Seçer, Emrah

Introductıon and aim: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between physical education and sports teachers' perceptions of workload and their psychological well-being, and to evaluate the roles of psychological resilience and perceived social support in this relationship. Method: The study employed a correlational survey design, and 276 physical education and sports teachers from public schools in Turkey participated. Data collection tools included the Teacher Workload Scale (TWP), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the Psychological Well-being Scale (PWB), and the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSS). The validity of the measurement models was tested using confirmatory factor analysis, and the hypotheses were evaluated using Hayes' Process Macro (Models 1, 4, and 7) and SPSS 25. Results: Under the first hypothesis, the indirect effect of workload on psychological well-being via psychological resilience was significant (b = −0.234, 95% CI [−0.327, −0.142]), explaining approximately 57% of the total variance. In the second hypothesis, perceived social support was found to moderate the relationship between workload and psychological resilience. At high levels of social support, the negative effect of workload on psychological resilience weakened (b = −0.079, 95% CI [−0.184, 0.025]). Within the scope of the third hypothesis, moderates mediation analysis showed that social support significantly mediated the indirect effect of workload on psychological well-being through psychological resilience (b = 0.004, 95% CI [0.001, 0.008]). While negative effects were evident at low levels of social support, they decreased significantly at high levels. Conclusion: The study reveals that the negative effect of teacher workload on psychological well-being operates through psychological resilience, and that perceived social support can mitigate these effects by moderating this process. The findings show that teachers' psychological resilience and social support resources play a critical role in mitigating the negative effects of workload. Educational policies and practices can be designed within the framework of workload management, strengthening social support mechanisms, and resilience-building programs.

Özer Kenan, Elif; Yılmaz, Necla

Background: Healthy living behaviours play a central role in preventing chronic disease and improving population health; therefore, understanding the quality of motivation behind these behaviours is essential. This study aimed to explore the motivational factors that shape the adoption and maintenance of healthy living behaviours within the framework of Self-Determination Theory. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological design was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 adults living in different regions of Türkiye who had experience with healthy living. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Motivation for healthy living was found to be multidimensional and emerged from the interplay of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Participants reported that concerns related to aging and health, physical and psychological well-being, social desirability, family and social support, illness experiences, and cultural and spiritual values influenced their motivation. Some factors reflected intrinsic motivation, whereas several external influences were internalised over time and became more autonomous. Satisfaction of autonomy, competence, and relatedness needs played a central role in the sustained practice of healthy living behaviours. Conclusions: Motivation for healthy living is shaped not only by individual benefits but also by social, cultural, and spiritual contexts. The findings offer new insight into the process of motivational internalization and may guide public health strategies aimed at strengthening individuals’ motivational resources. Trial registration: Not applicable. This study was not a clinical trial.

Kılınçer, Mehmet; Gürsoy, Ersan

Background: Air pollution has become a significant global public health concern, with evidence linking it to various adverse health outcomes, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. While numerous studies have investigated the effects of these particulate and gaseous pollutants on both healthy individuals and patients, further research is needed to clarify the short-term hematological and pulmonary responses in individuals without underlying health conditions. This study aims to explore the relationship between air quality, hematological parameters, and pulmonary function in a healthy population in Turkey. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 326 healthy, non-smoking adults aged 18–65 years. Air Quality Index (AQI) data for the examination day and the preceding 5 days were collected. Hematological parameters and pulmonary function tests were analyzed. Spearman and Pearson correlation tests were used to compare numerical variables. Group comparisons were conducted using the independent samples t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The mean AQI on the day of the medical visit was 68.20, indicating moderate air quality. Significant negative correlations were observed between AQI and hematological parameters, including leukocyte (r = -0.111, p = 0.046), lymphocyte (r = -0.134, p = 0.016), and platelet counts (r = -0.141, p = 0.011). Similar negative correlations were found for the 5-day average AQI. For pulmonary parameters, AQI was negatively correlated with FEF50% (r = -0.172, p = 0.002), FEF25% (r = -0.140, p = 0.012), FEV1/FVC% (r = -0.125, p = 0.024), and FEF75% (r = -0.124, p = 0.025). Conclusion: Short-term exposure to moderate air pollution significantly impacts hematological parameters and specific pulmonary function indices, even in healthy individuals. These findings emphasize the importance of continuous air quality monitoring and public health interventions to mitigate the health risks of air pollution.

