INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE ANNALS

5–8

Authors: Melnyk, Yu. B.

Background and Aim of Study:The use of artificial intelligence-based (AI-based) Chatbots in scientific research and everyday practice is becoming an integral part of most people’s lives. The field of psychology, like many others, has been influenced by artificial intelligence (AI). The aim of the study: to explore the possibilities of using AI-based Chatbots in psychological research and practice. Results: The role of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in the scientific research of academics and psychology practitioners was reviewed. The issues of using ChatGPT, which specializes in text, in theoretical research were discussed, as well as the potential applications of AI-based Chatbots in psychological practice. Conclusions: New AI technologies have transformed the scientific research ecosystem. Researchers, who actively use ChatGPT, should do so properly, taking into account the possibilities and limitations of using this toolkit in their research. Borrowing an AI-generated text for a research paper should be considered plagiarism. In addition to the risk to professional reputation, this can have a negative impact on the researcher’s own personal progress. People who do not have access to a qualified professional or who are financially constrained can use ChatGPT in psychological practice. In one way or another, these users must realize that the responsibility for the results and consequences of using such a toolkit rests entirely with them.

20–31

Authors: Pypenko, I. S., Stadnik, A. V., Melnyk, Yu. B., & Mykhaylyshyn, U. B.

Background and Aim of Study: The war in Ukraine affects the psychological state and life activities of university students. Aim of the study: to identify the state of psychological well-being of students and the peculiarities of students’ use of coping strategies in overcoming life crises on their own. Material and Methods: The study was conducted among 323 Ukrainian university students aged 20-35 in October 2023. According to the impact of the hostilities on them, the respondents were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 – 111 persons living in the area of active hostilities; Group 2 – 104 persons living in the areas where missiles and drones were fired; Group 3 – 108 persons living on the territory of Ukraine, where there were no hostilities and shelling, and in the EU countries. The Psychological General Well-Being Index, PGWBI, and the Coping Strategies Inventory, CSI, were included in an online survey. Both techniques were found to have adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha was 0.928 and 0.759, respectively). Results: Respondents in all groups are moderately distressed. The highest level of distress (the lowest level of PGWBI) was found among students in Group 1 (55.1 points). Students in Groups 2 and 3 had lower scores (60.1 and 63.5 points, respectively), which corresponds to moderate distress. Students use a variety of coping strategies in stressful situations. However, the coping strategy of cognitive restructuring was used more often (9.8 points in Group 3, 9.5 points in Group 1). This was due to a general rethinking of the meaning of life, of attitudes toward oneself and others because of the war. Coping strategies of social support (8.9 points) and self-criticism (8.7 points) were also important for Group 1. This was due to the importance of social support, reassessment of one’s own behavior and thinking in the war. Conclusions: The obtained data indicate that the war in Ukraine has a negative impact on the psychological state of students. The level of impact was higher the closer the students were to the active combat zone. This influence determined the students' choice of coping strategies in dealing with life crises on their own.

40-48

Authors: Magudulela, T. S., Kalema, B. M., & Segooa, M. A.

Background and Aim of Study: Real-time access of information in the healthcare environment is essential, as it not only helps medical personnel to have adequate and timely information, but it also assists patients to be served more easily. Hospitals in rural areas are operating at a low bandwidth and have poor IT infrastructure that causes intermittent networks leading to disruptions and slow service delivery. This necessitates the Hospital Management System (HMS) to be deployed in the cloud environment to reduce the challenges leading to poor service delivery. The aim of the study: to develop a model for cloud-based HMS for the South African public health sector. Material and Methods: This study identified three public district municipality hospitals in Gauteng Province, South Africa, that were already using HMS and used them for data collection. Each hospital had up to 50 healthcare workers, and this formed the population of 150 from the three hospitals, from which a sample size of 108 respondents was selected. Data were collected using a closed-ended questionnaire and analyzed quantitatively using SPSS v25. Results: The results demonstrated that the suggested model has a good prediction power of 60.9% (R2=0.609) and that with the exception of environmental aspects, the rest of the constructs has a significant contribution to the successful implementation of the cloud-based HMS. Social aspects had the highest prediction power of 60.0% (β=0.600) at p=0.001; followed by risk analysis and control with 41.3% (β=0.413) at p=0.009. On the other hand, environmental aspects had the least and non-significant prediction of 12.3%. Conclusions: This study contributes to the ongoing call to have seamless healthcare provision systems. The model developed in this study extends the research of modernizing healthcare provision by leveraging technological innovations.

