Journal of Assessment and Research in Applied Counseling (JARAC)
type: channel
description: E-ISSN: 3041-8518 Director-in-Charge: Dr. Mehdi Rostami Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Valiolah Farzad Associate editor: Dr. Mehdi Rostami Owner: KMAN Research Institute Publisher: KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB) Contact email: jarac@kmanpub.com / journalarcp@gmail.com Open access: YES Journal of Assessment and Research in Applied Counseling is a scientific open-access double-blind anonymous peer-review journal publishing original articles, reviews, short communications and scientific reports of a high scientific and ethical standard in psychology, counseling and related academic disciplines. This journal is published four times per year, in English, by KMANPUB. It covers scientific subjects in the following fields: Assessment, evaluation and measurement tools for counseling and psychotherapy New individual and family psychotherapy and counseling approaches Journal of Assessment and Research in Applied Counseling is indexed and abstracted by the Google Scholar, APA PsycInfo, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/assessment-and-research-in-applied-counseling-%D9%81%D8%B5%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%87-%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%AC%D8%B4-%D9%88-%D9%BE%DA%98%D9%88%D9%87%D8%B4-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%87-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AF%DB%8C-b40aa4249/" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/assessment-and-research-in-applied-counseling-%D9%81%D8%B5%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%87-%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%AC%D8%B4-%D9%88-%D9%BE%DA%98%D9%88%D9%87%D8%B4-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%87-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AF%DB%8C-b40aa4249/">LinkedIn, ABCD Index, Researchgate, ICMJE, and <a href="https://www.ebsco.com/m/ee/Marketing/titleLists/afh-journals.htm#:~:text=Journal%20of%20Assessment%20&%20Research%20in%20Applied%20Counseling" data-cke-saved-href="https://doaj.org/toc/2821-2738?source=%7B%22query%22%3A%7B%22bool%22%3A%7B%22must%22%3A%5B%7B%22terms%22%3A%7B%22index.issn.exact%22%3A%5B%222821-2738%22%5D%7D%7D%5D%7D%7D%2C%22size%22%3A100%2C%22sort…
publisher: KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB)
language: en
publication name: Journal of Assessment and Research in Applied Counseling (JARAC)
issn: 3041-8518
items: Avoidance as a Mediating Mechanism Between Maladaptive Coping and PTSD Symptoms
items: Attachment Anxiety as a Mediator Between Childhood Neglect and Intimate Partner Violence Victimization
items: Cognitive Reappraisal as a Mediating Mechanism Between Mindfulness and Stress Reduction
items: Identifying Indicators of Treatment Satisfaction in Online Therapy Platforms: A Qualitative Study in Taiwan
items: Identifying Core Indicators of Relapse in Clients Undergoing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression: A Qualitative Study
items: Indicators of Burnout and Recovery in Early-Career Psychologists: A Thematic Analysis
items: Factors Influencing Psychological Flexibility in Adults With Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Qualitative Study
items: Exploring Dimensions of Trauma-Linked Somatic Complaints in Refugees: A Qualitative Study in Canada
items: Job Insecurity and Turnover Intention: The Moderating Role of Psychological Capital among Nigerian Employees
items: https://journals.kmanpub.com/index.php/jarac/article/view/4979
items: Improving Employability Skills Acquisition of Visually Impaired Students Through Inclusive Career Coaching Progrmme
items: Why Do Romantic Relationships Start Early and End Quickly? Examining the Pattern of Unstable Relationships Among Generation Z
items: Workload and Creative Performance: The Buffering Role of Intrinsic Motivation
items: AI Anxiety and Technostress: The Buffering Role of Growth Mindset
items: Social Media Doomscrolling and Anxiety: Psychological Resilience as a Moderator
items: Self-Defining Memories and Future Self-Continuity: A Qualitative Study in Emerging Adulthood
items: Parental Criticism and Emerging Adult Identity Confusion: The Moderating Role of Self-Compassion
items: Mechanisms of Self-Concept Coherence in Late Adolescence Under Academic Pressure
items: Mechanisms of Rumination Deactivation: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study in Young Adults with Anxiety
items: Identifying the Components of Parent–Adolescent Communication Breakdown: A Qualitative Analysis
items: Parental Overprotection and Youth Anger Expression: The Mediating Role of Experiential Avoidance
items: Conceptualizing Existential Anxiety in High-Achieving Populations: Dimensions and Adaptive Responses
items: The Counseling Relationship Assessment Measure (CRAM): Initial Validation and Psychometric Properties
items: Exploring Motivational Structures Underlying Persistence in Individuals With ADHD
items: Exploring the Dimensions of Self-Concept in Adolescents from Marginalized Communities
items: Identifying Components of Positive Youth Development in Multicultural Contexts
items: Exploring the Role of Peer Collaboration in Enhancing Adolescent Motivation to Learn
items: An Analysis of Nigerian TVET Graduates' Career Decision Self-Efficacy
items: Leveraging Mobile Therapy Systems for Competitive Advantage in Depression Treatment Among Mental Health Counsellors in Enugu State, Nigeria
items: Exploring Components of Intergenerational Transmission of Stress in Adolescents

Avoidance as a Mediating Mechanism Between Maladaptive Coping and PTSD Symptoms
type: item
description: Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether avoidance mediates the relationship between maladaptive coping strategies and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among Canadian adults. Methods and Materials: A descriptive correlational design was employed with a sample of 400 adults recruited from Canada, determined based on Morgan and Krejcie’s sample size table. Data were collected using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Brief COPE maladaptive subscales, and the Impact of Event Scale–Avoidance subscale (IES-A). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 27 for descriptive and correlational analyses, and AMOS version 21 for structural equation modeling (SEM). Pearson correlation coefficients were computed to examine bivariate relationships, and SEM was applied to test the hypothesized mediation model. Model fit was assessed using multiple indices including χ²/df, GFI, AGFI, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA. Findings: Pearson correlations revealed significant positive associations between maladaptive coping and PTSD symptoms (r = .52, p < .001), maladaptive coping and avoidance (r = .44, p < .001), and avoidance and PTSD symptoms (r = .47, p < .001). The structural model demonstrated good fit to the data (χ² = 124.86, df = 58, χ²/df = 2.15, GFI = .94, AGFI = .91, CFI = .96, TLI = .95, RMSEA = .053). Path analysis showed that maladaptive coping had a direct effect on PTSD symptoms (β = .36, p < .001), and an indirect effect via avoidance (β = .11, p < .001). The total effect of maladaptive coping on PTSD symptoms was β = .47 (p < .001), confirming the partial mediating role of avoidance. Conclusion: The findings highlight avoidance as a significant mechanism through which maladaptive coping contributes to PTSD symptom severity. These results underscore the need for interventions that reduce avoidance behaviors and promote adaptive coping strategies to mitigate posttraumatic stress.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Posttraumatic stress disorder
  topic: keywords
subject: maladaptive coping
  topic: keywords
subject: avoidance
  topic: keywords
subject: mediation
  topic: keywords
subject: structural equation modeling
  topic: keywords
subject: Canada
  topic: keywords
creator: Matthew McNally
creator: Donal O’Connor
creator: Kam Sheng Yu
creator: Ikeagwu Ugbeh-Johnson
creator: Aleiia J.G. Pinto
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Matthew McNally, Donal O’Connor (Author); Kam Sheng Yu (Corresponding Author); Ikeagwu Ugbeh-Johnson, Aleiia J.G. Pinto (Author)
date: 2026-01-01
publication date: 2026-01-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 10

