OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine is an international peer-reviewed Open Access journal published quarterly online by LIDSEN Publishing Inc. It covers all evidence-based scientific studies on integrative, alternative and complementary approaches to improving health and wellness.

Topics contain but are not limited to:

  • Acupuncture
  • Acupressure
  • Acupotomy
  • Bioelectromagnetics applications
  • Pharmacological and biological treatments including their efficacy and safety
  • Diet, nutrition and lifestyle changes
  • Herbal medicine
  • Homeopathy
  • Manual healing methods (e.g., massage, physical therapy)
  • Kinesiology
  • Mind/body interventions
  • Preventive medicine
  • Research in integrative medicine
  • Education in integrative medicine
  • Related policies

The journal publishes a variety of article types: Original Research, Review, Communication, Opinion, Comment, Conference Report, Technical Note, Book Review, etc.

There is no restriction on paper length, provided that the text is concise and comprehensive. Authors should present their results in as much detail as possible, as reviewers are encouraged to emphasize scientific rigor and reproducibility.

Publication Speed (median values for papers published in 2023): Submission to First Decision: 5.9 weeks; Submission to Acceptance: 14.7 weeks; Acceptance to Publication: 8 days (1-2 days of FREE language polishing included)

Special Issue

Cross-cultural Understanding of Positive Mental Health

Submission Deadline: November 15, 2025 (Open) Submit Now

Guest Editors

Yasuhiro Kotera, PhD, Associate Professor

Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

Website | E-Mail

Research interests: Mental health; cross-culture; self-compassion

Kristian Barnes

Moriarty, Flynn & Barnes, 308900 Singapore

Website | E-Mail

Research interests: Compassion; leadership

Matthew Cotterill

WALK

Website | E-Mail

Research interests: Positive psychology, autism and intellectual disabilities, exercise and wellbeing

Julie Beaumont

College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, UK

E-Mail

Research interests: Compassion

Muhammad Aledeh

Department of Psychiatry, Wiener Gesundheitsverbund, Klinik Donaustadt, 1220 Vienna, Austria

Website | E-Mail

Research interests: Public health; mental health; social psychology; behavioural science

About This Topic

As the mental health awareness increases worldwide, cross-cultural understanding of mental health is increasingly needed. For example, many global mental health studies do not sufficiently address cross-cultural differences about mental health, failing to capture accurate data from different countries. In practice, implementation of research findings may be done poorly if cross-cultural understanding is missing. Understanding how different cultures view mental health is important.

Positive mental health aims to achieve fulfilment by promoting an individual’s functioning, quality of life, and well-being. Positive mental health is different from traditional mental health, which predominantly focuses on prevention and reduction of negative mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety and addiction. Positive mental health helps people cope with daily life stress, have a fulfilling occupational life, and feel connected with their community. Promotion of positive mental health can prevent people from mental health problems, and facilitate recovery from mental health problems.

This special issue aims to report cross-cultural understanding of positive mental health.

Keyword

cross-culture, positive mental health, global mental health, cultural biases, positive psychology

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted through the LIDSEN Submission System. Detailed information on manuscript preparation and submission is available in the Instructions for Authors. All submitted articles will be thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process and will be processed following the Editorial Process and Quality Control policy. Upon acceptance, the article will be immediately published in a regular issue of the journal and will be listed together on the special issue website, with a label that the article belongs to the Special Issue. LIDSEN distributes articles under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) License in an open-access model. The authors own the copyright to the article, and the article can be free to access, distribute, and reuse provided that the original work is correctly cited.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). Research articles and review articles are highly invited. Authors are encouraged to send the tentative title and abstract of the planned paper to the Editorial Office (icm@lidsen.com) for record. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Editorial Office.

Welcome your submission!

Publication

Open Access Short Report

Developing an Independent International Research Team: Research Ensemble for Advancement in Cross-Cultural Healthcare (REACH)

Received: 14 February 2024;  Published: 22 August 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2403048

Abstract

This short report presents an international research group, Research Ensemble for Advancement in Cross-cultural Healthcare (REACH). REACH is an independent research group, and no one is paid to do research for REACH. All members participate because they are intrinsically motivated to pursue cross-cultural healthcare. REACH consists of 28 healt [...]
Open Access Research Article

Filial Piety Discrepancy and Wellbeing among Older Chinese Immigrants Living in Canada: The Role of Acculturation and Living Arrangement

Received: 02 April 2024;  Published: 23 July 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2403042

Abstract

This survey-based, cross-sectional study explored the independent and synergistic effect of filial piety discrepancy (FPD), acculturation, and living arrangement on the psychological, social, and physical wellbeing of older Chinese immigrants living in Canada. A total of 299 older Chinese immigrants were recruited from community organizations [...]
Open Access Perspective

Organisational and Emotional Psychology Views on Yozan Uesugi’s Leadership

Received: 09 January 2024;  Published: 27 June 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2402036

Abstract

Yozan Uesugi was a Daimyo (feudal lord) who governed an area called Yonezawa in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan from 1767 to 1823. Yonezawa was originally an impoverished provincial government which under his leadership regained a healthy financial status. His leadership style was unique among Daimyos, yet respected and regarded as an ideal by [...]
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