BMC Psychology最新文献

Background: Mental illness stigma remains a major barrier to mental health in many parts of the world, including China, where public stigma is particularly pervasive among university students. The Acceptance and Commitment to Empowerment intervention (ACE), an integration of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Group Empowerment Psychoeducation, was adapted and piloted in a Chinese university context. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the ACE intervention in reducing both explicit and implicit public stigma toward people with mental illness among Chinese university students.

Methods: We conducted a cluster-randomized waitlist-controlled trial at a university in Shandong Province, China, with a total of 111 students participating. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The ACE intervention combined a self-paced online course on mental health literacy with a five-day, in-person experiential training focused on acceptance, mindfulness, values, and empowerment. Explicit stigma was assessed using self-report questionnaires (Attribution Questionnaire-9 and Social Distance Scale), while implicit stigma was measured through a Single-Category Implicit Association Test (SC-IAT).

Results: Mixed-measures ANOVA revealed a significant reduction in explicit stigma in the ACE intervention group over time, with no significant change in the control group. SC-IAT scores indicated that participants in the ACE group had significantly lower levels of implicit stigma compared to the control group.

Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that the ACE intervention can effectively reduce public stigma among Chinese university students. The findings support the cultural adaptability of ACE and offer insights for implementing stigma-reduction programs in China. Recommendations for future research are also discussed.

Trial registration: Retrospectively registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2500105456). Date of registration July 3, 2025.

Introduction: University students face significant challenges while adapting to academic life and transitioning into adulthood, which may lead to suicidal ideation. Among key factors influencing suicidal thoughts is the perception of life's meaning. Accordingly, this study investigates the association between authenticity and suicidal ideation among university students.

Methods: This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted on 400 medical university students from February to May 2025 at Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences in southeastern Iran, selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using the Authenticity Questionnaire and the Suicidal Ideation Scale, both of which demonstrated validity and reliability. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software, including Pearson correlation and linear regression.

Results: The mean suicidal ideation score among university students was 8.2 ± 4.3 and the mean authenticity score was 3.35 ± 0.35. The study results revealed a significant inverse relationship between authenticity and suicidal ideation (p = 0.000). Students' suicidal ideation was predicted by total authenticity scores and its dimensions, including awareness, unbiased processing, and relational orientation.

Conclusions: The results of this study revealed an inverse relationship between students' authenticity scores and their suicidal ideation scores. It appears essential for administrators to implement interventions targeting suicidal thoughts by strengthening authentic living criteria.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation programs are commonly employed to address modifiable lifestyle factors, such as physical inactivity. However, adherence to exercise recommendations following these interventions remains suboptimal. Psychological burdens can further impede patients' ability to exercise.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of exercise self-efficacy (ESE) in influencing physical activity among psychologically distressed patients in cardiac rehabilitation.

Methods: Data from a randomized controlled trial involving 305 participants who completed a four-week cardiac rehabilitation program were analyzed. ESE was measured using the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, while physical activity was assessed by aggregating the duration and frequency of up to three weekly activity types participants engaged in. Correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between ESE and potential explanatory variables. A linear regression model was employed to assess the predictive role of baseline ESE on physical activity at the 3-month follow-up. Changes in ESE and physical activity over time were analyzed using paired t-tests and a mixed-effects model.

Results: At the start of rehabilitation, weekly physical activity averaged 108 min, while ESE reached a mean of 28.2 points. Baseline ESE significantly predicted physical activity at the 3-month follow-up when controlling for baseline activity (b = 0.10, p = 0.006). T-tests showed a 1.75-point increase in ESE (p < 0.001) and a 68.23-minute increase in physical activity (p < 0.001) over time. Mixed-effects regression analysis indicated that each one-point increase in ESE was associated with a 12.88-minute increase in physical activity at follow-up (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: ESE may have a considerable impact on physical activity among psychologically distressed patients in cardiac rehabilitation and should therefore be considered as a relevant outcome parameter when designing new intervention components. For clinical practice, these findings support the integration of routine screening for ESE upon rehabilitation entry as well as the incorporation of targeted strategies to enhance self-efficacy within cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00029295, June 21, 2022).