Prof. Giuseppe Lanza
Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Italy
The highlight of this issue is the mental health and development of adolescents and children. These studies examine the typical psychological disorders that adolescents and children encounter, as well as their psychological states during education and provide treatment measures for coping with psychological disorders and methods to improve learning quality.
Open Access
Editorial
Article ID: 1375
by Naval Garg
Applied Psychology Research, Vol.2, No.1, 2024; 83 Views, 58 PDF Downloads
Mental disorders are complex and multifaceted issues that affect individuals across all societies, including modern ones. Several factors, such as information overload, blind materialism, sedentary lifestyle, sleep disruption, and lack of face-to-face interactions, contribute to growing instances of mental disorders. While advancements in understanding and treating mental health conditions have been made, modern society has its own unique challenges that can contribute to the prevalence and manifestation of these disorders. A growing number of concerns are raised about mental diseases, which is also one of the main topics of Volume 2, Issue 1 of Applied Psychology Research . Three prevalent mental illnesses discussed in this issue are eating disorders, autism, and job burnout.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 361
by Nikolaos Plemmenos, Dimitris D. Vlastos, Paraskevi Theofilou
Applied Psychology Research, Vol.2, No.1, 2023; 175 Views, 162 PDF Downloads
The research investigated the relationship between burnout syndrome and the variables of mental resilience, quality, and enjoyment of life in Greek private and public sector workers (N = 112), with demographic differences. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire that was distributed in the form of an electronic Microsoft form. The questionnaire contained demographic questions, the psychometric tool Burnout Assessment Tool version 2.0, the psychometric tool Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), and the psychometric tool Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), which were used to measure the three variables examined by the research. For statistical analysis, linear regression analysis was used to find independent factors. The main research hypothesis was verified, finding a negative correlation between burnout and the variables of mental resilience and quality of life, while it was identified that employees experienced greater exhaustion and spiritual withdrawal compared to freelancers. Hypotheses regarding age, educational level, and public-private job data were not verified as there were no statistically significant differences in demographic results.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 476
by Li-Fan Wu, Cheng Yang, Yang-Hsin Fu, Yu-Jia Li
Applied Psychology Research, Vol.2, No.1, 2023; 174 Views, 116 PDF Downloads
This article examines consumers’ intention to purchase green products, such as electric scooters, based on the theory of planned behavior. Specifically, the study incorporates several essential variables that are likely to influence consumer intentions: (a) product knowledge; (b) subjective norm; and (c) psychological and functional perceived risk. The research model was tested using data from the survey of 568 participants. Results indicate that Purchase intention is influenced by Product Knowledge and Subjective Norm while consumer’s Perceived Risk has a moderating effect. More specifically, psychologically perceived risk strengthens the relationship between product knowledge and purchase intention, and functionally perceived risk dampens the relationship between them. By examining three major external factors that influence green product consumers’ purchasing intentions, this study contributes to the theory of planned behavior and generates practical recommendations. The authors recommended that marketing managers need to pay attention to both consumers’ psychological and functional perceived risk and utilize such marketing activities as engaging with “opinion leaders” in order to boost consumers’ purchasing intentions and organize educational events about green products.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 510
by Mark Crowder, Marilena Antoniadou
Applied Psychology Research, Vol.2, No.1, 2023; 94 Views, 76 PDF Downloads
This paper explores the use of moral heuristics within a large public sector organisation in the UK. Managers within the case study organisation were interviewed and directly observed over a four-year period, using a grounded theory methodology, to examine the ways in which they made decisions. Whereas the extant literature primarily focuses on hypothetical situations, this paper delves into the application of the heuristic in real-world situations. The results reveal widespread use of moral heuristics within the organisation, accompanied by a clear dichotomy between ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ business units. Moral heuristics find extensive application in the former but encounter opposition in the latter. Consequently, the paper argues that managers in ‘soft’ work environments are more inclined to employ moral heuristics compared to their counterparts in other parts of the workplace. This study contributes to knowledge in three ways: proposing a new conceptualization of the moral heuristic, identifying instances of its use, and illustrating how it operates in real-world situations. The significance of this paper lies in its demonstration of how the heuristic is practically employed to make crucial, potentially life-changing decisions.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 551
