Academic Journal of Psychology and Counseling

Family Dynamics And Religious Affiliations As A System For Substances Abuse Reductions Among Adolescents

2024-11-12T04:43:41+07:00

While various theories provide valuable insights, they do not fully account for the complex interplay between family dynamics and religious affiliations as a dual system influencing adolescent behaviour. Hence, this study investigates the influence of religious affiliations and family dynamics in reducing substance abuse among adolescents aged 15-25 years. Using an expost facto research design, a sample of 400 adolescents was drawn through a purposive sampling. Standardised scales were employed to measure religious engagement, family dynamics, and substance abuse behaviours. Data were analysed using linear regression for the first two hypotheses and multiple regressions for the third hypothesis. The results showed that family dynamics significantly predicted substance abuse reduction among adolescents [R = .464, R² = .216, F(1,398) = 109.151, p < .001]. Additionally, religious affiliations were found to significantly contribute to substance abuse reduction [R = .544, R² = .296, F(1,398) = 167.482, p < .001]. When combined, family dynamics and religious affiliations also significantly predicted substance abuse reduction [R = .593, R² = .352, F(2,397) = 107.246, p < .001]. These findings suggest that religious organisations should actively engage adolescents in activities that promote healthy lifestyles and encourage health-seeking behaviours when addiction is identified. Also, communities should encourage adolescents to participate in youth religious groups, which offer peer support and mentorship grounded in faith-based principles.

The Unseen Pain: Lived Experiences Of Victims Of Intimate Partner Violence In South Africa

2025-05-04T04:20:29+07:00

Intimate partner violence (IPV) constitutes a significant global public health problem. Studies of this phenomenon in South Africa are concentrated in urban and semi-urban areas, leaving rural areas unexplored. To bridge this knowledge gap, a qualitative study grounded in social constructivism and a single case study design was conducted to explore the lived experiences of victims of IPV receiving counselling services at the Bapong Crisis Centre, situated in a rural part of North West Province, South Africa. Data was generated from semi-structured interviews with 19 purposively selected IPV victims and deductively analyzed using reflective thematic analysis (RTA) through the lenses of Bonanno’s four-component model. The study found that most participants had negative experiences. The study also found that victims suffered negative emotional, psychological, physical, and social effects and used various coping mechanisms. These insights underscore the need for focused interventions, including mental health services, domestic violence prevention initiatives, and culturally sensitive programs designed to tackle power imbalances and emotional trauma within abusive intimate relationships.

‘’Japa’’ Syndrome: Mediating Role Of Organizational Climate On Psychological Contract Breach And Turnover Intention

2025-05-13T17:15:46+07:00

The continuous exodus of health workers known as ‘’Japa’’ and the intention of many to leave their current job is worrisome and need urgent research attention in Nigeria. This study investigates the role of psychological contract breach on turnover intention. The study also further examines the mediating role of organizational climate in the relationship between psychological contract breach and turnover intention among health workers. The study adopted a cross-sectional study with a total of 146 health workers aged 20-59years (female = 70.5%; mean age = 34.80±8.87years). The study found that psychological contract breach associated positively with turnover intention, but negatively with organizational climate. Organizational climate was also linked negatively with turnover intention, while organizational climate partially mediated the positive link between psychological contract breach-turnover intention link. The study concludes that psychological contract breach fuel turnover intention while organizational climate serves as buffer between psychological contract breach and turnover intention. Therefore, efforts promoting favourable organizational culture can help improve and sustain employees' psychological agreements which may help reduce turnover intention among health workers.

Counselling Services In Selected Dar es Salaam Public Primary Schools: An Exploratory Study

2024-12-24T09:14:20+07:00

From the perspective of counselling psychology, counselling is important in the overall development of school children; thus, it should be provided to all learners. However, this is not the current reality in Tanzanian primary schools. This study explores the provision of counselling services and strategies applied by the teacher- counsellors in selected primary schools in Tanzania. Data were collected through interviews with five teacher counsellors in five schools. The findings show that counselling services offered predominantly included individual, developmental, academic, and group counselling. The counselling services targeted personal pupils’ problems such as nervousness, low achievements, and social related problems. Mainly, four strategies were used in the study area: self-disclosure, summarizing and reframing, constructive confrontation and personal centred strategy. As such counselling services should be integrated into the overall school development plan, and teachers should effectively utilize demonstrated strategies to positively impact pupils' general development

The Role Of Personality Traits And Problem-Solving Strategies On Altruism In University Students

2025-03-27T20:14:50+07:00

The spread of altruism in society can reduce the problems caused by the loss of moral and humanistic values. In order to develop altruistic behavior, it is necessary to determine the personality traits and problem-solving ability that are likely to be associated with it. The aim of the study is to examine the role of personality traits and problem-solving strategies on altruism. A total of 454 university students, 309 females and 145 males, participated in the research by random selection method. The following scales were used for the study: Altruism Scale, Eysenck Personality Inventory-Extroversion Scale, Social Problem Solving Inventory-Short Form. No difference was found when altruism levels were compared by gender. Extroverts scored significantly higher than introverts on altruism and its subscales. According to the correlation analysis, there was a moderate positive relationship between altruism, extroversion and social problem-solving skills. According to the regression analysis, it is seen that extroversion and social problem-solving skills explain 20% of the total variance in altruism. Considering the significance tests of the regression coefficients, the predictor variables extroversion and social problem-solving skills significantly predict altruism. In particular, possible moderating and mediating variables should be investigated in the relationship between social problem-solving and altruism.

Some Adverse Effects On Children Exposed To Intimate Partner Violence And Possible Interventions

2025-04-20T08:24:13+07:00

There is scarcity of academic research that presents effective frameworks for addressing intimate partner violence (IPV) harm to children. This study investigates the negative effects of IPV on children who witness IPV incidents and assesses the intervention of value to mitigate these outcomes. This was a qualitative study using purposive sampling of IPV victims abused in the children’s presence. These victims underwent counseling at Bapong Crisis Center in Bapong village, South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were held, and data was analysed using thematic content analysis. IPV-exposed children risk anxiety, aggression, attachment issues, and academic and relationship struggles. There should be effective interventions that include trauma-informed care, caregiver support programs, and community awareness campaigns to reduce symptom severity. A coordinated strategy integrating professional training, policy reform, and child-centered psychosocial support is needed to break IPV cycles. Future research should prioritize culturally adaptive interventions and longitudinal tracking.