Abstract Book of the Global Conference on Psychology
The Abstract Books of The Global Conference on Psychology (psychologyconf) include peer-reviewed papers from the Global Conference on Psychology. Conference Abstract Books are intended to share knowledge in the field of Psychology. Learn more about the Global Conference on Psychology
Ideals and Reality: Cynicism Towards Diversity Discourse in US College Campuses
Student-run media offers a unique window into the evolving mindsets of future leaders and the sociocultural climate on college campuses. This research applies state-of-the-art embedding-based text analysis to student opinion articles from eight leading U.S. universities from 2010 to 2024, tracing shifts in sentiment and cynicism alongside changes in the diversity of discourse. Using a novel combination of sentiment analysis, semantic vector embeddings, lexicon-based scoring, and large language model classification grounded in Moral Foundations Theory, we detect a significant rise in cynical tone and negativity over time, alongside a measurable decline in the diversity of viewpoints within campus discourse. Our findings suggest that student writing has become increasingly homogenized and skeptical of institutional authority, reflecting broader undercurrents of eroding institutional trust and changing values. We discuss how correlating these linguistic trends with current events provides insight into potential drivers of sentiment shifts across colleges. This interdisciplinary study highlights how AI techniques can uncover hidden campus dynamics in text by bridging computational analytics with insights from psychology, sociology, and political science. Our results demonstrate a novel approach for technologists, educators, and policy professionals to monitor public trust, civic attitudes, and the health of discourse within institutions.
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Difficult-to-Treat Depression: integrated clinical approaches with Multifamily Therapy and SADAR-guided reflective practice
Background. Difficult-to-Treat Depression (DTD) is increasingly recognised as distinct from Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). Whereas TRD is defined primarily by non-response to adequately dosed and timed treatments (EMA Guideline Rev.3. 2025), DTD denotes depression that continues to impose substantial burden on patients and families and to engage healthcare services despite usual therapeutic efforts. It highlights the disorder’s multidimensional complexity, clinical, functional, relational, and organizational in a less stigmatising and more clinically relevant frame ((McAllister-Williams et al., 2020); (Rush et al., 2022); (Paganin, 2023) (Demyttenaere et al., 2024). Early recognition enables more personalised and effective care and may reduce stigma. Within this framework we propose the SADAR 3–2–1 method as an innovative post-group reflective tool embedded in Multifamily Therapy (MFT), complementing individual treatments and family support. Summary • DTD vs TRD: shift from a pharmacological-resistance focus to a comprehensive management paradigm (Parker, 2024) . • Multifamily Therapy (MFT): promotes shared reflection between patients and families, reduces isolation, discrimination and stereotypes, and strengthens the therapeutic alliance (Badaracco, 2025); (Sempere & Fuenzalida, 2024); (Paganin, 2024). • SADAR method: post-group reflective device structured as 3 resonances (clinical, familial, social), 2 risks of single-perspective readings (e.g., blame, over-medicalisation), and 1 observable next step. SADAR connects clinical practice, ethics, and research by transforming reflective material into observable longitudinal data. Positioning of SADAR. SADAR is not a patient or family-facing intervention; it is a clinician reflective device used after MFT sessions to discipline metacognitive analysis, reduce confirmation bias, and orient the subsequent clinical step, remaining outside the patient–therapist dyad and preserving the ethical frame. Research implications. The 3–2–1 formalisation can generate longitudinal narrative archives (resonances, risks, actions) indexed by session/group, amenable to qualitative and quantitative analysis. This enables process-oriented anti-stigma research (language trajectories, shared mentalisation, markers of stigma reduction and alliance improvement) and supports auditability and supervision (Earnshaw et al., 2022); (Lalk et al., 2024). Conclusion. DTD requires a paradigm shift from resistance to complexity. MFT offers a socio-clinical intervention against stigma, while SADAR strengthens reflective practice and bridges clinical work, ethics, and research. Integrating DTD, MFT, and SADAR underscores the need for multidimensional strategies in managing difficult depression, enhancing mentalisation, fostering resilience, reducing stigma, and opening new avenues for process research.
By Their Fruits You Will Know Them: Spiritual Narcissism and the Ambivalence of the Numinous
In recent decades, spiritual narcissism has emerged as a widespread phenomenon across both traditional religious frameworks and contemporary neo-spiritual milieus. This paper examines how spiritual discourse and practice may function as a vehicle for ego inflation when rooted in unmetabolized narcissistic vulnerability. The consequences are structurally significant: for the subject, chronic reliance on idealized self-representations, splitting, and relational instability; for those in proximity, experiences of instrumentalization, abrupt devaluation, and epistemic rupture regarding the sacred. Central to this dynamic is the numinous experience — Rudolf Otto’s “mysterium tremendum et fascinans” — an archetypal encounter marked by awe, terror, and non-ordinary perception. In an integrated psyche, such experiences may foster symbolic capacity and ethical openness. However, when processed through a fragmented self-structure, the numinous is unconsciously co-opted as a defense: states of unity, revelation, or transcendence are reinterpreted as evidence of exceptional status, while relational others are subjected to cycles of idealization and discard. The paper analyzes this mechanism through the lens of psychoanalytic theory (Jung, Kernberg, Bion), emphasizing the role of archetypal projection, splitting, and the transformation of transcendence into a narcissistic screen. It argues that spiritual narcissism does not signify a failure of faith, but rather a “pathological appropriation of the transcendent to stabilize a precarious ego” The numinous, in this context, reveals its inherent ambivalence: it can open the psyche to mystery — or enclose it within a theater of omnipotence.