54–56

Authors: Pypenko, I. S.

Background and Aim of Study: The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has changed our world forever. No matter what it is that we do, there will always be a place for AI in what we do. Controlling and managing this system of interactions is still within our power. However, the potential and the speed of developing AI-based information technology is so great that we may soon need to concede this primacy. The aim of the study: to justify whether artificial intelligence will become our assistant or, on the contrary, create problems; to identify what needs to be done to build a harmonious Human-AI System of interactions and relationships. Conclusions: It requires the development, ratification and implementation of laws that regulate the norms of interactions and relationships between humans and AI. The first steps have already been taken to legitimise AI-based Chatbots in scientific research and publications. This paper proposes an attribution for a product created by human without the involvement of AI. The use of this attribution helps to protect the individual’s right to their own activities.

5–10

Authors: Melnyk, Yu. B., & Pypenko, I. S.

Background and Aim of Study: Developing and using ChatBots based on artificial intelligence (AI) has raised issues about their legitimacy in scientific research. Authors have increasingly begun to use AI tools, but their role in scientific publications remains unrecognized. In addition, there are still no accepted norms for the use of ChatBots, and there are no rules for how to cite them when writing a scientific paper. The aim of the study: to consider the main issues related to the use of AI that arise for authors and publishers when preparing scientific publications for publication; to develop a basic logo that reflects the role and level of involvement of the AI and the specific ChatBots in a particular study. Results: We offer the essence of the definition “Human-AI System”. This plays an important role in the structure of scientific research in the study of this new phenomenon. In exploring the legitimacy of using AI-based ChatBots in scientific research, we offer a method for indicating AI involvement and the role of ChatBots in a scientific publication. A specially developed base logo is visually easy to perceive and can be used to indicate ChatBots’ involvement and contributions to the paper for publication. Conclusions: The existing positive aspects of using ChatBots, which greatly simplify the process of preparing and writing scientific publications, may far outweigh the small inaccuracies they may allow. In this Editorial, we invite authors and publishers to discuss the issue of the legitimacy we give to AI, and the need to define the role and contribution that ChatBots can make to scientific publication.

22–30

Authors: Stadnik, A. V., Melnyk, Yu. B., Mykhaylyshyn, U. B., & de Matos, M. G.

Background and Aim of Study: The mental health and social adaptation of young students and cadets in wartime conditions is a new and understudied problem. The aim of the study: to identify the particularities of psychological well-being and social adaptation of students and cadets in wartime conditions. Materials and Methods: Our study was conducted among the students and cadets of two Ukrainian universities (KNUIA, UzhNU) in 2023, February. 327 participants were divided into 3 groups: 1) 112 cadets whose permanent disposition was changed in Ukraine; 2) 108 students who were displaced and who are in Ukraine and EU countries; 3) 107 students who did not change their place of permanent residence and who are in Ukraine in the combat zone or near it. The 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) to assess psychological well-being and emotional stability, and the Social Support Questionnaire (F-SozU K-22) to determine the particularities of emotional support, practical support, and social integration were used in the study. Appropriate internal consistency values (Cronbach α between 0.817 and 0.903) were found for both scales. Results: Group 1 has the best general health indicator: 1.65 times better than Group 3. The levels of somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia are lower in Group 1 (practically the same in women and men), and higher in Group 3. The highest rates of social dysfunction are found in Group 3. Men in all groups have more pronounced social dysfunction; women in all groups have more pronounced severe depression. Group 1 total perceived social support is 1.89 times better than Group 3. Emotional support, social integration are highest in Group 1, practical support is highest in Group 2. Conclusions: The lowest levels of psychological well-being and social adaptation were found in Group 3. This is probably due to uncertainty about the future, constant instability and insecurity. Teachers and psychologists are urged to consider the identified psychological and social peculiarities in the educational and clinical process when dealing with young students.

40–45

Authors: Nikolov, A., & Georgieva, L.

