Yihong Wang^1,2, Baojuan Ye^3,*, Jing Xu⁴, Ting Chen², Xing Zhang⁵, Jin Xie⁶, Qi Dai³

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.083405 - 31 August 2026

Abstract Backgrounds: As an increasing number of college students rely on Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) in academic work and social interaction, concerns about its potential negative effects have emerged. This study aims to address this gap by examining the relationship between relative deprivation and Gen AI dependency among college students. Methods: This study included 1583 college students. Four validated instruments were employed: the Relative Deprivation Scale, Psychological Entitlement Scale, Self-Handicapping Scale, and Artificial Intelligence Chatbot Dependence Scale. Bivariate correlation analysis, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) for testing mediation, Latent Profile Analysis (LPA), and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)… 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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

Xiaolong Zhang^1,#, Shan Huang^1,2,#, Jing Chen³, Ziyi Zhang¹, Kexiang Yang^1,4, Weijie Gao¹, Hyun-Chul Jeong^1,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.4, pp. 555-563, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.077432 - 31 August 2026

Abstract This study explored the relationship between physical exercise (PE) and depression among college students, focusing on the independent and sequential mediating roles of regulatory emotional self-efficacy (RESE) and mobile phone addiction (MPA). A total of 2021 college students (36.86% male; mean age = 19.02 years, SD = 1.38 years) completed self-report questionnaires assessing PE, depression, RESE, and MPA. The mediation analysis indicated a significant negative association between PE and depression. RESE and MPA each presented significant indirect effects in the separate mediation pathways. The sequential indirect pathway through RESE and MPA was also statistically significant. More >

Mengni Yu¹, Wenyu Zeng¹, Yihong Yang¹, Biyun Wu², Fang Li^1,3,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.4, pp. 611-619, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.068011 - 31 August 2026

Abstract We examined whether celebrity worship predicts trolling via self-esteem and moral disengagement, and whether perceived anonymity moderates these effects. A total of 1057 college students (females = 54.6%; mean age = 20.09 years, SD = 1.734) completed the measurements of celebrity worship, self-esteem, moral disengagement, perceived anonymity, and online trolling. Structural equation modeling (SEM) results showed that higher celebrity worship was associated with online trolling. Lower self-esteem and moral disengagement respectively played mediating roles between them, exacerbating trolling behavior. Self-esteem and moral disengagement also played a sequential mediating role for higher trolling behavior. Perceived anonymity… More >

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 >