Journal of Asian Scientific Research

Educational support system for Aeta indigenous students in Zambales, Philippines: A descriptive study

Rene Biaz Regaspi — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600

The support system is essential to Aeta’s educational success. Self-determination is a very important factor in attaining success in finishing tertiary education. Nevertheless, this dream will not become a reality without the support of the family, peers, school, and community. The study aimed to examine the importance of the support system in enabling Aeta individuals to pursue education as a pathway to success. It discusses the support received from school, family, peers, and the Indigenous community. This quantitative descriptive research investigated the extent of support from these groups among 143 Aeta from different ethnolinguistic groups in Zambales. The researchers employed a researcher-made questionnaire to assess the level of support, utilizing a 5-point Likert scale to interpret the data. The collected data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, and weighted mean to interpret respondents’ perceptions of the support system's role. The analysis revealed a moderate level of support from the school. The findings also demonstrated support from peers and family. However, support from the Indigenous community was minimal, indicating limited involvement in Aeta educational initiatives. The results also highlight the insufficient integration of Indigenous cultural values and practices into the academic framework. Therefore, improving the level of support within the system could foster a sense of belonging and empowerment. This, in turn, would help transform the Aeta’s insights on education as a pathway to success into a tangible reality.

Tourism-led food inflation: Exploring economic drivers and long-term impacts in Turkey

Hasan Gul, Halil Ibrahim Keskin, Setareh Katircioglu — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Food is not only a basic need but also a vital component of the tourist experience and a strategic element in enhancing destination attractiveness. The literature suggests that about one-third of tourist expenditures are on food. The issue of tourism-induced food inflation is timely and important, especially considering the post-pandemic inflationary environment and the recovery in global tourism. Turkey is an appropriate case study due to its high dependence on tourism and significant food inflation. This paper aims to empirically examine tourism-driven food inflation in Turkey over a lengthy period, 2005 (1) – 2024 (12). In this study, the Gregory and Hansen cointegration test, which investigates the cointegration relationship under a structural break, is used, and the long-run relationship between the series is estimated using FMOLS and CCR methods. The results confirm a long-run relationship between tourism arrivals and food price inflation. Moreover, oil prices, water, electricity, and natural gas prices increase, and income is found to have significant effects on tourism-food prices. Although tourism arrivals caused an increase in food prices, this effect is not as high as expected because food prices exhibit higher volatility due to more inelasticity in their supply and demand relative to other consumer goods.

Family problems and their reflections on child personality and psychological development: A field study in Mosul

Reem Abdulwahhab Ismail, Sara Mohammed Abdulrazzaq — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Family life plays a central role in shaping how children grow, especially in fragile, post-conflict settings where stressors are numerous and deeply intertwined. In this study, we explored the experiences of 450 children between 6 and 16 years old across five districts of Mosul, Iraq, a city still recovering from years of conflict. Using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Family Assessment Device (FAD), and structured interviews, we sought to capture both the measurable and lived dimensions of children’s psychological wellbeing. The results were sobering: nearly half of the children showed significant behavioral or emotional difficulties. Specifically, 42% struggled with behavioral challenges, 38% with internalizing symptoms such as anxiety and withdrawal, and 35% with externalizing behaviors like aggression. Family dysfunction was a powerful driver of these outcomes, with parental conflict affecting 59% of families, exposure to domestic violence 32%, and child abuse 17%. Statistical analyses confirmed strong links between these stressors and children’s psychological difficulties. Importantly, children facing four or more family-related problems were several times more likely to develop serious difficulties than those in more stable homes. These findings underscore the urgent need for holistic, culturally sensitive interventions that strengthen family life and community support as foundations for recovery.

