Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1442

Prevalence of working adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder impairment during the COVID-19 pandemic: Implications for the future

by Alice Vo Edwards, Gavin MacDonald, William Abraczinskas

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

In this study; we analyzed the relationship between U.S. workers’ reported levels of ADHD symptomatology and the impact of pandemic conditions on symptomatic impairment and the estimated prevalence of Adult ADHD. We compared data from the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Screener (ASRS) collected during the pandemic with data from two pre-pandemic studies. Our findings indicate that during the pandemic; mean impairment scores on all six ASRS items increased; leading to a predicted rise in the Adult ADHD diagnosis rate to 9.26%; compared to the pre-pandemic estimate of 4.4%. These results suggest that more adults experienced significant ADHD-related challenges during the pandemic. As organizations continue to implement remote work and other pandemic-related changes; it is important to consider the unique difficulties that neurodiverse workers; particularly those with ADHD; may face in adapting to these new work environments.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1773

Academic citizenship through the lens of the psychological contract: A qualitative study of UK business schools

by Alan Johnston

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

Many would argue that much of the higher education sector is reliant on goodwill, including the willingness to work with and support colleagues in the fulfilment of the fundamental roles associated with being an academic, this research suggests that a fundamental part of this is reliant on how the individual’s psychological contract manifests into academic citizenship. Research into the psychological contract of academics is limited. Similarly, there is also limited research into the concept of academic citizenship. This paper considers the concept of academic citizenship through the lens of the psychological contract, suggesting the notion of academic citizenship is borne out of the employment in and the perception of the academic role. The research made use of an interpretivist design using a series of semi-structured interviews. Following a qualitative base the study draws on the lived experiences of eighteen Business School academics across nine Universities. Using thematic analysis to draw out key themes and linkages, the research provides an overview of the employment relationship with employers and colleagues. The paper provides an understanding of individual behaviour in the workplace which is crucial to effective performance management and employee engagement. As such this paper contributes to understanding academics within the workplace and their responses to the behaviour of others. The research brings together two constructs which have not previously been considered, noting the inter-relationship between the two.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1670

Psychosocial risks and occupational health: Fatigue and sleep disturbances among aviation professionals

by Carlos Manoel Lopes Rodrigues, Karolina Elizabete da Cruz Silva, Ligia Abreu Gomes Cruz

Applied Psychology Research, Vol.3, No.2, 2024;

This study investigates the relationship between exposure to psychosocial risk factors at work, fatigue, and sleep quality among civil aviation professionals. Psychosocial risk factors such as excessive workload, lack of control over tasks, job insecurity, and inadequate social support are prevalent in high-demand environments like civil aviation, where constant vigilance and rapid decision-making are crucial. The research involved 200 participants, including pilots and flight attendants, who completed questionnaires measuring psychosocial stressors, sleepiness, and fatigue. Results indicated significant associations between role conflict and ambiguity, lack of social support, work/family conflict, and the pressure of responsibility with increased fatigue and sleep disturbances. Gender differences were noted, with women experiencing higher levels of work/family conflict. The study emphasizes the need for organizational strategies to mitigate these psychosocial stressors by enhancing role clarity, providing social support, fostering work-life balance, and managing job responsibilities to improve health outcomes and operational safety in aviation. Future research should consider longitudinal and diverse studies to explore these dynamics further and test intervention efficacy.

Open Access

Perspective

Article ID: 1549

Impact of COVID-19 on depressive symptoms in older adults: Future perspectives and implications

by Celso Silva, Mónica Lopo Tomaz

Applied Psychology Research, Vol.3, No.2, 2024;

During the pre-pandemic era, around 280 million people worldwide were diagnosed with depression. Depression is one of the leading causes of disability, affecting 5.7 per cent of people aged 60 and over during the pre-pandemic period. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant increase in the incidence of depression, with an estimated increase of 28.1 per cent worldwide, with a significant impact on older adults. The consequences of the increase in depressive symptoms can have a long-term impact and, in this sense, this problem is a global challenge for mental health professionals. Knowing the impact of COVID-19 on depressive symptoms in older adults will allow mental health professionals to be better prepared for a future pandemic crisis and to develop interventions aimed at reducing depressive symptoms in this population. The development of interventions that promote mental health is crucial now and, in the future, so knowing the impact of the pandemic crisis on depressive symptoms is useful in pursuing this goal. The aim of this article is to describe some recent results on the impact of COVID-19 on depressive symptoms in older adults, and to discuss possible future perspectives.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1555

