The rapid expansion of China’s entertainment market and the intensifying commercialization of fan-idol relationships have created a fertile ground for the commodification of intimacy. Employing an anthropological framework, this study investigated the micromechanisms of this process as observed in fan meet-and-greets. Through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and discourse analysis of online communities, the analysis revealed a complex economy of affect. Event organizers employed "stratified rituals" (e.g., tiered ticketing, coded wristbands) to convert Bourdieusian symbolic capital into measurable economic value, thereby constructing a pricing system based on "emotional currency". Drawing on Foucault’s concept of disciplinary power, the study illustrated how staff members standardized emotional production through the micromanagement of interactions, while Goffman’s dramaturgy elucidated the performative nature of these curated exchanges. Concurrently, the research documented how fans proactively carved out spaces of resistance through informal economic practices, such as the black-market trading of wristbands and the resale of exclusive benefits. Crucially, the study identified that these commodified interactions often culminated in emotional alienation, manifesting as "emotional inflation" and "post-meet-and-greet depression". This paper argued that such industry practices not only commodified emotions but also fundamentally challenged relational ethics. In response, it proposed an "exploitation-alienation-reconstruction" analytical framework, offering a critical lens for understanding the emotional politics of contemporary hybrid economies.

Studies have indicated an increasing prevalence rate of internalising disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress disorder, particularly among adolescents and individuals with communication difficulties. These disorders are often exacerbated by social factors, including the rise of social media, academic pressures, and social isolation, which contribute to emotional distress and withdrawal. While traditional talk therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT), are proven to be effective in treating such disorders, groups experiencing communication difficulties may benefit little. The essay aims to review Visual Art Therapy (VAT) as an alternative treatment that focuses on treating the comorbidity of internalising disorders and communication deficiencies. By systematically reviewing existing research, the essay finds that Art in Therapy and Art as Therapy, as forms of VAT that have slight differences in focus, perform at similar levels of great effectiveness for patients with communication difficulties. This review highlights the potential value of VAT as an alternative treatment, allowing therapists to choose from a wider range of therapeutic means and better accommodate patients who struggle with verbal expression.

This study investigates the negotiation of sexually transmitted infection (STI) protection among Chinese lesbian women in intimate relationships using in-depth interviews and discourse analysis based on the symbolic interactionism, impression management theory and the Health Belief Model. The theoretical framework is applied to explain the effect of social norms, cultural taboos, personal experience, and interpersonal dynamics on safer-sex communication. Most participants framed protection issues frankly, but the discussion that followed was superficial. Others applied subtle or humorous strategies or drew on media content to relieve awkwardness; others employed educational or fear-based tactics. However, a considerable proportion were more sensitised to the interpersonal costs of protection-seeking, fearful that protection-seeking would erode trust, be seen as suspicious or withdrawn, or damage their ideal partner image. Heteronormative norms and sexual taboos within Chinese society supported these fears, while the marginalisation of lesbian identities only made negotiation more challenging. Negotiation was also influenced by power imbalances where one party is typically responsible for health, yet has no ultimate authority. In general, negotiation was weak when both partners lacked trust and were stigmatised, but became freer when partners developed intimacy and risk awareness. The research provides feasible recommendations for culturally sensitive, lesbian-inclusive sexual health education and interventions, which focus on reducing stigma, enhancing negotiation proficiency, and enabling equal decision-making. It also broadens the scope of health communication studies by demonstrating how risk perception, trust and gendered responsibility interconnect in non-Western settings, deepening symbolic interactionism and the theory of impression management.

Drawing on Parasocial Interaction (PSI) theory, this study examines the relational mechanisms between virtual idols and fans across cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions. The findings reveal that, empowered by digital technologies, interactions between virtual idols and fans exhibit characteristics that transcend the traditional one-way model. On the cognitive level, anthropomorphic design strategies and fan co-creation blur the boundaries between the virtual and the real, as fans engage in “demediation” and perceive virtual idols as credible “digital life forms.” On the emotional level, virtual idols provide a form of “simulated reciprocity” that is both minimizing social risk while maximizing emotional reward, effectively fulfilling users’ needs for companionship and belonging—particularly among socially anxious groups—while also carrying potential risks of heightened “media dependency” and intensified feelings of real-world loneliness. On the behavioral level, fans build an active “participatory culture” through consumption, engagement, and secondary creation. Yet, under the joint influence of capital and subcultural dynamics, these behaviors also show tendencies toward “consumer alienation” and “group polarization.” This study demonstrates that parasocial interactions in the context of virtual idols have evolved into a deeply involved and socially influential composite practice, thereby extending the explanatory scope of PSI theory in the age of artificial intelligence. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research directions and the cultivation of a healthy fan culture.

With an emphasis on both the benefits and drawbacks, this study offers a thorough examination of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. The study investigates the complex effects of AI on teaching and learning. Personalised learning, automated evaluation, improved accessibility, data-driven insights for teachers, and administrative efficiency are some of the benefits of artificial intelligence in education. These advantages demonstrate how AI can be used to develop more efficient, interesting, and fair learning environments. The article does, however, also critically analyse the drawbacks, including ethical issues with privacy and bias, the possibility of educators losing their jobs due to an over-reliance on technology, the need for substantial infrastructure and cost, the impact of a lack of human interaction on socioemotional development, and data security.