A Systems Simulation Model of Long-Term Memory Distortion in Bilingual and Cultural Contexts
The Foreign Language Effect (FLE) has been associated with reduced emotional resonance and fewer distortions during recall, but research has largely focused on short-term memory and narrow language contexts. Distortions in long-term memory arise instead from dynamic interactions among linguistic processing, misinformation, social environments, cultural frameworks, physiological states, and developmental stage. This study introduces a large-scale system dynamics model, supported by meta-analytic evidence, to examine how bilingualism and language switching shape long-term distortion over periods ranging from a single day to sixty years. The model incorporates stocks for memory content, distortion accumulation, schema stability, emotional arousal, physiological resilience, and layered social influence, with flows representing encoding, misinformation uptake, correction, and schema updating. Subsystems capture linguistic structure and switching, schema-guided processing, cognitive biases, physiology, cultural authority, and age of acquisition. Simulations indicate that while FLE initially reduces emotionally driven distortion, its effect diminishes over decades as misinformation exposure, cultural narratives, and physiological capacity exert stronger influence. Counterintuitively, frequent switching between structurally distant languages reduced distortion more than monolingual recall, and adolescent memories emerged as more vulnerable to distortion than childhood ones. The framework challenges prevailing assumptions about memory fragility and highlights potential pathways for intervention through bilingual education, culturally responsive media literacy, and forensic practice.
The Limitations of the Western Medical Model and an Introduction of Eastern (Vedic) Psychological Approaches
Psychiatry and the DSM have been the gold standard in Mental Health treatment globally. For India, it was a dominating force which paved the path for the British Raj, India’s colonial past. Psychiatrist George Engel posited that all cultural theories of the mind constitute equally legitimate frameworks that potentially advance understanding of the human condition. However, through nationalistic, religious and political motives, the Western world, viewing indigenous people as primitive and inferior, enforced Western health practices. Through imperial channels, the Western Medical Model and Euro-American psychological theories entered India’s healthcare provision, largely disregarding the profound cultural and religious insights of the Vedas, which underlie Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). Here, I examine the scientific and cultural limitations of the Western mental health approach, as well as its problematic historical trajectory in India. I review the literature and practices of the Eastern (Vedic) psychological model as viable complementary frameworks and analyse efforts to broaden the discipline through the decolonisation of psychology and the Indianization of psychiatry. This literature review provides the foundation for doctoral research on the perspectives and practices of the Eastern (Vedic) approach, with the aim of fostering cultural integration within clinical practice.
Value-Driven Vulnerability: Personal Values and Choice Overload in Online Dating
This study explores the phenomena of choice overload in the context of online dating. Specifically, we investigate the influence of underlying personal values on decisionmaking tendencies when exposed to many options. Two hundred and seventy three participants completed items assessing a range of personally-held values, ranging from more self-focused (e.g., achievement, hedonism) to more other-focused (e.g., conformity, benevolence). Participants were randomly assigned to select one online dating profile amongst a large set vs. a small set, before reporting their choice-related stress. Fitting previous choice overload research, individuals who selected from a large choice set reported greater stress than those who selected from a small choice set. When selecting from the large set, individuals who were high in social-focused values reported greater choice-related stress than did those who were 1) low in social-focused values choosing from the large choice set and 2) high in social-focused values choosing from the small set. For individuals with modest social goals, condition did not predict choice-related stress. Notably, further analyses revealed a three-way interaction between personal values, social values, and condition on choice-related stress. The findings suggest that individuals whose values prioritize others’ needs ahead of their personal objectives were more likely to experience choice-related stress when exposed to the large set. The findings indicate that social goals and traditional beliefs influence individual decision-making tendencies and experiences in situations of choice overload.
Psychological Capital Formation Through Emotional Labor: A Positive Organizational Behavior Perspective
While emotional labor research has predominantly focused on negative outcomes such as burnout and exhaustion, emerging positive organizational behavior perspectives suggest that workplace challenges may catalyze psychological growth under appropriate conditions. This presentation introduces the Emotional Labor-Psychological Capital-Yarigai (EPY) Formation Model, integrating emotional labor theory (Hochschild, 1983), psychological capital theory (Luthans et al., 2007), and the Japanese concept of yarigai (work meaningfulness through challenge).Based on 25 years of aviation industry experience and systematic theoretical integration, the EPY model depicts a six-stage developmental process whereby emotional labor demands can foster psychological capital (self-efficacy, hope, optimism, resilience) when supported by organizational and social conditions. The model explicates specific formation mechanisms: mastery experiences building self-efficacy, goal pursuit developing hope, positive reframing cultivating optimism, and stress-recovery cycles strengthening resilience. Incorporating yarigai enriches understanding of how individuals derive meaning from successfully navigating demanding work.The model generates six testable propositions identifying moderating factors—organizational support, leadership quality, team dynamics, individual characteristics—that determine whether emotional labor experiences lead to resource development or depletion. Practical implications address training program design, organizational infrastructure development, and individual coping strategy cultivation. While requiring empirical validation, this theoretical integration demonstrates how challenging service work can contribute to both individual flourishing and organizational sustainability.
