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1 – 10 of 29Jaffar Abbas, Muhammad Aqeel, Zhang Wenhong, Jaffar Aman and Farough Zahra
The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderating role of the demographic variables in emotional intelligence, homesickness and the development of mood swings in university…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderating role of the demographic variables in emotional intelligence, homesickness and the development of mood swings in university students. Additionally, the paper investigates the relationship among emotional intelligence, homesickness and mood swings in university students.
Design/methodology/approach
Purposive sampling technique was employed based on a cross-sectional design. The sample comprised 304 university students (male students, n=210, female students, n=94). Three scales were used to measure the homesickness, emotional intelligence and positive and negative mood swings in university students.
Findings
The results revealed that homesickness was positively and significantly correlated with mood swings (r=0.34, p<0.001) and negative mood swings (r=0.49, p<0.001). The result also displayed that emotional intelligence was correlated with homesickness (r=−0.15, p<0.05), positive mood swings (r=0.33, p<0.05) and negative mood swings (r=−0.24, p<0.05). The results of the analysis revealed that demographic variables such as age and gender were the moderator between homesickness and development of mood swings. The results also revealed that demographic variable such as gender was the moderator between emotional intelligence and mood swings. This study recommended that those younger students who had experienced homesickness were more likely to develop negative mood swings as compared to older students.
Social implications
The study also recommended that those young students who had emotional intelligence were less likely to develop negative mood swings as compared to older students.
Originality/value
The study further recommended that those female students who had experienced homesickness were more likely to develop positive mood swings as compared to male students. Recommendations of the currents study are that university students can benefit equally but female students can benefit more from an intervention addressing homesickness. This study would be helpful in pedagogical and clinical settings to raise the awareness to effectively deal with their children.
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Umaira Tabassum, Xing Qiang, Jaffar Abbas, Amjad Islam Amjad and Khalid Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti
Positive psychology helps us understand the knowledge required to contribute to adolescents' societal development and adjustability. Adolescence is the crucial stage to work on…
Abstract
Purpose
Positive psychology helps us understand the knowledge required to contribute to adolescents' societal development and adjustability. Adolescence is the crucial stage to work on for a balanced personality. The present study concerned adolescents' self-strength, happiness, and help-seeking behaviour. The authors aimed to explore the relationship between adolescents' self-strength and happiness and investigate the mediational effect of adolescents' help-seeking behaviour on their self-strength and happiness.
Design/methodology/approach
The research design of the current quantitative study was correlational, and 809 adolescents from China and Pakistan participated in the present study. Data were personally collected from participants through self-developed scales.
Findings
We deployed Pearson correlation and simple mediation using SPSS software and found a linear, positive, strong (r = 0.654, n = 809, p = 0.000 < 0.01) and statistically significant correlation between adolescents' self-strength and happiness. The authors also found a significant indirect effect of help-seeking on adolescents' self-strength and happiness at (β = 0.373, t(907) = 7.01).
Research limitations/implications
Using self-reported scales to gather information was one of the study's limitations. Adolescents may have misunderstood the notion or construct narrated in words or responded biasedly despite the bilingual scales.
Practical implications
This study offers social and practical implications for educators, parents, and school administrators to address the development of adolescents' personalities using a positive psychology lens.
Originality/value
The findings are of significant importance for teachers working in the elementary schools. They may work on adolescents' self-strength, happiness, and help-seeking to develop balanced personalities.
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Muhammad Aqeel, Jaffar Abbas, Kanwar Hamza Shuja, Tasnim Rehna, Arash Ziapour, Ishrat Yousaf and Tehmina Karamat
Since the emergence of a coronavirus disease (2019-nCoV) in December 2019, the whole world is in a state of chaos. Isolation strategy with quarantine is a useful model in…
Abstract
Purpose
Since the emergence of a coronavirus disease (2019-nCoV) in December 2019, the whole world is in a state of chaos. Isolation strategy with quarantine is a useful model in controlling transmission and rapid spread. As a result, people remained at home and disrupted their outside daily activities. It led to the closure of educational institutes, which is a source of many students to cope with numerous personal and familial issues. This study aims to focus on exploring the relationships and potential mediational pathways between mental health problems, illness perception, anxiety and depression disorders.