Background and Aim of Study: The significance of the risk factors, including behavioral and social characteristics of the patients, for the occurrence of stomach cancer is constantly increasing and largely determines the development and outcome of the disease. The aim of the study: to provide empirical data for the significance of behavioral and social factors on gastric cancer incidence and mortality. Material and Methods: Data from a study of gastric cancer patients (234 men and 144 women) examined at the Heidelberg University Clinic (Germany) were used. Risk factors, gastric cancer survival and mortality, factors of fatal outcome of gastric cancer patients were compared. Multiple binary logistic regression analysis was used to quantitatively assess their influence. To analyze the possible statistical significance between different groups, we used Fisher’s exact test and chi-squared test for the relationship between categorical variables and Student’s t-test. The significance level (rejecting the null hypothesis) is p<0.05. Results: The most common risk factors are lack of physical activity, smoking, accompanying cardiovascular diseases, as well as emotional stress. Unhealthy lifestyle increases the risk by 56.8%. With a lower but significant percentage are overweight and alcohol abuse. We found the presence of emotional stress in 25.3% of patients with stomach cancer. Jobs with primary mental work and high stress level increase the probability of negative outcome. Mainly mental work is associated with about 8 times the risk of death compared to physical work. The presence of stress increases the lethal risk about 3.2 times. Conclusions: Risk factors related to healthy lifestyle of the patients, including mental health, play an important role in the development of stomach cancer. They largely determine the status, disease control, treatment, survival and mortality of gastric cancer patients.

54–57

Authors: Ho, T. T. H.

We explore the potential effectiveness of incorporating maranassati meditation into therapeutic practices, highlighting its ability to mitigate thanatophobia and improve psychological well-being. Drawing upon Buddhist psychological perspectives, maranassati emphasizes the contemplation of mortality, impermanence, and interconnectedness. The aim of the study: to integrate Buddhist meditative practice into thanatophobia therapy. This article presents research evidence from real-world scenarios involving individuals with coronary artery disease, cancer patients, and the elderly. The initial findings provide a solid foundation, reinforcing the efficacy of mindfulness-based therapies in reducing death anxiety and improving psychological well-being. The proposed approach offers valuable insights for counselors and therapists in assisting future clients in cultivating a positive outlook on death, thereby alleviating fear and anxiety associated with mortality.

5–7

Authors: Melnyk, Yu. B.

Background and Aim of Study: The Russian-Ukrainian war of 2022 has caused an ongoing humanitarian crisis that undermines stability both in Ukraine and around the world. The IJSA Editorial Office and the KRPOCH Publishing, located in Kharkiv (Ukraine), found themselves in extremely difficult conditions for the implementation of their scientific and publishing activities. Results: IJSA is a scientific, periodic, peer-reviewed Journal. The IJSA has been published and has been actively developing for 5 years. The Journal reviewed more than 300 manuscripts, 5 volumes were published. The IJSA has a clear and precise procedure for reviewing and selecting papers for publication. The IJSA Editorial Board includes the most authoritative scientists from 17 countries, 5 continents in the fields of Education, Psychology, and Medicine. The Journal is presented in more than 30 international scientometric databases, repositories and search engines, among them DOAJ, ERIH PLUS, COPE, MIAR, Crossref System, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Zenodo, Scilit, etc. In 2018-2022 the KRPOCH Publishing and the IJSA initiated, co-organized, and sponsored the following academic projects: annual International Scientific and Practical Conferences “Psychological and Pedagogical Problems of Modern Specialist Formation” (PPPMSF), “Current Issues of Education and Science” (CIES), as well as the international competitions “Blockchain in the Digital Society” (ICBDS), “Mental Health in the Digital Society” (ICMHDS). These competitions were held among masters, graduate students, and young scientists. Conclusions: In this Editorial, I address the international academic community, universities and publishers who share our values and interests in supporting the Journal, as a sponsor or as an institutional partner of the IJSA

20–29

Authors: Stadnik, A. V., Melnyk, Yu. B., Babak, S. A., Vashchenko, I. V., & Krut, P. P.

