Psychological Context Research Articles

Motivating Left-Behind Vocational Students in English Learning through Game-Based Listening Activities: The Interaction between Self-Esteem and Listening Comprehension Skills

To enhance the motivation of left-behind vocational students to learn English, exploring innovative ways of learning English suitable for such students. This study investigates the effectiveness of game-based listening activities in improving English language learning among left-behind vocational students in China. Employing a quasi-experimental design, the research examined the impact of the intervention on learning motivation and listening comprehension skills, while considering the moderating effects of self-esteem and various environmental factors. A sample of 198 left-behind vocational students participated in the study, with 99 in the experimental group and 99 in the control group. Results revealed significant improvements in overall motivation (d = 0.79) and listening comprehension skills (d = 0.92) for the experimental group. Notably, intrinsic motivation showed a larger increase (d = 0.85) compared to extrinsic motivation (d = 0.31). Self-esteem was found to moderate the intervention's effectiveness, with higher self-esteem associated with greater improvements. Environmental factors, particularly access to technology and school support, significantly influenced learning outcomes. The study provides evidence for the efficacy of game-based approaches in addressing the unique challenges faced by left-behind vocational students and highlights the importance of considering individual psychological factors and environmental contexts in educational interventions. Future research should focus on the long-term efficacy, scalability, and methods to cater to students with varying levels of self-esteem and environmental support.

Exploring Socio-Cultural Determinants of Female Suicides: A Qualitative Study of Gahkuch, Gilgit-Baltistan

This qualitative ethnographic study investigates the socio-cultural determinants of female suicides in Gahkuch, District Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan, where alarming rates of such incidents have been reported. The research aims to uncover the perceptions of the community, and affected families regarding the underlying causes of female suicides, while exploring the broader socio-cultural and psychological contexts. Data were collected through purposive sampling, employing in-depth interviews with diverse participants, including relatives of victims, community members, land alongside direct observations. Thematic analysis of the data reveals that patriarchal norms, restricted decision-making autonomy for women, domestic violence, forced marriages, and societal rejection of personal choices are pivotal factors driving women toward suicide. Additional determinants include the unavailability of ideal life partners, marital conflicts, societal pressure to conform to traditional roles, and the stigma attached to non-conventional behavior, such as pursuing love marriages or modern lifestyles. The study also identifies cases of honor killings misrepresented as suicides due to societal taboos around disclosing the true causes of death. Psychological stressors, compounded by inadequate acknowledgment of women’s contributions to households and society, were found to exacerbate vulnerabilities. Unique local factors, such as the misuse of technology, excessive salt consumption linked to aggressive behavior, and limited mental health support, were also highlighted as contributing elements. The study concludes that Gahkuch’s traditional and patriarchal social structure, despite progress in education and empowerment, perpetuates systemic inequalities and cultural restrictions that leave women vulnerable. To address these issues, the research emphasizes the need for societal reforms, enhanced religious and mental health awareness, and initiatives promoting gender equality and female empowerment. It further advocates for targeted interventions, including community-based awareness campaigns, institutional mechanisms for addressing domestic violence, and the inclusion of women in decision-making processes, to mitigate the factors leading to female suicides and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in the region.

ІГРОВА ФОРМА НАВЧАННЯ ЯК СПОСІБ МОТИВАЦІЇ ДО ВИВЧЕННЯ НІМЕЦЬКОЇ МОВИ

The article focuses on the game form of teaching German as a way to motivate students to learn it. The main competences and skills, formed during the game (communicative, cognitive, emotional, social, motor, mental), are investigated. The game in educational and pedagogical contexts is described, the game, learning and cognition for students of different age groups are compared, as well as the great interest in the game even outside the classroom. The problems of gamification in various spheres of human activity are outlined. The importance of the game is noted with reference to scientific sources, the relevance of its study, which dates back to ancient times. The main characteristics of the game are presented, the conditions necessary for the successful use of games in the classroom (favourable learning environment, silence, elimination of stress factors, teacher's behaviour, duration, completeness of the process, etc.) and the use of the game in the psychological context in general are described. The game is described as a motivating factor from the point of view of the player, when it should be enjoyable, because this effect contributes to the most beneficial learning of something new, often subconsciously. Particular attention is paid to the game as an intrinsic motivation to learn a language, when a learner does not have to learn through external motivating factors, but wants to learn through his/her own intrinsic motivation. The study presents the main types of exercises used in the form of games in German language classes to train the main language skills: speaking, writing, listening, reading, as well as grammar and basic soft competences. A game is a way of presenting a complex topic in an easy, unconscious way and transferring/acquiring new competences. The main types of games are outlined (dominoes, memos, cards to match an image with a word in German, bingo, Black Peter, autograph hunting, class walk, class survey, detective game, riddles, taboos, pantomime, etc.)

