In our view, human development, well-being, mental health, nature, culture, and society are co-evolving systems that interact in complex and dynamic ways. We are therefore seeking new quantitative and qualitative empirical studies, comprehensive reviews and thought-provoking perspective articles inspired by theoretical or practical dilemmas, preferably in a comparative way, through individual, socio-cultural, historical, or institutional perspectives. MORE ABOUT THE JOURNAL
Semmelweis University – Institute of Mental Health
Assessing Parental Stress and Satisfaction: Validation of the Hungarian Version of the Parental Stress Scale
Introduction: Parenting is widely recognized as a meaningful and rewarding experience, yet it also entails significant demands and stress. Major family transitions, beginning with the transition to parenthood and extending to later life changes, profoundly reshape family dynamics and are often associated with elevated parental stress. Therefore, reliable measures are essential to effectively capture the sources and effects of this stress. Aim: The current study aimed to examine parental stress in a Hungarian sample by validating the Parental Stress Scale (PASS; Berry & Jones, 1995). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 838 Hungarianspeaking parents (75.5% women; mean age = 37.50 years). Participants completed the Hungarian version of the Parental Stress Scale along with additional measures of perceived stress, depression, life satisfaction, parental resilience, and relationship satisfaction. Results: Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis with systematic model comparison supported a robust two-factor structure (Parental Stress and Parental Satisfaction) yielding a 13‑item solution with acceptable fit indices. Both scales demonstrated good internal consistency. Parental stress was positively associated with perceived stress and depression, and negatively associated with life satisfaction, parental resilience, and relationship satisfaction, whereas parental satisfaction showed the opposite pattern. Higher educational attainment and a greater number of children were associated with higher parental stress, while older age and male gender were associated with lower parental satisfaction. Conclusions: The Hungarian version of the Parental Stress Scale is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing parental stress and satisfaction. It serves as a useful tool for research and intervention programs aimed at supporting parental well-being in Hungary.
Copyright (c) 2026 European Journal of Mental Health
Examination of Self-Rated Health, Psychological Well-Being and Cardiovascular Health Risks – 10-Year Follow-Up of the Budakalász Epidemiological Study in Hungary
Introduction: Self-rated health (SRH) predicts morbidity and mortality; however, its long-term trajectories and associations with psychological wellbeing (PWB), health behaviors, and cardiovascular risk remain understudied in Central and Eastern Europe. Aim: To describe 10-year changes in cardiovascular risk, health behaviors, PWB, and SRH, and to examine how SRH relates to PWB, health behaviors, and cardiovascular risk in a non-clinical Hungarian adult sample. Methods: Adults from Budakalász who participated in a cardiovascular screening in 2012 were invited to follow up in 2023. The analysis included 170 participants aged 45–65 years without major cardiovascular events. SRH was assessed with a single global item. Anthropometric and laboratory measures, FINDRISK and Framingham risk scores, health behaviors, and a fouritem PWB score derived from the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36)were included. Non-parametric tests, independent sample t-tests, and Spearman correlations were applied. Results: Over the 10-year period, SRH showed a modest overall decline, with approximately one-quarter of participants reporting deteriorated SRH, more than half remaining stable, and a minority improving. SRH trajectories were not consistently associated with changes in PWB, cardiovascular risk, or health behaviors. Cross-sectionally, SRH was moderately correlated with PWB but only weakly related to health behaviors. Anthropometric data and cardiovascular risk scores increased, whereas fasting glucose, HbA1c%, and fruit and vegetable consumption improved, and physical activity shifted toward lower intensity. Conclusions: SRH was closely aligned with PWB over 10 years but largely decoupled from objective cardiovascular risk and health behaviors, supporting SRH as a psychologically grounded subjective health construct relevant for cardiovascular prevention.
TEST 33 Examination of Self-Rated Health, Psychological Well-Being and Cardiovascular Health Risks – 10-Year Follow-Up of the Budakalász Epidemiological Study in Hungary
TEST 44 Dark and Light Triad Traits, Age, and Female Teacher Well-Being – A Parallel Mediation Analysis
Introduction: Despite its importance, teacher well-being remains underexplored, particularly regarding teacher-related traits. Identifying factors that shape well-being across career stages, especially the relationship between well-being and age, is essential. Aim: The aim of the present study is to examine the association between age, a set of Dark and Light Triad traits, and female teacher well-being indicators. Methods: 1,114 female teachers (mean age = 46, SD = 9.12) completed an online, self-reported questionnaire which included the Short Dark Triad Scale, the Light Triad Scale, and the Teacher Subjective Well-being Questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson’s correlation, hierarchical regression, moderation, and mediation analyses were carried out. Results: The mediation analysis showed a significant direct effect of older age on higher school connectedness (β = .11, p < .001, 95% CI [.05, .16]) and on higher teaching efficacy (β = .18, p < .001, 95% CI [.13, .23]). Age was positively associated with narcissism, which in turn enhanced both teaching efficacy and school connectedness, as well as with Faith in Humanity, which contributed to higher school connectedness. Conversely, lower levels of Humanism were associated with reduced teaching efficacy. Conclusions: The current study highlights key findings on the relationships between age, Dark Triad and Light Triad traits, and teacher well-being, showing that Narcissism (Dark Triad) and Faith in Humanity or Humanism (Light Triad) significantly mediated the associations between age and school connectedness and teaching efficacy, thereby offering insights into areas necessary to improve well-being throughout female teachers’ careers.
