Psychological Mechanisms Research Articles

Supervisor bottom-line mentality and subordinate knowledge hiding: role of team climate

PurposeDrawing on social information processing theory, this study constructs a multilevel moderated mediation model. This model seeks to delve into the intricate and previously overlooked interplay between supervisor bottom-line mentality (BLM) and knowledge hiding. Within this context, we introduce self-interest as a mediating factor and incorporate performance climate as a team-level moderating variable.Design/methodology/approachThe time-lagged data involve 336 employees nested in 42 teams from 23 automobile sales companies in five regions of China. The analysis was meticulously executed using Hierarchical Linear Modeling, complemented by bias-corrected bootstrapping techniques.FindingsThe findings reveal that self-interest acts as a full mediator in the positive link between supervisor BLM and knowledge hiding. Furthermore, the performance climate plays a moderating role in both the relationship between supervisor BLM and self-interest, and the entire mediation process. Notably, these relationships are intensified in environments with a high performance climate compared to those with a low one.Originality/valueThis research stands as one of the pioneering efforts to integrate supervisor BLM into the discourse on knowledge hiding, elucidating the underlying psychological mechanisms and delineating the boundary conditions that shape the “supervisor BLM–knowledge hiding” relationship. Further, our insights provide organizations with critical guidance on strategies to curtail knowledge hiding among their employees.

Sympathy for the Devil: Serial Mediation Models for Toxicity, Community, and Retention

Disruptive behaviors in online gaming communities are a growing concern, affecting player experience, retention, and well-being. While previous research has primarily focused on the victims’ experiences, this study examines the psychological mechanisms underlying the attitudinal and behavioral responses to both encountering disruptive behaviors and being flagged for such behaviors, as well as the effects on retention. The study retrieved longitudinal telemetry records of player reporting and gameplay data from the North American server of a popular competitive player vs. player multiplayer online game, coupled with a psychometric survey of a randomly selected sample of 1,217 players. Based on the rejection-disidentification model, this research identifies a shared pathway for both reporting and being reported for disruptive behavior. Our findings support a serial mediation model where both experiences are linked to decreased player engagement. This reduced engagement, reflected in diminished participation in game battles over time, is mediated by perceived discrimination and a reduced sense of community. Moreover, drawing on the concept of procedural justice from the group engagement model, the study delineates unique pathways for the disengagement process for reporters and those reported. Being flagged for disruptive behavior leads to a significant drop in sustained engagement through a decreased sense of community, which is not the case for reporting disruptive behavior. The article concludes with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

SMARTPHONE: FRIEND OR FOE? UNCOVERING THE DARK SIDE OF DIGITAL ADDICTION

Smartphones have become an integral part of modern society, offering a wide range of functions and various positive and negative consequences. Smartphone addiction is associated with adverse mental health outcomes, underscoring the need for further exploration of mental health problems caused by intense smartphone use. The research aims to analyze the prevalence of smartphone addiction and the factors underlying it; as well as the psychological and physiological mechanisms underlying this relationship. The research design uses an exploratory approach to analyze the phenomenon of smartphone addiction in depth, regarding individual lives. Data collection uses a literature review, while data analysis is carried out thematically, and credibility is tested by checking data sources. The research results show that the prevalence of smartphone addiction ranges between 10% - 60% of smartphone users in most of the population, and the percentage is higher for male participants than female participants. The research contributions and implications provide important insights into the phenomenon of smartphone addiction and creating a healthier relationship with technology, by highlighting the prevalence of smartphone addiction in various populations, as well as explaining the psychological and physiological mechanisms underlying the relationship through the interaction of the dopaminergic system, emotion regulation, and the development of the disorder mental health.

How to study psychological mechanisms of mania? Asystematic review on the methodology of experimental studies on manic mood dysregulation of leading theories on bipolar disorder.

