Description

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:

  • Social Psychology
  • Educational Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Managerial Psychology
  • Economic Psychology
  • Environmental Psychology
  • Engineering Psychology
  • Sport Psychology
  • Industrial and Organizational Psychology
  • etc.

Latest Articles

  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 2345

    An evaluation of the required number of training sessions of neuropsychological assessments on portable mobile devices

    by Jim Jansen, Aurora JAE van de Loo, Johan Garssen, Andrew Scholey, Brian Tiplady, Joris C. Verster

    Applied Psychology Research, Vol.4, No.2, 2025;

    In some research, it is important to conduct cognitive assessments in an everyday setting. Both tablet PCs and mobile phones have been used in this context. The purpose of this study was to examine whether a mobile test battery yields similar results on a mobile phone (screen size 6 cm diagonal) and a tablet (18 cm). Thirty-nine healthy volunteers (aged 18–30) completed five training sessions and one final “test” session per device. The 18-minute test battery consisted of six tests, measuring attention (Number Pairs Test, NP and Arrow Flankers Test, AF), psychomotor functioning (Arrow reaction time test, AR), working memory (Memory scanning test, MS), paired associate learning (Shape pairs, SP), and comprehension (Serial sevens, SS). Outcome measures were mean reaction time (RT) and the percentage of errors. RT scores over the practice runs indicated that AR and AF required only a single familiarization run, while other tests needed 3–4 runs to achieve stable performance. No difference was seen in practice effects between the platforms. Test scores were similar for the platforms with minimal differences between phone and tablet scores (effect sizes < 0.25). Correlations between phone and tablet scores were in the range 0.53–0.82, except one measure, SP errors, where the correlation was much lower. Taken together, these results indicate that there is generally good agreement between data obtained from phones and tablets with very different screen sizes. Phones with small screens are suitable for assessing cognition in an everyday setting. Training on the tests is recommended to achieve stable performance before the start of experimental sessions.

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  • Open Access

    Review

    Article ID: 2265

    Integrating mental health care and medical social work in infectious disease management

    by Idara Uyoata Johnson, Andrew Sampson Udofia, Nsikak Godwin Etim, Sylvester Chibueze Izah

    Applied Psychology Research, Vol.4, No.2, 2025;

    The management of infectious diseases like tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, malaria, hepatitis, and COVID-19 presents significant challenges that extend beyond physical health, often deeply affecting the mental and psychosocial well-being of individuals. This paper focuses on integrating mental health care and medical social work into infectious disease management as a critical strategy for improving patient outcomes. Psychological burdens such as stigma, anxiety, depression, and fear of contagion can hinder treatment adherence and negatively impact health outcomes. Medical social workers play a crucial role by providing counseling, psychosocial support, and resource linkage, which help reduce stigma and foster resilience in patients and their families. They also advocate for systemic changes and address social determinants of health, contributing to health equity. As healthcare systems adapt to emerging infectious diseases, partnerships across sectors and community-based interventions are increasingly critical. These strategies align with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), promoting integrated, equitable, and holistic care. By prioritizing mental health and social work within infectious disease programs, healthcare systems can improve patient outcomes, enhance quality of life, and build resilient communities capable of addressing future health challenges. Therefore, incorporating trauma-informed care, collaborative care models, psychosocial support networks, mental health education, telemedicine, and policy advocacy could further strengthen the holistic management of infectious diseases. These approaches could improve both mental and physical health outcomes, thereby promoting a more resilient healthcare system and, ultimately, better outcomes for patients facing the dual challenges of infectious diseases and mental health issues.

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  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 2671

    Socio-psychological analysis of the public perception of a contested infrastructure in Southwest Nigeria

    by Ayodeji Adekunle Eluyemi, Amos Adebimpe Amosun, Peter Adetokunbo, Tunji Omoseyin, Ogundele K. T., Oluwabusayo Oluwakemi Eluyemi, Samuel Adedigba Adeojo

    Applied Psychology Research, Vol.4, No.2, 2025;

    We investigated the perception of residents in southwestern Nigeria towards the establishment of a contested infrastructure, namely nuclear power plants (NPPs) and deep geological nuclear waste repositories. The study used an online survey methodology, encompassing 78 participants with a predominantly male composition (62%) and high educational attainment: postgraduate degrees (60%), graduate degrees (20%), undergraduate studies (18%), and secondary school certificates (2%). The research centered on “trust” as the primary independent variable, exploring its associations with factors, including fear, safety perceptions, and both local and foreign expertise. Statistical analysis using Pearson’s correlation revealed robust positive relationships between trust in safety measures and NPP management (r = 0.72), as well as between trust and local expertise (r = 0.60). Significantly, fear regarding NPPs exhibited a strong negative correlation with support for their construction (r = −0.70), while trust in foreign expertise showed minimal correlations with other variables (r ≤ 0.2). The respondents’ professional backgrounds, primarily in physical sciences (45%), offered technically informed perspectives on nuclear infrastructure. The educational attainment of individuals showed a moderate positive relationship with knowledge of nuclear waste (r = 0.57), highlighting the role of education in determining perception of nuclear-related progress. These findings suggest that trust-building, particularly through local knowledge and safety assurances, while simultaneously addressing public fears, is critical to achieving public acceptance of NPPs and nuclear storage sites. It highlights the need for effective communication efforts and local experts being brought into the forefront in addressing the issues of public concern for nuclear infrastructural development.

