Introduction: This study investigates the role of teacher empathy in influencing student mental health outcomes through a comparative Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach. Given the rising prevalence of mental health challenges among students, understanding the impact of empathetic teacher-student relationships is crucial.Methods: Utilizing a sample of 300 students from diverse educational settings, the research examines how teacher empathy affects student engagement and mental health. The study employs SEM to analyze the relationships between perceived teacher empathy, student engagement, and mental health outcomes.Results: Findings reveal that higher levels of perceived teacher empathy correlate with reduced stress, anxiety, and depression while enhancing student engagement in learning activities. Furthermore, student engagement mediates the relationship between teacher empathy and mental health outcomes.Discussion: The results underscore the necessity of fostering empathetic relationships within educational contexts to promote student resilience and well-being. Implications for teacher training programs and academic practices are discussed, emphasizing the importance of empathy in creating supportive learning environments that enhance student mental health and engagement.

Background: This study focuses on cultural influences and investigates sleep quality's impact on cognitive functions among university students in Tokyo and London. Recognizing sleep as vital for wellbeing and academic success, it explores factors affecting sleep quality and its cognitive impact in diverse educational settings.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 400 students (200 per city). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) assesses sleep quality. At the same time, cognitive tests, including the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and the Stroop Test, evaluated memory, attention, problem-solving, and executive functions.Results: Significant negative correlations emerged between PSQI scores and cognitive performance, indicating that poorer sleep quality correlated with diminished cognitive abilities across domains. Regression analyses confirmed sleep quality's predictive role in mental performance, controlling for demographics. These findings highlight sleep's critical role in cognitive functions within different cultural contexts.Conclusion: This study underscores sleep quality's importance for academic success and reveals cultural variations influencing sleep patterns among Tokyo and London students. The findings suggest targeted interventions to enhance sleep quality and cognitive functioning in diverse educational settings, considering cultural nuances and lifestyle factors. Further research should explore longitudinal effects and intervention strategies to improve sleep and mental outcomes.

The rapid expansion of global e-business, particularly through China's Digital Silk Road (DSR), is transforming international trade and investment in emerging markets such as West Africa. Despite the strategic importance of this region, the risks and challenges associated with China-West Africa e-business cooperation remain underexplored in current scholarship. This study addresses this gap by employing a mixed-methods approach integrating quantitative analysis of cross-border trade data with stakeholder surveys and in-depth interviews to investigate the political, regulatory, and cultural risks that shape digital partnerships between Chinese firms and West African stakeholders. Guided by the hypothesis that these risks are dynamic and interrelated, the research draws on institutional theory, transaction cost economics, and cultural distance frameworks to provide a holistic assessment. The findings reveal that regulatory fragmentation, operational inefficiencies, and misaligned expectations of digital trust significantly impede the development of resilient e-business ecosystems. Inconsistent policy enforcement and infrastructural deficits further complicate cross-border cooperation. However, the study also identifies effective mitigation strategies, including regulatory harmonization under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), targeted capacity building, and culturally adaptive partnership models. These insights offer actionable recommendations for policymakers, business leaders, and multilateral institutions aiming to foster sustainable digital cooperation. This research contributes to theoretical understanding and practical solutions for equitable digital partnerships in the evolving global economy by advancing a contextualized risk assessment framework.

Background: Child safety awareness is critical, particularly in abduction prevention. This study investigates psychological factors influencing safety awareness in children, recognizing the limitations of primarily informational approaches.Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed with 300 children aged 6–12 and 30 parents/educators. Quantitative data were collected via surveys measuring self-efficacy, anxiety, and safety awareness. Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews exploring experiences and perceptions.Results: Quantitative analyses revealed a significant positive correlation between self-efficacy and safety awareness [r = 0.62, p < 0.001, 95% CI (0.54, 0.70)] and a significant negative correlation between anxiety and safety awareness [r = −0.47, p < 0.001, 95% CI (−0.55, −0.38)]. Qualitatively, key themes included the importance of open communication, the complex impact of parental anxiety (e.g., one parent noted, “I worry I’m scaring him”), and the effectiveness of interactive educational strategies.Conclusion: Comprehensive education programs should enhance self-efficacy while managing anxiety and promoting open communication. This research integrates psychological insights to inform future interventions to improve child protection strategies.