Articles

Understanding the Link Between Emotional Intelligence and Substance Use Disorder

/in /by

Emotional Intelligence (EI) is an important psychological construct that influences emotional regulation, interpersonal relationships, stress management, and decision-making. Substance Use Disorder (SUD), on the other hand, is a chronic psychological and behavioural condition characterized by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. In recent years, researchers have increasingly focused on understanding the relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Substance Use Disorder. Individuals with low emotional intelligence often struggle to identify, understand, and regulate emotions effectively, making them more vulnerable to substance use as a maladaptive coping strategy.

This theoretical article explores the relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Substance Use Disorder from psychological, social, emotional, and neurobiological perspectives. The article discusses major theories such as Self-Medication Theory, Emotional Regulation Theory, Stress and Coping Theory, and Social Learning Theory to explain how emotional deficits contribute to addiction. It also highlights the role of family environment, trauma, peer pressure, mental health conditions, and social factors in shaping emotional functioning and substance use behaviours.

The article further explains how higher Emotional Intelligence acts as a protective factor by improving emotional awareness, resilience, impulse control, empathy, and coping skills. Emotional Intelligence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness training, emotional skills training, and family therapy can significantly improve addiction prevention and recovery outcomes.

The study concludes that Emotional Intelligence plays a significant role in understanding addiction vulnerability, relapse prevention, and psychological well-being. Strengthening emotional competencies may reduce substance dependence and promote healthier coping mechanisms and social adjustment.

Exploring the Lived Experiences of University Students: The Influence of Parental, and Peer Expectations and Mental Health in Lusaka, Zambia

/in /by

University students globally navigate significant expectations from parents and peers, which can profoundly impact their mental health. While these expectations can motivate, they often generate stress and anxiety, particularly when perceived as unrealistic. Existing literature highlights this dual effect, but there is a scarcity of qualitative, in-depth research on this topic within the African, and specifically Zambian, higher education context. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of university students in Lusaka, Zambia, regarding the influence of parental and peer expectations and mental health. Its specific objectives were to: explore parental expectations and mental health based on students’ experiences; explore peer expectations and mental health based on students’ experiences; and determine whether students perceive these expectations as contributing positively or negatively to their overall mental health.

This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of university students in Lusaka, Zambia, regarding the influence of parental, peer expectations and mental health. Utilizing a phenomenological research design, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 university students, of which 11 students were from the University of Zambia, and 9 students were from Levy Mwanawasa Medical University. A focus group discussion was utilized as a second data collection method, with 8 university students from the initial group of students that participated in the interview process, 3  university students of which were from Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, and 5 university students were from the University of Zambia. All university students who participated, were aged 18–27. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data.

Findings reveal that parental expectations are a pervasive and powerful influence, often centered on academic and career success. While these expectations were sometimes described as motivating and linked to improved academic performance, they more frequently generated significant psychological distress, including stress, anxiety, feelings of being overwhelmed, and a loss of autonomy, particularly when perceived as unrealistic or misaligned with the student’s own goals. Peer expectations primarily manifested as pressure to perform academically and conform socially. Their impact was more varied; some students reported resilience and motivation from positive peer influence, while others experienced anxiety and social pressure to meet group norms.

Overall, the study concludes that expectations act as a double-edged sword. Their effect on mental health is contingent on their nature, source, and the individual’s perception. The study highlights the critical role of balancing high expectations with emotional support and autonomy to safeguard student well-being. It recommends enhanced university support services and culturally sensitive interventions to help students navigate these pressures and promote mental health in the Zambian higher education context.

Understanding the Social Media Rollercoaster: How Resilience and Vulnerability Shape Teen Mental Health

/in /by

Background: Social media is a central part of adolescent life, yet its impact on mental health is highly variable.

Objective: To present a synthesized, three-layer framework explaining how individual traits, social environments, and digital behaviors interact to buffer or exacerbate the relationship between social media use and adolescent mental health.
Methods: We analyzed key findings from recent studies (2020-2025) identified via a systematic PubMed search, focusing on moderators such as personality, coping styles, social support, and digital literacy.

Results: An adolescent’s experience is shaped by three key layers: The Inner Self (personal traits and coping), the Social Environment (interpersonal support), and Digital Engagement (online skills and use patterns). Low self-esteem, maladaptive coping, lack of social support, low digital literacy, and younger age are key factors that increase vulnerability to negative outcomes from social media use.