Mapping the future of cyberbullying research: Interdisciplinary connections, global perspectives and emerging issues

Cristina Sanchez Romero, Jose Javier Hueso Romero, Javier Gil Quintana — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study explores global and interdisciplinary trends in cyberbullying research, with a focus on how empathy and solidarity are addressed as key components in prevention and intervention strategies. Through a systematic review and bibliometric mapping, the study examines the evolution of research on cyberbullying and its links with empathy, compassion, commiseration, and solidarity. The study uses 1,096 records from the WOS database, analyzed with VOSviewer to map term co-occurrence, co-authorship, thematic clusters, and co-citation links. This bibliometric approach uncovers the field’s structure and identifies key authors, institutions, and emerging trends. The analysis focuses on adolescence, emphasizing school, family, and digital environments as key arenas of interaction and risk. Findings highlight a strong relationship between low levels of empathy and higher rates of moral disengagement among adolescents involved in bullying and cyberbullying behaviors. Moreover, empathy appears as a critical protective factor that can be cultivated through comprehensive, interdisciplinary interventions. In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of fostering empathy and solidarity as fundamental pillars in the fight against cyberbullying. By mapping the scientific landscape, it identifies influential contributions and collaboration networks while suggesting future directions for interdisciplinary research that promote socially responsible and ethically grounded responses to digital peer aggression.

Geospatial modeling-based assessment of landslide hazards along the Medan–Berastagi Route, North Sumatra

Ika Puji Hastuty, Ahmad Perwira Mulia, Roesyanto, Fauziah Ahmad — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Landslides are a recurrent problem in hilly regions, particularly during the rainy season, causing fatalities, infrastructure damage, and socio-economic disruption. Landslide hazard mapping is therefore essential for identifying vulnerable areas and developing effective mitigation strategies. This study aimed to create a landslide hazard map for the Medan–Berastagi road using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Eleven parameters were selected, including slope angle, slope height, slope aspect, rainfall, drainage, lithology, soil type, land use, distance to faults, seismic activity, and proximity to rivers. Data were compiled through field surveys, GPS verification, and secondary sources, then processed with QGIS. Hazard levels were classified into five categories: very low, low, moderate, high, and very high. Results show that 44% of the road segments (19 km) fall under moderate hazard, 46% (29 km) under high hazard, and 9% (3 km) under very high hazard. Field validation using 71 landslide inventory points yielded an accuracy of 97.6%. The most influential factors were slope angle, slope height, rainfall intensity, and land use. Prolonged heavy rainfall on steep slopes underlain by fractured volcanic rocks contributed significantly to slope instability. The developed hazard map demonstrates that most of the Medan–Berastagi corridor is vulnerable to landslides, emphasizing the need for targeted disaster risk mitigation. These findings provide a scientific basis for regional planning and sustainable infrastructure management in mountainous terrains.

Media literacy skills in the exercise of digital citizenship of university students in Peru

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between media literacy skills and the exercise of digital citizenship among Peruvian university students. The research was conducted using a quantitative approach, through an explanatory, cross-sectional design based on the positivist paradigm. The sample consisted of 444 students from 17 universities, selected through stratified probability sampling. Two validated questionnaires with high levels of reliability (α = 0.962 and α = 0.939) were used to collect data, ensuring the internal consistency of the instruments used. The results revealed that 66% of students have an intermediate level of media literacy, while 60% exercise their digital citizenship irresponsibly, evidencing a worrying disconnect between the use of technologies and the development of civic competencies. Through structural equation modeling, a positive, significant, and structural relationship (β = 0.724) was identified between the two variables, demonstrating that limitations in media skills negatively affect critical, ethical, and responsible participation in digital environments. This study is particularly relevant in the Peruvian educational context, where widespread access to the internet does not always translate into thoughtful and civic-minded use of digital media. In this sense, it is concluded that integrating media literacy into university curricula is essential, promoting critical thinking, digital responsibility, and the formation of active and conscious citizens in a society increasingly influenced by media and technology.