Anger as defiance, anger as self in Anna Langfus’ Le Sel et le soufre and Les Bagages de sable

For Polish-born writing-in-French novelist Anna Langfus (1920-1966), fiction writing ought to aim both at self-expression and other-communication. Chiefly concerned with the question of post-Shoah identity and refusing to reduce characters to the oversimplified position of victims, her narratives foreground the voice and experience of the survivor, while seeking ethical communication with readers. Hence, Langfus appeals to the common human-being-ness of characters and readers, through the evocation of universal emotions and feelings. Anger is one such emotion, and this contribution proposes to analyse the narrative and ethical role of anger in her first two novels: Le Sel et le soufre (1960) and Les Bagages de sable (1962). The article will first provide a quick overview of the conceptualisation and interpretation of anger in religious, philosophical, and psychological contexts. It will then include a reminder of the difficulties Shoah survivors met to be heard in the immediate post-war years in France and situate Langfus within her historical context. The second part of the discussion will examine episodes of anger in Langfus’ first two novels and propose an interpretation of anger as a tool harnessed by the protagonists to remain in contact with their lost loved ones and with their own intimate selves. The discussion will conclude on the ‘communicability’ inherent to Langfus depiction of anger, suggesting that the inscription of this ambivalent emotion allows the novelist to challenge stereotypical representation of post-Shoah survivors, while also, and perhaps more importantly, enabling her to call to an (ideal) reader, now drawn into a communal space of human frailty.

ANALYSIS OF CYBERBULLIES' FLAMING BEHAVIOR TOWARD CELEBRITY BRAND MANAGEMENT: THE CASE OF MERVE DIZDAR AT CANNES

The rapidly changing landscape of new media poses significant challenges for social scientists striving to define sociological and psychological contexts. The emergence of "Online flaming" as a behavior post-Web 2.0 technology exemplifies this challenge, embodying a form of cyberbullying characterized by insulting messages online, which transgress societal norms. This study integrates the stances and actions of celebrity brands on social media within their brand management processes. Employing netnography—an online ethnographic research method that systematically analyzes online communities—this study scrutinizes flaming behaviors impacting the personal brand management processes of actress Merve Dizdar on YouTube. The sample consists of the most-liked comments and sub-comments from the top five YouTube channels featuring Dizdar's speech, categorized into six flame behavior types: direct and intentional flame, indirect flame, straight flame, satirical flame, hot flame, and cold flame. Through netnography, the study examines the cultural essence of cyberbullying embedded within flaming behaviors. Findings of the research reveals the prevalent use of exclusionary language against the actress, with cyberbullies aiming to negatively impact her motivation. This research highlights the widespread use of exclusionary language, emphasizing its potential impact on the actress's online reputation and psychological well-being. Moreover, cyberbullies' aim to negatively affect the actress's motivation highlights the broader implications of online flaming on public figures. The study calls attention to brand management challenges in the digital age and offers insights for future research, aiming to foster a healthier online environment.

Navigating the Future: Antecedents and Consequences of Psychology Empowerment in Human-Robot Collaboration within Malaysia’s Smart Industries

In recent years, psychological empowerment has gained significant attention in organizational psychology and business contexts. However, its application to human-robot employees, particularly in the domain of collaborative robots (COBOTscobots), remains underexplored, especially in Southeast Asia and Malaysia where empirical studies are sparse. This pioneering study addresses this gap by applying Spreitzer's (1995) framework and using PLS-SEM to investigate psychological empowerment among Malaysian COBOTcobot-integrated operators in smart manufacturing. The study examines role clarity as a novel moderator alongside traditional antecedents and incorporates authentic leadership and psychological capital as new constructs. Key findings reveal that role clarity significantly enhances the positive effects of psychological empowerment on job engagement but does not impact innovative work behavior. Additionally, authentic leadership and psychological capital are crucial in fostering empowerment. This extended study of the nomological psychology of empowerment provides valuable insights for future research direction on human-robot employees and collaboration dynamics.

