Search

Background: Although the physical activities have demonstrated efficacy in improving physical self-perception, the findings of available studies in college students were conflicting. This review aimed to examine the effects of physical activity interventions on physical self-perception in college students. Methods: Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EBSCOhost, Embase, Scopus, CNKI, WanFang, and Chinese Technical Periodicals were searched from inception to April 2024. Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or non-RCTs (non-RCTs) that examined the effects of physical activity interventions on college students' physical self-perception. Random-effects models were used in meta-analyses to synthesize effect sizes. Results: Forty studies (17 RCTs and 23 non-RCTs) with 4955 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, physical activity interventions had small to moderate significant effect on physical self-worth (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.44, P <.00001), perceived sports competence (SMD = 0.60, P <.00001), perceived physical condition (SMD = 0.45, P <.00001), perceived physical strength (SMD = 0.53, P <.00001), and perceived body attractiveness (SMD = 0.54, P <.00001). Significant differences were observed in study design (P =.031–.039), intervention type (P =.003–.031), and intervention duration (P =.002–.036) for some aspects of physical self-perception, such as perceived physical strength and perceived body attractiveness. Conclusions: Physical activity interventions have beneficial effects on physical self-perception in college students, especially those conducted for 12 weeks, 3 times or more per week, lasting 90 minutes or more per session. Large, high-quality RCTs are required to further confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UNLABELLED: Concerns regarding the potential negative impacts of digital technology use on youth mental health and well-being are high. However, most studies have several methodological limitations: relying on cross-sectional designs and retrospective reports, assessing technology use as an omnibus construct, and focusing on between- instead of within-person comparisons. This study addresses these limitations by prospectively following young adolescents (n = 388) over a 14-day ecological momentary assessment study to test whether adolescents digital technology use is linked with self-reported emotional dysregulation and self-esteem and whether these relationships are stronger for adolescent girls than boys. We found no evidence that adolescents experienced higher emotional dysregulation (b = - .02; p = .07) and lower self-esteem (b = .004; p = .32) than they normally do on days where they use more technology than they normally do (within-person). Adolescents with higher average daily technology use over the study period did not experience lower levels of self-esteem (between-person, b = - .02; p = .13). Adolescents with higher average daily technology use across the two-week period did report higher levels of emotional dysregulation (p = .01), albeit the between-person relation was small (b = .08). There was no evidence that gender moderated the associations, both between and within adolescents (bs = - .02-.13, p = .06 - .55). Our findings contribute to the growing counter-narrative that technology use does not have as large of an impact on adolescents mental health and well-being as the public is concerned about. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42761-024-00282-w.

Procrastination is a widespread problem among students, yet feasible solutions have remained elusive. Recognizing the detrimental impact of procrastination on students’ potential, this study aims to investigate the underlying factors contributing to this problem. Specifically, this study explores the associations between academic identity, self-esteem, and procrastination in both male and female participants. Previous research suggests a negative relationship between self-esteem and procrastination. There has been substantially less research examining the relationship between academic identity types (i.e., achieved, foreclosed, moratorium, and diffused academic identity) and procrastination. The current study surveyed 244 college students about their personality habits, academic identity, and self-esteem. It was hypothesized that self-esteem would moderate the relationship between achieved academic identity and procrastination. Regression analyses support this hypothesis, indicating that college students who have a well-developed sense of achieved academic identity are less likely to procrastinate in academic settings, especially for students high in self-esteem. Additionally, results suggest students who have not made a commitment to academic goals and values, are more likely to procrastinate. Theoretical implications for studying academic identity and procrastination will be discussed, along with intervention recommendations for college students.

