Applied Psychology Research (APR, eISSN: 3029-276X) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes original articles, reviews, research notes, and short communications in the broad field of psychology. The journal seeks original research in all empirical and theoretical fields of psychology, aiming to achieve a deeper understanding of the mental processes of individuals, organizations, and institutions. This includes the cognitive, motivational, affective, and behavioral factors in various situations. It is dedicated to the application of experimental behavioral science research to societal problems, such as social psychology, organizational and leadership psychology, education, economics, management, environment, law, safety, health, and gender issues.
The topics covered in Applied Psychology Research include but are not limited to:
With the introduction of the Deutschlandticket (DT), the fare system for public transport has been dramatically simplified. This study examines the DT from the perspective of behavioral economics to identify the psychological mechanisms underlying its acceptance. Specifically, we address three research questions: (i) What is the relative weight of cognitive simplicity compared to financial savings in the purchase decision? (ii) How stable are these drivers over time as users habituate to a "frictionless" mobility experience? and (iii) Which demographic segments exhibit the highest "simplicity sensitivity"? We are examining the factors driving purchasing decisions for the DT based on three separate, independent studies (September 2023, July 2024 and December 2024), which are representative of the German-speaking resident population aged 18 and over. Our results show that, for the majority of users, simplicity is not merely a convenience factor but a key driver—a “simplicity bonus”—that appears to play a central role alongside price. We propose a three-dimensional conceptualization of simplicity—procedural, cognitive, and outcome-oriented. While existing subscribers are primarily motivated by financial relief, new subscribers are more strongly attracted by the radical reduction in cognitive load. Furthermore, we identify a significant “option value”; users derive benefits from the permanent availability of seamless mobility, regardless of the actual frequency of use. The results suggest that in complex service environments, cognitive accessibility is just as crucial as financial accessibility.
The purpose of this study was two-fold. First, to further evaluate the psychometric properties of the Physical Activity Shame Scale (PASS), a new trait self-report measure designed to assess the multifaceted phenomenological experience of shame in the physical domain. Second, to investigate the associations among physical activity shame, physical activity, four maladaptive shame-coping styles––Attack Self, Withdrawal, Attack Other, Avoidance––and self-compassion, a more adaptive response to shame. Results demonstrated further support for the PASS as a psychometrically sound measure of physical activity shame with high internal consistency and evidence of validity based on factor structure and associations with other variables. Consistent with predictions, physical activity shame was negatively linked to self-compassion and physical activity, and positively linked with maladaptive shame-coping styles. Conversely, self-compassion was positively linked to physical activity and negatively linked with maladaptive shame-coping styles. In the current study, women were significantly higher than men in physical activity shame, Attack Self, Withdrawal, and Attack Other, while men were significantly higher than women in self-compassion. Furthermore, we found significant indirect effects of physical activity shame on physical activity via both self-compassion and Attack Self. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Nurses’ perceptions of nursing care quality are related to their impression of the quality of care, and various countries emphasize improving it. However, studies from various countries have shown that people perceive the quality of nursing care to be poor. Despite this, there is a paucity of information about nurses’ perceptions of nursing care quality in our country. This study aimed to assess nurses’ perception of nursing care quality and associated factors in Jimma Town public hospitals, Southwest, Ethiopia, 2023. A mixed study design was employed among nurses working in Jimma Town public hospitals. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and a semi-structured interview by simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Data were analysed using SPSS for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Of the total 364 nurses,about 50.50% (95% CI, 45.39, 55.71) of them perceived nursing care quality as good. Work experience of >10 years (AOR = 5.16, 95% CI (1.87, 14.24), having an educational level of BSc and above (AOR = 4.04, 95% CI (1.65, 9.95), working in referral hospital, (AOR = 4.13, 95% CI, (1.72, 9.89)), working in the favorable work environment (AOR = 3.29, 95% CI (1.90, 5.66) and being satisfied on one’s job (AOR = 2.20, 95% CI (1.30, 3.74) were statistically associated with nurses perception of nursing care quality. Nurses working in Jimma Town public hospitals are split in half on their perception of the nursing care quality they render to the patients. Therefore, nurses, hospitals, and nurse managers have to work together to address factors affecting nurses’ perception of nursing care quality.