Integrating bibliometric insights and pedagogical intervention for enhanced mathematical learning in basic education: An Ecuadorian case study

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study integrates bibliometric analysis and pedagogical intervention to enhance mathematical learning among tenth-grade students at the 17 de Septiembre Educational Units in Milagro, Ecuador. The initial diagnosis revealed low performance in algebra, particularly in factorization and quadratic functions. In response, active methodologies such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Game-Based Learning (GBL) were implemented, complemented by personalized tutoring and teacher training. The bibliometric review, based on 42 articles indexed in Scopus and Web of Science (2010–2025), identified global trends in mathematics education related to pedagogical innovation, inclusion, and teacher development. These insights informed the design of contextualized educational games and micro-workshops aligned with the local curriculum. Post-intervention results showed more than a 30% increase in academic performance, confirmed by paired t-tests indicating statistically significant improvements across all topics. Additionally, higher student motivation, reduced mathematics anxiety, and greater classroom participation were observed. The study demonstrates that integrating low-cost active learning strategies with global research evidence can substantially improve outcomes in vulnerable contexts. It also validates bibliometric analysis as a practical tool for aligning classroom practice with international scientific knowledge, offering a replicable model for strengthening equity, innovation, and quality in basic mathematics education systems worldwide and promoting sustainable teaching practices.

YOLOv8-based detection of protection emblems for humanitarian safety applications

Priya Sharma, Chetan Sharma, Hsin-Yuan Chen — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The research paper provides a novel application of YOLOv8 for the detection of protection emblems in the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), aimed at enhancing humanitarian safety in conflict zones. The authors created a dataset of 36 images from various sources, with 25 used as training data, 4 as test data, and 7 as validation data. Custom annotation was performed through Roboflow, and YOLOv8 was employed for detection. The findings revealed a maximum F1 score of 0.9 at a confidence threshold of 0.85. The confusion matrix indicated a detection rate of 0.91 on real positive cases, particularly in the successful recognition of the class of significance, which is IFRC_Symbols. This research implemented object detection in a sensitive humanitarian context, connecting artificial intelligence (AI) with humanitarian operations, thereby helping to reduce the risk of misidentification of symbols during relief operations. In the preliminary stage, the authors used a small dataset, creating opportunities for future researchers to expand the dataset and implement the model in real-time scenarios, including other environmental factors. The decision to enhance emblem detection facilities aligns with the mission of the IFRC to assist people in need safely and efficiently without jeopardizing the efforts of its diligent employees.

Bitcoin and portfolio diversification during crises: Evidence from the French market with mean–variance and stochastic dominance analysis

Nadia Belkhir, Hana Belhadj, Salah Ben Hamad — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study explores the diversification potential of Bitcoin in a French investment portfolio comprising oil, currency, and gold across three distinct market regimes: a pre-crisis stable period, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russia–Ukraine conflict. The purpose is to assess whether Bitcoin can enhance portfolio efficiency and provide hedging opportunities under varying market conditions. The analysis is conducted using daily data for Bitcoin, gold, oil, currency, and the CAC40 index from January 1, 2019, to April 22, 2022. Portfolio performance is evaluated through the Mean–Variance (MV) framework and Stochastic Dominance (SD) analysis, allowing for a robust comparison of risk–return trade-offs and investor preferences. The MV results show that including Bitcoin consistently improves the portfolio’s risk–return profile, evidenced by an upward shift in the efficient frontier across all sub-periods. However, the SD analysis yields more nuanced insights. Before and during the COVID-19 crisis, the portfolio excluding Bitcoin dominates the Bitcoin-inclusive portfolio under second- and third-order stochastic dominance criteria, suggesting that risk-averse investors would prefer the traditional asset mix. In contrast, during the Russia–Ukraine war, no clear stochastic dominance is detected between Bitcoin-inclusive and Bitcoin-exclusive portfolios. These findings emphasize that Bitcoin’s diversification role is highly context- and framework-dependent.