Attachment Anxiety as a Mediator Between Childhood Neglect and Intimate Partner Violence Victimization
type: item
description: Objective: This study aimed to examine whether attachment anxiety mediates the relationship between childhood neglect and intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization among adults in Canada. Methods and Materials: A descriptive correlational design was employed with a sample of 412 adults recruited from Canada, selected based on the Morgan and Krejcie sample size table. Standardized measures were used, including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire–Short Form (CTQ-SF) for childhood neglect, the Experiences in Close Relationships–Revised (ECR-R) for attachment anxiety, and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2) for IPV victimization. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 and AMOS version 21. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to assess bivariate associations among variables, while Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesized mediation model. Model fit was evaluated using χ²/df, GFI, AGFI, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA indices. Findings: Results revealed significant positive correlations between childhood neglect and attachment anxiety (r = .46, p < .001), childhood neglect and IPV victimization (r = .39, p < .001), and attachment anxiety and IPV victimization (r = .52, p < .001). The SEM analysis demonstrated good model fit (χ²/df = 2.01, GFI = .94, AGFI = .91, CFI = .96, TLI = .95, RMSEA = .049). Path analysis indicated that childhood neglect significantly predicted attachment anxiety (β = .46, p < .001), and attachment anxiety predicted IPV victimization (β = .41, p < .001). Childhood neglect also directly predicted IPV victimization (β = .22, p < .01). Mediation analysis confirmed that attachment anxiety partially mediated the relationship, with a significant indirect effect (β = .19, p < .001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that attachment anxiety is a key psychological mechanism linking childhood neglect to IPV victimization.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Childhood neglect
  topic: keywords
subject: attachment anxiety
  topic: keywords
subject: intimate partner violence
  topic: keywords
subject: mediation
  topic: keywords
subject: structural equation modeling
  topic: keywords
creator: Ana Amelia Coder
creator: Trung-Hieu Ngo
creator: Joshua Sutton
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Ana Amelia Coder , Trung-Hieu Ngo (Author); Joshua Sutton (Corresponding Author)
date: 2026-01-01
publication date: 2026-01-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 10

Cognitive Reappraisal as a Mediating Mechanism Between Mindfulness and Stress Reduction
type: item
description: Objective: The objective of this study was to examine whether cognitive reappraisal mediates the relationship between mindfulness and stress reduction among Canadian adults. Methods and Materials: A descriptive correlational design was applied with a sample of 399 participants selected according to the Morgan and Krejcie table. Standardized instruments were used to measure mindfulness (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire), cognitive reappraisal (Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire – Reappraisal subscale), and stress (Perceived Stress Scale). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 for descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations, followed by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in AMOS version 21 to test the hypothesized mediating model. Model fit was evaluated using χ², GFI, AGFI, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA indices. Findings: Pearson correlation results indicated that mindfulness was significantly and positively associated with cognitive reappraisal (r = .47, p < .001) and negatively related to perceived stress (r = –.54, p < .001). Cognitive reappraisal was also significantly and negatively associated with stress (r = –.39, p < .001). The structural model demonstrated excellent fit (χ²/df = 1.92, GFI = .94, AGFI = .91, CFI = .97, TLI = .96, RMSEA = .048). SEM results confirmed significant direct paths from mindfulness to reappraisal (β = .45, p < .001), reappraisal to stress (β = –.23, p = .002), and mindfulness to stress (β = –.36, p < .001). The indirect effect of mindfulness on stress through reappraisal was also significant (β = –.10, p = .004). Overall, the total effect of mindfulness on stress reduction was strong (β = –.46, p < .001). Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that cognitive reappraisal partially mediates the effect of mindfulness on stress reduction, confirming that mindfulness not only directly lowers stress but also exerts indirect effects by enhancing adaptive emotion regulation strategies.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Mindfulness
  topic: keywords
subject: Cognitive Reappraisal
  topic: keywords
subject: Stress Reduction
  topic: keywords
subject: Emotion Regulation
  topic: keywords
subject: Structural Equation Modeling
  topic: keywords
creator: Sue J Critchley
creator: Curry Bordelon
creator: Molly Schwarzenberger
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Sue J Critchley , Curry Bordelon (Author); Molly Schwarzenberger (Corresponding Author)
date: 2026-01-01
publication date: 2026-01-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 10

Identifying Indicators of Treatment Satisfaction in Online Therapy Platforms: A Qualitative Study in Taiwan
type: item
description: Objective: This study aimed to identify the core indicators of treatment satisfaction in online therapy platforms from the perspectives of clients in Taiwan. Methods and Materials: A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Twenty-two participants (12 women, 10 men), all of whom had engaged in online therapy within the previous year, were purposively recruited. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Interviews were conducted via video call or telephone, lasting between 45 and 70 minutes, and were transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo 14 software, with iterative coding and regular team discussions to ensure reliability and conceptual clarity. Findings: Analysis yielded four major categories of satisfaction indicators. The first, Platform Accessibility and Usability, included ease of access, intuitive navigation, reliability, flexible scheduling, transparent cost structures, and privacy protections. The second, Therapist–Client Relationship, encompassed communication quality, professional competence, trust, rapport building, and responsiveness. The third, Perceived Therapeutic Outcomes, reflected emotional support, cognitive reframing, behavioral improvements, goal attainment, symptom reduction, and long-term benefits. The fourth, Overall User Experience and Satisfaction, involved convenience, perceived value, continuity of care, cultural and language fit, peer recommendation, and comparisons with traditional therapy. Conclusion: The study highlights that treatment satisfaction in online therapy platforms is a multidimensional construct shaped by both digital infrastructure and therapeutic relationships. By integrating technological reliability, therapist empathy, outcome visibility, and cultural resonance, platforms can foster higher satisfaction and sustained engagement.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Online therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: patient satisfaction
  topic: keywords
subject: telehealth
  topic: keywords
subject: qualitative research
  topic: keywords
subject: therapeutic alliance
  topic: keywords
subject: Taiwan
  topic: keywords
creator: Dandan Ma
creator: Jing Wei
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Dandan Ma (Corresponding Author); jing Wei (Author)
date: 2026-01-01
publication date: 2026-01-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 9

Identifying Core Indicators of Relapse in Clients Undergoing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression: A Qualitative Study
type: item
description: Objective: The objective of this study was to explore and identify the core indicators of relapse in clients who have completed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression. Methods and Materials: This qualitative study employed a thematic analysis approach based on semi-structured interviews. Twenty-one participants (12 female, 9 male) aged between 23 and 54 years, all of whom had previously undergone a full course of CBT for depression, were recruited from mental health centers in Turkey. Participants were selected through purposive sampling and interviews were continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Data collection involved individual interviews lasting 45–75 minutes, which were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and supplemented with field notes. NVivo 14 software was used to assist with systematic coding, organization, and analysis of the data. Findings: Thematic analysis revealed three overarching categories of relapse indicators. The first, emotional and cognitive triggers, included rumination, negative thinking, cognitive distortions, emotional dysregulation, and loss of therapy skills application. The second, behavioral and lifestyle indicators, encompassed withdrawal, disturbances in sleep and appetite, decline in daily functioning, maladaptive coping strategies, and abandonment of healthy routines. The third, social and interpersonal factors, involved family and relationship strain, lack of social support, stigma and shame, work and academic pressures, and interpersonal sensitivity. Conclusion: Relapse in depression following CBT is a multifaceted process involving the interplay of cognitive-emotional vulnerabilities, behavioral patterns, and social stressors. Early identification of these indicators, combined with booster interventions, aftercare programs, and personalized relapse-prevention planning, may enhance the sustainability of treatment gains.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Depression
  topic: keywords
subject: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: Relapse
  topic: keywords
subject: Qualitative Study
  topic: keywords
subject: Thematic Analysis
  topic: keywords
subject: Indicators
  topic: keywords
subject: Turkey
  topic: keywords
creator: Kemal Gökçay
creator: Murat Ceyhan
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Kemal Gökçay (Corresponding Author); Murat Ceyhan (Author)
date: 2026-01-01
publication date: 2026-01-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 9

