Yichi Zhang¹, Muhammad Syawal Bin Amran^1,*, Shahlan bin Surat¹, Yuxiang Feng²

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.080791 - 31 August 2026

Abstract Backgrounds: Multiple theoretical models emphasize the role of cognitive emotion regulation (CER) in maladaptive technology-related behaviors, including problematic social media use (PSMU). However, empirical findings regarding on the association between CER and PSMU have been inconsistent. Therefore, the present study aimed to systematically synthesize existing evidence on this relationship and to examine potential moderators using a three-level meta-analytic approach. Methods: To clarify the overall relationship and examine potential moderators, the present study conducted a three-level meta-analysis. A total of 21 primary studies, comprising 22 independent samples (N = 19,648) and 103 effect sizes, were included. Results: The… More >

Pengpeng Yang^*, Anne Noor Sri Juwaneeta Jamaludin

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.080765 - 31 August 2026

Abstract Backgrounds: Anxiety symptoms represent a prevalent mental health challenge among university students, yet accessible and scalable intervention approaches remain limited. This study examined the effectiveness of a structured music education intervention in reducing anxiety symptoms among non-music major university students in China. Methods: Using a quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group, 110 participants experiencing anxiety symptoms were allocated to either an intervention group (n = 55) receiving a 12-week music education program comprising two 90-min sessions weekly, or a control group (n = 55) continuing regular academic activities. Assessments were conducted at baseline (T0), post-intervention… More >

Mingzhu Pan^1,2, Linghong Liu², Xinxing Li³, Yee Cheng Kueh⁴, Yanjie Zhang⁵, Garry Kuan^2,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.080336 - 31 August 2026

Abstract Backgrounds: Mental health challenges among Chinese emerging adults have increased in recent years, raising concerns about students’ psychological well-being in higher education. Brief, scalable interventions such as Brain Breaks^® may offer an effective strategy to promote mental health in higher-education settings. This study aims to examine the effects of a four-week Brain Breaks^® exercise program on mental stress, resilience, social support, and physical activity levels among Chinese emerging adults. Methods: Eighty college students (aged 19 ± 1.41 years) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG). The IG received Brain Breaks^® video-guided sessions… More >

Jian Li^1,*, Chenxi Zhang^2,*, Eryong Xue^2,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.080105 - 31 August 2026

Abstract Background: The role of artificial intelligence in influencing the mental health and well-being of students in higher education has become increasingly significant globally and locally. However, there is still a paucity of research that systematically investigates the effects of artificial intelligence on students’ psychological health and well-being from a comprehensive perspective. Methods: Followed the Prisma 2020 guidelines, this study employs a systematic literature review to examine the impacts of artificial intelligence on college students’ mental health and well-being in higher education contexts. Data were obtained from three major academic databases—Scopus, the (EBSCOhost) Research Databases, and the… More >

Monica Casella¹, Raffaella Esposito^2,*, Michela Ponticorvo¹

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.079327 - 31 August 2026

Abstract Background: Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) are increasingly used in psychological assessment to score measures, classify clinical presentations, monitor symptoms, estimate risk, and tailor interventions. Methods: This scoping review maps ANN applications in psychological assessment and diagnosis and examines their relevance to psychiatric practice. A structured search of Scopus and Web of Science, followed by independent screening and data charting by three reviewers, identified 31 studies published between 2020 and 2023. Results: The literature demonstrates broad methodological versatility across psychometric, behavioral, textual, image, and sensor data, but clinical readiness remains limited by heterogeneous samples, architectures, metrics, and validation More >

Yue Guo¹, Zhenlu Bao², Zhenlin Lei³, Rui Wang⁴, Jiawei Guo^5,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.4, pp. 537-544, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.083642 - 31 August 2026

Abstract The present study examined the association between cybervictimization and sleep quality among university students, focusing on the mediating role of rumination and the moderating role of self-compassion. Participants were 932 students (mean age = 19.74 years; 53.76% female). They completed self-report questionnaires assessing cybervictimization, rumination, self-compassion, and sleep quality. The results from mediation-moderation analysis showed that cybervictimization was positively associated with poorer sleep quality. Rumination mediated this relationship, suggesting that university students exposed to cybervictimization were more likely to engage in repetitive negative thinking, which in turn associated with worse sleep outcomes. Furthermore, self-compassion moderated More >

Yuxin (Lorraine) Zhang^1,2,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.4, pp. 525-535, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.082443 - 31 August 2026

Abstract University entry is a psychologically demanding transition. Adjustment difficulties are a leading mental health concern among Chinese freshmen. This study examined psychological configurations associated with adjustment difficulties among university freshmen. Participants were 356 first-year students (50.6% female; aged 18–20) who completed measures of self-identity exploration, sense of belonging, psychological resilience, neuroticism, extraversion, and adjustment difficulties. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis and Necessary Condition Analysis identified configurations. Three risk configurations emerged: resource depletion combining absent identity exploration, absent resilience, and absent extraversion; relational deficit combining absent identity exploration, absent belonging, and resilience; and emotional vulnerability combining absent More >

Gen Zhang, Ziyi Zhu^*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.4, pp. 565-573, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.082111 - 31 August 2026

Abstract Concerns about the relationship between short video and dietary restraint are growing, yet few studies focus on the relationship between beauty short video engagement and dietary restraint among young women. This investigation evaluated a sample of 312 Chinese women between the ages of 18 and 35 (M = 24.37, SD = 4.95). The Beauty Short Video Engagement Scale, the Beauty Ideals Internalization Scale, the Surveillance Scale, and the Cognitive Restraint Scale were implemented. A positive correlation was observed between beauty, short video engagement and dietary restraint among young women. The relationship between beauty short video engagement, More >

Xin Mi^1,*, Xincheng Li^2,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.4, pp. 731-740, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.081616 - 31 August 2026

Abstract Objective: To examine the influence of existential isolation on suicidal ideation among college students, as well as the mediating effect of entrapment and the moderating effect of authenticity. Method: A total of 1694 Chinese college students (67.06% female; mean age = 20.01 ± 1.37 years) were recruited as participants. Data were collected using the Existential Isolation Scale, Suicide Behavior Screening Questionnaire (SBSQ), Entrapment Scale and Authenticity Scale. With demographic covariates such as gender and age held constant, the bias-corrected bootstrap method was adopted to test the mediating and moderating effects. Results: (1) Existential isolation was a… More >

Songming Liu¹, Siyuan Yin^2,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.4, pp. 701-709, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.079616 - 31 August 2026

Abstract Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is reshaping language learning, yet research often overlooks how AI-related beliefs foster character strengths. This study investigated the relationship between the perceived usefulness of GenAI and academic engagement, and the mediating role of resilience. Study participants comprised multilingual Mongolian university students (N = 421, female = 57.7%, male = 42.3%; freshmen = 26.1%, sophomores = 21.1%, juniors = 29.9%, seniors = 22.8%; mean age = 20.49, SD = 1.11). Structural equation modeling and bootstrapping procedure results indicated that the perceived usefulness of GenAI was directly associated with higher academic engagement. Furthermore, More >