Open Access
ARTICLE
Yanting Li1,*, Min Hu1, Jin Jiang2, Jiamin Ge3
Journal of Psychology in Africa, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.073569
Abstract The present study investigated the longitudinal and reciprocal associations between psychological distress and psychological inflexibility among college students. A total of 391 participants (77.2% male; age = 20.31, SD = 0.90) were recruited through cluster sampling, completed the DASS-21 (21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale) and AAQ-II (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II) at two time points (T1: March 2024; T2: October 2024). After establishing longitudinal measurement invariance, a cross-lagged panel model was estimated while controlling for gender and age. Results from cross-lagged panel modeling (CLPM) revealed significant concurrent correlations between psychological distress and psychological inflexibility at both time… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Lauren Martin1,*, Henry D. Mason2, Juan A. Nel3
Journal of Psychology in Africa, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.073424
Abstract This study explored how psychology educators in South Africa can be professionally developed to embed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles into their pedagogy, thereby enhancing psychological flexibility among postgraduate students. Using a Collaborative Action Research approach, seven educators and thirteen students participated in a ten-month intervention comprising four iterative cycles of training, implementation, and reflection. The thematic analysis found that ACT-informed pedagogy not only promoted student resilience, present-moment awareness (mindfulness), and values-based engagement (authenticity) but also catalysed shifts in educator identity toward more reflexive teaching. Students cultivated resilience by learning to tolerate emotional discomfort More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Linda Naidoo*, Mariette Coetzee
Journal of Psychology in Africa, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.073305
Abstract This study tested the internal reliability and validity of a 28-item Employee Empowerment scale within a higher education context. A sample of 452 university employees (N = 452) from a South African higher education institution, comprising academics (46%), administrative staff (33%), and professional and managerial staff (21%), participated in the study. The participants were required to complete an employee empowerment questionnaire. The exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis identified a three-construct measurement model for employee empowerment: management support, autonomy and decision-making, and access to information and resources. The results revealed that the research instrument More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Jingxuan Lou1, Yaping Pan2,*
Journal of Psychology in Africa, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.076331
Abstract The present study examined the mediating roles of self-efficacy and meaning in life in the relationship between growth mindset and satisfaction with life among college students, as well as the moderating role of gender. Participants were 1791 Chinese college students (female = 52.31%, mean age = 19.31 years, SD = 1.14 years). They completed the Growth Mindset Scale (GMS), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Correlation analyses results showed that a growth mindset was significantly and positively related to satisfaction with life among… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Jingli Wu*
Journal of Psychology in Africa, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.074079
Abstract This study explored the relationship between parental psychological control (PPC) and adolescents’ problematic gaming (PG) focusing on the mediating roles of self-control (SC) and deviant peer affiliation (DPA). A total of 2028 adolescents from high schools completed self-report measures on PPC, SC, DPA, and PG. The results revealed that PPC positively predicted PG. SC mediated the relationship between PPC and PG, and also revealed that DPA also played a mediating role in this association. Additionally, SC and DPA operated in a chain mediation, where PPC reduced SC, which in turn increased the likelihood of DPA, More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Xixi Chu1, Run Guo1, Yujin Wang2,*, Zhong Li3
Journal of Psychology in Africa, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.072738
Abstract Bootleg innovation serves as a vital supplement to routine innovation, yet strengths-based leadership mechanisms driving such informal behavior remain underexplored. This study examined the mediation mechanism of growth need strength, as well as the boundary condition set by work centrality, in the association between strengths-based leadership and bootleg innovation. We employed a time-lagged design across two waves to gather data from 375 employees within the technology sector (Wave 1, n = 583; Wave 2, n = 425). The final sample consisted of 47.5% males, with 67.7% aged between 30 and 40. Hierarchical regression results found More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Lei Tang1,2, Yangang Nie2, Pei Chen2, Jian Mao2,*