Art therapy sits at the crossroads of psychology and artistic creation, with the shared goal of supporting mental health and overall well-being. This article explores how psychological knowledge shapes art therapy in four main areas: emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and social. Drawing on psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and neuroscientific approaches, it brings together findings from peer-reviewed publications published between 1970 and 2024. The review shows that psychological frameworks strengthen art therapy by helping clients express and regulate emotions, rethink and give meaning to their experiences, develop new behaviors and coping strategies, and build social connection and empathy. Several key mechanisms of change are highlighted, including the use of symbols, experiences of “flow”, visual storytelling, and group dynamics. A conceptual model is proposed to illustrate how these four dimensions interact dynamically and reinforce one another in therapeutic contexts. Furthermore, the article emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship and cultural sensitivity in shaping outcomes. Overall, the findings indicate that psychology does more than simply give art therapy theoretical legitimacy; it also contributes to improved clinical outcomes across diverse populations and settings. The paper closes with suggestions for future research, including longitudinal studies and cross-cultural comparisons.
Holistic wellbeing has gained increasing attention across health, organizational, and educational contexts, reflecting its multidimensional and context-dependent nature. The 7 Dimensions of Holistic Wellbeing (7DHW) framework conceptualizes wellbeing as the dynamic interplay between self-esteem, body image, social relationships, environment, meaningful work, health knowledge, and a sense of future. While prior research has focused on the theoretical development and initial validation of the 7DHW model, limited attention has been given to participants’ perceptions of holistic wellbeing education grounded in this framework. This study explores participants’ opinions and feedback regarding a holistic wellbeing course based on the 7DHW model. Using a cross-sectional, exploratory design, data were collected via an online questionnaire that included both quantitative and open-ended items. The instrument assessed perceived relevance, thematic interests, preferred learning formats, and motivational and contextual factors influencing participation. Findings indicate a high perceived relevance of holistic wellbeing training, with strong interest in stress management, work–life balance, emotional communication, burnout prevention, and self-care. Participants favored flexible and interactive formats, including short videos, interactive modules, and live sessions. Qualitative insights reveal that engagement is shaped by the interplay of intrinsic motivation, time constraints, and organizational support. Overall, the results highlight that the effectiveness of holistic wellbeing programs depends not only on theoretical grounding but also on perceived relevance, accessibility, and alignment with participants’ lived experiences. This study provides evidence-informed insights to guide the design and implementation of holistic wellbeing courses grounded in the 7DHW framework.
This research examines the intricate connections among Endurance, Variety, Aggressiveness, and Intuition through the Facet, Insights, Knowledge and Resilience (FIKR) personality evaluation system. All 409 participants in this research performed a personality assessment tool that was designed according to FIKR. Correlation among attributes was tested for strength and direction through correlation analysis. Statistically significant associations among attributes existed for personality traits. Endurance was highly associated with Extroversion, Achievement, and Intellectual traits, but Aggressiveness was positively associated with Support, Analytical Ability, and Intellectual tendencies. Intellectual and analytical capacity was highly associated with Intuition, which signifies efficiency in cognitive-emotional integration. The intricate nature and interrelation among personality traits illustrate the requirement for holistic and integrative psychological assessment and intervention. This study also identifies pertinent patterns among the interrelations among attributes and demographic variables, which could be used for developing customized psychological interventions to promote well-being, resilience, and adaptive functioning. This study highlights the intricate interrelation among personality traits, thereby promoting enhanced use in psychotherapeutic, educational, and occupational settings. These theoretical connections serve as a vital framework for psychologists and practitioners, allowing them to shift their focus toward the promotion of psychological well-being and the development of adaptive behaviours. By identifying these links, professionals can move beyond a deficit-based model to one that reinforces human resilience. However, to truly generalize these findings and construct more comprehensive psychological theories, researchers must investigate these interactions across a wide spectrum of individuals and cultural contexts.