Background and Aim of Study: The full-scale military aggression against Ukraine in February 2022 had an extremely negative impact on the psyche of its residents. This is especially felt by young people who should continue studying at universities in these difficult conditions. The aim of the study: To identify the specifics of psychotraumatic impact in the conditions of war and martial law on university students and cadets, to detail their level of stress, anxiety and depression. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in November 2022 based on KNUIA, Ukraine. Respondents aged 20-27 were divided into 3 groups: 1) 115 cadets: 85.22% men and 14.78% women, who are outside of permanent deployment; 2) 107 students: 59.81% men and 40.19% women, who are forcibly displaced persons in Ukraine and abroad; 3) 103 students: 50.49% men and 49.51% women, located in Kharkiv and Kharkiv region. A Google-form questionnaire was used to study the level and nature of psychotraumatization. Data collection on the level of stress and its content was carried out using the DASS-21 tool. Results: Among the group 3 respondents, the psychotraumatic impact is characterized by high tension and the specific weight of vital psychogenia. Severe and extremely severe manifestations of anxiety in group 3 students were 2-3 times higher than the similar indicators of groups 1, 2 respondents. Manifestations of depression among women are the highest in group 3 respondents. Stress was more expressed among men in all groups. Group 3 respondents had the highest stress indicators among men. Conclusions: The negative impact of the war in Ukraine on the student youth’ mental health requires the active implementation of psychological assistance and psychoprophylaxis measures in accordance with the individual results of psychodiagnostics.

39-43

Authors: Nikolov, A., & Georgieva, L.

Background and Aim of Study: Oncological diseases are one of the biggest problems that can cause irreparable harm to human health. The significance of various types’ medical care on the quality of life for patients with malignant diseases remains an urgent research problem. The aim of the study: to provide empirical data for the significance of palliative care in supporting the quality of life for patients with gastric cancer. Material and Methods: The study was conducted at the University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany. A representative sample of the study subjects consisted of 378 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer. Comparative analyzes to approaches in cancer prevention, as well as 5-year survival among patients with gastric cancer in Germany, Bulgaria, Japan, and Singapore were used. Results: The majority of the patients in the study sample from Germany died in their homes or in hospices (91.2%), while only a small proportion died in the hospital (8.7%). Based on the international comparison, we concluded that in Bulgaria, the ongoing treatment and care of terminally ill patients differ significantly in terms of their scope, development level and impact on the patients. The 5-year survival rate for stomach cancer in Bulgaria is 3%, which is much lower than in Asian countries, where there is a significantly higher survival rate for this disease: Singapore 10-30%, Japan 12-35%. Conclusions: The significance of the palliative care to support the quality of life for oncological patients has been constantly increasing in recent years. Systemic and long-term palliative care provides the necessary support for quality of life and can affect the 5-year survival of oncological patients. This is confirmed by our study in Germany, where rates are 28-30%. The authors recommend providing professional, high-quality palliative care as needed to ensure quality of life for patients with malignant diseases.

5-7

Authors: Melnyk, Yu. B., & Pypenko, I. S.

The eternal dilemma of quality or quantity affects many areas of human life. One of these areas is the publishing industry. This issue is particularly acute for scientific periodicals. The aim of the study. To analyze the dilemma of the quality or quantity of papers in the publication of a scientific periodical Journal, and to share the four-year experience of publishing the International Journal of Science Annals (IJSA) with publishers, editors, reviewers, and authors. Scientific periodicals should solve the dilemma of quality and quantity of papers definitely in favor of quality. Journals should be committed to a high standard of editorial ethics. Journals should have a clear and precise procedure for reviewing and selecting papers for publication. Journals should necessarily consider the possible conflict of interest in research between authors, editors, reviewers, funders, etc. Journals should motivate young talented scientists to publish their manuscripts by providing them with editorial support in the preparation of the manuscript and funding for its publication. The implementation of these key principles will contribute both to the development of science in general and the Journal in particular.

21-29

Authors: Melnyk, Yu. B., & Stadnik, A. V.

