40 Articles
Az Athirah Zubairi, Fariha Diyana Awang Ali, Hamdan Mohd Salleh, Mohamad Harith Hakimi Mohamad Hafizami, Muhammad Danish Jasni, Nur Muneerah Kasim, Puteri Farahdiana Megat Suhaimi, Rashidin Idris, Siti Nur Fadilah Kassim
This qualitative study explores healthcare workers’ emotional and psychological experiences related to workplace scandal within healthcare settings. Workplace scandal is a common yet sensitive issue, particularly in high-pressure environments where employees spend long hours together and share emotionally demanding responsibilities. Using a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 healthcare professionals (5 male and 5 female) to examine motivations, partner selection patterns, and the impact of such relationships on work performance and behaviour. Thematic analysis identified six major themes, including workplace proximity, emotional affirmation, romantic attachment, hierarchical influences, work-related consequences, and gender disparities after exposure. Findings reveal that male participants were more influenced by ego and recognition, while female participants were more driven by emotional support and understanding. The study also highlights that women tend to experience greater social and emotional consequences following exposure. These findings contribute to understanding gendered dynamics of workplace romance in healthcare contexts.
Maria Lourdes L. Chavez, Rochelle T. Fernandez
This study develops a Relational-Cultural Trauma-Informed Care (RCTIC) Framework for Philippine school counseling based on an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) of Filipino school counselors’ lived experiences. It reconceptualizes trauma-informed care as a relationally embedded and culturally mediated process rather than a fixed set of clinical procedures. Findings generated four interrelated dimensions: (1) relational safety, (2) cultural mediation, (3) ethical and institutional practice, and (4) empowerment and advocacy. These dimensions function as mutually reinforcing processes that collectively enable the restoration of client agency, understood as the re-establishment of voice, choice, and self-directed meaning-making in the aftermath of trauma. The study demonstrates that trauma-informed practice in Philippine school contexts is shaped by collectivist cultural logics, particularly kapwa, hiya, and utang na loob, which influence disclosure, help-seeking, and relational engagement. Rather than positioning culture as context, the framework conceptualizes it as an active mechanism in trauma processing and counseling interaction. Overall, the RCTIC Framework extends dominant Western trauma-informed models by foregrounding relational-cultural dynamics and institutional constraints in shaping counseling practice. It offers a contextually grounded model for understanding how trauma-informed care is enacted within Philippine educational settings.
Azlina Bt. Mohd Kosnin, Xu Yue, Zhu Lin
Professional identity is a key factor in shaping preservice teachers’ career choices and long-term engagement with the profession. For preservice preschool teachers, developing a solid professional identity during training is crucial for their future decision to enter the teaching profession and remain committed to teaching. Social support has been identified as a key factor in strengthening professional identity among preservice teachers. However, the specific mechanisms through which social support fosters professional identity remain limited. This study investigated the association between social support and professional identity among preservice preschool teachers in China. A cross-sectional correlational quantitative design was adopted. Questionnaire data were collected from 531 preservice preschool teachers enrolled in preschool education programs. Social support and professional identity were measured using validated self-report instruments. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to examine the levels of the main variables. Pearson correlation analysis to explore their associations and simple linear regression analysis to test the predictive effect of social support on professional identity. Findings indicated that both social support and professional identity were at a moderate level among preservice preschool teachers. The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between social support and professional identity. Regression analysis further confirmed that social support significantly predicted professional identity, with greater perceived social support corresponding to higher levels of professional identity. This finding showed that support from family members, peers, teachers, and educational institutions may contribute to preservice preschool teachers’ professional cognition, emotional attachment to the profession, and readiness for future professional roles. This study underscores the importance of providing a supportive environment in teacher education programs.
Adnan Yusufi, Naqiyah
This study examines the conceptual correspondence between selected Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) related mechanisms and Qur’anic teachings through the perspectives of cognitive psychology and Islamic epistemology. Using thematic Qur’anic exegesis (tafsīr mawḍū‘ī), the study explores themes related to cognition, language, emotional regulation, and behavior within the Qur’anic corpus. A qualitative interdisciplinary design was employed, integrating thematic content analysis, cognitive-linguistic mapping, operational construct definitions, and triangulation with classical and contemporary tafsīr traditions. A preliminary perception survey involving Muslim university students was also conducted to examine perceived relevance of Qur’anic based cognitive approaches. The findings reveal conceptual correspondences between selected NLP related constructs such as reframing, cognitive restructuring, emotional regulation, persuasive language patterns, and behavioral reinforcement and Qur’anic themes emphasizing self-awareness, ethical communication, moral accountability, and habit formation. Survey findings indicate generally positive perceptions toward spiritually grounded cognitive approaches among Muslim students. Based on these findings, the study introduces Neuro-Linguistic Qur’anic Programming (NLQP) as a culturally grounded conceptual framework that reinterprets selected NLP related mechanisms within Qur’anic ethical and theological principles. The study contributes to interdisciplinary scholarship by demonstrating how psychological models may be critically integrated with religious epistemologies while maintaining conceptual clarity and methodological transparency. Future research should examine NLQP through experimental, longitudinal, and cross-cultural designs to evaluate its broader psychological applicability.
Dr. Sonia Kapur, Shreyas Saklani
An athlete's success and well-being are heavily influenced by achievement goal orientation, sports anxiety, and self-esteem. This study aims to investigate the interrelationships between these 3 psychological variables. Correlational research is employed with a sample of 160 competitive male team-sport athletes (Kabaddi, Hockey, Football, Volleyball, and Basketball) aged 18 to 24 years, from Guru Nanak Dev University. Standardized tools which are administered are the Sport Competition Anxiety, the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Results reveal a highly significant negative correlation between global self-esteem and sports anxiety. Athletes who tend to be ego-oriented, they have high level of anxiety whereas athletes who tend to be task-oriented, they have low level of anxiety. The study reveals that high self-esteem and a task-oriented mindset significantly protect against competitive sports anxiety, whereas an ego-driven approach leaves athletes highly vulnerable to competitive anxiety.
