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; 414 Views, 202 PDF Downloads

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; 417 Views, 294 PDF Downloads

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; 883 Views, 115 PDF Downloads

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; 1090 Views, 800 PDF Downloads

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 die t history had significantly higher general self-consciousness scores ( t = 2.39; p < 0.05) compared to those without. No significan t 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.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1483

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

by Deoprakashsingh Gopal, Manish Putteeraj, Jhoti Somanah, Veronique Francois Newton

Applied Psychology Research, Vol.3, No.2, 2024; 906 Views, 347 PDF Downloads

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.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1618

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

by Jie Zhang, Dwight Hennessy, Yin Yin, Jing Wang

Applied Psychology Research, Vol.3, No.2, 2024; 1385 Views, 1355 PDF Downloads

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.