From History to Mindset: The Psychological Legacy of Taxation in Indonesia

This paper explores the factors contributing to tax non-compliance in Indonesia by examining its psycho-historical context through a chronological literature review. By analyzing multiple written sources, the researchers outlined the historical progression of taxation in a systematic order. Specific terms associated with different types of taxation, such as tribute, head tax, and land rent tax, are utilized to dissect the essence of taxes within the broader economic and social historical framework. Investigating the evolution of taxation from the era of kingdoms to the present revealed how public perceptions of taxes have changed over time—viewed at various points as coerced tribute, extortion, national contribution, corruption, and a duty-bound obligation. These shifting perceptions reflect the deep-rooted psychological significance of taxation within Indonesian society. The study suggests capitalizing on these historical viewpoints, both positive and negative, to enhance tax compliance strategies. By gaining insights into these foundational attitudes regarding taxation, the paper advocates for further empirical research to refine tax representation and improve governance. This approach seeks to develop a nuanced strategy in tax policy, highlighting the importance of aligning with the historical and psychological context of the Indonesian population.Top of Form Bottom of Form

How Is Fake News Spread? An Analysis of the Dissemination Process: Actors, Channels, and Motives

Even though fake news is widely recognized as one of the most serious threats in the post-truth era, there are still some gaps regarding fake news dissemination. To address these gaps, it is necessary to conduct theoretical research revising and analyzing the latest scientific developments on this topic paying attention to social, psychological, and technological contexts in which fake news is constructed and spread. Understanding this process might help to improve the media literacy of users by raising awareness and forming critical attitudes to by-products of the information environment. This article presents a literature review on fake news dissemination based on an analysis of 106 papers extracted from the Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. The author focuses on identifying the main actors who spread fake news. Additionally, a typology is proposed to organize knowledge about the motives behind creating fake news, based on social, psychological, and cognitive factors.

Analyzing ChatGPT's Sustainability as a Language Learning Tool: Saudi EFL Learners' Perspectives, Problems and Pedagogical Prospects

The study assessed Saudi EFL students' perspectives on ChatGPT's incorporation into EFL classrooms for language acquisition and instruction, challenges and barriers, and pedagogical prospects. 212 respondents were randomly selected from different stages of the undergraduate programs at the College of Business Administration and College of Science & Humanities, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, KSA. A questionnaire with self-designed and partially incorporated items from existing studies was utilised to collect the data from the respondents. The data was analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics. It was found that Saudi EFL learners held an immensely favorable perspective on the efficacy of ChatGPT incorporation into EFL classrooms. It was also found that ChatGPT-powered classrooms posed certain challenges such as erroneous results, plagiarism and reproduction, professional integrity, listening and speaking, failure to think critically, and incapability to understand cultural and psychological contexts embedded in idioms and language expressions. However, it was also found that ChatGPT, despite its limitations, offers significant educational implications as it can satisfy learners' specific needs better than conventional language learning and teaching methods.

Investigating the Impact of Age and Education on Delay Discounting: A Predictive Random Forest Model for Personalized Marketing and Mental Health Risk Detection

This study uses a random forest model to predict delay discounting rates, aiming to support mental health interventions and personalized marketing strategies. Delay discounting refers to the tendency to prefer smaller immediate rewards over larger delayed rewards, a behavior closely linked to impulsivity and relevant in both psychological and commercial contexts. Data from Garofalo et al., including 357 healthy Italian adults categorized by age and education level, were used. Two-way ANOVA showed that education significantly influences delay discounting rates, while age does not. The model was utilized to anticipate delay discounting behaviors influenced by various factors. The random forest algorithm reached an impressive accuracy rate of 92%, showing particular proficiency in forecasting both high and low delay discounting classifications. Additionally, the model successfully pinpointed individuals whose actual discounting rates diverged significantly from the predictions, offering crucial insights for proactive mental health interventions. Based on the predictions, personalized strategies were recommended for individuals with different delay discounting rates, demonstrating the value of this predictive model in the fields of mental health and commercial marketing.

Adopting an Indigenous rights-based approach to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students: Repositioning school psychology to address Competency 8

This paper examines the emerging professional expectation that school psychologists will be able to demonstrate competency in delivering services to Indigenous students. We argue that achieving this competency requires an underpinning Indigenous rights-based perspective embedded in professional education and practice. We discuss the historical context of psychology in Australia, the competencies needed for psychologists and the critical role psychologists might play in advocating for the rights and self-determination of Indigenous Peoples both internationally and specifically in Australia. Additionally, we explore the challenges within the Australian education system, the deficit perspectives surrounding Indigenous students and the need to shift to rights-based approaches to support these students effectively. The paper also covers topics such as the cultural competency of teachers, the impact of settler colonial education policies on Indigenous youth and the intersection of Indigenous rights and psychology. Overall, the paper provides insights into the evolving role of school psychologists in the requirements of Competency 8 and argues for the significance of an Indigenous rights-based approach to providing professional services in education.