Although there are several psychological theories on bipolar disorders (BD), the empirical evidence on these theories through experimental studies is still limited. The current study systematically reviews experimental methods used in studies on the main theories of BD: Reward Hypersensitivity Theory (RST) or Behavioral Activation System (BAS), Integrative Cognitive Model (ICM), Positive Emotion Persistence (PEP), Manic Defense theory (MD), and Mental Imagery (MI). The primary aim is to provide an overview of the used methods and to identify limitations and suggest areas of improvement. A systematic search of six databases until October 2023 was conducted. Study selection involved two independent reviewers extracting data on experimental study design and methodology. A total of 84 experimental studies were reviewed. BAS and RST were the most frequently studied theories. The majority of these experimental studies focus on mechanisms of reward sensitivity. Other important elements of the reviewed theories, such as goal setting and-attainment, situation selection (avoidance or approach), activation, affective/emotional reactivity, and regulatory strategies, are understudied. Self-report and neuropsychological tasks are most often used, while mood induction and physiological measures are rarely used. There is a need for more consensus on the operationalization of psychological theories of mania. Standardization of test batteries could improve comparability among studies and foster a more systematic approach to experimental research. Research on affective (activated) states is still underrepresented in comparison with studies on trait vulnerabilities.

The Effect of Unhealthy Food Packaging Information Boundaries on Consumer Purchasing Intentions.

Existing studies have examined unhealthy food packaging information, mainly focusing on aspects such as the content, color, and text, whilst paying less attention to the boundaries of information. This paper investigates unhealthy foods through three experiments, revealing that the presence (vs. absence) of packaging information boundaries on unhealthy foods has a negative impact on consumers' purchasing intentions (p = 0.040) (Experiment 1). The feeling of constraint mediates this effect (β = -0.078, CI: [-0.1911, -0.0111]) (Experiment 2). Additionally, consumers with an independent self-construal exhibit reduced purchasing intentions when unhealthy food packaging information boundaries are present (vs. absent) (p < 0.001), whereas those with an interdependent self-construal show increased purchasing intentions under the same conditions (p = 0.024) (Experiment 3). This paper reveals the psychological mechanism and boundary conditions of unhealthy food packaging information boundaries affecting consumers' purchasing intention and provides practical inspiration for government policy-making related to unhealthy food packaging.

Stormy sales: the influence of weather expectations on FMCG consumption

PurposeThis study aims to understand the impact of extreme weather events on fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) consumption and to examine the role of anticipated product scarcity and FMCG types on such behavior.Design/methodology/approachThis paper conducted five studies, combining archival data analysis with behavioral experiments. The archival data included sales data from a supermarket chain and weather data from the National Weather Service. The experiments were designed to test the effect of extreme weather cues on consumption, the psychological mechanism behind this effect and moderators.FindingsThis research found that consumers’ anticipation of extreme weather events significantly increases their consumption of FMCGs. This research further discovered that these behaviors are driven by anticipated product scarcity and moderated by consumers’ altruisms and FMCG types.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations of the research include the reliance on reported sales data and self-reported measures, which could introduce biases. The authors also primarily focused on extreme weather events, leaving other types of disasters unexplored. Furthermore, cultural differences in disaster response might influence results, yet the studies do not fully address these nuances. Despite these limitations, the findings provide critical insights for FMCG retailers and policymakers, suggesting strategies for managing demand surges during disasters. Moreover, understanding consumer behavior under impending disasters could inform intervention strategies, potentially mitigating panic buying and helping ensure equitable resource distribution. Last, these findings encourage further exploration of environmental influences on consumer behavior.Practical implicationsThe findings have practical implications for products, brand managers and retailers in managing stock levels and product distribution during disasters. Furthermore, understanding the psychological mechanisms of these behaviors could inform policymakers’ designs of public interventions for equitable resource allocation during extreme weather events.Social implicationsThe research provides significant social implications by highlighting how extreme weather events impact FMCG consumption. This understanding can guide public policymakers in creating efficient disaster management plans. Specifically, anticipating surges in FMCG purchases can inform policies for maintaining price stability and preventing resource shortages, mitigating societal stress during crises. Moreover, these findings encourage public education around responsible purchasing during disasters, potentially reducing panic buying. By collaborating with FMCG manufacturers and retailers, governments can ensure a steady supply of essentials during extreme weather events. Thus, the research can play a crucial role in enhancing societal resilience in the face of impending disasters.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to integrate the impact of extreme weather events on consumption behavior with the psychological theory of anticipated product scarcity. The unique focus on FMCGs offers a novel perspective on consumer behavior literature.

A STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERNAL PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS AND ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION IN STUDENTS

The article is devoted to internal psychological factors and directions of its research. In this article, internal psychological factors are clarified, directions of problem research are investigated, including mechanisms of influence of internal psychological factors on success motivation. the internal psychological factors that determine the success motivation of students are investigated. Here, the influence levels of internal factors on success motivation are studied, including the mechanisms of success psychology and the factors that play a fundamental role in personality success. The research showed that students at medium and high levels tend to succeed and prefer medium risk levels. Those who are afraid of failure either prefer small or, on the contrary, a very high level of risk. It was determined that the higher the student’s motivation to succeed, the stronger the desire to achieve the goal and take risks. At the same time, hope for success is more important than weak motivation to succeed. It has been found that people who are motivated and have high hopes for success tend to avoid high risks.

Unveiling the psychological mechanisms behind sports celebrity social media endorsements

Unveiling the psychological mechanisms behind sports celebrity social media endorsements

The impact of the presence of hirsutism and hypertrichosis on the psychological state of women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome and hyperandrogenism

This review article focuses on analyzing the impact of excessive hairiness, in the form of hirsutism and hypertrichosis, on the psychological state of women affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hyperandrogenism. PCOS is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women, characterized by hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance and menstrual disorders, among others. Studies suggest that excessive body hair can have a significant impact on the quality of life and psychological state of PCOS patients, leading to lowered self-esteem, depression, anxiety and body dysmorphophobia. Despite numerous clinical observations, however, a complete understanding of the mechanisms underlying this association is lacking. The article underscores the need for further research to identify the biological and psychological mechanisms affecting the psychological state of women with excessive body hair in the context of PCOS and hyperandrogenism. As progress is made in this area, it will be possible to develop more effective management strategies and therapeutic interventions that can help improve the quality of life for these patients.

An Online Single-Session Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression and Anxiety Associated with Multiple Sclerosis-Pilot Study.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most debilitating neurodegenerative diseases in youth, significantly affecting all life domains. Therefore, a strong association between MS, depression and anxiety symptoms has been established. The objective of the present interventional one-group pretest-posttest study is to assess the feasibility of an online single-session intervention (SSI) based on a cognitive behavioral therapy protocol targeting depressive and anxiety symptoms, psychological mechanisms, fatigue and overall health status. Methods: In this pilot study, 31 patients with MS (Mage = 42 years, SD = 12.2) received the online CBT SSI. The impact of the intervention was assessed using validated instruments two weeks after the intervention and after a two-month follow-up period. Results: Statistically significant effects were observed for the reduction of depression, with B = -7.58, 95% CI (-12.84, -2.31) and p < 0.01, and anxiety, with B = -15.17, 95% CI (-18.31, -12.02) and p < 0.001, at post-test and follow-up screening. Additionally, positive outcomes were seen for irrational beliefs at post-test, with B = -25.86, 95% CI (-46.10, -5.61), along with negative automatic thoughts, with B = -4.47, 95% CI (-10.65, 1.71), which were preserved at follow-up. Despite the health status also improving, no significant changes were observed for dysfunctional attitudes and fatigue. Conclusions: This research proves that the online CBT SSI was efficient for decreasing mild to moderate symptoms of depression and anxiety and reducing the intensity of dysfunctional psychological mechanisms in our sample.

