. Future research should explore longitudinal effects and culturally tailored interventions.