Design/methodology/approach
The study incorporated snowball sampling techniques through a cross-sectional, Web-based survey and recruited 500 students from different universities of twin cities, Rawalpindi and Islamabad from March 23 to April 15, 2020, during the coronavirus outbreak lockdown. The study used four instruments, Beck Depression Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire and The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale for assessing depression, anxiety, illness perception and mental health disorders.
Findings
The findings indicated normal (43.2%), mild (20.5%), moderate (13.6%) and severe (22.7%) levels of anxiety prevalence in students. Results specified a normal (65.9%), mild (9.10%), moderate (9.12%) and severe (15.90%) depression prevalence and findings stipulated that anxiety disorder prevalence was higher than depression disorder. The correlational results specified a negative and significant relationship between mental health, illness perception, anxiety and depression symptoms. The multiple regression analysis stated that anxiety and depression disorders mediated the relationship between mental health and present illness perception. The perception of illness exhibited a relation to depression and anxiety disorders.
Originality/value
The study proposed a model to address mental health problems during the lockdown. The (2019-nCoV) illness perception developed mental disorders, including anxiety and depression, which has declined individuals’ mental health. There is an urgent need for ongoing clinical examination and management to address psychological disorders and findings suggest assessing mental health to combatting the pandemic worldwide. Findings recommend developing strategies to promote mental health-care facilities during COVID-19 wide-ranging disasters. These results highlight the impending importance of devising strategies to treat mental health problems.
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Jaffar Abbas, Gulnara Mamirkulova, Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, Khalid Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti and Imran Bashir Dar
Mega-infrastructure development plans pave the way for policies to upgrade the infrastructure, environmental management and different aspects of locals’ well-being. These…
Abstract
Purpose
Mega-infrastructure development plans pave the way for policies to upgrade the infrastructure, environmental management and different aspects of locals’ well-being. These developmental dynamics can positively affect rural tourism including heritage sites destinations. The quality of life of local people can be linked to this positive developmental change through long-term and sustainable economic revitalization projects. In terms of this process, developing large-scale infrastructure and incorporating tourism sustainability can improve the quality of life-related to different dimensions that are critical to the community's well-being. Therefore, researchers have attempted to address this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected between September and October 2020. The study sample size was the residents of Zhabagly village, including Zhabagaly, Abaiyl and 115 Railway settlements. Moreover, the residents were older than 18 years. A systematic random sampling technique was utilised to reach the targeted sample size and the researchers received 243 responses from the locals. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used for analysis.
Findings
The findings from the structural equation modelling suggest that sustainable tourism increases due to the positive effect of mega-infrastructure development and positively impacts the locals' quality of life. Notably, no direct effect of mega-infrastructure development on quality of life reveals the pivotal role of sustainable tourism. Therefore, during the COVID-19 period, the dimensions of sustainable tourism – economic, market, socio-cultural and environmental – played a role in securing the positive impact of mega-infrastructure development on the locals’ quality of life.
Research limitations/implications
This research highlighted the fact that when infrastructure projects are implemented to their full potential, they will generate sustainable tourism activities, provide eco-adventure activities, relax, treat signatories and boost the economy of all stakeholders. The study used AMOS to test the hypotheses. Qualitative research methods, including interviews with citizens, government officials and tourism managers, require further study.
Practical implications
The infrastructural development on a mega-scale means building an upscaling tourism ecosystem. This ecosystem is marked by the availability of drinking water, waste and energy management facilities that support the elevation of living material, community, health, safety and emotional well-being. It reflects the policy-level implications for future Belt and Road initiatives (BRIs). The tourism industry's resilience during COVID-19 has practical lessons for other industries.
Originality/value
Large-scale infrastructure construction must create favourable conditions for the rapid development of tourism. The availability of clean water, waste and energy management facilities contributes to the food production, social cohesion, physical and mental health and general well-being of the ecosystem. This is one of the few studies that used sustainable tourism as a mediator between the impact of large infrastructure projects and their impact on the quality of life of locals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aksu-Zhabagly, a World Heritage Site in Kazakhstan, was the site of this field study.
