Overwhelming Emotions Research Articles

Update and validation of the Beliefs about Losing Control Inventory-II (BALCI-II): a psychometric investigation

ABSTRACT The Beliefs about Losing Control Inventory (BALCI) was developed to assess negative beliefs about losing control in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Since its creation, research and theoretical work support negative beliefs about losing control as a potential transdiagnostic construct. The present study revised and expanded the original BALCI to be more inclusive of control-related concerns beyond those that would be expected in OCD (e.g. concerns about losing control over how one comes across to others in social anxiety disorder; SAD). Undergraduate students (N = 440) completed a questionnaire battery including the BALCI-II item pool. An exploratory factor analysis of the 32-item BALCI-II supported a four-factor solution. Three of the identified factors capture the feared consequences of losing control: 1) overwhelming emotions, 2) dangerous behaviour, and 3) madness. The fourth factor captures inflated beliefs about probability/severity of those losses. The BALCI-II was found to have good convergent and divergent validity, good to excellent internal, and retest reliability and was shown to have predictive utility in both OCD and SAD, above and beyond existing disorder-specific maladaptive belief domains. Results suggest the BALCI-II is an improvement over the previous version and supports the relevance of these beliefs beyond OCD.

Leaving, Again.

This short reflection with a photo is based on an emotional moment I had during my last visit to Kuwait, where I was born a third-generation stateless person, and later emigrated from to Canada, where I currently reside. It is an expression of the emotional and social manifestations of living between two countries and experiencing the loss of time with family and friends. It is an expression of the yearning for social connections that I left behind. It is also an attempt to reconcile with the experiences of forced migration and distance, which are not always successful. I used to visit Kuwait annually, but when COVID-19 hit, it interrupted these frequent visits. Up until recently, I had not visited in four years. But I stayed connected with my family and friends virtually, though WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, Zoom. When I finally went this winter, I was filled with overwhelming emotions. It had been too long, and I felt as though things have changed. But it was really me who has. Being away for such a long time has created a gap that I am still trying to understand. I was never troubled by distance. In fact, I loved it because it gave me the space to learn more about myself and explore the world. I thought I was okay with the distance for the longest time. But I learned how much I was craving the warmth of close connections, the in-person quality time, the long night chats, the morning coffees, the brunches by the beach, and the hugs I received from loved ones. I leaned that this distance meant missing out on making memories with loved ones. And losing so much time that can never be regained. I realized that when I was glued to my phone every day for hours, it was because I wanted to stay connected, and not be forgotten because distance can do that. I have already felt so many friendships fade away because of the distance, and now I find myself trying to hold on to those I have left. Yes, I made new ones virtually. And I had the chance to meet them in person this time. And it was beautiful. But now, I am leaving, again. I am more now of how this distance impacts me, and my relations. This time, I was very sad to leave. I wasn’t ready to leave just yet. I did not get enough time to be with my loved ones. It was a month, but it felt so short. I tried to squeeze all the meetings, squeeze all the love I craved, but it was so much love that just didn’t fit in such a short time. I had to leave eventually, again, with a big part of my heart left behind. A big part of my life away from me. And no matter what I do to stay connected, it’s not the same. I realized now, no matter what I choose, where I choose to live, I cannot have it all. And that I will always be giving up something. Oh the luxury to have it all…

Immigrant and minority parents' experiences in a neonatal intensive care unit: A meta-ethnography review.

To examine immigrant and minority parents' experiences of having a newborn infant in the neonatal intensive care unit and explore healthcare professionals' experiences in delivering care to immigrant and minority families. A meta-ethnographic review informed by eMERGe guidelines. We conducted a systematic literature review. Studies were included if they explored immigrant or minority parent experiences in neonatal intensive care units and health professional experiences delivering care to immigrant and minority families in neonatal intensive care. Reporting followed ENTREQ guidelines. Database searches included CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus and Google Scholar. Boolean search strategies were used to identify qualitative studies. No limitations on commencement date; the end date was 23rd August 2022. PRISMA guidelines used for screening and article quality assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute criteria for qualitative studies. Initial search yielded 2468 articles, and nine articles met criteria for inclusion. Three overarching themes were identified: (1) Overwhelming Emotions, (subthemes: Overwhelming Inadequacy; Cultural Expressions of Guilt; Not Belonging), (2) Circles of Support, (subthemes: Individual Level-Spirituality; External Level-Connecting with Family; Structured Peer-to-Peer Support), (3) Negotiating Relationships with Healthcare Professionals (subthemes: Connecting; Disconnected; Linguistic Barriers). Interactions between healthcare professionals and immigrant and minority parents were the strongest recurring theme. There can be a mismatch between immigrant and minority families' needs and the service support provided, indicating improvements in neonatal intensive care are needed. Despite challenges, parents bring cultural and family strengths that support them through this time, and many neonatal intensive care staff provide culturally respectful care. Professionals should be encouraged to identify and work with family strengths to ensure parents feel supported in the neonatal intensive care unit. Findings can inform policy and practice development to strengthen health professionals capabilities to support immigrant and minority families in neonatal units. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklists were used to report the screening process.