Azlina Bt. Mohd Kosnin, Xu Yue, Zhu Lin
In the training of preservice preschool teachers, social support is regarded as a critical psychological and environmental resource that facilitates academic development and career development. However, there remains a lack of measurement instruments that adequately capture the learning context and training characteristics of preservice preschool teachers. To address this gap, the present study aimed to adapt and validate a social support scale specifically designed for preservice preschool teachers within the Chinese teacher education context. A total of 594 valid responses were collected from preservice preschool teachers enrolled in public normal colleges in Shandong Province, China. A two-stage research design was employed. In Stage 1, data collected from Sample 1 (n = 200) were used to conduct content validity assessment, item analysis, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to preliminarily examine the factor structure of the scale. In Stage 2, an independent sample (Sample 2; n = 394) was used to perform confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to further verify the construct validity of the scale. The results supported a clear four-factor model comprising family support, teacher support, peer support, and college support. Model fit indices reached acceptable standards. Both the overall scale and its subdimensions demonstrated high levels of internal consistency and composite reliability, along with satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity. In addition, social support was found to be significantly associated with external variables such as professional identity and academic motivation, further supporting its criterion-related validity. In conclusion, the Social Support Scale for Preservice Preschool Teachers is a psychometrically sound instrument that can be used in both research and practice to assess social support among preservice preschool teachers and to inform the evaluation and optimization of support in teacher education.
Gerardo Marco Bencivenga
Vocational education today confronts complex psychopathological frameworks that challenge traditional teaching methodologies. The present contribution analyzes an educational intervention concerning a student with a dual diagnosis of Early-Onset Schizophrenia and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Proceeding from the premise that the psychotic mind fragments temporal and causal experience, the study hypothesizes that non-linear video editing technology can act as a "cognitive prosthesis" for the reorganization of thought. Through an action-research design, a protocol was implemented based on the Formative Contract and the use of DaVinci Resolve software as a "cold" and non-judgmental environment of mediation. The results highlight a significant reduction in problem behaviors and an increase in Time on Task (from 15 to 50 minutes), reaching states of Flow otherwise precluded within the classroom. The article discusses these outcomes in light of the concept of "Algorithmic Empathy," proposing the machine not as a substitute for the human, but as a transitional space (or auxilium) which, thanks to its binary logic, allows the student to clear the field of persecutory anxiety and reconstruct a shared narrative of the self.
Alexandra Radu, Gerardo Marco Bencivenga
The code — we know, or pretend to know — is never neutral. But what happens, exactly, when it even stops being cold? The assumption from which this work is based (which has its roots in the framework of Algorithmic Empathy, already outlined in Iura and Legal System, Vol. 12-3, 2025) deliberately shifts the center of gravity: the contemporary algorithm does not limit itself to computation; it simulates or, in a much more subtle way, induces an emotional resonance. The intent here is to attempt a break — methodological, even before merit — by forcing the psychological clinic to sit at the same table as the norm. Because if psychological observation certifies, data in hand, the existence of a digital mirroring — the human user who projects, without filters, affections and fragility on synthetic architectures — legal science cannot limit itself to looking elsewhere. It must take charge, and quickly, of this cognitive vulnerability. It is no longer just a question of privacy or information asymmetry. It is a matter of empirically measuring the impact of an artificial "feeling" in order to be able to sew an unprecedented statute of responsibility on it: the transition to a complex, and very risky, emotional symmetry. The final goal is, perhaps, a necessary utopia: an integrated ethics in which the legal fence of the algorithm is dictated, upstream, by the same tools that map the cracks and boundaries of the human psyche.
Vu Thi Lua
Stress is a common issue experienced by most individuals in everyday life. Due to the nature of their profession, social workers are required to confront numerous difficulties and challenges in the workplace. In addition, they must manage family responsibilities and interpersonal relationships. As a consequence, many social workers experience stress. This study aims to identify the causes of stress among social workers in selected public social service institutions in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The primary research method employed was a questionnaire-based survey. Data were randomly collected from 267 social workers. The collected data were processed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25. The statistical procedures applied included frequency analysis, mean statistics, and correlation analysis. The findings indicate that job characteristics constitute the most significant source of stress among social workers. This is followed by factors related to personal resilience, time-related factors, situational factors, cognitive appraisal factors, and finally relational factors. All groups of stress-related factors demonstrate strong positive correlations with one another.
Andreea-Gabriela Filimon, Dan-Ioan Coman, Teodor Răileanu-Olariu
The identification with fictional characters has been widely recognized as a powerful psychological phenomenon, influencing self-perception and attitudes toward interpersonal relationships. Within this context, the dark romance genre, characterized by emotionally charged narratives involving ambivalence, power imbalances, and problematic relational behaviors, provides a unique framework for examining how engagement with such narratives impacts attitudes toward intimacy and relational norms. Concurrently, the rising prevalence of AI-mediated conversational agents introduces new dimensions to the study of emotional and romantic connections, raising critical questions about human-AI intimacy and its implications. This study sought to explore the associations between identification with dark romance characters, emotional and sexual experiences involving AI systems, and attitudes toward problematic relational behaviors. A sample of 139 Romanian participants was recruited to investigate these dynamics. Participants completed the Character Identification Scale, the Experiences in Human–AI Relationships Scale (EHARS), selected subscales of the Intimate Partner Violence Attitude Scale–Revised (IPVAS-R), and newly developed measures assessing AI sexual satisfaction, emotional support provided by AI, positive attitudes toward romantic AI entities, and recognition of relational red flags. Mediation analyses indicated that identification with dark romance characters was indirectly associated with greater AI sexual satisfaction through more positive attitudes toward romantic AI, supporting a full mediation model. In contrast, identification did not mediate the relationship between AI emotional support and AI sexual satisfaction, which was characterized by a strong direct association.Moderation analyses revealed that recognition of relational red flags significantly attenuated the positive association between AI sexual satisfaction and victims' acceptance of abusive behaviors, functioning as a protective cognitive factor. No significant association was observed between AI sexual satisfaction and victims' acceptance of physical violence. Overall, the findings suggest that narrative identification and AI-related intimacy are linked through attitudinal mechanisms, while awareness of relational red flags plays a crucial role in limiting the normalization of abusive relational dynamics. These results highlight the importance of examining both media-based identification processes and cognitive protective factors in understanding emerging forms of human–AI intimacy.