TEST 2 Dark and Light Triad Traits, Age, and Female Teacher Well-Being – A Parallel Mediation Analysis
TEST 55 Dark and Light Triad Traits, Age, and Female Teacher Well-Being – A Parallel Mediation Analysis
TEST 77 Examination of Self-Rated Health, Psychological Well-Being and Cardiovascular Health Risks – 10-Year Follow-Up of the Budakalász Epidemiological Study in Hungary
TEST 88 Dark and Light Triad Traits, Age, and Female Teacher Well-Being – A Parallel Mediation Analysis
TEST 99 Dark and Light Triad Traits, Age, and Female Teacher Well-Being – A Parallel Mediation Analysis
TEST 4 Dark and Light Triad Traits, Age, and Female Teacher Well-Being – A Parallel Mediation Analysis
TEST 1 Dark and Light Triad Traits, Age, and Female Teacher Well-Being – A Parallel Mediation Analysis
TEST GOOD Dark and Light Triad Traits, Age, and Female Teacher Well-Being – A Parallel Mediation Analysis
Why Do Adolescents Use Social Media? Validation of the Croatian version of Motives to Use Social Networking Sites Scale
Introduction: Motivation for social media use is a multidimensional construct; however, most existing questionnaires focus solely on motives and do not distinguish between active and passive use. To address this, the Motives to Use Social Networking Sites Scale (MOTUS; Reimann et al., 2023) was developed, integrating motivational aspects and usage modes. Aim: This study examined the construct and convergent validity of the MOTUS scale in Croatian high school students. The original eight-factor model was tested with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and measurement invariance across gender was assessed with multigroup CFA. Associations with social media, loneliness, and fear of missing out were analysed for convergent validity. The Average Variance Extracted (AVE) and the Heterotrait– Monotrait (HTMT) ratio were also calculated to further evaluate the MOTUS scale. Reliability was assessed with Cronbach’s α and Macdonald’s ω. Methods: Participants were 853 adolescents aged 14–19 (M = 16.21, SD = 1.07; 69.6% women). In addition to MOTUS, they completed the Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMO), De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale and estimated daily time on social media. Results: The eight-factor model showed acceptable fit after removing one item with cross-loadings (CFI = .916, TLI = .900, RMSEA = .061, SRMR = .074). Measurement invariance supported configural, metric, and scalar equivalence across gender. Convergent validity was confirmed through significant correlations between MOTUS subscales, time on social media, and FoMO. Conclusions: The MOTUS scale shows acceptable psychometric properties for assessing motives and usage modes of social media in Croatian adolescents.
Copyright (c) 2025 European Journal of Mental Health
Editorial – Foreword to the 2025 Special Compilation on “Family Therapy and Family Studies in Supporting Mental Health"
Harmonious and resilient relationships within couples and fa­milies contribute to the well­being and life satisfaction of indi­viduals as well as to the strength of societies. Conversely, chronic challenges and difficulties in close relationships and family func­tioning can make individuals and wider communities vul nerable (Li et al., 2025; Walsh, 2016). Systemic family therapy, com­bined with informal support from family members and their communities, can be an effective intervention in child and fami­ly protection (Hertlein, 2023). The Special Call titled “Family Therapy and Family Studies in Supporting Mental Health” was announced in 2024 following a significant period of population stress in recent years, during which family resilience and support were of paramount importance globally due to health crises, natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts, wars, and economic hardships. The peer reviewed and edited articles were published throughout the year, and we are now publishing the entire Spe­cial Compilation at the beginning of the academic year. In addi­tion to other publications in our journal, this 2025 Special Compilation features five articles. In this short editorial fore­word, we – a sociologist and a psychologist – aim to present some interdisciplinary thoughts on contemporary family life, family studies, and family interventions.