“Andhap Asor” in a Psychological Perspective: A Realist Study of Contemporary Javanese Society

Background: Cultural values ​​in Javanese social interactions have shifted, especially in the context of modernization that has an impact on the implementation of Andhap Asor, a cultural concept that emphasizes humility and respect. Objective: This qualitative study aims to explore the meaning and implementation of Andhap Asor in contemporary Javanese society through a realist approach, focusing on the psychological context of this value in social behavior. Method: Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and surveys with open-ended questions, involving teenagers, cultural figures, and stakeholders, selected using purposive sampling techniques. Thematic analysis in this study produced four themes: (1) The Psychological Concept of Andhap Asor; (2) Multi-generational Context in the Implementation of Andhap Asor; (3) Cultural Shift and Preservation Efforts; and (4) Contribution of Andhap Asor to Education and Social Cohesion. Conclusion: The conclusion of the study shows that although the value of Andhap Asor has declined among the younger generation, this principle remains important in creating harmonious social relationships, supporting mental health, and maintaining social cohesion in the modern era.

Concealed and compromised: masking, autism and graphic medicine

ABSTRACT While the phenomenon of autistic masking, in which individuals on the autism spectrum conceal their true selves to conform to neurotypical norms, is increasingly examined in psychological contexts, it is comparatively understudied in literary representations. The present article, centred on the 2022 anthology, Sensory: Life on the Spectrum, An Autistic Comics Anthology, curated by Bex Ollerton, close-reads selected autobiographical comics to demonstrate how autistics leverage the graphic medium to depict the lived experiences of masking. The article analyses the compromise of selfhood inherent in this phenomenon, and it investigates the intricacies of identity, neuronormative expectations and the toll of performing neurotypicality. The medium of comics becomes a potent medium to present the impact of masking on neurodivergent individual’s sense of self and belonging. Furthermore, the article underscores the potential of graphic medicine in exposing neuroableism, amplifying neurodivergent voices and advancing discourse on neurodiversity within literary and cultural contexts.

FLEXIBILITY OF PEDAGOGICAL KNOWLEDGE: REVEALING THE SEMANTIC FIELD IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PHENOMENON OF “KNOWLEDGE”

The article highlights the results of the study of the influence of the phenomenon of “knowledge” on the formation of the semantic field of the term “flexibility of pedagogical knowledge”. It was established that the semantic field of the term “flexibility of pedagogical knowledge” forms the variability of contexts. In the philosophical context, it is a form of reflection of the characteristics, features of the educational process in the mind of the teacher, a way of assimilating the results of one’s own pedagogical actions, the result of pedagogical activity in relation to all participants. In the psychological context, it is a complex intellectual activity of a teacher, which represents the process of performing various cognitive actions as part of pedagogical activity, the process of the teacher acquiring new pedagogical knowledge and experience. In the pedagogical context, this is a personal quality that is formed independently or in interaction with others, a component of the teacher’s worldview, which significantly affects the process of pedagogical activity and its results; manifests itself at the level of flexibility in the application of subject knowledge, knowledge of norms and values, knowledge of methods of action in pedagogical activity.The flexibility of pedagogical knowledge is considered as: 1) a personal quality that is formed as a result of performing actions; 2) the main component of the teacher’s worldview, which determines the attitude to the implementation of pedagogical activities; 3) the process of pedagogical activity, which is influenced by types, characteristics and levels of knowledge.The flexibility of pedagogical knowledge has the following implementation: effectively operate pedagogical knowledge reject ineffective actions, restructure activities, choose more effective actions, switch attention from one method of action to another, develop new methods of action for efficiency in atypical, changed situations that arise in pedagogical activity; to combine several known methods of action; to apply different methods of action in the same situation, taking into account external conditions, professional interests, personal educational needs and requests.

