Ziyun Yang¹, Ling Wang², Jinhua Xu^3,*, Fanfan Li^4,5,*, Kexin Chen^6,7,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2026.075283 - 31 March 2026

Abstract Background: The concept of “involution” has garnered significant attention within China’s education system, encapsulating students’ perceptions of intense and often fruitless academic competition. However, the impact of perceived involution on students’ psychological outcomes, particularly academic burnout, remains underexplored. This study examines the relationship between perceived involution and academic burnout among university students. Specifically, it examines whether anxiety mediates this relationship and whether self-control moderates the effect of perceived involution on anxiety. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 673 university students in China. Standardized scales were employed to measure perceived involution, anxiety, self-control, and academic burnout.… More >

Xiang Deng^1,2, Zaida Nor binti Zainudin^1,*, Xiaoling Wang², Wan Norhayati Wan Othman¹

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.36, No.1, pp. 9-20, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2026.072027 - 26 February 2026

Abstract Mindfulness would enhance university students’ emotional well-being and study engagement. However, the role of affect (positive and negative emotions) and psychological resources (psychological capital) linking mindfulness to study engagement remain underexplored. This cross-sectional study surveyed 688 Chinese university students (females = 413, mean age = 20.3, SD = 0.83), using validated self-report measures of mindfulness, positive and negative emotions, psychological capital, and study engagement. Structural equation modeling and bias-corrected bootstrap analyses (5000 resamples) revealed that mindfulness directly enhanced positive emotions, psychological capital, and study engagement, while reducing negative emotions. Positive emotions partially mediated the positive… More >

Shu-Hsuan Chang¹, Der-Fa Chen¹, Jing-Tang Sie¹, Kai-Jie Chen², Zhe-Wei Liao¹, Tai-Lung Chen¹, Yao-Chung Cheng^3,4,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.12, pp. 1907-1927, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.068264 - 31 December 2025

Abstract Background: Interpersonal alienation has increasingly been recognized as a salient risk factor affecting university students’ psychological adjustment and life satisfaction. Guided by Social Identity and Self-Categorization theories, this study examines how alienation influences life satisfaction through the mediating roles of social identity and hope. Methods: This study surveyed 492 Taiwanese undergraduate students (53.7 percent female, mean age 21.08 years) from 60 universities using convenience sampling in May 2023. Data were collected through an online questionnaire distributed via faculty-managed teaching media platforms. Measures included perceived social identity, state hope, interpersonal alienation, and life satisfaction. All instruments were… More >

Murat Aslan¹, Sinan Uğraş², Fatih Ateş³, Mehmet Akarsu⁴, Taylan Akbuğa⁵, Mehmet Güllü⁴, Barış Mergan^6,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.6, pp. 739-748, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.067085 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Although prior studies have examined job-finding anxiety, burnout, and school alienation individually, limited research has attempted to integrate these three constructs within a unified framework. This conceptual and contextual gap underscores the need to investigate these interrelations simultaneously, particularly among university students navigating heightened career uncertainties. The present study examined the mediating role of school alienation and the moderating role of gender in the relationship between university students’ levels of job-finding anxiety and burnout. A total of 426 university students participated in the study, of whom 54.9% were male (n = 234) and 45.1% were… More >

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 >

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 >

Xi Chen^1,3, Wanru Lin¹, Yuefu Liu^2,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 661-669, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.068787 - 24 October 2025

Abstract Accurate assessment of climate anxiety is crucial, yet the cross-cultural transportability of existing instruments remains an open question. This study translated and validated the Hogg Climate Anxiety Scale for the Chinese context. A total of 959 students (females = 69.7%; M age = 19.60 years, SD = 1.40 years) completed the Hogg Climate Anxiety Scale, with the Climate Change Anxiety Scale and the Anxiety Presence Subscale served as criterion measures for concurrent validity. Test–retest reliability was evaluated with a subset after one month. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the original four-factor structure and measurement invariance across genders.… 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 >

Esther López-Bermúdez, María Soledad Palacios-Gálvez, Francisco José García-Moro, Diego Gómez-Baya^*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.9, pp. 1265-1278, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.068013 - 30 September 2025

Abstract Objectives: The climate crisis demands urgent action from all sectors of society, including young people in higher education. While previous research has explored individual and contextual predictors of pro-environmental behaviour (PEB), the contribution of Positive Youth Development (PYD) remains underexplored. This study investigates the relationship between PYD dimensions (Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character, and Caring) and two environmental outcomes: environmental habits and climate change awareness, considering gender differences. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 1779 students from 10 universities in Andalusia (Spain). Data were collected through an online survey assessing PYD indicators,… More >

Yao-Chung Cheng^1,2, Wei-Sho Ho³, Shu-Hua Lin^4,*, Kai-Jie Chen⁵, Angel Hii⁴

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.8, pp. 1181-1202, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.066515 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Background: Recent scholarly attention has increasingly focused on filial piety beliefs’ impact on youth’s psychological development. However, the mechanisms by which filial piety indirectly influences adolescent autonomy through depression and well-being remain underexplored. This study aimed to test a sequential mediation model among filial piety beliefs, depression, well-being, and autonomy in Taiwanese university students. Methods: A total of 566 Taiwanese undergraduate and graduate students, comprising 390 females and 176 males, and including 399 undergraduates and 167 graduate students, were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected via an online questionnaire. Validated instruments were employed, including… More >