Fishing tourists’ green behaviors at coastal destinations: an optimum combination of perceived benefits, volitional/non-volitional factors, and emotions

ABSTRACT The population of recreation-seeking fishing tourists is increasing. This study aimed to examine the variables that contribute to predicting fishing tourists’ green behaviors at coastal tourism destinations by adopting an fsQCA approach. The research findings show that while each factor (i.e. perceived benefits, volitional variables, non-volitional variables, and emotion variables) individually exerts a significant influence on green behavior, the combined effect of integrating all these factors is substantial. This indicates that the synergy or combined influence of considering perceived benefits, volitional variables, non-volitional variables, and emotion variables together has a pronounced effect on promoting environmentally friendly behavior. Furthermore, the results of this study have academic and practical implications, as it was the first investigation of fishing tourists’ psychological mechanisms undertaken by defining the relationship between green behaviors and their antecedents.

Moral injury appraisals and complex PTSD in refugees: A longitudinal study.

Refugees show elevated rates of complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). However, relatively little is known regarding the psychological mechanisms that underlie the association between exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and CPTSD following exposure to war, persecution and displacement. In this study, we investigated the potential mediating role of moral injury appraisals (cognitive appraisals regarding the experience and consequences of morally transgressive events) in the association between PTE exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and disturbances in self-organization (DSO) symptoms. Participants were 889 refugees from Arabic-, Farsi-, Tamil-, and English-speaking backgrounds who completed an online survey in their own language at two time points 12 months apart. We assessed PTE exposure, moral injury-other appraisals (appraising moral transgressions as enacted by others), moral injury-self appraisals (appraising moral transgressions as enacted by the self), PTSD symptoms, and DSO symptoms. Longitudinal structural equation modeling indicated that moral injury-other appraisals mediated the association between PTE exposure and both PTSD and DSO symptoms. In contrast, moral injury-self appraisals only mediated the association between PTE exposure and DSO symptoms. Findings highlight the role of moral injury appraisals in exacerbating traditional PTSD symptoms, as well as the broader symptoms characteristic of CPTSD. Further, results indicate that specific types of moral injury appraisals (relating to one's own and others' perceived moral transgressions) may lead to differential psychological reactions, raising important implications for clinical practice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

How do entrepreneurs influence their social environment? A bibliometric analysis and editorial

AbstractThis article introduces the special issue on how entrepreneurs influence their social environment. The purpose of this special issue is to illustrate recent research exploring some of the unresolved questions relating to and uncovering connections between entrepreneurs' characteristics, actions, and experiences with their social environment. First, we report the results of a bibliometric analysis of articles addressing how entrepreneurs influence their immediate business environment (N = 873), the immediate private environment (N = 813), and the broader societal environment (N = 2,380). Second, we describe the seven articles in this special issue, which encompass a range of theoretical frameworks, research designs, and methodologies. We believe that the research featured in this special issue offers meaningful contributions to existing knowledge and will stimulate future research into examining the boundary conditions and psychological mechanisms that potentially explain the complex effects of entrepreneurs' experiences, characteristics, and behavior on different stakeholders and entities in their proximal and distal environments.

The spillover effect of Chinese sportswear brands' relationship quality: a perspective of Confucian yuanfen culture

