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As the postdoctoral workforce expands worldwide, emerging as a driving force behind scientific innovation, their mental health faces growing threats from escalating pressures—relentless competition, precarious job prospects, and the "publish or perish" imperative. Grounded in Nature's 2020 Global Postdoc Survey and leveraging the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) framework, this study uncovers critical mechanisms shaping postdocs’ psychological resilience. Findings reveal that excessive workloads, frequent overtime, and career instability directly heighten mental health risks, while mentorship, autonomy, and equitable rewards act as vital buffers. Crucially, work-life balance mediates all six job characteristics’ impacts on well-being, with striking gender disparities: women are disproportionately affected by long hours, whereas men are more vulnerable to job insecurity. These insights call for systemic reforms—flexible work policies, enhanced career safeguards, and robust mentorship networks—to safeguard postdocs’ mental health and sustain their scientific contributions. Bridging theory and practice, this research opens new pathways for cross-cultural, interdisciplinary studies on academic well-being while equipping institutions and funders with actionable strategies to nurture a thriving postdoctoral ecosystem.
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    ARTICLE

    How Work Affects the Mental Health of Postdocs?—An Analysis Based on Nature’s 2020 Global Postdoc Survey Data

    Li Yang1, Wanlin Cai2, Wenke Wang3, Chuanyi Wang1,*
    International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.4, pp. 421-449, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.060930 - 30 April 2025
    Abstract Background: The postdoctoral workforce has been expanding worldwide, playing a vital role in scientific progress, innovation, and knowledge dissemination. Nevertheless, their mental health is also increasingly a global concern, exacerbated by challenges such as intense competition, growing responsibilities, and pressure to publish. Purpose: Research on work characteristics is essential for guiding policy and interventions, offering valuable insights into the factors that affect postdoctoral researchers’ mental health. Hence, this study aims to examine the impact of work characteristics on postdocs’ mental health and explore the underlying mechanisms drawing on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model. Methods: Using data… More >

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    ARTICLE

    A Freudian Group Psychology Perspective on the Psychological Mechanisms in South Korean Elite Sports Teams: Implications for Mental Health

    Hyunkyun Ahn1, Yeon-Hee Choi2,*, Young-Vin Kim3,*
    International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.4, pp. 451-468, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.060896 - 30 April 2025
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Enhancing Mental Health through Physical Activity: Exploring Resilience Across Populations and Life Stages)
    Abstract Objectives: In this study, we examined the psychological impact of hierarchical and authoritarian structures in elite sports teams in South Korea on the ego formation and mental health of athletes. We aimed to analyze how these environments shape psychological well-being in athletes, drawing on Freud’s group psychology theory, while integrating perspectives from the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Social Identity Theory (SIT). Methods: We applied a qualitative case-study approach, with data collected through in-depth interviews with eight retired elite table tennis players from South Korea. These athletes shared their experiences with psychological mechanisms in their teams… More >

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    ARTICLE

    The Moderating Role of Control Strategies on the Relationship between Negative Emotions and QoL in the Elderly: A Longitudinal Study

    Ran Ma1,#, Chunyang Zhang2,#, Wei Xu1,*
    International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.4, pp. 469-483, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.060351 - 30 April 2025
    Abstract Maintaining optimal quality of life (QoL) is a pivotal for “successful aging”. Understanding how the QoL of the elderly develops and what role psychological factors play in its development will help improve QoL from a psychological perspective. Embedded within the lifespan theory of control, this longitudinal study aimed to (1) map the temporal trajectory of QoL among Chinese older adults, (2) examine differential effects of tripartite negative emotions (stress, anxiety, depression), and (3) test the moderating role of control strategies (goal engagement, goal disengagement, self-protection) in emotion-QoL dynamics. A prospective cohort of 345 community-dwelling older… More >

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    ARTICLE

    Influential Factors of Suicidal Ideation among University Students—The Moderating Role of Family Closeness and Peer Support

    Jun Qiu1, Jinling Wang2,*
    International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.4, pp. 485-505, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.059951 - 30 April 2025
    Abstract Objectives: Suicidal ideation (SI) among university students is a growing concern, influenced by anxiety, depression, and bullying. However, family closeness and peer support may act as protective factors, reducing the risk of SI. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the key factors influencing SI among university students, focusing on the effects of anxiety, depression, and bullying, along with the roles of family closeness and peer support. The research also explores the interactions and mechanisms between these variables. Methods: A sample of 318 university students was surveyed, evaluating six main factors: anxiety, depression, bullying, family closeness, peer… More >

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    SHORT COMMUNICATION

    Perceived Organisational Support and Job Satisfaction in Workers with Severe Mental Disorders: A Pilot Study

    José Antonio Climent-Rodríguez1, Inmaculada González-Lepe2, Juan Gómez-Salgado3,4,*, Yolanda Navarro-Abal1
    International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.4, pp. 507-515, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.063497 - 30 April 2025
    Abstract Background: Employment can support the recovery of individuals with Severe Mental Disorders by promoting autonomy, reducing hospital admissions and associated costs, fostering social connections, and providing structure to their daily lives. The objective of this pilot study was to analyse job satisfaction and perceived social support in people with severe mental disorders who are users of an Employment Guidance and Support Service in southern Spain. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional pilot study was carried out with a sample of 39 workers with mental disorders from the province of Huelva (southern Spain) who were users of the… More >