Conclusion: The impact of social media is not uniform but conditional. Effective support requires targeted interventions that build self-esteem and coping skills, foster supportive communication, and teach critical digital literacy. This multi-layered approach can help teens navigate the digital world with greater resilience.

Work–Family Conflict and Employee Mental Health: A Systematic Literature Review on the Moderating Role of Perceived Organizational Support

/in /by

Work–family conflict (WFC) remains one of the most persistent predictors of psychological strain in modern organizations, with empirical evidence indicating that employees experiencing high WFC exhibit elevated levels of anxiety, burnout, depressive symptoms, and overall mental health deterioration. This systematic literature review investigates two decades of peer-reviewed studies to clarify the magnitude and mechanisms through which WFC affects mental health outcomes, and to evaluate whether perceived organizational support (POS) functions as an effective moderating resource. Using PRISMA 2020 guidelines, publications from 2000–2025 were synthesized across databases including Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCO, and ScienceDirect. Findings reveal that WFC consistently predicts deteriorated mental health with medium-to-large effect sizes (β ranging from 0.30 to 0.55 across samples). POS demonstrates a protective function in most studies, reducing the negative psychological impact of WFC by approximately 18–35%, depending on organizational context and support climate. Studies employing conservation of resources theory and job demands–resources models provide strong evidence that POS buffers emotional exhaustion and psychological distress by expanding employees’ access to social and structural resources. Despite consistent findings, gaps remain: limited cross-cultural comparisons, inconsistent operational definitions of POS, and methodological overreliance on cross-sectional designs. This review highlights the need for longitudinal and multilevel designs to better capture the moderating pathways of POS.

Prevalence of Digital Burnout among Medical Science Students of a Private College, Saudi Arabia

/in /by

Background: University students are more likely to experience digital burnout as they utilize and are exposed to digital gadgets regularly in both academic and personal contexts.

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of digital burnout among medical science students and correlate the digital burnout levels with various demographic variables.

Methods: Through convenient sampling, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 students (86.3%, males 13.7 %) from all programs and levels. The tools used to collect data were Tool 1 – Demographic Data and Tool 2 – Digital Burnout Scale (DBS).

Results: The results showed that 75% of the students reported moderate to slight burnout. Overall, and across all subcategories, mean scores indicate moderate degrees of burnout. A significant difference in digital burnout was observed across age groups (F=4.62, p=0.011), with individuals aged 24 and older reporting the highest levels of burnout compared to their younger counterparts. A statistically significant difference was found in the digital burnout scores among groups based on time spent online, i.e., more than 6 hours (F=4.52, p=0.007).  Overall, the study indicates that the students experience moderate burnout, which is related to age and time spent on the devices.

Conclusion: Targeted approaches are required to address digital burnout, especially in seniors and those who spend an immense amount of time online. Institutions should study in deep implementing interventions to promote healthier digital habits and provide resources to support students’ well-being in increasingly digital academic environments.

The Impact of Fear of Animals on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) And Daily Activity in Bangkok

/in /by

The fear of animals in urban environments has become an emerging concern, especially in densely populated areas like Bangkok. As urbanization expands, human-wildlife interactions have become more frequent, often resulting in intense fear responses that may contribute to mental health challenges. This study aims to examine the relationship between fear of animals and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, as well as the impact on daily life activities among Bangkok residents. Using a structured questionnaire, we collected responses from 360 participants, measuring levels of impact in PTSD response to daily activities in response to fear of animals. Our findings suggest that encounters with animals may contribute to psychological distress, with women potentially being more affected. One potential explanation is that higher estrogen levels in women may increase sensitivity to stress and emotional recall, whereas testosterone in men might stabilize stress responses, Highlighting the importance of better understanding human-animal interactions in urban settings, which could inform mental health support and related policies. These results predispose consideration of gender and hormonal differences in understanding stress responses and psychological well-being during animal encounters to improve mental well-being.

A Critical Appraisal of the Law Protecting Persons with Mental Health Conditions in Zambia

/in /by

Mental health is widely recognised as an important part of the proper functioning of an individual and contributes to the overall well-being of a person. A human rights based approach states that all members of society should be catered for in the eyes of the law and have equal access to justice. However, there is not much importance placed on mental health in the Republic of Zambia and there is a lot of discrimination against persons with mental conditions. The aim of this research is to critically appraise the Mental Health Act of 2019 and hereafter educate the public on mental health. Inaddition, the research seeks to investigate how Zambia has dealt with mental health, analyse the improvements made in the Mental Health Act, 2019, and make proposals for solutions to the shortcomings identified in how the provisions of the law are carried out.

