Yan Huang¹, Yongjin Xu¹, Chunchun Wu², Guang Yang^1,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.079935 - 30 July 2026

Abstract Background: Literature suggests that physical activity has a preventive effect on depressive symptoms, yet the association between the intensity of physical activity (a core element of physical activity) and depressive symptoms remains unclear. This study explores this association between physical activity intensity and depressive symptoms in college students. Methods: Using a cohort study design, a 3-year follow-up survey was conducted from 2017–2020 among 1415 college students (1108 females, 78.3%; 307 males, 21.7%) from Shenyang Normal University from 2017 to 2020. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to… More >

Gong Cheng^1,2, Wentao Qiu^2,3, Yuyang Nie^2,3, Wenxue Ma^2,3, Xishuai Wang⁴, Hongwei Wang^1,2, Hongcheng Cui^5,*, Cong Liu^2,3,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.078370 - 30 July 2026

Abstract Objectives: Psychological resilience is crucial to individual adaptation. Prior variable-based studies ignored node interactions. This study used network and regression approaches to analyze associations among physical activity, social support and college students’ psychological resilience, screening core nodes and intervention targets. Methods: A total of 969 college students were investigated via cross-sectional survey. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), the Social Support Scale (SSS), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were adopted to measure physical activity, social support and resilience. Network analysis, multiple linear regression, mediation and moderation models were applied for data processing. Results: Network analysis… 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 >

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 >

Huaruo Chen^1,#, Zhentao Peng^1,#, Gefan Wang^1,#, Yanyan Zhang¹, Chenyu Shangguan¹, Hancai Qiu¹, Hui Ma¹, Ruihan Liu², Feng Liu¹, Wanru Song^1,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.3, pp. 469-478, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.075180 - 30 June 2026

Abstract This study explored the efficacy of a career group counseling intervention for students with low career maturity for their improved career maturity, self-efficacy, and mental health. Participants included two groups: 548 Chinese college students survey study (female = 31.93%, mean age = 20.836, SD = 1.215 years), and 30 college students with low career maturity for the intervention study (female = 50.00%) selected from the first group. The participants completed surveys on career maturity, self-efficacy, and mental health. Results from Hayes regression-based PROCESS with Amos 26.0 for structural equation modeling revealed that career maturity is… More >

Fengjin Zhou^1,*, Zhen Wei²

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.3, pp. 405-415, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.074759 - 30 June 2026

Abstract This study examined parental career-related behaviors and adolescents’ career adaptation and the role of personal growth initiative and future work self salience in that relationship. Survey data were from 794 college students (female ratio = 46.85%; age = 21.22 ± 0.75), attending three universities in Central China. Results following structural equation modeling show that higher parental career-related behavior is associated with higher adolescents’ career adaptation. However, parental interference and lack of engagement are associated with lower adolescents’ career adaptation. Moreover, parental supportive behaviors are associated with adolescents’ career adaptation through adolescents’ personal growth initiative and More >

Siqi Wang¹, Fang Li^1,2,*, Yuedong Qiu¹, Biyun Wu³

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.3, pp. 371-380, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.073976 - 30 June 2026

Abstract This study investigated the relation of perceived social adversity to online trolling in college students. Participants were 1047 Chinese university students (51.0% female; mean age = 19.93 years, SD = 1.38) who completed self-report questionnaires assessing perceived social adversity, depressive symptoms, online trolling, and perceived social support. Regression analyses controlling for gender, age, and grade indicated that perceived social adversity positively predicted online trolling. Further analyses showed that depressive symptoms accounted for this association, whereas perceived social support attenuated the direct effect only at lower levels of perceived social adversity. Consistent with the I³ model, perceived More >

Ahmed M. Abdel-Khalek¹, Salaheldin Farah Attallah Bakhiet^2,*, Habab A. Osman³, Intisar Abunagma Mohamed Saad⁴, David Lester⁵

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.3, pp. 417-423, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.071085 - 30 June 2026

Abstract Research on the relationship between self-esteem and the Big-Five personality traits has focused on Western populations. However, it is crucial to explore this relationship in non-Western contexts to better understand cultural variations in personality and self-perception. This study examined the associations between the Big-Five personality traits and self-esteem in a sample of 583 Sudanese university students (299 men, 284 women). The Big-Five traits were measured using the Arabic Big-Five Personality Inventory (ABFPI), and self-esteem was assessed with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Both instruments have demonstrated good psychometric properties in previous studies. Results indicated that all… More >

Xiaohui Wang^1,#, Aiqin Liu^2,#, Zechun Ma^3,#, Nien-Hwa Lai^4,*, Rui Ding^5,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.078910 - 23 June 2026

Abstract Objectives: Chinese higher education faces rising depression rates amidst fragmented campus mental health services. This pilot study examined the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of implementing a standardized psychodrama program across multiple university sites. Methods: This single-arm study was conducted across three Beijing universities from September 2024 to January 2025. A total of 27 undergraduates completed an 8-week psychodrama intervention program comprising weekly 2.5-h sessions. A unified protocol was ensured through centralized facilitator training and cross-site supervision. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II at baseline, post-intervention, 3-month, and 6-month follow-ups. Retention rates were 93.8%… More >

Jingxuan Lou¹, Yaping Pan^2,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.2, pp. 171-179, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.076331 - 29 April 2026

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 >