Background and Aim of Study: Psychological transformation games that have great potential for solving a wide range of problems related to clients’ mental health are becoming increasingly popular among psychologists and psychotherapists. These techniques should be not only interesting and attractive to clients but also effective as a form of psychological practice. The aim of the study: to investigate the impact of the psychological transformation game “My Dao” on value orientations of participants using the diagnostic method of Schwartz. Material and Methods: The study used the toolkit of the psychological transformation game “My Dao”. The effectiveness of the game impact on the participants was determined by means of the diagnostics of value orientations suggested by Schwartz. The treatment group consisted of 134 people, 75 men (55.97%) and 59 women (44.03%) aged 17-35 years. The control group included 126 people, 69 men (54.76%) and 57 women (45.24%) aged 18-30 years. The results of the treatment and control groups were measured using the SPSS Statistics Module. The obtained results prove statistical significance (p<0.05). Results: The greatest impact of the developed game on the participants is observed at the level of normative ideals: tradition, conformity, security, hedonism and universalism. This indicates their certain change towards increasing harmony and stability, as well as reducing humility and acceptance of their destiny. At the level of individual priorities, there is an increase in hedonism, power and stimulation, which indicates an increase in the role of satisfaction, success, ambition, the desire for novelty and strong emotions. The obtained high results of universalism, hedonism, self-direction and conformity indicate an increase in understanding, tolerance, enjoyment of life, self-control, self-government, self-discipline and politeness of game participants. Conclusions: The use of the transformation game “My Dao” in psychological practice is an effective psychotherapeutic method that affects the value orientations of participants, changes in self-esteem and motivation, disclosure of their personal resources to solve problems and develop further. This technique is universal due to the age category of participants and the ability to solve psychological problems.

37-45

Authors: Masmoudi, M. H.

Background and Aim of Study: As the pandemic escalated into a global health crisis with abundant reports, updates and personal stories invading the World Wide Web and the social media, the context of COVID-19 offered for researchers an opportunity exploring the cyberchondria concept. Surprisingly, despite its prominence, the consequences of this shift in health behavior are still not fully appreciated. For many cyberchondriacs, the online shopping experience is considered as a coping strategy. The aim of the study: to investigate how excessive health-related anxiety leads to online shopping enjoyment, and to examine the mediating roles of COVID-19 fear and hedonic shopping motivation. Material and Methods: A survey methodology is used to collect responses from a sample of 355 consumers in Tunisia and analyzed via AMOS 23. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the causal relationship between measured variables. Results: Our results indicate that during the current pandemic, the cyberchondria was associated with an increased online shopping enjoyment guided both by a developed fear from this virus and some of the hedonic motivations. Conclusions: This study is one of the first studies that investigate the impact of cyberchondria on shopping experiences. Our findings may indicate starting points for some public health marketers and managers to make interventions to reduce cyberchondria during the pandemic. Particularly, online shopping may be considered as a safe space, where anxious people may escape. However, public health organizations should carefully consider these outcomes of cyberchondria and should elucidate clear pathways of action so that consumers feel empowered to tackle the pandemic effectively.

50-52

Authors: Ignacio, A. Jr. G.

As we know, the educational curriculum refers to academic content taught in schools or a collection of lessons, assessments, or a particular program or course taken on by students (Alanazi, 2016). Granting it is essential to note what a curriculum will achieve, what students will do and use to learn, and what teachers will use to teach the class; however, as to Crowley (2021), the curriculum is in no way neutral—it, at all times, mirrors ideological views. From a learner-centered ideology, it is presumed that education manifests itself in drawing out people's inherent goodness and capabilities for growth (Schiro, 2013, pp. 5–6). As a teacher wanting to operate in this ideology, I believe the learners have their own abilities for growth. This ideology is all about bringing out the competency within them. On the other hand, classrooms are busy public places; events are unpredictable (Ming-tak & Wai-shing, 2008, pp. 10–11). This requires the teachers to develop their range of classroom management strategies. Setting up a classroom is an essential part of teaching and learning. It involves designing the classroom atmosphere, rules, and expectations (Williamson, 2008, p. 3). Granting there is no sole way of managing a wide array of classrooms, fruitful classroom management is tied to student engagement and empowerment (Honigsfeld & Cohan, 2014).

5–6

Authors: Melnyk, Yu. B.

Dear Readers and Authors, It is a great honor for us to publish the International Journal of Science Annals (IJSA) for the fourth year in a row. IJSA is an academic periodical peer-reviewed indexed Journal that provides a scientific platform for presenting and discussing new trends and issues in Social and Behavioral Sciences. IJSA mission: international cooperation of scientists conducting research in the field of integration of human sciences and health. IJSA Editorial Board includes the most authoritative scientists from 17 countries, 5 continents in the fields of Education, Psychology, Medicine. For 3.5 years of its existence, the IJSA is presented in more than 35 international scientometric databases, repositories and search engines, such as Crossref System, Google Scholar, OAJI (USA); ISSN, ROAD (France); COPE, EndNote, OpenDOAR, CORE, Jisc (UK); DOAJ, Scilit (Switzerland); Publons (New Zealand); ERIH PLUS, OpenAIRE (Norway); BASE, ResearchGate, ASI (Germany); MIAR (Spain); Index Copernicus International (Poland); DRJI (India); RSCI (Russia); OUCI, National Library of Ukraine (Ukraine), etc. It is a great honor and responsibility for the IJSA to become a full member of the Committee of Publication Ethics (COPE) (https://is.gd/COPE_IJSA) The IJSA is indexed in: ICI ICV 91.27; ICDS 3.5; CGIJ OAJI 0.251