PRAYER AND VIGILANCE: A BIBLICAL AND PHILOKALIAN APPROACH TO THE RENEWAL AND PROTECTION OF THE NOUS

This article examines the biblical and Philokalian approach to renewing and protecting the nous or intellect (Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:17), proposing that prayer and nepsis (vigilance) are essential strategies for mitigating the influence of logismoi and passions. Analysis reveals that these practices are vital in cultivating authentic Christian spirituality. The Philokalia invites a reevaluation of spiritual perspectives, offering a novel framework that integrates an investigative tool, therapeutic technique, and theoretical insights into the human mind. This study highlights how these ancient practices can be adapted to modern psychotherapeutic interventions, providing a transformative approach to revitalizing our nous faculties. The findings underscore the relevance of the Philokalia in contemporary spiritual and psychological contexts, introducing innovative methods for addressing spiritual and emotional challenges in today's world. This article aims to bridge ancient spiritual wisdom with contemporary therapeutic practices, offering new insights and practical applications for enhancing mental and spiritual well-being.

Social norms and social opportunities: a qualitative study of influences on tobacco use among urban adolescent girls in Ghana

BackgroundTobacco use is a global public health threat and a leading preventable cause of death in the world. While cigarette use among youth has been decreasing in high-income countries, low- and middle-income countries have contrastingly high rates of adolescent smoking. In Ghana, smoking prevalence is lower than in other parts of the African continent and more common among men than women; however the gender gap in tobacco use among adolescents has narrowed, with shisha use among girls recently surpassing boys. These trends toward increased relative use among adolescent girls are a cause for concern and highlight the need for interventions to prevent and/or reduce tobacco use in this population.MethodsWe conducted in-depth interviews with girls aged 13–20 (n = 148) and their parents (n = 7) in Ghana’s largest two cities – Accra and Kumasi, to explore the physical, social, and psychological context underlying smoking perceptions and behavior.ResultsWe identified 11 key insights into influences on smoking behavior, organized into the broader themes of perceptions of smoking, environmental factors, and internal factors. Findings underscore that perceptions around smoking are very much driven by girls’ social world, which is generally small and parent-centric for non-smokers at younger ages but can start to expand as girls get farther along in school or leave school entirely. After what may have been a sheltered adolescence, many older girls in Ghana look for ways to express their independence in decision-making and a few may use their developing agency to rationalize limited or infrequent tobacco use if they perceive the benefits to them outweigh the potential consequences.ConclusionsOur findings highlight strong social influences on girls’ perceptions, exposure to opportunities, and decision-making in ways that can often be protective against smoking, particularly at younger ages, but may also leave girls unprepared to manage challenging situations later in life. Understanding this context in Ghana will be important for any future programming aiming to prevent smoking initiation among adolescents.

Health Risks Associated with Adopting New-Generation Disposable Products Among Young Adults Who Use E-Cigarettes.

New-generation disposable e-cigarettes have become increasingly popular among young adults in the USA since the FDA's partial flavor ban. This study aims to examine longitudinal changes in health risks among young adults who adopted these novel products, as well as the health effects of device types beyond the effects of other important e-cigarette characteristics. This study recruited e-cigarette users via voluntary response sampling from three college campuses in the USA to respond to four-wave online surveys conducted in four consecutive semesters. Among the participants who adopted disposables during the study, their health risks (dependence symptoms, respiratory symptoms, combustible tobacco use) and e-cigarette consumption characteristics (use frequency, nicotine concentration and flavors) before and after the adoption were compared using paired-sample t- or McNemar's tests. Generalized linear mixed models with a random intercept were conducted on data from the entire sample to investigate the effects of device type (tank, cartridge/pod, disposable) on health risks, controlling for other e-cigarette consumption characteristics. The study sample of 650 e-cigarette users were, on average, 20 years old, with 49% being male, 70% being White, and 13% being Hispanic. Adopting disposables may increase secondary dependence motives (t = 2.42, p < 0.05) and the use of higher levels of nicotine concentration (t = 2.09, p < 0.05) and sweet flavors (x2 = 22.53, p < 0.05) but decrease the number of times of vaping per day (t = -2.18, p < 0.05) and the use of menthol flavors (x2 = 4.57, p < 0.05). Tank use is associated with a higher level of primary dependence motives (b = 0.1998, p < 0.05) and a greater odds of using combustible tobacco (b = 0.4772, p < 0.05). Although disposable use is not associated with the likelihood of using combustible tobacco, it is associated with higher levels of both primary (b = 0.2158, p < 0.05) and secondary (b = 0.2533, p < 0.05) dependence motives. It is not the device type, but rather the frequency of vaping, that affects respiratory symptoms (b = 0.0602, p < 0.05). The findings indicate that when young adults switch to disposables, their e-cigarette dependence and use of sweet-flavored e-liquids increase. Even after controlling for use frequency, nicotine concentration and flavors, using disposables is related to not only instrumental motives that are influenced by psychological and environmental contexts but also heavy, automatic use that can operate without environmental cues. Given the health risks associated with disposable e-cigarettes, more comprehensive tobacco product regulations that consider the impact of device types may be needed.