Journal of Psychology in Africa, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.072648
Abstract Based on self-determination theory, this study examined how basic psychological need satisfaction influenced job search intensity among Chinese graduating college students. A two-wave longitudinal survey was conducted with a sample of 244 graduating students (50.4% female; mean age = 21.44 years, SD = 0.85). Data were collected using the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale, the Goal Orientation Scale, the College Students’ Job Search Stress Scale, and the Job Search Behavior Scale. The results showed that higher basic psychological need satisfaction predicted greater job search intensity, and this relationship was partially mediated by stronger More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Qiaobo Wei1,2, Hui Zhou1,3,*
Journal of Psychology in Africa, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.068776
Abstract We investigated the relationship between social anxiety on adolescent students’ internet fiction reading and mediation by self-esteem. A total of 774 adolescent students (female = 48.9%; mean age 13.39 ± 1.46) completed surveys on internet fiction addiction, social anxiety and self-esteem. Mediation analysis results indicated a significant school grade placement effect in internet fiction reading to be lower . The self-esteem of adolescent students plays a mediating role between social anxiety and internet fiction reading for higher internet fiction reading with higher self-esteem. This mediating effect accounts for about two-thirds of the total effect. This More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Zhong Li1, Chicheng Wang1, Liyao Wang1, Xixi Chu2,*
Journal of Psychology in Africa, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.073364
Abstract This study investigates the psychological mechanisms through which AI literacy is associated with reduced employment anxiety in university students. Drawing on the Conservation of Resources Theory and the Career Construction Theory, we tested a model where career adaptability mediates the relationship between AI literacy and employment anxiety. Data were collected from 424 Chinese university students (mean age = 22.2 years; 73.82% female; 58.96% undergraduates; and 44.95% studying humanities and social sciences) through a two-wave survey. The results showed that AI literacy was negatively associated with employment anxiety. Furthermore, career adaptability significantly mediated this relationship. The More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Guoxiu Tian, Yanbin Guo*
Journal of Psychology in Africa, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.072897
Abstract The present study explored how teacher professional development (PD) activities function as a mediator between teachers’ perceptions of work value and policy orientation, their motivation, and their overall job satisfaction. The study drew on a sample of 3047 Chinese junior high school teachers from the 2018 Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS), of whom 74.47% were female. Results from the mediation model revealed that job satisfaction was positively associated with teacher motivation, as well as with teachers’ perceptions of value and policy orientation. The findings further revealed that teacher participation in PD activities played a More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Huan Song1,2, Yuan Zhao3, Chenglin He2,4,*
Journal of Psychology in Africa, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.069347
Abstract This study aimed to explore the mediating roles of body dissatisfaction and self-esteem on the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and among female college students. Using a cross-sectional study design, 669 Chinese female college students completed the Body Mass Index, the Body Image States Scale, the Self-Esteem Scale, and the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale. The results showed that body dissatisfaction partially mediated the relationship between BMI and social avoidance. Additionally, body dissatisfaction and self-esteem together formed a serial mediation pathway between BMI and social avoidance. In other words, BMI shows a direct association More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Ting Wang1,#, Yixin Yuan1,#, Minxuan Zhang1,#, Sanrong Xiao2,*, Xiangyang Zhang3,4,5,*
Journal of Psychology in Africa, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.073403
