Zehui Zhou¹, Juan Song^2,*, Kelei Guo^1,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 689-694, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.066954 - 24 October 2025

Abstract This study explored the relationship between physical exercise and college students’ mental health, as well as the mediating role of peer relationships and self-esteem. Participants were 1513 undergraduate students (first to fourth year) from six universities in Guangdong Province, China. They completed the Physical Exercise Scale, College Student Mental Health Scale, Peer Relationship Scale, and Self-Esteem Scale. The results following correlation analysis, structural equation modeling, and the bias-corrected percentile bootstrap method indicated. (1) Physical exercise was positively correlated with the mental health of college students and the direct path was significant; (2) Physical exercise and… More >

Lan Luo¹, Yun Shen¹, Zuntao Gu², Linbing Wang¹, Shijian Sun^3,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 713-721, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.066529 - 24 October 2025

Abstract This cross-sectional study examined how parenting styles influence college students’ romantic attitudes through para-social relationships. A total of 571 college students (females = 71.2%) completed the Short-form Parenting Style Scale, the Para-social Relationship Scale, and the Questionnaire on College Students’ View of Marriage and Love. Mediation was examined with bootstrap-corrected structural equation modelling (5000 resamples). Results indicated that maternal rejection (indirect effect β = −0.019, 95% CI = −0.055–−0.001, p < 0.05) and overprotection (indirect effect β = −0.02, 95% CI = −0.055–−0.001, p < 0.05) indirectly undermined college students’ marriage views by intensifying para-social relationships, whereas More >

Xiao Huang^1,*, Suqing Chen², Fairuz A’dilah Binti Rusdi¹

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 641-650, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.066349 - 24 October 2025

Abstract This study examined the perceived teacher autonomy support effects on college students’ creativity, and the role of academic engagement and affect (positive and negative emotions) in that relationship. The study sample comprised 637 undergraduates (366 females, 271 males). Results from structural equation modelling with a moderated mediation framework indicated that perceived teacher autonomy support positively predicted college students’ self-reported creativity. Academic engagement partially mediated the relationship between autonomy support and creativity, whereby higher perceived autonomy support predicted greater academic engagement, which subsequently promoted creativity. Both positive and negative emotions strengthened the link between autonomy support More >

Shijie Li¹, Yongliang Wang^2,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.9, pp. 1335-1351, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.067246 - 30 September 2025

Abstract Background: Recent years have witnessed the rapid rise of TikTok, a short-video social platform, which has sparked concerns about its potential for misuse and addiction. TikTok addiction has been associated with various psychological and social issues. This study aims to explore the mediating role of social ostracism in the relationship between the Dark Triad (Machiavellianism, Psychopathy, and Narcissism) and TikTok addiction. Methods: Data were collected from 425 Chinese college students through convenience sampling, using three validated scales: the Dirty Dozen, the Social Ostracism Scale, and the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)… More >

Jaehyun Kim¹, Junhyoung Kim², Chungsup Lee³, Marcos Ardon Lobos¹, Na Young Kim^4,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.8, pp. 1087-1099, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.064617 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Background: While traditional meditation practices are known for their mental health benefits, they often face limitations such as restricted access and environmental distractions. To address these challenges and enhance meditation effectiveness, this study implemented an immersive virtual reality meditation (IVRM) program and examined its potential mental health benefits among university students—a population that frequently experiences significant psychological distress. Methods: Nineteen university students participated in eight 15-min sessions of an IVRM program designed to promote mindfulness and relaxation over the course of one month. Perceived stress and anxiety levels were assessed using validated self-report measures at… More >

Junyi Wang^*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.4, pp. 549-555, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.070065 - 17 August 2025

Abstract The transition to university life presents unique challenges, increasing the risk of mental health issues among first-year students. This study evaluated the efficacy of an eight-week structured mental health education course in enhancing resilience among first-year college students and reducing their stress levels. Utilizing a cluster-randomized controlled trial, a total of 509 first-year students (age range 18–20 years) were allocated to either an intervention group receiving the mental health education course (n = 252), or a control group with no intervention (n = 257) over an 8 week period. They completed self-reported measures of resilience… More >

Zhijun Liu^*, Jiaxin Liang

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.3, pp. 361-368, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.068059 - 31 July 2025

Abstract We examined the relationship between social support and career adaptability, as well as the mediating roles of proactive personality and career decision-making self-efficacy in this process. A total of 1354 Chinese college students (female = 964; mean age = 19.53 years, SD = 1.33 years) completed an online questionnaire. Path analysis indicated that social support was positively associated with higher levels of career adaptability. Both proactive personality and career decision-making self-efficacy served as parallel mediators, strengthening the relationship between social support and career adaptability. The complete chain mediation analysis revealed that social support influences career More >

Mingjie Huang^1,*, Yaping Pan², Jing Shen¹

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.3, pp. 369-376, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.068057 - 31 July 2025

Abstract The present study examined the role of emotional balance and the moderating role of rumination in the relationship between psychological inflexibility and sleep quality among college students. Participants were 837 Chinese college students (females = 52%, mean age = 18.89, SD = 0.93 years). They completed the Multidimensional Psychological Inflexibility Scale (MPIS), Affect Balance Scale (ABS), Ruminative Response Scale (RRS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). We utilized moderated-mediation analysis to explore the mechanism of action among variables. Emotional balance mediated the relationship between psychological inflexibility and sleep quality, and rumination moderated the direct effect of… More >

Huaibin Jiang^1,#, Huihang Qin^2,#, Lei Ren^3,4, Feifei Xu⁵, Lin Shao⁵, Yaning Guo⁶, Xinyi Wei⁷, Qingyi Wang^5,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.3, pp. 355-360, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.067170 - 31 July 2025

Abstract This study examined the role of moral disengagement dual system of self-control in the relationship between parental psychological control and cyberbullying. Participants were involved 802 vocational college students (46.01% females; M = 18.11, SD = 1.23). They completed measures on parental psychological control, moral disengagement, dual system of self-control (impulse and control system), and cyberbullying. The results from mediation-moderation analysis indicated that parental psychological control directly predicts higher cyberbullying. Specifically, moral disengagement partially mediated this relationship, as higher parental psychological control increases moral disengagement, which in turn elevates the risk of cyberbullying. Furthermore, parental psychological More >

Huiping Chen^1,*, Xianliang Zheng², Anguo Fu¹

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.3, pp. 403-409, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.066392 - 31 July 2025

Abstract We explored the relationship between Internet altruistic behavior (IAB) and subjective well-being (SWB) to estimate the effects and directionality of that predictive relationship between the two. Employing cross-lagged models we examined the interaction between IAB and SWB, among 339 college students (females = 53.10%, mean age = 19.02 years, SD = 1.56 years). The students were tracked twice in a period of 5 months. Results showed that college students’ IAB increased significantly, while their SWB remained relatively stable during the two measurement periods. IAB and SWB had significant simultaneous and sequential correlations. SWB at Time More >