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: 4122

    Examining the association among physical activity shame, self-compassion, shame-coping styles, and physical activity behavior

    by Kim A. Rogers, Bradley J. Cardinal, John Geldhof

    Applied Psychology Research, Vol.5, No.2, 2026;

    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.

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  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 4032

    Nurses’ perception of nursing care quality and associated factors in Jimma Town public hospitals, 2023—A mixed study

    by Birhanu Wogane Ilala, Tigist Serawit Bekele, Duguma Debela Genati, Lencho Kajela Solbana, Diriba Etana Tola, Midhagsaa Dhinsa Kitila, Firaol Regea Gelassa, Gugsa Nemera Germossa

    Applied Psychology Research, Vol.5, No.2, 2026;

    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.

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  • Open Access

    Review

    Article ID: 4035

    The impact of psychology on art therapy: Emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and social dimensions

    by Sofia Belhaj, Abdelrhani Mounid

    Applied Psychology Research, Vol.5, No.2, 2026;

    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.

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  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 4050

    Bridging theory and practice in holistic wellbeing education: Participant feedback on a 7DHW-based course

    by Inês Santos Silva, Frank Schifferdecker-Hoch, Luísa Soares

    Applied Psychology Research, Vol.5, No.1, 2026;

    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.

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  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 3453

    Unravelling the interplay of endurance, variety, aggressiveness, and intuition: A correlational study using the FIKR personality assessment tool

    by Chee Kong Yap, Chee Seng Leow, Wing Sum Vincent Leong

    Applied Psychology Research, Vol.5, No.1, 2026;

    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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  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 4219

    Actions with manipulatives support second graders’ learning about place-value concepts

    by Helena P. Osana, Joel R. Levin, Anne Lafay

    Applied Psychology Research, Vol.5, No.1, 2026;

    The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of conceptual transparency of mathematics manipulatives used in instruction on the learning of place-value concepts in typically developing second graders (n = 88) and those at-risk for mathematics learning disabilities (n = 29). We randomly assigned the children of each classification to three instructional conditions that varied according to the extent to which place-value concepts were made visible in the objects’ perceptual features. In one condition, the ten and hundreds denominations were already grouped and the ones were visible in each denomination; in the second condition the denominations were already grouped but the ones were not visible; in the third condition, we provided children with individual beads that could be attached in groups of tens and hundreds. We assessed the accuracy of the children’s representations of two- and three-digit numerals using manipulatives and their place-value knowledge on symbolic tasks. Contrary to our expectations, we found that the manipulatives requiring children to construct their own denominations were related to gains in the accuracy of the physical representations, but not to gains on the symbolic measures. We speculate that the actions involved in constructing the denominations provided opportunities for children to encode the materials’ salient features in ways that led to the greatest benefits. We suggest that teachers ensure that students encode manipulatives used during instruction in meaningful ways.

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