PurposeChinese consumers' brand preferences are shifting from foreign sportswear brands to domestic ones. This indicates an increasingly strong relationship between Chinese consumers and domestic sportswear brands. The purpose of this study is to explore the spillover effect of Chinese domestic sportswear brands’ relationship quality to uncover the psychological mechanisms driving this preference shift.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a brand relationship quality scale based on Chinese Confucian yuanfen culture, considering it as a second-order reflective-formative construct. The survey generated 326 valid responses online. Due to the presence of second-order reflective-formative construct in the variables, SmartPLS 4.0 was used for hypothesis testing.FindingsInteraction belief, intimate interaction and happiness as formative dimensions of Confucian yuanfen brand relationship quality are validated, while emotional expression and tolerance are not. The Confucian yuanfen brand relationship quality has a spillover effect on product origin image and domestic sportswear brand preference. Product origin image has a mediating role between Confucian yuanfen brand relationship quality and domestic sportswear brand preference. However, consumer xenocentrism does not moderate the spillover effect of Confucian yuanfen brand relationship quality on domestic sportswear brand preference.Originality/valueThis study tests brand relationship quality from Confucian yuanfen perspective as a second-order reflective-formative construct. It contributes to understanding how Chinese consumers perceive their relationships with domestic sportswear brands. The results advance the current body of knowledge on brand relationship quality and spillover effect in sports marketing, indicating that Chinese sportswear brands can explore the possibility of co-opetition to achieve mutual benefits.

The role of testosterone and cortisol levels in nonsuicidal selfinjury in adolescents.

Nonsuicidal selfinjury (NSSI) is an important problem in adolescence, which is thought to serve several reinforcement functions (positive vs. negative, automatic vs. social). While the psychological mechanisms involved in NSSI are relatively well known, there is an important gap in the knowledge regarding the underlying biological mechanisms. This study examined the role of testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) in the frequency and reinforcement functions of NSSI. A total of 423 adolescents (age range = 13-17; 54.4% girls) from Basque Country (Spain) provided saliva samples to determine T and C levels and completed measures of NSSI 6 months later in 2017-2018. The results showed that T but not C was significantly associated with higher NSSI frequency and the four types of NSSI functions. In addition, C moderated the predictive association between T and NSSI for automatic negative reinforcement, such that this association was significant only when C was high. Participant sex did not moderate any association between hormones and NSSI. These preliminary results suggest that testosterone levels can affect NSSI behaviors in adolescence, thus helping to explain the increase in NSSI during this stage. Moreover, in situations in which NSSI serves to alleviate negative internal states, high levels of cortisol can be involved.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Clinical Trials on Salivary Biomarkers for Mental Health (2003-2024).

Mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders, are often difficult to diagnose and monitor using traditional methods. Salivary biomarkers offer a promising alternative due to their non-invasive nature, ease of collection, and the potential to reflect real-time physiological changes associated with mental health. This bibliometric analysis examines 95 clinical trials on stress biomarkers for mental health, published between 2003 and 2024. The field is characterized by extensive collaboration and global participation, involving 593 authors and publications across 73 journals. Despite a consistent annual publication rate, notable increases in 2011, 2014, and 2018 indicate growing research interest. The United States leads in research output, followed by Australia, Germany, and Japan, with Psychoneuroendocrinology being the most prominent journal. Co-occurrence analysis identified nine research clusters, suggesting diverse directions such as the impact of stress-related hormones, circadian rhythms, mindfulness, various therapies, aging, psychological adaptation mechanisms, exercise therapy, anxiety disorders, and the autonomic nervous system on salivary biomarkers. Key terms such as "biomarkers/metabolism," AND "hydrocortisone/metabolism," AND "saliva/metabolism" were central, with significant activity from 2012 to 2018. This analysis highlights a growing focus on the metabolic processes and therapeutic applications of salivary biomarkers in mental health.This bibliometric analysis calls attention to the promising potential of salivary biomarkers to revolutionize mental health diagnostics and treatment through non-invasive methods, fostering interdisciplinary research, technological advancements, and global health improvements.

The Impact of Loyalty Programs on Customer Retention in the Retail Industry

This study investigates the impact of loyalty programs on customer retention within the retail industry, focusing on how these programs enhance customer loyalty and influence purchasing behaviors. “Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to provide a comprehensive analysis. The primary objectives are to identify the types of loyalty programs used in retail, assess their effectiveness in retaining customers, and explore the psychological mechanisms that underpin customer loyalty. The hypothesis posits that well-designed loyalty programs significantly improve customer retention by increasing satisfaction and fostering repeat purchases. The findings reveal that loyalty programs, particularly those offering personalized rewards and tiered benefits, effectively boost customer retention by creating a sense of value and emotional connection with the brand. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of using customer data to tailor loyalty initiatives, which enhances the shopping experience and strengthens customer relationships. The research contributes to both academic literature and practical applications, offering valuable insights for retail managers aiming to optimize their loyalty strategies. By demonstrating the positive impact of loyalty programs on customer retention, this study underscores the critical role these programs play in achieving long-term success and competitive advantage in the retail industry.