An SEM-ANN analysis of the influence of strategic merger on strategic postchange of family businesses

Purpose Companies seek to increase the percentage of acquisitions in different parts of the world by expanding operations. Many companies are adopting strategic mergers to expand their influence. However, most strategic change programs fail to achieve their objectives. This study aims to investigate employees’ reactions after strategic mergers through the mediating role of the employees’ psychological context. It was necessary to identify the most prominent postmerger employees’ behaviors. The study addressed this gap by investigating the outcomes of strategic mergers. Design/methodology/approach Data for this study were collected from 30 family businesses. Accordingly, 341 questionnaires were collected with an overall response rate of 64%. The structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach and the nonlinear relationships approach were adopted by implementing artificial neural network (ANN) analysis. Findings The results confirm that there is a clear impact of strategic mergers on employees’ postmerger behavior because of the change at the hierarchical level and the process of distributing roles. Employees’ psychological context (individual incentives, anxiety and individual mobbing) mediates the relationship between strategic mergers and postmerger employees’ behavior. In addition, individual incentives are considered the main contributor to retaining or not retaining employees in family businesses after strategic merger. Research limitations/implications Policymakers in organizations must pay attention to employees’ possible reactions to the internal and external policies of the organization by increasing individual incentives and reducing individual mobbing toward strategic merger. This study has theoretical implications that are critical guidelines for academics in mitigating the negative consequences for employees’ postmerger behavior. This study captured linear and nonlinear relationships to discover the determinants and antecedents of a strategic merger in family businesses. However, future studies should focus on using more robust statistical methods by adopting decision-making methods to determine the best and worst companies in terms of adopting strategic mergers. Originality/value The scarcity of literature on the most important determinants of postmerger employees’ behavior is considered an encouragement to conduct the current study. To this end, this study enriches the ongoing and future literature by examining the most important factors influencing the strategic merger of family businesses. Family businesses have changed the economic landscape of many countries. The investigation of the strategic merger of these companies is considered a worthy matter of study to improve the nation’s economy.

The Trajectory of Parental Psychological Control, Self-Esteem, Language Class Risk-Taking, and EFL Learners’ Confidence in Speaking English

To best understand foreign language learning, the present study proposes and tests a conceptual model of confidence in speaking English by examining the path effects of three variables. These three variables are parental psychological control, self-esteem, and language class risk taking. Data were collected from 394 Taiwanese undergraduate students. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique was adopted to examine the path effect in the research model. The results confirmed four significant path effects: (1) parental psychological control negatively predicts self-esteem; (2) self-esteem positively predicts language class risk taking; (3) language class risk taking positively predicts confidence in speaking English; (4) self-esteem positively predicts confidence in speaking English. A mediator was also identified in this model. Language class risk taking was found to mediate the relationship between self-esteem and confidence in speaking English. This study might provide one of the very first empirical findings in the exploration of the relationships among these variables. The findings could help applied psychology researchers understand university EFL learners’ parental psychological control, self-esteem, language class risk taking, and confidence in speaking English in psychological, educational and linguistic contexts.

Civilian Attitudes Toward the Military through the Prism of Personal Experience in Wartime Ukraine

Aim. The goal of the research is psychological analysis as well as the development of the typology of attitude of the civilians of Ukraine toward military personnel in wartime. Methods. The transcripts of five focus group discussions in five cities of different regions of Ukraine have been subjected to thematic analysis. The criteria for analysis were: a) the quality of contacts, b) regularity (frequency) of contacts with military personnel. Results. Four types of attitudes of civilians toward military personnel have been identified: “interaction participant” as a real and personalised contact; “interested witness” as real and close irregular contacts; “observer” as a distant and imaginary irregular contact; “re-teller” as a remote, imaginary contact through accidental meetings. Topics for analysis include emotional treatment, attitudes depending on military personnel types, interaction formats and conflict probability, and the associative image of a military man. Conclusion. The identified attitudes of civilians to military personnel reflect the availability of a dichotomy between the sense of gratitude to military personnel for their heroism vs the striving of civilians to have their own normal life. Proximity to one of the poles determines the type of treatment of military personnel, and, at the same time, the prospective probability and tension of the conflict. Originality. The study was conducted in September-October 2023, the second year of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Psychological analysis of the subjective attitude of civilians to military personnel in the social and psychological context of war has been made through focus group discussions.