Somatic small body map protocol: renegotiating trauma with LGBTQIA+ service users

ABSTRACT Background LGBTQIA+ service users suffer microaggressions on a daily basis within a heterosexual, cisgendered society. They may become so accustomed to feeling unsafe that this becomes unconsciously considered the norm. Context A Somatic Small Body Map Protocol has been devised that introduces a lived experience of a safe environment. The protocol has been used with twenty service users in an individual setting. This paper explores specific responses from three different service users. Approach The protocol integrates psychodynamic art therapy with Somatic Experiencing in order to create a guided process that pendulates between somatic verbal feedback and the lived experience of the creative process, moving back and forth between inner sensations and their visual expression on paper, changing constantly in response. Outcomes The service users report positive feedback following the protocol that includes reduced anxiety, greater awareness of the effects of social homophobia on their psychological and physiological states and improved ability to contact difficult emotions without being overwhelmed. Conclusions The protocol may be useful within art therapy as a somatic tool to renegotiate trauma connected to microaggressions, increase awareness of bodily sensations and support the capacity to tolerate potentially overwhelming emotions. Implications for research The necessity of integrating somatic techniques when working with trauma is widely acknowledged. The protocol offers a structured tool to facilitate this, and specific training is being organised for its use. It may be adapted for use with other minority identities or in general to renegotiate any situation where a person has felt unsafe. Plain-language summary People who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual or otherwise differ (LGBTQIA+) from heteronormative conventions concerning gender, biological sex or sexual orientation can often feel unsafe outside their home. They may be so accustomed to this, they don’t consider it unusual. To help change this, the art therapist has produced a guided process based around the completion of a small body outline that is coloured in according to the person’s physical sensations. Art therapist and service user then explore together what could be represented in the area external to the body outline in order to help the person feel as safe as possible. They will proceed to track the felt sensations created by these reassuring things, and explore what changes are now necessary inside the body outline to reflect how their feelings have transformed in this new environment. This paper examines three service users’ reactions to this experience. The process combines art therapy with Somatic Experiencing, the name given to techniques that use verbal communication to work with body sensations. The therapist supports the service user in contacting their body’s sensations and describing them so that they can be represented inside the outline. The body’s response to what has been drawn can then be explored. By introducing positive things during difficult moments, the art therapist can help the person become less anxious about feeling painful things. Many people believe that working somatically with body sensations is key when working with trauma and the art therapist hopes that this guided somatic art therapy process will be useful for other art therapists. She offers specific training for its use. This process may be helpful not just for LGBTQIA + people but for everyone who has felt unsafe at any time.

“I thought that crying was weakness”: a thematic analysis of emotional experience in an online self-harm forum

Objective This study aimed to investigate the emotional experiences and beliefs of individuals who engage in self-harm by analyzing data from an online self-harm forum. Emphasis was placed on understanding how these individuals describe and evaluate their emotions (emotion beliefs) and the role these beliefs play in their emotion regulation and self-harming behaviors. Method A total of 119 posts from a self-harm discussion board on the forum were analyzed. Thematic analysis, following a critical realist perspective, was employed to identify and interpret recurring patterns in how posters articulated their emotion beliefs. Results Four themes were created during analysis: "My emotions are too much," "Self-harm as control or controlled by self-harm," "Suppression is better than expression," and "Self-harm helps me escape my emotional pain." Posters described experiencing overwhelming, uncontrollable, and unacceptable emotions, resulting in a desire to suppress or escape them through self-harm. Conclusions Individuals struggling with self-harm hold negative beliefs about their emotions, which intensify emotional experiences and contribute to feelings of shame and guilt. The findings highlight the necessity of interventions targeting these negative emotion-related beliefs to foster alternative emotional regulation strategies and reduce reliance on self-harm, as well as the importance of increased education on these emotional beliefs for those who support them, in order to reduce stigma. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the potential of online forums in gaining valuable insights into sensitive behaviors.

