Open Access
ISSN:1433-0237 (print)
ISSN:1815-5626 (online)
Publication Frequency:Bi-monthly
Journal of Psychology in Africa (JPA) is a peer-reviewed Open Access journal that publishes research articles, research reviews, conceptual development articles and thematic issues in the areas of socio-cultural and health development globally, with a particular emphasis on African settings and the African diaspora. This journal is published bi-monthly by Tech Science Press.
Social Sciences Citation Index (Web of Science): 2024 Impact Factor 0.8; Scopus Citescore (Impact per Publication 2024): 1.6; SNIP (Source Normalized Impact per Paper 2024): 0.363; JCI (Journal Citation Indicator): 0.32; IBSS (International Bibliography of the Social Sciences).
Effective 2025, the Journal of Psychology in Africa (JPA) will be published by Tech Science Press (TSP). This transition aims to broaden the journal’s reach, enhance its global influence, and ensure equitable access to high-quality research in psychology.
The journal’s mission, scope, and submission guidelines will remain unchanged. Under the continued leadership of Editor-in-Chief Prof. Elias Mpofu and the Editorial Board, JPA will maintain its commitment to advancing psychological research and practice.
We extend our gratitude to authors, reviewers, and readers for their steadfast support as we embrace this transformative phase in the journal’s journey.
Open Access
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SPECIAL SECTION ON CAREER DEVELOPMENTJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 557-563, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.068969 - 24 October 2025
Abstract This study investigated the role of work role engagement and interpersonal perspectives mediation in the relationship between school principal moral leadership and teachers’ voice behavior. A sample comprising 315 middle school teachers from a central province in China participated in the research (females = 73.3%). These teachers completed surveys on moral leadership, work engagement, trust in superiors, and voice behavior. The results of dual mediation modeling indicated evidence of an indirect effect of moral leadership on teachers’ voice behavior through work engagement. The results also indicated evidence of mediating effect of trust between moral leadership More >
Open Access
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SPECIAL SECTION ON CAREER DEVELOPMENTJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 565-573, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.067055 - 24 October 2025
Abstract This study investigated the mediating roles of career values and learning engagement in the relationship between psychological capital and employability among university students. Data were collected from 5434 students across three Chinese universities (male = 1930; female = 3504; M = 23.84 years, SD = 2.55). Regression analyses indicated that psychological capital significantly predicted higher employability. Both career values and learning engagement independently and jointly mediated this relationship, thereby strengthening the overall effect. Psychological capital not only directly enhanced students’ employability but also exerted indirect effects through career values and learning engagement. These findings align with More >
Open Access
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SPECIAL SECTION ON CAREER DEVELOPMENTJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 575-586, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.067476 - 24 October 2025
Abstract This study examined the relationships among social support, career decision-making self-efficacy, goal orientation, and career adaptability, highlighting the bridging roles of career decision-making self-efficacy and goal orientation. A total of 1433 Chinese university students (female = 70.7%; urban = 55.3%, mean age = 19.73 years, SD = 1.60 years) completed validated measures of career adaptability, social support, career decision-making self-efficacy, and goal orientation. Network analysis revealed that social support was associated with higher career adaptability indirectly through career decision-making self-efficacy and goal orientation, which function as key bridging mechanisms. Moreover, urban college students demonstrated greater More >
Open Access
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SPECIAL SECTION ON CAREER DEVELOPMENTJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 587-597, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.066359 - 24 October 2025
Abstract Grounded in the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, this study investigates the relationship between technostress and professional identity among 313 online international language teachers (82.11% female; 77.64% aged 24 and above; 63.87% with postgraduate education). It further examines the mediating role of growth mindset and the moderating effect of technical support. The results indicate that higher levels of technostress are associated with lower levels of professional identity. Growth mindset partially mediates this relationship: elevated technostress not only directly weakens teachers’ professional identity but also indirectly reduces it by undermining their growth mindset. Moreover, technical support significantly More >
Open Access
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SPECIAL SECTION ON CAREER DEVELOPMENTJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 599-607, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.066823 - 24 October 2025
Abstract This study examined how trait mindfulness relates to grit and resilience in students and whether flow mediates these links. The study sample comprised 432 gifted and talented music students (females = 275, mean age = 14.52, SD = 0.50). The students completed four measures assessing trait mindfulness, flow, grit, and resilience, each with established psychometric validity and reliability. The findings from structural equation modeling indicate trait mindfulness had substantial direct effects on flow, resilience, and grit among students. Flow had a significant mediating effect on the relationship between trait mindfulness and grit for enhanced grit. More >
Open Access