Indicators of Burnout and Recovery in Early-Career Psychologists: A Thematic Analysis
type: item
description: Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the indicators of burnout and the strategies of recovery among early-career psychologists, with a focus on their lived experiences within the Irish professional context. Methods and Materials: This qualitative study employed a thematic analysis design. Twenty early-career psychologists practicing in Ireland participated in semi-structured interviews, selected through purposive sampling. Participants represented diverse professional settings including public health services, private practice, community organizations, and academic contexts. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework, supported by NVivo 14 software for data management and coding. Findings: Analysis revealed four overarching themes: (1) Indicators of Burnout, including emotional exhaustion, cognitive strain, physical symptoms, behavioral withdrawal, loss of motivation, and cynicism; (2) Work-Related Stressors, such as excessive caseloads, limited autonomy, organizational climate challenges, career insecurity, peer competition, and inadequate supervision; (3) Coping and Recovery Strategies, encompassing self-care practices, professional and social support, boundary setting, skill development, and meaning-making processes; and (4) Facilitators of Resilience and Growth, including personal traits, supportive work environments, professional identity, work-life integration, positive client outcomes, and continuous development. Illustrative participant quotations highlighted the interplay between strain and recovery, underscoring both vulnerabilities and strengths in early-career practice. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that early-career psychologists face significant burnout risks shaped by organizational and systemic stressors, but also employ diverse coping mechanisms and resilience-building strategies. Recovery …
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Burnout
  topic: keywords
subject: Recovery
  topic: keywords
subject: Early-career psychologists
  topic: keywords
subject: Thematic analysis
  topic: keywords
subject: Resilience
  topic: keywords
subject: Professional identity
  topic: keywords
subject: Ireland
  topic: keywords
creator: Seyed Milad Saadati
creator: Armin Khadem Fini
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Seyed Milad Saadati (Corresponding Author); Armin Khadem Fini (Author)
date: 2026-04-01
publication date: 2026-04-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 10

Factors Influencing Psychological Flexibility in Adults With Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Qualitative Study
type: item
description: Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the factors influencing psychological flexibility in adults diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Methods and Materials: This study employed a qualitative design using semi-structured interviews with 33 adults clinically diagnosed with GAD and residing in the United States. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling, and data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Interviews lasted 45–70 minutes and were conducted either face-to-face or via secure online platforms. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using NVivo 14 software. To enhance rigor, multiple researchers coded the data, discrepancies were resolved through discussion, and reflexive memos were maintained throughout the process. Findings: Analysis revealed three overarching themes with multiple subthemes. The first theme, cognitive–emotional regulation, included maladaptive thought patterns, emotional awareness deficits, avoidance versus acceptance struggles, lack of self-compassion, and attempts at cognitive reframing. The second theme, interpersonal and social contexts, encompassed the role of social support, interpersonal conflicts, role expectations, and experiences of stigma. The third theme, coping strategies and resources, highlighted the use of mind–body practices, behavioral adaptations, professional help-seeking, lifestyle adjustments, values orientation, and resilience-building. Participant quotations illustrated the tension between inflexibility (e.g., catastrophic thinking, self-criticism, concealment of symptoms) and adaptive coping strategies (e.g., mindfulness practices, values-driven actions). Conclusion: This study provides an in-depth understanding of the multifaceted factors influencing psychological flexibility in adults with GAD. Findings underscore the interplay between cognitive-emotional processes, interpersonal dynamics, and coping resources,…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Psychological flexibility
  topic: keywords
subject: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  topic: keywords
subject: Qualitative study
  topic: keywords
subject: Semi-structured interviews
  topic: keywords
subject: Mindfulness
  topic: keywords
subject: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: Coping strategies
  topic: keywords
creator: Maura McDonnell
creator: Erwin A. William
creator: Chidinma Chikwe
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Maura McDonnell (Author); Erwin A. William (Corresponding Author); Chidinma Chikwe (Author)
date: 2026-01-01
publication date: 2026-01-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 9

Exploring Dimensions of Trauma-Linked Somatic Complaints in Refugees: A Qualitative Study in Canada
type: item
description: Objective: This study aimed to explore the dimensions of trauma-linked somatic complaints among refugees, focusing on how trauma is embodied, expressed, and managed in the context of displacement. Methods and Materials: A qualitative research design was employed, using semi-structured in-depth interviews with 17 refugees residing in Canada. Participants were recruited through community networks and refugee support organizations. Interviews, lasting 60–90 minutes, were conducted with the aid of professional interpreters where necessary and continued until theoretical saturation was reached. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using NVivo 14 software. A thematic analysis approach was applied, involving iterative coding, categorization, and theme development to capture the range of trauma-linked somatic experiences. Findings: Four overarching themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Bodily manifestations of trauma, including chronic pain, gastrointestinal distress, sleep disturbances, neurological symptoms, cardiovascular complaints, and persistent fatigue; (2) Psychological-somatic linkages, where anxiety, depression, flashbacks, and emotional suppression were embodied through physical discomforts; (3) Sociocultural and contextual influences, including cultural idioms of distress, stigma, access barriers to healthcare, post-migration stressors, and the role of community and faith; and (4) Coping and healing strategies, ranging from medical help-seeking and alternative remedies to mindfulness, community-based support, resilience-building, and avoidance. Participants’ narratives highlighted the embodied nature of trauma and the interplay between pre-migration trauma and post-migration challenges in shaping somatic complaints. Conclusion: The study underscores that trauma-linked somatic complaints among refugees are complex, multifaceted, and shaped by cultural and contextual factors. Recognizing these complaints as legitimate trauma expre…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Refugees
  topic: keywords
subject: Trauma
  topic: keywords
subject: Somatic complaints
  topic: keywords
subject: Qualitative research
  topic: keywords
subject: Canada
  topic: keywords
subject: Mental health
  topic: keywords
subject: Coping strategies
  topic: keywords
subject: Post-migration stressors
  topic: keywords
creator: Przemyslaw Wandzilak
creator: Onur Isci
creator: Paulo Castro-Medina
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Przemyslaw Wandzilak (Author); Onur Isci (Corresponding Author); Paulo Castro-Medina (Author)
date: 2026-01-31
publication date: 2026-01-31
starting page: 1
ending page: 10

Job Insecurity and Turnover Intention: The Moderating Role of Psychological Capital among Nigerian Employees
type: item
description: Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between job insecurity and turnover intention and to determine whether psychological capital moderates this relationship among employees in Nigeria. Methods and Materials: A descriptive correlational design was employed with a sample of 410 full-time employees from diverse public and private organizations in Nigeria. The sample size was determined using Morgan and Krejcie’s table to ensure adequate statistical power. Data were collected via standardized instruments: the Job Insecurity Scale, the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-24), and the Turnover Intention Scale (TIS-6). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS-27 for descriptive and bivariate correlation analyses and AMOS-21 for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Model fit was evaluated using χ²/df, CFI, TLI, GFI, AGFI, and RMSEA indices. Findings: Job insecurity was positively and significantly associated with turnover intention (r = .56, p < .001), while psychological capital was negatively correlated with both job insecurity (r = –.41, p < .001) and turnover intention (r = –.48, p < .001). SEM indicated good model fit (χ² = 124.87, df = 61, χ²/df = 2.05, CFI = .96, TLI = .95, GFI = .94, AGFI = .91, RMSEA = .051). Job insecurity had a strong direct positive effect on turnover intention (β = .53, p < .001), while psychological capital showed a significant negative direct effect (β = –.42, p < .001). The interaction effect was significant (β = –.16, p = .001), confirming that higher psychological capital attenuates the impact of job insecurity on turnover intention. Conclusion: These findings highlight the critical buffering role of psychological capital in reducing turnover intention under job insecurity. Developing employees’ hope, resilience, optimism, and self-efficacy can serve as an effective retention strategy, especially in economically volatile environments.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Job insecurity
  topic: keywords
subject: turnover intention
  topic: keywords
subject: psychological capital
  topic: keywords
subject: structural equation modeling
  topic: keywords
subject: Nigeria
  topic: keywords
creator: Iheanyi Iwueze
creator: Manuel Vaultier
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Iheanyi Iwueze (Author); Manuel Vaultier (Corresponding Author)
date: 2026-01-30
publication date: 2026-01-30
starting page: 1
ending page: 9