‘Self-harm is wrong’: the experience of self-harming behaviours that inflict external injuries to the body in UK-based Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani women: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

This study investigated the experience of self-harming behaviour that inflicts external injuries to the body in UK based Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi (UKBIP) women. A total of eight participants were recruited via purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews were carried out. The interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Analyses were carried out on an individual and group level and three super-ordinate themes, and nine sub-ordinate themes emerged. The superordinate themes were: ‘Powerlessness’ (‘Entrapment’, ‘Internalised Negativity’ and ‘Abused by my Environment’), ‘Mitigation’ (‘Releasing my Overwhelming Emotions’, ‘Connecting to my Pain’ and ‘Addicted to Self-harm’) and ‘Self-harm is Wrong’ (‘It must be Hidden’, ‘What have I done to myself?’ & ‘My Self-harm is Sinful’). The analyses revealed novel insights on the impact and importance of some South-Asian cultural values and beliefs on the experience of self-harm in South-Asian women. This paper will focus on the third superordinate theme and related sub themes, that of ‘Self-harm is Wrong’.

“Being There for Each Other”: Hospital Nurses’ Struggle during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aims to explore the experiences of frontline hospital nurses over 18 months of struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic. The qualitative thematic analysis method was applied. Twenty-three nurses from nine tertiary hospitals in Israel were interviewed using semi-structured interviews via the ZOOM platform between August and September 2021. Interviews were video recorded and transcribed verbatim. Trustworthiness was assured by using qualitative criteria and the COREQ checklist. Results: Both negative and positive experiences were reported: threat and uncertainty along with awareness of their important mission; anxiety and helplessness alongside courage and heroism. Personal management strategies emerged: regulating overwhelming emotions and managing work–life balance. Team support emerged as the most meaningful source of nurses’ struggle with the pandemic. A sense of intimacy and solidarity enabled the processing of the shared traumatic experiences. Conclusions: A deeper understanding of nurses’ experiences through the pandemic was gained. Informal peer support has proven effective in struggling with the events. Formal interventions, such as affective–cognitive processing of traumatic events, need to be integrated into practice. Healthcare policymakers should promote better support for caregivers, which will contribute to their well-being and impact the quality of care they provide.

A fast transition: A case study of patients' experiences during the diagnostic and surgical treatment phase of an accelerated brain cancer pathway.

Patients receiving a brain cancer diagnosis may face cognitive decline and a poor prognosis. In addition, they suffer from a high symptom burden in a complex cancer pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the early hospital experiences of brain tumour patients during the diagnostic and surgical treatment phase. A descriptive longitudinal single-case study design was used, and data were analysed via systematic text condensation. The patients' experiences of being diagnosed with and treated for brain cancer were interpreted in terms of the central theme: a fast transition into an unknown journey. This theme consisted of the following subthemes: emotionally overwhelmed, putting life on hold and an unfamiliar dependency. Patients diagnosed with brain cancer struggle with overwhelming emotions due to this sudden life-threatening diagnosis, their fear of brain surgery and their progressing dependence. Patients did not voice their feelings, fears or needs, so these may easily be overlooked and unmet. A proactive and continuous care approach throughout the diagnostic phase is needed to support these patients.

Serotonin transporter knockdown relieves depression-like behavior and ethanol-induced CPP in mice after chronic social defeat stress

Patients with stress-triggered major depression disorders (MDD) can often seek comfort or temporary relief through alcohol consumption, as they may turn to it as a means of self-medication or coping with overwhelming emotions. The use of alcohol as a coping mechanism for stressful events can escalate, fostering a cycle where the temporary relief it provides from depression can deepen into alcohol dependence, exacerbating both conditions. Although, the specific mechanisms involved in stress-triggered alcohol dependence and MDD comorbidities are not well understood, a large body of literature suggests that the serotonin transporter (SERT) plays a critical role in these abnormalities. To further investigate this hypothesis, we used a lentiviral-mediated knockdown approach to examine the role of hippocampal SERT knockdown in social defeat stress-elicited depression like behavior and ethanol-induced place preference (CPP). The results showed that social defeat stress-pro depressant effects were reversed following SERT knockdown demonstrated by increased sucrose preference, shorter latency to feed in the novelty suppressed feeding test, and decreased immobility time in the tail suspension and forced swim tests. Moreover, and most importantly, social stress-induced ethanol-CPP acquisition and reinstatement were significantly reduced following hippocampal SERT knockdown using short hairpin RNA shRNA-expressing lentiviral vectors. Finally, we confirmed that SERT hippocampal mRNA expression correlated with measures of depression- and ethanol-related behaviors by Pearson’s correlation analysis. Taken together, our data suggest that hippocampal serotoninergic system is involved in social stress-triggered mood disorders as well as in the acquisition and retrieval of ethanol contextual memory and that blockade of this transporter can decrease ethanol rewarding properties.