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SPECIAL SECTION ON CAREER DEVELOPMENTJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 609-618, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.066587 - 24 October 2025
Abstract This research sought to examine whether employees’ views of distributive justice within the organization moderate the influence of exploitative leadership on the depletion of their self-control resources, and whether self-control depletion serves as a mechanism linking exploitative leadership to employees’ taking charge behavior. Data were obtained from 299 employees in China (51.8% male; average age = 27.67 years, SD = 3.83) using a two-wave survey design with a two-week interval. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that distributive justice did not significantly buffer the impact of exploitative leadership on self-control depletion. Furthermore, exploitative leadership was found to More >
Open Access
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REGULAR ARTICLESJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 619-625, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.070238 - 24 October 2025
Abstract This study adapted and validated the Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale (3D-WS; Ardelt, 2003) for a Moroccan adult sample. The 3D-WS conceptualizes wisdom through cognitive, reflective, and affective dimensions. A total of 404 Moroccan adults (56.9% women; M = 31.8 years, SD = 9.4) completed an online survey. Exploratory factor analysis (principal-axis extraction with Promax rotation) reduced the scale to 15 culturally adapted items across three factors, accounting for 44.3% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated satisfactory fit: χ²/df = 1.46, GFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.91, RMSEA = 0.049. Bifactor modeling indicated a strong More >
Open Access
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REGULAR ARTICLESJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 627-634, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.065791 - 24 October 2025
Abstract This study developed and tested the internal reliability of a 27-item Organisational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) scale for higher education institutions. Participants were a probability sample of 452 (N = 452) university staff of a South African open-distance higher education institution (academics 46%, administrative staff 33%, professional and managerial staff 21%). The participants completed the Organisational Citizenship Behaviour questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis identified a four-construct measurement model for organisational citizenship behaviour: altruism, civic virtue, sportsmanship, and sense of duty and consideration. The sense of duty and consideration is the only factor not previously identified as a factor More >
Open Access
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REGULAR ARTICLESJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 635-640, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.065773 - 24 October 2025
Abstract This study utilized a mediation model to examine the role of psychological capital and positive academic emotions in the relationship between school connectedness and academic engagement in adolescents. A sample of 389 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 13.43; 51.2% females) completed the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student (UWES-S), the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire (AEQ), the Positive Psychological Capital Scale (PPCS), and the School Connectedness Scale (SCS). Structural equation modeling analysis yielded findings to suggest that higher school connectedness is associated with academic engagement. Psychological capital was associated with positive emotions, and higher psychological capital partially mediated the relationship between More >
Open Access
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REGULAR ARTICLESJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 641-650, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.066349 - 24 October 2025
Abstract This study examined the perceived teacher autonomy support effects on college students’ creativity, and the role of academic engagement and affect (positive and negative emotions) in that relationship. The study sample comprised 637 undergraduates (366 females, 271 males). Results from structural equation modelling with a moderated mediation framework indicated that perceived teacher autonomy support positively predicted college students’ self-reported creativity. Academic engagement partially mediated the relationship between autonomy support and creativity, whereby higher perceived autonomy support predicted greater academic engagement, which subsequently promoted creativity. Both positive and negative emotions strengthened the link between autonomy support More >
Open Access
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REGULAR ARTICLESJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 651-659, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.066088 - 24 October 2025
Abstract This study explores parenting and family adjustment profile effects on toddler socioemotional competence by the underlying mechanisms of effortful control. Participants were Chinese parent caregivers (N = 448) of 448 toddlers aged 15–36 months. They completed measures of parenting and family adjustment, toddler socioemotional competence, and effortful control. Latent profile analysis (LPA) identified three family profiles—Strict-Detached, Constrained-Collaborative, and Harmonious-Aligned. These three profiles of parenting and family adjustment directly affect toddler socioemotional competence through variations in emotional support, discipline strategies, and parent–child interactions. Effortful control mediates this relationship of parenting and family adjustment and toddler socioemotional More >
Open Access
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REGULAR ARTICLESJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 661-669, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.068787 - 24 October 2025