Gürsoy, Ersan; Yeğ, Mert

Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) carrier screening has been part of Türkiye’s premarital and prenatal program since 2021, using a stepwise algorithm that first tests men. Little is known about how male carriers interpret a positive result—particularly when their partners test negative—within the country’s sociocultural context. This study qualitatively explored Turkish men’s emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal responses to a positive SMA carrier result to illuminate needs that current screening practices may overlook. Methods: Eleven male participants who had received a positive SMA carrier result while their partners tested negative were recruited through purposive sampling from official health records in Erzincan Province. Data were collected via in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted by telephone between November and December 2024. Interviews explored emotional responses, information-seeking behaviour, reproductive decision-making, and communication with healthcare professionals. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework, supported by NVivo 12 software. Results: Participants described intense, sometimes overwhelming emotions; widespread confusion stemming from scarce or inconsistent genetic counselling; and a heavy reliance on internet and social-media sources that often intensified fear. Disclosure decisions were shaped by stigma concerns and extended-family expectations, while interactions with healthcare professionals ranged from reassuring to dismissive. Many men postponed or reconsidered childbearing, weighed assisted-reproduction options, and ultimately reported greater awareness of genetic risk—some becoming advocates for broader screening. Across accounts, carrier status was framed not as a purely biomedical label but as a socially embedded responsibility compounded by the gendered design of the screening algorithm. Conclusion: Findings highlight the psychosocial burden placed on male carriers and point to gaps in counselling and follow-up care. Integrating accessible, culturally sensitive, and gender-aware genetic counselling—through tele-genetics, community outreach, and primary-care training—could mitigate distress and support informed reproductive choices. Addressing these needs would strengthen the ethical and practical impact of Türkiye’s SMA screening program and offer guidance for similar initiatives elsewhere.

Gürsoy, Ersan; Vatansever, Mehmet

Background: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become increasingly popular among both adults and young people seeking to quit smoking and have sparked significant debates regarding their health effects. The current study aims to analyze how physicians’ opinions in Türkiye address public health risks by examining the most-watched electronic cigarette videos on YouTube. Methods: The 16 most-watched YouTube videos in Türkiye featuring physicians discussing e-cigarettes were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The videos were chosen from searches conducted between April 2024 and December 2024 with the keywords “electronic cigarette,” “electronic cigarette use,” “harm of e-cigarettes,” “are e-cigarettes harmful,” “e-cigarette benefits,” “e-cigarette doctor” and “e-cigarette Physician.” Videos over 1 min with physicians as primary speakers and at least 1,000 views were included. The verbal content of physicians’ opinions in the videos was transcribed verbatim, and the analyzed videos were categorized into four main themes and eight sub-themes. Results: The analysis of the videos revealed that physicians emphasized the physical and psychological health risks of e-cigarettes, particularly their detrimental effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Nicotine addiction was highlighted as a persistent issue, with e-cigarettes perpetuating dependence rather than serving as a smoking cessation tool. Additionally, marketing strategies targeting younger demographics, such as flavored products and appealing advertisements, were identified as a significant factor in shaping misconceptions about the relative safety of e-cigarettes. While some physicians acknowledged a reduction in certain harmful substances compared to traditional cigarettes, the majority emphasized the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes and warned against assuming these products are less harmful. Conclusion: The findings reveal that physicians on YouTube predominantly adopt a cautious approach toward e-cigarettes, emphasizing their health risks and potential to perpetuate nicotine addiction. Marketing strategies targeting younger audiences were identified as a significant factor influencing public perceptions. These insights highlight the importance of health professionals engaging on digital platforms to address misconceptions and promote accurate, evidence-based information about e-cigarettes.