Digitalisation and AI adoption as drivers of market share in GCC banking

Yousuf Albaker, Bashar Abu Khalaf — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study investigates the impact of digitalization and AI adoption on the market share of banks operating in the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) region, drawing upon the resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capabilities theory (DCT). In the current context of digital transformation and AI-driven innovation reshaping the banking sector, it is crucial to understand the role of these technologies in driving competitive advantage. The study constructs novel composite indices for digitalization and AI adoption using secondary data from 400 bank-year observations across five GCC countries between 2015-2024. Employing a dynamic panel estimation technique, the analysis reveals that both digitalization and AI adoption significantly and positively influence bank market share, even after controlling for profitability, bank size, and macroeconomic conditions. These results hold strong across different models, supporting the idea that improving and adapting technological skills is key to enhancing the market share of banks. The study offers theoretical contributions by operationalizing digital and AI capabilities as strategic resources and practical implications for bank executives and policymakers aiming to strengthen digitalization in the financial sector. It also provides one of the first empirical validations of the digitalization–market share nexus in the GCC context, thereby filling an important gap in the literature on technology-enabled market performance.

Internationalization vs. inequality: A bibliometric analysis of global gaps in higher education

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study integrates a systematic literature review (SLR) with bibliometric analysis to examine global disparities in the internationalization of higher education from 2000 to 2025. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 58 empirical studies were selected from Scopus and Web of Science. The research identifies thematic and methodological patterns, maps key regions and actors, and reveals tensions and inequalities embedded in internationalization processes. Results show a marked concentration of publications in the Global North, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, and Japan, reinforcing structural imbalances in knowledge production. English-language journals dominate scholarly dissemination, limiting visibility for research from Latin America, Africa, and Central Asia. Thematic clusters include academic mobility, educational diplomacy, institutional branding, and epistemic justice, with recent studies incorporating critical perspectives on race, gender, and power. Despite emerging inclusive narratives, persistent barriers remain, such as linguistic hierarchies, dependence on global rankings, and limited South–South collaboration. The findings indicate that internationalization is not a neutral or universally beneficial process but is shaped by power dynamics favoring specific institutions and regions. This study contributes by advocating for more equitable approaches and emphasizing epistemic justice, multilingualism, and horizontal collaboration as essential for democratizing higher education.

Parallel deep CNN for tomato leaf disease detection

Shriya Jadhav, Anisha Lal — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Agriculture faces significant risks from plant diseases and venomous insects, highlighting the crucial need for swift detection and diagnosis of these disorders. Continuous advancements in deep learning (DL) techniques have significantly facilitated the identification of plant leaf diseases, providing accurate and powerful tools. The accuracy of DL methods heavily depends on the quality and quantity of labeled samples used during training. This article introduces Tomato leaf disease detection using a Parallel Deep Convolutional Neural Network (TPDCNN) for plant leaf disease detection (PLDD). Additionally, it presents the use of a Conditional Generative Adversarial Neural Network (C-GAN) for generating artificial data to address the issue of limited data availability caused by imbalanced dataset sizes. Experimental results are conducted using the PlantVillage dataset (tomato plants), focusing on two-, six-, and ten-class PLDD. The effectiveness of the TPDCNN model is evaluated through various performance measures, including accuracy, recall, precision, and F1-score, and compared against traditional state-of-the-art approaches used for detecting tomato plant leaf diseases. The proposed system outperforms existing methods, achieving superior accuracy rates (99.14% for 2-class, 99.05% for 6-class, 98.11% for 10-class PLDD) for tomato PLDD. The TPDCNN method is well-suited for real-time deployment on standalone devices with limited computational resources due to its simpler structure and fewer trainable parameters.

Ecofriendly CuO@CaO@Fe3O4 nanocomposite using Juglans regia L. wulnut green husk extract — synthesis and biological applications