Systematic Literature Review: Psychosocial Factors as Predictors of Risky Driving Behaviour and Involvement in Road Accidents among Romanian Drivers
This systematic review synthesises international research (2010–2024) on psychosocial determinants of risky driving and accident involvement, with an emphasis on personality traits, cognitive–emotional regulation, risk perception, and social influences. Given that road traffic accidents remain a leading cause of injury and mortality worldwide, understanding the underlying psychological and social mechanisms is of paramount importance for prevention and policy development. The review adopted a comprehensive bibliometric and narrative approach, screening peer-reviewed articles across multiple databases and including studies that focused on individual differences and social-contextual variables related to risky driving. The bibliometric analysis highlights sensation seeking, impulsivity, attitudes, and peer pressure as central predictors consistently identified across diverse cultural settings. Cognitive emotion regulation strategies and distorted risk perception also emerged as significant factors that mediate or exacerbate risky behaviours behind the wheel. However, the predominance of cross-sectional, self-reported data and the limited consideration of contextual moderators (such as infrastructure, enforcement, and cultural norms) indicate important methodological shortcomings. These constraints restrict the generalisability of findings and call for more longitudinal, experimental, and cross-cultural designs. While the reviewed evidence provides valuable insights, its direct applicability to Romania remains limited. The country’s distinctive cultural, infrastructural, and socio-economic conditions underscore the urgent need for context-specific investigations. Addressing this gap could advance both theoretical models and practical interventions, contributing to evidence-based road safety policies and psychological assessment frameworks tailored to high-risk driver populations.
Physical Self-Concept Across Culture, Gender, and Sport Level
Physical self-concept is central to how athletes perceive their abilities, appearance, and body image, and it is shaped by both personal experiences and broader cultural values. This study examined the psychometric validity of the short form of the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ-S) in Indian and Polish athletes. A total of 1,212 athletes (596 from Poland, 616 from India) across recreational and elite sport levels participated. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the 11-factor structure with strong internal reliability. Measurement invariance testing confirmed configural, metric, scalar, and strict invariance across gender, age, and sport type, with partial equivalence across countries, indicating robust cross-group applicability. No significant gender effects were found, suggesting cultural mediation of body ideals. Elite athletes scored higher on endurance, strength, and sport competence, though cultural differences emerged: Polish elite athletes emphasized performance-related domains, while Indian elite athletes stressed health and coordination dimensions. Significant cross-national differences were observed across all domains, suggesting that cultural values play a central role in shaping athletes’ physical self-concept. In Poland, sport participation is strongly tied to structured training and achievement orientation, whereas in India, body perceptions may be more deeply connected to collective identity, body maintenance, and holistic health values. Overall, findings support the PSDQ-S as a valid tool for cross-cultural sport psychology research and highlight the importance of considering cultural context when examining athletes’ physical self-concept.
Linking Personality and Values: HEXACO Traits and the Schwartz Framework in Cross Cultural Contexts
Personality traits and personal values represent fundamental dimensions for understanding individual differences in motivation, behavior, and adaptation. The HEXACO model, which extends the Big Five by including Honesty–Humility, has shown robust predictive value for prosociality, organizational behavior, and well-being. In parallel, Schwartz’s theory of basic human values identifies universal motivational principles structured around self-transcendence versus self-enhancement and openness to change versus conservation. Literature consistently highlights convergences between the two frameworks: Honesty– Humility and Agreeableness align with benevolence and universalism, Conscientiousness relates to conformity and security, while Openness to Experience predicts self-direction and stimulation. Yet, findings vary across cultural contexts, methodologies, and populations, suggesting that personality and values offer complementary but distinct contributions to psychological health and organizational functioning. Despite strong meta-analytic support, research gaps remain regarding longitudinal designs, measurement invariance, and Eastern European populations, particularly within diasporic settings. This literature review synthesizes current evidence on the HEXACO–Schwartz binomial and positions it as a crucial integrative framework for advancing research on wellbeing, organizational outcomes, and intercultural adaptation, providing the theoretical foundation for my doctoral research project entitled “HEXACO Personality Traits, Personal Values, and Work–Life Balance among Romanians in the Country and the Diaspora (Germany, France, United Kingdom): Forgiveness as a Value and Psychological Mechanism in Organizational Well-Being and Mental Health.”