https://journals.kmanpub.com/index.php/jarac/article/view/4979
type: item
title: Comparison of the Effectiveness of Short-Term Psychodynamic Therapy and an Integrated Acceptance and Commitment–Based Therapy with Schema Therapy on Improving Interpersonal Relationships and Controlling Explosive Anger in Insecurely Attached Nurses with Anxiety Symptoms
description: Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of short-term psychodynamic therapy and an integrated acceptance and commitment–based therapy with schema therapy on improving interpersonal relationships and controlling explosive anger in insecurely attached nurses with anxiety symptoms. Methods and Materials: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, and one-month follow-up, including a control group. The statistical population consisted of nurses working in intensive care, coronary care, emergency, and oncology wards of Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad during the second half of 2024. Following a multistage screening process based on the Kian-Zadeh Adult Attachment Styles Questionnaire and the anxiety subscale of the DASS-21, 30 nurses with insecure attachment styles and elevated anxiety symptoms were selected and randomly assigned to three groups: short-term psychodynamic therapy, integrated acceptance and commitment–based therapy with schema therapy, and a wait-list control group (n = 10 per group). Each intervention was delivered in eight 70-minute sessions over four weeks. Data were collected using validated measures of interpersonal relationships and explosive anger at pretest, posttest, and follow-up. Data analysis was conducted using univariate and multivariate analyses of covariance and Bonferroni post hoc tests in SPSS-V22. Findings: Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed significant group effects for both interpersonal relationships and explosive anger at posttest and follow-up (p < .01). Bonferroni comparisons showed that both intervention groups significantly outperformed the control group on all outcomes. Short-term psychodynamic therapy demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in explosive anger at posttest compared to the integrated intervention (p < .05), while the integrated acceptance and commitment–based therapy with schema therapy showed a stronger effect on interpersonal relationship…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: short-term psychodynamic therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: acceptance and commitment therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: schema therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: interpersonal relationships
  topic: keywords
subject: explosive anger
  topic: keywords
subject: insecure attachment
  topic: keywords
subject: nurses
  topic: keywords
creator: Fatemeh Hassanezhad
creator: Fatemeh Shahabizadeh
creator: Jalil Jarrahi Feriz
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Fatemeh Hasannejad (Author); Fatemeh Shahabizadeh (Corresponding Author); Jalil Jarrahi Feriz (Author)
date: 2026-04-01
publication date: 2026-04-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 12

Improving Employability Skills Acquisition of Visually Impaired Students Through Inclusive Career Coaching Progrmme
type: item
description: Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of an inclusive career coaching programme in improving employability skills acquisition among students with visual impairment in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Methods and Materials: A quasi-experimental design was employed involving 25 visually impaired students purposively sampled from public tertiary institutions in Enugu State, Nigeria. Participants were assigned to either a treatment group (n = 12) receiving the inclusive career coaching programme or a control group (n = 13). Employability skills were assessed at pretest, posttest, and follow-up using a validated and reliable instrument. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for baseline scores and demographic variables. Findings: Descriptive statistics indicated marked improvement in employability skills for the treatment group from pretest (M = 35.75, SD = 5.72) to posttest (M = 56.08, SD = 4.27) and follow-up (M = 62.17, SD = 3.19), while the control group showed minimal change. ANCOVA results revealed statistically significant effects of the intervention on posttest (F(1,8) = 156.43, p < .001, η²p = 0.951) and follow-up employability scores (F(1,8) = 195.84, p < .001, η²p = 0.961), indicating both immediate and sustained gains. Gender and age did not significantly moderate the programme’s effectiveness. Conclusion: The inclusive career coaching programme was highly effective in enhancing employability skills among students with visual impairment. These findings suggest that structured, inclusive interventions can foster skill acquisition, improve self-efficacy, and promote socioeconomic participation for this population.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Visual impairment
  topic: keywords
subject: Employability skills
  topic: keywords
subject: Career coaching
  topic: keywords
subject: Inclusive education
  topic: keywords
subject: Nigeria
  topic: keywords
creator: Liziana Onuigbo
creator: Mkpoikanke Sunday Otu
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Liziana Onuigbo (Author); Mkpoikanke Sunday Otu (Corresponding Author)
date: 2026-04-01
publication date: 2026-04-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 13

Why Do Romantic Relationships Start Early and End Quickly? Examining the Pattern of Unstable Relationships Among Generation Z
type: item
description: Objective: This study aimed to identify and model the psychological, behavioral, and digitally mediated factors that explain why romantic relationships among Generation Z tend to initiate rapidly yet remain unstable. Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of Generation Z young adults residing in Toronto, Canada, all of whom had experienced at least one romantic relationship in recent years. Data were collected using a comprehensive online questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, relationship histories, attachment-related variables, emotional regulation, and digital relational practices such as dating-app use and social media monitoring. A machine learning framework was employed to analyze the data, including supervised classification algorithms and unsupervised clustering techniques. Multiple models were trained and validated using cross-validation procedures, and explainability methods were applied to identify the most influential predictors of relationship instability. Findings: Inferential results indicated that non-linear machine learning models significantly outperformed linear models in predicting relationship instability. Rapid emotional attachment, attachment anxiety, fear of abandonment, intensive dating-app use, and frequent social media monitoring emerged as the strongest predictors of unstable romantic trajectories. Clustering analyses revealed distinct relational profiles, including accelerated–fragile, digitally entangled, avoidant–episodic, and relatively stable patterns, with the majority of participants falling into instability-prone profiles. Protective effects were observed for indicators of secure attachment and offline relational support. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that unstable romantic relationships among Generation Z are best understood as outcomes of interacting psychological vulnerabilities and digitally shaped relational practices rather than isolated individual deficits. Early emot…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Generation Z
  topic: keywords
subject: romantic relationships
  topic: keywords
subject: relationship instability
  topic: keywords
subject: digital intimacy
  topic: keywords
subject: machine learning
  topic: keywords
subject: attachment dynamics
  topic: keywords
creator: Derek Péloquin
creator: Jessica Brassard
creator: Nadereh Saadati
creator: Lawrence Siegel
creator: Mehdi Rostami
creator: Kamdin Parsakia
creator: Nicole H. Garcia
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Derek Péloquin (Corresponding Author); Jessica Brassard , Nadereh Saadati, Lawrence Siegel , Mehdi Rostami, Kamdin Parsakia, Nicole H. Garcia (Author)
date: 2026-01-01
publication date: 2026-01-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 10
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.4890

Workload and Creative Performance: The Buffering Role of Intrinsic Motivation
type: item
description: Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of workload on creative performance and to test whether intrinsic motivation buffers the potential negative impact of workload among employees in Colombia. Methods and Materials: A descriptive correlational research design was employed with a sample of 397 full-time employees from diverse organizations across Colombia, selected using Morgan and Krejcie’s sample size determination table. Data were collected using validated instruments: the Quantitative Workload Inventory, the Work Preference Inventory–Intrinsic Motivation subscale, and the Employee Creativity Scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM) were conducted to test the hypothesized relationships. Analyses were performed using SPSS version 27 and AMOS version 21. Model fit was assessed through multiple indices, including χ², degrees of freedom, χ²/df, GFI, AGFI, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA. Findings: Results indicated that workload was significantly and negatively correlated with creative performance (r = –.31, p < .001) and with intrinsic motivation (r = –.27, p = .001), while intrinsic motivation was strongly and positively correlated with creative performance (r = .48, p < .001). SEM analysis confirmed good model fit (χ²/df = 1.74; GFI = .94; CFI = .97; RMSEA = .043) and revealed that workload exerted a significant direct negative effect on creative performance (β = –.29, p < .001) and on intrinsic motivation (β = –.27, p < .001). Intrinsic motivation showed a robust positive effect on creative performance (β = .52, p < .001) and buffered the negative workload–creativity relationship, partially mediating and weakening the total negative impact of workload (β total = –.15, p = .041). Conclusion: Findings highlight that although heavy workload reduces employees’ creativity, fostering intrinsic motivation can protect and sustain innovative performance under job demands. Organizations should design roles and cl…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Workload
  topic: keywords
subject: Intrinsic Motivation
  topic: keywords
subject: Creative Performance
  topic: keywords
subject: Job Demands–Resources Model
  topic: keywords
subject: Structural Equation Modeling
  topic: keywords
creator: Mercedes Narcisa Idrovo
creator: Yirsa Meza Villanueva
creator: Stephanie Flores Carrera
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Mercedes Narcisa Idrovo, Yirsa Meza Villanueva, Stephanie Flores Carrera (Author)
date: 2025-10-01
publication date: 2025-10-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 9
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.4817