by Hiba Chehabeddine, Mouna Chehabeddine, Hiba Abdo, Inaam Nasrallah, Assem El-Kak, Georges Hatem
Applied Psychology Research, Vol.2, No.1, 2024; 143 Views, 107 PDF Downloads
This four-month study investigated the impact of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) sessions on the strengths and difficulties of 128 elementary school students from a private school in Lebanon. Paired T-test and Pearson correlation analyses examined changes in behavior and academic performance pre- and post-NLP intervention. The findings revealed a significant reduction in headaches, stomachaches, and overall negative emotions such as unhappiness, depression, or tearfulness after NLP sessions. Although the case group had a higher proportion of females, no notable gender-based differences were observed. Positive correlations were identified between student age and emotional and conduct scores. While there was a decrease in reported fights and bullying post-intervention, it did not reach statistical significance. The study advocates for integrating NLP into traditional medical treatment programs, emphasizing its potential as a non-medical intervention, especially in integrated pain management strategies. The research underscores NLP’s role in addressing emotional and behavioral challenges among students.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 1139
by Anne Becker, Ines Tyson
Applied Psychology Research, Vol.2, No.1, 2023; 104 Views, 75 PDF Downloads
This paper examines the child-rearing practices and experiences of Japanese families parenting in diaspora in Western Australia (W.A.). Two groups are interviewed—the sojourners group (residing in W.A. for a short time while maintaining close contact with Japanese culture) and the stayers group (residing long-term in W.A. while assimilating into the Australian lifestyle). Participants in the research are asked about preferred traits for their children to develop while in Australia and the challenges and benefits of parenting in diaspora. The research seeks to illustrate embedded assumptions in child-rearing and how the values of collectivist and individualist communities are reflected in parenting styles. The findings of the study reveal that parenting in diaspora presents a unique opportunity to explore one’s parenting practices and values. Implications in relation to worldviews other than English-centric foci are discussed.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 1406
by S. Shruthi, B. R. Aravind
Applied Psychology Research, Vol.2, No.1, 2023; 106 Views, 59 PDF Downloads
The present study aimed to ascertain the challenges encountered by English language learners in the domains of writing, reading, speaking, and listening. Through the utilization of the pre-test, students have the opportunity to engage in sentence construction as well as enhance their reading and listening skills by engaging with assigned literary materials. Additionally, they may refine their ability to effectively communicate in English with their classmates. The researcher disseminated the self-generated post-test questions. The investigation employed a quantitative methodology. This survey was done using a sample of 40 undergraduate students who are currently studying English as a second language and are affiliated with the Viscom and Catering programs. The study adopts educational psychology for teaching, testing, and assessing. The results suggest that English speaking is the most challenging of the three skills. Students are demonstrating significant improvement in their writing, reading, and listening skills when comparing their pre-test and post-test results. The speaking proficiency of the ESL students did not show substantial improvement as a result of insufficient opportunities for practice. In addition, instructors are recommended to employ a diverse range of effective teaching practices to enhance students’ proficiency in the four language skill domains.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 1355
by Yuen Han Mo, Tak Mau Simon Chan
Applied Psychology Research, Vol.2, No.1, 2023; 69 Views, 43 PDF Downloads
The emphasis on nuclear family in Asia has often omitted experiences of remarried individuals, where aspects such as parent-child interaction and relationship have had specific implications for family well-being. This qualitative study interviewed 8 remarried parents and 11 social workers to explore the remarriage experiences in Hong Kong. The findings reveal four themes of Hong Kong remarried couples: 1) reasons for remarriage and factors hindering remarriage decision; 2) relationship with stepchildren become the biggest challenges in remarried relationships; 3) psychological and cultural factors contribute to negative stepparent-child relationship; and 4) the transition of remarriage--social service implementations. The findings extend perspectives around the contextualization of remarriage in the Hong Kong Chinese culture. The core values of family harmony, blood and family ties, plus societal stereotypes, are revisited with reference to the Chinese culture. It is recommended that social workers demonstrate more cultural sensitivity in their practices and offer different services to support blended families.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 1419
