Background: Chronic pain is associated with increased disability and vulnerability to emotional disorders. Personality and psychological flexibility (PF) describe interindividual differences that shape the adjustment to chronic pain. Specifically, PF was found to be associated with pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression intensity. Although previous studies established strong correlations between personality and pain outcomes, evidence on the nature of this relationship is scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore the mediating effect of PF on the relationship between personality and distress. Methods: This transversal study included 108 participants (age M = 56.7, SD = 11.3) diagnosed with musculoskeletal chronic pain. Self-reported measures were administered by the medical care team. Multiple mediation models were performed for estimating the indirect effects on each outcome variable. Results: After controlling for age and gender covariates, we found that PF completely mediated the relationship between personality traits and all pain outcomes and partially mediated the impact of extraversion on anxiety. In addition, emotional stability also had an indirect effect on anxiety through PF. Conclusions: Personality traits and PF are significant predictors of pain outcomes. PF represents a core process mediating the impact of personality traits on the perceived intensity of pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression in patients with rheumatic disease. These results could facilitate the application of individualized psychological interventions in clinical contexts targeting the reduction of emotional avoidance and in chronic pain patients.

The medical profession requires continuous knowledge acquisition, effective communication skills, an appropriate level of empathy, and a personality profile that can support high-quality patient care. (1) The purpose of this study was to research whether there are associations or correlations between personality dimensions, empathy, and the attitudes of medical students regarding the learning of communication skills. (2) We conducted a pilot study with 267 first- and sixth-year medical students from the George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences, and Technology of Targu Mures as the subjects. The students were evaluated using the DECAS personality inventory, the Romanian communication skills ability scale, and Toronto empathy scale. (3) Our results showed that regarding the level of empathy (p = 0.09) and positive attitudes related to communication skills (p = 0.52), there were no statistically significant differences between first- and sixth-year medical students. On the other hand, in the case of negative attitudes, it was observed that there was a statistical significance (p = 0.0003). It was also observed that there was a positive association between agreeableness and empathy (OR = 6.12, p < 0.0001) and a negative association between emotional stability and empathy (OR = 0.45, p = 0.01). Correlations were also found between positive attitudes related to communication skills with patients and the personality dimensions of conscientiousness (r = 0.21, p = 0.0004) and agreeableness (r = 0.15, p = 0.01), as well as between negative attitudes related to communication skills with patients and the agreeableness dimension (r = −0.23, p = 0.0001) and emotional stability dimension (r = −0.13, p = 0.02). Furthermore, the two proposed models confirmed the influence that personality and empathy have on attitudes towards learning communication skills. (4) The findings of this study show that both the personality structure and the empathy of a student are linked to their attitudes about communication.

Mental health is shaped by multiple psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual factors. This narrative review aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the relationship between spirituality, religiosity, and mental health across the lifespan, with particular emphasis on psychological well-being, coping, resilience, and help-seeking behaviors, while considering both beneficial and potentially adverse associations. A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Studies published between 2000 and 2026 were screened according to predefined eligibility criteria. A total of 52 publications, including quantitative and qualitative studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and narrative reviews, were included. The evidence was synthesized according to three life stages (childhood and adolescence, adulthood, and older adulthood), with an additional section examining help-seeking behaviors and access to mental health care across the lifespan. The reviewed evidence identified both beneficial and adverse mental health outcomes in relation to spirituality and religiosity. Beneficial outcomes included lower levels of depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidal behaviors, as well as higher levels of resilience, emotional support, and life satisfaction. In contrast, negative religious coping and spiritual struggles were associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety, as well as delayed help-seeking behavior. Overall, the findings varied across study designs, populations, and cultural contexts. Spirituality and religiosity can influence mental health in both positive and negative ways throughout life. Understanding these relationships may help support more sensitive and individualized approaches to mental health care.

Background/objectives. Stigma and self-stigma in serious mental illness (SMI) – particularly in schizophrenia – is a crucial, yet poorly researched phenomenon that has a significant effect on the sufferers of the disorder. This article aims to summarize and present recent findings on the topic, the current paradigm surrounding it, as well as any recent approaches suggested in its management and treatment. Methodology. We have selected articles out of the PubMed database, as well as other supporting references, and we have summarized information on three topics: prevalence, impact and suggested approaches. Results. Self-stigma is significantly prevalent globally. The impact is noted in the cited works. The literature suggests a number of approaches on various levels of medical, social and political life. Conclusions. Self-stigma affects approximately one-third of individuals with SMI, with higher rates observed in schizophrenia and variations according to geography and culture. The phenomenon impairs the social function, clinical states and outcomes, and overall quality of life, and it takes place earlier than previously thought. Suggested courses of action include, but are not limited to, various kinds of therapy, community involvement, media and legislative approaches, and more.

Introduction: Problematic internet use has been increasingly associated with depression, anxiety and other psychiatric symptoms; however, its impact on attentional functioning has not been thoroughly researched. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Târgu Mureș, Romania, and aimed to examine the associations between problematic internet use, attentional control, and symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults, and to determine whether problematic internet use independently predicts attentional control after accounting for emotional symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 224 adults who completed an anonymous online survey between 1 January 2026 and 1 April 2026. Problematic internet use was assessed using the Compulsive Internet Use Scale-14 (CIUS-14), attentional control using the Attentional Control Scale (ACS), depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), anxiety symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7), and eating disorder risk using the SCOFF questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, internal consistency analyses, Pearson correlations, group comparisons according to the CIUS-14 screening threshold, and multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Results: Problematic internet use was significantly associated with lower attentional control (r = −0.493, p < 0.001), higher depressive symptoms (r = 0.408, p < 0.001), and higher anxiety symptoms (r = 0.467, p < 0.001). In the regression model, problematic internet use remained the only significant independent predictor of attentional control (B = −0.597, p < 0.001), whereas depressive and anxiety symptoms were not significant after adjustment. Participants above the CIUS-14 screening threshold reported significantly lower attentional control and higher depression and anxiety scores than those below the threshold. Conclusions: Problematic internet use was associated with poorer attentional control and greater emotional symptom severity in Romanian adults. These findings suggest that problematic internet use may be linked to a broader cognitive–emotional vulnerability profile. However, because of the cross-sectional design, self-report measures, convenience sampling, and lack of detailed information on specific online activities, the findings should be interpreted cautiously. Longitudinal studies using objective cognitive measures and more detailed assessment of digital behaviors are needed.