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  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 1849

    Analysing the psychological impact of acne among Mauritian adults

    by Vedmika Munogee Koonjobeeharry, Manish Putteeraj, Jhoti Somanah, Shilpa Ramdawor, Hanish Bhurtun, Veronique Francois Newton

    Applied Psychology Research, Vol.4, No.2, 2025;

    Background: Acne, a chronic inflammatory disease, results from multi-nodal effects, including inflammatory reactions among others. The consequences of acne extend beyond the physiological and aesthetic appearance, with reported adverse effects on mental health. Objective: This study analyzed the impact of acne on mental health determinants among Mauritian adults. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative survey was carried out among Mauritian adults (n = 381) suffering from acne. The tool assessed quality of life through an adapted Acne-Specific Quality of Life scale, self-esteem and appearance anxiety using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and appearance anxiety inventory respectively. Results: (i) Acne and demographics: The data revealed that a sizeable proportion of Mauritians (86.4%) suffer from facial acne with varying severity as per the self-reported mild (50.1%), moderate (42.8%), and severe acne (7.1%) across the sampled participants. (ii) Acne and quality of life: Acne severity was associated with age group and education levels (p < 0.05) as opposed to the indifference across gender. An inverse correlation was found between acne severity and quality of life, and the majority of the sample (59.9%) suffered from body dysmorphic disorder as a result of anxiety related to the acne. (iii) Acne and mental health constructs: Participants having severe acne experienced very low self-esteem (mean score = 6), confirming the relationship between acne and self-esteem [χ2(34) = 126.105, p < 0.05, Cramer’s V = 0.426]. Acne severity had a significant effect on appearance anxiety (H = 16.05, p < 0.001), adversely impacting mental health. Mauritians generally sought dermatological assistance for their acne (54.1%); however, a significantly larger population (78.5%) felt that treatment should not be siloed through a dermatologist. 70% of the sample also preferred psychological support, which would enhance their quality of life. Conclusion: The quality of life of Mauritian adults is negatively affected by acne, and the severity of psychological impairment is multi-fold, from poor self-esteem to anxiety, leading to isolating behaviors. Preemptive processes such as psychological conditioning and support are necessary to decrease the burden associated with acne.

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  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 2726

    Predictors of common mental disorders among Brazilian elementary school teachers: A cross-sectional exploratory study

    by Diogo Henrique Constantino Coledam

    Applied Psychology Research, Vol.4, No.2, 2025;

    Intensification of the work of elementary school teachers over the years has influenced teachers’ health, mainly mental health outcomes. The aim of the present study was to analyze the predictors of common mental disorders among Brazilian elementary school teachers. The sample involved 530 elementary school teachers from 63 schools in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. Common mental disorders were assessed through a self-report questionnaire. The independent variables were related to work, lifestyle, and health disorders. Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios. The prevalence of common mental disorders in the overall sample was 31.6%. In the multivariate analysis, the work predictors associated with higher common mental disorder prevalence were inadequate infrastructure of schools, experience of violence, and low job support. With regard to health characteristics, teachers with musculoskeletal symptoms, problems related to dust, emotional exhaustion, low professional achievements, and one or more chronic diseases presented a higher prevalence of common mental disorders. The magnitude of associations varied from PR = 1.27 to 2.52. The high prevalence of common mental disorders suggests a public health problem among these professionals. Educational systems should provide adequate work conditions and monitor health-related characteristics to prevent common mental disorders among Brazilian elementary school teachers.

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  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 3055

    Beyond awakening: A mixed-methods analysis of life after kensho and the psychology of spiritual integration

    by Jeffrey Overall

    Applied Psychology Research, Vol.4, No.1, 2025;

    To advance an understanding of post-kensho experiences, particularly the psychological and existential challenges that follow, this research utilizes a general interpretivist framework guided by grounded theory techniques. Thirteen in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with individuals who reported experiencing a kensho awakening. From the axial coding analysis, three overarching categories emerged: (1) challenges, (2) purification, and (3) reluctance to share, each encompassing distinct yet interconnected themes central to post-awakening integration. A subsequent qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) identified specific conditions associated with heightened awareness of post-kensho struggles. The strongest explanatory model indicated that increased awareness of struggle occurs primarily when egoic tendencies persist without being offset by sustained mindfulness practices, openness in sharing experiences, ongoing contact with the awakened state, or recognition of the fleeting nature of kensho. These findings challenge prevailing assumptions that spiritual awakenings inherently lead to sustained clarity or ease, emphasizing instead that kensho initiates a complex psychological and existential process requiring intentional and continuous integration. This research thus provides novel theoretical insights, reframing kensho not as an endpoint but as the beginning of an ongoing, nuanced transformation.

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