The Influential Mechanisms of Theory of Mind on Prosocial Behavior and the Effect of Mindfulness Intervention

Background:Theory of Mind(ToM)and empathy are crucial cognitive and emotional capacities that influence social interactions.While their role in promoting prosocial behavior has been established,the potential moderating effect of mindfulness on this relationship remains unexplored.Understanding these complex interactions is vital for developing effective interventions to foster prosocial behavior among college students.This study examines the influence of ToM on college students’prosocial behavior and explores the moderating role of mindfulness in this relationship.Methods:A mixed-methods approach combining questionnaires and experimental design was employed.Study 1:A survey of 759 college students(mean age 22.03 years;477 females)was conducted using the ToM Scale,Interpersonal Reactivity Index,Prosocial Behavior Tendency Scale,and Mindfulness Awareness Scale.Data were analyzed using correlation and moderated mediation analyses.Study 2:An 8-week mindfulness attention training program was implemented for the intervention group and compared with a control group.Mindfulness training served as a moderating variable to validate Model 59 from Study 1.Results:1.Study 1 found:(a)ToM was significantly positively correlated with prosocial behavior(r=0.31,p<0.01).(b)Empathy partially mediated the relationship between ToM and prosocial behavior(β=0.10,p<0.001,95%CI[0.06,0.14]).(c)Mindfulness negatively moderated the direct path between ToM and three dimensions of prosocial behavior,as well as the indirect path between empathy and kin altruism and reciprocal altruism.Specifically,high levels of mindfulness weakened the direct impact of ToM on prosocial behavior.High levels of mindfulness also weakened the indirect influence of ToM on prosocial behavior through empathy.2.Study 2 results showed:(a)The intervention group had significantly higher levels of trait mindfulness compared to the control group(t=2.56,p<0.05).(b)The validity of the moderated mediation model 59 from Study 1 was verified.Conclusion:While ToM and empathy play crucial roles in fostering prosocial behavior,mindfulness exhibits a more complex influence than anticipated,potentially inhibiting prosocial behavior under certain circumstances.These findings offer novel insights into the psychological mechanisms underlying prosocial behavior and underscore the importance of considering multiple interacting factors in its promotion.

Mindfulness Facets and Psychological Well-Being among Meditators:Serenity as a Mediating Process

Guided by the theoretical processes of mindfulness and psychological well-being,this study examined serenity as a mediator between mindfulness facets and psychological well-being,as indexed by depressive symptoms and life satisfaction.Participants were 133 mindfulness practitioners who took part in a 3-day transnational meditation event in Hong Kong.Upon informed consent,participants completed a self-report questionnaire.The findings from structural equation modeling showed that serenity mediated the relation between two facets of mindfulness,including describing and nonreacting to inner experience,and life satisfaction.Serenity also mediated the relation between the mindfulness facet of describing and depressive symptoms.Direct associations were indicated between two mindfulness facets,including observing and nonjudging of inner experience,and depressive symptoms.Taken together,the findings revealed mindfulness facets as major correlates of serenity and psychological outcomes among Chinese meditation practitioners.To foster psychological well-being,researchers,educators,and practitioners should pay attention to the role of serenity,describing,and nonreacting to inner experience in mental health.

Mediating Effect of Mindfulness,Self-Esteem and Psychological Resilience in the Relation between Childhood Maltreatment and Life Satisfaction

Childhood maltreatment,as a typical early adverse environment,is known to have a negative impact on one’s life satisfaction.Mindfulness,on the other hand,may serve as a protective factor.This study explored the mediating role of mindfulness and its related variables–positive thoughts,psychological resilience and self-esteem.In order to testify the mechanism,we administered Childhood Trauma Questionnaire(CTQ),Satisfaction with Life Scale(SWLS),Mindful Attention Awareness Scale(MAAS),Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale(CD-RISC)and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale(RSES)to a non-clinical sample of Chinese university students(N=1021).The results indicated that positive thoughts did not mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and life satisfaction,but self-esteem(β=−0.194,95%CI=[−0.090,−0.040])and psychological resilience(β=−0.063,95%CI=[−0.059,−0.020])mediated the relationship,as well as the“mindfulness-selfesteem”(β=−0.061,95%CI=[−0.287,−0.126])and“mindfulness-psychological resilience”(β=−0.035,95%CI=[−0.115,−0.034]).The results of this study were helpful to understand the relationship between childhood maltreatment and life satisfaction and provided a theoretical basis for the development of mindfulness intervention programs from the perspective of positive psychology.