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

During the processing of Juglans regia L., a large quantity of walnut green husk is produced as an agricultural byproduct. This residue exhibits significant biological importance, especially considering its natural antibacterial properties, which indicate its potential as a natural alternative to conventional antibiotics. In this work, the green husk of J. regia was extracted and characterized for its phytochemical profile, antioxidant potential, and content of total phenolics and flavonoids. It was then used as a reducing and stabilizing agent in the green synthesis of a CuO@CaO@Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite, resulting in nanoparticles approximately 90 nm in size. Phytochemical screening revealed that the extract contains diverse classes of bioactive molecules, including diterpenes, steroids, triterpenoids, coumarins, flavonoids, and various polyphenolic compounds. Quantitatively, phenolic compounds (62.67 μg GAE/500 μg extract) and flavonoids (38.61 μg QE/500 μg extract) are the predominant chemical categories. These naturally occurring molecules effectively coat the surface of the nanocomposite, significantly enhancing its antioxidant activity, with hydrogen peroxide scavenging ability surpassing that of vitamin C. Additionally, the synthesized CuO@CaO@Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite demonstrated notable antibacterial activity. In vitro assays confirmed its efficacy against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains, indicating promising prospects for biomedical and antimicrobial applications.

Green financial literacy, wellbeing, and education as drivers of greenpreneur intention: Evidence from Malaysia’s energy transition

Intan Maizura Abdul Rashid, Fatin Nur Aliyah Mohd Faiz — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study aims to examine the influence of green financial literacy, green financial well-being, and green financial education on greenpreneur intention among Malaysian youth within the High-Growth High-Value (HGHV) energy transition sector, addressing a critical gap in sustainability and entrepreneurship literature. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior and supported by the Dynamic Capability Theory and the Natural Resource-Based View, the study integrates green financial attitude, behavior, and knowledge into a comprehensive framework to explain youths’ intentions to engage in green entrepreneurship. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed, with data collected from undergraduate students enrolled in energy transition and business-related programs at Malaysian higher education institutions. The data were analyzed using partial least squares–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess the proposed relationships and model robustness. The findings indicate that green financial literacy significantly and positively predicts greenpreneur intention among youth. Additionally, green financial well-being strengthens this relationship by enhancing financial confidence and resilience, while green financial education further reinforces the effect by equipping youth with relevant sustainability-oriented financial competencies. These results highlight the importance of financial capability and educational support in fostering sustainable entrepreneurial intentions. In practical terms, the study underscores the need for universities to embed green finance components into entrepreneurship curricula, promote experiential learning related to sustainable business models, and enhance students’ financial well-being. Policymakers are encouraged to strengthen youth-focused green finance initiatives, funding incentives, and capacity-building programs to support Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap and HGHV development agenda. Furthermore, the study offers insights applicable to other emerging economies pursuing sustainable energy transitions.

Peer influence, personality traits, and financial literacy as predictors of Saudi students’ spending behaviour

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study aims to examine the relationship between peer influence, personality traits, financial literacy, and spending behavior among 279 students from the College of Business Administration in Saudi Arabia. Using a combination of purposive and simple random sampling techniques, data were collected and analyzed through SPSS and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results reveal that personality traits have a significant influence on financial literacy (β = 0.144, p < 0.01), while peer influence shows a positive but non-significant effect (β = 0.109, p = 0.157). Personality traits, peer influence, and financial literacy all had significant positive impacts on spending behavior (β = 0.530, 0.185, and 0.128, p < 0.05), respectively. Furthermore, financial literacy mediates the relationship between personality traits and spending behavior (β = 0.076, p < 0.05), but not between peer influence and spending behavior. These findings clarify the mediating role of financial literacy in shaping students’ financial habits and decision-making. Practically, the findings highlight the need for universities to strengthen financial literacy programs, as these initiatives can enhance students’ financial competence and foster more responsible spending behavior.