Emotional reactions to concepts of racism and white privilege in non-Aboriginal professionals working in remote Aboriginal communities.

This research, conducted by a non-Aboriginal, White researcher, examines how health professionals working in remote Aboriginal communities engage with antiracism as instructed by national standards, whether strong emotions are elicited while reflecting on these concepts, and how these reactions impact on antiracist professional practice. Eleven non-Indigenous allied health professionals were interviewed in a semi-structured format. Interviews were transcribed, thematically analysed and compared to existing literature. Every participant identified overwhelming emotions that they linked to reflecting on racism, White privilege and colonisation. Professionals reported grappling with denial, anger, guilt, shame, fear, anxiety and perfectionism, loss of belonging, disgust and care. They reported that these emotions caused overwhelm, exhaustion, tensions with colleagues and managers, and disengagement from antiracism efforts, and contributed to staff turmoil and turnover. Previously, these emotional reactions and their impact on antiracism have only been described in the context of universities and by antiracist activists. This research identifies for the first time that these reactions also occur in health services in Aboriginal communities. Wider research is needed to better understand how these reactions impact on health service delivery to Aboriginal communities, and to evaluate ways of supporting staff to constructively navigate these reactions and develop antiracist, decolonised professional practice.

Perceived powerlessness and self-harming behaviours in UK-based Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani women

This study investigated self-harming behaviours among UK-based women of Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani origin (UKBIP). Through purposive sampling, eight participants who had engaged in self-harm, specifically through cutting, were selected for semi-structured interviews. The qualitative data gathered from these interviews underwent analysis using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), which involved analysis at individual and group levels. Consequently, three super-ordinate themes and nine sub-ordinate themes emerged. The themes were ‘Powerlessness’ (‘Entrapment’, ‘Internalised Negativity’ and ‘Abused by my Environment’), ‘Mitigation’ (‘Releasing my Overwhelming Emotions’, ‘Connecting to my Pain’ and ‘Addicted to Self-harm’) and ‘Self-harm is Wrong’ (‘It must be Hidden’, ‘What have I done to Myself?’, and ‘My Self-harm is Sinful’). This paper focuses specifically on the ‘Powerless’ theme, exploring its relevance to self-harming behaviours in UKBIP women. The analyses provided novel insights into the impact and significance of the South-Asian cultural values and beliefs on the relevance to self-harming experiences in UKBIP women.

Increased wakefulness as measured by the WAKE-16 is related to mindfulness and emotional self-regulation in experienced Buddhist meditators.

We tested and validated the German version of a new instrument for measuring "wakefulness," defined as "an expansive, higher-functioning, and stable state of being in which a person's vision of and relationship to the world are transformed, along with their subjective experience, their sense of identity and their conceptual outlook" (Taylor, 2017, p. 22). In order to test the construct validity of the new instrument (Inventory of Secular/Spiritual Wakefulness; WAKE-16), we performed a parametric comparison between a group of expert meditators (n=36) with a history of predominantly meditating in silence and demographically matched non-meditators (n=36) for the WAKE-16 and two conceptually related questionnaires of mindfulness and emotion regulation. Significantly higher scores for the meditators on the WAKE-16 indicate construct validity of the new instrument. Meditators scored higher on the two mindfulness subscales "presence" and "acceptance," as well as on the SEE subscales of emotion regulation and body-related symbolization of emotions. Within the group of meditators, there were significant correlations between wakefulness and mindfulness, accepting one's own emotions, and experiencing overwhelming emotions. The only significant correlation in non-meditators was found between wakefulness and accepting one's own emotions. The new instrument shows construct validity by discriminating between the two groups. Correlations between wakefulness and related psychological constructs indicate convergent validity. Future studies could attempt to increase discriminatory accuracy of the definition of wakefulness, as well as finding objective methods of measuring.

