Wen Zhang, Wenying Huang^*, Chang Hu^*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.073038 - 27 February 2026

Abstract Background: Depression is prevalent among female college students, with eating behavior potentially related to this issue. This study examines the relationship between eating behavior and depression, focusing on the role of social appearance anxiety and physical activity. Methods: We recruited 2161 female college students from nine universities in China via convenience sampling. Data was collected via an online questionnaire. Eating behavior was assessed via the Eating Behavior Scale short form (EBS-SF), depression was measured via the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), social appearance anxiety was evaluated via the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale, and physical… More >

Zhang-Lian Xie¹, Zheng-Xin Hu², Jun Li³, Long-Wei Qin³, Kai-Peng Gan^3,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.1, pp. 45-52, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.067701 - 26 February 2026

Abstract This study examined the relationship between loneliness and mobile phone addiction (MPA), and the mediating roles of social anxiety and self presentation in that relationship. The sample comprised 559 students (male = 250, female = 309, mean age = 20.78 years, SD = 1.13 years). Based on bias-corrected bootstrap method, our indicate loneliness to be associated with MPA of college students. Additionally, social anxiety and self-presentation, respectively, partially mediated the association between loneliness and college students’ MPA. Specifically, as loneliness increased, both social anxiety and self-presentation rose, thereby increasing MPA. Social anxiety and self-presentation also More >

Luming Zhao¹, Jiaxi Zhang², Yan Zhang^3,*, Jiaxi Peng^4,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.1, pp. 1-8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.067375 - 26 February 2026

Abstract The current study examined the roles of collective self-esteem and personal self-esteem in the relationship between national identity and subjective well-being. Participants were 583 Chinese college students (females = 49%; mean age = 19.25 ± 1.85 years). They completed measures of national identity, collective self-esteem, personal self-esteem, and subjective well-being. Path analysis findings result indicated national identity to influence the students’ subjective well-being through three pathways: (1) national identity → collective self-esteem → subjective well-being, meaning higher subjective wellbeing with collective self-esteem. (2) national identity → personal self-esteem → subjective well-being, to suggest higher personal self-esteem was… More >

Siti Rahayu Nadhiroh^1,*, Ira Nurmala², Iqbal Pramukti³, Kamolthip Ruckwongpatr⁴, Laila Wahyuning Tyas², Afina Puspita Zari², Warda Eka Islamiah¹, Yan-Li Siaw⁵, Marc N. Potenza^{6,7,8,9,10,11}, Chung-Ying Lin^{12,13,14,15,*}

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.12, pp. 1847-1865, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.072115 - 31 December 2025

Abstract Objectives: Problematic use of the internet (PUI) has been increasingly associated with various mental health issues, highlighting the need for accurate assessment tools. The Assessment of Criteria for Specific Internet-use Disorder (ACSID-11) is a validated psychometric instrument designed to measure distinct forms of PUI across multiple online activities. However, its applicability and validity have not yet been established within the Indonesian context. Therefore, this study aimed to translate and validate the ACSID-11 for use among Indonesian populations. Methods: The translation procedure of the ACSID-11 involved forward translation, back translation, and expert panel discussions. This research involved… More >

Yang He^1,#, Tao Xu^2,#, Jian Yang³, Shuang Li⁴, Yiqian Xie⁵, Wenqin Chen^6,7,*, Dong Wang^8,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.6, pp. 731-738, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.074914 - 30 December 2025

Abstract We examined positive coping styles and loneliness effects on the relationship between social anxiety and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviors among young adults. A sample of 1129 Chinese college students (females = 42.52%; mean age = 20.00 years, SD = 1.61 years; 53.32% from rural areas) completed the Chinese Revised Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS-A), the UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-6), the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), and the Adolescent Non-suicidal Self-injury Assessment Questionnaire (ANSSIAQ). Controlling for gender, age, onlychild status, and residence, regression analysis revealed that social anxiety is associated with higher levels of NSSI More >

Yumeng Kong^*, Xuesong Guo, Yifei Wang

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.10, pp. 1577-1594, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.069985 - 31 October 2025

Abstract Background: Anxiety and depression are prevalent among university students, calling for effective non-pharmacological interventions. Tai Chi shows potential in reducing these symptoms, but research on its effects at different frequencies in younger populations is limited. This study compared the impacts of high-(5 sessions/week), medium-(3 sessions/week), and low-frequency (2 sessions/week) 24-form Tai Chi on college students’ anxiety/depression, versus a control group. Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) included 120 university students with mild-to-moderate anxiety/depression, randomly assigned to 4 groups (30 each). The 8-week intervention used the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) for… More >

Weijia Zhu¹, Linjing Zhou¹, Zijun Liu¹, Kaiqi Guan¹, Yifei Dong², Meijun Hou¹, Xun Luo¹, Ziquan Cai¹, Jinming Li¹, Zhihao Zhang¹, Qian Yu¹, Sebastian Ludyga³, Tai Ji⁴, Jiahui Wang¹, Ryan S. Falck^5,6,7,8, Charles H. Hillman^9,10,11, Kirk I. Erickson¹², Arthur F. Kramer^9,10,13, Mats Hallgren^14,15, Myrto F. Mavilidi¹⁶, Fred Paas^17,18, Matthew Heath^19,20, Fabian Herold²¹, Liye Zou^1,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.10, pp. 1439-1455, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.069633 - 31 October 2025

Abstract Background: There is growing evidence that an acute bout of exercise positively influences executive function (EF). However, the existing evidence primarily originates from laboratory-based studies, and only a limited number of studies have extended this work to real-world classroom settings. Accordingly, in the present study, we aimed to employ a real classroom setting to determine whether acute exercise-induced effects on EF emerged. Methods: All 49 students who enrolled in a real-world course agreed to participate in the experimental protocol and the final sample was composed of 43 individuals (13 male and 30 female participants). Participants… More >

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 >