Discourse analysis of the Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant accident: theoretical considerations 14 years after the disaster
The Fukushima No.1 Nuclear Power Plant accident on 11 March 2011 caused massive environmental contamination by radioactive materials. It has had significant impact on the lives of people. It is said no one was exposed to doses high enough to cause acute health damage by radiation exposure. However, there are concerns about late effects of low-dose exposure. Many cases of childhood thyroid cancer, which was said to be extremely rare before the accident, have been reported by health surveys of people in Fukushima Prefecture. Government authorities and mainstream scientists state that this is an overdiagnosis due to the screening effect and that the number of childhood thyroid cancer patients is not actually increasing. It is difficult for non-experts to know ‘the truth’ on highly specialized scientific issues such as this on their own. It is especially difficult when the information needed to make a judgement is limited under severe power relations. Discourse analysis of texts describing these issues opens the possibility to scrutinize what is being done in the texts, by whom and how, and to whom and what the reality constituted therein bring about to who reads them. Now, geopolitical factors such as the war in Ukraine and political-military tensions in East Asia, as well as the need to combat global warming, tend to revitalize nuclear power generation, and to neglect the lessons learned from the accident. Fourteen years after the disaster, the theoretical significance of examining this issue by discourse analysis will be discussed.
Progress, but in the Wrong Direction? A Critique of Research Trends in Occupational Health Psychology
Occupational health psychology is concerned with all aspects of work-related well-being, including forms, determinants, prevention, and interventions. Research in this field has advanced substantially in past decades, using increasingly sophisticated data and statistical methods, employing an expanding range of differentiated constructs, and building connections with adjacent disciplines of work and organizational psychology, organizational behavior, and human resource management. From an emerging critical perspective, however, this “progress” has gone at least partly in the wrong direction. Based on a narrative review of the literature, three research trends are identified that threaten to shift or dilute the perspective of occupational health psychology, counteracting the goal of improving conditions, health, and wellbeing of working people in general. These are the growing focus on positive concepts, such as work engagement, thriving, flourishing, and resilience; the prioritization of organizationally desirable outcomes of productivity and performance; and emphasizing the proactive role of individuals in interacting with and shaping their work environments in constructs such as job crafting. Combined, trends of positivity, productivity, and proactivity distract from the predominantly health-impairing effects of work for the majority, build up normative pressure to find meaning at work, devaluate occupational health as a stand-alone goal independent from economic benefits, and shift the responsibility for improving working conditions to individuals. Involuntarily, this discriminates against vulnerable and marginalized groups. This contribution is a call for critical reflexivity in engaging with these developments, emanating from adjacent fields, to strengthen the unique perspective of occupational health psychology, recommendations for which are developed and discussed.
Psychological Resilience and Driving Behavior: A PRISMA-Guided Systematic Review and Bibliometric Synthesis (2002–2025)
The present systematically literature review synthesizes findings from 221 peer-reviewed articles indexed in the Web of Science Core database to examine how resilience, along with its cognitive, emotional, and dispositional correlates, influences driving behavior. Building on the broader doctoral project that investigates resilience as a moderator between emotional attachment and driving styles, this study focused specifically on resilience–driving relations. Bibliometric mapping with VOSviewer highlighted seven thematic clusters linking resilience to risky driving, emotional regulation, stress adaptation, neurobiological mechanisms, occupational spillover, developmental antecedents, and individual differences. Findings consistently suggest that resilience functions as a protective factor in driving contexts (Gras, 2016). Resilient drivers display enhanced emotional regulation, lower aggressiveness, and better adaptation to stressors, whether age-related, occupational, or situational. Among young drivers, resilience mitigates impulsivity and risky behaviors; in older drivers, it supports adaptive self-regulation and reduces negative outcomes of driving cessation(Renée M. St. Louis, 2022). Military and professional driver studies further confirm that higher resilience correlates with discipline, reduced violations, and safer performance (Rosenbloom T., 2016). Despite limitations such as reliance on self-report data and predominantly cross-sectional designs, the evidence points to resilience as a key psychological resource for traffic safety. Practical implications include the integration of resilience-building programs - emotional coping training, mindfulness, and psycho-educational interventions - into driver education and public safety strategies.
The Relationship between Stress, Eco-Anxiety, Religiosity, and Spirituality in Ukraine: A Study of Mental Models
The full-scale war in Ukraine poses a threat not only to human life but also to the environment, leading to increased anxiety among the population, which interacts with their religious and spiritual beliefs. However, qualitative studies examining the relationship between stress, eco-anxiety, and religious-spiritual beliefs remain limited, particularly in the unique Ukrainian context. A study of mental models among Ukrainian women (N=10), one of the vulnerable population groups, revealed an inversion of stress priorities under conditions of war. It was found that intense stress induced by social injustice ("social betrayal") and loss of internal control and quality of life may exceed the fear of physical death. Traumatic stress related to war dominates over experiences of eco-anxiety (rendering it a "deferred risk"), yet both types of stress are clearly distinguished by Ukrainian women. Religious and spiritual beliefs are used instrumentally: Atheism/Agnosticism may foster radical personal responsibility, removing religious constraints, while also being perceived as more oppressive. Esotericism/Karma/Fatalism can facilitate fatalistic acceptance and convert potential feelings of helplessness into a "Cascading Effect" - a belief that small actions can influence broader systemic contexts. Thus, the study provides a unique empirical basis for the development of targeted psychological interventions that take into account the hierarchy of stress components, the particularities of experiencing eco-anxiety, and the use of religious and spiritual beliefs as a resilience resource under conditions of chronic trauma and environmental threat.