Mindfulness training in medical education as a means to improve resilience,empathy,and mental health in the medical profession

The high rates of depression,burnout,and increased risk of suicide among medical students,residents,and physicians in comparison with other careers signal a mental health crisis within our profession.We contend that this crisis coupled with the inadequate acquisition of interpersonal skills during medical education results from the interaction between a challenging environment and the mental capital of individuals.Additionally,we posit that mindfulness-based practices are instrumental for the development of major components of mental capital,such as resilience,flexibility of mind,and learning skills,while also serving as a pathway to enhance empathy,compassion,self-awareness,conflict resolution,and relational abilities.Importantly,the evidence base supporting the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions has been increasing over the years,and a growing number of medical schools have already integrated mindfulness into their curricula.While we acknowledge that mindfulness is not a panacea for all educational and mental health problems in this field,we argue that there is currently an unprecedented opportunity to gather momentum,spread and study mindfulness-based programs in medical schools around the world as a way to address some longstanding shortcomings of the medical profession and the health and educational systems upon which it is rooted.

Is Peer Victimization Associated with Higher Online Trolling among Adolescents?The Mediation of Hostile Attribution Bias and the Moderation of Trait Mindfulness

Background:In recent years,online trolling has garnered significant attention due to its detrimental effects on mental health and social well-being.The current study examined the influence of peer victimization on adolescent online trolling behavior,proposing that hostile attribution bias mediated this relationship and that trait mindfulness moderated both the direct and indirect effects.Methods:A total of 833 Chinese adolescents completed the measurements of peer victimization,hostile attribution bias,trait mindfulness,and online trolling.Moderated mediation analysis was performed to examine the relationships between these variables.Results:After controlling for gender and residential address,the study found a significant positive correlation between peer victimization and online trolling,with hostile attribution bias serving as a mediator.In addition,trait mindfulness moderated the direct relationship between peer victimization and online trolling.Specifically,the effect of peer victimization on online trolling was attenuated when adolescents had high levels of trait mindfulness.The results of the study emphasized the joint role of peer and personal factors in adolescents’online trolling behavior and provide certain strategies for intervening in adolescents’online trolling behavior.Conclusion:The results of the study suggest that strategies focusing on peer support and mindfulness training can have a positive impact on reducing online trolling behavior,promoting adolescents’mental health,and their long-term development.

The Claimed Revolution to Understand Consciousness:Information Plays the Driving/Essential Role for the Structuration and Behavior of the Living Organisms

A prestigious conference claimed recently a revolution in neuroscience to understand consciousness.In this paper it is shown that this revolution already came,revealing the determinant role of information for human and living structures,both for their structuration and behavior,explaining consciousness at human as the result of the activity of the Informational System of Human and Living Structures.For this,it is emphasized and discussed the informational structure of the eukaryotic cell,the basic/representative composing unit of the multicellular body of human,animals,and plants,showing that the composition and functions of the informational system are basically similar with that of human.To reveal the driving role of informational mechanisms in human and subhuman organisms,it is introduced the concept of matter-related information,showing that information can be hidden/“embodied”or released/“disembodied”in or from the elemental micro/macro components of the body,during the multiple chain/cascade interactions including transduction processes.It is shown that such interactions are initiated from two main categories of informational sources:implicit(genetic)and explicit(external/internal)sources,the first category leading to structuration of the body and the second the reactive behavior.Consciousness in human and subhuman organisms,expressed by two corresponding informational relations,is the result of the release of information by the mind,acting as an informational operator/device,the development degree of mind and consciousness depending on the complexity degree and adaptation.An analogy of this Informational Model of Human and Living Structures(IMHLS)with the ancient model of chakras is highlighted,showing that these models support each other,applied with beneficial effects in Reiki technique and music-based cognitive multi-task therapy for neuro-rehabilitation.