Even though the use of silhouettes in advertising is prevalent, knowledge about their impact on consumers is surprisingly limited. In this research, I propose that the use of human silhouettes, when compared to images of attractive human models, enhances advertising effectiveness by reducing the extent to which consumers experience self-threat when viewing an ad referent. In addition, I predict this effect holds only for appearance-related products and strengthens as consumers' level of appearance-related self-esteem decreases. Six studies reported in this research provide converging evidence in support of these expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A widely held belief among laypeople and psychologists suggests that self-esteem and relational aggression (i.e., perpetration and victimization) are associated over time. The present study examines the bidirectional associations between self-esteem and relational aggression across 6 years, using two types of longitudinal models (latent cross-lagged panel models and latent random intercepts cross-lagged panel models) to separate between- and within-person effects. Six hundred and seventy-four Mexican-origin youth reported their global and domain-specific self-esteem and relational aggression (perpetration and victimization) in the fifth, seventh, ninth, and eleventh grades. Our findings suggest that: (a) being a perpetrator is prospectively associated with later lower opposite-sex relationships self-esteem at the between-person level, (b) lower self-esteem in the domain of honesty-trustworthiness is prospectively associated with becoming a perpetrator and a victim at the within- and between-person level, (c) lower global self-esteem is prospectively associated with higher victimization at the between-person level, and (d) being victimized is not prospectively associated with later global or domain-specific self-esteem, at neither the within- nor the between-person level. The present study provides little evidence for the widely held belief about the bidirectional associations between self-esteem and relational aggression across time but demonstrates the complexity of these associations on the between- and within-person level.

Misophonia is a complex disorder characterized by a strong aversion to specific sounds, leading to significant distress and impairment. While the Duke Misophonia Questionnaire (DMQ) is one of the most comprehensive and validated measures for assessing misophonia, the relative importance of specific subscales and items within the DMQ remains unclear. Network analysis enables an understanding of the interconnections among subscales, providing insights into which parts of the measure are most central to the others. This study employed network analysis to examine the interconnections among DMQ subscales and identify the most central components of misophonia symptomatology. Network analysis was conducted on DMQ data from 144 adults with varying levels of misophonia symptoms. Four network models were examined: overall misophonia, symptoms, beliefs, and impairment. Sex differences were also explored. The Impairment subscale emerged as the most central in the overall network for both males and females. Key items included cognitive reactions ("I need to get away from the sound," "I thought about physically hurting the person making the sound") as well as affective reactions (panic, anger) in the symptom sub-network, non-acceptance of misophonia beliefs ("I hate being like this") in the belief sub-network, and deterioration of self-esteem due to misophonia in the impairment sub-network. Females reported more severe cognitive and physiological symptoms than males. The DMQ Impairment subscale and specific items identified as most central in each network may represent key aspects of misophonia symptomatology. Prioritizing these components in assessment and intervention efforts may be beneficial when appropriate. • The first network analysis of the Duke Misophonia Questionnaire (DMQ) was conducted • Impairment subscale was the most central in the overall network • Central symptoms included escape and harm thoughts, panic, anger, non-acceptance and reduced self-esteem • Females reported more severe cognitive and physiological symptoms than males. • Prioritizing central components may benefit assessment and intervention [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding alterations of selfhood (termed self-disorders or self-disturbances) that are considered typical of the schizophrenia-spectrum is a central focus of phenomenological research. The currently most influential way of phenomenologically conceiving self-disorders in schizophrenia is as disorders of the so-called most basic or "minimal self". In this paper, we first highlight some challenges for the minimal self-view of self-disorders, focusing on (1) problems arising from the supposedly "essential" or "universal" nature of minimal self with respect to phenomenal awareness and (2) the critical implications of alterations of self-experience in schizophrenia that involve heightened or exaggerated sense of self. In the second part, we tentatively explore how a (non-egological) transparency-view of consciousness may offer an alternative way of understanding the experiential abnormalities involved in self-disorders in schizophrenia. We discuss how such a transparency-view (1) may account for loss-of-self experiences; (2) is compatible with the key notion of "hyper-reflexivity"; and (3) can help explain instances of self-disorder involving increased sense of self. In conclusion, we consider some possible advantages of this alternative view for research on self-disorders and clinical approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The negative effect of poverty on children's