AI Anxiety and Technostress: The Buffering Role of Growth Mindset
type: item
description: Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between AI anxiety and technostress among South African technology users and to determine whether a growth mindset moderates the impact of AI anxiety on technostress. Methods and Materials: A descriptive correlational design was applied with a sample of 440 participants recruited across various professional and academic sectors in South Africa, selected based on the Morgan and Krejcie sampling table to ensure adequate statistical power. Data were collected using standardized instruments: the Technostress Creators Scale (TCS), the AI Anxiety Scale (AIAS), and the Implicit Theories of Intelligence Scale to measure growth mindset. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and Pearson’s correlation examined relationships between variables. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with maximum likelihood estimation was performed using AMOS 21 to test the hypothesized moderating effect of growth mindset on the AI anxiety–technostress link. Findings: AI anxiety demonstrated a strong, positive correlation with technostress (r = .63, p < .001), whereas growth mindset was negatively correlated with both technostress (r = –.42, p < .001) and AI anxiety (r = –.47, p < .001). The SEM analysis yielded excellent fit indices (χ²/df = 2.20, GFI = .93, AGFI = .91, CFI = .96, TLI = .95, RMSEA = .052). AI anxiety had a significant positive direct effect on technostress (β = .61, p < .001), while growth mindset showed a significant negative direct effect (β = –.32, p < .001). A significant indirect effect of AI anxiety on technostress through growth mindset (β = –.11, p < .001) confirmed the moderating role of growth mindset. Conclusion: Findings highlight AI anxiety as a critical predictor of technostress and demonstrate that fostering a growth mindset can meaningfully buffer the psychological strain associated with AI-driven environments.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: AI anxiety
  topic: keywords
subject: technostress
  topic: keywords
subject: growth mindset
  topic: keywords
subject: psychological resilience
  topic: keywords
subject: structural equation modeling
  topic: keywords
subject: South Africa
  topic: keywords
creator: Elizabeth Mangundu
creator: Sinokuthokoza Segun Oyeyiola
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Elizabeth Mangundu (Author); Sinokuthokoza Segun Oyeyiola (Corresponding Author)
date: 2025-10-01
publication date: 2025-10-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 10
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.4802

Social Media Doomscrolling and Anxiety: Psychological Resilience as a Moderator
type: item
description: Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between social media doomscrolling and anxiety among Egyptian adults and to test whether psychological resilience moderates this association, potentially buffering individuals against the anxiety-provoking effects of doomscrolling. Methods and Materials: A descriptive correlational design was used with a sample of 399 adult social media users recruited from diverse Egyptian online communities. Sample size was determined based on the Morgan and Krejcie table to ensure adequate statistical power. Data were collected using validated instruments: the Social Media Disorder Scale adapted for doomscrolling, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7) for anxiety, and the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25) for psychological resilience. Analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS 27 for descriptive and bivariate statistics and AMOS 21 for structural equation modeling (SEM). Model fit was evaluated using χ²/df, GFI, AGFI, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA indices. Findings: Results showed that doomscrolling was significantly and positively correlated with anxiety (r = .58, p < .001), while resilience was negatively associated with both doomscrolling (r = –.46, p < .001) and anxiety (r = –.52, p < .001). SEM demonstrated an excellent fit (χ²/df = 2.10, GFI = .93, CFI = .96, RMSEA = .053). Doomscrolling had a significant direct effect on anxiety (β = 0.47, p < .001) and a significant indirect effect via reduced resilience (β = –0.11, p < .001). Resilience strongly predicted lower anxiety (β = –0.35, p < .001) and significantly buffered the relationship between doomscrolling and anxiety. Conclusion: Excessive exposure to negatively oriented social media content is associated with heightened anxiety, but psychological resilience serves as a protective factor, weakening this link.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: doomscrolling
  topic: keywords
subject: social media
  topic: keywords
subject: anxiety
  topic: keywords
subject: psychological resilience
  topic: keywords
subject: Egypt
  topic: keywords
subject: structural equation modeling
  topic: keywords
creator: Mona El-Sayed
creator: Saeed Jabactey Alzaharni
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Mona El-Sayed (Corresponding Author); Saeed Jabactey Alzaharni (Author)
date: 2025-10-01
publication date: 2025-10-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 10
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.4776

Self-Defining Memories and Future Self-Continuity: A Qualitative Study in Emerging Adulthood
type: item
description: Objective: This study aimed to explore how emerging adults in Mexico narrate self-defining memories and how these narratives shape their sense of continuity with their envisioned future selves. Methods and Materials: A qualitative research design was employed to gain an in-depth understanding of the narrative and temporal processes that support future self-continuity. Twenty emerging adults (12 women and 8 men) aged 18–29 years from various regions of Mexico were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews focused on personally significant life events, emotional interpretations, and future identity projections. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved, and NVivo 14 software was used to support systematic coding and organization of emerging categories. Findings: Analysis revealed three main thematic domains: (1) narrative foundations of identity, including formative turning points, emotional markers of the past, and value anchors; (2) bridging present and future selves, encompassing vision of future identity, continuity across time, and agency over life direction; and (3) social and cultural context shaping self, involving family influence, cultural belonging, and negotiation of societal expectations. Participants demonstrated an active process of meaning-making, reframing adverse experiences into resilience-building narratives and integrating cultural heritage with personal aspirations. Rich, detailed self-defining memories supported optimism and future planning, while vague or fragmented narratives were linked to uncertainty and anxiety about adulthood. Conclusion: Emerging adults’ self-defining memories serve as psychological resources that maintain identity coherence and promote future self-continuity. Culturally embedded narrative reflection may stre…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Autobiographical memory
  topic: keywords
subject: self-defining memories
  topic: keywords
subject: future self-continuity
  topic: keywords
subject: emerging adulthood
  topic: keywords
subject: narrative identity
  topic: keywords
subject: cultural psychology
  topic: keywords
creator: Paulo Castro-Medina
creator: Juan Pablo Saravia
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Paulo Castro-Medina (Corresponding Author); Juan Pablo Saravia (Author)
date: 2025-07-01
publication date: 2025-07-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 9
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.7.3.27

Parental Criticism and Emerging Adult Identity Confusion: The Moderating Role of Self-Compassion
type: item
description: Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between parental criticism and identity confusion in emerging adults and to determine whether self-compassion moderates this relationship. Methods and Materials: A descriptive correlational design was employed with a sample of 422 emerging adults (aged 18–29) residing in Germany. Participants were recruited online and completed validated self-report questionnaires assessing parental criticism, self-compassion, and identity confusion. The sample size was determined according to the Morgan and Krejcie table to ensure adequate statistical power. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS-27 and AMOS-21. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficients were computed to explore bivariate relationships among variables. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to test the hypothesized model and to examine direct, indirect, and total effects, as well as the moderating role of self-compassion. Model fit was evaluated using multiple indices, including χ²/df, GFI, AGFI, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA. Findings: Results indicated a significant positive correlation between parental criticism and identity confusion (r = .52, p < .001) and a significant negative correlation between self-compassion and identity confusion (r = –.47, p < .001). SEM revealed that parental criticism directly predicted higher identity confusion (β = .49, p < .001), while self-compassion directly predicted lower identity confusion (β = –.38, p < .001). Parental criticism negatively predicted self-compassion (β = –.41, p < .001), and an indirect effect of parental criticism on identity confusion through reduced self-compassion was also significant (β = –.16, p < .001). The structural model demonstrated excellent fit (χ²/df = 2.01, CFI = .97, TLI = .96, RMSEA = .049). Conclusion: Parental criticism significantly contributes to identity confusion in emerging adults; however, self-compassion acts as a protective factor by buffering this adverse ef…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Parental criticism
  topic: keywords
subject: identity confusion
  topic: keywords
subject: self-compassion
  topic: keywords
subject: emerging adulthood
  topic: keywords
subject: structural equation modeling
  topic: keywords
creator: Anni Kröger
creator: Marc Hölling
creator: Feray Perchec
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Anni Kröger , Marc Hölling (Author); Feray Perchec (Corresponding Author)
date: 2025-07-01
publication date: 2025-07-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 10
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.7.3.26