Jessie Mbwambo, Meshack Samwel
Background Globally, the number of people who use substances has rapidly increased over the past decade and has become a public health problem. Co-morbidity of mental disorders and substance use disorder has been well documented with disproportionately higher diagnosis for depression been made in patients with substance use disorders including heroin users. Limited number of studies have examined the phenomenon of symptoms of depression among MAT clients in Tanzania setting and none has proposed the probable interventions. Broad objective To determine the prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms among methadone using clients attending MAT clinic at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted using quantitative methods and utilizing the Patient Health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) as screeners for depressive symptoms, a semi-structured questionnaire for socio-demographic information and clinical characteristics, Adverse Childhood Experiences-10 (ACE-10) for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) for perceived social support. A total of 341 methadone using clients were recruited via systematic and stratified sampling techniques. Analysis was conducted using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23. Univariate analysis, logistic regression for Bivariate and Multivariate analysis presented as Odds ratios with 95% confidence interval and p<0.05 were conducted. Results Overall, 310 (90.9%) participants were males. Mean age was 39.37 (SD7.42) years. Prevalence of depressive symptoms was 36.7%. Risk of depressive symptoms increased by having a history of incarceration [aOR=2.87, 95%CI (1.70–4.86), ρ=0.000] and low perceived social support [aOR=4.03, 95%CI (1.78–9.15), ρ=0.001]. tailored
Afiq Azri Mohd Ghani, Angela Chan Nguk Fong, Az-Athirah Zubairi, Hamdan Mohd Salleh, Nur Muneerah Kasim, Rahmat Helmi Hidayat, Rashidin Idris, Siti Nur Fadilah Kassim, Yuhanis Khalida A Rashid
The purpose of this study is to characterize the intrinsic motivation, job training, and performance levels of workers in Malaysia's Klang Valley. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from 441 employees from different firms as part of a quantitative research design that used a survey technique. The tools assessed employee performance, job training, and intrinsic motivation. To ascertain each construct's level, data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, specifically mean scores and standard deviations. The results show that workers had a high degree of intrinsic motivation, especially when it came to attitudes about hard work, perseverance, learning, and achievement. The level of job training was also high, reflecting positive perceptions of training effectiveness, relevance, and its contribution to workplace competence. Similarly, employee performance was found to be high, especially in aspects related to initiative, time management, work efficiency, and continuous improvement, while negative work attitudes were reported at a low level. Overall, the findings suggest that employees in Klang Valley possess positive motivational attitudes, favorable perceptions toward job training, and strong work performance. This study provides useful insights for organizations in planning human resource development strategies to support employee growth and enhance workplace effectiveness.
Diah Karmiyati, Sitti Rachma S. Tombolotutu, Zainul Anwar
Eco-anxiety is a psychological response resulting from concerns about climate change and environmental degradation. This phenomenon relates to how individuals use coping strategies to manage the anxiety that arises. This study aims to identify forms of coping with eco-anxiety through a systematic review. The literature search was conducted using Publish or Perish and PubMed with a combination of Boolean operator-based keywords. Article selection followed the PRISMA guidelines and was assisted by the Rayyan application, with inclusion criteria focusing on articles from 2016–2026 that addressed eco-anxiety and coping. A total of 12 articles were analyzed. The results indicated that coping strategies include problem-focused, emotion-focused, meaning-focused, social coping, collective coping, and maladaptive coping. Adaptive coping plays a role in enhancing hope, social support, and engagement with environmental issues, whereas maladaptive coping-such as avoidance, denial, distancing, and rumination-has the potential to increase psychological distress. These findings suggest that eco-anxiety is not always maladaptive but can serve as an adaptive response when individuals employ appropriate coping strategies.
Anthony, Clement Ogbeh, Dumebi Okuagu, Ihuoma Goodness Dike, Ndorenyin Saviour Udofia
Background: This systematic review synthesises existing literature on executive function deficits and emotion dysregulation as predictors of violent behaviour in forensic samples. Methods: PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for empirical studies published between 2015 and 2025. Included studies focused on adult forensic populations, employed validated measures of EF and/or emotion regulation (ER), assessed violent or aggressive outcomes, and utilised cross-sectional, cohort, or review designs. Selection followed PRISMA guidelines. Data extraction was conducted independently by two reviewers, with effect sizes synthesised narratively due to methodological heterogeneity. Study quality was assessed using an adapted NIH/NHLBI risk-of-bias tool. Results: From 1,597 initial records, 55 studies met inclusion criteria. Inhibitory control deficits consistently distinguished violent from non-violent offenders. Meta-analytic evidence indicated modest EF impairments in justice-involved adults compared to controls (d = 0.55 overall; d = 0.72 for adults). Modest, significant correlations were found between ED measures and aggression (pooled r = 0.25–0.33), with ED explaining incremental variance in aggression beyond trait emotionality. Study quality was mixed, with few prospective designs and substantial methodological heterogeneity across studies (I² > 80% for ER-aggression relationships).
Isabel Taizivei Kanhenga
Substance-Induced psychosis (SIP) imposes an incrementally significant clinical challenge in Zimbabwe. While biomedical models focus on neurobiological mechanisms, culturally constructed narratives’ influence on the psychological experience of recovery remains critically underexplored, creating a gap in competent care. Objective: This qualitative study aimed to explore the prevalent cultural narratives held by men recovering from SIP and to examine how these narratives function as psychological determinants of the recovery processes and therapeutic engagement. Method: Utilising a phenomenological design, in-depth semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion were conducted with eight male SIP outpatients of a central hospital in Harare to collect data. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Findings revealed six key cultural narratives which included (1) supernatural attribution (including the “prophetic gift”), (2) attitudes surrounding substance use i.e. normalisation, medicinal and taboo, (3) stigmatisation, (4) collectivism, (5) masculinity concepts, (6) peer influence. These narratives function as internalised cognitive schemas that shape identity, dictate help-seeking behaviour, create psychological conflicts (e.g cognitive dissonance, internalised stigma). Participants navigated a therapeutic double bind between collectivist familial control and masculine self-reliance, which both individually and collectively directly influenced treatment adherence. A culturally sensitive treatment model that recognises explanatory frameworks, a multi-disciplinary approach, leverages community support and challenges stigma, was suggested based on feedback from participants. Conclusion: Recovery from SIP is psychologically mediated through a powerful ecosystem of cultural meaning-making systems. The findings advocate for the development of responsive healthcare policies, services and culturally sensitive, collaborative care models that integrate study insights into clinical practise to build stronger therapeutic alliances, as well as improve recovery outcomes
Cabaral, J Mica., Paon, Maechie S., Pasiolan, Samantha B., Villegas, June Rey A.