16–21

Authors: Sabra, Z. E. I., & Daigham, A. I.

Background: This paper addresses the question: is a brief cognitive behavior therapy training program enhances psychologist’s skills as reflected in scores on cognitive therapy skills scale and in helping students with emotional and social problems? The aim of the study: to explore the impact of the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy training program on reducing emotional and social distress over 3 years. Materials and Methods: Participants are 35 school psychologists (20 females and 15 males) have received intensive cognitive behavior therapy training for 6 days during two weeks followed by one to one supervision in school sittings for three months. Participants completed cognitive behavior therapy scale. Individual and group counseling sessions delivered to male and female (age mean is 13.7 years) students known of emotional and social problems during the current school year. Supervisors wrote a report in the end of three months practice, students and parent’s feedback had collected. Results: Results show that differences between pre and post scores on cognitive behavior therapy scale are statistically significant (t=4.92), supervisors reports and students feedback indicate improving therapeutic skills by the end of three months practice. Conclusions: Cognitive behavior therapy training program has positive influence in enhancing cognitive behavior therapy skills in school psychologists that reflected in providing effective counseling for students with emotional and social problems. Supervision based training optimizing the therapeutic outcome in both individual and group therapy sessions. Follow up of 3 years revealed continuous effect of the training and continuous supervision in improving counseling skills of school psychologists.

34–41

Authors: Chakrabarti, S.

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to unparallel hazards to mental health globally. Many countries around the world have introduced quarantine measures. Quarantine has changed not only the plans of most people, but also their way of life. The greatest impact of quarantine is experienced by COVID positive patients who are isolated in a hospital. The aim of the study: to explore psychological well-being of COVID positive patients during quarantine in a private hospital. Materials and Methods: In this study, 100 patients who were COVID positive were requested to fill the Quality of Life Questionnaire. A pre-validated questionnaire was used to assess the depression score amongst COVID positive patients. The analysis of the answers and respondent opinions was conducted using the Pearson method, which produced statistically relevant results. Results: The studied aspects of mental health patients: sleep, appetite, crying spells; happiness and hope for the future; ability to concentrate and focus and getting disturbed easily by trivia; support received from family and friends; overall outlook of life and ability to stay happy in solitude. As a result, qualitative indicators of the patients’ mental health during quarantine in a private hospital were obtained. Conclusions: The data obtained showed that patients managed to stay happy and eat well but they talked less, had disturbed sleep and did not look forward towards a hopeful future. Some were able to shake away the blues with family, friends on Online Media but some got depressed and got crying spells and thought that their life was a failure. The study concluded that patients on quarantine were often depressed. Many patients might benefit if psychological counselling and support are employed during quarantine measures.

45–47

Authors: Perasso, G.

For developmental psychologists, playing is a crucial parameter to monitor children and adolescents’ physical, emotional, cognitive, and executive development and wellbeing. In the psychotherapy setting, play is a promotor of positive therapeutic change because it allows the child to express beliefs, memories, wishes, feelings, and subconscious contents, from a safe and indirect point of view. Play is a fundamental human right during the whole life cycle, and it becomes even more important for those children and adolescents who are hospitalized or experiencing medical treatments at home (European Association for Children in Hospital, 1988). Entering a medical setting can elicit children’s and adolescents’ distress on many levels (e.g., anxiety, depression, hypochondria, acting out, externalizing, and internalizing problems) since their familiar routine is temporarily disrupted. The aim of the study. To foster scientific community consideration about the Play Specialist role, paying attention to the state of the art, the international field of practice, the evidence supporting the effectiveness of the Play Specialist intervention, the main challenges, and the everyday issue that these professionals have to face to gain proper integration in the national and international healthcare system.