Mechanisms of Self-Concept Coherence in Late Adolescence Under Academic Pressure
type: item
description: Objective: This study aimed to explore and conceptualize the psychological and contextual mechanisms through which late adolescents maintain a coherent self-concept while navigating intense academic demands in the Brazilian educational context. Methods and Materials: A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 18 late adolescents (10 females and 8 males, aged 17–21) from Brazil who were experiencing significant academic pressure. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling to ensure diversity in gender, academic stage, and performance levels. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached. All interviews were conducted in Portuguese, lasted between 60 and 90 minutes, and were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was applied with support from NVivo software version 14, following iterative coding, category refinement, and constant comparison to ensure depth and consistency. Credibility was enhanced through peer debriefing and member checking. Findings: Four overarching thematic categories were identified: navigating academic pressure, identity negotiation and self-concept alignment, psychological adaptation strategies, and future orientation with self-continuity. Adolescents reported internalizing family and cultural expectations while simultaneously striving for authenticity, often reframing success to protect identity stability. Cognitive reframing, emotional regulation, and self-compassion emerged as key strategies to mitigate stress and preserve self-concept clarity. Social support from peers and family played a dual role, sometimes buffering stress but occasionally intensifying pressure. Future-oriented thinking, including goal reappraisal and constructing life narratives linking past, present, and envisioned adult selves, contributed to resilience and a coherent sense of self despite academic adversity. Conclusion: Maintaining self-concept coherence in late adoles…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: self-concept coherence
  topic: keywords
subject: academic stress
  topic: keywords
subject: adolescence
  topic: keywords
subject: resilience
  topic: keywords
subject: qualitative study
  topic: keywords
subject: Brazil
  topic: keywords
creator: Martha Louzada Júnior
creator: Jacinto Dos Santos Lino
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Martha Louzada Júnior (Author); Jacinto Dos Santos Lino (Corresponding Author)
date: 2025-10-01
publication date: 2025-10-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 9
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.4632

Mechanisms of Rumination Deactivation: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study in Young Adults with Anxiety
type: item
description: Objective: This study aimed to explore the lived experiences and underlying psychological and contextual mechanisms by which young adults with anxiety naturally deactivate rumination. Methods and Materials: A qualitative research design based on interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was employed to gain an in-depth understanding of participants’ experiences. The study involved 21 Indonesian young adults (aged 18–30) who self-identified as experiencing recurrent anxiety and ruminative thought patterns. Participants were recruited through purposeful sampling from mental health support networks and university counseling centers. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted in Bahasa Indonesia and analyzed using NVivo 14 software. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Analysis followed iterative coding, theme development, and integration processes, with peer debriefing and member checking to ensure credibility and confirmability. Findings: Four overarching themes emerged: (1) awareness and cognitive shifts, including recognition of mental loops, decentering, cognitive reframing, and acceptance of imperfection; (2) emotional processing and release, such as naming core emotions, expressive disclosure, self-soothing practices, and emotional reappraisal; (3) behavioral and environmental regulation, encompassing structured routines, purposeful engagement, digital boundaries, and adaptive social connection; and (4) coping resources and growth, involving self-directed use of therapy-informed tools, spirituality and existential meaning-making, strengthening self-efficacy, and future-oriented hope. These mechanisms revealed a layered, dynamic process of disengaging from repetitive negative thinking in everyday contexts. Conclusion: Rumination deactivation among young adults with anxiety involves a synergistic interplay of metacognitive awareness, emotional regulation, behavioral structuring, and personal growth resourc…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Rumination
  topic: keywords
subject: Anxiety
  topic: keywords
subject: Young adults
  topic: keywords
subject: Interpretive phenomenological analysis
  topic: keywords
subject: Emotional regulation
  topic: keywords
subject: Cognitive flexibility
  topic: keywords
subject: Coping mechanisms
  topic: keywords
creator: Jefri Nur
creator: Nafesa Azzahranisa
creator: Okta Nurika Akhni
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Jefri Nur , Nafesa Azzahranisa (Author); Okta Nurika Akhni (Corresponding Author)
date: 2025-07-01
publication date: 2025-07-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 9
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.7.3.25

Identifying the Components of Parent–Adolescent Communication Breakdown: A Qualitative Analysis
type: item
description: Objective: The objective of this study was to explore and identify the key components of communication breakdown between parents and adolescents within the Canadian context. Methods and Materials: This qualitative research employed an exploratory design using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 26 participants, including 13 parents and 13 adolescents residing in Canada. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure diversity in gender, age, and family backgrounds. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. All interviews, lasting 45–60 minutes, were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. NVivo 14 software was used to facilitate systematic coding, categorization, and theme development. Rigor and trustworthiness were ensured through member checking, audit trails, and peer debriefing. Findings: Analysis revealed three overarching categories of communication breakdown: emotional barriers, interactional dynamics, and contextual influences. Emotional barriers included lack of emotional expression, high reactivity, misinterpretation of intentions, lack of empathy, emotional distance, and spillover of parental stress. Interactional dynamics encompassed power struggles, poor listening skills, inconsistent communication styles, inadequate conflict resolution strategies, technology-related distractions, generational language gaps, and parentification of adolescents. Contextual influences comprised cultural expectations, family structure complexities, peer and social pressures, academic and career demands, socioeconomic stressors, and parental migration and adaptation challenges. Illustrative quotations highlighted how these components disrupted trust, openness, and relational balance within families. Conclusion: The study concludes that parent–adolescent communication breakdown is a multidimensional phenomenon shaped by emotional regulation challenges, relational dynamics, and broader socio-…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Parent–adolescent communication
  topic: keywords
subject: Communication breakdown
  topic: keywords
creator: Chidinma Chikwe
creator: Oriana Piskorz-Ryń
creator: Haixin Qiu
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Chidinma Chikwe (Corresponding Author); Oriana Piskorz-Ryń , Haixin Qiu (Author)
date: 2025-07-01
publication date: 2025-07-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 10
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.7.3.23

Parental Overprotection and Youth Anger Expression: The Mediating Role of Experiential Avoidance
type: item
description: Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the mediating role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between parental overprotection and anger expression among adolescents and young adults. Methods and Materials: This study used a descriptive–correlational design with a sample of 400 adolescents and young adults from Turkey, determined using the Krejcie and Morgan sampling table. Participants completed the State–Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2) to assess anger expression, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) to measure experiential avoidance, and the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) to assess parental overprotection. Data were analyzed using SPSS-27 for descriptive and correlational analyses, and AMOS-21 for structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings: The results indicated that parental overprotection was positively correlated with both experiential avoidance (r = .42, p < .001) and anger expression (r = .39, p < .001). Experiential avoidance was also positively correlated with anger expression (r = .46, p < .001). SEM analyses revealed that parental overprotection significantly predicted experiential avoidance (b = 0.47, β = .42, p < .001), and experiential avoidance significantly predicted anger expression (b = 0.62, β = .44, p < .001). The direct path from parental overprotection to anger expression was significant (b = 0.28, β = .21, p < .001), and the indirect effect through experiential avoidance was also significant (b = 0.29, β = .18, p < .001). Conclusion: The findings suggest that experiential avoidance partially mediates the relationship between parental overprotection and anger expression, highlighting avoidance as a key transdiagnostic mechanism.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Parental overprotection
  topic: keywords
subject: experiential avoidance
  topic: keywords
subject: anger expression
  topic: keywords
subject: adolescents
  topic: keywords
creator: Ayşe Şahin
creator: Dilek Soylu
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Ayşe Şahin (Corresponding Author); Dilek Soylu (Author)
date: 2025-07-01
publication date: 2025-07-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 10
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.7.3.24