The continued reliance on folk medicine among clinically diagnosed individuals remains underexplored, particularly in rural communities where cultural identity and spirituality influence health behavior. This study examined the lived experiences of clinically diagnosed individuals in Santander, Cebu who continue to adopt folk medicine despite access to biomedical care, using Colaizzi’s (1978) phenomenological method through in- depth interviews. Findings produced nine interrelated themes across the three statements of the problem. Under motivations, three themes emerged: (1) Faith-Driven Motivation, (2) Perceived Inadequacy and Procedure-Related Fear in Conventional Care, and (3) Socially Influenced Trial and Validation, reflecting the emotional, spiritual, and social factors prompting individuals to seek folk healing. Under influences, three themes were identified: (1) Spiritual and Holistic Beliefs as the Foundation of Healing, (2) Social and Cultural Forces as Influential Drivers, and (3) Personal Experience and Inner Conviction as Reinforcing Influences, highlighting how belief systems, community norms, and personal histories sustain this practice. Under impacts, two themes surfaced: (1) Holistic Restoration of Well-being; Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual, and (2) Rejection of Folk Healing After Experiential Failure, depicting both the perceived benefits and limits of folk medicine. Overall, the findings underscore the need for culturally sensitive and integrative healthcare practices.
Martina Campobasso, Maura Perrone, Melania Ametrano
The article explores the transformative and political role of psychotherapy in the anthropocene era, proposing a perspective of co-evolutionary psychotherapy capable of dealing with individual and collective discomfort linked to ecological collapse. Climate trauma, loss of biodiversity and eco-anxiety highlight how contemporary psychological suffering is intrinsically ecological, requesting an approach that exceeds exclusively intrapsychic cure. Through Ecopsycology and Ecopsycotherapy, the natural world becomes co-angery in the therapeutic process, favoring reconnection, resilience and political agency. The Jungian perspective on ecological imagination suggests that archetypes, dreams and natural symbols reflect the relationship between the individual psyche and the soul of the world, while the psychotherapy of Gestalt underlines the importance of the incarnate contact as an ethical practice of reconnection with it, the other and the environment. By integrating these traditions, co-evolutionary psychotherapy is configured as a laboratory in which inner experience, community relationships and ecosystems interact, modeling each other. This paradigm not only promotes psychological well -being, but also supports an ethical and political commitment, opposing the extractive logics and enhancing the shared responsibility towards the natural world. In this vision, taking care of the soul of the world means taking care of the ecological and symbolic dimension of human existence, recognizing the indissoluble link between psyche and environment. The article invites to rethink psychotherapeutic practice as a space for coeximation, in which archetypes, body contact and ecological reconnection generate new forms of meaning, action and resilience in the contemporary crisis.
Meher Kiran, Shivam Kumar Singh
Growing access to digital devices and its continuous usage poses a threat of Digital Burnout. While digital burnout is associated with emotional difficulties, social processes that may explain this relationship remain less known. Social isolation and loneliness are conceptually distinct but are often treated as similar. The study examined how social isolation (objective lack of social connection) and loneliness (subjective perception of being alone) could help explain the relationship between digital burnout and emotion dysregulation. Data were collected from 303 Indian adults aged 18-44 years using self-report measures. Serial mediation analysis indicated that higher digital burnout was associated with higher difficulty in regulating emotions. This relationship was independently explained by loneliness but not by social isolation. However, social isolation acted as a contributor to loneliness, which in turn was linked to emotion dysregulation. Findings suggest the role of individual perception may be an important determinant for emotional functioning than mere presence or absence of social contact. Understanding this distinction can help curate better interventions aimed at promoting digital well-being and emotional health.
Dinesh Nagar, Shruti Verma
The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between Compulsive Smartphone Usage (CSU) and Academic Functioning among adolescents, framed within Self Determination Theory. A total of 247 class 12th students were selected via stratified random sampling from CBSE-affiliated schools in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Participants responded to a structured survey comprising demographic information, the Compulsive Smartphone Use Scale (CSUS), and a researcher-designed Academic Functioning Scale (AFS). ANOVA results revealed a significant main effect of academic stream on CSU, with Arts-Commerce students reporting higher compulsive smartphone use than Science students, primarily on technological and psychological dimensions. Gender showed no significant main effect on total CSU. However, it significantly impacted objective performance with female students consistently achieving higher CGPA and have reported greater mental health distress. Stepwise regression analysis identified "Time and Overuse" as the primary predictor of academic functioning. Finally, the Psychological/Social component negatively affected the objective performance of students in terms of 11th-grade students in terms of decline in CGPA scores. The study identifies a critical "Perception-Performance Gap," where Arts-Commerce students credit smartphones for academic management. Implications are discussed regarding the necessity for digital wellbeing interventions that address the digital surrogate role of smartphones for autonomy, competence, and relatedness in high-pressure academic environments.
Alona Arkatova, Bohdan Liashenko, Hanna Bilokonenko
This article presents the results of a comprehensive empirical study of leadership competencies and styles among 50 employees and volunteers of the NGO “Rokada”, which carries out humanitarian activities under martial law in Ukraine. The study combined an assessment of baseline leadership potential with an evaluation of the effectiveness of the author's leadership development training programme. We used some validated psychodiagnostic tools: the Zharikov and Krushelnitsky method for diagnosing leadership abilities, Bass’s Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ-5X), and the Beales–Schneider method for studying leadership style. The statistical analysis included descriptive statistics with an assessment of the distribution shape, Student’s t-test for independent samples with calculation of Cohen’s effect size, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and factor analysis (principal component method with Varimax rotation). The results revealed a clearly defined hierarchy of leadership profiles that reflects the functional specificity of humanitarian work, namely, strategic transformational leadership dominates at the top level, operational transactional effectiveness at the middle level, and high relationship orientation combined with vulnerability to stress at specialists/volunteers. Factor analysis allowed us to identify three key dimensions of leadership that explain 70% of the variance and have direct practical significance for team building in crisis conditions. The assessment of the training according to the Kirkpatrick model (levels of “learning” and “behavior”) demonstrated a statistically and practically significant improvement in indicators (an increase from 26.2% to 41.4%), especially in the components of transformational leadership and communicative-empathic skills. The obtained data are of high practical importance for the development of differentiated leadership development systems in Ukrainian humanitarian organizations working with vulnerable groups of the population, volunteers and under conditions of chronic stress and uncertainty.