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Academic Publishing insists on taking academic exchange and publication as the main line, carrying out comprehensive management based on science and technology, and fully exploring excellent international publishing resources. Within 5 years, it will form a strategic framework and scale with science (S), technology (T), medicine (M), education (E), and humanities and arts (H) as the main publishing fields. Academic Publishing is headquartered in Singapore and based in Malaysia, with the United States and China providing the main scientific and academic resources. At the same time, it has established long-term good cooperative relations with other publishing companies, scientific research communities, and academic organizations in more than a dozen countries and regions. Academic Publishing uses English and Chinese as its main publishing languages, mainly publishing books, journals, and conference papers in print and online. The vast majority of publications follow the international open access policy, providing stable and long-term quality and professional publications. With the joint efforts of the expert team and our professional editorial team, our publications will gradually be indexed by international databases in stages to provide convenient and professional retrieval for various scholars. At the same time, manuscripts we accept will be subject to the peer review principle, and cutting-edge and innovative research articles will be preferentially accepted for peer reference and discussion. All kinds of our publications are welcome for peer to contribute, access, and download.
Multidisciplinary environmental psychology studies the dynamic link between humans and their natural and manmade settings. This thorough study synthesises 443 works from 1963 to 2024 on topics such as physical surroundings’ effects on behaviour, environmental stressors, pro-environmental behaviour, and applying psychological theories to environmental interactions. This literature is synthesised to identify patterns, themes, and future directions. Growing environmental concerns and the need for sustainable development have changed the profession. Green areas have been demonstrated to boost mental health and reduce stress. Nature helps mental exhaustion recuperation. Hospitals and workplaces’ design and structure affect health and productivity. Walkable, green urban development improves citizens’ well-being and promotes sustainable living. Environmental stresses including noise, pollution, and overpopulation harm mental and physical health. Children exposed to noise pollution are more likely to develop cardiovascular illness and cognitive deficits. Anxiety and despair caused by climate change are also becoming more apparent. Pro-environmental behaviour is emphasised, with notions like planned behaviour and community-based social marketing working. Behaviour interventions using social norms and feedback have decreased energy and waste. Personal values-driven intrinsic motivation promotes long-term behavioural change better than extrinsic incentive. Environmental psychology uses surveys, experiments, and mixed-methods research. Virtual and augmented reality provide for environmental simulations and psychological studies. Good health and well-being, excellent education, sustainable cities, responsible consumerism, climate action, and living on land are among the field’s major contributions to the UNSDGs. Environmental psychology will help establish sustainable and healthy settings that correspond with the UNSDGs as environmental issues grow.
The menstrual cycle has attracted the interest of many researchers for many years. It is analyzed from many angles, including its impact on mental health. Hormonal changes over the course of the cycle have a very strong impact on the emotions, needs, or pain experienced. Estrogen, secreted shortly before ovulation, influences increased confidence and feelings of attractiveness, which can lead to new relationships. In contrast, progesterone, secreted during the luteal phase, promotes the strengthening of stable relationships, and a large proportion of women may experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) during this time. This publication discusses studies from recent years that have assessed the variability of women’s needs and emerging symptoms during different phases of the cycle. It also summarizes any strategies and practical tips needed to work with women considering their cyclical variability.
This experiment examined the influences of number of co-actors and audience size on manual dexterity task performance and subjective reactions such as perceived effort and arousal. Predictions derived from social impact theory and the self-attention perspective’s other-total ratio indicated that both number of co-actors and audience size should influence responses. Undergraduate students (N = 128) responded as 1, 2, 4, or 8 group members who were observed in counterbalanced fashion by 1, 2, 4, or 8 audience members for four performance trials. The predictions of increased task performance with larger audience sizes and decreased performance as number of co-actors increased were not supported. Participants’ rated arousal was somewhat consistent with the predictions from the self-attention perspective and social impact theory. Self-reported effort was consistent with the predicted patterns, but not always significantly so. The influence of number of others is moderated by the objective-subjective nature of responses of real co-actors performing in front of live audiences.
The level of research undertaken on the academic psychological contract, and its influence on academics’ behaviour is limited. This paper seeks to consider the academic psychological contract, by reviewing its manifestation within the role and the influence on their undertaking of the role. Particularly important is academics’ interpretation of the role and what they consider important. Within this, the paper considers in-role and extra-role activities and what may be the grey areas in which time is spent. The research adopts the combined usage of phenomenology with interpretivist processes to investigate the insights of eighteen academics at nine UK University Business Schools. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data to consider the constructs’ manifestation. Key aspects of behaviour were identified as discretionary effort autonomy and managerialism, with links to academic citizenship.