cognitive development has been proven, but few studies have examined the potential role of perceived poverty discrimination on poor children's cognitive development. This study investigated the effect of perceived discrimination on executive function, the mediating effect of self-esteem and the moderating effect of perceived social support among 711 children aged 8–13 (M = 9.97 years, SD = 1.19 years, girls: 48.80%) from a Chinese impoverished county. The results indicated that (1) perceived discrimination was negatively associated with children's executive function; (2) self-esteem partially mediated this association; and (3) perceived social support moderated the relation between perceived discrimination and children's self-esteem: high levels of perceived social support increased self-esteem for poor children with more perceived discrimination. The results suggested that self-esteem is a mechanism underlying the negative association between perceived discrimination and children's executive function and perceived social support plays a protective moderating role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated influencing factors in the relationship between body image, diet behavior, and self-esteem, according to the weight-loss experiences of workers in the Republic of Korea. A self-report survey assessed the demographic information, diet methods, diet behavior, body image, and self-esteem of workers residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do (male n = 211; female n = 175) who had dieting experience. Factors such as sex, body mass index (BMI), diet goals, and intrinsic motivation were found to influence diet behavior, body image, and self-esteem. Males more frequently reported healthy weight control, physical satisfaction, and self-esteem, suggesting that sex contributes at least partially to eating habits, body image, and self-esteem. Furthermore, significant differences were observed in healthy weight control and physical satisfaction among overweight workers, suggesting that overweight status alone does not necessarily increase body image risk, and efforts toward weight management should be acknowledged positively. Positive body image, healthy diet behavior, and high self-esteem were associated with weight maintenance efforts, indicating its potential to prevent unhealthy dieting, increase physical and appearance satisfaction, and boost overall self-esteem. Furthermore, when dieting to improve self-confidence, significant differences were noted in physical evaluation, appearance orientation, and self-esteem, underscoring the role of intrinsic motivation in self-esteem enhancement through dieting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To examine associations between weight self‐stigma and healthy diet or physical activity, and potential moderating effects of self‐esteem, diabetes self‐efficacy, and diabetes social support, among adults with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Diabetes MILES‐2 data were used, an Australian cross‐sectional online survey. Participants with type 2 diabetes who considered themselves overweight, and reported concern about weight management (N = 726; 48% insulin‐treated), completed the Weight Self‐Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ; total score and subscales: self‐devaluation, fear of enacted stigma), measures of diabetes self‐care (diet, exercise), and hypothesised psychosocial moderators (self‐esteem, diabetes self‐efficacy, and diabetes social support). Adjusted linear regression tested associations and interaction effects, separately by insulin treatment status. Results: Greater weight self‐stigma (WSSQ total) was associated with less optimal dietary self‐care (both groups: β = −0.3), and with a lower level of exercise (non‐insulin only: β = −0.2; all p < 0.001). All hypothesised moderators were negatively associated with weight self‐stigma (range r = −0.2 to r = −0.5). Positive associations were identified between the hypothesised moderators and self‐care behaviours (strongest between diet and diabetes self‐efficacy, r = > 0.5). No significant interaction effects were observed. Conclusions: This study provides novel evidence of negative associations between weight self‐stigma and self‐care behaviours among adults with type 2 diabetes. Weight self‐stigma is a demonstrated barrier to self‐care behaviours in type 2 diabetes cohorts. Acknowledgement and strategies to address weight self‐stigma are needed in clinical care and health programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review study aims to investigate the correlation between narcissism and schadenfreude (the pleasure gained from the misfortunes of others). In this regard, literature investigating the concepts of narcissism and schadenfreude was reviewed. Despite the similarities among the terms self-esteem, envy, and social comparison in the context of both narcissism and schadenfreude, there exists a paucity of studies investigating the relationship between narcissism, including vulnerable and grandiose, and schadenfreude. This study encompasses definitions of narcissism and schadenfreude, as well as concepts of self-esteem, social comparison, and envy, which elucidate their interrelationship, alongside findings from various studies exploring the connection between narcissism and schadenfreude from multiple perspectives. This review study culminated in an examination of the relationship between narcissism and schadenfreude, discussing the findings and offering recommendations for future research and mental health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The level of self-esteem in adolescents appears to be contingent upon their satisfaction across various domains of life, exerting a notable influence on their mental wellbeing. The