Adora S. Parantar, Diana Marie D. Cuizon, Fredzel Mae C. Albofera, Korina Jean M. Regis
Red-tagging has become a persistent issue in the Philippine sociopolitical landscape, particularly affecting activists and social movements. Among those most vulnerable are student activists, whose involvement in political and social causes exposes them to labeling, harassment, and threats that extend beyond their personal lives. Although existing literature discusses red-tagging as a form of political repression, limited studies explore how student activists experience and interpret these incidents in their everyday lives. This study explores the lived experiences of red-tagged student activists in Cebu, focusing on the challenges they encounter, the impacts of these experiences, and the coping strategies they employ. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, the study gathered first-person accounts from five student activists across universities in Cebu who have directly experienced red-tagging. Participants were selected through purposive sampling based on their involvement in advocacy work and their experiences of being labeled by state authorities. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to identify patterns and shared meanings across participants’ narratives. Findings reveal that red-tagging presents multidimensional challenges threatening both identity and safety. Participants reported experiencing digital doxxing, surveillance, online harassment, and institutional scrutiny, which reshaped their daily routines, relationships, and sense of security. These pressures produced attitudinal and social impacts, including persistent fear, disrupted daily functioning, and strained family dynamics. However, the study also found that political resolve was strengthened due to these experiences. Moreover, the study found that coping strategies emerged through both personal adaptation and collective support within activist communities. Overall, the findings highlight that red-tagging operates not only as a political label but as a lived experience that influences identity, security, and resilience. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the realities faced by student activists and emphasizes the need for broader conversations on civic participation and student activists’ well-being.
Janet T. Comoda
This study explored the mental health and well- being of the university professors amidst the COVID 19 crisis. A qualitative research design using the phenomenological approach on how the professors handle and cope the challenges brought about by the pandemic. A total of nine (9) participants were subjected to in-depth interview following the health protocols as mandated by the government under the new normal setting. The responses were coded to derive themes and the results revealed that the university professors of MSU-General Santos perceived the Covid 19 phenomenon as a heightened global threat and it brought them elevated stress or a disagreeable situation, it brings uncertainties and may cause mental health problem, however the respondents view it positively as an occurrence that can be overcome. The challenges encountered are, movement is restricted therefore work related obligation and other activities are hampered, elevated fear of getting infected with the virus, venue and time for a sound personal reflection, restriction from visiting family members/relatives and the difficulty of the delivery of teaching under the new normal modes of learning. Their coping mechanism in order to maintain their sound mental health and well being is laid on equipping themselves to be healthy at all times, by promoting health and wellness program. Second Good family relationship, third, being morally upright citizen of the country by following protocols set by the IATF (Inter Agency Task Force). Fourth, deep expression of faith in God. Fifth, positive outlook in life. Sixth, concern for others. The insights brought by this Covid 19 crisis are the following. The respondents show strong sense of a positive mental attitude at all times. The covid 19 pandemic enables them to obey the rules implemented by the government they become more morally upright by being Law abiding citizens of the country. Their faith in God is deepened. They realized that life must be lived meaningfully and productively. The value of sharing is ingrained. Ability to be strong physically and emotionally as a person being looked up to by their students. More so, the information from news and social media must be evaluated and lastly being contented in life. The results suggested that human beings can draw strength from within even in an adverse environment.
Cong Hieu Bui, Duc Tai Nguyen, Minh Luan Nguyen, Thi Hoai Nguyen, Thi Thuong Pham
This study investigates university students’ needs for a mindfulness-based stress reduction mobile application. The aim is to provide a scientific basis for developing digital psychological support tools in response to increasing mental health pressures. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 428 students aged 18 to 25 who provided valid responses. The findings indicate that students are currently facing multiple overlapping stressors, with academic and examination pressure (68.0%) and anxiety about future careers (61.4%) as the primary contributors. Although 69.6% of the surveyed students reported basic awareness of mindfulness practices, the rate of regular practice is only 4.4%. This gap between awareness and action mainly stems from barriers such as boredom, difficulty concentrating, and lack of time. Furthermore, 67.2% of participants affirmed the necessity of a specialized psychological support mobile application, indicating a strong intrinsic demand for flexible technological solutions. In terms of aesthetic preferences, students favored minimalist interfaces with subdued color palettes (43.7%) or vivid, calming designs (34.3%). Based on these findings, the study proposes developing a technological solution integrating personalized pathways, a daily reminder notification system, and diversified content such as instructional videos and relaxation games. These features aim to help students overcome technical and psychological barriers and transform their interest into a sustainable habit of mental health self-care within the university environment.
Cleophas Asimwe
This study examined the impact of intrinsic motivation on teacher commitment to teaching in private secondary schools in Ibanda District, Uganda. The study adopted a cross-sectional mixed-methods research design, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Primary data were collected from 94 respondents (teachers and headteachers) using questionnaires and interviews, while secondary data were obtained from school reports and related academic documents. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including correlation and regression analysis, whereas qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings from correlation analysis revealed strong and statistically significant positive relationships between intrinsic motivation and teacher commitment dimensions, including punctuality and regular attendance (r = 0.742, p < 0.01), lesson preparation (r = 0.768, p < 0.01), instructional delivery (r = 0.791, p < 0.01), and overall teacher commitment (r = 0.773, p < 0.01). Regression analysis further showed that intrinsic motivation explains 59.8% of the variation in teacher commitment (R² = 0.598), with a statistically significant model fit (F = 251.764, p < 0.001), and that intrinsic motivation is a strong positive predictor of teacher commitment (B = 0.702, β = 0.773, p < 0.001). Qualitative findings corroborated these results, indicating that teachers who experience internal satisfaction, passion for teaching, and professional fulfillment demonstrate stronger dedication to lesson preparation, classroom management, learner support, and participation in school activities, as well as improved consistency in attendance and instructional effectiveness. The study concluded that intrinsic motivation is a critical determinant of teacher commitment in private secondary schools in Ibanda District and recommends that school administrators strengthen supportive work environments, recognize teachers’ efforts, and promote professional autonomy to enhance intrinsic motivation and teacher commitment.
Elimelie P. Ates
This qualitative study used a descriptive design to navigate the dilemmas encountered by the Public Junior High School Teachers in Davao City Division when making ethical decisions. The participants consisted of 17 Public Junior High School Teachers selected through snowball sampling, with 10 participants engaged in in-depth interviews (IDI) and 7 participants involved in focus group discussions (FGD). Data were gathered using validated interview guides in the in-depth interview and focus group discussion. Creswell’s (2014) method of thematic analysis was used to determine the essential themes from the response of the participants. Making ethical decisions means doing the right thing, adherence to ethical standards, professional and personal integrity and navigating relationships were the themes that emerged from perceptions of participants on ethical decision-making. The strategies employed by the participants in ethical decision-making included mindful and values-driven process and reflective and critical thinking. Further, conflicting values and expectation, moral judgement, and difficulty in dealing with ethical issues were the themes that emerged from the challenges encountered by the participants in ethical decision-making. Furthermore, the themes such as: role of personal values, reflective ethical decision making, and being compassionate were the insights shared in improving ethical decision- making.