초심자의 질적연구 입문 경험

The purpose of this study is to explore the beginner’s introductory qualitative research experience to understand the meaning of internal and external experiences experienced by researchers in the process of conducting qualitative research. In particular, I would like to explore what kind of experiences researchers form in relation to their identity as qualitative researchers in the process of conducting their research. For this purpose, a research puzzle called ‘What kind of experience did I form in the process of conducting qualitative research as a beginner of qualitative research and what is the meaning of the experience?’ was formed, and the researcher’s own qualitative research experience was analyzed according to the narrative inquiry method of Clandinin and Connelly (2000) and the meaning of the experience was formed. The meaning of the researcher’s introductory qualitative research experience, which was reconstructed and solved with five narrative topics, is as follows. First, “the point where I stopped, come back there,” second, “grope the way for lack of sight,” third, “I get lost in the ups and downs of fear, shame, and overwhelming emotions,” and fourth, “moving forward while making a path, fifth, still on the road: living as a qualitative researcher.” This study deals with my qualitative research experience as a beginner, and it may be meaningful to expand and share empirical understanding of the process of conducting qualitative research and the process of forming identity as a qualitative researcher to beginners who start qualitative research vividly in my own voice.

Juan ang Batang Ama: Fatherhood from the Lens of Teenage Ilokano Fathers

This phenomenological study investigated the lived experiences of teenage Ilokano fathers. Specifically, this study described what it is like to be a teenage father. Six teenage fathers, called in this study as Juan ang batang ama (Juan the young father), between the ages of 13 and 19 were selected through criterion sampling, and their experiences were gathered using an aide-mémoire. The data were analyzed using cool and warm analyses to identify significant statements and develop categories and themes. The analysis revealed five themes: shocking, overwhelming, balancing, challenging, and transforming. Initially, the teenage fathers' parents reacted with shock and disappointment, but over time, they gradually accepted and supported their children. The participants also described the overwhelming emotions and challenges they faced while balancing their roles as fathers and students. Moreover, they encountered difficulties such as delayed studies, financial constraints, and societal judgment, but also experienced personal growth and transformation. Fatherhood brought increased responsibility, maturity, and a shift in perspective, while their relationship with their children provided happiness, relief, and inspiration. The study emphasizes the importance of support systems, educational resources, and financial assistance in helping teenage fathers navigate their challenges while continuing their education. It also highlights the need to reduce the stigma and create an enabling environment that support the success of teenage fathers. Finally, the study suggests future research should include a more diverse sample for a broader understanding of teenage fatherhood in different contexts and culture.

EXPLORING THE ROLE OF PRINCE SATTAM BIN ABDULAZIZ UNIVERSITY IN ADDRESSING CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF FRUSTRATION AMONG STUDENTS

Frustration among university students is a prevalent and often overwhelming emotion resulting from a variety of academic, personal, and social pressures, significantly impacting their overall college experience. This study aims to investigate the role of Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University in addressing the causes and consequences of students’ frustration. We employed a descriptive research methodology and surveyed 87 faculty members from the colleges of Wadi Al-Dawasir and Al-Sukayyia using an 18-item questionnaire. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. The results indicated that, from the perspective of faculty members, the role of Prince Sattam bin Abdul Aziz University in addressing the causes and consequences of student frustration was moderate. The dimensions of this role were ranked as follows: first, the university's role in raising students' awareness about the causes and consequences of frustration; second, the university's educational role; and third, the university's preventive role in alleviating student frustration. The study proposes a conceptual framework to activate the preventive, awareness-raising, and educational roles of Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University in addressing the issue of student frustration.

Navigating an emotional journey: A qualitative study of the emotional experiences of family carers currently supporting people living with motor neurone disease.

Family carers of people living with motor neurone disease (MND) face continuous changes and losses during the progression of the disease, impacting on their emotional wellbeing. Carers' emotions might affect their engagement in everyday activities and their caring role. However, how carers manage their emotions and which strategies they identify as useful to cope with them while caring is under researched. To identify the emotional experiences and coping strategies of MND family carers while caring the person living with MND. We conducted 14 semi-structured interviews with family carers currently supporting people living with MND living in the UK. Interviews were audio/video recorded and professionally transcribed verbatim. We analyzed data inductively within an interpretive descriptive approach, using reflexive thematic analysis. Three key themes were generated from the analysis. Destabilization of diagnosis reflected the devastating impact the diagnosis had on carers, characterized by initial overwhelming emotions. Adapting to new circumstances and identifying coping strategies captured how carers experienced everyday changes and losses and how they gradually adjusted to the situation by identifying coping strategies to be able to manage arising emotions. Maintaining emotional coping encompassed how carers used individual strategies they had tried before and had worked for them to cope emotionally with the continuous changes and losses while preserving their emotional wellbeing. Our findings suggest that carers of people living with MND embark on an emotional journey from the diagnosis of the disease. As the disease progresses, carers adopt coping strategies that best work for them to manage their emotions (e.g., living day by day and seeking support). Understanding the key strategies used to support emotional coping during the caring journey and how carers re-construct their emotional life around MND could help inform future practice and research to better support carers of this population.

