BIOCELL, Vol.50, Suppl.1, pp. 1-56, 2026

Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

Dakshnamoorthy Manivannan^*

Journal of Cyber Security, Vol.8, pp. 397-468, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jcs.2026.082741 - 06 July 2026

Abstract Ransomware has emerged as one of the most disruptive and financially damaging forms of cybercrime, affecting individuals, enterprises, and critical infrastructures worldwide. Over the past decade, ransomware attacks have evolved from simple file-encryption malware to sophisticated, multi-stage campaigns involving data exfiltration, double extortion, and ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) ecosystems. In response, a large body of research has proposed diverse techniques for detecting, preventing, mitigating, and recovering from ransomware attacks. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of ransomware research spanning behavioral and runtime detection, machine learning and deep learning-based approaches, network and SDN-based detection, platform-specific defenses for mobile… More >

Lulu Mtimkulu, Paul J. P. Fouché^*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.3, pp. 361-370, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.081834 - 30 June 2026

Abstract This psychobiography aimed to uncover the characteristics of optimal personality functioning (OPF) across the lifespan of Chabani Manganyi (1940–2024), the first Black South African clinical psychologist. The methodology used in this study encompassed an existential Franklian scholarly psychobiography. Sources of data on Manganyi included only publicly available primary and secondary data. Primary sources included Manganyi’s own writings, such as his autobiography, as well as his academic publications, including the biographies he wrote on creative individuals such as Gordimer, Sekoto and Mphahlele. Secondary sources included scholarly publications by academics and colleagues who knew him, as well… More >

Jinliang Guan¹, Yuanyuan Xie¹, Mengying Huang¹, Liyang Sixu¹, Mengran Gao¹, Wangyan Ma^2,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.3, pp. 425-432, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.079806 - 30 June 2026

Abstract This study explored the mediating role of maladaptive cognitive-emotional regulation strategies in the association between life events and short-video addiction, as well as the moderating role of social support in that relationship. Participants were 501 college students from universities in Anhui Province, China (females = 39.72%, undergraduates = 100%, mean age = 18.89, SD = 0.98). They completed the Maladaptive Cognitive-Emotional Regulation Strategies Scale, College Students’ Life Events Scale, Social Support Rating Scale, and Short-Video Addiction Scale. Results following Structure Equation Modelling (SEM) analyses indicated that stressful life events were associated with short-video addiction. Maladaptive More >

Dan Wang^*, Zahari Ishak

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.3, pp. 381-396, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.079557 - 30 June 2026

Abstract Academic stress remains a major concern for college students in China in the post-COVID-19 context. This study examined the effectiveness of an eight-week Social Emotional Learning (SEL) intervention in reducing academic stress and enhancing selected social-emotional competencies among first-year students in a Chinese higher education institution. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed. Participants were 196 first-year students assigned to an experimental group (n = 98) and a control group (n = 98) in a quasi-experimental study. Quantitative data were collected through validated pre- and post-intervention measures of academic stress, self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving… More >

Zhiyong Sun^*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.3, pp. 443-454, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.079179 - 30 June 2026

Abstract Guided by a salutogenic framework, this study examined within-group changes in perceived stress, emotion regulation, digital emotional safety and psychological well-being following participation in a 10-week AI-assisted reflective writing program. A single-group quasi-experimental pre–post mixed-methods design was employed with 114 undergraduate students participating. Quantitative data were analysed using structural equation modelling and qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis of weekly reflective journals. Results showed that participants reported lower perceived stress and higher psychological well-being after the programme. Perceived stress was negatively associated with psychological well-being, while digital emotional safety showed a positive association. Emotion… More >

Rosemary C. Muomah¹, Theclar O. Iyidobi¹, Sampson K. Nwonyi², JohnBosco C. Chukwuorji^3,4, Tobias C. Obi^5,*, Jaclyn I. Odinka⁶, Kennedy U. Amadi¹, Paul C. Odinka¹

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.3, pp. 397-404, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.079145 - 30 June 2026

Abstract Traumatic experiences are known to have impacts on well-being; however, factors that may shape or moderate these effects remain underexplored, particularly within caregiving contexts. This study investigated the association between secondary traumatic stress and life satisfaction among informal caregivers in subacute hospital care, as well as the moderating role of positive religious coping and gender in this relationship. A total of 194 informal caregivers (68 males, 126 females; aged 15–70 years, M = 31.5, SD = 8.9) of inpatients at a Nigerian orthopaedic hospital participated in the study. Data were collected using the Secondary Traumatic Stress… More >

Boqiang Zong¹, Yungui Guo^2,*, Ningwei Cai³

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.3, pp. 311-319, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.078831 - 30 June 2026

Abstract This study investigated the role of perceived insider status and responsible behavior in the relationship between servant leadership and task performance in the manufacturing, retail, and service sectors. Self-reported survey data were collected from 667 employees across multiple Chinese organizations (females = 52.2%, predominantly aged 26–45 72.0%) and were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results of testing a sequential mediation model showed that servant leadership is associated with higher task performance. Responsible behavior acts as a partial independent mediator, accounting for 57.24% of the total effect. Importantly, perceived insider status and responsible behavior were found More >

Yan Zhou¹, Wenqian Ding¹, Heyuan Wang^2,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.3, pp. 455-467, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.077016 - 30 June 2026

Abstract In the post-pandemic era, college students’ well-being has become a key indicator of higher education quality. Although existing studies highlight individual, social, and school-level factors, their findings remain fragmented. This study conducted a meta-analysis of empirical research published between 2020 and 2024 to compare the relative effects of these three dimensions and examine whether sample source or publication type moderates the relationships. Results indicate that students’ happiness is primarily shaped by individual traits and cognitive mechanisms, while social connection and support exert additional positive effects. In contrast, structural factors at the school level show relatively More >

Xiaoyuan Chu^1,#, Alafate Litifu^1,#, Zhaoyi Zhu², Qing Tan¹, Shihao Ma¹, Jingyue Yu^1,3, Lipeng Yin⁴, Li Lei⁵, Si Han^6,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.3, pp. 329-340, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.076401 - 30 June 2026

Abstract This study examined the mediating role of perceived supervisor–student relationship quality and the moderating role of student extraversion in the relationship between supervisor conscientiousness and graduate students’ professional identity. A total of 450 graduate students completed surveys of supervisor conscientiousness, perceived supervisor–student relationship quality, professional identity, and extraversion. Results of a moderated mediation model testing showed that supervisor conscientiousness was associated with higher graduate students’ professional identity. Perceived supervisor–student relationship quality mediated this association, with higher supervisor conscientiousness linked to better perceived supervisor–student relationship quality, which in turn related to higher levels of professional identity. More >