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Aneesa Azhar, Jaffar Abbas, Zhang Wenhong, Tanvir Akhtar and Muhammad Aqeel
The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderating role of marital status between infidelity and development of stress, anxiety and depression. Additionally, to investigate…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderating role of marital status between infidelity and development of stress, anxiety and depression. Additionally, to investigate the relationship among infidelity, stress, anxiety and depression among married couples and divorced individual.
Design/methodology/approach
A purposive sampling technique was used based on cross-sectional design. In total, 200 participants (married couples, n=100; divorced individuals, n=100) were incorporated from different NGO’s and welfare organizations of Rawalpindi, and Islamabad, Pakistan. Age ranged from 20 to 60 years. Two scales were used to measure the infidelity, stress, anxiety and depression in married couples and divorced couples.
Findings
The result revealed that emotional infidelity was positively significant correlated with stress (r=0.39, p=0.001), anxiety (r=0.40, p=0.001) and depression (r=0.35, p=0.001) for married couples. The result also displayed that sexual infidelity was positively significant correlated with stress (r=0.39, p=0.001), anxiety (r=0.39, p=0.001) and depression (r=0.34, p=0.001) for married couples. The result further elaborated that emotional infidelity and sexual infidelities were positively non-significant correlated with stress, anxiety and depression for divorced individuals. The analysis results revealed that marital status was moderator between infidelity and development of stress, anxiety and depression.
Research limitations/implications
This paper consisted of sample from three basic cities of Pakistan; thus, this paper finding may not be applied on whole population. Consequently, explanatory, exploratory and descriptive studies would be useful to enlighten the infidelity’s mechanism in prolongation of psychological distress across married couples and divorced individual in detail. Local tools to measure gender-related issues would be helpful in prospect while it combine cultural aspects as well.
Social implications
This study would be helpful in clinical settings to raise the awareness to effectively deal with their children.
Originality/value
The study recommended that those divorced individuals who had experienced either sexual infidelity or emotional infidelity were more likely to develop psychological problems as compared to married couples. This study would be helpful in clinical settings to raise the awareness to effectively deal with their children.
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Jannat Abbas, Tahiru Alhassan, Augustine Ohene Adu and Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed
This paper aims to assess user awareness of electricity consumption at a public university in Ghana based on the norm activation model (NAM).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to assess user awareness of electricity consumption at a public university in Ghana based on the norm activation model (NAM).
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a survey design, using closed-ended questionnaires as the main data collection instruments. Data was collected from 300 respondents (staff and students) of the university and analysed descriptively using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.
Findings
The study found that the level of user awareness (as defined by NAM) of electricity consumption among staff and students is moderate. Therefore, the more energy campaigns users are exposed to the higher their level of user awareness (awareness of consequence, ascription of responsibility and personal norm).
Practical implications
The findings of this study can assist university management boards and other organisations in recognising the potential for reducing electricity use by increasing user knowledge. Ultimately, this can result in added value.
Originality/value
The study makes a significant contribution to the literature on the NAM by exclusively focusing on the variables of NAM to assess the level of user awareness of electricity consumption in a university setting.
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Lindsey M. Harper, Elizabeth D. James, Soohyung Joo and Youngseek Kim
Today’s undergraduate students have spent a significant portion of their lives using YouTube for various reasons, whether for entertainment, personal development or academic…
Abstract
Purpose
Today’s undergraduate students have spent a significant portion of their lives using YouTube for various reasons, whether for entertainment, personal development or academic learning purposes. This study aims to investigate how system factors (i.e. reliability, usability and searchability), interaction factors (i.e. provider and user interactions) and content factors (i.e. format, relevance and coverage) affect undergraduate students’ satisfaction with YouTube and their intentions to adopt YouTube for learning purposes.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses the information systems success model as its theoretical framework to explore the system, interaction and content factors associated with undergraduate students’ satisfaction with YouTube and their intentions to use YouTube for learning. The proposed hypotheses were examined by the structural equation modelling technique based on a survey with 345 undergraduate students at a Southeastern institution in the USA.
