Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026)

  • 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

    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: 4253

    The simplicity premium: Quantifying the value of cognitive ease versus price in the adoption of the Deutschlandticket

    by Andreas Krämer, Carl Cosimo Krämer

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

    With the introduction of the Deutschlandticket (DT), the fare system for public transport has been dramatically simplified. This study examines the DT from the perspective of behavioral economics to identify the psychological mechanisms underlying its acceptance. Specifically, we address three research questions: (i) What is the relative weight of cognitive simplicity compared to financial savings in the purchase decision? (ii) How stable are these drivers over time as users habituate to a "frictionless" mobility experience? and (iii) Which demographic segments exhibit the highest "simplicity sensitivity"? We are examining the factors driving purchasing decisions for the DT based on three separate, independent studies (September 2023, July 2024 and December 2024), which are representative of the German-speaking resident population aged 18 and over. Our results show that, for the majority of users, simplicity is not merely a convenience factor but a key driver—a “simplicity bonus”—that appears to play a central role alongside price. We propose a three-dimensional conceptualization of simplicity—procedural, cognitive, and outcome-oriented. While existing subscribers are primarily motivated by financial relief, new subscribers are more strongly attracted by the radical reduction in cognitive load. Furthermore, we identify a significant “option value”; users derive benefits from the permanent availability of seamless mobility, regardless of the actual frequency of use. The results suggest that in complex service environments, cognitive accessibility is just as crucial as financial accessibility.

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  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 4478

    Analysis of the psychosocial and functional impact of patients’ illness on primary caregivers in a tertiary care hospital in South Gujarat

    by Chetna Patel, Arpita Nishal, Paras Shah, Chetankumar Acharya

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

    Family caregivers play a foundational role in patient care, but they often face high physical, psychosocial and financial burden, especially in areas where resources are limited, and this burden remains underrecognised. As the patient’s disease progresses further, this burden increases and harms the primary caregiver’s well-being, which ultimately affects patient care. This study aimed to assess these burdens, identify unmet needs and support gaps faced by primary caregivers during the period of the patient’s hospitalisation. This cross-sectional survey was conducted from September 2025 to October 2025 in a tertiary care hospital. 107 caregivers were recruited using non-probability sampling, and data were collected by interviewing participants. The interview questionnaire contained items assessing emotional, physical, financial and social burden. Appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyse the data. Most caregivers were men (57.94%) and between 31 and 50 years old (47.66%). Many caregivers reported feeling anxious or worried (66.35%) and sad or depressed (34.58%). Some caregivers reported that their health was affected (21.50%), and many occasionally neglected their health (59.81%). Financial strain was a concern for 38.31%, and 11.21% had to reduce or quit their jobs. The survey found that monthly income was significantly linked to burden (p = 0.046). Findings suggest caregiver burden is a public health issue that is often ignored, and caregivers should be screened and provided with support. Caregivers are like "invisible patients," and their well-being directly affects patient outcomes; hence, we need to pay more attention to them in clinics and policy-making.

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  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 4459

    Is empathy associated with lower burnout among nursing professionals? Evidence from a Greek general hospital

    by Chrysovalantis Papathanasiou, Kleopatra Chatzipolychronou

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

    Empathic engagement is central to high-quality care, yet healthcare professionals often work under emotional and organisational pressures that may reduce their psychological availability to patients. This exploratory cross-sectional study examined associations between empathy and burnout among 115 nursing professionals working in a single regional general hospital in Greece. Participants completed an anonymous self-report questionnaire assessing sociodemographic and work-related characteristics, healthcare-specific and dispositional empathy, and multiple dimensions of burnout. Internal consistency across the study measures ranged from acceptable to excellent (Cronbach’s α = 0.71–0.91). Pearson correlations and exploratory multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Higher empathy scores, particularly on the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy, were associated with lower emotional exhaustion, lower depersonalisation, lower client/patient-related burnout, and higher personal accomplishment. Both empathy measures were negatively associated with client/patient-related burnout, suggesting that empathy may be particularly relevant to the relational aspects of professional exhaustion. Participation in Balint-type reflective groups was also associated with lower emotional exhaustion and client/patient-related burnout; however, this finding was based on only six participants and should be considered preliminary. Overall, healthcare-specific empathy showed a more consistent pattern of associations across burnout dimensions than broader dispositional empathy. Given the cross-sectional, single-site design, modest sample size, self-report measures, and exploratory use of stepwise regression, the results should be interpreted as sample-specific associations rather than causal effects. Nevertheless, they suggest that relational and reflective competencies merit further investigation within broader strategies to support staff wellbeing and quality improvement.

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  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 4547

    A cognitive mindfulness intervention using virtual reality and artificial intelligence for academic procrastination: A pilot waitlist randomised controlled trial

    by Samantha Banbury, Olaide Phillips, Chris Chandler, Javier del Rio Olvera

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

    Research examining the role of mindfulness in addressing academic procrastination and engagement is gaining momentum. However, registered trials remain sparse, particularly those employing immersive virtual reality (VR). This study evaluated 30 university students in a waitlist-controlled randomised trial (WLC-RCT) featuring active and delayed intervention groups, combined with a content analysis of qualitative participant feedback. Participants engaged in a weekly 25-min cognitive mindfulness VR intervention over four weeks, supplemented by an independent AI-based mindfulness application between sessions. Quantitative measures of perceived academic stress, academic self-efficacy, academic engagement, cognitive mindfulness, academic procrastination, and physiological heart rate were collected at Weeks 0, 4, and 12. The mixed-design analyses revealed a significant Time × Group interaction effect uniquely for cognitive mindfulness (p < 0.05), reflecting earlier improvements in the active group at Week 4 and comparable cognitive mindfulness scores in the delayed group following receipt of the intervention at Week 12. Significant main effects of time suggested that both groups achieved comparable improvements from baseline to Week 12 across all remaining outcomes (p < 0.05). Specifically, academic procrastination and perceived academic stress were significantly reduced, while academic self-efficacy and academic engagement significantly increased. Average heart rate also systematically decreased within both cohorts across successive intervention sessions. Content analysis of qualitative feedback aligned with these findings, revealing that the VR platform was perceived as highly engaging and motivating, while simultaneously expanding participants’ reflective awareness of their procrastination habits. Although these preliminary findings require replication in larger-scale longitudinal trials, they suggest possible psychological and physiological benefits of integrating immersive cognitive mindfulness VR and AI-based applications within educational settings to mitigate student procrastination and foster long-term academic engagement.

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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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