Effect of Mindful Meditation, Physical Activity, and Diet to Reduce the Risk to Develop or Reduce Severity of Cardiovascular Diseases in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review

Background: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is one of the leading chronic diseases in Saudi Arabia (SA) that cause disability and death. CVD predisposition risk varies according to age, gender, education, socioeconomic factors, and place of residency. In addition, CVD risk factors include physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyle, saturated fatty acid high diet, smoking, and stress. Aim: This is a systematic review study that aims to determine the effect of mindful mediation, physical activity, and diet on CVD in SA. Materials and Methods: This is a systematic electronic search method in Google scholar, PubMed, and Medline. Papers collected are papers that have been published since 2015. The search uses the following keywords: (Cardiovascular disease OR physical activity OR Physical inactivity OR meditation OR diet) AND Saudi Arabia. Data were extracted from each study through a narrative summary of each study. Results: Forty papers collected from 2015 to 2022 were included in the narrative study. Physical activity, diet, and mindful meditation are among the factors that can reduce the risk of development of CVD or severity of disease in patients with a CVD. Conclusion: This systematic review emphasized risk factors like physical inactivity, poor diet, and low level of awareness among Saudis and CVD Saudi patients. The findings show the role of physical activity, mindful meditation, and diet in reducing the onset or severity of cardiovascular disease.

Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on depressive symptoms in patients with substance use disorders:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:We examined the effects of mindfulness-based interventions(MBIs)on depressive symptoms in patients with substance use disorders(SUDs)and explored the moderating effects of participant,method,and intervention characteristics.Methods:We systematically searched 8 databases from their inception till November 2021.The inclusion criteria were primary studies evaluating MBIs in patients with SUDs with depression measured as an outcome,those including a control group,and those written in English.We used a random-effects model to compute effect sizes(ESs)using Hedges’g,a forest plot,and Q and I2 statistics as measures of heterogeneity;we also examined moderator analyses.Results:Nineteen studies included 1352 participants(age:38.6±7.0 years).Overall,MBIs showed significantly improved depression(g=0.67,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.29,1.05,I2=89%)compared to controls.With regard to moderators,providing MBIs as an individual plus group intervention had a greater effect(g=2.13)on reducing depressive symptoms than providing MBIs as a group intervention(g=0.64)or an individual intervention only(g=0.33,P=0.034).Using concealed allocation tended to reduce depressive symptoms(g=1.22)as compared to not using concealed allocation(g=0.48,P=0.086).No other quality indicators were demonstrated to have a moderating influence on the value of the ES.Conclusions:MBIs improved depressive symptoms in patients with SUDs.MBIs might be used as an adjunctive or alternative to conventional treatment for depressed patients with SUDs.

Mindfulness and mindful parenting:Strategies for preschoolers with behavioral issues

The behavior issues of preschoolers are closely related to their parents'parenting styles.This editorial discusses the value and strategies for solving behavior issues in preschoolers from the perspectives of mindfulness and mindful parenting.We expect that upcoming studies will place greater emphasis on the behavioral concerns of preschoolers and the parenting practices that shape them,particularly focusing on proactive interventions for preschoolers'behavioral issues.

Text Difficulty,Working Memory Capacity and Mind Wandering During Chinese EFL Learners’Reading

This experimental study investigated how text difficulty and different working memory capacity(WMC)affected Chinese EFL learners’reading comprehension and their tendency to engage in task-unrelated thoughts,that is,mind wandering(MW),in the course of reading.Sixty first-year university non-English majors participated in the study.A two-factor mixed experimental design of 2(text difficulty:difficult and simple)×2(WMC:high/large and low/small)was employed.Results revealed that 1)the main and interaction effects of WMC and text difficulty on voluntary MW were significant,whereas those on involuntary MW were not;2)while reading the easy texts,the involuntary MW of high-WMC individuals was less frequent than that of low-WMC ones,whereas while reading the difficult ones,the direct relationship between WMC and involuntary MW was not found;and that 3)high-WMC individuals had a lower overall rate of MW and better reading performance than low-WMC individuals did,but with increasing text difficulty,their rates of overall MW and voluntary MW were getting higher and higher,and the reading performance was getting lower and lower.These results lend support to WM theory and have pedagogical implications for the instruction of L2 reading.