Same-Sex Couples’ Lived Experience in Malaysia
In Malaysia, same-sex relationships are legally and culturally unaccepted, leading to discrimination and stigma. While previous studies focused on individual challenges, this paper addresses the gap by exploring the lived experiences, challenges, and management strategies of same-sex couples in Malaysia. Six participants - two females and four males - were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Participants were interviewed one-to-one with semistructured questions. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data and 15 themes were found. These 15 themes can be categorised into ‘Challenges’ and ‘Management’. The themes under ‘Challenges’ are (i) couple challenges, (ii) coming out to parents, (iii) siblings’ acceptance and support + younger generation’s acceptance, (iv) conflicting religious views, (v) importance of mother’s acceptance in coming out process, (vi) being questioned for failing to meet societal expectations, (vii) effects of religion, (viii) the unchanging nature of the law, (ix) undesiring of marriage, (x) country’s increasing non-acceptance of LGBTQ+ culture and (xi) being judged negatively in public. The themes under ‘Management’ are (xii) being sensitive based on parents’ readiness, (xiii) concealing same-sex relationship identity, (xiv) privacy on social media and (xv) living separately. The study’s implications include raising awareness to reduce stigma against same-sex couples in Malaysia, offering mental health practitioners insights for better support, and validating the challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face, as well as providing guidance on navigating same-sex relationships in the country.
Well-being and Coping Strategies Among Navigators in Relation to Occupational Burnout – Systematic Literature Review
The maritime sector is a professional field with high exposure to psychosocial stress factors, which can significantly influence psychological well-being and can lead, over time, to the development of occupational burnout, both because of the isolated and unpredictable work environment and as a result of the complex responsibilities associated with operating maritime vessels (Carotenuto et al., 2022). Isolated working conditions, long hours, lack of social contact, especially with family, and the permanent risks associated with the maritime environment contribute to an increased risk of burnout among this professional group (Oldenburg et al., 2019). Given these issues, analyzing the relationship between the coping strategies adopted by seafarers, their level of burnout, and their well-being has become and continues to be an increasingly important topic in contemporary research, as it is associated with professional performance, workplace safety, and staff retention (Brooks et al., 2022). In the literature, occupational burnout is recognized as a negative reaction to chronic professional stress, manifesting itself through emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased personal accomplishment (Maslach & Jackson, 1981). In maritime professional environments, this phenomenon is accentuated by factors such as distance from family, lack of privacy, and work–life conflict (Carotenuto et al., 2022). The model proposed by Ryff (1989) reflects a set of characteristics that contribute to the optimal functioning of the individual, including: autonomy, positive relationships, purpose in life, and personal growth. In difficult occupational conditions, such as those in navigation, maintaining a state of well-being can be an essential protective factor for mental health (Diener et al., 2018). In this sense, coping strategies—defined as cognitive and behavioral mechanisms used by individuals to deal with stressors—play an essential role in regulating the negative impact of occupational stress on well-being (Folkman, 2013).
How Cognitively Distorted Thinking and Patriarchal Belief Influence Victim Blaming Among Japanese Males?
Sex violence against women is a serious global issue. Although there is a considerable amount of research on sex crimes against women in Western countries, there is a scarcity of knowledge on the issue in Japan. Given low reporting rates, little remains known about those who perpetrate these crimes in Japan. Thus, it is vital to identify risk factors for sexual violence to prevent it before it occurs. In Western countries, individual characteristics such as cognitive distortions about women and children and cultural risk factors such as patriarchal beliefs have been linked to increased risk for sexual violence perpetration. However, to date, no research has examined how these variables may be linked to perceptions of sex crimes against women in Japan. This study examined the relationship between cognitive distortions, patriarchal beliefs and rape myth acceptance in a sample of 234 Japanese men recruited through an online survey platform. Significant positive relationships were found between the endorsements of cognitive distortions toward women, patriarchal beliefs and perceptions of rape myths. Additionally, no significant relationship was found between age, beliefs of patriarchal ideas, cognitive distortion, and rape myths acceptance. There was also found no significant association between employment status and rape myth acceptance. Overall, this study suggests that similar to Western societies, individual and societal beliefs and values which promote incorrect or inequal beliefs about women can increase rape myth beliefs among a sample of Japanese men. These findings are discussed as they pertain to the primary prevention of sexual violence in Japan.
Driving Change: Virtual Reality as a Tool to Reduce Aggressive Driving Among Young Drivers
Aggressive driving among young drivers is a significant public health and social concern, contributing to road accidents, interpersonal conflicts, and psychological stress. Age-related impulsivity, underdeveloped emotional regulation skills, and limited driving experience make young drivers particularly vulnerable to aggressive responses in traffic. Traditional educational and therapeutic approaches have shown limited effectiveness in reducing such behaviours, highlighting the need for innovative and engaging solutions. This literature review examines the potential of Virtual Reality (VR) as an educational and psychological intervention tool for reducing aggressive driving behaviours among young drivers. VR offers immersive, safe, and controlled environments that realistically simulate complex traffic scenarios, providing a safe and controlled environment for training. Within these virtual contexts, individuals can practice emotional self-regulation, test alternative behavioural responses, and develop adaptive coping strategies without the risks associated with real-world driving. Findings from existing studies indicate that VR-based interventions enhance drivers’ emotional awareness, improve regulatory capacities, and reduce impulsivity and aggression while driving. Moreover, VR facilitates active and experiential learning processes, bridging the gap between theoretical education and practical skill development. The adaptability of VR technology enables personalised interventions tailored to individual psychological profiles, thereby further enhancing its effectiveness. VR represents a promising tool for transforming road safety education and behavioural interventions for young drivers. By integrating psychological principles with technological innovation, VR-based programs offer a novel approach to reducing aggressive driving and fostering safer, more responsible driving behaviour.