Conceptualizing Existential Anxiety in High-Achieving Populations: Dimensions and Adaptive Responses
type: item
description: Objective: This study aimed to explore how high-achieving individuals experience and conceptualize existential anxiety and to identify the adaptive responses they employ to cope with these concerns. Methods and Materials: A qualitative design grounded in interpretive phenomenological analysis was employed to deeply examine the lived experiences of existential anxiety among high performers. Twenty-five participants from Hungary, recognized for sustained excellence in fields such as academia, business, arts, sports, and science, were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews lasting 60–90 minutes, conducted face-to-face or online according to participant preference. Interview questions focused on participants’ perceptions of meaning, identity, mortality, and strategies for coping with existential unease. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached, after which transcripts were analyzed inductively using NVivo 14. An iterative coding process—open, axial, and thematic analysis—was used to develop higher-order categories and ensure rigor through double coding and member checking. Findings: Analysis revealed three overarching themes: (1) sources and manifestations of existential anxiety, including pressure to maintain achievement, identity fragility, isolation in excellence, mortality awareness, and value–performance dissonance; (2) cognitive–emotional processing, characterized by internal dialogue, meaning searching, existential curiosity, and development of self-awareness; and (3) adaptive coping and growth responses, such as purpose reorientation, relational anchoring, mindfulness, creative expression, boundary setting, professional renewal, and existential acceptance. Participants often described an initial phase of perfectionistic rumination and isolation followed by deliberate meaning reconstruction and connection-seeking, transforming anxiety into growth. Conclusion: Existential anxiety in h…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: existential anxiety
  topic: keywords
subject: high-achieving individuals
  topic: keywords
subject: coping strategies
  topic: keywords
subject: interpretive phenomenological analysis
  topic: keywords
subject: meaning-making
  topic: keywords
subject: resilience
  topic: keywords
creator: Orsolya Demetrovics
creator: Norbert Hetényi
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Orsolya Demetrovics (Author); Norbert Hetényi (Corresponding Author)
date: 2025-07-01
publication date: 2025-07-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 9
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.7.3.21

The Counseling Relationship Assessment Measure (CRAM): Initial Validation and Psychometric Properties
type: item
description: Purpose: A new assessment of the counseling relationship is presented, which is needed given the limitations of current assessments in the literature. Method: The research team developed 100 items to assess these three factors from the perspective of the counselor (50 items) and the client (50 items) then had 12 professional counselors serve as content validity judges. Based on their feedback, several items were deleted or modified. The modified assessment measures were then sent to 168 counselors and to 252 clients. Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) and then Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to examine their factors structure. Results: Analyses yielded two 6 items versions of the assessment measure (i.e., client and counselor forms), comprised of the underlying constructs of Frame Consensus, Collaborative Motivation, and Collaborative Action. Both forms displayed strong psychometric properties indicative of reliability and validity. Conclusions: The new measure can be used as a complement to or as an alternative to existing measures of the counseling relationship in research or practice.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Relationship Assessment
  topic: keywords
subject: Framework Consensus
  topic: keywords
subject: Collaborative Motivation
  topic: keywords
subject: Collaborative Action
  topic: keywords
creator: Jairo Fuertes
creator: Michael Moore
creator: Usama Bhatti
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Jairo Fuertes (Author)
date: 2026-01-01
publication date: 2026-01-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 14
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.4536

Exploring Motivational Structures Underlying Persistence in Individuals With ADHD
type: item
description: Objective: This study aimed to explore the underlying motivational structures that enable individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to sustain persistence and long-term goal engagement despite attentional and emotional challenges. Methods and Materials: A qualitative research design was employed to capture the lived experiences of adults and emerging adults with ADHD. Using purposive sampling, 25 participants (14 males, 11 females; aged 18–40) with a formal ADHD diagnosis were recruited from support groups, mental health clinics, and online communities in Thailand. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews lasting 60–90 minutes. The interviews explored personal definitions of persistence, self-regulatory strategies, emotional experiences, and the role of social and cultural contexts. All sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis in NVivo 14 software. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Findings: Analysis revealed three overarching motivational themes: internal drive and self-regulation, external structure and social anchoring, and adaptive coping and resilience-building. Internal processes such as self-determination, emotional self-monitoring, cognitive reframing, and future-oriented thinking enabled participants to stay engaged despite executive function challenges. External supports—including family and peer encouragement, structured environments, feedback from mentors, and cultural values—served as anchoring forces. Adaptive coping strategies, including breaking tasks into smaller steps, using mindfulness and body regulation, and creatively channeling reward sensitivity, further reinforced persistence. These interwoven systems formed a dynamic motivational architecture that participants developed to sustain long-term efforts. Conclusion: Persistence in ADHD emerges from a complex interaction of personal agency, cultural and social scaffolds…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: ADHD
  topic: keywords
subject: motivation
  topic: keywords
subject: persistence
  topic: keywords
subject: self-regulation
  topic: keywords
subject: qualitative research
  topic: keywords
subject: cultural context
  topic: keywords
subject: resilience strategies
  topic: keywords
creator: Sirinut Gunchai
creator: Thanaphat Kuntawong
creator: Patcharee Sumethokul
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Sirinut Gunchai (Author); Thanaphat Kuntawong (Corresponding Author); Patcharee Sumethokul (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2025-09-01
publication date: 2025-09-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 9
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.7.3.20

Exploring the Dimensions of Self-Concept in Adolescents from Marginalized Communities
type: item
description: Objective: This study aimed to explore the multidimensional nature of self-concept among adolescents living in marginalized communities, focusing on personal, social, and coping dimensions that shape identity development. Methods and Materials: A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured interviews as the sole data collection method. Twenty-one adolescents aged 13 to 18 years from marginalized communities in Turkey were purposively selected to provide diverse perspectives. Interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached, ensuring comprehensive exploration of emerging themes. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis with the aid of NVivo 14 software. Rigorous procedures, including iterative coding, peer debriefing, and continuous comparison, were applied to ensure credibility and trustworthiness of the findings. Findings: Three overarching categories of self-concept emerged: personal identity, social identity, and coping and resilience. Personal identity encompassed subthemes such as self-image, self-esteem, emotional awareness, autonomy, future aspirations, and self-reflection. Social identity included peer relationships, family roles, community belonging, cultural identity, social comparison, stigma and discrimination, and gender roles. Coping and resilience involved coping with marginalization, sources of support, coping strategies, resilience building, and identity negotiation. Participants described vulnerabilities including low self-esteem, stigma, and tension between traditional and modern cultural norms, alongside strengths such as supportive relationships, community pride, and resilience strategies. Illustrative quotations highlighted adolescents’ lived experiences and strategies for negotiating complex identities. Conclusion: The study underscores the multifaceted and context-dependent nature of adolescent self-concept, shaped by family, peers, community, culture, …
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Adolescents
  topic: keywords
subject: Self-concept
  topic: keywords
subject: Marginalized communities
  topic: keywords
subject: Identity development
  topic: keywords
creator: Selva Turan
creator: Mehdi Rostami
creator: Valerie Karstensen
creator: Amna Arif
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Selva Turan (Author); Mehdi Rostami (Corresponding Author); Valerie Karstensen, Amna Arif (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2025-09-01
publication date: 2025-09-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 9
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.7.3.19

Identifying Components of Positive Youth Development in Multicultural Contexts
type: item
description: Objective: The objective of this study was to explore and identify the key components of Positive Youth Development (PYD) as experienced by adolescents and young adults in multicultural contexts. Methods and Materials: This qualitative study employed a purposive sample of 25 participants aged 15–24 years from Michigan, representing diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews focused on identity formation, resilience, cultural interaction, and future readiness. Interviews, lasting between 45 and 75 minutes, were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis with the aid of NVivo 14 software. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached. To enhance trustworthiness, peer debriefing, member checking, and reflexive memoing were incorporated throughout the research process. Findings: The analysis revealed four overarching themes and multiple subthemes that collectively represent the components of PYD in multicultural contexts. The first theme, personal growth and identity formation, emphasized self-awareness, resilience, and bicultural identity negotiation. The second, social relationships and support networks, included family support, peer bonds, mentorship, and community engagement. The third, cultural competence and diversity adaptation, reflected intercultural sensitivity, inclusivity, and strategies for balancing heritage with adaptation. The fourth, skills and future readiness, highlighted educational engagement, career planning, life skills, creativity, leadership, and health behaviors. Illustrative quotations demonstrated how youth integrated internal and external assets to foster resilience, belonging, and thriving. Conclusion: The findings affirm the universality of developmental assets while underscoring their cultural variability in multicultural contexts. By situating PYD within diverse environments, this study highlights the interplay of identity, relationships, cultural co…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Positive Youth Development
  topic: keywords
subject: Multicultural Contexts
  topic: keywords
subject: Developmental Assets
  topic: keywords
subject: Identity Formation
  topic: keywords
subject: Resilience
  topic: keywords
creator: Nadereh Saadati
creator: Necati Çobanoglu
creator: Olga Coelho
creator: Seyed Amir Saadati
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Nadereh Saadati, Necati Çobanoglu, Olga Coelho (Author); Seyed Amir Saadati (Corresponding Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2025-10-01
publication date: 2025-10-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 10
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.4496