by S. Banupriya, B. R. Aravind
Applied Psychology Research, Vol.2, No.1, 2023; 39 Views, 23 PDF Downloads
This study looks into how well form-focused instruction coupled with listening-based teaching strategies might improve English as a Second Language (ESL) students’ speaking abilities. The relationship between vocabulary proficiency, attentive listening abilities, and active participation in speaking tasks among ESL learners is the main emphasis of the study. Data from the pre- and post-test outcomes of 72 ESL students were analysed quantitatively using statistical techniques. Pre-test results showed a variety of skill levels from basic to intermediate and maybe higher, with participants categorized into “Beginning,” “Developing,” and “Bridging” groups. The effectiveness of the interventions was demonstrated by the post-test findings, which showed that speaking abilities at all competence levels increased with the use of instructional techniques and speaking practice procedures. The study emphasizes the importance of cognitive and affective components in language acquisition from a psychological standpoint. While form-focused education aids in the internalization of vocabulary and grammatical structures, listening-based teaching strategies activate students’ auditory processing talents, which are essential for language learning. These techniques probably lessen cognitive overload and improve recall because they encourage active listening and involvement. A positive attitude toward language acquisition and increased self-efficacy can also be fostered and anxiety reduced in pupils by the organized and encouraging learning environment. The study highlights how important it is to implement effective teaching strategies that blend form-focused education with content-rich, literature-based instruction to enhance ESL students’ speaking ability. The findings provide useful data that aids in curriculum designers and language instructors in modifying their pedagogical approaches in accordance with students’ proficiency levels, leading to more targeted and efficient language learning experiences. Subsequent research endeavours may explore the enduring consequences on the enhancement of linguistic proficiency and delve more profoundly into specific domains of teaching methodologies. All things considered, this study contributes to the ongoing discussion in language instruction and offers practical guidance to ESL instructors worldwide.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 1307
by Jay Errol V. Baral, Roselle Glenn R. Abergas, Jiah Kaye Bianca C. Namoro, Nixon Valroy G. Padilla, Lindsey Findley M. Parreño, Fiona Corinne Germino-Esteban, Mary Dana Kaye S. Soliven
Applied Psychology Research, Vol.2, No.1, 2023; 48 Views, 30 PDF Downloads
This study explores the diverse experiences of family caregivers providing palliative end-of-life care, focusing on their coping strategies during caregiving and their grief responses post-caregiving. Analyzing demographic profiles, the study reveals that caregivers are predominantly women, spanning various ages, socio-economic backgrounds, and familial relationships. Caregiving durations and financial conditions also vary widely, highlighting the need for tailored support services. The thematic analysis identifies two major coping strategies: avoidance (including “Freeze” and “Flight”) and approach (including “Plan” and “Act”). Participants predominantly employed “Act” strategies, reflecting proactive engagement with caregiving challenges. Post-caregiving grief responses were categorized into four sub-themes: prolonged grief, anticipatory grief, irregular grief, and normal grief. The study underscores the necessity of personalized support programs that address both coping strategies during caregiving and diverse grief responses afterward. Recommendations include developing flexible support services that provide financial assistance, emotional support, and practical resources, as well as grief support tailored to different grief experiences. By aligning interventions with the varied needs of caregivers, practitioners can enhance support and improve caregivers’ overall well-being.
Open Access
Review
Article ID: 347
by Daria Łaskawiec-Żuławińska, Marika Wlazło, Mateusz Grajek, Ilona Korzonek-Szlacheta
Applied Psychology Research, Vol.2, No.1, 2023; 929 Views, 776 PDF Downloads
One of the main goals of current COVID-19 vaccination programs is to achieve herd immunity, which would inhibit further spread of the virus. However, achieving this goal is impossible without widespread public acceptance of vaccination. As a result, concerns about the decision to accept vaccination have become a key public health challenge on a global scale in recent years. Healthcare workers’ attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination are mostly related to accepting vaccine preparations and recommending them to patients. This is of great importance for maintaining the continuity of health care, as it contributes to protecting medical workers from SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and thus counteracts their absenteeism. In turn, with an adequate number of employees in healthcare facilities, it is possible to provide proper care to patients in a life- or health-threatening condition. In addition, medics are often considered authorities on health issues. Therefore, their trust and submission to vaccination will positively influence the public and encourage them to undergo the COVID-19 vaccination.
