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Article History

Received: 5 May 2025

Accepted: 11 December 2025

First Online: 18 December 2025

Declarations

:

: This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Faculty Ethical Review Panel at the City University of Macau. Written informed consent was obtained from participants prior to the study, and their personal information was kept confidential. The study was conducted during COVID-19, under closed-loop management policies, which may have increased certain psychosocial stress for cross-border participants and raised concerns about confidentiality. To uphold ethical standards and minimize these risks, several measures were taken. First, informed consent was conducted through both written and verbal explanations. Participants were clearly informed that data collection was entirely independent of their employers, and their participation was voluntary and that refusal or withdrawal would not impact their employment. Surveys were conducted individually in quiet, private settings to reduce pressure and protect participant autonomy. Second, strict confidentiality protocols were followed. No personally identifiable information was collected. All data were handled solely by the research team, with no employer involvement. Individual-level data are not disclosed in any part of the study.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.