The role of self-esteem in predicting psychological well-being among senior secondary school adolescents in Anambra state: A gender perspective

by Chinwe Augustina Enwere, Adaobi Jennifer Iloakasia

Applied Psychology Research, Vol.3, No.2, 2024;

The purpose of this study was to establish self-esteem as the predictor of psychological well-being of senior secondary school adolescents in Anambra State, Nigeria, with reference to gender distinctions. The type of research used was correlational research design. The state was chosen because of relatively high level of adolescent maladaptive behaviors, the state comprises 21 local government areas and 6 educational zones, with 262 number of public secondary schools. A sample of 763 senior secondary two students, 396 male and 367 female were used in the study and was arrived at after a population of 20,889 senior secondary two students had been sampled through multistage and strata random sampling. Information was gathered through questionnaire, specifically the Self Esteem Evaluating Rating Scale (SEERS) and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWS). Both the instruments showed high reliability, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the pre-test questionnaire in this study was 0.81 and 0.86, respectively. The researcher with the help of five assistants obtained 749 completed questionnaires thus having a high response rate. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the data and determine the predictors’ strength and to conduct hypothesis testing at 0.05 significance level. The study concluded that self-esteem has a significant relationship with adolescents’ psychological well-being in senior secondary school in Anambra State. Specifically, self-esteem explained 31.7% of the totality of the variance psychological well-being, 7% is caused by internet usage. In the same regard, self-esteem was mutually having a moderately positive though significant correlation with Masculinity for males: (R = 0.517) which represented 26% of variance in Masculinity for males. 7% of the variance. Females’ association was modest (R = 0.484) accounting for 23 percent. The potential influence of anxiety in males should be additionally investigated. 4% of the variance. The results suggest that, although self-esteem is obviously an important factor for both male subjects and female ones, self-esteem plays a more significant role in males. Therefore, the study calls for interventions that may help improve self-esteem, and other areas of psychological well-being for the sexes while considering the specific gender-related difficulties they face.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1424

An analysis of the relationship between self-consciousness and eating attitudes among 8th grade students

by Safiye Övgü Karaarslan Çayirpunar, Özlem Özden Tunca

Applied Psychology Research, Vol.3, No.2, 2024;

This research investigates the relationship between eating attitudes and self-consciousness among 8th-grade students studying in the Kağıthane district of Istanbul during the 2023–2024 academic year. The study included a total of 568 students (300 males and 268 females). Participants were administered the Sociodemographic Form, Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40), and the Self-Consciousness Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 27.0 software. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis were conducted to examine the predictive role of self-consciousness on eating attitudes. A positive relationship was found between “self-consciousness” and “eating attitude.” Independent sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA were used to compare groups based on sociodemographic variables. The eating attitudes score was significantly higher among female students compared to male students (t = −6.26; p < 0.001). Students with a family history of dieting had significantly higher eating attitude scores compared to those without (t = 4; p < 0.001). No significant differences were found based on screen usage during meals, meal procurement methods, meal companions, time spent at school, frequency of packaged food consumption, or parental restrictions on packaged foods. Self-consciousness scores were compared based on gender, diet history, household composition, number of siblings, meal companions, birth order, and parental restrictions on packaged foods. Female students had significantly higher scores in private self-consciousness (t = −3.96; p < 0.001), general self-consciousness (t = −9.37; p < 0.001), and social anxiety (t = −7.51; p < 0.001) compared to male students. Students with a diet history had significantly higher general self-consciousness scores (t = 2.39; p < 0.05) compared to those without. No significant differences were found in self-consciousness levels based on household composition, number of siblings, meal companions, birth order, or parental restrictions on packaged foods. For future scientific studies, the findings were discussed, and suggestions were provided.