Creativity is a universal core higher-order cognitive ability in the 21st century, which reflects a country’s core competitiveness and soft power. Mindfulness, as an important concept in positive psychology, has also received attention for its potential effect on research creativity. Using structural equation modeling and bootstrap methods, this study investigated the relationship between mindfulness and research creativity among 1210 Chinese graduate students. Additionally, we explored the mediating effect of flow experience and creative self-efficacy in this relationship. The research results showed that mindfulness had a direct positive effect on graduate students’ scientific research creativity. The mediating effect of flow experience and creative self-efficacy, as well as the chain mediating effect, were established, with the mediating ratio being 13.1% and 30.0%, respectively, and the indirect effect of chain mediating accounting for 34.1%. Interestingly, the effect mechanism at the gender level was various, with the mediating effect of mindfulness on scientific research creativity being higher among male graduate students. The results of this study revealed the mechanism of mindfulness on graduate students’ scientific research creativity, offering valuable insights for enhancing their creative capabilities in the realm of scientific research.

The potential of the Asia-Pacific region as an important giant in the 21st century has significantly developed into a new power centre in global politics. The current world situation is rapidly cha...

Background: In the context of heightened social competition and increasing academic pressure, promoting the healthy development of adolescents has become a critical concern. This study investigates the impact and mechanisms through which adolescents' social and emotional skills influence their health behavior. Specifically, we hypothesized that social and emotional skills would positively affect health behavior, with test and class anxiety mediating and satisfaction with interpersonal relationships moderating this relationship. Methods: Using data from the 2023 OECD Survey on Social and Emotional Skills, this study employed a moderated mediation model to analyze the relationships between variables. The sample consisted of 6,737 adolescents, comprising 3,454 10-year-olds (51.3%) and 3,283 15-year-olds (48.7%); 3,484 were boys (51.7%) and 3,253 were girls (48.3%). Key variables assessed included social and emotional skills (e.g., task performance, emotional regulation), health behaviors (e.g., diet, exercise, sleep), test and class anxiety, and satisfaction with interpersonal relationships. Statistical analyses included Harman's single-factor test for common method bias, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and PROCESS macro in SPSS to test mediation and moderation effects. Results: The study found that adolescents' social and emotional skills positively influence their health behavior, with a significant direct effect (β = 0.375, p < 0.001) and an indirect effect mediated by test and class anxiety [6.68% of total effect, 95% CI (0.017, 0.033)]. Satisfaction with interpersonal relationships moderated both the direct effect of social and emotional skills on health behavior and the reduction of test anxiety by these skills. Higher relationship satisfaction strengthened the direct effect (β = 0.340 vs. β = 0.250 for low vs. high satisfaction) and amplified the anxiety-reduction effect (β = −0.262 vs. β = −0.168 for high vs. low satisfaction). Conclusion: This study highlights the critical role of social and emotional skills in promoting healthy behaviors among adolescents and underscores the importance of interpersonal relationships in moderating these effects. The results provide insights for policymakers and educators to design interventions that foster both social and emotional skills and supportive relational environments to enhance adolescent wellbeing.

The success of Singapore’s higher education system is widely recognised in Asia and beyond. Its high-quality and fast development is now a focal topic for researchers around the globe. As a young c...

Over the last decades, increased emphasis on notions such as ‘knowledge economy’ and ‘knowledge society’ has led policymakers and researchers in higher education to focus more on the societal roles...