Barrit, Charity Mae C, Lambayan, Joy Lyn G., Rhea Jane L. Caynila, Sasaban, Danne T
Behind every loss to suicide lay a story left unfinished—and for siblings, the silence that followed often became too heavy to bear. This study explored the coping strategies along with support systems of siblings aged 18 and above who had lost a brother or sister to suicide five or more years ago. Using a qualitative case study design, the research focused on participants from Cebu, Philippines, to gain an in-depth understanding of their grief and recovery journey. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using narrative inquiry and thematic analysis. The findings of the study identified distinct themes in the coping strategies and support systems of Cebuano bereaved siblings. For coping strategies, the emerging themes included (1) active behavioral adaptation, (2) spiritual expression, and (3) continuing bonds. Regarding support systems, the themes encompassed (1) familial and peer support as the primary coping anchor, and (2) community-facilitated coping resources. These mechanisms helped them gradually adapt and find meaning after their loss. Despite the lingering pain of their grief, most participants were able to rebuild their sense of purpose and strengthen their emotional endurance. Recognizing the need for practical application of the study’s insights, the researchers designed an intervention plan titled “Kakuyog sa Pagpanglimbasog: A Community-Based Psychosocial Counseling and Support Group for Suicide Bereaved Individuals. This community-based mental health initiative aims to provide sustainable support for suicide-bereaved individuals through (1) Psychoeducational Seminar on Grief and Suicide Bereavement, (2) Building Social Support System, (3) Counseling Consultation, and (4) Reassessment and Follow-up. The intervention fosters collaboration among families, mental health professionals, and local organizations to strengthen community awareness and resilience. The study also highlighted the need for continuous mental health support, awareness programs, and community-based interventions for suicide-bereaved families. Overall, this study contributed to the growing body of literature on post-suicide bereavement and emphasizing the importance of compassion, understanding, and structured support in the healing process of those left behind.
Evan Bastian, Iswinarti, Nida Hasanati
Gadget addiction refers to the excessive dependence on electronic devices, leading to significant disruptions in daily life and functioning. One of the major contributing factors to gadget addiction is the quality of the parent-child relationship, which, when poor, may lead to increased feelings of loneliness. This study aims to analyze the role of loneliness as a mediating factor in the relationship between parent-child relationships and gadget addiction. A quantitative study design was employed, utilizing three validated psychological scales: SAS-SV, PCRS, and UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3. The study sampled 188 junior high school students through purposive sampling. Data analysis using Hayes' mediation model revealed that loneliness partially mediates the effect of parent-child relationships on gadget addiction. These findings highlight the importance of fostering strong parent-child bonds to mitigate the risks of gadget addiction among adolescents.
Dr. Anitha Kumari T T, M Ajitha
A pre-college gap year refers to a temporary break taken before entering higher education, during which students engage in activities such as skill development, employment, volunteering, travel, or preparation for future academic goals. In recent years, gap years have become increasingly common among young people due to academic uncertainty, burnout, financial limitations, and the desire for personal growth. The present study explored pre-college gap year experiences and their influence on youth well-being using a qualitative exploratory research design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with ten college students selected through purposive sampling. Narrative analysis was used to interpret participants lived experiences and understand the meanings attached to their gap year journeys. The findings revealed that although many participants initially experienced disappointment, confusion, social comparison, and societal pressure, they gradually reconstructed their gap year experiences positively. Participants reported improvements in emotional well-being, self-awareness, maturity, academic motivation, career clarity, and interpersonal skills. Several participants also described the gap year as a period of recovery from academic burnout and an opportunity for self-reflection and personal development. Family and peer support emerged as important factors that helped participants cope with uncertainty and maintain confidence. Despite challenges related to stigma and delayed academic progression, most participants viewed the gap year as a transformative phase that contributed positively to their personal and academic growth. The study highlights the importance of understanding gap years not merely as interruptions in education but as meaningful developmental transitions that can enhance youth well-being and readiness for higher education.
Frederick R. Owiti, Joseph Makenga Masila, Lincoln Khasakhala
Objective(s): To determine the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), describe patterns of trauma exposure, and identify associated factors among inpatients with substance use disorders (SUDs) in Nairobi. Design: Cross-sectional analytical study. Setting: Thirteen inpatient rehabilitation centers within a 50-kilometre radius of Nairobi, Kenya. Subjects or Participants: A total of 222 adult inpatients aged 18–65 years with diagnosed SUDs, stabilized on treatment for at least two weeks. Interventions: None. Main Outcome Measures: PTSD prevalence and severity assessed using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), trauma exposure patterns, and substance involvement measured using ASSIST. Results: Participants were predominantly male (91.0%) with a mean age of 34.1 years (SD 9.0). Trauma exposure was reported by 59.9%, including significant life events (37.4%), physical injury (19.4%), and sexual assault (3.2%). The prevalence of PTSD was 27.5% (95% CI: 22.1–33.3). Independent predictors of higher PTSD severity included divorced/separated/widowed marital status (β = -11.10, p=0.001), physical injury (β = 8.00, p=0.028), and significant life events (β = 9.69, p=0.001). PTSD severity was strongly correlated with depression severity (r=0.545, p<0.001). Conclusion: PTSD is a common comorbidity among SUD inpatients in Nairobi and is strongly associated with trauma exposure and marital disruption. Routine trauma screening and integration of trauma-informed care into substance use treatment programs are recommended.
Ann Muringi Macharia, Joyzy Pius Egunjobi
The increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases and the global shift toward home-based palliative care have placed significant caregiving responsibilities on informal caregivers, particularly within family-centered societies such as Rwanda. Guided by the Integrated Spiritual Well-Being and Resilience-Coping Theory and the Caregiver Stress Process Model, this study examined psycho-spiritual well-being and stress levels among informal caregivers of terminally ill family members in Rwandan households. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, involving a purposive sample of 30 caregivers. Data were collected using the Kingston Caregiver Stress Scale (KCSS) and the Psycho-Spiritual Well-Being Scale (P-SWBS), and analysed using descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation. Findings revealed that caregivers reported high levels of psycho-spiritual well-being across domains such as compassion, connectedness, and meaningfulness. Despite this, caregivers experienced moderate to high levels of stress, particularly related to financial difficulties, family conflicts, and caregiving burden. Notably, no significant relationship was found between psycho-spiritual well-being and stress levels. These results suggest that while spiritual resources enhance resilience and meaning-making, they may not sufficiently mitigate stress in the presence of substantial structural and contextual challenges. The study concludes that caregivers in Rwanda demonstrate strong internal coping capacities but operate within environments characterized by limited external support. Therefore, strengthening formal support systems alongside psycho-spiritual resources is essential to effectively reduce caregiver stress and improve overall well-being.