Impact of Migrant Populations on Tuberculosis Rates in Saudi Arabia: Assessing How Migration Patterns Affect TB Incidence and Control Measures: A Narrative Review

This research focuses on the effects of migration on the TB infection rate and its prevention in Saudi Arabia, which has a large number of expatriates from TB-affected countries. Despite, based on the current global statistics of TB occurrence, it is evident that the national incidence of TB has reduced from 10.55 per 100,000 in 2015 to 8.36 per 100,000 in 2019;despite this, there are still some difficulties because migrants bring new strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Hindrances, including language barriers and perceived immigration status, hinder patients from seeking medical attention or doctors from diagnosing diseases. Each patient and each cultural group need special attention to public health, enhancing living circumstances, and health care support. Community participation, inclusion of TB control programs into functional healthcare facilities, and the functioning of TB programs need to be stressed to address TB issues. Considering the focus on social, economic, and cultural approaches, the country can make severe advancements in TB control and population protection. This holistic analysis is critical for a long-term effective strategy to combat TB in the Kingdom.

The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Symptoms of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury:A Systematic Review

Mindfulness-based interventions(MBIs)are emerging non-pharmacological treatments for mild traumatic brain injury(mTBI).In this systematic review,the authors aimed to evaluate the potential efficacy of MBIs to provide recommendations for treating patients with mTBI.We searched of the English literature on MBIs for patients with mTBI as of 01 September,2023,using the PubMed,Web of Science,PsycINFO,and Scopus databases.One author performed data extraction and quality scoring of the included literature according to the proposed protocol,and another conducted the review.The review was not registered.A total of 11 studies met the final inclusion criteria,5 of which involved military personnel(veterans).MBIs covered in this review include goal-oriented attention self-regulation(GOALS),mindfulness-based stress reduction(MBSR),acceptance and commitment therapy(ACT),and so on.Research shows that MBSR mainly reduces mental fatigue symptoms in mTBI patients,and GOALS tend to improve their cognitive function.The effect of MBIs on psychological symptoms needs further exploration.Other studies,such as mindfulness-based group therapy and intervention studies targeting mTBI military personnel,are relatively sparse.MBIs have specific effects on mental fatigue and cognitive dysfunction in patients with mTBI.However,the effect on psychological distress and the sustained effectiveness across all symptoms still need further exploration.Considering the particularity of military personnel suffering from mTBI,researchers need to do more intervention studies targeting mTBI military personnel.Therefore,the design of future MBIs trials for mTBI patients’needs to take into account all the factors,such as different populations and severity of traumatic brain injury,to verify the effectiveness of MBIs in alleviating mTBI symptoms and explore the mechanism of intervention.

Research on the Audio Publishing of Classical Books Based on the Theory of Business Model Canvas: Taking Romance of the Three Kingdoms in Digital Audio Platforms as an Example

Visual media have dominated sensory communications for decades,and the resulting“visual hegemony”leads to the call for the“auditory return”in order to achieve a holistic balance in cultural acceptance.Romance of the Three Kingdoms,a classic literary work in China,has received significant attention and promotion from leading audio platforms.However,the commercialization of digital audio publishing faces unprecedented challenges due to the mismatch between the dissemination of long-form content on digital audio platforms and the current trend of short and fast information reception.Drawing on the Business Model Canvas Theory and taking Romance of the Three Kingdoms as the main focus of analysis,this paper argues that the construction of a business model for the audio publishing of classical books should start from three aspects:the user evaluation of digital audio platforms,the establishment of value propositions based on the“creative transformation and innovative development”principle,and the improvement of the audio publishing infrastructure to ensure the healthy operation and development of the digital audio platforms and consequently improve their current state of development and expand the boundaries of cultural heritage.