Open Access
Review
Article ID: 549
by Mateusz Grajek, Karolina Krupa-Kotara, Katarzyna Barylska, Antoniya Yanakieva
Applied Psychology Research, Vol.2, No.1, 2023; 152 Views, 107 PDF Downloads
This article provides a comprehensive review of the impact of occupational therapy (OT) on the development of creativity and intelligence, areas of growing interest within the field of cognitive and developmental psychology. Through a systematic examination of the literature, this review aims to elucidate the role of OT in enhancing cognitive functions that underpin creativity and intelligence, including problem-solving skills, cognitive flexibility, and executive functioning. The methodology employed involves a rigorous search of peer-reviewed articles, employing inclusion and exclusion criteria designed to capture relevant studies, followed by a qualitative synthesis of findings to identify common themes and insights. The review reveals that OT interventions, particularly those incorporating creative activities and tasks targeting executive functions, can significantly contribute to cognitive development. Studies highlighted within the review demonstrate improvements in cognitive flexibility, problem-solving abilities, and overall intelligence quotients (IQ) among participants engaging in OT. Theoretical frameworks, such as Cognitive Stimulation Theory and Environmental Enrichment Theory, provide insight into the mechanisms through which OT may foster creativity and intelligence. In conclusion, this article underscores the potential of OT to enhance creativity and intelligence, suggesting that OT interventions could be a valuable component of educational and developmental programs. By fostering engagement in meaningful and challenging activities, OT not only supports the rehabilitation and adaptive capabilities of individuals with various needs but also contributes to the cognitive and emotional growth of a broader population. This review advocates for the integration of creative and cognitively stimulating activities within OT practice, highlighting the importance of further research to expand our understanding of these relationships.
Open Access
Review
Article ID: 548
by Karolina Krupa-Kotara, Matylda Kosiorz, Katarzyna Barylska, Mateusz Grajek
Applied Psychology Research, Vol.2, No.1, 2023; 292 Views, 161 PDF Downloads
In this article, we examine the diagnostic process for children on the autism spectrum, paying particular attention to the importance of sensory diagnosis as a key tool in identifying therapeutic needs and establishing intervention strategies. We discuss the challenges posed to therapists by difficulties in communication, relationship building, and motivation, as well as the need to flexibly adapt diagnostic tools to each child’s individual needs. Sensory diagnosis not only helps parents understand their children’s behaviors and their underlying causes but also provides concrete knowledge of effective therapeutic strategies that can be used in the day-to-day support of the development of children on the autism spectrum. Our analysis underscores the importance of sensory diagnosis as a tool to help understand and support children in coping with daily challenges and building harmonious relationships with their environment, a key component of effective therapy for children with autism.
Open Access
Review
Article ID: 550
by Martyna Szymanska, Katarzyna Barylska, Łukasz Stefański, Mateusz Grajek
Applied Psychology Research, Vol.2, No.1, 2023; 141 Views, 83 PDF Downloads
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that is more common among young girls and women. It bears a lot of life-long consequences for those affected by it, and in the most severe cases, it can be deadly. The aim of the study was to review the literature to help describe unconventional compensation methods used by patients with bulimia nervosa. The following methods were described: excessive and compulsive physical activity, induced vomiting, strict diets, enemas, use of pharmacy products, medication and dietary supplements, diabulimia, and drunkorexia. Atypical compensation methods used by bulimics depend on the resources the patients have at their disposal. Bulimia nervosa is still a significant and complicated health problem, and effective prevention methods have not been developed. Therefore, it is particularly important to observe people at risk of such disorders.
Open Access
Commentary
Article ID: 1138
by Ami Rokach
Applied Psychology Research, Vol.2, No.1, 2023; 115 Views, 83 PDF Downloads
Loneliness is an integral part of life. It may be experienced periodically or on a continuous basis, but regardless, humans are all aware of its existence and influence on their lives. In this commentary, we examine the loneliness that humans face, from cradle to grave, and how it feels. Age, life experience, maturation, personal awareness, and cultural background bring about and affect our loneliness experiences. We highlight the experience as it presents itself in each of life’s stages.