Dr Lilian Mulwa Kunusia, Dr Uchenna Kalu Agwu, Moise Issa Dusenge
The Catholic Church’s reconciliation programme in Cyangugu Diocese refers to a set of coordinated pastorals, spiritual, psychosocial, and social interventions undertaken by Cyangugu Catholic Diocese after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The intent of this programme was to build broken relationships, encourage forgiveness, heal trauma, restore spiritual belief, and to rebuild the community destroyed by the Genocide. This study sought to examine the relationship between the Catholic Church’s Reconciliation Programme and the Psycho-spiritual Wellbeing of Survivors of the genocide against the Tutsi in Cyangugu Diocese, Rwanda. Guided by Trauma Theory (Herman, 1992) and Psycho-Spiritual Theory (Egunjobi, 2024), the study employed an embedded mixed-methods design. A total of 274 respondents participated in the quantitative strand through random sampling, while 37 participants were purposively selected for qualitative inquiry. Quantitative Data were collected using the Adapted Rwanda Reconciliation Barometer and Psycho-Spiritual Wellbeing Scale. Qualitative Data was collected through Focus Group Discussions and Semi-structured Interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using inferential statistics aided by SPSS, version 23. Qualitative data were analysed thematically. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed statistically significant positive relationships between the Catholic Church’s Reconciliation Programme and Psycho-spiritual Wellbeing of Survivors of the genocide in Cyangugu Diocese, Rwanda (p < .01), with correlation coefficients ranging from moderate to moderately strong (r = .286 to .531). In line with the embedded mixed methods design, qualitative findings supported quantitative findings and indicated that the reconciliation programme implemented by the Catholic Church in Cyangugu Diocese has played a significant role in promoting psycho-spiritual well-being of survivors of the genocide. The qualitative findings identified key strategies for strengthening the programme, and recommends greater inclusion of youth and context-responsive strategies to sustain reconciliation outcomes across generations.
Chacko P. George
Suicide is a major global public health concern and a leading cause of preventable death. Evidence indicates that suicidal behavior rarely occurs abruptly, instead emerging through identifiable cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and perceptual processes. This study introduces the Sequential Suicidal Ideation Detection Model (SSIDM), an integrative framework for early detection of suicidal ideation based on sequential psycho-behavioral indicators observable in naturalistic settings before crises occur. Using a qualitative naturalistic observational design, data were collected from 12 anonymized participants aged 18–50 across counseling, pastoral, and community contexts. Observations were systematically coded across behavioral, linguistic, emotional, sleep, perceptual, and cognitive domains and mapped onto proposed sequential risk stages. Drawing on cognitive theory, psychodynamic psychology, interpersonal models, and phenomenological clinical observation, the model integrates established predictors—such as hopelessness, social withdrawal, and sleep disturbance—with emerging markers including perceptual alterations, dissociative states, and symbolic dream imagery. Findings indicate that consistent clusters of sleep disturbance, dissociative experience, linguistic cues, and affective constriction reliably preceded elevated risk states across cases, supporting the hypothesis that suicidal ideation develops through identifiable sequential indicators rather than appearing abruptly. SSIDM delineates five progressive stages leading to high-risk states and proposes actionable screening questions for early intervention. By emphasizing preventive counseling and early recognition, the model offers practical guidance for clinical practice, community gatekeeper training, and future empirical validation.
Bui Lam-Tu, Dang Thuy Ngoc-Nhu, Giang Thien-Vu, Hoang Thao-Ny, Nguyen Huynh Bao-Kim
In the context of digital transformation, adolescent social interaction increasingly occurs online, making social-emotional e-competencies (e-SEC) an important educational concern. Drawing on the social-emotional learning framework and research on digital interaction, this cross-sectional study examined the e-SEC of 335 Vietnamese high school students using two self-report instruments: the Social-Emotional e-Competencies Questionnaire (e-COM) and the E-motions scale. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, factor loadings, correlations, and independent-samples t tests were conducted in SPSS. Results indicated that overall e-SEC on the e-COM was relatively high (M = 3.44, SD = .48), whereas online emotional functioning measured by the E-motions scale was at an average level (M = 3.04, SD = .60). Emotional e-conscience and emotional e-regulation obtained the highest mean scores, while emotional e-independence and social e-competency were comparatively lower. The e-COM subscales were intercorrelated overall, and a statistically significant sex difference was reported only for emotional e-independence. These findings suggest that Vietnamese high school students show promising emotional awareness and regulation in online contexts, but still need support in building autonomy and constructive social interaction in cyberspace. The study provides an initial empirical basis for future school-based programs aimed at strengthening students’ social-emotional competence in the digital environment.
Bacunawa, Joanne Stefanie D., RPm, CRS, Campos, Rafael B., Caringal, Dal Valdemar T., RPm, Dela Llana, Marlo Rey D, Jimenez, Rikxzel Josh D, RPm, CHRA
This qualitative phenomenological study explored the experience of college students in navigating technostress while using AI learning tools in higher education. Through purposive sampling, 10 undergraduate students who use AI tools such as ChatGPT or AI‑integrated learning management systems for at least one month were invited to participate in semi‑structured interviews. Thematic analysis yielded nine themes across four dimensions: affective, behavioral, cognitive and ethical reflecting students’ emotional strain, patterns of reliance, metacognitive regulation and academic integrity concerns. Findings showed that unclear institutional policies and inconsistent faculty expectations intensify technostress while students cope through peer support, self‑imposed digital boundaries and critical verification of AI‑generated outputs. Participants articulated tensions between efficiency and originality. The study emphasizes the need for culturally grounded AI literacy, clearer guidelines on responsible AI use, and supportive learning environments that foster critical thinking, academic integrity and sustainable technology practices in line with quality and well‑being goals in higher education.