Public libraries are increasingly challenged to serve ageing and homebound populations who face barriers to physical access. This case study explores the Home Library Visit Service provided by Lambeth Libraries in South London, which offers free book and media delivery to residents unable to visit the library due to age, disability, or chronic illness. Drawing on on-site observation during a work placement and informal staff interviews, the study investigates how the service supports both informational access and emotional wellbeing. It identifies key features such as personalised book selection, continuity of service through assigned librarians, and meaningful relationships formed between staff and users. While the service demonstrates strong inclusivity and user satisfaction, it also faces challenges including limited staffing, low public awareness, and a lack of formalised policies and emotional support structures. Based on these findings, the study recommends the introduction of structured feedback mechanisms, formal service documentation, and better support for staff wellbeing. It concludes that Lambeth’s human-centred approach offers a sustainable and adaptable model for inclusive public library outreach, with potential implications for other regions, particularly where home-based services are still emerging or underdeveloped.

The right to defend private property is a fundamental yet contentious legal principle across jurisdictions. This paper examines the inherent tension between this right and the requirement for proportional force. Employing doctrinal analysis of key legislation (e.g., UK Criminal Law Act 1967) and case law (e.g., R (Daly)), alongside theoretical frameworks from Locke and Beccaria, this study asks: how can legal systems effectively balance the right to property defence with the paramount right to life, and what are the societal consequences of failing to do so? The analysis concludes that while the right to defend property is crucial, its exercise must be constrained by the proportionality principle to prevent unjustifiable violence and maintain social order. The findings advocate for clearer judicial guidelines to ensure consistent application of this balance.

Against the background of the Chinese government’s advocacy for deepening the reform of aesthetic education evaluation, this study focuses on musical aesthetic perception ability. It aims to enrich aesthetic education evaluation tools applicable to Chinese students and promote the diversification of evaluation methods. First, the study sorts out relevant definitions of aesthetic perception and existing assessment tools. Then, based on the perspective of cognitive neuroaesthetics, it constructs the dimensions of junior high school students' musical aesthetic perception ability, and accordingly develops the Scale for Assessing Junior High School Students' Musical Aesthetic Perception Ability. Through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), the scale shows good reliability and validity (23 items, Cronbach'sα=0.916, RMSEA=0.064), verifying the six-dimensional theoretical hypothesis of musical aesthetic perception ability. At the application level, a survey conducted on junior high school students in Suzhou reveals significant differences in musical aesthetic perception ability among groups with different genders, grades, and musical learning experiences. This provides a reference basis for the assessment and cultivation of musical aesthetic perception ability.

Eating disorders (EDs) are complex psychiatric conditions, and anxiety, including body dissatisfaction, fear of weight gain, and generalised anxiety, has been identified as both a symptom and a contributing factor to their onset and maintenance. Traditional exposure-based therapies effectively target these anxieties but face persistent challenges such as high dropout rates, limited accessibility, and dependence on extensive clinical expertise. By offering immersive, controlled, and scalable environments that provide safe exposure and cognitive restructuring, virtual reality (VR) presents a possible alternative. This systematic review, conducted followed PRISMA guidelines, examined studies published up to August 2025 investigating VR-based interventions for anxiety-related outcomes in individuals with EDs. Twelve studies met inclusion criteria, encompassing randomised controlled trials, pre–post designs, and single-case experimental designs. A comprehensive risk of bias assessment was conducted using validated tools appropriate to each study type. Overall, VR interventions demonstrated consistent reductions in anxiety-related constructs, including body dissatisfaction, general anxiety, fear of weight gain, and body uneasiness, particularly in the short term. Integrative, life-like virtual environments tended to produce more sustained improvements compared with simple, mirror-based or single-stimulus settings. Moreover, the degree of therapist involvement and the interactivity of VR experiences influenced both therapeutic efficacy and scalability. Despite promising results, significant heterogeneity existed across participant characteristics, virtual settings, intervention duration, and methodological quality. Evidence for long-term maintenance of treatment gains remains limited. This review supports the effectiveness of VR-based interventions as adjuncts or alternatives to conventional therapy for EDs. This study calls for more refined investigations and improved VR intervention designs to enhance long-term efficacy, maintain positive user experience during interactive tasks, and balance therapist involvement with scalability in the future.

Against the backdrop of the flourishing development and construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, exploring and optimizing academic stress among students in the stage of compulsory education, as well as improving academic quality, is of great significance to the enhancement of the region’s cultural soft power. This study focuses on students in the compulsory education stage within the Greater Bay Area, examining in depth the current state of their academic emotions, influencing factors, and improvement strategies. The results indicate that students in cities with faster economic development experience higher academic stress; female students tend to feel more academic pressure than male students; and students in the political centers of the region are more likely to be affected by school atmosphere and teacher management. Based on these findings, the study proposes effective strategies to alleviate academic burdens, aiming to build a high-quality educational ecosystem that reduces stress while enhancing learning efficiency.