Findings
The results indicate that both system factors (including reliability, usability and searchability) and content factors (including format, relevance and coverage) have a statistically significant effect on students’ satisfaction with YouTube. This study also demonstrates that students’ satisfaction with YouTube significantly influences their intentions to use the platform for learning purposes.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed research model provides a novel perspective in understanding the complex nature of students’ adoption of YouTube for learning purposes, led by both system and content factors mediated by satisfaction with YouTube.
Practical implications
This study suggests that when YouTube is intuitive to use and relevant content is added to the platform regularly, students are more likely to adopt this platform for learning purposes. As a result, it is critical that librarians remain aware of information-seeking practices and platforms used by students to tailor approaches to teaching information literacy to help students understand how to use the platform effectively.
Originality/value
Using the information systems success model, this research sheds light on the roles of system and content factors in undergraduate students’ satisfaction with YouTube and their intentions to use it for learning.
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Constantin Bratianu, Alexeis Garcia-Perez, Francesca Dal Mas and Denise Bedford
Ron Berger, Abbas J. Ali, Bradley R. Barnes and Ilan Alon
With close to two billion people occupying some 50 countries and spending in excess of US$2tn on food and recreational services alone, Muslim societies represent a significant…
Abstract
Purpose
With close to two billion people occupying some 50 countries and spending in excess of US$2tn on food and recreational services alone, Muslim societies represent a significant segment of the world’s population, which warrants greater research attention and better understanding. While Islamic scholarship dates back over 1,400 years, few scholars have studied the impact of Islamic teachings and their effect on surrounding business and policy. The purpose of this paper is to better connect business strategy with Islamic philosophy.
Design/methodology/approach
This research is a theoretical paper based on literature review of existing works in academia and from the Koran. The researchers consulted academics and religious leader to better understand the written word and its implications on the various philosophies. This paper offers a sound foundation for further research on Islamic business philosophy.
Findings
This research is the base for further exploration into Islamic business philosophy and their underpinnings. To better understand Islamic business models, this study introduces three main and three minor schools of thought to provide a foundation for further research. The schools differ in their theological assumptions and worldviews. Some of them place emphases on traditional approaches, i.e. Jabria (like contemporary Salafies) and some underscore the virtue of reasons and enlightenment (e.g. Mu’tazila or the rationalists).
Originality/value
In brief, the study posits six different perspectives and interpretations relevant to Islamic policy that will be useful for both managerial practitioners and scholars to consider when undertaking business in a Muslim context.
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Mohd Azizi Ibrahim, Alias Mat Nor and Raja Rizal Iskandar Raja Hisham
This research aims to investigate the factors that can influence Bumiputera contractors’ acceptance of the Contractor’s All Risks (CAR) takāful (Islamic insurance) product using…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to investigate the factors that can influence Bumiputera contractors’ acceptance of the Contractor’s All Risks (CAR) takāful (Islamic insurance) product using the theory of reasoned action (TRA).
Design/methodology/approach
Using the method of quantitative surveys, 414 questionnaires were collected from targeted Bumiputera contractors in Malaysia (grade G1 to grade G7), except in Sabah and Sarawak, that are registered with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and are also members of Persatuan Kontraktor Melayu Malaysia (PKMM). The data was analysed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique.
Findings
The findings from the PLS-SEM analysis show that attitude, subjective norm, religiosity and awareness have a positive relationship with Bumiputera contractors’ acceptance of the CAR takāful product. Religiosity appeared to be the most significant factor influencing Bumiputera contractors’ acceptance of the CAR takāful product.
Research limitations/implications
The respondents in this study only comprised Bumiputera contractors in Peninsular Malaysia, excluding those from Sabah and Sarawak. Therefore, it is not possible to generalise the findings to a broader population.
Practical implications
Takāful operators and their sales and marketing departments need to act proactively in promoting the benefits of investing in CAR takāful that follows Sharīʾah (Islamic law) rules and principles. They should create mechanisms to market CAR takāful better, thus accelerating its acceptance rate among contractors.
Originality/value
The paper uses the proposed extended TRA model, which includes the variables of religiosity and awareness in the TRA model. These variables were successfully integrated in the model, and the findings show that they have significantly contributed to the acceptance of the CAR takāful product among Bumiputera contractors.
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