Eungyeong Kim^*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.5, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.078353 - 28 May 2026

Abstract Background: Adolescents are highly exposed to digital food-related content, including mukbang videos, yet the psychological consequences of such exposure remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to examine the association between mukbang viewing and anxiety among adolescents and to investigate the mediating roles of high-caffeine beverages and sugar-sweetened beverages intake. Methods: Data from 51,850 adolescents were drawn from the 2022 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. Parallel mediation analyses were conducted using PROCESS Model 4 with 5000 bootstrap samples to assess whether the frequency of high-caffeine beverages and sugar-sweetened beverages consumption mediated the association between mukbang viewing… More >

Jinyang Yuan, Zewen Wu, Ququ Li, Ling Sun^*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.5, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.077266 - 28 May 2026

Abstract Background: Bullying victimization (BV) represents a critical public health concern among Chinese adolescents, with significant implications for psychological well-being. Although accumulating evidence underscores the detrimental association between maladaptive parenting practices and increased bullying victimization, the precise mediating mechanisms linking parental psychological control (PPC) to BV remain inadequately elucidated. This study addresses this gap by examining pathways through which PPC and deviant peer affiliation (DPA) jointly influence BV, while accounting for the protective role of self-compassion (SC). Methods: A sample of 861 Chinese adolescents (429 male; mean age = 14.08 years, SD = 1.07) recruited via a… More >

Guofeng Qu^1,2, Fengwei Jia^1,2, Jing Liu³, Xishuai Wang³, Guoyue Tang⁴, Zhonghu Gu⁵, Yuyang Nie^1,2,*, Cong Liu^1,2,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.5, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.076017 - 28 May 2026

Abstract Background: Physical exercise is recognized as an effective means of alleviating academic stress, and physical education (PE) classes constitute a primary source of such activity for middle school students. This study aimed to delve into the diversity of PE class participation patterns among these students, examine their relationship with academic stress, and specifically investigate the mediating role of self-compassion in this process. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 849 Chinese middle school students. Data were collected via online questionnaires using validated measurement instruments, which included the degree of participation in PE classes, academic stress, and… More >

Meerim Park¹, Seungman Park², Ensel Oh³, Jongmun Choi⁴, Mi Mi Kwon¹, Seog-Yun Park⁵, Jun Ah Lee¹, Hyeon Jin Park^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.079120 - 21 May 2026

Abstract Objectives: Germline variants in cancer predisposition genes have been increasingly recognized in pediatric cancers. However, their spectrum in East Asian children with central nervous system (CNS) tumors remains insufficiently defined. This study investigated the prevalence and clinical significance of pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) germline mutations in Korean children, adolescents, and young adults (AYAs) with CNS tumors. Methods: We performed targeted next-generation sequencing of 358 cancer-associated genes using peripheral blood DNA from 108 patients. Germline variants were classified according to ACMG/AMP guidelines and curated using ClinVar and relevant literature. Results: Among 108 patients, 17 (15.7%) carried P/LP… More >

Hanna Ahrnberg^1,*, Kaija Appelqvist-Schmidlechner², Pekka Mustonen¹, Sari Fröjd³, Katja Aktan-Collan¹

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.077244 - 28 April 2026

Abstract Objectives: Positive Youth Development is an evidence-based, holistic approach that underlines adolescents’ strengths, competence, and interests instead of deficits, thus promoting psychosocial well-being in adolescents. This study aims to explore adolescents’ perceived impacts of the Finnish service-learning program “Gutsy Go”, which is based on a Positive Youth Development approach. Methods: The program educates 8th-grade comprehensive school students to perform good deeds in their communities and enhances adolescents’ psychosocial well-being. Focus group interviews were conducted two to three weeks after the program week with 61 program participants. The data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Four broad More >

Juyan Fang¹, Xin Deng¹, Mengting Pan², Guoqiang Chen¹, Yang Liu^1,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.073013 - 28 April 2026

Abstract Objectives: Social Media Dependence (SMD) has emerged as a growing public health concern among adolescents. Psychological Maltreatment (PM), characterized by denigration, intimidation, and emotional neglect, is considered an important familial risk factor for adolescents’ emotional and behavioral problems. However, the psychological mechanisms linking PM to adolescent SMD remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to examine the relationship between PM and SMD and to explore the mediating roles of Difficulty Describing Feelings (DDF), Depression (DP), and Anxiety (AN). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2243 Chinese adolescents. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and mediation analyses were performed… More >

Kai Jing^1,2,#, Jingqun Wang^3,#, Baojuan Ye^3,4,*, Qi Dai⁴, Xian Gong⁵, Guorong Wang²

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.071120 - 28 April 2026

Abstract Objectives: Early adolescence is a key period of ecological and physiological change, during which exposure to accumulating risks from various environmental systems can negatively impact mental health. This study aimed to investigate the potential longitudinal relationships among cumulative risk, depression, and psychache in adolescents. Methods: A three-wave longitudinal study spanning one year was conducted with 675 (47.5% girls; Mean age = 14.13, standard deviation [SD] = 0.45) middle school students. The Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model (RI-CLPM) was used to explore the dynamic reciprocal relationships among these variables. Results: At the within-individual level, cumulative risk, depression, and… More >

Jingli Wu^*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.2, pp. 285-291, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.074079 - 29 April 2026

Abstract This study explored the relationship between parental psychological control (PPC) and adolescents’ problematic gaming (PG) focusing on the mediating roles of self-control (SC) and deviant peer affiliation (DPA). A total of 2028 adolescents from high schools completed self-report measures on PPC, SC, DPA, and PG. The results revealed that PPC positively predicted PG. SC mediated the relationship between PPC and PG, and also revealed that DPA also played a mediating role in this association. Additionally, SC and DPA operated in a chain mediation, where PPC reduced SC, which in turn increased the likelihood of DPA, More >

Chae-Young Lee¹, Yun-Jung Choi^2,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.077116 - 31 March 2026

Abstract Background: Adolescent suicide remains a pressing public health concern in South Korea and worldwide, ranking as one of the leading causes of death among youth. Identifying modifiable risk and protective factors is critical for prevention strategies. Physical activity has been suggested as one such factor due to its potential mental health benefits. This study aimed to examine whether associations between physical activity and suicidality differ by activity type and by stage of suicidal behavior, distinguishing suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts among Korean adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional secondary analysis used data from the 20th Korea Youth Risk… More >

Laura Lacomba-Trejo^1,*, Francisco González-Sala¹, Sandra Simó², Florencia Talmón-Knuser³

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.077053 - 31 March 2026

Abstract Backgrounds: Somatization and eating-related problems in adolescents living in residential care may be shaped by the interplay of risk and protective factors, including gender, relational trauma, attachment patterns, emotional intelligence, and perceived social support. This study examined how gender, relational trauma, attachment dimensions, resilience, and emotional intelligence contribute to the presence of somatic and eating difficulties in this population. Methods: The sample included 46 adolescents (63% female; ages 12–17, Mean = 14.85, Standard Deviation (SD) = 1.49) residing in child protection institutions in Uruguay. Participants completed self-report measures assessing childhood relational trauma (CaMir), attachment dimensions (anxiety… More > Graphic Abstract