Organisational communication satisfaction and job satisfaction in Chinese enterprises: The mediating role of organisational commitment

Kavitha Balakrishnan, Muhammad Nur Fitri Razak, Li Tianyi, Blanka Klimova — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

With ongoing technological advancements, the dynamics of organizational communication and employee job satisfaction have become increasingly complex, presenting significant challenges for modern organizations. This study emphasizes these relationships, mediated by organizational commitment. Four hundred and seventeen (417) participants from Guangzhou, China, were chosen for this study. The results were examined and extensively discussed using Hayes’ mediation model in SPSS. A positive and significant relationship was found between all three organizational communication satisfaction factors (relational, informational, and informational-relational communication), organizational commitment, and job satisfaction, determined by the total and direct effect. The study's findings also reported a mediating role of organizational commitment in the relationship between job satisfaction and organizational communication satisfaction, as determined by the standardized indirect effect. The significance of this study is rooted in the exploration of the proposed relationship and validation of the suggested model. Hence, employers must focus on and strengthen internal communication to cultivate a sense of belonging to the organization, which reinforces commitment and increases overall job satisfaction. Finally, this finding presents new opportunities for future researchers in this field and adds to the body of knowledge by identifying the variables that influence job satisfaction in the context of China.

Incorporating alexander techniques into the preparatory piano courses for the national art entrance examination in China: An experimental study

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

An experimental study was conducted to observe the effect of the Alexander Technique (AT) on piano performance within curriculum learning, specifically aimed at reducing pre-examination anxiety caused by China's National Art Entrance Examination (NAEE). The study employed a pretest-posttest controlled design with a sample of 60 NAEE piano students aged 16-20 years, who were randomly divided into four groups: a group (Group A) that received continuous AT intervention, a group (Group B) where the AT was terminated after three months, a group (Group C) where the AT intervention was introduced after a three-month delay, and a traditional pedagogy control group within a formal educational context. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The results indicated significant reductions in anxiety among the AT intervention groups (A, B, C; p< 001); average BAI scores attenuated from moderate anxiety (21.87, 22.87, 21.53) to non-clinical levels (2.93, 5.20, 3.27). We found the largest reduction in anxiety in Group A (combining full AT integration), which outperformed Groups B and C. There was no significant change for the control group (D), as p = .339. AT integration is a viable method to alleviate pre-exam anxiety, and the best outcome can be achieved with continuous application. These results endorse the didactic potential of AT in high-stakes exam preparation, as it enhances mind-body interfacing and sustainable action skills.

Leadership and organizational culture as a drivers of competitive advantage in Islamic bank the mediating role of digital transformation in Indonesia

Nila Astiti, Mokhamad Anwar, Yudi Ahmad Faisal, Hilmiana — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

In the digital era, Islamic banks increasingly rely on digital transformation to develop unique products and services. This study examines the influence of Leadership (LDR) and Organizational Culture (OCL) on Digital Transformation (DTF) and Competitive Advantage (CTA), emphasizing the mediating role of DTF. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 143 middle managers and senior leaders of Islamic banks and analyzed using SEM-PLS with SmartPLS 3.0. The findings indicate that LDR significantly affects DTF (Coefficient 0.198) and CTA (Coefficient 0.171). OCL significantly affects DTF (Coefficient 0.660) but has no significant direct effect on CTA (Coefficient 0.195). DTF significantly influences CTA (Coefficient 0.495). Furthermore, DTF mediates the effects of LDR on CTA (Coefficient 0.098) and OCL on CTA (Coefficient 0.326). The analysis demonstrates that digital transformation functions as a key mediating factor in organizational culture for creating a competitive advantage in Islamic banks. The current organizational culture has not yet fully enabled stronger industry positioning, highlighting the need for improved communication of its unique values. The novelty of this study lies in demonstrating that digital transformation is essential for building a competitive advantage in the Islamic banking sector and in providing a clearer overview of its implementation.

Developing a psychometric scale to measure motherhood stress among newly working mothers in India’s IT sector

Vani Menon, Sumathi Annamalai — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