This research was essentially desktop based and reviewed statutes. The desk review involved the qualitative analysis of the provisions of the Mental Health Act in determining its significance. Analysis of books, articles, and other various online sources was also used to collect the information contained in this research.

The findings revealed that the legislation on mental health in Zambia is progressive but lacks practicality. There are no workable guidelines, either legislative or judicial, which accommodate persons living with varying degrees of mental challenges. Arising out of this analysis it is recommended that the Mental Health Act should be amended to include in-depth definitions of the major conditions that could affect members of the public and incorporate mental health services in existing health establishments to increase access to these facilities by people with mental health difficulties.

The Effects of Air Quality on Mental Health, and A Comparative Study of Teenagers Aged 12-18 During January and February in Lampang, Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya, and Bangkok

/in /by

Nowadays, populations around the world are suffering from mental health issues, especially depression, and the number is estimated to increase every year. Not only depression issues but also air pollution that is surging. Air pollution has been shown to affect people’s respiratory systems and may even have an impact on mental health, leading to various diseases, for instance depression and Alzheimer’s disease. These disorders tend to occur in people of all age groups and in all countries and regions. Interestingly, each area has different air qualities, which raises concern of its impact on mental health. To investigate this issue, a cross-sectional survey was performed focusing on teenagers aged 12-18 in three different provinces in Thailand to compare the effect of air quality on mental health. This survey used a questionnaire consisting of 34 questions to collect data from 629 individuals participating in this research. The data analysis was performed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) program. Our results display the mean score of mental health and air quality as 2.62 and 3.02, respectively, which states that there is an average rate of these 2 variables. Furthermore, the one-way ANOVA test comparing mental health levels in 3 residents shows no significant difference (p-value = 0.225), however, one-way ANOVA comparing the air quality shows a significant difference between the 3 provinces (p-value less than 0.001). We also conducted a t-test to compare the 2 variables between pupils who have underlying medical conditions and pupils who don’t have them. Unfortunately, we found no significant difference for mental health in pupils with and without medical conditions (p-value = 0.75) and for air quality in pupils with and without medical conditions (p-value = 0.52). Nevertheless, the correlation analysis obtained an r-value of 0.30, which indicates that the survey produced a weak positive correlation between mental health and air quality. This type of study is rarely conducted in Thailand, which means there will need to be more studies in this field. Regarding this research, it is apparent that air quality has an effect on mental health, so an open mind of caring for ourselves and others about this issue would be practical.

Understanding the Multifaceted Impacts of Social Media Addiction on Minors: A Comprehensive Analysis of Psychological, Behavioral, and Physiological Dimensions

/in /by

Social media platforms have become ubiquitous in modern life, particularly for adolescents. This secondary research explores the impact of social media addiction on minors. Existing literature suggests a complex relationship between social media use and mental health. Studies highlight potential links between excessive use and increased anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances in minors. Social media can also contribute to social comparison and negative body image perception. Employing a thematic analysis of data from academic journals, scholarly reports, and systematic reviews. The analysis focused on studies published within the last ten years to ensure the findings reflect the latest trends and developments in social media use and its impact on minors. Findings revealed concerning trends, including the negative impact on mental health, the potential for cyberbullying and social isolation, and the influence of family dynamics on social media addiction development. The discussion emphasizes the importance of promoting responsible social media use through open communication between parents and children, media literacy programs in schools, and content moderation efforts by social media platforms. Further research is needed to develop effective interventions and mitigate potential harm to minors’ well-being.

Exploring the Impact of Social Media on Mental Health from a Psychological Perspective: A Review of the Contemporary Literature

/in /by

Social media has become deeply embedded in society, with most individuals spending several hours on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter each day. While social media provides opportunities for connection, entertainment, and information, increasing research indicates use can negatively impact mental health. This paper reviews literature examining the psychological effects of social media on wellbeing. Key areas explored include social comparison and its links to depression and anxiety, exposure to idealized self-representation and impacts on body image, online harassment and cyberbullying, associations between social media addiction and mental distress, fear of missing out (FOMO), and sleep issues. The complex bi-directional relationship between social media and mental health is discussed, acknowledging both potential benefits and drawbacks. Recommendations are provided for individuals aiming to use social media in a psychologically healthy way, as well as areas needing further research. Ultimately, moderate usage paired with conscious digital habits may allow society to harness social media’s upsides while minimizing its risks to well-being.