Abstract Schizophrenia is associated with a substantially elevated lifetime risk of suicide. Although cognitive impairment has been widely recognized as a core clinical feature of this disorder, the relationship between cognitive dysfunction and suicidal ideation (SI) remains inadequately understood. The present study investigated the prevalence of cognitive impairment and explored its associated risk factors among patients with schizophrenia who reported SI. A total of 812 participants were enrolled in the study. Suicidal ideation was evaluated using the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS), while cognitive functioning was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Xin Yu, Jingbo Wang, Hao Hong*
Journal of Psychology in Africa, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.073317
Abstract This study examined the roles of negative emotions and physical activity in the relationship between problematic mobile game use and executive functioning. A total of 528 participants were included (females = 62.07%; M = 19.24, SD = 1.52). All participants completed the Adapted Internet Addiction Scale, the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Chinese version of the Adolescent Executive Function Scale, and the Chinese version of the Physical Activity Rating Scale-3 (PARS-3). After controlling for gender, age, school, major, and grade, regression analysis revealed that problematic mobile gaming was significantly associated with impaired executive More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Anthony Gbenro Balogun1,*, Victor Chidi Onyencho2, Choja Akpovire Oduaran2
Journal of Psychology in Africa, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.067947
Abstract This study examined the moderating effects of psychological detachment and conscientiousness on the relationship between compulsory citizenship behaviour (CCB) and work-family conflict (WFC) among nurses. Data were gathered from 289 nurses (104 males and 185 females) working in public hospitals in the southwestern part of Nigeria. They completed self-report measures on CCB, WFC, psychological detachment, and conscientiousness. Hayes PROCESS Macro results showed that CCB was associated with higher WFC among nurses. Psychological detachment (β = −0.05, p < 0.006) and conscientiousness (β = −0.02, p < 0.003) significantly moderated the relationship between CCB and WFC, such More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Xiaoguang Wang1,*, Feier Deng1, Yuting Zheng1, Yun Wang2,*
Journal of Psychology in Africa, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.072076
Abstract This study examined the mediating role of impostor phenomenon (IP) in the relationship between multidimensional perfectionism and procrastination. A cross-sectional survey of 393 Chinese university students (72.5% women; mean age 19.27 ± 1.26 years) completed standardized measures: the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS), Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), and Pure Procrastination Scale (PPS). Key findings following PROCESS mediation model testing revealed that adaptive perfectionism was associated with higher IP. Maladaptive perfectionism was associated with both higher IP and higher procrastination levels. IP acted as a significant suppressing mediator in the association between adaptive perfectionism and procrastination. While adaptive More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Mataanana Mulavu1,*, Dana Seale2, J. Paul Seale3, Sion K. Harris4, Tulani Francis L. Matenga1, Mwitwa Mugode1, Shimeo Sakanya1, Jonathan M. Tirrell5, Phillip Chimponda6, Wilbroad Mutale7, Mutale Sampa8, Oliver Mweemba1
Journal of Psychology in Africa, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.071580
Abstract Unhealthy substance use is high among adolescents and young people in Zambia. Conceivably, a character strength approach could help reduce alcohol and other psychoactive substance use among young adults. We tested the efficacy of a positive psychology based group-based character strengths prevention and recovery program for alcohol risk reduction among Zambian young adults. The primary study participants included schoolchildren and community members. We conducted 8 focus group discussions (FGDs) with school students (aged 13 to 17) and community youth (ages 18–24), 12 FGDs with parents, teachers, family, friends, and group leaders. Moreover, we conducted 8… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Mohammad Farhan Al. Qudah1, Ismael Salamah Albursan1, Salaheldin Farah Attallah Bakhiet2,*, Mohammed Awad Al-Tartouri3, Mohammed M. Ateik Al-Khadher1, Abdo Hasan Al-Qadri4
Journal of Psychology in Africa, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.070220
Abstract This study explored the level of nomophobia among university students in relation to psychological loneliness, sleep disorders, smartphone usage, age, and the duration of smartphone ownership. A sample of 2162 students from Middle Eastern countries: Jordan (n = 470), Saudi Arabia (n = 279), United Arab Emirates (n = 315), Egypt (n = 625), Oman (n = 237), and Sudan (n = 189) (female = 1706; 78.9%; mean age = 33.36, SD = 10.69). Data were collected using the Nomophobia Questionnaire (Yildirim et al., 2016), the UCLA Psychological Loneliness Scale (Russell, 1996), the Sleep Disorders… More >
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