While becoming a mother is an incredible blessing, it can also be a very stressful time for women. India has a unique cultural and economic diversity, with women facing distinct challenges in their role as new mothers, including family obligations and a tendency toward a patriarchal mindset. This research aims to identify the unique stress factors related to motherhood stress for a new working mother in the IT sector and to create a scale to measure these factors. The study employed a mix of qualitative methods, such as focus group discussions, and quantitative research methods, including a pilot survey among 115 mothers, to develop a new scale for motherhood stress. Four main factors were identified through exploratory factor analysis: career-related stress, adequacy of support systems, maternal guilt, and self-efficacy. A new 31-item scale is proposed. Internal consistency, reliability, and validity were established for all items on the scale, with a KMO value of 0.826 and a Cronbach's alpha of 0.840. This new scale will be a useful tool for organizations to understand motherhood stress among newly working mothers and to adopt practices that reduce stress and address prejudices through interventions such as anti-discrimination policies, managerial sensitization, flexible work options, career counseling, and peer support. For policymakers, this study highlights the need for an industrial policy that recognizes the cultural setting and the unique challenges faced by Indian working mothers, as well as the importance of rigorous enforcement of maternity policies to ensure equitable treatment for them.

Media engagement and gratification patterns in long and short video use among Chinese college students

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Short videos and long videos have become the primary forms of media consumption among college students. However, existing research lacks an in-depth exploration of the differences between these two video formats concerning user engagement and satisfaction mechanisms. This study, based on the usage and satisfaction theory, conducts a comprehensive analysis of users' motivations, usage behavior patterns, and satisfaction in choosing short videos and long videos. Thirteen Chinese college students were selected for semi-structured interviews. The results demonstrate distinct engagement patterns among college students when using short videos and long videos. Short videos are characterized by high frequency and low depth of participation, fulfilling shallow and immediate needs. Conversely, long videos exhibit low frequency but high depth of participation, addressing deep-seated and continuous demands. Additionally, users actively switch between media forms based on usage situations and purposes to maximize satisfaction of their needs. This study compares the engagement differences between short videos and long videos among college students, revealing the complementary evolution logic of these two formats. The research findings provide empirical support and theoretical guidance for content strategy development on video platforms, optimization of user experience, and understanding of media consumption behaviors among users.

Impact of cultural nexus and cognitive dissonance on banking employees’ beliefs: A PLS-SEM approach

Channi Sachdeva, Veer P Gangwar, Rohit Bansal, Mochammad Fahlevi — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The banking sector is one of the most significant sectors of an economy, where decision-making is complex. The current research focuses on the psychology of bankers, specifically cognitive dissonance in the face of problems such as technical improvements, target pressures, and financial goals. Using SmartPLS and a sample of 240 banking employees from HDFC Bank in India, the study examines how employees navigate contradictory perceptions of banking operations. This research employs simple random sampling and quantitative analysis. The study explores solutions for addressing cognitive dissonance, including achieving a work-life balance, employing cognitive strategies, and influencing others' perceptions of the issue. It investigates how cognitive dissonance impacts judgment, productivity, and employee well-being, with a focus on job satisfaction, organizational culture, and market pressures. The findings offer valuable insights for financial organizations seeking to enhance employee satisfaction, mitigate cognitive dissonance, and foster a healthy workplace in a culturally diverse environment. Recommendations include strategic interventions, personnel training, and compliance with industrial standards. This study contributes to the organizational psychology discourse in banking by increasing awareness of cognitive dissonance and its implications for banking professionals on a large scale. It bridges the theoretical understanding of employee well-being and organizational efficiency and aims to improve the banking sector's decision-making process within a culturally diverse environment.

Institutional quality as a moderator of CSR’s effect on bank stability: Evidence from MENA banks

Makram Nouaili — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The main objective of this paper is to explore the moderating role of institutional quality (IQ) in the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and banking stability. Using a panel dataset of banks from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region spanning 2010–2022, the analysis employs the system generalized method of moments (SGMM) to mitigate potential endogeneity and heterogeneity issues. The findings reveal that CSR is negatively and significantly associated with bank stability. In contrast, institutional quality has a positive and significant effect on the stability of MENA banks. Moreover, the interaction between CSR and institutional quality further enhances bank stability. This research fills an important gap in the debate on the moderating role of institutional quality in the CSR–bank stability relationship in the MENA region. The study also offers practical insights for policymakers, regulators, and bank executives seeking to promote sustainable banking practices.