purposes of this study were to further validate the influence of resilience and positive coping strategy on their self-esteem and to explore the mediating effect of positive coping strategy in the relationship between resilience and self-esteem. Methods: A total of 657 children and adolescents with a hearing impairment from 14 deaf/special schools in Hubei province completed measures of self-esteem, resilience, and positive coping. Results: (1) Self-esteem is positively correlated with resilience and positive coping, (2) resilience is a significant predictor of self-esteem, and (3) the association between resilience and self-esteem was partly mediated by a positive coping strategy. Conclusion: This study indicated the partly mediating effects of positive coping strategy on the association between resilience and self-esteem among Chinese children and adolescents with hearing impairment. These results also highlighted that intervention to promote resilience and coping strategies might be helpful to improve their self-esteem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates how consumers' individual differences (personal values and characteristics in the adaptations level of personality) affect responses to luxury advertising laden with two opposing values: self-esteem versus image. Drawing on literature from luxury marketing, advertising and psychology, we examine the role of different personality variables in the effect of advertised values on attitudes and perceptions. Studies 1 and 2 show that susceptibility to normative influence and status consumption moderate the effect of advertised value on attitudes. Study 3 demonstrates that "for me" perceptions mediate the effect of advertised value on attitudes. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is characterized by vivid, excessive fantasy activity that becomes prioritized over other activities and may result in avoidant coping strategies. Little is known about the relationship between MD and internalized stigma in the neurodivergent sample. The current study aimed to examine emotional dysregulation, escapism and self-perception (self-esteem and internalized stigma) as potential determinants of MD in three groups: adults on the autism spectrum, with ADHD, and both diagnoses ("AuDHD"), including their neurodivergent symptoms (autistic traits, empathizing, ADHD symptoms). Methods: A sample of 293 persons (139 with ADHD, 74 on the autism spectrum, and 80 with both diagnoses) completed self-report scales concerning ADHD symptoms, autism spectrum symptoms, empathizing, self-esteem, daydreaming as escapism, emotional dysregulation, maladaptive daydreaming, and internalized stigma. A correlation analysis was implemented. Additionally, a group comparison and quantile regression for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of maladaptive daydreaming in the three groups were executed. Results: The results showed that internalized stigma, emotional dysregulation, escapism, and self-esteem have significant associations with MD in the neurodiverse sample. The ADHD group achieved the lowest scores in emotional dysregulation, discrimination experience, and social withdrawal. The groups did not vary in MD rates, stereotype endorsement, stigma resistance, nonacceptance of emotional responses, and impulse control difficulties. The AuDHD group achieved higher results than the ASD group only in the ADHD symptoms. Quantile regression revealed differences in the predictors of maladaptive daydreaming in the three groups. ADHD symptoms and self-suppression escapism were significant predictors for the higher levels of MD in persons with singular autism or ADHD diagnosis. Conclusion: The results showed no differences in MD rates, although there were significant variations in predictive features among the three samples. The role of internalized stigma and self-esteem was highlighted in the results as significant associates of MD prevalence. These outcomes expand the current knowledge in the context of maladaptive daydreaming, internalized stigma, self-esteem and emotional dysregulation in a neurodiverse sample and allow for proposing clinical applications and further research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between leisure-time physical activity and academic burnout among college students, and the mediating roles of mindfulness and self-esteem in the relationship, so as to provide a reference for alleviating academic burnout among college students. The study used the Physical Activity Rating Scale, the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the Self-Esteem Scale, and the Academic Burnout Scale to conduct a questionnaire survey to 629 college students (M = 19.6) through a convenience sampling method. The constructed chained mediation model was tested for path analysis, and mediation effects using SPSS 29.0. The results showed that leisure-time physical activity, mindfulness, self-esteem and academic burnout were significantly correlated with each other. The direct effect of leisure-time physical activity on college students' academic burnout was not significant, but the indirect effect was significant. Mindfulness and self-esteem had significant mediating effects between leisure-time physical activity and academic burnout among college students, and the mediating effects consisted of the independent mediation of mindfulness and self-esteem and the chain mediating effect between them. Thus, enhancing leisure-time physical activity as an intervention to alleviate academic burnout among college students should focus on the effects on mindfulness perception and self-esteem. By enhancing the levels of mindfulness perception and self-esteem, leisure-time physical activity may play an important role in alleviating the growing academic