The importance of the human factor in decision-making in rail transport
The human factor is a central element in ensuring safety and efficiency in railway transport, as decisions made under pressure may lead to critical consequences. In the current context, where railway systems are becoming increasingly complex, understanding the cognitive mechanisms underlying professional judgment is essential. While the literature provides extensive analyses of the technical dimensions of safety, there is still a significant gap regarding the systematic study of cognitive biases in decision-making, particularly the Dunning-Kruger effect. This bias reflects the tendency of individuals with low competence to overestimate their abilities, a phenomenon with direct implications for compliance with procedures and prevention of operational errors. The present paper explores the role of the human factor in railway decision-making through a systematic literature review of scientific databases (Scopus, Web of Science). Findings indicate that overconfidence, associated with the Dunning-Kruger effect, contributes to unsafe decisions, whereas training focused on cognitive awareness and metacognitive skill development improves both performance and safety. Integrating psychological assessment and training programs into organizational practices may strengthen decision-making resilience and reduce safety-related risks.
Cultural Adaptation of Non-Resident College Students in Delhi, India
Cultural adaptation is a vital concern for migrant students, as the process of relocation disrupts daily functioning and significantly impacts psychological and social well-being. Non-resident college students in India often experience challenges related toseparation from familial support, management of financial resources, and adjustment to new linguistic, cultural, and urban environments. Using Berry’s (1992) acculturation theory, the paper explores the cultural adaptation experiences of non-resident college students in Delhi. Directed content analysis was used to elucidate key patterns in the participant’s narratives, gathered by means of semi-structured interviews (n = 50). Findings indicate that despite pervasive challenges such as homesickness, financial constraints, and social isolation. Gendered coping differences emerged, with females emphasizing emotional resilience and peer support networks, whereas male focused more on pragmatic engagement with academic and urban stressors. Regional distinctions were observed, as southern Indian students reported greater initial cultural dissonance than northern peers, yet relied on micro-adaptive behaviours such as preservation of ethnic practices and the cultivation of peer alliances to enhance resilience. Structural barriers including limited transportation, environmental pollution, and restricted healthcare access further complicated cultural adaptation. The findings extend acculturation theory by incorporating gender and regional specificity into the urban Indian educational context, emphasizing the interaction between individual agency and socio-structural factors. Recommendations include the development of culturally sensitive institutional policies and targeted support mechanisms that better accommodate the heterogeneous needs of non-resident students.
Training Drivers’ Risk Anticipation Behavior Through Virtual Reality: Psychological Mechanisms and Road Safety Implications
Road traffic accidents remain a major public health concern, with human error accounting for the majority of crashes (World Health Organization, 2018). One of the most effective protective mechanisms identified in traffic psychology is drivers’ ability to anticipate potential hazards before they materialize (Horswill & McKenna, 2004). Traditional driver training often emphasizes technical skills, yet risk anticipation is a cognitive process requiring targeted interventions. Recent advances in virtual reality (VR) technology provide an innovative platform for simulating high-risk traffic scenarios in a safe and controlled environment. The aim of this study is to explore how VR-based training programs can enhance drivers’ anticipatory behavior, thereby improving hazard perception and reducing accident risk. VR environments allow repeated exposure to hazardous situations without real-world consequences, supporting experiential learning and strengthening cognitive preparedness (Fisher et al., 2011). Moreover, VR systems can adapt to individual skill levels, providing personalized feedback that promotes self-regulation and risk awareness. Evidence from prior studies suggests that immersive simulations significantly improve hazard perception compared to conventional classroom or video-based training (Underwood, Crundall, & Chapman, 2011). By integrating psychological theories of attention and situational awareness with VR technology, this research seeks to establish a framework for risk anticipation training tailored to drivers in Romania and beyond. The findings are expected to inform both educational practices and public policy, emphasizing the role of emerging technologies in road safety.
