
The International Journal of Mental Health Promotion (IJMHP) co-ordinates the dissemination of new research outcomes to all those involved in research, practice, and policymaking of mental health and mental health promotion, prevention and intervention program, together with mental disorder diagnosis and treatment. It was the first journal in the field and is essential reading for those with a personal or professional interest in this work.
Peer reviewed by an expert international board, the Journal is a comprehensive information resource which publishes material of distinction submitted by health services researchers, managers, health promotion professionals, educationalists, sociologists, health economists and practitioners, together with psychiatry and psychology researchers, clinical/medical staff from all branches of health and social care.
Social Sciences Citation Index (Web of Science): 2024 Impact Factor 1.4; Scopus Citescore (Impact per Publication 2024): 2.1; JCI (Journal Citation Indicator): 0.32; JCR in the subject Psychiatry (Q3) and Public, Environmental & Occupational Health (Q3); Google Scholar, SCImago, Ebsco, Dimensions, Portico, etc...
Open Access
REVIEW
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.12, pp. 1829-1845, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.071879 - 31 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Causes, Consequences and Interventions for Emerging Social Media Addiction)
Abstract Background: Adolescents increasingly engage with social media for connection, self-expression, and identity exploration. This growing digital engagement has raised concerns about its potential risks and mental health implications. Methods: This narrative review examines literature on adolescent social media use by exploring underlying motivations, risk and protective factors across personal, environmental, and digital domains, with a focus on mental health outcomes. Results: Individual vulnerabilities—such as low self-esteem, impulsivity, and poor sleep—interact with contextual factors like peer pressure and family conflict to elevate risks. Digital environments shaped by algorithmic feeds, feedback mechanisms, and curated content promote social comparison and More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.12, pp. 1847-1865, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.072115 - 31 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Causes, Consequences and Interventions for Emerging Social Media Addiction)
Abstract Objectives: Problematic use of the internet (PUI) has been increasingly associated with various mental health issues, highlighting the need for accurate assessment tools. The Assessment of Criteria for Specific Internet-use Disorder (ACSID-11) is a validated psychometric instrument designed to measure distinct forms of PUI across multiple online activities. However, its applicability and validity have not yet been established within the Indonesian context. Therefore, this study aimed to translate and validate the ACSID-11 for use among Indonesian populations. Methods: The translation procedure of the ACSID-11 involved forward translation, back translation, and expert panel discussions. This research involved… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.12, pp. 1867-1882, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.073087 - 31 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: From Tradition to High-Intensity: Examining the Psychological and Emotional Impacts of Exercise Types)
Abstract Background: Academic achievement is an important indicator of student development, and its pursuit should be considered alongside students’ mental health and overall quality of life. Traditional martial arts, as an educational activity that emphasizes self-discipline, communal values, and positive emotional experiences, may support key psychological factors related to learning, such as optimism, school belonging, and well-being. However, how these factors are connected to academic achievement has not been fully examined. Therefore, this study investigated the associations between these psychological resources and academic achievement among students participating in traditional martial arts training. Methods: Data were collected from… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.12, pp. 1883-1896, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.071306 - 31 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Psychological Well-being and Psychopathology in the New Millennium: Evolving Paradigms, Challenges, and Resources)
Abstract Background: Platform algorithms driving content presentation are profoundly shaping the experience of younger users. While prior research has examined anxiety stemming from young adults’ social media usage, the link between upward social comparison and anxiety remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the mediating role of upward social comparison in this relationship and determine the moderating role of psychological resilience. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 562 young Chinese adults aged 18–35 (53% female). Data were collected via an online questionnaire employing validated measurement instruments, including scales for social media usage patterns, upward comparator behaviour… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.12, pp. 1897-1906, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.071572 - 31 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Health Issues in Modern Society: Addictive Behaviors and Psychological Health)
Abstract Background: With growing concerns about the abuse of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), diet pills, and sleep aids, among adolescents in South Korea, this study aimed to investigated how these substances affect key aspects of adolescent well-being, specifically school satisfaction, body image, and sleep quality, and their association with mental health outcomes. Methods: A two-wave longitudinal survey was conducted with Korean female high school students (Wave 1: n = 494; Wave 2: n = 189). Linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the effects of ADHD medications, diet pills, and… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.12, pp. 1907-1927, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.068264 - 31 December 2025