Nurul Huda Ishak, Siti Nursyahirah Nazrol
This study investigates the relationship between Big Five personality traits and love styles among undergraduate students enrolled in private higher education institutions (IPTS) in Kedah, Malaysia. A quantitative correlational research design was employed, involving 254 undergraduate students selected using purposive sampling. Personality traits were measured using the Mini-International Personality Item Pool (Mini-IPIP), while love styles were assessed using the Love Attitudes Scale–Short Form (LAS-SF). Data were analysis using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis. The findings revealed that conscientiousness was the most dominant personality trait, while pragma emerged as the most prevalent love style among respondents. Significant relationships were found between overall personality and romantic, game-playing, and logical love styles, whereas no significant relationships were observed for other love styles. These findings provide empirical evidence on the role of personality in romantic relationship patterns and offer practical implications for counselling and student development programs in higher education institutions.
Bestern Kaani, PhD, Ruth Nakamba, PhD
This paper sought to determine the relationship between cognitive dissonance and academic performance. Cognitive dissonance is indispensable in the school setting because not all learners like or excel in all academic subjects or pursue subjects that align with their intended careers. These conflicts often result in an increased level of cognitive dissonance, which hinders learning. Therefore, management of cognitive dissonance is key to improving academic performance. However, research on the relationship between cognitive dissonance and academic performance is limited. This study employed a cross-sectional survey design, comprising a sample of 200 randomly selected pupils from two secondary schools in Lusaka District. Data collection instruments included cognitive dissonance subscales and class-administered quizzes. Five out of eight measures of cognitive dissonance correlated negatively with academic performance. Results revealed a consistent pattern of negative associations between cognitive dissonance and academic achievement across domains. Overall, the Regular school group reported marginally elevated mean dissonance scores compared to the STEM school group. Following stratification of results by school type, Fisher's Z-tests indicated largely comparable effects of cognitive dissonance on achievement, with only six inter-group correlation differences reaching statistical significance. It is noteworthy that school-related dissonance more strongly affects perceived choice in Regular schools than in STEM schools. This is mainly because perceived choice is a critical psychological resource that protects students from the negative effects of school stress. Drawing on Festinger's (1957) theory of cognitive dissonance, these findings reveal that dissonance generally varies uniformly as a function of learning context; it also has a significant influence on academic achievement. In conclusion, these findings have significant implications for both research and practice.
Mohd Fakardian Che Rus, Wong Huey Siew
This study investigates the relationship between work environment and job satisfaction among administrative staff in Open Distance Learning (ODL) Learning Centres, utilizing Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory as a guiding framework. A positive working environment is crucial for maintaining employee productivity, fostering morale, and minimizing stress that negatively impacts work performance, all of which are vital for efficient support to ODL students and educators. The study focused on five specific dimensions of the work environment: job autonomy, job competency, collegial relationships, career commitment, and status of profession. A quantitative survey design was employed, with questionnaires distributed to 100 administrative staff members across various ODL Learning Centres in Malaysia. A total of 69 completed responses were received and analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient. The findings reveal that administrative staff generally perceive their work environment positively, with job competency, status of profession, and job autonomy scoring highest. The overall level of job satisfaction among the staff was also found to be satisfactory. Crucially, the results indicate a significant positive correlation between all examined dimensions of the work environment and job satisfaction. Specifically, job autonomy showed the strongest relationship with job satisfaction, followed by status of profession and career commitment. This study confirms the importance of a conducive work environment in enhancing job satisfaction among ODL administrative staff. The findings offer valuable insights for ODL's management and human resource department, informing the development of policies and practices aimed at fostering a positive work environment to improve employee motivation, engagement, and ultimately, organizational success in expanding educational opportunities for students and supporting educators in a distributed learning environment.
Diah Karmiyati, Rizky Maulidayani, Zainul Anwar
Self-acceptance is an important psychological aspect that supports mental health and psychological well-being, particularly during early adulthood, a period marked by various life transitions. During this phase, individuals face developmental demands such as identity exploration, the transition from education to the workforce, and the formation of interpersonal relationships, which often trigger stress and uncertainty. This study aims to examine the role of self-acceptance in early adulthood during life transitions using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach. Literature searches were conducted across several academic databases, covering publications from 2018 to 2025, and article selection followed the PRISMA guidelines. fourteen empirical studies were analyzed using thematic synthesis. The findings indicate that self-acceptance is positively associated with psychological well-being, emotion regulation, resilience, life satisfaction, and meaning in life, and serves as a protective factor against stress and anxiety during transitional periods.
Dr. Md Abu Layek, Faria Zaman Mahi, Sanjida Afroz
In our omnipresent digital world, imagining our lives without connections to others is impossible. Advanced digital technology enables constant connectivity, regardless of our location. This paper is structured into three parts. The first section explores the relationship between mental health and digital platforms. The second section examines how digital disconnection impacts group dynamics in decision-making during crises, using a rapidly escalating student uprising in Bangladesh as a case study. This event created a nationwide threat while leaving the population digitally disconnected. The third section critically evaluates responses to such threatening situations through the lens of transactional analysis theory. Additionally, the paper discusses the consequences of digital separation and proposes future directions for maintaining connectivity during similar incidents.
Afiq Azri Mohd Ghani, Angela Chan Nguk Fong, Kirrthana Satesh Kumar, Nur Muneerah Kasim, Nurul Nabila Ibrahim, Puteri Farahdiana Megat Suhaimi, Rashidin Idris, Siti Nur Fadilah Kassim, Thilaageshwary Thangadurai
This study describes the mean level of workplace bullying and job satisfaction among secondary school teachers in the Gombak District, Selangor. A quantitative descriptive research design was employed, and data were collected from 261 teachers using a structured questionnaire. The instrument measured teachers’ experiences of workplace bullying and their level of job satisfaction across several dimensions of school life. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, particularly mean scores and level classification. The findings indicate that workplace bullying among teachers was at a low level, with all bullying items recording mean scores within the low category. The highest bullying item was “Having allegations made against you” (M = 2.15), followed by “Spreading of gossip and rumors about you” (M = 2.13) and “Being exposed to an unmanageable workload” (M = 2.11). In contrast, job satisfaction was generally at a high level, with many items recording mean scores in the high category. The highest job satisfaction item was “Working conditions in my school can be improved” (M = 4.23), followed by “I get along well with my colleagues” (M = 4.21) and “My immediate supervisor offers suggestions to improve my teaching” (M = 4.20). Overall, the findings show that teachers in the Gombak District reported low exposure to workplace bullying and high levels of job satisfaction. These findings suggest that the school environment is generally supportive, although some negative workplace behaviors still require attention from school administrators and policymakers.