The Periodical of Behavioral Science

Mental Health Literacy in the Workplace: Implications and Challenges for Employee Well-being

Krittipat Chuenphitthayavut — 2026-06-29

Abstract

Mental health literacy refers to the knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders that enable individuals to recognize, manage, and prevent mental health problems effectively. In today’s workplaces, where mental health concerns among employees are increasingly prevalent, mental health literacy has become a critical issue for organizations. This article aims to provide an overview of mental health literacy in the workplace, offering practical guidance for organizational application while also discussing potential challenges and future research directions in behavioral science and related fields to support employee well-being. The effective application of mental health literacy in organizations requires an understanding of five key components: knowledge of how to prevent mental disorders; the ability to recognize early signs of developing mental health problems; awareness of available sources of help and treatment options; knowledge of effective self-help strategies; and competence in mental health first aid. In addition, recognizing the role of organizational culture in shaping employees’ mental health literacy is essential. Such understanding can inform the use of digital technologies, organizational culture development, job design, motivation, and employee engagement initiatives aimed at enhancing employee well-being. These efforts will help organizations respond to emerging challenges and extend mental health initiatives to digital- and artificial intelligence–driven work environments, ultimately supporting sustainable employee well-being and long-term sustainability at work.

A Study of Problems and Needs Assessment for Developing Audiobooks for Visually Impaired Persons

Nitcha Chamniyon — 2026-06-29

Audiobooks are media that help promote educational opportunities and learning for visually impaired persons. However, visually impaired persons in Thailand still face problems in accessing these media in terms of quality, content, and supporting technology. This research aimed to study these problems and assess the priority needs for developing audiobooks to promote life skills for visually impaired persons. The sample comprised 1,080 visually impaired persons and 20 experts, selected through purposive sampling, with expert data collected through focus group discussions. The research instrument was a 42-item questionnaire with an Item-Objective Congruence (IOC) index of 0.84 and a reliability coefficient of 0.82. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, modified Priority Needs Index (PNI modified), and content analysis. The research findings revealed that most participants had used audiobooks (67.5%). The major problems identified included unclear audio quality (27.2%), lack of descriptive narration for important details (25.8%), and content not aligning with users’ needs (18.1%). The participants had the highest level of expectations toward audiobooks, particularly regarding the naturalness of narration voices, accessibility via mobile phones, and the promotion of mental health. The results of the priority needs assessment showed that audio characteristics had the highest priority need (PNI modified = 0.49), followed by content types (PNI modified = 0.43) and needs for audio media usage (PNI modified = 0.36). The experts suggested developing audiobooks with clear audio quality, support for a variety of digital devices, and compliance with DAISY standards in order to promote effective and sustainable access to information for visually impaired persons.

Effectiveness of a Self-Propelled Wheeled Sit-to-Stand Chair on Exercise Capacity and Healthful Living Behaviors among Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities

Sukrit Jaijumnong — 2026-06-29

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a self-propelled wheeled sit-to-stand chair in enhancing physical exercise capacity and healthful living behaviors among older adults and persons with disabilities. A quasi-experimental design was applied with 24 participants, divided equally into an experimental group (n = 12) and a comparison group (n = 12). Data were collected using standardized questionnaires were used to assess physical exercise capacity and healthful living behaviors, with reliability coefficients measured by Cronbach’s alpha of .821 and .859, respectively. The prototype of the adjustable standing wheelchair innovation was evaluated by three experts. Data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and ANOVA with repeated measure. Results revealed that the experimental group showed significant improvement in physical exercise capacity from pre- to post-intervention (p < .001), which was sustained at the 3-week follow-up (p < .001). At follow-up, the experimental group also had significantly higher scores in both physical exercise capacity and healthful living behaviors compared to the comparison group (p < .001). Conclusion: The self-propelled wheeled sit-to-stand chair effectively enhanced exercise capacity and promoted healthier living behaviors among older adults and persons with disabilities. This innovation demonstrates potential as an assistive technology to improve mobility and support active, healthful living in populations with movement limitations.

Theoretical Perspectives on the Integration of Movement and Music for Enhancing Executive Functions in Children with Learning Difficulties

Chinnapat Charoenrat — 2026-06-29

This study aims to develop a theoretical framework integrating movement and music to explain the mechanisms underlying the development of executive functions (EF) in children with learning difficulties. Specifically, it analyzes the interactive influences of physical movement and musical elements in stimulating prefrontal cortex functioning and proposes practical implications for designing intervention programs. A qualitative research design combined with a theoretical synthesis approach was employed, consisting of three phases: (1) systematic review and thematic synthesis of interdisciplinary literature in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, special education, and music to construct an integrative conceptual framework; (2) analysis of mechanisms of influence using evidence from neurocognitive and experimental studies; and (3) derivation of practical implications through the development of conceptual prototypes and expert validation. The findings highlight the synergistic roles of embodied cognition and music therapy: movement provides a physical scaffold for sequencing and self-regulation, while music contributes temporal structure and emotional motivation. Three key mechanisms were identified—rhythmic entrainment, motor–cognitive coupling, and emotional regulation through music—all of which collectively stimulate prefrontal activation associated with EF. The study concludes that integrating movement and music offers a robust theoretical foundation with high potential for EF enhancement in children with learning difficulties. It is recommended that the model be applied to the design of educational and therapeutic interventions to promote learning, adaptability, and sustainable quality of life.

Wearable Health Technology: A Systematic Review of Trends, Applications, and Future Research Directions

Meka Deesongkram — 2026-06-29

Wearable Health Technology (WHT) has gained increasing attention in the era of digital health due to its ability to provide real-time health monitoring and support health promotion, disease prevention, and remote patient care. This study aimed to review and synthesize the existing knowledge, research trends, and applications of wearable health technologies through a systematic literature review combined with bibliometric analysis. Data were retrieved from the Dimensions database for the period 2021–2024 using the search terms “wearable health technology” OR “wearable devices” on May 15, 2026. A total of 1,854 records were identified, and after screening according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 388 articles (20.93%) met the inclusion criteria for analysis. Bibliometric findings revealed that the United States was the leading contributor, with 183 publications and 4,023 citations. Content synthesis indicated that the majority of studies focused on smart wearable devices, wearable medical sensors, continuous health monitoring, remote patient monitoring, and the integration of artificial intelligence for health data analytics. Emerging research themes included digital health, personalized healthcare, digital health equity, and real-time health data analysis. Key challenges identified across the literature involved data privacy, cybersecurity, and ethical issues related to health data use. The findings suggest that wearable health technologies have significant potential to enhance healthcare delivery systems. However, systematic standards for safety, data reliability, and personal data protection are required to ensure their sustainable implementation. Future research should further investigate clinical outcomes, including reductions in hospital readmission rates and improvements in treatment adherence.