Yezi Zeng^1,*, Yufei Cong²

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.11, pp. 1663-1679, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.072125 - 28 November 2025

Abstract Background: Academic stress is a critical factor influencing university students’ well-being. However, research has shown that stress is not a unidimensional construct; different types of stressors (challenge vs. hindrance) may lead to distinct outcomes. This study constructed a structural equation model (SEM) to examine the relationships between challenge and hindrance academic stressors and students’ well-being, as well as the mediating mechanisms. Methods: Data were collected from 836 undergraduates at six universities in China (58.4% female, 41.6% male; Mean age = 20.47 ± 1.46 years). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and SEM with 5000 bootstrap resamples were conducted… More >

Zhijun Liu^*, Junlong Zhang

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 575-586, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.067476 - 24 October 2025

Abstract This study examined the relationships among social support, career decision-making self-efficacy, goal orientation, and career adaptability, highlighting the bridging roles of career decision-making self-efficacy and goal orientation. A total of 1433 Chinese university students (female = 70.7%; urban = 55.3%, mean age = 19.73 years, SD = 1.60 years) completed validated measures of career adaptability, social support, career decision-making self-efficacy, and goal orientation. Network analysis revealed that social support was associated with higher career adaptability indirectly through career decision-making self-efficacy and goal orientation, which function as key bridging mechanisms. Moreover, urban college students demonstrated greater More >

Ye Tao^*, Ilyana Jalaluddin, Zalina Mohd Kasim

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 671-679, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.066530 - 24 October 2025

Abstract This study investigated the role of self-efficacy and motivation in the relationship between perfectionism and writing performance. Participants were 500 Chinese EFL (English as a Foreign Language) undergraduates (females = 34%, Mage = 21.56 years, SD = 2.27). The students completed the Self-Reported Writing Proficiency Scale, the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale for Chinese, the Second Language Writer Self-Efficacy Scale, and the English Writing Motivation Questionnaire. Results from Structural Equation Modeling (SEM, Amos 29.0) revealed that perfectionism predicted writing performance positively for students with positive (adaptive) perfectionism, but negatively for those with negative (maladaptive) perfectionism. Self-efficacy and More >

Xiao Hu^1,#, Biao Li^2,#, Jun Qin^2,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.8, pp. 1203-1220, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.066297 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Objectives: Suicidal ideation is a strong predictor of suicide deaths, which refers to the consideration or desire to give up one’s own life. Left-behind children in rural China are more vulnerable to psychological problems and suicidal ideation compared to their non-left-behind peers. The aim of the current study was to examine two potential protective factors, negotiable fate belief and coping self-efficacy, and to test the mediating role of coping self-efficacy in the relationship between negotiable fate belief and suicidal ideation. We also analyzed gender differences in this mediation model. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted… More >

Zhiying Sun¹, Guolong Zhao^2,3, Feng Hu^1,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.4, pp. 513-521, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.070126 - 17 August 2025

Abstract This study examined the relationship between transformational leadership and employee bootleg innovation through the mediating role of creative self-efficacy and the moderating role of leader-member exchange (LMX). Data were collected from 279 employees and 56 matched supervisors within a large Chinese digital transformation group. A moderated mediation model analysis found that transformational leadership predicts higher employee bootleg innovation. Creative self-efficacy mediated the positive relationship between transformational leadership and employee bootleg. Additionally, leader-member exchange significantly moderated the relationship between transformational leadership and creative self-efficacy, for a further enhancement of bootleg innovation. These findings underscore the importance More >

Huan Ma¹, Jinmei Zou^1,*, Ying Zhong²

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.4, pp. 481-487, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.070066 - 17 August 2025

Abstract This study explored the role of learning engagement in the relationship between academic self-efficacy and self-directed learning ability among nursing students. Participants were 328 Chinese nursing students (male = 11.3%, female = 88.7%; mean age = 20.86 years; SD = 1.75 years). The participants completed surveys on academic self-efficacy (Academic Self-efficacy Scale), learning engagement (Learning Engagement Scale), and self-directed learning ability (Self-directed Learning Instrument). Hayes regression-based PROCESS macro analysis revealed that learning engagement mediated the relationship between academic self-efficacy and self-directed learning ability. The hierarchical regression analysis showed higher academic self-efficacy to be associated with More >

Yunsheng Ruan^*, Li Chen, Zibin Cao, Lina Xu, Chao Han, Qianlu Sun

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.3, pp. 319-325, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.068970 - 31 July 2025

Abstract This study investigated proactive personality effects on employment preparation and the mediating roles of self-efficacy and career exploration behaviors in this relationship. The study sample comprised 445 university students (68.3% female; aged 20 to 24) from a university in central China. The participants completed measures to assess proactive personality, employment preparation, self-efficacy, and career exploration behaviors. Structural equation modeling analysis results indicated that proactive personality predicted higher employment preparation; Self-efficacy and career exploration behaviors partially mediated this relationship. Specifically, career exploration behaviors had a stronger mediating effect than self-efficacy on the total effect (34.71% vs. 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 >

Yahong Cai¹, Nalini Arumugam², Yukai Chen^3,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.3, pp. 327-333, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.068042 - 31 July 2025

Abstract This study examined the effects of design thinking pedagogy on undergraduates’ career decision-making self-efficacy and employability in career education. Using a quasi-experimental design, Chinese college students (N = 93) were participants in two wings. The experimental group (n = 47) received the design thinking pedagogy, while the control group (n = 46) followed the regularly teacher-centered method. The students completed the career decision-making self-efficacy scale and employability scale before and after the intervention. Independent samples t-test results showed that design thinking pedagogy significantly improves students’ career decision-making self-efficacy and employability. The ANCOVA results showed that the More >

Xin-Xin Chen^1,*, Young-Sup Hyun^2,*, Wen-Hao Chen³

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.3, pp. 393-401, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.068038 - 31 July 2025

Abstract This study utilized a sequential mediating model to examine the role of motivation to learn and transfer self-efficacy in the relationships between perceived content validity, mentoring function, continuous learning work culture and intention to transfer learning. The sample comprized 429 final-year apprentices in Guangdong province, China (females = 69.9%, Engineering & Medicine = 69%, mean age = 20.99, SD = 1.60). The apprentices completed standardized measures of motivation to learn, transfer self-efficacy perceived content validity, mentoring function, and continuous learning work culture. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Results showed perceived content… More >