Jay Asher’s “Thirteen Reasons Why” Sexual Abuse Phenomenon

This study aims to examine the types of sexual abuse that the protagonist of the book "Thirteen Reasons Why" encounters, as well as how the psychological effects of the abuse affect the protagonist. In examining the different types of sexual abuse and their effects in the book, the researcher combined a psychoanalytical approach with descriptive and analysis methods to determine how the abuse might alter the psychological state of the characters. For the purpose of actively gathering secondary data to improve the comprehension of this research, library research, internet-based research, and book reading strategies were used. According to the study's findings, there are three different types of sexual abuse that take place in the book "Thirteen Reasons Why": verbal abuse (such as slander and negative labeling) and non-verbal abuse (such as peeping toms) as well as physical abuse (such as touching and coerced sex penetration). The character also experiences extreme shifts, unjustified feelings, overwhelming emotions, and suicidal thoughts as psychological effects.

Unravelling trauma, co-creating relief and weaving resilience: Playful collaborations with children, families and networks

In times of hardship, talking directly about painful or traumatic experiences, overwhelming emotions, or problematic actions with children, young people or families can be difficult. As co-researchers, we invite children, youngsters and their families and networks to contribute in playful ways to unravelling the tentacles of hardship and re(dis)covering a sense of agency, belonging and coherence. Together, we look in unexpected corners for safe places to build a team of support and solidarity. In dis-covering a multiplicity of stories rather than being trapped in one dominant story of trauma or loss, we co-create relief and develop more coherent storylines that weave the experiences and stories about hardship into the fabric of their lives.

Understanding culture shock and its relationship to intercultural communicative competence

Culture shock has gained attention and been observed from multi-disciplinary perspectives in international education, such as from anthropology, psychology, cultural psychology, intercultural communication studies, linguistics, and many others. By synthesising the ABC’s theory and intercultural communicative competence with their savoirs, the present study offers a perspective to analyse three international students’ culture shock experiences. As an explorative case study, the data were collected through in-depth interviews to extract the sojourners’ narratives, which were then transcribed in the form of text or quotations. It was found that the affective, behavioural, and cognitive dimensions were identified and emerged in each respondent. In the affective, overwhelming emotions, language limitation, and feelings of isolation were felt in various intensities. From the data, the respondents claimed to have lacked intrapersonal skills to prepare themselves for the culture of the host country along with the socio-cultural aspects. In addition, they found social support by individuals or officials essential for reducing negative feelings. In the behavioural dimension, these respondents started to adapt to the situation though they still found it challenging to confirm and clarify any unfamiliar encounters. Finally, in the cognitive dimension, the respondents mingled and integrated into the locals, both in their academic and social lives. It is suggested that elements of intercultural communicative competence, namely intercultural attitude, knowledge of the host culture, skills of relating and discovery, and critical cultural awareness may have the potential to manage culture shock effectively. It should be incorporated into international higher education and EFL pedagogy.

Understanding the Dynamics of Female Bullying

The research aimed to explain the dynamics of female bullying and its causes and characteristics. Bullying’s influence on schools and society was becoming a growing problem; it affected the person being bullied and the bully, which might lead to anxiety, depression, sleep issues, decreased academic success, and school dropout and more likely to attempt suicide. With this, many types of research were conducted to identify factors surrounding bullying; however, it lacked research converging on female bullying. Female bullying might not exist for many, but it was considered more dangerous than male bullying because it attacked its victims in social and psychological aspects, causing them to seek vengeance or, worse, attempt suicide. The research applied a qualitative research method corresponding to a case study design. Qualitative data consisted of open-ended information gathered through interviews and observation. It is found that the causes of female bullying are identity crisis, family and social alienation, bullying experiences, overwhelming emotions, and a low tolerance for other people’s physical appearance or characteristics. It further discloses that female bullying usually uses subtle attacks in verbal bullying, physical bullying, and social bullying, which characterizes it from any other form of bullying.