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    ARTICLE

    When Parents Worry: How Parental Educational Anxiety Impacts Adolescent Academic Success through Depression, Self-Efficacy, and Social Media

    Haohan Zhao1, Xingchen Zhu2, Wencan Li3,*, Xin Lin4,*
    International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.4, pp. 517-540, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.062739 - 30 April 2025
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Mattering in the Digital Era: Exploring Its Role in Internet Use Patterns and Mental Health Outcomes)
    Abstract Background: Despite increasing attention to parental educational anxiety in China’s educational system, the underlying mechanisms through which this anxiety affects adolescent academic performance remain unclear. This study aims to investigate how parental educational anxiety influences academic outcomes through depression and self-efficacy while considering the role of problematic social media use in today’s digital age. Methods: Data analysis was conducted using stratified random cluster sampling techniques. Participants for this study were recruited from middle and high schools in China. The sample comprised 2579 traditional two-parent families, each consisting of a pair of parents and one child.… More >

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    ARTICLE

    How Cyber-Ostracism Ignites the Flame of Aggression: A Moderated Mediation Study in Chinese College Students

    Lan Luo1,2, Yangyang Zhan1,2, Xinna Hu2, Jingjie Zhou1,2, Haibin Li2,3,*
    International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.4, pp. 541-559, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.061043 - 30 April 2025
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Exploring the Impact of School Bullying, Aggression and Childhood Trauma in the Digital Age: Influencing Factors, Interventions, and Prevention Methods)
    Abstract Objectives: The prevalence of cyber-aggression is increasing worldwide, resulting in significant negative impacts on both perpetrators and victims. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cyber-ostracism and cyber-aggression among college students, clarify the role of various types of rumination in this dynamic. Methods: A total of 1198 Chinese college students (67.4% female; mean age 20.78 years; SD = 1.12) were recruited through cluster random sampling and completed the Cyber-ostracism Experience Scale (COES), Positive and Negative Rumination Scale (PANRS), and Adolescent Online Aggression Behavior Scale (AOABS). The structural equation model (SEM) was employed to examine the… More >

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    ARTICLE

    What Factors Predict Prosocial Behavior during Social Crisis? A Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

    Agar Marín-Morales1,2,*, Sofia Amaoui2, Carmen Fernández-Fillol2,3,4, Gustavo Carlo5, Sandra Rivas-García2,6
    International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.4, pp. 561-576, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.058881 - 30 April 2025
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Mental Health Promotion and Psychosocial Support in Vulnerable Populations: Challenges, Strategies and Interventions)
    Abstract Background: Prosocial behavior plays a crucial role in improving interpersonal relationships and social well-being, especially in times of crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a severe humanitarian crisis, prompting governments to implement measures such as social confinement. The main objective of the study was to analyze the psychological and sociodemographic variables that may predict prosocial behavior during quarantine. Methods: The sample consisted of 172 participants from Spain, divided into two groups based on whether they reported an increase in prosocial behaviors during quarantine. An online survey was administered to analyze the psychological and sociodemographic variables. Results: Overall, More >

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    ARTICLE

    How Labor Values Affect Adolescent Resilience?—Analysis Based on the Perspective of Emotion Regulation Theory

    Xiaomei Chao1, Zhuo Yang2, Yanhui Xiang2,*
    International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.4, pp. 577-590, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.057295 - 30 April 2025
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Quality of Life, Well-Being and Mental Health in the context of Physical Activity and Health)
    Abstract Background: Understanding the factors that influence adolescent psychological resilience is critical for promoting mental health. This study explores the impact and mechanism of labor values on adolescent psychological resilience from the perspective of emotion regulation theory. Methods: This study conducted an in-depth analysis using the Labor Value Scale on 2691 elementary school upper-grade students, middle school students, and high school students. Results: The results show that: (1) labor values can positively predict adolescents’ mental resilience; (2) cognitive reappraisal and expression inhibition play a partial mediating role in the relationship between labor values and adolescents’ psychological resilience. Among More >

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    ARTICLE

    The Effect of Performance Pressure on Employee Well-Being: Mediator of Workplace Anxiety and Moderator of Vocational Delay of Gratification

    Ting Wen1, Sainan Mao1, Xiaoqian Fan2,*, Jiayi Wu3
    International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.4, pp. 591-606, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.057726 - 30 April 2025
    Abstract Background: In the field of organizational behavior, various aspects that have an impact on employee well-being gradually become a focus of attention. Among them, performance pressure, which is a component of workplace stressors that has a great influence on employees’ job performance as well as well-being, has been little studied. Therefore, this paper constructs a research model, which uses workplace anxiety as a mediating variable and vocational delay of gratification as a moderating variable, to explore the impact of performance pressure on employee well-being. Methods: Reliable data were collected by questionnaire method and data analysis… More >

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