Abstract Background: Interpersonal alienation has increasingly been recognized as a salient risk factor affecting university students’ psychological adjustment and life satisfaction. Guided by Social Identity and Self-Categorization theories, this study examines how alienation influences life satisfaction through the mediating roles of social identity and hope. Methods: This study surveyed 492 Taiwanese undergraduate students (53.7 percent female, mean age 21.08 years) from 60 universities using convenience sampling in May 2023. Data were collected through an online questionnaire distributed via faculty-managed teaching media platforms. Measures included perceived social identity, state hope, interpersonal alienation, and life satisfaction. All instruments were… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.12, pp. 1929-1948, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.071233 - 31 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Risk and Protective Factors in Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Insights for Research and Practice)
Abstract Background: Chinese elementary students face mental health challenges due to excessive academic pressures. Previous research has indicated that resilience is crucial for improving their mental health, which is fostered by a supportive family environment. This study, therefore, explored the impact of family organization on children’s resilience and examined whether proactive coping and mindfulness mediate this relationship. Methods: Data were collected from 702 elementary school students (grades 3–6) in 3 cities in China using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Validated scales measured family organization, proactive coping, mindfulness, and resilience. The hypothesized model was tested using Structural Equation Modeling… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.12, pp. 1949-1960, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.072560 - 31 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Improving Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) Through Promoting Health-Related Behaviors)
Abstract Background: Shift-based occupations have been consistently linked to adverse psychological outcomes; however, limited research has examined how work schedule type and physical activity are jointly associated with mental health and job stress in public transportation employees, a population frequently exposed to irregular hours and safety-critical responsibilities. This study investigated the associations between work schedule type and physical activity with mental health indicators and job stress among Seoul Metro employees. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 298 full-time male employees of Seoul Metro. Participants were categorized by work schedule (shift vs. regular) and physical activity level… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.12, pp. 1961-1988, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.072232 - 31 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Determinants and Subsequences of Subjective Well-being as a Microcosm of Social Change)
Abstract Background: Against the backdrop of the complex interplay between global migration flows and the European Union’s governance system, immigrants’ subjective well-being (SWB) has become a crucial indicator for assessing both their social integration and the effectiveness of integration policies. However, few studies have systematically linked immigration law and policy to SWB through a structured framework of human needs. This study aims to assess how European Union (EU) immigration policies influence immigrants’ SWB by facilitating the fulfillment of hierarchical needs based on Maslow’s theory. Methods: Using data from the European Social Survey (ESS, 2010–2023), this study analyzed… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.12, pp. 1989-2005, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.071033 - 31 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Mental Health Promotion and Psychosocial Support in Vulnerable Populations: Challenges, Strategies and Interventions)
Abstract Background: Post-cesarean surgical site infection is a frequent complication with significant consequences for maternal, physical, and psychological well-being. This study explored women’s lived experiences of post-cesarean surgical site infection, focusing on emotional responses, treatment experiences, and perceived psychosocial impact. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 23 patients hospitalized due to post-cesarean surgical site infection, selected through purposeful sampling between 15 August 2022, and 15 January 2024. Results: The mean age of the participants in the study was 28.69 ± 5.07 years. Of them, 13 were high school graduates, and 22… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.12, pp. 2007-2022, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.073748 - 31 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Social and Behavioral Determinants of Mental Health: From Theory to Practice)
Abstract Objectives: With the rapid aging of populations worldwide, the long-term care (LTC) industry has become a critical arena for both social welfare and entrepreneurial development, particularly among women who play a leading role in caregiving enterprises. However, female LTC entrepreneurs often face emotional strain and limited social resources that affect their professional well-being. This study investigates the effects of psychological resilience and social capital on the well-being of female entrepreneurs in the long-term care (LTC) industry and examines the mediating role of entrepreneurial competence. Methods: A mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 73… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.12, pp. 2023-2038, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.071322 - 31 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Self-Concept in the Digital Era: Exploring Its Interplay with Internet Use Patterns, Mental Health, and Physical Well-Being)
Abstract Background: Despite access to university counseling services, many students underutilize them due to cultural stigma, language barriers, and perceived irrelevance. As a result, ChatGPT has emerged as an informal, always-available support system. This study investigates how international PhD students in Malaysia navigate loneliness, mental well-being, and social disconnection through interactions with Generative AI (mainly ChatGPT. Methods: Using a mixed-methods design, the study surveyed 155 international doctoral students and analyzed quantitative responses across four dimensions: loneliness, well-being (WHO-5), perceived social support, and AI-facilitated emotional support. Additionally, open-ended responses were examined using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to identify… More >