Abstract Accurate assessment of climate anxiety is crucial, yet the cross-cultural transportability of existing instruments remains an open question. This study translated and validated the Hogg Climate Anxiety Scale for the Chinese context. A total of 959 students (females = 69.7%; M age = 19.60 years, SD = 1.40 years) completed the Hogg Climate Anxiety Scale, with the Climate Change Anxiety Scale and the Anxiety Presence Subscale served as criterion measures for concurrent validity. Test–retest reliability was evaluated with a subset after one month. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the original four-factor structure and measurement invariance across genders.… More >
Open Access
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REGULAR ARTICLESJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 671-679, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.066530 - 24 October 2025
Abstract This study investigated the role of self-efficacy and motivation in the relationship between perfectionism and writing performance. Participants were 500 Chinese EFL (English as a Foreign Language) undergraduates (females = 34%, Mage = 21.56 years, SD = 2.27). The students completed the Self-Reported Writing Proficiency Scale, the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale for Chinese, the Second Language Writer Self-Efficacy Scale, and the English Writing Motivation Questionnaire. Results from Structural Equation Modeling (SEM, Amos 29.0) revealed that perfectionism predicted writing performance positively for students with positive (adaptive) perfectionism, but negatively for those with negative (maladaptive) perfectionism. Self-efficacy and More >
Open Access
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REGULAR ARTICLESJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 681-688, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.069421 - 24 October 2025
Abstract This study examined the relationship between paternal overprotective parenting and problem behaviors of preschool children, and maternal overprotective attitudes and parenting stress mediation of that relationship. Data were collected from 265 families, including parents and preschool children (ages 3–6). The results revealed that paternal overprotective attitudes significantly influenced maternal overprotective attitudes and maternal parenting stress. Maternal overprotective attitudes, in turn, increased maternal parenting stress, exacerbated children’s problem behaviors. Paternal overprotective attitudes indirectly contributed to these behaviors through both maternal overprotective attitudes and parenting stress. The effect was more pronounced on boy than girl younger than More >
Open Access
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REGULAR ARTICLESJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 689-694, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.066954 - 24 October 2025
Abstract This study explored the relationship between physical exercise and college students’ mental health, as well as the mediating role of peer relationships and self-esteem. Participants were 1513 undergraduate students (first to fourth year) from six universities in Guangdong Province, China. They completed the Physical Exercise Scale, College Student Mental Health Scale, Peer Relationship Scale, and Self-Esteem Scale. The results following correlation analysis, structural equation modeling, and the bias-corrected percentile bootstrap method indicated. (1) Physical exercise was positively correlated with the mental health of college students and the direct path was significant; (2) Physical exercise and… More >
Open Access
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REGULAR ARTICLESJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 695-699, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.067488 - 24 October 2025
Abstract This study validated the Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM+) norms in the Sudanese context. A sample of Coptic Sudanese (n = 385, girls = 34.5%) and other Sudanese children (n = 1656, girls = 51.5%) aged between 7 and 10 took the SPM+. Reliability was acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.755 for the Copts). British Intelligence Quotient (IQ) norms scores from the SPM+ for the Copts were compared to those of the (North) Sudanese, controlling for age. The mean IQ of the Sudanese Copts was 88.92, while that of the other (North) Sudanese was 78.26. This difference More >
Open Access
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REGULAR ARTICLESJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 701-711, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.067155 - 24 October 2025
Abstract This study explored the relationship between need fulfillment given by opposite-sex friends and romantic relationship quality, as well as the potential underlying mechanisms, including perceived quality of opposite-sex friend relationships, need fulfillment given by romantic partners and romantic desire towards opposite-sex friends. A total of 98 unmarried Chinese young adults in romantic relationships were participants (females = 45.9%; M = 22.71, SD = 2.81). The findings from regression, mediation, and moderation analyses indicated need fulfillment given by opposite-sex friends was associated with lower romantic relationship quality. Perceived quality of opposite-sex friend relationships mediated the relationship between… More >
Open Access
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REGULAR ARTICLESJournal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 713-721, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.066529 - 24 October 2025
Abstract This cross-sectional study examined how parenting styles influence college students’ romantic attitudes through para-social relationships. A total of 571 college students (females = 71.2%) completed the Short-form Parenting Style Scale, the Para-social Relationship Scale, and the Questionnaire on College Students’ View of Marriage and Love. Mediation was examined with bootstrap-corrected structural equation modelling (5000 resamples). Results indicated that maternal rejection (indirect effect β = −0.019, 95% CI = −0.055–−0.001, p < 0.05) and overprotection (indirect effect β = −0.02, 95% CI = −0.055–−0.001, p < 0.05) indirectly undermined college students’ marriage views by intensifying para-social relationships, whereas More >
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