Applied Psychology Research

Psychology of trauma and resilience in “The Nickel Boys”: A historical perspective

M. Swetha — 2024-07-18

This paper explores the depiction of trauma in Colson Whitehead’s “The Nickel Boys”, analyzing the experiences of its characters through the lens of trauma theory, particularly the works of Judith Herman and Cathy Caruth. Set against the historical backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement and the systemic racism of the 1960s, the novel highlights the physical and psychological abuse suffered by African American boys at the fictional Nickel Academy, based on the real-life Dozier School for Boys. By examining the characters’ journeys through Herman’s stages of trauma recovery and Caruth’s concept of belated trauma, the paper delves into the enduring impact of systemic violence on individual and collective memory. Critical responses to the novel underscore its powerful portrayal of historical and psychological trauma, positioning “The Nickel Boys” as a significant contribution to the discourse on racial injustice and resilience.

Ethical deployment of cognitive biases in marketing a framework for responsible influence

Mohammad Shahidul Islam — 2024-07-22

This paper examines the intersection of cognitive biases and ethical marketing practices, highlighting how psychological principles can influence consumer behavior within ethical boundaries. Cognitive biases such as scarcity bias, authority bias, the halo effect, and confirmation bias significantly shape consumer perceptions and decisions. However, their application in marketing raises complex ethical concerns, particularly regarding consumer autonomy and the potential for manipulation. This study proposes a conceptual framework that integrates ethical guidelines with marketing strategies that utilize cognitive biases. Through a comprehensive literature review and theoretical analysis, this paper outlines the implications of these biases in marketing, develops a set of ethical guidelines, and discusses the broader impacts on consumer trust and brand integrity. The findings give marketers practical insights for ethically harnessing cognitive biases, ensuring that marketing practices drive business success and maintain consumer respect and loyalty.

Burnout and sleep quality in sports managers

Radu Predoiu — 2024-11-11

Sports managers have great responsibilities aimed at coordinating and directing the organization through the employed staff who will be given precise tasks, regardless of their hierarchical position. Perfectionism or unfulfilled expectations can influence employees’ subjective state, making them more or less vulnerable and prone to burnout. In the present study sleep quality and burnout dimensions (exhaustion and work disengagement) were addressed, in successful sports managers (n = 20), and, also, in the case of future managers (n = 23). The Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and The ATHENS Insomnia Scale were used. For data analysis and processing independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney (U) test were performed. The results emphasized that female successful managers reported significantly poorer sleep quality and higher daytime sleepiness compared to male successful sports managers. Gender-related differences in terms of burnout dimensions were, also, discussed.

Chinese students’ willingness to study abroad: The personal and familial influencing factors

Jie Zhang — 2024-11-13

Background: Studying abroad is no longer a new phenomenon. The popularity of Chinese students studying abroad is well known and the enthusiasm for studying abroad among students has been consistently strong for many years, especially with the continuous development of the Chinese economy. Aims: This paper will examine personal and family factors which influence the willingness to study abroad among Chinese university students. The application of these influencing factors can potentially have an impact in the formulation of government-related policies, the establishment and development of study abroad agencies, and the decision process among students when choosing to study abroad. Methods: The current study utilized a self-report approach to examine the potential impact of several personal and family factors on the willingness to study abroad. Results: Utilizing multivariate analysis and statistical analysis modeling, it was found that willingness to study abroad is greatest among female students with moderate to high grades, who are from urban areas and non-agricultural households, with fathers in high status occupations, mothers with higher levels of education, and higher family income. These factors embody the intergenerational transmission of benefits associated with family capital.

TikTok and the fear of missing out: Analyzing social media consumption and mental wellbeing

Deoprakashsingh Gopal — 2024-11-14

Background: TikTok, a social media application, has gained tremendous popularity in recent years, with a broad spectrum of users from all ages, different countries and cultures. However, major concerns in the field of mental health related to the use of such platforms have consequentially emerged. This particular research aimed to analyse the usage patterns associated with the social media platform, TikTok, and its cascading psychological effects among young Mauritian adults. Methodology: The cross-sectional study adopted a quantitative approach with a sample of 400 Mauritians meeting the inclusion criteria. A self-reported questionnaire examining self-esteem, Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) and mental health determinants was designed and administered primarily through online mediums. Findings: 30.5% of the participants used TikTok for 1 h to 2 h, while 12.3% used it for 2 h to 3 h daily, and the most prevalent reason for TikTok use was leisure (73.5%). Adverse psychological effects, characterised by pessimism (33.3%), restlessness (35.1%), uselessness (39.8%), anxiety (38%), depressive behaviours (36.5%), lower self-esteem (17%), and FOMO (41.7%), were depicted among the sampled participants. An increase in FOMO led to lower self-esteem (rs = −0.326, p < 0.05), heightened anxiety (rs = 0.467, p < 0.05) and a potential increase in depressive symptoms (rs = 0.338, p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in anxiety levels when perception of self-directed negative comments was assessed (U = 11,852.500, z = −4.808, p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study empirically revealed that the general use of TikTok in itself appears to be non-problematic; rather, its unhealthy excessive usage triggers deleterious mental health among TikTok users. The findings also pointed towards sensitization measures and psychoeducation towards the appropriate use of social media platforms such as TikTok.