Exploring the Role of Peer Collaboration in Enhancing Adolescent Motivation to Learn
type: item
description: Objective: The objective of this study was to explore how peer collaboration contributes to enhancing motivation to learn among adolescents in Malaysian secondary schools. Methods and Materials: This research employed a qualitative design with an exploratory approach to capture adolescents’ lived experiences of peer collaboration. A total of 29 participants (15 females and 14 males) aged 13–17 years were recruited using purposive sampling to ensure diversity in academic performance and background. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews guided by open-ended questions on peer interactions, motivational influences, challenges, and facilitators of collaboration. Interviews were conducted face-to-face and online, lasting between 45 and 60 minutes each, until theoretical saturation was reached. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using NVivo 14 software, following iterative cycles of coding, categorization, and theme development. Findings: Analysis revealed four major themes with multiple subthemes. First, peer collaboration practices included group study sessions, peer tutoring, collaborative projects, informal peer discussions, online collaboration, and peer feedback exchange. Second, motivational outcomes of collaboration involved increased engagement, sense of responsibility, confidence building, academic persistence, and emotional support. Third, challenges to peer collaboration were identified as unequal participation, conflicting personalities, time management difficulties, distractive interactions, misinformation, language barriers, and motivational gaps. Finally, facilitators of effective peer learning included teacher support, structured grouping, collaboration skill training, technological tools, positive peer norms, and institutional support. Participants’ narratives highlighted both the empowering and constraining aspects of peer collaboration in shaping motivation. Conclusion: The study concludes that peer colla…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Peer collaboration
  topic: keywords
subject: Adolescent motivation
  topic: keywords
subject: Qualitative research
  topic: keywords
subject: Peer-assisted learning
  topic: keywords
creator: Ye Mu
creator: Pei-Yin Shin
creator: Qi Shen
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Ye Mu (Author); Pei-Yin Shin (Corresponding Author); Qi Shen (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2025-10-01
publication date: 2025-10-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 11
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.4495

An Analysis of Nigerian TVET Graduates' Career Decision Self-Efficacy
type: item
description: Objective: This study examined the degree of career decision self efficacy among recent graduates of technical vocational education and training in Nigeria. The aim was to understand how these graduates perceive their ability to make informed career choices, and to determine whether demographic characteristics predict their levels of self efficacy. Methods and Materials: The study employed a quantitative survey design involving three hundred and fifty recent graduates from the southeast region of Nigeria. A purposive sampling approach ensured representation across different technical vocational education programs, genders, ages and marital statuses. Data were gathered using the Career Decision Self Efficacy Scale Short Form, which contains twenty five items rated on a five point Likert scale. Regression analysis was used to examine the predictive influence of demographic variables. Findings: The results indicated that graduates displayed a high level of career decision self efficacy. The regression model showed that demographic characteristics significantly predicted self efficacy outcomes. Graduates with stronger academic achievement and those enrolled in more relevant technical vocational education programs reported higher levels of self efficacy. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for policymakers, counsellors and educators to strengthen targeted interventions that support career planning and transition for technical vocational education graduates. Enhanced guidance programmes may further improve graduates’ confidence and readiness for labour market entry. This study provides empirical insight into the career decision competence of technical vocational education graduates in Nigeria, contributing evidence that can inform national strategies for improving career development support within the sector.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Career decision self-efficacy
  topic: keywords
subject: career transition
  topic: keywords
subject: TVET graduates
  topic: keywords
subject: counsellors
  topic: keywords
subject: educators
  topic: keywords
subject: career coaching
  topic: keywords
subject: Nigeria
  topic: keywords
subject: Africa
  topic: keywords
creator: Mkpoikanke Otu
creator: Maximus Monaheng Sefotho
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Mkpoikanke Otu (Corresponding Author); Maximus Monaheng Sefotho (Author)
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 1
ending page: 13
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.4453

Leveraging Mobile Therapy Systems for Competitive Advantage in Depression Treatment Among Mental Health Counsellors in Enugu State, Nigeria
type: item
description: Depression remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to mental health care is limited. Mobile Therapy Systems (MTS) offer an innovative approach to addressing these challenges. This study examined the use, effectiveness, and challenges associated with MTS for depression treatment among mental health counsellors in Enugu State, Nigeria. Using a binomial test, data were analyzed from 34 counsellors to identify patterns in MTS adoption, preferred features, and barriers to usage. The findings revealed that 70.6% of counsellors reported using MTS, with occasional use being the most common (58.8%). Social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook were the most utilized, while features such as cognitive-behavioral therapy modules and data privacy were rated as essential. Customization of MTS to local contexts and cultural needs was deemed "very important" by 73.5% of respondents. Despite its potential, counsellors identified technical issues, high costs, and limited client acceptance as significant barriers to MTS adoption. This study highlights the importance of user-friendly, affordable, and culturally adaptive MTS platforms in expanding access to mental health care. Recommendations include improving digital infrastructure, providing targeted training for counsellors, and fostering public awareness to enhance client acceptance. The findings offer actionable insights for optimizing MTS implementation in resource-limited settings, contributing to the broader discourse on digital health innovations in mental health care.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
creator: Mkpoikanke Otu
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Mkpoikanke Otu (Corresponding Author)
date: 2026-01-01
publication date: 2026-01-01
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.4452

Exploring Components of Intergenerational Transmission of Stress in Adolescents
type: item
description: Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the components and mechanisms through which stress is transmitted across generations within families and how adolescents experience and respond to these dynamics. Methods and Materials: This study employed a qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews to capture adolescents’ lived experiences of intergenerational stress. A purposive sample of 18 adolescents, aged 13–18 years, was recruited from diverse socio-economic and family backgrounds in Ireland. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Interviews lasted between 45 and 60 minutes, were audio-recorded with informed consent, and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 14 software, following a systematic coding process that progressed from open codes to subthemes and broader categories. Credibility was enhanced through peer debriefing and member checking. Findings: Three overarching themes emerged from the analysis. The first, family stress dynamics, captured the spillover of parental work stress, marital conflict, and parental coping strategies into the home environment, shaping parenting practices and communication patterns. The second, adolescent responses to stress, included emotional reactions such as anxiety, sadness, and guilt, as well as behavioral outcomes including withdrawal, academic decline, risky peer relationships, and health complaints. The third, transmission pathways and protective factors, highlighted observational learning, role reversal, and cultural narratives as mechanisms of stress transfer, while also identifying personal resilience, external supports, and family warmth as protective buffers. Adolescents’ voices emphasized both the risks of internalizing parental stress and the potential for resilience-building interventions. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that intergenerational transmission of stress is a multifaceted process shaped by family functioning, commun…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Intergenerational stress
  topic: keywords
subject: adolescents
  topic: keywords
subject: family functioning
  topic: keywords
subject: resilience
  topic: keywords
subject: coping
  topic: keywords
creator: Armin Khadem Fini
creator: Seyed Milad Saadati
creator: Sergii Boltivets
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Armin Khadem Fini (Author); Seyed Milad Saadati (Corresponding Author); Sergii Boltivets (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2025-10-01
publication date: 2025-10-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 10
doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.4437