Workplace Autonomy and Affective Commitment: Psychological Mechanisms Linking Job Satisfaction and Organizational Loyalty
The present research explores the relationship between workplace autonomy and employees’ emotional commitment within Romanian organizations, highlighting the role of job satisfaction as a mediating factor. In the Romanian socio-cultural context, where collectivist tendencies often prioritize compliance and collaboration over individual decision-making, autonomy at work has been less frequently studied. This study aimed to investigate whether granting employees greater freedom in task execution and decision-making strengthens their emotional attachment to the organization. A quantitative correlational design was employed, with a sample of 215 employees from public and private institutions across several Romanian cities, representing diverse professional sectors. Data were collected through validated instruments measuring workplace autonomy, emotional commitment, and job satisfaction, with strong reliability indices (Cronbach’s α > .80). Results indicated a significant positive correlation between autonomy and emotional commitment (r = .521, p < .01), as well as between autonomy and job satisfaction (r = .401, p < .01). Regression analyses demonstrated that autonomy at work is a significant predictor of emotional commitment, explaining 27.4% of its variance, while job satisfaction further enhanced this relationship, raising the explained variance to 34.1%. The findings suggest that in Romanian organizations, workplace autonomy contributes to stronger emotional bonds between employees and their employers, reinforcing organizational loyalty and reducing turnover intentions. These results underline the importance of managerial strategies that promote independence, decision-making flexibility, and trust in employees’ capacities. By fostering autonomy, Romanian organizations can enhance both psychological well-being and long-term organizational commitment.
Beyond the Superwoman Myth: Maternal Mental Health through a Cognitive-Behavioral Lens
The contemporary female experience is often shaped by unrealistic societal expectations, where women are expected to embody the “superwoman” role—excelling professionally, caring for family, and maintaining personal well-being simultaneously. This cultural idealization contributes to emotional exhaustion, anxiety, depression, and emotional dependence. This paper examines the intersection of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotional Intelligence, and self-care practices as strategies for addressing these challenges. Drawing on evidence-based research, the study highlights how CBT interventions dismantle cognitive distortions, while Emotional Intelligence fosters resilience, empathy, and adaptive decision-making. Findings suggest that integrating CBT and EI significantly improves women’s ability to manage anxiety, depression, and role overload, enabling them to set healthier boundaries and prioritize authentic self-care. The paper concludes by proposing an integrative model that dismantles the “superwoman” myth and reframes women’s mental health within a more compassionate and sustainable paradigm.
Altruism and Social Desirability in Young Adults: Exploring Gender Differences and Relationships
Altruism and social desirability are two fundamental psychosocial constructs that shape interpersonal behavior and self-presentation in young adults. While altruism reflects the intrinsic motivation to help others without expecting personal gain, social desirability captures the tendency to present oneself favourably in social contexts. Studying these constructs in young adults is crucial, as it allows us to examine whether altruistic behavior arises from genuine concern for others or is influenced by social approval. To address this, the present study examined whether a relationship exists between altruism and social desirability, while also assessing overall altruism levels and gender differences in both constructs. A total of 373 participants aged 18–25 years (267 males, 105 females, 1 other) completed standardized self-report measures. Descriptive analysis revealed moderate to low overall altruism (Mean = 31.02, SD = 13.086), indicating substantial individual variability. Gender differences were observed in altruism, with males scoring significantly higher (Mean Rank = 193.86) than females (Mean Rank = 167.78), whereas social desirability showed no significant gender difference (Females Mean Rank = 202.40, Males Mean Rank = 180.25). Correlation analysis indicated no significant association between altruism and social desirability (ρ = .036, p = .494), suggesting that prosocial motivation operates independently of social impression management. These findings underscore the variability of altruistic tendencies in young adults and indicate that altruistic behavior cannot be explained solely by social conformity. Understanding these distinctions can inform interventions aimed at promoting genuine prosocial engagement and contribute to theoretical models differentiating intrinsic altruistic motivation from socially influenced behavior in emerging adults.
Understanding the Cognitive and Social Foundations of Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence Myth Acceptance
Technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) is an increasingly prevalent form of gender-based harm, yet little is known about the cognitive and social underpinnings influencing attitudes toward it. Endorsement of sexual violence myths is associated with greater likelihood, or tolerance, of perpetration and more negative responses to victims, contributing to secondary victimisation and reduced reporting. This study examined whether mechanisms of moral disengagement (MMD), belief in a just world (BJW), general victim-blaming attitudes, and understanding of violence against women (UVAW) predicted TFSV myth acceptance (TFSVMA). A community sample of 144 participants completed validated measures of these constructs. Multiple regression analysis showed that the overall model was significant, F(4, 139) = 27.01, p < .001, explaining 43.7% of the variance in TFSVMA (R² = .437, adjusted R² = .421). As hypothesised, higher levels of MMD (β = .16, p = .036), BJW (β = .14, p = .044), and victim-blaming attitudes (β = .34, p < .001) significantly predicted greater TFSVMA. In contrast, UVAW negatively predicted TFSVMA (β = –.26, p < .001), indicating that greater knowledge and recognition of violence against women was associated with lower myth acceptance. Victim-blaming emerged as the strongest unique predictor. These findings highlight the importance of moral, cognitive, and attitudinal factors in shaping responses to TFSV, and suggest that prevention and educational interventions should target such beliefs to reduce tolerance of TFSV and mitigate secondary victimisation.