burnout among college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Whether higher family socio‐economic status (SES) drives adolescents to engage in more prosocial behaviours is a topic of debate. Previous research has typically concentrated on the association between self‐reported subjective SES and their prosocial behaviours. Drawing from the Ecological Systems Theory, this study incorporates two proximal factors—parental educational expectations (PEE) and adolescent's self‐esteem—into a chained mediation model to explore the mechanisms of the distal factor, family SES, links to adolescents' prosocial behaviour. An analysis of 600 caregiver–child pairs (with children ranging from Grades 3 to 12, comprising 64.3% boys) supports the negative link between family SES and prosocial behaviour and unexpectedly indicates the suppressing mediating effect of PEE and self‐esteem. Results suggest that prosocial motivation is not solely linked with material resources; it also intertwines with family educational perspectives and the development of individual self‐worth. These findings provide implications in cultivating prosocial behaviours among adolescents from different SES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health promotion and substance use prevention are essential issues at universities worldwide. Although research has identified risk and protective factors for substance use generally among college students, there is a paucity of knowledge about anxiolytic use. Thus, the main objective of this study was to analyze if prescription and non-prescription anxiolytic use was related to self-control, self-esteem and self-efficacy. A cross-sectional study design included 1,687 undergraduate students (Mage = 20.30 years; SD = 2.76) at a Spanish university. Validated instruments were administrated for data collection, under the supervision of a research team member. Descriptive analyses showed that almost 12% of the sample reports prescription anxiolytic use and more than 6% of non-prescription anxiolytic use in the last 6 months. There were considerable differences between genders, with females reporting higher consumption. Linear regression analyses showed that low self-control and low self-esteem predicted both prescription and non-prescription anxiolytic use. Being female predicted only non-prescription anxiolytic use. Considering these findings, strategies to improve self-control and self-efficacy among university students could be a successful element preventing or decreasing anxiolytic use and misuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Stress is a major problem among students, threatening their health and well-being. The aim of the research is to analyze the sources of stress in students and to investigate whether there are gender differences and differences between university and non-university students in stress, coping styles, mental symptoms and well-being. A second aim is to know the relevance of age, education, stress, coping styles, self-esteem and social support on mental symptoms, psychological well-being and life satisfaction of boys and girls. Methods: The study was cross-sectional. The sample consisted of 1,426 students between the ages of 16 and 26. Results and discussion: The results of the ANOVAs showed that although there were some gender differences, being a university student or not explained more variance than gender. University students had more chronic stress than non-university students. However, they were more satisfied with their studies, had healthier coping styles, fewer mental symptoms, and greater well-being. For both genders, the main predictor of more mental symptoms was a higher emotional coping style. This was followed by lower self-esteem, a higher number of stressful life events, and higher chronic stress. Higher study dissatisfaction was associated with lower psychological well-being and lower life satisfaction. Higher chronic stress was associated with lower life satisfaction. It is concluded that stress and coping styles are relevant to students' mental health. The results of this study are relevant to the design of policies, strategies, and programs to improve students' mental health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The happiness and well-being of individuals are among the most important components of life. However, there remains a lack of evidence regarding the relationships between students' happiness, vigor, and self-esteem on the one hand and various complex factors on the other hand. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 397 students from various Lithuanian universities. We determined students' happiness, self-esteem, vigor, healthy lifestyles, perceived stress, personality traits, academic achievements and motivation by using validated scales. Results and discussion: The study indicates that while happiness and self-esteem are not linked to healthy lifestyles, vigor is positively associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and healthy eating, and negatively with body mass index (BMI). Happiness and vigor inversely relate to stress, and happiness and self-esteem inversely relate to depression. Vigor is positively related to extraversion, and self-esteem to neuroticism. Happiness, vigor, and self-esteem are not linked to academic achievements, but happiness relates to non-utilitarian decisions, and self-esteem to emotional intelligence and non-utilitarian decisions. Happiness, vigor, self-esteem were not linked to intrinsic motivation to study, but self-esteem was inversely related to amotivation and childhood violence. This study fills the research gap and deepens the understanding of what determines students' happiness and vigor, and self-esteem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]