Yuyang Nie^1,2,#, Kunkun Jiang^2,3,#, Tianci Wang⁴, Cong Liu^1,2, Kangli Du^1,2, Yuxian Cao², Guofeng Qu^2,*, Lijia Hou^2,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.073592 - 28 January 2026

Abstract Background: Amid the global rise in adolescent sedentary behavior and psychological distress, extant research has largely focused on variable-level associations, neglecting symptom-level interactions. This study applies network analysis, aims to delineate the interconnections among sedentary time, social support, social exclusion, and psychological distress in Chinese students, and to identify core and bridge symptoms to inform targeted interventions. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design to investigate the complex relationships among sedentary behavior, social support, social exclusion, and psychological distress among Chinese students. The research involved 459 high school and university students, using network analysis and mediation… More >

Yue Cui¹, Ziqing Yang², Hao Gao^1,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.28, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.072986 - 28 January 2026

Abstract Background: In the Chinese context, the impact of short video applications on the psychological well-being of older adults is contested. While often examined through a pathological lens of addiction, this perspective may overlook paradoxical, context-dependent positive outcomes. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to challenge the traditional Compensatory Internet Use Theory by proposing and testing a chained mediation model that explores a paradoxical pathway from social support to life satisfaction via problematic social media use. Methods: Data were collected between July and August 2025 via the Credamo online survey platform, yielding 384 valid responses… More >

Jing Wu^1,2,*, Yuan Gao², Quanlu Hao², Zhun Liu³, Weijie Meng¹

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.6, pp. 871-876, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.075981 - 30 December 2025

Abstract This study employed a longitudinal approach to investigate how positive feedback and social support mediate the connection between active social network use and feelings of loneliness. A total of 811 college students (females = 58.20%, M_age = 19.15, SD = 0.99) participated in this research study. At T1 time point, students completed the Active SNS Questionnaire. At T2 time point, students completed the online versions of the Positive Feedback Scale, Perceived Social Support Multidimensional Scale, and UCLA Loneliness Scale. T2 online positive feedback influences how T1 actively uses their social network, which relates to T2 loneliness, More >

Gwang-Soo Oh^1,#, Je-Seong Lee^2,#, Myeong-Hun Bae^3,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.11, pp. 1729-1745, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.071944 - 28 November 2025

Abstract Background: With the rapid growth of digital learning environments, esports has emerged as a popular form of school-based activity that promotes teamwork, motivation, and engagement. However, limited research has examined how participation in esports relates to students’ psychological and academic development. To address this gap, the present study identified structural relationships between perceived psychological well-being, social support, academic engagement, and school-life satisfaction among students participating in school-based esports activities. Methods: We surveyed 588 students who competed in on-campus esports tournaments across 15 secondary schools in Gwangju Metropolitan City, South Korea. Psychological well-being, social support, academic engagement,… More >

Zhijun Liu^*, Junlong Zhang

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 575-586, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.067476 - 24 October 2025

Abstract This study examined the relationships among social support, career decision-making self-efficacy, goal orientation, and career adaptability, highlighting the bridging roles of career decision-making self-efficacy and goal orientation. A total of 1433 Chinese university students (female = 70.7%; urban = 55.3%, mean age = 19.73 years, SD = 1.60 years) completed validated measures of career adaptability, social support, career decision-making self-efficacy, and goal orientation. Network analysis revealed that social support was associated with higher career adaptability indirectly through career decision-making self-efficacy and goal orientation, which function as key bridging mechanisms. Moreover, urban college students demonstrated greater More >

Young-Vin Kim¹, Hyunkyun Ahn^2,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.9, pp. 1301-1334, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.068251 - 30 September 2025

Abstract Objectives: Recently, the global esports industry has experienced remarkable growth, leading to an expansion in the scale and influence of professional player communities. However, despite this outward growth, systems to protect players’ mental health remain inadequate. Comprehensive analysis of structural risk factors, including performance pressure, public evaluation, and career instability, remains insufficient. This study, aimed to explore stressors encountered by esports athletes, coping strategies, and the role of social support systems in safeguarding mental health. Using the transactional model of stress and coping, the job demands–resources model, and social support theory, the study adopts an… More >

Alican Kaya¹, Emre Seyrek², Abdulselami Sarıgül³, Mehmet Şata⁴, Juan Gómez-Salgado^5,6,*, Murat Yıldırım^7,8,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.8, pp. 1149-1163, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.067388 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Background: Social media addiction, one of the behavioural addictions, is a significant predictor of job performance. It has also been posited that individuals whose fundamental requirements (e.g., sleep) are not sufficiently met and who lack adequate support (e.g., perceived social support) are incapable of effectively harnessing their potential. The primary objective of this study is to examine the mediating effects of sleep disorder and perceived social support on the relationship between social media addiction and job performance. Furthermore, it seeks to explore the moderating effects of perceived social support on sleep disorders and job performance.… More >

Zhijun Liu^*, Jiaxin Liang

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.3, pp. 361-368, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.068059 - 31 July 2025

Abstract We examined the relationship between social support and career adaptability, as well as the mediating roles of proactive personality and career decision-making self-efficacy in this process. A total of 1354 Chinese college students (female = 964; mean age = 19.53 years, SD = 1.33 years) completed an online questionnaire. Path analysis indicated that social support was positively associated with higher levels of career adaptability. Both proactive personality and career decision-making self-efficacy served as parallel mediators, strengthening the relationship between social support and career adaptability. The complete chain mediation analysis revealed that social support influences career More >

Jiajian Wang^1,2,*, Mansor Bin Abu Talib², Biru Chang³, Jingwen Zhang²

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.2, pp. 223-230, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.068063 - 30 June 2025

Abstract Amidst the unique challenges faced by rural educators is their sense of decent work influenced by levels of social support, career self-efficacy, and marginalization. To investigate these relationships, we surveyed 435 rural school teachers (females = 69.32%, mean years teaching experience = 13.6, SD = 7.7 years). The Structural Equation Modeling results indicated that social support positively predicts teachers’ perceptions of decent work. Career self-efficacy mediated the relationship between social support and a higher sense of decent work, while marginalization mediated the relationship such that lower social support predicted lower perceptions of decent work. Career… More >

Wenqi Lin¹, Chaowei Zhang^2,*, Jingyu Zhang^3,*

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.2, pp. 179-186, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.065798 - 30 June 2025

Abstract This study explored how perceived social support (PSS) influences the sense of meaning in life (SML) among rural college students, considering positive coping styles (PCS) as a mediator and psychological resilience (PR) as a moderator. 1444 college students (females; 23.55% only child; M_age = 19.76 years, SD = 1.07; 76.66%) were recruited from Jilin province in China. The college students self-reported their perceived social support and positive coping styles, psychological resilience, and sense of meaning in life. The results indicated that higher perceived social support predicted higher college students’ sense of meaning in life. Perceived social… More >