Post-traumatic Growth in Young Adults of Kashmir
Region affected by prolonged conflict, such as Kashmir, where trauma is widespread, especially among young adults. This research investigates the interrelationship of basic beliefs with post-trauma growth (PTG) and mental well-being in the young adult population that has lived in a lingering socio-political conflict like Kashmir. The findings from the research insinuated that individuals could actually grow from PTG even with chronic adversity. A quantitative design was employed, using standardized psychological measures. Thus, challenging and reconstructing core beliefs following trauma was positively related to PTG development. Further, PTG was significantly positively related to mental well-being. Importantly, the results indicated that there were no significant differences between males and females developing PTG, wherein males and females are expected to display convergent development courses in the process of meaning-making and psychological adaptations following adversity. Whereas this study says that the development of PTG is deeply contingent on geographical location, wherein social norms, ecological, and socio-political conditions collectively support the system, critically conditioning an individual’s coping process, meaning-making, and psychological adaptations. The finding states that PTG is not merely a stand-alone phenomenon, but rather it is clusters of geographical, cultural, socioeconomical, and psychological contexts. Nevertheless, it creates an enormous critical methodological problem regarding the limitations of using Western-derived assessment tools in non-Western settings. Thus, the need for culturally sensitive measures to accurately assess PTG, core beliefs, and well-being in diverse populations is highlighted.
When Technology Meets Psychology: Age as a Key to Self-Esteem in IoT and Remote Work
The rapid expansion of digital technologies has reshaped everyday experiences, raising important questions regarding their psychological impact. This study investigated the mediating role of age in the relationship between Internet of Things (IoT) use, remote work/online school, and self-esteem, measured with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Cross-sectional data were gathered from Romanian participants across a wide adult age range, reporting daily frequency of IoT engagement and hours spent in remote work or online school. Mediation analyses were conducted using Jamovi (GLM Mediation Model). Results revealed that IoT use exerted a significant negative total effect on self-esteem (β = −0.184, p = .007). This association was explained both indirectly through age (β = −0.059, p = .019) and directly at a marginal level (β = −0.125, p = .058). Higher IoT use was associated with younger age (β = −0.181, p = .008), and younger participants reported lower self-esteem (β = 0.326, p < .001). In contrast, remote work/online school displayed a significant positive total effect on self-esteem (β = 0.142, p = .039), with a marginal indirect path through age (β = 0.044, p = .065). Older individuals reported greater engagement in remote work/online school (β = 0.136, p = .047), and higher age predicted higher self-esteem. These findings emphasize the central role of age in understanding the psychological outcomes of technology use, suggesting that IoT may be a risk factor for diminished self-esteem among younger individuals, whereas remote work and online school may serve as protective factors in older populations.
The role of coping strategies in differentiating levels of posttraumatic growth during wartime among Ukrainian psychologists
The role of psychological resources such as coping strategies in dealing with trauma is an important area of research, particularly within high-stress professional groups like practicing psychologists during wartime. The aim of this study was to examine the interrelations between coping strategies, resilience, self-efficacy, and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among psychologists as well as to identify which psychological factors serve as significant determinants for high versus low levels of PTG. The study utilized a set of psychodiagnostic tools, including the Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI), the Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), the Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-X). The sample consisted of 214 ukrainian practicing psychologists. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statictics, correlation and discriminant analysis. It was found that resilience and self-efficacy are positively correlated with PTG. The coping strategies of cognitive restructuring, emotional expression, social support-seeking, and problem avoidance also showed positive correlations with PTG. Problem-solving coping did not correlate with PTG. Discriminant analysis revealed a significant model capable of distinguishing between high and low PTG profiles. The high-PTG profile was primarily associated with a combination of resilience and coping strategies focused on cognitive restructuring, seeking social support, and problem avoidance, while the low-PTG profile was exclusively linked to a problemsolving orientation. The findings demonstrate that PTG is not a direct result of problemsolving abilities, which may be ineffective especially in the crisis conditions. Problem avoidance strategies could serve as a temporary defensive mechanism to cope with the warrelated trauma.
Investigating the Relationship Between Big Five Personality Traits and Technostress Among Young Adults
The rapid integration of digital technologies has intensified exposure to technostress, a psychological strain arising when individuals feel overwhelmed, invaded, or uncertain by constant technology use. People vary in how they experience it, and personality traits may help explain this variation. This study examines the relationship between the Big Five Personality Traits and five dimensions of technostress: techno-overload, techno-invasion, techno-complexity, techno-insecurity, and techno-uncertainty. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 239 young adults aged 20–25 years who reported using digital devices for more than six hours daily. Standardized psychometric tools assessed personality and technostress. Spearman’s correlations showed that neuroticism had the strongest positive association with overall technostress (ρ = .419, p < .001), followed by agreeableness (ρ = .262, p < .001) and openness (ρ = .189, p = .003). Conscientiousness was linked with techno-invasion (ρ = .37, p < .001) and techno-uncertainty (ρ = .46, p < .001), while extraversion showed no significant correlation. Kruskal–Wallis tests examined group differences between low, medium, and high personality levels, revealing that neuroticism showed the most pronounced differences, with individuals high in neuroticism experiencing significantly greater technostress than those low in neuroticism (H = 51.98, p < .001). These findings highlight that individuals high in neuroticism are particularly prone to anxiety, negative thoughts, and heightened stress in digital contexts. The study underscores the urgent need for personality-based interventions to strengthen resilience, reduce mental health risks, and foster healthier technology engagement among young adults.