Unleashing the black-box between high-performance work systems and employee flourishing-at-work: an integrative review

Purpose This study aims to unravel the black-box mechanism between high-performance work systems (HPWS) and the multifaceted well-being construct, flourishing-at-work (FAW). Moreover, this paper aims to bring in a positive psychological mechanism that can reduce the potential negative impact of HPWS on FAW. Design/methodology/approach A synthesis analysis of existing literature was carried out to formulate managerial and practical propositions. Findings Drawing upon the theoretical foundations of social exchange theory, conservation of resource theory, signalling theory and resource-based view (RBV), this study proposes a conceptual framework that connects HPWS, psychological capital (PsyCap), employee work passion (EWP), organisational trust (OT) and flourishing-at-work (FAW) with the possible moderating effect of OT in the relationship between HPWS and PsyCap. Practical implications Although the proposed conceptual framework is not empirically validated, the study provides several significant practical implications in terms of the integrated framework consisting of HPWS, PsyCap, OT, EWP and FAW. Originality/value This study represents a pioneering contribution by proposing an indirect relationship between HPWS and FAW. Moreover, none of the studies so far have unleashed the black-box mechanism between HPWS and FAW. The study provides a set of propositions that explain the relationships between the study variables, which enrich the understanding of strategic human resource management practices and their potential effects on employee well-being.

Eliciting guilt in virtual reality games: interplay of self-attribution, presence, and morality.

This study investigates the psychological mechanisms in virtual reality (VR) games, focusing on the interplay between character morality, self-attribution, presence, guilt, and their collective impact on player enjoyment. Based on Affective Disposition Theory, it hypothesizes that players' moral judgments of characters significantly affect their engagement and enjoyment of VR narratives. A post-test between-subjects experiment was conducted with 97 participants to examine the influence of character morality on guilt through the mediation of self-attribution, and how these factors affect players' sense of presence and overall enjoyment in VR games. The findings indicate that self-attribution significantly mediates the relationship between character morality and guilt. Additionally, the sense of presence enhances enjoyment, with a stronger sense of 'being there' amplifying the emotional impact of players' moral decisions. This study highlights the full mediating effect of self-attribution in the context of VR gaming, intensifying players' emotional responses to moral dilemmas. The results suggest that VR game designers should consider the moral implications of game narratives and character actions to create more emotionally engaging and ethically reflective gaming experiences. These insights have significant implications for VR game design and ethics, promoting greater ethical sensitivity among players.

The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem in the Relationship Between Perceived Family Social Support and Life Satisfaction: A Study on Youth

This study aimed to investigate the relationships among perceived family social support, self-esteem, and life satisfaction among Turkish youth, focusing on the mediating role of self-esteem. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the researcher gathered data from 432 participants via an online survey. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were employed to analyze the data. Findings revealed that perceived family social support positively influences self-esteem and life satisfaction. In addition, self-esteem positively affects life satisfaction. Furthermore, self-esteem served as a significant mediator, enhancing the positive impact of family support on life satisfaction. These findings suggest that interventions to enhance familial support and self-esteem may be effective strategies for improving life satisfaction. The study is important as it contributes to the academic literature by providing empirical evidence on the psychological mechanisms underlying youth well-being in Turkey, with implications for families, educators, and policymakers focused on supporting the developmental needs of young individuals. Future research should use longitudinal methods to provide a better understanding of the factors contributing to youth well-being.