Cognitive dissonance and mindset perturbations during crisis:“ecosocio-psycho-somatic”perspectives

Mandatory and restrictive health regulations during the corona pandemic caused psychic disorders in many people,which even led to clinically relevant mental disorders.At the same time,there was gradually a polarization of opinions among the population.In order to improve future pandemic management,an integrative understanding of these psychosocial processes therefore seems useful.Here we start theoretically with the mental effects of inconsistencies of the information environment by referring to concepts such as the theory of cognitive dissonance.In a next step,we use the psychodynamic theory to understand the affective-motivational defense mechanisms underlying these cognitive states and processes.However,a broader theoretical framework of psychoanalysis seems to make sense,because self-referential processing also influences the style of thinking.For this reason,we use a more comprehensive psychological systems theoretical framework model to integrate these different perspectives.This integrative view refers in part to basic knowledge of health psychology regarding the resistance of unhealthy ways of thinking and behaviors and the possibilities for interventions for change.We then extend this model to a broader picture that also covers the relationship between men and their environment.This results in the perspective of a multidimensional socioecological theoretical framework,which as a heuristic reference model and related to other ecological approaches could also be helpful for various theoretical questions for public health,and could provide a better public understanding of health issues.In line with this perspective,we hypothesize that with regard to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic,the acceptance of public health narratives could be increased if a more consistent picture of the scientific descriptions and explanations of the pandemic-similar to the model proposed-could be provided,which would enable the understanding of the origin,course and countermeasures,and thus could have positive collective psycho-hygienic effects.

The Dissemination, Acceptance and Evolution of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms in Japan

As one of the Four Great Masterpieces of China,The Romance of the Three Kingdoms has become a landmark of ancient Chinese literature with vivid and profound character images,ups and downs of politics and war descriptions,and appealing historical plots.After being introduced to Japan in the second half of the 17th century,it was spread in Japanese society and was accepted for literary value,social needs and other reasons,then a series of evolutions were produced by combining with local culture,eventually becoming a national culture in Japan.This paper selects the most popular text of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms with 24 chapters and 120 verses in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty,and the Japanese translation of The Popular Romance of the Three Kingdoms published by Hunan Wenshan in 1689 as the objects,guided by Ralph Linton’s“Manifestation,Selection,Integration”cultural communication research method,to analyze the dissemination,acceptance and evolution of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms in 17-20 centuries’Japan,which started from the field of literature,then combined with various cultural forms and spread to the civic class,and finally entered politics area and produced a series of evolutions under the influence of Japanese values to become the representative culture of Japan.This paper suggests that in today’s world of frequent cultural exchanges,China should,based on strengthening cultural self-confidence,actively and appropriately select and accept foreign cultures with the attitude of prioritizing our own culture and utilizing foreign culture for our own purposes.The research outcome can provide experience for the current Chinese culture to go to the world with high quality.

Spatial-temporal Divergence Characteristics and Driving Factors of Green Economic Efficiency in the Yangtze River Economic Belt of China

The spatial and temporal variation of green economic efficiency and its driving factors are of great significance for the con-struction of high-efficiency and low-consumption green development model and sustainable socio-economic development.The research focused on the Yangtze River Economic Belt(YREB)and employed the miniumum distance to strong efficient frontier DEA(MinDs)model to measure the green economic efficiency of the municipalities in the region between 2008 and 2020.Then,the spatial autocorrel-ation model was used to analyze the evolution characteristics of its spatial pattern.Finally,Geodetector was applied to reveal the drivers and their interactions on green economic efficiency.It is found that:1)the overall green economic efficiency of the YREB from 2008 to 2020 shows a W-shaped fluctuating upward trend,green economic efficiency is greater in the downstream and smallest in the upstream;2)the spatial distribution of green economic efficiency shows clustering characteristics,with multi-core clustering based on‘city clusters-central cities'becoming more obvious over time;the High-High agglomeration type is mainly clustered in Jiangsu and Zheji-ang,while the Low-Low agglomeration type is clustered in the western Sichuan Plateau area and southwestern Yunnan;3)from input-output factors,whether it is the YREB as a whole or the upper,middle and lower reaches regions,the economic development level,labor input,and capital investment are the leading factors in the spatial-temporal evolution of green economic efficiency,with the com-prehensive influence of economic development level and pollution index being the most important interactive driving factor;4)from so-cio-economic factors,information technology drivers such as government intervention,transportation accessibility,information infra-structure,and Internet penetration are always high impact influencers and dominant interaction factors for green economic efficiency in the YREB and the three major regions in the upper,middle and lower reaches.Accordingly,the article puts forward relevant policy re-commendations in terms of formulating differentiated green transformation strategies,strengthening network leadership and informa-tion technology construction and coordinating multi-factor integrated development,which could provide useful reference for promoting synergistic green economic efficiency in the YREB.

