Yunsheng Ruan^*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.4, pp. 517-524, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.079487 - 31 August 2026

Abstract The study examined the role of proactive personality in influencing academic performance among Chinese university students, with a focus on the mediating roles of academic self-efficacy and learning engagement. A total of 378 Chinese undergraduate students (females = 49.7%, juniors = 26.5%) participated in the study. Data on proactive personality, academic self-efficacy, and learning engagement were collected using standardized scales, and academic performance was measured via self-reported Grade Point Averages. Structural equation modelling with bootstrap resampling results indicated that proactive personality had a significant direct effect on academic performance, accounting for 63.28% of the total More >

Xiaohua Li¹, Fuqiang Li^2,*, Wenjin Li³

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.4, pp. 691-699, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.079470 - 31 August 2026

Abstract This study investigated how learning cognition influences college students’ academic performance, focusing on the mediating role of learning attitude and the sequential mediating role of executive ability and learning attitude. Data were from the Tsinghua University’s “Chinese College Students Learning and Development Tracking Study” project (N = 766; 41.37% female; mean age = 20 years, SD = 1.2 years). Results from panel data analysis showed that learning cognition was associated with higher academic performance. Learning attitude positively mediated this relationship. Moreover, learning attitude and executive ability served as positive sequential mediators linking learning cognition to More >

Bereket Merkine Gebresilase^1,*, Chuanxia Zhang¹, Yohannes Bisa Biramo², Zebdewos Zekarias Elka², Esayas Teshome Taddese³, Ni An⁴

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.4, pp. 643-650, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.079165 - 31 August 2026

Abstract This study investigated whether and how social loafing mediates the relationship between work engagement and work procrastination, and if this pathway is moderated by job crafting. Data from 322 civil servants (58% male; mean age = 29.52 years, SD = 2.78) were analyzed using PROCESS macro (Model 14). The results confirmed a partial mediation model, indicating that work engagement reduces procrastination both directly and indirectly by diminishing social loafing. Furthermore, job crafting significantly moderates this relationship, with higher work engagement and less social loafing among employees who engaged in high levels of job crafting. These More >

Jiaqi Zheng¹, Xuanyu Chen^2,*, Changze Wu³

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.4, pp. 679-689, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.079106 - 31 August 2026

Abstract This study examined how subjective social class (SSC) is associated with subjective well-being (SWB) through relative deprivation (RD) and sense of control (SoC), and how this process varies by system-justifying belief (SJB). Using a large-scale social survey (Study 1; males = 54.2%; mean age = 52.99 years) and a questionnaire-based survey (Study 2; females = 63.3%; mean age = 29.14 years), the results showed that SSC was positively associated with SWB and exerted a significant indirect effect through a sequential mediation pathway involving RD and SoC. This indirect effect was stronger among individuals with higher More >

Shijie Song¹, Ke Yang^2,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.4, pp. 667-677, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.079090 - 31 August 2026

Abstract The present study adapted and validated the Vocational identity Status Assessment (VISA) among high school and university students, and examined the VISA score associations to academic achievement, depression and life satisfaction. A total sample of 694 Chinese senior high school students (53.9% females, mean age = 16.72 years, SD = 1.02) and 871 university students (47.2% females, mean age = 18.90 years, SD = 1.45) were tested in three independent cross-sectional rounds over a six-month period. The results showed a six-factor structure of the VISA with 26 items, which divided vocational identity into six types:… More >

Xiaoyu Xu¹, Hao Fang^2,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.4, pp. 721-729, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.078684 - 31 August 2026

Abstract The present research investigated how perceived social support and fear of negative evaluation serve as parallel mediators in the association between self-focused attention and social interaction abilities. Data were collected from 524 Chinese university students (mean age = 19.40 years, SD = 1.30), who completed the following instruments: the Self-Focused Attention Questionnaire, the Perceived Social Support Scale, the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, and the Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire. According to regression analyses, self-focused attention not only exhibited a direct link with social interaction abilities but also showed a positive indirect pathway via perceived social More >

Jie Yang^1,#, Wenhui Ma^2,#, Yan Tang^3,*, Bin Gao^4,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.4, pp. 507-516, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.078648 - 31 August 2026

Abstract Previous research has indicated heterogeneity in Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) profiles in college students. However, longitudinal evidence regarding the stability and transition patterns of IGD subgroups among college students remains limited. This two-wave longitudinal study, with a one-year interval, included 343 Chinese undergraduate students (57.7% female; mean age = 18.28 years, SD = 1.14) who participated in both surveys. Latent profile analysis identified three distinct IGD subgroups—High, Moderate, and Low IGD—which were consistent across both time points. Regression analyses indicated that male gender, greater gaming time, loneliness, and depression were associated with higher IGD severity. More >

Lan Li^*, Shengqiao Wang^*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.4, pp. 659-665, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.078592 - 31 August 2026

Abstract This study investigated the mediating role of negative emotions and the moderating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between student campus ostracism and impulsive buying. A three-wave online survey was conducted, with 401 college students from a university in East China (35.9% male and 64.1% female, 54.6% first year and 45.4% second year). The students completed measures of campus ostracism, negative emotions, self-efficacy, and impulsive buying. Linear regression analysis results show that campus ostracism was associated with impulsive buying. Negative emotions mediated the relationship between campus ostracism and impulsive buying for higher impulsive buying. Self-efficacy More >

Aderonke Julienne Adetunji^*, Emelda Zandile Gumede

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.4, pp. 497-506, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.078093 - 31 August 2026

Abstract Retirement is a significant life transition that often requires deep psychological adjustments, especially among healthcare professionals who are used to structured and demanding work environments. In Nigeria, little attention has been given to the emotional experiences of retirees in the healthcare sector. This study explored the lived experiences of retired healthcare workers’ psychological transition through their emotional adjustments and coping strategies. This study explored the lived experiences of psychological transitions of retired healthcare workers through their emotional adjustments and coping strategies. Informants were 21retirees from three purposively selected federal health institutions in Southwest Nigeria. Eligible… More >

Lan Li^1,*, Xingshan Zheng²

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.4, pp. 711-719, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.078027 - 31 August 2026

Abstract This study tested a moderated mediation model on the role of employee organization-based self-esteem (OBSE) and perceived organization support in the relationship between perceptions of organizational politics (POP) and job burnout. A two-wave online survey was conducted with 313 employees of 9 enterprises (females = 28.4% mean age = 3.35, SD = 0.808). These enterprises cover the manufacturing (76.4%), service (3.5%), and other industries (20.1%). PROCESS linear regression analyses results show that POP is associated with higher job burnout. Organization-based self-esteem mediates the relationship between POP and job burnout. Furthermore, POS moderates the relationship between… More >