The impact of the presence of hirsutism and hypertrichosis on the psychological state of women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome and hyperandrogenism

Martyna Szymanska — 2024-07-22

This review article focuses on analyzing the impact of excessive hairiness, in the form of hirsutism and hypertrichosis, on the psychological state of women affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hyperandrogenism. PCOS is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women, characterized by hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance and menstrual disorders, among others. Studies suggest that excessive body hair can have a significant impact on the quality of life and psychological state of PCOS patients, leading to lowered self-esteem, depression, anxiety and body dysmorphophobia. Despite numerous clinical observations, however, a complete understanding of the mechanisms underlying this association is lacking. The article underscores the need for further research to identify the biological and psychological mechanisms affecting the psychological state of women with excessive body hair in the context of PCOS and hyperandrogenism. As progress is made in this area, it will be possible to develop more effective management strategies and therapeutic interventions that can help improve the quality of life for these patients.

The impact of the menstrual cycle on emotions and behavior—A review of current research

Magdalena Kurpanik — 2024-07-22

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.

A neuroscience perspective on antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)

Seyyedeh Sahar Asgari Ghalebin — 2024-07-31

Introduction: Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is characterized by a persistent pattern of behavior that disregards and violates the rights of others. This disorder has biological-genetic and environmental roots, with the biological aspects playing a more significant role. Therefore, this article aims to examine the different dimensions of ASPD to adopt treatment and a suitable solution for it, considering its important effects on others and society. Method: Using a predefined search strategy, searches were conducted in databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, Criminal Justice Abstracts, and PsycINFO for published articles related to the research topic. Only studies published in English between 1990 and 2024 and containing information about the neuroscience of ASPD were eligible for inclusion. A total of 37 articles were selected for analysis and synthesis of the results. Results: Findings indicate that the limbic and frontal regions are particularly implicated in ASPD, with notable differences in the upper and lower frontal sulcus compared to typical brain variants. Additionally, individuals with ASPD exhibit larger spectral bands in delta and theta waves during a resting state than healthy subjects. Conclusion: This literature review provides valuable information about the neurobiology of ASPD and can enhance the depth and breadth of our knowledge for a more comprehensive and impactful understanding and treatment of ASPD. However, since there are apparent differences in brain function between ASPD subjects and controls, further research is needed to achieve consensus.

A review of current advances in the transformative effects of physical exercise on the psychological wellbeing of those suffering from anxiety disorders

Saima Sabri — 2024-08-19

Background: Anxiety is characterized by excessive worry, fear, or apprehension, often leading to significant impairments in daily functioning, including difficulties maintaining physical health and psychological well-being (PWB). There is a lack of conclusive research regarding the efficacy of physical exercise (PE) as a treatment for anxiety in primary care settings, as well as uncertainty about the specific degree of activity required to produce therapeutic benefits. The goal of this systematic review is to investigate the effects of PE on the PWB of people suffering from anxiety disorders (AD), as well as to compare the benefits of different PE regimens. Method: A systematic literature search was carried out utilizing seven databases (PUBMED, PsycINFO, Science Direct Engine, Semantic Scholar, Google Scholar, Online Library, and other sources such as periodicals). Inclusion and exclusion criteria were based on the PICOS framework, and the risk of bias (ROB) was utilized to assess the quality of eligible research. Result: Aerobic exercise (AE) is the most effective PE modality in reducing anxiety symptoms, while the benefits of resistance exercise (RE) are also notable. Moreover, research suggests that moderate intensity PE (MI-PE) tends to yield superior results over other PE regimens in managing anxiety symptoms. These findings underscore the importance of PE intensity in achieving therapeutic benefits for anxiety management. PE is acknowledged as an effective intervention for lowering anxiety symptoms, making it an attractive therapeutic choice for those with AD. Conclusion: PE is a safe, efficient, and effective therapeutic method for treating anxiety symptoms. However, the majority of published studies contain substantial methodological flaws, necessitating additional research to determine the suitable PE modalities, frequency, duration, and intensity for maximizing the therapeutic effects of PE on AD.

A comprehensive review (1963–2024) of environmental psychology: Trends, themes, and future directions

Chee Kong Yap — 2024-11-01

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.