Application of BOPPPS + Mind Maps to Improve Clinical Competence of General Practitioner Residents: Taking Cough as an Example

Objective:To analyze the importance of general practitioner residents using the combined teaching method(BOPPPS+mind maps).Methods:From September 2023 to August 2024,a study was conducted with 6 control group participants receiving traditional teaching and 6 observation group participants receiving the combined teaching method(BOPPPS+mind maps).The study analyzed various indicators between the two groups(including mind map scores and assessment results).Results:Compared with the control group,the assessment scores of the observation group were significantly higher(P<0.05).Conclusion:The application of the combined teaching method(BOPPPS+mind maps)by general practitioner residents can significantly improve their comprehensive abilities.

Discussion on the Skillful Use of Mind Maps in High School Mathematics Teaching

With the continuous development of China’s education,the social requirements for high school teaching are constantly improving.The teaching of high school mathematics is a key point in the high school curriculum,but also a major difficulty.Due to the strong logic and abstraction of the content of high school mathematics,some students find it very difficult to learn.In order to solve this problem,high school mathematics teachers can make use of mind maps to teach,so that students can exercise their thinking ability,and realize the improvement of comprehensive ability in mathematics.This paper analyzes the shortcomings of high school mathematics classrooms under the background of new curriculum reform and discusses the significance and methods of applying mind maps in high school mathematics classrooms,so as to put forward reasonable suggestions for realizing the efficient teaching of high school mathematics.

Examining the Interplay between Trait Mindfulness and Thriving at Work among Teachers in Western China:The Mediating Role of General Self-Efficacy

This study explores the nuanced relationship between trait mindfulness and thriving at work among educators in Western China,emphasizing the mediating role of general self-efficacy.Employing a sample of 378 primary and secondary school teachers,this research utilizes the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire(FFMQ),Thriving at Work Scale(TWS),and the General Self-Efficacy Scale(GSES)to conduct a thorough investigation.The findings indicate a significant positive correlation between trait mindfulness and thriving at work,between trait mindfulness and general self-efficacy,and between general self-efficacy and thriving at work.Additionally,trait mindfulness was found to have a positive predictive effect on both thriving at work and general self-efficacy,with general self-efficacy also showing a positive predictive effect on thriving at work.Importantly,general self-efficacy was identified as playing a partial mediating role in the relationship between trait mindfulness and thriving at work.These results underscore the importance of cultivating mindfulness and self-efficacy among teachers to enhance their enthusiasm for work,suggesting potential pathways for professional development and well-being in the educational sector.

融合Mind Map优势助力完善线上线下教学衔接--以园林树木学树种识别教学为例

疫情当前,线上线下混合式教学已经成为课程教学新模式。树种识别是园林树木学教学的重点和难点,也是教学目的之一。由于课程涉及的树种种类繁多,知识点琐碎,专业术语抽象,再加上课时少任务重,使得教师在教学过程中无法将所有树种的特征逐一讲解到,学生在学习过程中也容易混淆,无法有效吸收知识点。因此,在课程的教学改革中,通过引入Mind Map帮助厘清知识框架,优化知识结构,搭建知识关联,不仅使教师授课过程更顺畅,而且能够激发学生在线学习的兴趣,促使学生养成“整理知识点”的良好习惯,使学习效率大幅度提高,从而创建高效的线上课堂,有效巩固混合式教学的教学效果。